APPCOR10294

• Permit No: C2006085
• IBM Index Class Name: Application Correspondence
• Doc Date: 12/12/2006
• Doc Name: Gary W Zak Comments
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Statement of Gary W. Zak at Public Meeting, re: Northfield Mine Project, Page 1 of 4
NORTHFIELD MINE PROJECT
Public Hearing
Florence, Colorado
December 12, 2006
To: Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety
Subject: Public Statement by Gary W. Zak, 12000 Auckland Avenue, Williamsburg,
Colorado; PO Box 414, Florence, CO 81226; Phone: [phone] or 618-593-9687.
Thank you for convening this public hearing regazding underground coal mining activities
proposed by the Northfield Mine Project to give citizens and land owners in the affected
and adjacent areas to the mine an opportunity to address their concerns. I have concerns
because it appears from the maps provided in their application that 80% to 90% of my 35-
acre parcel of land is in the permit area. My property is in a residential subdivision in the
town of Williamsburg. It also appears that the portion of my land adjacent to CR 79 is in
the Mine Plan (Map 7, Panels 21 and 22). I say `appears' since Northfield has not contacted
me regarding the proposed mine, so I have only the detail provided in their application to
refer to for any specifics. According to that information I must conclude from my own
observations and estimations that all of my property is in either the "affected" or "adjacent"
azeas of the mine.
Northfield Mine's lack of consideration, demonstrated by neglecting to contact me, is no
great surprise after being present at the December 5, 2006 Fremont County Planning Board
Committee meeting. During the meeting the committee gave concerned citizens an
opportunity to speak after the representatives of Northfield presented their application and
requests for permits. I informed the committee about my concern regarding CR 79 and the
likely subsequent deterioration of that road as a result of increased traffic from the mine.
This road is critical to me because it provides our only access into and out of the
subdivision, especially in case there is a need for emergency fire, police and medical
services. I also addressed my concem about my private well (as well as my neighbors'
wells) that is in the area adjacent to the mine and the lack of consideration or even mention
of it (or them) in the applicant's hydrology report. The potential impact the mine may have
on the quantity and quality of water in my well is of utmost importance to me. Lastly, I
addressed my concem about possible subsidence that may result from the mine cavity dug
under my property.
One of the committee members asked the Northfield Mine representatives if they would
address my concerns. To my surprise none of the team members knew anything at all
about how the ground mine might impact my property. Their surprised looks and questions
about the location of my property and its relationship to the actual mine led me to believe
they may not have even known that they were going to dig under my property. But perhaps
this shouldn't have been much of a surprise to me since Tab B of their application lists my
property as "Vacant Residential". For the record, I have owned and lived on this property
since June 1, 2005; over 18 months.