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Comment/Objection Narrative* <br /> I am writing on behalf of the Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited(CPCTU)to oppose the Zephyr <br /> Minerals application for a gold mine near the Grape Creek wilderness.Our chapter represents more than 350 <br /> members and supporters, mostly from the upper Arkansas River Valley.Given that Trout Unlimited's mission is <br /> to conserve, protect,and restore coldwater fisheries and their watersheds,we are acutely concerned that this <br /> proposed mine poses too high of a risk to the neighboring creek and river. <br /> WATER:The mine site,at 6,500 feet elevation, is 1,000 feet higher elevation than Grape Creek and the <br /> Arkansas river. It is upstream from the water plant intake for Fremont County.Any discharge from mining <br /> operations will find its way to the aquifers underground and/or the water flows.The mining operation would use <br /> approximately 65 million gallons of water per year and an unspecified amount of chemicals.With the site just <br /> 1,000 feet above the Grape Creek and Arkansas River area,this creates the potential for pollution of the water <br /> for present and future generations. <br /> The demand on underground aquifers has been estimated in the permit as"insignificant"but there is no <br /> monitoring or measures to be sure that the demand is having an"insignificant"impact. <br /> FIRE RISK:Zephyr claims: "Not a single forest fire in the USA has been traced back to or been attributed to a <br /> modern mining operation."and"The mine operation will manage process water and storm water.The mill <br /> process water will flow through a closed recycling system with very little discharge if any."How many <br /> unexpected disasters have resulted from mining? It is certainly possible that the proposed Dawson Gold Mine <br /> could be yet another disaster in the making. <br /> The permit is non-specific in the amount of water reserved for fire mitigation. It states"sufficient."There is no <br /> Fire Protection plan associated with the current application. How could government entities approve the permit <br /> without an assurance of being able to mitigate a fire before it becomes a wildfire?The mine location is in a <br /> juniper forest,semi-arid climate which is essentially a tinder box. <br /> There would be"approximately 13,000 pounds of explosives onsite for up to a week of blasting activity... <br /> replenished weekly".Adding explosives to an area already a tinder box could create a wildfire that wipes out the <br /> entire region particularly without an established fire protection plan.Why incur this risk? <br /> RECLAMATION FUNDS:Only$261,813 has been reserved for reclamation of the"affected area"when the <br /> mine shuts down. For 82 acres?With no inflation factored into the figures?Even without structures,concrete <br /> pads, holding ponds,etc.,82 acres could not be professionally landscaped for$261,813.The reclamation <br /> allocation is too small and is not adjusted for inflation. <br /> EMERGENCY FUNDS:There is no allocation funds to address an unexpected fire,explosion,pollution <br /> leakage,or power outage.Zephyr has to seek additional funding to operate a mine or sell off to a larger <br /> concern.Without a requirement for a"problem reserve",where would money come from to mitigate a significant <br /> problem? <br /> The application does not have sufficient assurances that a long-term disaster will not happen or that short term <br /> significant problems can be resolved.We are strongly opposed to it.We respectfully request that you deny this <br /> application. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Rick Helmick, Chapter Vice President <br /> Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited <br /> www.collegiatePeaksTU.org <br /> 12810 CR 195 <br /> Salida, CO 81201 <br /> 970-769-0420 <br /> Permit Number* <br /> Enter valid letter and then numbers,for example M122112211 or C123456789. <br /> M2021046 <br />