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Your Phone Number* <br /> Used only to follow up. <br /> 7192752719 <br /> Extension <br /> Alternate Phone Number <br /> Used only to follow up. <br /> 7192711905 <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 /> We have several concerns regarding the permit application for Zephyr Minerals.This is a non-U.S. based <br /> company that is not operating as a U.S.entity and desires a permit for a gold mine—a luxury, not a necessity. <br /> Zephyr officials initially held public meetings to discuss their intent and approach,then ceased in 2018 because <br /> of potential litigation. <br /> The location of the proposed mine is approximately: <br /> •4 miles southwest of downtown Canon City <br /> • 1.5 miles from Canon City Limits <br /> • 1.3 miles from Grape Creek <br /> This location will impact both the town of Canon City and the county of Fremont residents.Zephyr has <br /> expanded their holdings already,and not revealed their plans regarding expansion for the future. <br /> Water risks: <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 operations will find its <br /> way to the aquifers underground and/or the water flows. Historically in Colorado,this has been the case with <br /> hard rock mining operations.The mining operation would use approximately 65,000,000 gallons of water per <br /> year and an unspecified amount of chemicals.With the site just 1,000 feet above the Grape Creek and <br /> Arkansas River area,this creates the potential for pollution of the water for present and future generations. <br /> Also,where will the water be obtained from,considering that we are in a semi-arid climate and in a drought <br /> condition?Additionally,there are already water shortages in Colorado. <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 risks: <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 wild fire?The mine location is in a <br /> juniper forest,semi-arid climate which is essentially a tinder box.We are concerned about the potential for fire. <br /> In 2013 we experienced the Royal Gorge fire. <br />