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Alternate Phone Number <br /> Used only to follow up. <br /> Alternate Phone Extension <br /> Connection to Operation <br /> Select all that apply <br /> Land Owner of affected land Structure Owner within 200' of affected land <br /> Mineral Owner Nearby Resident <br /> Adjacent Land Owner Concerned Citizen <br /> Government Agency Other <br /> DESCRIPTION OF COMMENT OR OBJECTION <br /> (Please be as specific as possible) <br /> Comment/Objection Narrative <br /> Zephyr Minerals is a Canadian company based in Nova Scotia.While they do rent some space in Carson City, <br /> they have no roots or facilities in Colorado or anywhere in the USA.Any money they might ultimately make will <br /> be returned to Canada.They were formed in 2012 for the sole purpose of exploring minerals in our area. <br /> Zephyr started their community involvement early after forming, holding several public meetings to discuss their <br /> intent and approach. On September 25,2018,Zephyr sent the following message:"We are advised by Counsel <br /> that given the threat of pending legal action against Zephyr Minerals Ltd. ("Zephyr"or the"Company"),that the <br /> Company will not be hosting any further information sessions other than those specific to the requirements of <br /> any permit applications".Apparently,they decided it is best to work through formal channels and not the public. <br /> Zephyr has worked hard to avoid any environmental impact assessments and has done exploration in the <br /> Grape Creek area, namely"two protective federal designations,the Grape Creek Area of Critical Environmental <br /> Concern(ACEC), identified in the BLM's 1996 Royal Gorge Field Office Resource Management Plan(RMP), <br /> and the Lower Grape Creek Wilderness Study Area(WSA)."Clearly,they are avoiding thorough evaluation of <br /> their operations. <br /> The location of the proposed mine is approximately: <br /> •4 miles southwest of downtown Canon City <br /> • 1.5 miles from Carson City limits <br /> • 1.3 miles from Grape Creek <br /> Zephyr has expanded their holdings, changed the minerals being investigated,and changed their proposed <br /> mining techniques since being formed.While change is typical, no one knows what the next revision will be. <br /> And no one local is being involved or educated. For example,on February 21,2020,Zephyr announced: <br /> "Zephyr Minerals Ltd.continues to advance its 100%owned high grade Dawson-Green Mountain Project in <br /> Colorado, USA.After expanding its land package to 1,385 hectares(3,430 acres),the Company plans to <br /> explore the entire 12.2 km(7.5 mi)mineralized trend using the Broken Hill Type deposit as an exploration <br /> model."Change is likely to occur again.Will it be in favor of Zephyr,or will the community and area be a <br /> primary concern? <br /> The mine site at 6,500 feet elevation is 1,000 feet higher elevation than Grape Creek and the Arkansas River. It <br /> is upstream from the water plant intake for Fremont County.Any discharge from mining operation will find its <br /> way to the aquifers underground and/or the water flows.The mining operation would use approximately <br /> 65,000,000 gallons of water per year and an unspecified amount of chemicals.With the site just 1,000 feet <br /> above the Grape Creek and Arkansas River area,this creates the potential for pollution of the water for present <br /> 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 as having an"insignificant"impact. <br /> Zephyr claims:"Not a single forest fire in the USA has been traced back to or been attributed to a modern <br /> mining operation."and"the mine operation will manage process water and storm water.The mill process water <br /> will flow through a closed recycling system with very little discharge if any."How many unexpected disasters <br />