Laserfiche WebLink
Statement of Gary W. Zak at Public Meeting, re: Northfield Mine Project, Page 2 of 4 <br />After last week's meeting with the county's Planning Board Committee, my concerns <br />regarding my property and water rights, and the impact increased traffic will have on CR <br />79, have not changed. The Northfield Mine's representatives' lack of knowledge regarding <br />their own mine application and the potential impact their operations may have on affected <br />and adjacent property owners, concerns me even more, and should likewise concern <br />everyone in this room. <br />My review of the application revealed no mention of my well, or of my home as an <br />inhabited residential structure. The same was true of most of the wells and homes of my <br />neighbors in the Chandler Heights subdivision. Of course, without any structures or wells <br />in the affected or adjacent areas there would be no need to protect those wells from water <br />quality or quantity damage, nor the residential structures from potential subsidence. In fact, <br />it is very disconcerting to me that the existence of Chandler Heights Subdivision, with all <br />of its beautiful homes, did not seem to be of any concern to the author's of this application. <br />At best such oversight reveals a failure of thoroughness in its preparation, as well as lack of <br />professionalism by the consultants hired to complete the application. While at worst it <br />appears to show a pitiful lack of regard or concern for the property and water rights of the <br />applicant's neighbors and fellow citizens. <br />In my opinion this application is incomplete, riddled with errors and does not deserve <br />further serious consideration by your division. The applicant's apparent disregazd for <br />property owners in the affected and adjacent areas to the mine seems to demonstrate a level <br />of contempt for the rules and regulations governing the processes that were designed to <br />protect this state and its citizens. I would characterize such disregard as abhorrent and <br />disgraceful. But, if you choose to continue processing this application, I ask that you <br />enforce to the fullest extent, the laws of Colorado regarding the property and water rights of <br />all property owners in the affected and adjacent areas to the mine. Specifically, I ask that <br />you rigorously enforce your regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board <br />for Coal Mining. Attached aze what I consider to be important relevant excerpts from <br />those regulations involving pazagraphs 2.04.7 Hydrology Description, 2.05.6 (3) <br />Protection of Hydrological Balance, and 2.05.6 (6) Subsidence Survey, Subsidence <br />Monitoring, and Subsidence Control Plan. <br />Gary W. Zak <br />