2021-03-10_REVISION - M1987131 (5)

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RECEIVED Date: March 2, 2021 MAR 10 2021 To: Tim Cazier, P.E. DIVM OFRECLAWTION MINGAND SAFETY From: Becky and Steve Andrews Re: Penrose Pit - File No. M-1987-131, Fremont Paving & Redi Mix, Inc. In a letter dated 2/8/21, we were informed that Fremont Paving and Redi Mix, Inc., 839 MacKenzie Ave., Canon City, CO has filed an application for a Regular (112) Construction Materials Operation Reclamation Permit. The proposed mine, known as the Penrose Pit is located - 1.5 miles Northeast of Florence, CO. Section 11, Township 19S, Range 69W, 6th Principle Meridian. The application lists Section 14 (where we live) as the "center of the area where the majority of the mining will occur". The Arkansas River and areas adjacent are a riparian habitat that needs to be protected from commercial development. Mining should be restricted to areas that are 1/4 mile back from the north bank of the river in order to protect the Arkansas River corridor. Enclosed are maps with the area we're particularly concerned about, highlighted in yellow. In 2017 and 2018 national, state and local entities joined together in the Rainbow Park and Portland Plant Riparian Restoration Project that took place in the Arkansas River Watershed in an area from the Colorado 67 bridge in Florence east through Rainbow Park to the Holcim Portland Plant on Colorado 120 - approximately 6 miles of the Arkansas Riverbanks. The Fremont Conservation District received a grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. The City of Florence provided in-kind labor as part of the grant match. Other cooperating partners were the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society, Colorado State Forest Service and Fremont County Weed Management. Work was completed by Mile Hi Youth Corps, Fire Shield, the State Wildland Inmate Fire Team and Open Range Land. This project improved an active floodplain, restored the riparian forest and understory - which improved wildlife habitat, reduced stream bank erosion and reduced the pressure of noxious weed species on the water table. (Information from the Canon City Daily Record and the USDA project description (enclosed)). We have identified nearly 200 different bird species (see enclosed bird list) on our 10 acres in Rainbow Park, including over 50 water and shore birds. White tail and mule deer wander back and forth across the river. On both sides of the river we've observed black bears, coyotes, foxes, bobcats & kits, beaver, muskrats, raccoons, skunks and couple of times an animal we believe is a mink. We've watched Snapping Turtles lay their eggs and helped the hatchlings find their way to water.