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Allowing a company with this track record to vastly increase the footprint of its operations places our water <br /> supplies—and, by extension,our health—at serious risk.Our community depends on clean groundwater and <br /> protected watersheds.Any compromise to water quality endangers not just individuals,but entire ecosystems <br /> and public trust in environmental governance. <br /> 2. Economic Burden of Environmental Cleanup <br /> The financial implications of remediating environmental damage from mining operations are profound and often <br /> fall upon local and federal governments. Historical precedents in Colorado illustrate the staggering costs <br /> associated with such cleanups: <br /> •Summitville Mine:The environmental disaster at this site necessitated a cleanup exceeding$155 million in <br /> public funds. <br /> •Nelson Tunnel/Commodore Waste Rock Superfund Site:Cleanup efforts led to a$6 million settlement to <br /> address contamination. <br /> •California Gulch: Remediation costs were estimated between$53 million and$68 million due to extensive <br /> contamination from historical mining activities. <br /> These examples underscore the potential financial burden that could be imposed on our community should <br /> environmental degradation occur as a result of the proposed expansion. Preventative measures,such as <br /> denying the permit for expansion,are fiscally prudent and essential to safeguarding public resources. <br /> 3.Threat to Outdoor Recreation and Local Economy <br /> Beyond health risks,the proposed mining expansion endangers one of our region's most important cultural and <br /> economic assets:outdoor recreation.Caribou and the greater area around Nederland and the surrounding <br /> Front Range area are renowned for their trails, backcountry access,and natural beauty. Residents and visitors <br /> alike flock here for mountain biking, backcountry skiing,and hiking;and,Caribou is a core area for these <br /> activities throughout all seasons.Just downstream, Boulder Creek is a treasured destination for rock climbing <br /> and fly fishing—activities that require clean water and a stable natural environment. <br /> Outdoor recreation is more than lifestyle—it is livelihood. In Colorado,this sector generates over$37 billion <br /> annually in consumer spending and supports more than half a million jobs. In Boulder County,this revenue <br /> sustains a network of outfitters,guides, hospitality workers,small businesses,and service providers. <br /> If environmental degradation from mining expansion diminishes the quality of outdoor experiences,visitors will <br /> go elsewhere.A loss of water clarity in Boulder Creek or visible landscape scarring near trailheads will have <br /> ripple effects throughout our local economy.These are long-term consequences that far outweigh the short- <br /> term benefits of expanding a gold mine,which would only serve to enrich a few individuals while increasing the <br /> potential to cause significant impacts to health and economic hardship to the residents of this area if the mine is <br /> permitted to reopen and expand operation. <br /> Conclusion <br /> This proposal represents a step backward for environmental responsibility, public health,and economic <br /> sustainability.The risk to clean water, healthy communities,and our thriving outdoor economy is simply too <br /> great. I respectfully urge the Boulder County Land Use Department to deny the permit for Grand Island <br /> Resources'expansion. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Michael Fitzgerald, PhD <br /> Doctorate in Energy and GeoEnvironmental Engineering <br /> Nederland, Colorado <br /> Permitting Action Comment/Objection is Regarding <br /> 9 New Permit Change to Existing Permit <br />