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South Hinsdale Response to Objections <br /> 12 July 2022 <br /> Positive Impacts <br /> The positive socio-economic impacts of having a close source of needed construction <br /> material for the residents and businesses of the vicinity are significant, as the South <br /> Hinsdale Pit will greatly reduce the cost of that material. (The following information is <br /> based on April 2022 data; costs have significantly increased in the past 3 months.) For <br /> example, a truck able to haul 20 tons of gravel currently costs at least $3/mile to operate, <br /> or $0.15/ton-mile. Therefore, to deliver 20 tons of gravel five miles (10-mile roundtrip) is <br /> $30, or $1.50/ton plus the $10/ton cost at the pit. To get that same 10 tons from the Lob <br /> Lolly Pit near Arboles (47 miles) will cost $282, or $14.10/ton: almost ten times the cost. <br /> This savings is a significant positive impact for not just those in Hinsdale County but many <br /> people in Northern Archuleta County. In addition, gravel from Lob Lolly or other pits in <br /> Archuleta County produces sales tax revenue for Archuleta County (4%), not Hinsdale <br /> County (5%). (Note that the County and USFS do NOT pay sales taxes.) <br /> Numerous efforts to permit and operate sand and gravel operations within 20 miles of <br /> Pagosa Springs and 30-40 miles of the South End in Archuleta County have been <br /> defeated, and existing sources (such as the Scott pit, the Weber pit, and the pits near <br /> Arboles) are nearing exhaustion or have been exhausted. The remaining pits which can <br /> supply the South End are located in New Mexico (on Navajo Lake), south of Ignacio, or <br /> near Durango. Transportation costs are therefore even greater. <br /> Case Study <br /> 5Vrom another tourist area <br /> See the Perli Quarry case study in Appendix B <br /> 5.9.4 Local Examples <br /> Of lack of significant impacts of gravel operations <br /> In Archuleta County: <br /> Lob Lolly Pit and Tierra Piedra Pit north of Arboles on SH-151). Multiple gravel pits on CR- <br /> 145 just off SH-160 near Chimney Rock. All of these operations are immediately adjacent <br /> to the Lower Piedra River, and include ponds. Multiple locations exist along SH-160 and <br /> the San Juan River north to Treasure Falls in the valley. Old USFS pits on Oakbrush Hill <br /> and immediately south on the Lemon property and near the old ready-mix concrete plant <br /> location (about 3 miles up Piedra Road from SH-160). Other old USFS pits on both sides <br /> of Piedra Road immediately off road in northern Archuleta (and South Hinsdale) County. <br /> In La Plata County: <br /> Multiple reclaimed pits along and near Buck Highway between Bayfield and Ignacio. Pits <br /> immediately north of Hesperus and SH-160 on the La Plata River. Pits at Tremble on (and <br /> once IN) the Animas River off SH-550. Pits now ponds on La Boca Road on the Animas <br /> River between Durango and Bondad. Present office/commercial park on north side of SH- <br /> 160 in western edge of Durango is built in a former gravel pit. <br /> 5.10 Procedural Issues <br /> May Need State and County Input(Answers <br /> The times and public comment periods for review and consideration of mining projects are <br /> established by State and County lawmakers elected by the people of the State and <br /> County. The regulations (both Construction Materials Rules and Regulations and <br /> 5182-22-003 WASTELINE, INC. Page 80 of 107 <br />