Laserfiche WebLink
Comment/Objection Narrative* <br /> Dear Mr. Lennberg, <br /> I am submitting my comments and objections to the Cross Gold Mine Application(permit M-1977-410)to <br /> convert to a Designated Mining Operation.The Applicant, Grand Island Resources(GIR),has a long history of <br /> surface water and ground water quality violations and conducting unauthorized work without proper approval <br /> and permitting from Boulder County or the Division of Reclamation and Mining Safety(DRMS). <br /> GIR is proposing to expand the mine from 10 to 205 acres,generate up to 2 million cubic yards of waste rock <br /> over the course of operations,conduct underground blasting with the use of explosives,and extract and <br /> process up to 70,000 tons of ore per year for the next 50 years.The Application lacks critical and fundamental <br /> details and does not meet the requirements under DRMS Rules. I urge DRMS staff and the Mined Land <br /> Reclamation Board to deny the Application. <br /> The Cross Mine is located immediately adjacent to the U.S. Forest Service's protected and designated Indian <br /> Peaks Wilderness area.The mine property is also located in Boulder County's designated critical wildlife habitat <br /> —Upper Caribou Park Willow Carr Complex.This area is home to a migrating elk herd and threatened and <br /> endangered species that would be directly impacted by the mining operations proposed by GIR.Specifically, <br /> underground blasting,construction underground and on the surface,and the truck traffic associated with more <br /> than 160,000 dump truck loads of waste rock are expected to directly impact native flora and fauna.There is no <br /> indication in the Application that Colorado Parks and Wildlife has been adequately consulted on the mining <br /> operations and details provided in the application are insufficient to ensure protection of the environment. <br /> The Cross Mine is located in a prime area used for recreational purposes including hiking,fishing,wildlife <br /> viewing,rock climbing,camping,and cross-country skiing.Active mining operations and the proposed twenty- <br /> fold expansion of the mine would fundamentally alter the use of this area for recreation.The operations also <br /> threaten to ignite a wildfire in this already very high-risk area.Given that U.S. Forest Service and Boulder <br /> County routinely implement campfire bans in the area, I would like details on how DRMS would allow <br /> explosives to be used for mining,while campfires cannot,due to the risk of wildfire. <br /> Finally,as a resident of the City of Boulder, my drinking water supply comes from Barker Reservoir and North <br /> Boulder Creek,and I'm concerned about impacts to my water supply.As stated above,GIR routinely exceeds <br /> groundwater and surface water quality standards and was recently under two multi-year cease-and desist <br /> orders from both DRMS and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment due to these <br /> violations.Also, because GIR failed to provide any information on the mill,there is insufficient information on <br /> what chemicals will be used during the ore processing and what types of measures will be put in place to <br /> adequately protect surface and groundwater drinking water supplies. <br /> I appreciate your taking the time to review mine and others concerns about this application. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Gale Dunlap <br /> Permitting Action Comment/Objection is Regarding <br /> • New Permit Change to Existing Permit <br /> Permit Number* (?) <br /> Enter a valid permit number <br /> M1977410 <br /> County* <br /> Colorado County where the proposed operation is located <br /> Boulder County <br /> Enter one county only <br /> Site Name <br /> Upper Caribou Park Willow Carr Complex <br />