2018-06-29_PERMIT FILE - M2018016 ‎(15)‎

• Permit No: M2018016
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 6/29/2018
• Doc Name: Objection
• From: James Mann
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: PSH
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

6/29/2018 State.co.us Executive Branch Mail-Permit#M2018016,Douglas Mountain Mine Project
STATE OF
COLORADO Hays - DNR, Peter<[e-mail]>
Permit #M2018016, Douglas Mountain Mine Project
1 message
James Mann <[e-mail]> ri, Jun 29, 2018 at 10:48 A
To: [e-mail]
Dear Department of Reclamation, Mining and Safety:
I am writing out of deep concern over the proposed gravel pit operation on Douglas Mountain in Empire, CO.
• The proposed habitat destruction, pollution and land use change will threaten the area's biological
diversity. The meadow must be protected for our mammal, bird species, plant species, and insect species.
Dust, noise and vibration will also adversely impact our ecological integrity.
• The proposed gravel pit reclamation plan does not require restoration of the current meadow. The plan is
to remove all of the topsoil and leave the entire property at 200 ft. below its current level and at creek
level. There is NO plan for backfilling using indigenous soils or progressive restoration to leave the
meadow intact. We may be left with 150 acres of exposed rock surfaces along the West Fork of Clear Creek
instead of the current high meadow. This is a massive change to the current ecosystem.
• The University of Colorado placed a seismic activity monitor on the mountain overlooking the meadow.
The scientist stopped at our home (overlooking the meadow on the northside of US 40) and asked if they
could place the equipment on the mountain and immediately installed the detector. He explained that
most people are unaware of the earthquake threat in the Rocky Mountains and that our area was chosen
as a potential earthquake zone. He left a map showing eleven monitored sites in CO. Mining/pit operations
are suspected of causing earthquake activity, digging a pit in an area already being monitored for
earthquake activity is very risky and irresponsible.
• During the Empire Town Hall meeting with Empire Aggregates on May 28th, the Empire Aggregates
Engineering representative bragged that pit operations are beneficial to the elk population because the elk
use the heavy equipment to stand by for warmth. This is completely inappropriate interaction with our
wildlife population. The elk need the Douglas Mtn valley and mountain side for their natural migrations
during the changing seasons. Our family members have been watching a large herd of elk graze the
meadow since 1986.
• The current grassland, woodland, and scrub supports a wide variety of herbs, grasses and wildflowers. The
proposed operation will devastate our flora and may open the land to invasive plant species.
• The proposed plan disturbs the entirety of the only large valley in the vicinity and will disrupt a major
wildlife corridor. The wildlife include elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. The Division of Wildlife is well
aware of this location and has been to our home on various occasions, including to set up a listening device
for coyote activity.
• During a town hall meeting in Empire, many answers from Empire Aggregates focused on reclamation of
the land and bringing back wildlife and plant life on the inactive site. Unfortunately,the span of time
planned for gravel pit activity is 25 years. Any woodland and scrub that might eventually develop on the
inactive extraction site will occur far into the future and long after the destruction of the current
ecosystem.
• The meadow valley sits north of Douglas Mountain where ice/snow accumulate without melting
throughout the winter. I am concerned that the frozen ice will contain sediment, chemicals, vehicle oils
and dirty water that will be impossible to manage. The entire north side of the property is bordered by
Clear Creek and both the creek and downstream communities will be vulnerable to toxic runoff.
There are a multitude of problems with this proposal. A gravel pit operation does not belong in this tight mountain
corridor meadow already inhabited by wildlife and humans. Additional trucks do not belong on 1-70 and route 6
through an area already concerned about ozone. Please reject this proposal and protect this land.
James L. Mann, CPA, CGMA, RTRP
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