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South Hinsdale Response to Objections <br /> 12 July 2022 <br /> miners on-site, which means that off-site impacts are also greatly reduced. There will be <br /> no burning other than in fuel-consuming equipment (engines) and stacks and exhaust <br /> pipes are designed and used to disperse fumes with odors. Other mining operations in the <br /> area demonstrate that there is no significant nuisance or health hazard to persons or <br /> animals off-site. As with noise and other concerns, air emissions are mitigated by limiting <br /> hours, days, and seasons of operations. <br /> Several commenters specifically cited drought conditions as making dust impossible to <br /> control. Dust is controlled through a number of ways, starting with moist materials being <br /> excavated and immediately crushed and screened, use of water for dust control (coming <br /> from irrigation return flows in accordance with a Colorado State Engineer-approved water <br /> right), and proper siting and operations, including ceasing operations during high wind <br /> events. According to the National Drought Monitor, the area has not been in Extreme <br /> Drought since July 2021 but has ranged between abnormally dry and severe drought. It <br /> should also be noted that drought conditions hasten problems with road base and more <br /> available and economical gravel for roads and driveways aids in controlling dust. <br /> 5.9 Socio-Economic Impacts <br /> of Mining and Transporting Construction Materials <br /> Response: See also Section 5.1. <br /> Various objections cited various claimed negative impacts of both mining and <br /> transportation of construction materials. The location of the affected area is such that <br /> public lands (NFS) are to the north, west, and south, and only the operator's own land is <br /> immediately to the east. A bit further to the east-northeast is the Kleckner Ranch. The <br /> nearest private property beyond the Texer and Kleckner land is almost '/2 mile to the East <br /> and does not have a good direct view of the proposed operations. Views of the operations <br /> from the north are at a sufficient distance to make the work and equipment almost <br /> indistinguishable from normal farming operations or visitor activities at the trailhead to the <br /> north-northwest on Piedra Road. <br /> Several comments addressed the "cost to those living in the area." Except for the Texers <br /> themselves there are only three other residences or ranches within '/z mile. At least one <br /> of these (the closest) is the Kleckner Ranch, whose residents support this project. <br /> Land Values <br /> There is no indication or evidence that this relatively-short-term operation will have impact <br /> at all on the land value of private property in the vicinity. Empirical evidence from other <br /> areas with tourism-based economies, including Durango and the Animas Valley, Mancos <br /> and the Mesa Verde Area, South Fork, and elsewhere in Colorado provide no information <br /> to support the claim that mining operations will deter tourism or create conditions that will <br /> drive visitors away. The Texers themselves operate the Dancing Winds Ranch and are <br /> dependent on visitors to the area. <br /> In addition, over the past 50-70 years, the USFS and various other entities have operated <br /> and reclaimed a series of sand and gravel mining operations along Piedra Road in both <br /> Archuleta and Hinsdale County, which have co-existed with the growing <br /> tourist/hunting/visitor industry in both counties. There is no indication that these operations <br /> have impacted on property values near the operations or along Piedra Road. <br /> 5182-22-003 WAST£LINE, INC. Page 79 of 107 <br />