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Comment/Objection Narrative* <br /> The organization submitting the mining permit application is Zephyr Minerals.Zephyr is a Canadian public <br /> company based in Nova Scotia.While they do rent some space in Canon City,they have no roots or facilities in <br /> Colorado or anywhere in the USA. Most money they might ultimately make will leave the U.S.,going to Canada. <br /> Why would Zephyr not want to share information as a good neighbor? <br /> Zephyr's worked hard to avoid any environmental impact assessments,and done exploration in the Grape <br /> Creek area which is"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 Canon 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.Change just happens regardless of how the community sees <br /> the growth.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 operations 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 /> Only$261,813 has been reserved for reclamation of the"affected area"when the mine shuts down. For 82 <br /> acres?With no inflation factored into the figures?Even without structures,concrete pads,holding ponds,etc., <br /> 82 acres could not be professionally landscaped for$261,813.The reclamation allocation is too small and is not <br /> adjusted for inflation. <br /> The request: <br /> PLEASE do not approve this mining permit application!The application does not have sufficient assurances <br /> that a long-term disaster will not happen or that short term significant problems can be resolved. <br /> Why incur this risk? <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 />