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August 15th, 2023 <br /> Dustin Czapla <br /> Environmental Protection Specialist <br /> Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br /> 101 South 3rd, Suite 301 <br /> Grand Junction, CO 81501 <br /> Via email to dustin.czayla(a),state.co.us and travis.marshall(a),state.co.us <br /> Re: REX Project NOI P2022019,Notice of Intent to Conduct Prospecting Operations (Modification), <br /> Notice of Complete Application <br /> Dear Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety: <br /> These comments are submitted on behalf of Sheep Mountain Alliance and the Information <br /> Network for Responsible Mining. We thank you for your continued commitment to allowing public input <br /> throughout this process. <br /> The proposed exploration sites off of Montrose County Road W-19 and Highway 141 within the <br /> Long Park region are also utilized by the public for its trails and hunting, especially in the fall months. <br /> This region of Long Park is also utilized by the annual Hanging Flume 50k trail running race. This <br /> recreational event starts and finishes at the Uravan Ballpark and seeks to highlight the recreational <br /> resources of the area. In the current Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office (BLM UFO) <br /> Resource Management Plan (RMP),Paradox Valley(which includes Long Park)is identified as an <br /> Extensive Recreation Management Area(ERMA). ERMA's are managed for recreation and to, "Provide a <br /> recreation setting commensurate with other uses that: 1) retains a natural-appearing landscape while <br /> allowing for activities that would benefit biological values; 2)provides the necessary recreation facilities <br /> 3)provides basic, on-site visitor services, and 4) clearly posts conditions of use throughout the area."'It <br /> would be a tremendous loss to the burgeoning recreation economy in the West End should Long Park be <br /> lost to future mining, and its highest and best value with the most public benefit is found in recreation <br /> rather than extraction. <br /> The Long Park area is already significantly degraded due to the high number of historic, <br /> unreclaimed drill roads from previous mining operations, so the proposed activities will increase the <br /> cumulative impacts the area is already experiencing. The project area provides important habitat to <br /> wildlife species of interest,including mountain lion,bighorn,black bear,mule deer and elk, as well as <br /> nongame species and a mature pinon juniper ecosystem.Any drilling activities approved in the area <br /> should require consultation with the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office and,because they will <br /> occur on public lands, should also be subject to federal review under the National Historic Preservation <br /> Act. Additional commitments by the prospector should be required to preserve and protect any artifacts or <br /> historic features encountered during operations. <br /> 1 https://eplanning.blm.gov/public_projects/lup/62 1 03/20 0 1 7 1 3 7/2 5 00 23 0 44/UFO_ROD-ARMP_ePlanning OPTpdfpage II-84 <br />