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Comment/Objection Narrative* <br /> I am voicing my objections to the Zephyr Gold mine(permit number M2021046) <br /> The mine site is an area that has at least one G2 globally rare species(Mentzelia densa),possibly Penstemon <br /> degenerii-and there are potentially a number of other rare species that perhaps haven't been looked for, <br /> including Oonopsis puebloensis, Physaria calcicola, Eriogononum brandegeei,and Mentzelia chrysantha. I did <br /> not see any mention of how they will protect these globally imperiled species from either construction or noxious <br /> weeds. <br /> The company will need to build roads to get to the mine site. Roads cause a great deal of disturbance,and will <br /> bring in noxious weeds into any area that is largely in good ecological shape.Cheat grass in particular is prone <br /> to coming in along roadsides. It is already along CR3,and will undoubtedly come in on the new roads.Cheat <br /> grass will easily get into the nearby habitat,further endangering the plants mentioned above. <br /> It is also an area with significant wildlife,such as bighorn sheep and great fishing.The sheep would be <br /> impacted by the helicopters,according to studies,and there is potential for the water in Grape Creek to either <br /> be contaminated or for it to increase in temperature,which can kill fish. <br /> I am also concerned that the mine puts our drinking water at risk.The mine site is 1,000 feet higher elevation <br /> than Grape Creek and the Arkansas river. It is upstream from the water plant intake for Fremont County.Any <br /> discharge from mining operations may find its way to the aquifers underground and/or the water flows.The <br /> mining operation would use approximately 65,000,000 gallons of water per year. I am puzzled how in an and <br /> climate with increasing water demands that the demand on underground aquifers has been estimated in the <br /> permit as"insignificant". <br /> I am at loss to understand how the initial exploratory permit was ever given,and the error should not be <br /> compounded by approving the mining operation. <br /> The initial exploratory permit should NOT have been given in an area that is a proposed wilderness area and a <br /> BLM Wilderness Study area.The BLM's decision to allow industrial solid mineral exploration activities within a <br /> WSA is unprecedented in Colorado. <br /> Another reason it should never have been permitted is that C.R.S.§36-1-107.5 provides the State Land Board <br /> the authority to allow a variety of uses on properties designated into the Stewardship Trust provided that"those <br /> uses...will protect and enhance the beauty, natural values,open space,and wildlife habitat thereof."The roads, <br /> helicopters,trucks,chemicals,water usage and wildlife disturbance are all directly the opposite of the mandate <br /> to protect and enhance beauty, natural values and wildlife habitat. <br /> PLEASE do not approve this mining permit application! <br /> Permit Number* <br /> Enter valid letter and then numbers,for example M122112211 or C123456789. <br /> M2021046 <br /> Permitting Action Type <br /> Select revision type or leave blank if comment pertains to a new permit application or NOI <br /> Permit Type <br /> County <br /> Fremont <br /> Enter one county only <br />