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Comment/Objection Narrative* <br /> As a Leadville resident, business owner and recreational enthusiast I object to the CJK Milling Co, LLC to <br /> reopen the Leadville Mill to disturb,transport and use Cyanide to process old, historic mine tailing waste piles <br /> that are currently stable after the EPA tagged Leadville as a superfund site in the 1980's. <br /> Leadville will always be a mining town,history tells us so.The Climax Mine operates a working mine today and <br /> doesn't pose a major threat to a residential municipality. Unlike the Climax Mine,CJK Milling Co, LLC wants to <br /> operate within Leadville proper and upstream from the Arkansas River. <br /> CJK Milling Co, LLC states that the mine sites on the upper east side of Leadville(within a couple miles from <br /> residences)pose a"risk to people and the environment"and that they have been working with the EPA and <br /> Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment(CDPHE)to"minimize the environmental impacts"and <br /> they have an"innovative solution to advance that goal".Their proposal to use Cyanide to extract valuable <br /> minerals from these sites could very possibly harm our community and many others downstream if their toxic <br /> chemicals were to escape their mining management practice. <br /> I'm not convinced that using Cyanide so close to Leadville's community and the Arkansas River is an <br /> "innovative solution".Cyanide is one of the most toxic chemicals,fast acting poison and classified as"Acute <br /> Health Hazard"and therefore should not be utilized within a high altitude mountain community such as <br /> Leadville,Colorado,elevation above 10,000 feet,as an environmentally safe alternative to what exists today. <br /> Since the EPA's work, Leadville's water treatment plants monitor abundant safe drinking water for the <br /> community and filter clean water to flow downstream into the Gold Medal Arkansas River where Colorado's <br /> state fish the endangered Greenback Cutthroat Trout and many other species thrive. Leadville/Lake County is <br /> the headwaters of the Arkansas River,provides abundant rafting and angler recreation and is a vital water <br /> source for agriculture to the south. If this water is sacrificed due to toxic contamination,not only would <br /> Leadville's community be affected, but everyone downstream and possibly into Kansas,Arkansas and beyond <br /> to the Mississippi River! <br /> I'm concerned with the use of Cyanide to process these old mine tailings being so close to Leadville's <br /> community and the Arkansas River.The health and safety of our water source must be considered a top priority <br /> as it impacts Leadville's community so close to this proposed operation. How will the management of open air <br /> deposits,standing liquid puddles from the processing discharges and the possible erosion due to spring snow <br /> melt runoff or summer monsoon rains be managed?Cyanide contamination to surface and ground water would <br /> destroy the livelihoods of residences and livestock living close to the proposed Cyanide processing plant. <br /> Cyanide contaminations downstream would effect recreational activities and businesses and reliable resources <br /> for agricultural needs for decades. <br /> Traffic safety and air quality also concern me. Leadville's historic mining area is advertised to tourists as a"must <br /> see"area.Several businesses operate daily tours of"Leadville's Mining tours"complete with remnants of old <br /> 1800's structures reflective of the mining era.The dirt roads leading to these sites are popular with locals in <br /> recreational activities;skiing, biking,walking and small sport utility vehicles.The summer months,June through <br /> August, is a popular running and bike race series in Leadville that weaves through the area attracting hundreds <br /> of participants and visitors from across the globe. How will the increased traffic from heavy equipment and <br /> trucks on the dirt roads further impact public safety and healthy air quality to residents,visitors and wildlife? <br /> All these concerns and many others not properly addressed by CJK Milling Co, LLC will negatively impact our <br /> community in the future that effects mountain lifestyles and the historic and recreational tourism industries <br /> which support Leadville's community and other communities downstream! <br /> PLEASE DO NOT allow CJK Milling Co, LLC to destroy our lovely, historical Leadville,Colorado mountain <br /> community while they line their pockets with a few dollars and leave Historic Leadville destroyed to manage <br /> their mess! <br /> Jill Smith-RJS Designs <br /> Leadville resident and business owner <br /> Permit Number* <br /> Enter valid letter and then numbers,for example M1977999, M1999777UG or C1981201. <br /> M1990057 <br />