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Comment/Objection Narrative* <br /> I oppose DRMS issuing the requested permit for several reasons. <br /> First,the mine is planned for an area Jefferson County has zoned to be agricultural.See <br /> https://gis.jeffco.us/webmaps/jmap/index.htmi(with the zoning layer turned on,the location of the mine is zoned <br /> as A-2). Mining is not permitted on agricultural land.See Section 33 of the Zoning Resolution of the Board of <br /> County Commissioners of Jefferson County.The Mined Land Reclamation Act prohibits the issuance of a <br /> permit for proposed mining operations that would violate county zoning. See Colorado State Bd.of Land <br /> Comm'rs v.Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Bd.,809 P.2d 974,985(Colo. 1991).Accordingly, DRMS cannot <br /> issue this permit. <br /> Second,the application ignores the potential for the mining to impact groundwater.The only reason provided <br /> for this failure is the claim that"the mine will not intercept groundwater."That statement assumes that <br /> intercepting the groundwater is the only way that the mine could affect the groundwater. But the nature of the <br /> proposed mining activity itself will cause a discharge of pollutants to the groundwater.The proposal envisions <br /> blasting open the side of the hogback,exposing previously unexposed rock to the elements. Precipitation will <br /> fall on this area,dissolving the newly salt,selenium and other contaminants. See <br /> https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/l357/pdf/circ1357.pdf(describing how human activity pollutes the aquifer near <br /> Denver by adding dissolved solids such as salt and selenium). Once dissolved,this pollution will seep through <br /> the mine and ultimately discharge into the ground water. <br /> Third,the application does not discuss how dipping bedrock complicates its blasting analysis and potential <br /> harm to nearby wells.The proposed mine and the pre-existing nearby homes are on dipping bedrock. See <br /> https://gis.jeffco.us/webmaps/jmap/index.htmi;https://www.jeffco.us/DocumentCenterNiew/2074/Designated- <br /> Dipping-Bedrock-Area-Guide-PDF.This notoriously unstable base, has already cost numerous local residents <br /> significant amounts of money to address.See https://extras.denverpost.com/news/news0429c.htm The <br /> application does not discuss how the fracturing and vibrations caused by blasting might further disrupt this <br /> already unstable bedrock and damage the foundations of the homes that are less than 1,000 feet from the <br /> mine.Additionally, it fails to fully consider the potential harm to nearby wells.The applicant argues that because <br /> the wells are topographically separated from the proposed mining and likely at least 170 feet deep,the mining <br /> won't harm the wells recharge ability. Both ideas miss the mark.What matters for wells is not topography but <br /> how water flows underground. Dipping bedrock creates factures and cracks that allow water to move in <br /> directions unrelated to topography.Without further study, it cannot be said that the mine won't impact the <br /> recharge ability of local wells. Furthermore,contrary to what is mentioned in the permit,there is a well with a <br /> depth of only 50 feet that is closer to the mining area than the two wells mentioned in the permit.See <br /> https://maps.dn rg is.state.co.us/dwr/I ndex.html?viewer=dwrwelipermit. <br /> Finally,there is no discussion of potential impacts to Van Bibber Creek. It is clear from the application that the <br /> applicant will place the stockpile next to the north access road.These stockpiles will also be exposed to <br /> precipitation.The runoff from this area will follow the natural drainage path down the north access road,across <br /> west 56th,and into Van Bibber Creek. Polluting the creek has the potential to harm the many animals that drink <br /> from it, including the deer and elk that use Van Bibber Creek as a movement corridor. <br /> https://www.codot.gov/library/stud ies/northwest-corridor-eis/chap_04-11_vegetation_wildlife_and_t-e_teps.pdf. <br /> Van Bibber Creek also provides habitat for the Ute ladies'-tresses Orchid,a threatened species. Id.These <br /> potential impacts are neither discussed nor addressed anywhere in the application. . <br /> For all these reasons, DRMS should reject the application <br /> Permit Number* <br /> Enter valid letter and then numbers,for example M1977999, M1999777UG or C1981201. <br /> M1976007 <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 /> Jefferson County <br /> Enter one county only <br /> Site Name <br />