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Mining next to state wildlife areas is generally regulated at the state and federal level, but <br /> can pose significant threats to wildlife and ecosystems, including habitat destruction,water <br /> contamination,and air pollution.Open-pit mining removes topsoil and vegetation, destroying <br /> animal and plant habitats.Water Pollution: Mining can release heavy metals like lead and arsenic <br /> into water sources, poisoning wildlife and disrupting the food chain.Air Pollution: Mining operations <br /> are a source of particulate matter and toxic gases,which can negatively affect air quality for nearby <br /> areas.Soil Contamination: Chemicals from mining can contaminate soil,harming plants and <br /> invertebrates that form the base of the food web. <br /> httossJ/www.umesc.usgs.govlterrestriallcontaminants/tcuster 5002531.html#:—:text=Environmental%20con <br /> taminants%20associated%20with%20mining%20ac tivities%20may acute%20or%20chronic%20effects%20 <br /> on%20re s id en t%20�iI l ife. <br /> With the installation of a slurry wall,the groundwater flow wilt be disrupted up to 1 foot in <br /> depth (113)with a potential to flood during events of precipitation."The installation of slurry walls <br /> has the potential to create local groundwater shadows or mounding that damage neighboring <br /> structures or property and the potential exacerbation of regional groundwater impacts"(31)A good <br /> portion of our property,which is less than 50 feet from the proposed mine location,will have <br /> potential to destroy our cropland byway of waterlogged soil.This will deprive our crops of oxygen <br /> and soil nutrients. Brome grass is a native deep-rooted crop susceptible to rot when exposed to <br /> excessive water. Brome grass also has a large root system and removal of the plant will increase the <br /> risk of ground erosion in the area.Any extra groundwater will impact homes in the area with <br /> foundations already close to the natural groundwater elevations. <br /> httas:liplants usda gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheebpdflft bring odf <br /> "Weld County recognizes the right to farm and is an agricultural empire of 2.5 million acres <br /> of which 75% is devoted to farming and raising livestock.Agricultural users of the land should not <br /> be expected to change their long-established agricultural practices to accommodate the intrusions <br /> of urban users into a rural area." A local,family-owned cattle company has been using the land <br /> owned by Raptor Materials for cattle grazing for several years,which is consistent with the area land <br /> use. <br /> https,llwww.weld.gov/Government/Departments/Planning-an d-Zoning/Right-to-Farm-Agriculture-in-Weld- <br /> County <br /> Post mining land use is described as developed water resource,specifically"water storage <br /> pond with surrounding rangeland which wilt serve as open space and public recreation".(165). The <br /> land is currently zoned for agriculture use,with no zoning permit issued for public or private <br /> recreational use.These reservoirs will contain standing water,which will become breeding grounds <br /> for mosquitoes.West Nile Virus is spread through mosquitoes,with multiple positive tests in the <br /> area. In mid-July,the City of Greeley reported that mosquitoes trapped within the city tested <br /> positive for West Nile virus,triggering mosquito spraying operations.Weld County's first human <br /> case of West Nile virus was reported on July 25 in a county resident. By mid-August,Weld County <br />