2019-08-01_PERMIT FILE - M2019034

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V Richard McClain RECEIVED 5340 Hwy 91, Leadville, CO 80461 (719) 486-7323 AUG 01 2019 DIVISION OF RECLAMATION July 29, 2019 MINING AND SAFETY Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board a Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 RE: Schofield Excavation Application for a (112c) construction materials reclamation permit known as the Birdseye Pit. To Whom It May Concern: I received a notification from Schofield Excavation of their above-mentioned application. Since the property where they are proposing to open a gravel pit is immediately in front of mine, I am very familiar with it. I have multiple objections that are within the purview of the Lake County Building and Land Use Department should this application make it that far. I understand those are not items that I can or should bring before your office. There are, however, at least three reasons why I believe your office should not approve this application. They are as follows. 1. The property in question is already held in a Conservancy Easement by the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas. (See attached photograph, where the notice of the proposed gravel operation is posted adjacent to the notice that this is a Conservancy.) I do not believe a gravel /concrete/ asphalt operation should be established on a nature conservancy; and in fact may not be legal. 2. The property in question lies along a scenic byway of the east fork of the Arkansas River, and is in fact just 6 miles from the headwater of the River. A mining operation here would be totally inconsistent with the State's interest in preserving the pristine area of the Arkansas River Valley. 3. 1 cannot imagine that establishing a gravel /concrete/ asphalt operation within just a few yards of the river would not have a negative effect on the River. This should not be allowed to happen.