2023-10-03_REVISION - M1977344 (7)

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Bear Creek Quarry (M-1977-344) Permit Amendment Holcim US Inc, 3500 Highway 120, Florence, CO 81226 Phone (719) 288-1443 www.holcim.us 41 2.4 Exhibit D: Mining Plan (Rule 6.4.4) A limestone quarry and four (4) generations of cement plants have been operating east of Florence, CO since the late 1890’s. The current plant facility (Plant No. 4) increased production in 2001. About 3,200,000 tons of limestone are required per year to supply the current plant. Sandstone is supplied from a smaller quarry established into the floor of the limestone quarry and is extracted at an annual rate of approximately 120,000 tons. Other raw materials are purchased. 2.4.1 Surface Description 2.4.1.1 Location The mineral resource of RCQ is located on six (6) land sections. Two sections are in Fremont County along with the MTAC. Four sections are in Pueblo County along with the Hwy 96 Access. RCQ is 6.35 miles southeast of the Holcim plant. The proposed permit boundary and affected area boundary are the same, encompassing an additional 4078.72 acres. RCQ is located on Holcim property in Section 24 and 25, T.20.S and R.68.W in Fremont County and Sections 19, 20, 29, and 30 in T.20.S and R.67.W in Pueblo County of the USGS Hobson Quadrangle, Colorado (Figure 2.1-1). The quarry property consists of 6 USGS Sections totaling 3,851.05 Acres. A 250- foot-wide access corridor connects the quarry property to the Portland plant site that includes 222.23 acres. 2.4.1.2 Topography and Elevation RCQ lies within vast ranch lands that stretch from the Wet Mountains east to the Pueblo Reservoir. The mine area is south of the Arkansas River, along and south of Red Creek with its tributaries, and north of Highway 96 (Section 2.2: Exhibit B). The area is characterized by high desert with moderate semi-arid climate. Elevations range from about 5,116 to 5,310 feet above sea level. 2.4.1.3 Land Use and Existing Conditions RCQ includes RP1 in Section 24 that was permitted for dimensional stone extraction. Much of the section is undisturbed native grasses that are used for cattle ranching. Less than 10 acres of Section 24 is disturbed with small piles of dimensional stone and a working face with a staging area. RP1 has no existing structures. Existing conditions and structures for RCQ are minimal. Access relies on interior ranch roads both north to the plant and south to Hwy 96. The Minnequa Canal is located along the northeast corner, outside the proposed permit boundary. Existing structures include barbed wire fences, electricity distribution lines and cattle watering conveyance systems that deliver water to cattle troughs. Fremont County zoning in the area is Agricultural Forestry (Figure 2.4.1.3 -1). This zone district is described in the Fremont County Zoning Resolution as a “Non-urban area established primarily for the purpose of efficiently using land to conserve forest resources, protect the natural environment and preserve uninhabited areas and to allow for farming and ranching activities .” Mining is permitted as a Conditional Use in Section 4.1 pg. 4-4.1.8 (Fremont County, Department of Planning and Zoning 2020). Pueblo County zoning in the area is A-1 Agricultural (Figure 2.4.1.3-2). This zone district is described in the Pueblo County Zoning Resolution as an area “designed to retain and promote the appropriate use of dry range and irrigated lands and encourage open use of the land in keeping with its natural characteristics and agricultural functions.” Mineral and natural resource extraction is permitted as a Use by Review in Section 17.12.030 (Pueblo County, CO 2019).