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CPW then made the recommendation, based on the wildlife sensitivity in the area and their reliance on <br /> the area for winter survival,that the Strip Mine restrict its traffic on the parcel to the hours of 10:00 <br /> am—3:00 pm, from December 1 to April 15, annually. <br /> Skull Creek Residents are disappointed, but not surprised at the response to Parks and Wildlife's <br /> restrictions, wherein the Strip Mine basically thumbs its nose at the restrictions as follows: <br /> "a. Uinta Mining proposes to disturb only a small portion of the permit area, approximately <br /> 140 acres of the 480 acres of the permit area. The affected lands lie between two small ridges <br /> along with some surface to the south between the south ridges and county road 104. Those <br /> valleys and grass lands to the north within the permit boundaries will be undisturbed allowing <br /> continued critical habitat for elk and deer. <br /> b. Economically, Uinta Mining requires only one shift per day for mining operations, being <br /> day shift. That shift requires a 12 hour work period beginning 7.00 AM to 7:00 PM. This will <br /> need to occur year round. (emphasis added.) <br /> C. Because of the small footprint of disturbance,the existing noise and impact of the <br /> County road 104,the community of Skull Creek,the operation of the Colorado Dept. of <br /> Transportation shed and operations area, Highway 40, and the overall range of elk and deer <br /> habitat around the project area suggests that this operation will have little impact to winter <br /> range." <br /> Skull Creek Residents take exception to the Strip Mine's lack of knowledge of the area and ignorance of <br /> the impact upon the wildlife in the Skull Creek area in the operation of the Strip Mine. <br /> First addressing the Strip Mine's assertion that operation of loud and massively invasive heavy <br /> equipment over an area encompassing 140 acres plus the constant traffic on their proposed access <br /> road, County Road 104 and Highway 40 would not create a significant disturbance to the wildlife in the <br /> area is simply ludicrous. <br /> Secondly,the Strip Mine clearly has not done any research into the current state of peace and quiet <br /> existing in and around the proposed site, and is ignorant of the fact that there is virtually no noise or <br /> disturbance created on County Road 104. Currently, one could potentially stand in the middle of <br /> County Road 104 for hours and not see a vehicle. The residents using County Road 104 use the <br /> thoroughfare with respect, and can say with absolute certainty that none of the Residents drive heavy <br /> equipment in and out of Skull Creek on a daily basis. The Strip Mine's assertion that the State Dept. of <br /> Transportation's shed and operations area creates any significant disturbance is again, stated with a <br /> complete lack of knowledge regarding the DOT's yard. DOT does not use County Road 104 west of <br /> their yard. They use a minimal length of the 104 for ingress and egress onto State Highway 40, and the <br /> traffic created is minimal, as that yard is manned by a very small skeleton crew. <br /> Lastly, Skull Creek Residents find it incredible that the Strip Mine would profess to know more about <br /> elk and deer habitat and behavior and contradict the District Wildlife Manager for the State of <br /> Skull Creek Homeowners Objection <br /> March 17,2020 <br /> Page 7 <br />