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Comment/Objection Narrative* <br /> Dear DRMS Board, <br /> My family and myself have owned a parcel of land along the creek below the Cross mine for over 30 years.The <br /> creek is where all our children, nieces and nephews have grown up and played.We were close friends of Tom <br /> Hendricks and felt safe knowing he put the environment first and foremost in his operation. Boulder was also a <br /> very different place back then. <br /> My family and neighbors have carefully reviewd the application or restarting mining and expansion by GIR. <br /> The application, in my understanding,fails to demonstrate how the mine will control water pollution during the <br /> mining operation and in the long-term, post-mining. Given the history of water pollution problems,a more <br /> detailed analysis of how the mine is going to ensure future water quality protection is required under state law. <br /> Also,the application does not demonstrate that the current treatment and monitoring systems in place or as <br /> proposed will adequately protect ground and surface water during active mining. My understanding is that the <br /> water treatment plant is currently working, but will that plant suffice for 200 acres of active mining in an area <br /> with complicated hydrology?Also,what happens in case of massive flooding?Or wildlfire? <br /> The application fails to provide sufficient detail as to the plans for the ore material to be mined, including where <br /> the ore from the mine will be processed, how it will be transported,and how it will be stored on site.There is not <br /> sufficient transportation or storage plan in this application. It seems like there is a vague plan to ship it to an off <br /> site mill until a mill is built.This area is a pristine ecological area,critical wildlife designation as well as a hotspot <br /> for recreation. Has DRMS considered how this will impact the safety and environment of the recreational ists <br /> who use that area and the critically important species-both plant and animal? <br /> The application lacks a sufficient description of the area surface hydrology to enable the public to understand all <br /> of the drainages and bodies of water that might be affected by the mining operation. I carefully examined the <br /> maps and could not understand heads nor tails of the hydrology. Please provide better descriptions. <br /> The application references a milling operation on site, but fails to provide sufficient information for review of the <br /> impacts or reclamation requirements of a milling operation on site. If we are going to have a mill up there,that is <br /> an important thing for our community to consider.The noise,air pollution,hazard and dust will be profound. I <br /> worry that you will approve this current application and then the mill will HAVE to be built to deal with the ore. <br /> The application must incorporate all aspects of the reclamation plan in the proposed financial assurance(bond) <br /> for full reclamation. I found the application to be very vague on reclamation...and we are talking 50 years away. <br /> The application does not mention the risk of wildfire ignition(from explosives used and stored on site,or sparks <br /> from equipment)despite the mine being located in the highest risk level in the state for wildfire probability, <br /> severity and post fire impacts. If DRMS does not currently assess fire risk,they need to start doing so.30 years <br /> ago wildfires were a rarity, now they are a regular occurance,year round.This mine concerns me that it will be <br /> such a big operation west of such a populated area, in such a severe fire risk area. <br /> The application does not provide sufficient information to ensure protection of the property and environment <br /> from wildfire,flood or blackout.We now have such extreme weather,such as the floods of 2013 and the <br /> Marshall fires. I was in the Gold Hill fire and they cut off electric for weeks.What is the plan if a fire or floods <br /> cuts off electricity to the mine for an extended period?Or floods wash out the roads and no one can get there to <br /> operate the treatment plant? <br /> These are just some of the concerns that myself and neighbors have discussed while debating this mine going <br /> back into active mining. <br /> I urge you to take my concerns seriously and act accordingly on behalf of those of us downstream,and our <br /> fragile environment.Thank you. <br /> Permitting Action Comment/Objection is Regarding <br /> New Permit Change to Existing Permit <br />