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The area in the application for the Dawson Gold Mine is directly adjacent to BLM's Grape Creek ACEC,which
<br /> is managed by BLM to protect a corridor of significant natural character with unique desert riparian resources,
<br /> scenic and visual qualities,flora and fauna values(bighorn sheep and peregrine falcon nesting area).
<br /> The nearby Grape Creek has been proposed for Wilderness via the Colorado Wilderness Act by
<br /> Congresswoman DeGette since 1999 and passed the US House in February 2021 as part of a greater public
<br /> lands package in the Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act(PAW+).
<br /> BLM's Grape Creek Upper and Lower WSAs were designated in 1980 for their"diverse terrain from rolling hills
<br /> to rugged canyons and mountains to rich riparian zones along the creek, has cultural and historical significance,
<br /> provides refuge for many local wildlife species and supports many backcountry recreational activities."
<br /> As noted in BLM's management of the Grape Creek ACEC,this perennial waterway and region has high habitat
<br /> and range values for several wildlife species. In addition to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and American
<br /> peregrine falcon,this area also provides refuge to bald eagle,wild turkey, black bear,elk, mule deer,white-
<br /> tailed deer, pronghorn, mountain lion,and various species of bats,small mammals and birds.Operations
<br /> should definitely be prohibited during elk calving season and severe winter habitat.
<br /> Additionally, BLM has also found three sections of Grape Creek,totaling 20 BLM miles along public land,
<br /> suitable for Wild and Scenic River designation due to outstanding resource values(ORVs)for recreation,
<br /> scenery,and wildlife.This is the most highly valued watershed in the region outside of the Arkansas River,
<br /> which it flows into just northwest of the proposed mining.Any mining accident or incident would jeopardize the
<br /> wild,scenic,and recreational values in both of these watersheds.The proposed mine site is only about 1,000
<br /> feet above Grape Creek and discharge from mining operations will inevitably affect the underground aquifers
<br /> and/or Grape Creek and subsequently the Arkansas River.Also,the proposed use of 65,000,000 gallons of
<br /> water per year is a serious drawdown of available water in the area.
<br /> This proposed mining area also overlaps with a portion of Colorado Natural Heritage Program(CNHP)'s Grape
<br /> Creek Potential Conservation Area(PCA),an area identified by the Grape Creek riparian corridor and
<br /> watershed. CNHP found this area to have a biodiversity significance ranking of B2(on a scale of B1 to B5 with
<br /> B1 being the most significant), having very high biodiversity significance.The Grape Creek BCA's biodiversity
<br /> significance is due to this site encompassingan excellent(A-ranked)and a good (B-ranked)occurrence of a
<br /> globally imperiled (G2G3/S2S3)riparian natural community, narrowleaf cottonwood-Rocky Mountain juniper
<br /> (Populus angustifolia-Juniperus scopulorum)woodland.Additionally,there is a good (B-ranked)occurrence of
<br /> the globally vulnerable(G3/S2)narrowleaf cottonwood-Douglas-fir(Populus angustifolia-Pseudotsuga
<br /> menziesii)woodland and a good to fair(BC-ranked)occurrence of the apparently globally secure but state
<br /> imperiled(G4/S2)Rocky Mountain juniper/Red-osier dogwood(Juniperus scopulorum/Cornus sericea)
<br /> woodland.Several fair(C-ranked)occurrences of a globally imperiled(G2/S2)plant,Arkansas Canyon stickleaf
<br /> (Nuttallia densa), have also been documented.
<br /> This mining operation also poses threats to local public health and safety.The proposed open pits and heavy,
<br /> diesel-powered equipment at the Dawson Mine would cause degradation of air quality in the local area and
<br /> downwind, including to nearby residents and recreationists.Zephyr has proposed that 20 trucks per day could
<br /> be coming from their Dawson Mine site, using narrow and fragile public roads such as Temple Canyon Road,a
<br /> popular Fremont County Road that provides access to the City of Carson City's Temple Canyon Park, hiking and
<br /> camping spots,and access to Grape Creek.
<br /> The Dawson mine proposal would also have a negative impact to the local economy.The City of Carson City
<br /> has built a local economy that now relies on tourism and outdoor recreation,which are propelled by local
<br /> unspoiled natural resources and scenic views. Any economic benefit of a gold mine complex west of Canon
<br /> City would be drastically offset by the damage done to the local economy and lost revenue from the mine
<br /> impacts. In the same vein,any permits given to Zephyr to pursue their Dawson Mine proposal would adversely
<br /> impact residential property values in the area.
<br /> Similarly local recreation is threatened by this proposal. Many public trails were recently completed in this area
<br /> in conjunction with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, BLM,and Fremont Adventure Recreation(FAR). For example,
<br /> hiking and mountain biking at the South Carson and Section 13 trail systems would be affected,as well as users
<br /> at Canon City's Ecology Park. Use on these trails would decrease and be negatively impacted due to the
<br /> adverse impacts of a local mine. Additionally,Zephyr's plans for this area would impact other forms of primitive
<br /> recreation, including fishing, hiking, mountain biking,camping, hunting,wildlife viewing, photography,and
<br /> bouldering.
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