2022-07-18_PERMIT FILE - M2022018

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South Hinsdale Response to Objections 12 July 2022 above that of normal visitor and resident traffic. Less costly gravel will also mean potentially more funds available for dust control (see below). The revenue generated by gravel sales will also pay for the needed realignment of Kleckner Lane, a USFS right-of-way through the Dancing Winds Ranch. And of course, all agencies doing road work—including maintenance and repair and improvements —will not have to pay as much for hauling necessary materials to their work sites. And of course, the sales taxes on materials sold will go to State and County government. (Currently, at least a large part of construction materials sales taxes for materials used in Archuleta and Hinsdale Counties, actually is paid to La Plata County or even New Mexico.) Traffic Noise and Visual Impact The noise generated by gravel haul trucks and the "visual impact" of those vehicles is the same as that generated by cattle haul and log haul trucks, and similar to that of large recreationab.,4ehicles with or without trailers and school buses, and other commercial vehicles serving the South End and using Piedra Road for access. Since the pit will be operated only during daylight hours, and generally will not open before 0700 (Monday through Friday, not including holidays) noise will be limited during non-working hours. There are no private residences closer than the Texers' own cabins or within 2,380 feet (0.45 miles) of the pit boundaries, thus allowing noise levels to greatly attenuate. Road dust generated by traffic is perhaps the greatest visual impact on gravel roads, but can be reduced as described below. Dust and Odor Emissions from Trucking See Section 5.8 (Air Quality/Air Emissions) Traffic Studies As discussed in the application, a traffic impact study was prepared in accordance with CDOT Level III requirements on Archuleta CR-600 (Piedra Road) in 2021. The study, which was done AFTER the memo about traffic was written in Archuleta County, specifically looked at traffic on CR-600 from the proposed Oak Brush Hill gravel operation about 3.8 miles from the intersection with SH-160. It was estimated that 80%of OBH traffic would go through that intersection and anticipated shipping from OBH was twice that of the proposed SHG pit. The study determined that the OBH truck traffic would not significantly impact traffic conditions at that intersection, nor at the entrance to OBH or Piedra Road between those locations. Since at least some of the traffic from SHG pit would be delivering to commercial, residential, and institutional locations directly off Piedra Road in Archuleta County, it is estimated that only about 50% of total traffic from SHG would use that intersection, so it would have far less impact. That study took into account seasonal differences as required by CDOT guidelines. This study DID take advantage of CDOT and ACR&BD traffic counts from previous years, as required by CDOT standards. That study, including traffic counts, was done by Bechtolt Engineering of Durango, a long- established firm specializing in traffic and highway construction. The anticipated truck traffic generated by the now-withdrawn Oakbrush Hill gravel operation, was expected to generate haul traffic and other mine-related traffic at least 2-3 times as much as the South Hinsdale Gravel Pit will generate and for a far longer time. Again, the study determined that the mining traffic would NOT have a significant negative impact on traffic density, safety, or levels of service on the lower end of Piedra Road. It is reasonable to assume that would continue to hold true on the portion of Piedra Road in Archuleta County north of mile marker 4 and on into Hinsdale County. 5182-22-003 W AST£LINE, INC. Page 70 of 107