2024-03-12_REVISION - M1990057 (18)

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Comment/Objection Narrative* Considering re-animating this mining operation is beyond environmentally and fiscally irresponsible. Re-opening California Gulch operations will introduce new toxic contaminants into a watershed that is already an EPA Superfund project,and disturb contained materials laden with heavy metals that already created an environmental disaster years ago. Millions of dollars have been invested into this area after it was severely damaged by historic mining,and it seems patently insane to knowingly repeat a scenario that had such severe consequences for wildlife and public health and spent endless taxpayer dollars cleaning up wastes when companies abandoned the site.The consequences of a containment breach are already known,and with the unpredictability of wildfires,floods,and landslides in this area,the severe damage of ecosystems surrounding and downriver of the site is nearly guaranteed.We can not let a company seeking to scrape profit out of this area undo the work of so many wildlife,environmental,and government professionals.Any new release of toxic materials would jeopardize the fragile health of the Arkansas River, its fish, beavers,and bighorn sheep,and the plant life and clean water they depend on.These populations are already very tenuous,and would be devastated by another ecological crisis like the drainage tunnel floods of the 1980s. Beyond the ecological importance of this river, it is also the center of economies downstream of Leadville. Chaffee County has only recently recovered from the economic hardship of various industries leaving this rural area in the past four decades.Achieving recognition through environmental stewardship and promoting responsible outdoor recreation through fly fishing, rafting,and other river sports has attracted a new interest to our towns,and is the work of hundreds of people working to move from these environmentally detrimental industries to economies that offer a better quality of life.Outdoor tourism can sustain a population and economy in ways that a finite mining operation never could,and has helped this area gain economic benefit from ecological protection and embracing the natural beauty of the landscape we live in.This prosperity has very recently spread to Leadville,as more people are recognizing the joys of small town mountain life when visiting Chaffee and Fremont County as tourists.Visitors and residents are drawn here because they want a lifestyle surrounded by natural beauty, not the industry or detrimental health effects of living in a big city.Why would anyone want to compromise this way of living that has been so hard won... and instead repeat the mistakes of the past?A release of toxic contaminants would close a river used by thousands of people every year,just in our two counties,and devastate the businesses that depend on that influx of people. Not to mention the residents of Canon City, Pueblo and beyond that depend on the river for tourism and critical agriculture use. Overseeing the headwaters of a river is a huge responsibility and needs to be approached with a serious level of attention to detail and caution. It should never be in the hands of an out-of-town,for-profit corporation.We don't need another public health emergency,ecological crisis or PR nightmare in this area.Allowing the re-entry of a destructive mining operation,and the few temporary jobs it may offer, is unquestionably a losing deal for all of us. I urge you to use good judgment and DENY THIS PERMIT. Permit Number* Enter valid letter and then numbers,for example M1977999, M1999777UG or C1981201. M1990057 Permitting Action Type Select revision type or leave blank if comment pertains to a new permit application or NOI Permit Type County Lake Enter one county only Site Name Perm ittee/Operator Name ADDITIONAL INFORMATION