PERMFILE45456

• Permit No: M1979221
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 6/22/2000
• Doc Name: UTE CLAY MINE PN M-79-221
• From: LOU MORTENSEN
• To: DMG
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

• • III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
999
June 20, 2UV0
Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology RECEIVE®
1313 Sherman, Room 215
Denver, CO 80203 ~~N 22 2000
ATT: Tom Schreiner DivisionotMinerdls&Geolo9Y
RE: UTE CLAY MINE, Operator, Robinson Brick Company, Douglas County, CO,
Sedalia Land Company, owner of land.
Dear Mr. Schreiner,
I am writing to confirm our telephone conversation of today where
I reported to you extensive knapweed infestation, particularly on the SW
coroner of the pits, and the denuding of any native plants on the NW sections
of the pits. This knapweed infestation and denuding was observed by Ray
Sperger, Resource Specialist, South Platte Park, Carson Nature Center of
South Surburban Parks, 303-730-1022, X 12, on May 22, 2000.
As you will recall, I have, once before, drawn your attention
to passible permit violations of the operator of the open strip, clay
mining operation, Robinson Brick Company. Robinson Brick Company was
informed by the Division of Minerals/Geology to take care of the weed
infestation last year. Now, once again, there is a large section of knapweed
in the SW coroner of the pits that has not been taken care ofj in a timely
way. Mr. Sperger told Mark Chalmers of Robinson Brick Company on May 4th,
2000, that Robinson Brick must spray immediately, as this was the optimum
time to get rid of the weed that potentially could threaten the native
vegetation. The land contains a major wildlife corridor along this
section of the old Colorado Springs highway. Mr. Sperger observed the
land again, with my permission on May 22nd, and saw and observed that
nothing had been done about the knapweed. You may be interested in
acquiring a copy of Mr. Sperger's account of the wildlife corridor out
there.
I respectfully request that you make Robinson Brick immediately
accountable and responsible for its strip mining operation by at least
protecting the native vegetation in order f'cY wildlife to survive and
for our native plants to survive. What chance do they have when Robinson
Brick is negligent? I will continue to monitor the condition of the
native vegetation and expect the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology
to observe~by frequent visits and by monitoring the stlip mining operatlonJ
which has been going on for an odd 50 years.
I enclose a new phone 11 and address for you to inform me of your
continued firm intentions to work in behalf of all beings to protect
our fragile natural resource base, I remain,
Very tru1N yours, / ~a„~(
~'~,v /L/i-/f1.f+S1r// /,R~J2U 3L'i~f4 f,~/l{ lox ~~J7 r/G7fl„S2n %~LLOr ski (rW/,O/L~2, J1Lf ~Q
Lou Mortensen, 1924 So. University/ Blvd., Denver, CO, 303-733-4655