2022-04-04_PERMIT FILE - M2022013 (15)

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Page 3 6.4.5 EXHIBIT E - Reclamation Plan Unconsolidated aggregate deposits simply must be taken where they are formed. The aggregate resource must be recovered from undeveloped locations first, before those locations are overtaken by ever expanding urban development; or it is lost. Now is the time and this is the geologically determined and economically feasible location from which the proposed extraction activity must occur. Hence, the Two Rivers Sand Gravel and Reservoir Project. Underlying earth resources are too often squandered when human development occurs in advance of resource extraction and recovery. Extraction and resource recovery are required by Colorado law to occur in advance of development where sand and gravel deposits are present. The resource is 'recovered' to benefit inevitable and unrelenting human habitat and infrastructure expansion, while providing a more enduring indigenous buffer to the very impacts it serves. The extraction of aggregate resource is in fact resource conservation. Beyond that, it is an essential social asset. Without earth products, transportation maintenance costs increase as infrastructure begins to fall apart. Industries begin to shrink, along with correlated revenues for state and local governments. Impacts would likely spread downstream from there, degrading schools and everything else dependent upon government revenue, as taxes increase to make up the difference. Affected populations would likely begins to flee an ever-increasing tax burden, further depreciating home values while accelerating loss of revenues from ever diminished home valuations, loss of businesses, jobs, and ultimately the very infrastructure itself. Without earth products, the economic engine and quality of life for everyone, begins to unravel. The secondary and enduring benefit of mineral extraction is in the reclamation and restoration of extracted lands. Extraction of aggregate resources is comparatively temporary and transitional by its very nature. Reclamation at this location is geared to lay a foundation that will capture both short and long- term multiple-end use benefits that will complement the dynamic mix of surrounding land uses over time. While residential, commercial, and industrial development will eventually be inspired by economic forces over portions of the Two Rivers property; the primary end use will be the creation of essential Developed Water Resources. An understanding of the vital importance of aggregate resources to the people of Colorado is not new, but well established; and protected. It remains the stated duty of any governing body in Colorado to aid in the lawful recovery of these vital mineral resources under Title 34. Section 22-5-80 of Weld County's Code of Regulations is consistent with Colorado law, both of which require that this resource must be recovered prior to other development which would otherwise impede access to it. Municipalities are obligated for the sake of their citizens to assert the same. VARRA COMPANIES, INC. TWO RIVERS SAND GRAVEL AND RESERVOIR PROJECT MARCH 2O22 A REGULAR IMPACT[1121 CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION-COLORADO DIVISION OF RECLAMATION MIING&SAFETY OFFICE OF MINED LAND RECLAMATION