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take immediate and urgent action,its scientists estimate there is an 89 per cent chance of extreme events that
<br /> used to happen once a century happening every year."(https://royalcentral.co.uk/uk/prince-charles-warns-our-
<br /> p l a n et-i s-i n-cris i s-164557/)
<br /> Most of the water in Grape Creek is owned by the ditch companies and serves hundreds of parcels on the
<br /> south side of Canon City.Water flowing from the DeWeese Reservoir near Westcliffe is drawn out of Grape
<br /> Creek a mile above the confluence with the Arkansas River,well downstream of the planned gold mine,where
<br /> the water flows about 7 miles into the ditch water system through open ditch, pipes,tunnels and siphons,
<br /> providing water for the 3 small reservoirs located in Lincoln Park.This water source is vital to the shareholders
<br /> who have small farms, livestock,gardens, hay meadows,orchards,and lawns throughout the Lincoln Park and
<br /> South Canon areas. Polluted water, more concentrated than once it reaches the Arkansas River,will directly
<br /> affect these citizens.
<br /> Mining activities and mine waste poses a serious threat to the quality of our water and the water rights for our
<br /> citizens,and for our wildlife,which have no alternate source and which rely on nature to provide healthy life-
<br /> sustaining water.
<br /> Wildfire risk
<br /> Old dead juniper and pinyon trees lie everywhere in the landscape in our area,and according to the Pacific
<br /> Northwest Extension,"Junipers are among the least fire-resistant plants....[their]foliage burns quickly because
<br /> of its texture.They also contain flammable volatile oils.""in a fire,these plants provide ample fuel for fast-
<br /> spreading flames.Junipers frequently have dry or dead wood and leaves.All these elements create a virtual
<br /> tinder box for a potential fire."(https:Hhomeguides.sfgate.com/juniper-bushes-fire-dangers-69732.htmi)
<br /> Two fires within the past 7 years(the Royal Gorge fire in 2013 and the YMCA fire in 2020)within 1-2 miles of
<br /> Canon City are reminders that we live adjacent to a precarious, remote and rugged landscape. Mining
<br /> operations inherently require heavy equipment,chemicals and explosives. Factor in the potential for human
<br /> error,and we another very real and extremely dangerous risk,with a community of 800+homes within 1.5-3
<br /> miles of the proposed mine,and a city of 16,000 within 4 miles.
<br /> Zephyr falls short in its application when it dismissingly says it plans for a"sufficient volume of water for
<br /> firefighting."(2.4.3.4.2)And Zephyr's fire prevention plan is missing from the application.
<br /> Traffic safety
<br /> Increased traffic(haul trucks,contractor and supply vehicles,water trucks,employee vehicles)will create a
<br /> safety hazard. Mining traffic has no choice but to use Temple Canyon Road and First Street.Temple Canyon
<br /> Road is a narrow dirt road with tight and blind switchbacks,drop-offs,and water-board surfaces. Many cyclists
<br /> and the occasional mother with a child in a stroller use Temple Canyon Road to complete to reach bike trails,
<br /> complete a loop,or enjoy the quiet.Temple Canyon Road(via Mariposa)leads to First Street in Canon City,a
<br /> quiet residential 2-lane street,via a dangerous and steep hill leading down to First Street.This hill angles to the
<br /> east at the crest of the hill,continues down a few hundred feet,and then angles sharply north,where it levels
<br /> out.Any vehicle not making the turn at the bottom of the hill ends up in our friend's living room.To add to the
<br /> danger,a spring that refuses to be contained emerges about 1/4 of the way down the hill, in the shade,which
<br /> makes for interesting driving when freezing happens. I've come down sideways more than once.This hill has
<br /> claimed lives. Our community will pay a price when heavy vehicles fail to navigate Temple Canyon Road,the
<br /> hill,and First Street safely.
<br /> Recreation and our tourism industry
<br /> Recreation is a perpetual source of clean,sustainable income. Fremont County,after years of local efforts,
<br /> boasts world-class rafting,fishing,biking, hiking and climbing opportunities which support local businesses and
<br /> provide healthy alternatives to the bustle of modern-day life. Mining activities a few hundred feet from
<br /> hiking/biking trails,1.3 miles from Grape Creek,and 3 miles from the Arkansas River unequivocally and directly
<br /> risk our recreation and tourism industry through water pollution,water depletion,wildfire risk,traffic safety,and
<br /> noise and air pollution.
<br /> HP 19-1113
<br /> The Zephyr application doesn't mention HP 19-1113,signed into law by Governor Polis in April of 2019
<br /> requiring an end date for water quality treatment. Given the concept of gravity and the permanent underground
<br /> mine,we know without a fraction of a doubt that contaminated water will reach aquifers.This will unlikely
<br /> happen in our lifetime,but it will happen.Zephyr must be held accountable to this law and must be required to
<br /> define their plan to ensure that no contamination of our aquifers can happen.That is their responsibility.
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