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June 21 2k18
<br /> County of Clear Creek, Colorado
<br /> Mr Adam Springer, Sr Planner ,
<br /> 1111 Rose St POB 2000
<br /> Georgetown, CO 80444 303-679-2361/(fx) 569-1103 O
<br /> Ref: Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety
<br /> Application#M-2018-016
<br /> Proposed: Douglas Mountain Mine, Clear Creek County, CO
<br /> Sir; am in a quandary, contemplating the "Mission Statement" of the Planning Board of
<br /> Clear Creek County with its mandate: to advise the Board of Commissioners on behalf of
<br /> and for the benefit of the County and its inhabitants, including the indigenous wildlife—
<br /> to then be confronted with this abominable ref'd Permit Application being currently
<br /> considered by Mining& Safety; preliminarily, as of this date, awaiting Clear Creek
<br /> County's process completion and consideration.
<br /> Realizing: the County's position; requiring review of presented Permit Applications—how
<br /> could any rational committee seriously consider a project of this magnitude, this
<br /> disruptive, destructive, absolutely absurd in nature? No doubt, you have visited this
<br /> pristine plateau being targeted for ruination? enjoyed its entire unobstructed view from
<br /> the already financially precarious Town of Empire, just a few hundred yards, to the north
<br /> &west, across the Bard Creek/Clear Creek West Fork? The tranquil vista is arresting.
<br /> While contemplating this view, the natural solitude, please consider:
<br /> • If the existing eyesore Fry Bros. pit on Hwy 6/40 (Idaho Springs) offers only minimal
<br /> tax returns, what income can, in reality, ever be anticipated, then, from a gravel
<br /> decimation pit of this "comparatively reduced" size? Weigh this miniscule amount
<br /> against the overpowering negative financial destruction...
<br /> • Truck traffic increase (ref attached) 76 trucks per hour, 8 hours per day, will wreak
<br /> havoc on the County/State's maintenance burdened roadways and traffic flow.
<br /> • Truck traffic will additionally clog and interfere with both local and through volume;
<br /> County specific destinations as well as travel to destinations such as Vail, Copper Mtn,
<br /> A-basin, even Winter Park and points beyond. Tourist dependent towns within this
<br /> County cannot afford the reputation and resultant financial crippling. Virtually all of
<br /> this degradation and resulting gravel nuisance, is for use elsewhere! Of no benefit here.
<br /> • The "Douglas Mtn Ranch&Preserve" is home to herds of Elk, Deer, occasional Moose,
<br /> and the stress-susceptible Rocky Mtn Bighorn Sheep. "A Preserve." This wildlife
<br /> balance will be injuriously disrupted; groups entirely expelled from their grazing and
<br /> breeding habitat if this costly cancer is allowed to proceed.
<br /> • Optional, sensible development of the plateau will yield greater taxable opportunities
<br /> and be more compatible with the serene natural atmosphere of this County.
<br /> • Specifically...the Town of Empire, being most dramatically impacted: already financially
<br /> stressed and almost fully dependent upon tourist dollars—will now be required to
<br /> shoulder the additional unsustainable burden of billowing dust, noise, health
<br /> considerations, view-shed destruction, wildlife disruption and disbursement, life-
<br /> style/business degradation, property value depreciation, loss of dollars contributed by
<br /> sports enthusiasts, vacationers—potential investors.
<br /> Thank you for your sincere concern; keeping the quality of life in Clear Creek County, pl. wick
<br /> from:the Bard creek Valley PO Box 249 Empire, CO 80439-0249 303-569-3105(fx)3281
<br /> inc:copy of response to Div of Reclamation Mining&Safety.
<br /> cc:Div of Reclamation M&S, CC. Planning Commission board, CC. board County Commissioners, CO Parks&
<br /> Wildlife, CC Open Space Commission, State Board Land Comm', Vail Resorts Board, Summit Fnd'n, Leaf Grp
<br /> Summit Cnty Planning Commission&Board of Commissioners, Summit Cnty Board of Tourism
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