Laserfiche WebLink
South Hinsdale Response to Objections <br /> 12 July 2022 <br /> Springs area, any closer than Chimney Rock. He also did not believe that the only other <br /> water district in the area (at Ignacio) uses the Piedra River. <br /> Impact on Water Rights <br /> As the affected area is at the end of the irrigated land supplied by any known ditch in the <br /> area, and all return flows go reasonably directly into the river, we believe that there is no <br /> impact on water rights of anyone other than the Texers as owners of the Dancing Winds <br /> Ranch. The Piedra River at this location is not over-appropriated nor administered. See <br /> Appendix C.for additional information. <br /> Wildlife and Fish Water-related Issues <br /> See Sections 4.2 and 5.6 The surface water best management practices and site design <br /> are intended to and will protect fish and wildlife in Waters of the State, including the River. <br /> 5.3 Roaa Conditions and Traffic <br /> Safety <br /> Road safety is very important to the Texers, their guests and the Dancing Winds Ranch, <br /> and their neighbors and customers. Based on the proposed schedule and quantity of <br /> production and hauling, and anticipated restrictions by Hinsdale County on operations, the <br /> haul of gravel to customers in the South End, including USFS roads and County roads, <br /> and to customers in Northern Archuleta County (again including governmental agencies <br /> and private firms, construction projects, and homeowners)does not significantly increase <br /> the risk of accidents on Piedra Road (FSR-631 and Archuleta County Road 600). To <br /> further ensure safety, drivers under contract with SHS&G LLC will be CDL drivers familiar <br /> with the roads, obey speed limits strictly, and as much as possible avoid known locations <br /> and times of congestion. <br /> As appropriate, at the beginning and periodically during the school year, there will be <br /> coordination with school bus drivers and companies. Having affordable, closer sources of <br /> road and other construction materials has a significant positive impact on safety as <br /> compared to current conditions, both due to improving maintenance of the roads and <br /> reducing the distance haul trucks must travel between materials sources and users. <br /> However, in addressing road safety, the most critical reason for unsafe conditions on <br /> Piedra Road (and Kleckner Lane and its intersection with Piedra Road) is the condition of <br /> the road itself, which does not meet current USFS standards and FHWA(Federal Highway <br /> Administration) standards for rural arterials and collectors such as Piedra Road. Funding <br /> and work sible due to cost of materials and equipment appears to limit the ability of <br /> maintena db to keep up with the heavy traffic perceived on the road. One of the reasons <br /> for failure to meet standards is lack of maintenance, discussed below. This operation will <br /> help reduce costs and improve planning. <br /> Traffic Density and Safety <br /> Traffic generated by the proposed gravel operation will not significantly increase traffic <br /> density on any portion of Piedra Road or on SH-160, for several reasons. <br /> With a local source of gravel, truck traffic hauling gravel from current sources (Lob Lolly <br /> Pit near Arboles and pits in New Mexico, near Ignacio, and near Durango) to the north <br /> area of Archuleta County and the Upper Piedra Basin in Hinsdale County (the South End) <br /> can be expected to be greatly reduced, as customers and their contractors will take <br /> advantage of significantly reduced hauling costs. <br /> 5182-22-003 WASTELINE, INC. Page 68 of 107 <br />