2022-07-18_PERMIT FILE - M2022018

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South Hinsdale Response to Objections 12 July 2022 Biological See Sections 4.2 and 5.6. Minor reduction in carrying capacity and habitat in grazing land, but with proper management of runoff and control of erosion and sedimentation, there will be no significant impact in reduction of grazing land. As addressed by CPW, there may be minor impacts (due to size and location of the site) to elk winter concentration range, and distant impacts on migration paths. Limiting human activities on the site as much as possible during the winter months (particularly February thru April) will mitigate such impacts. No impact. Locations where sources of ignition might be found (including metal-on-metal) are separated from areas with tall, dryland grass or woodlands susceptible to fire. Earthmovipq Equipment is available for fire. Fire safety zones exist both to the west(Piedra Road and the Piedra River), to the north (Piedra River and wetlands along the river), and to the west(irrigated pastureland belonging to the Texers). The operators will work closely with the USFS to reduce fireload and be prepared to protect the south site boundary. 5.5 General Long-Term Environmental Impacts Alternative Courses of Action See Section-5.4.0. Alternatives are the same for short-term and long-term impacts. Land Quality and Viewshed 5.5.2 Overall, land quality on the 9.94-acre affected area will be greatly improved when mining and reclamation is completed, including correcting the effects of erosion from irrigation water return flows and the runoff along the bar ditches of Kleckner Lane and the east bar ditch of Piedra Road (there is no west bar ditch). Removal of the large boulders which cover about 1/5 of the area (to the north of Kleckner Lane) will allow that area to be restored as improved montane grassland for livestock use, and erosion of soil will be greatly reduced. Impact on "viewsheds" — several objections are based on long-term (even "forever") negative impacts on viewsheds and damage to the land which cannot be repaired. Particularly in Colorado, this is not the condition in sand and gravel mining operations. Such may be the case with older, long-abandoned hardrock/metal mining, such as the Gold King Mine incident and damage which was citied by some objectors. Proper reclamation both preserves the appearance and value of the land and actually improves those factors, both for the lands around the site. Exposed bare earth or rock, erosion features, exposed materials contaminated with chemicals, will not be seen at this site, as reclamation will be completed as enforced by Colorado DRMS. We are unaware of any location, residence, parking/observation/overlook area in which the proposed operation will prevent people from seeing the mountains around Taylor Park (the Upper Piedra) now visible in all directions. The pit will be incised into the original ground and stockpiles will not be significantly higher than original ground to the east on the rest of the Dancing Winds Ranch. Please refer to photos in Appendix A.3. Examples which demonstrate that there are no long-term negative impacts (visual or land quality/soil/contamination), that a reclaimed site offers improvements in land quality and visual impacts, and that impacts do not significantly impact tourism or visitors and enjoyment of the natural beauty and manmade attractions in an area include: 5182-22-003 WASTELINE, INC. Page 75 of 107