Laserfiche WebLink
•~ , ~,~ <br />Initial Comments on the proposed Paricdale Aggregate Mine <br />The following aze first cut comments on the proposed mine Conditional Use Permit, File 1lCUP 97-5, the <br />Pazkdale Aggregate Mine: <br />First, thanks to your competent staffers Marshal & Melissa, for sending us this proposal for comment! We <br />request that we regularly be consulted on any issues/applications along the river corridor or any <br />applications that may affect the visual quality anywhere within the condor in Fremont County. <br />Second, we will attend the scheduled Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at the <br />wurthouse on July 1°, at 7:30 p.m. We would urge and suggest that you invite or contact others with <br />strong interest in this potential activity also, i.e. neighbors, raging companies who launch regularly at the <br />Parlcdale site, Colorado Departrnent of Transportatioq local chapters of Trout Unlimited, Colorado <br />Riparian Association, Colorado Bighorn Sheep Society, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Buckskin Jce's <br />Company, Royal Gorge Company, City of Canon City, etc. <br />Third, we need to state that the short time frame for response, {June 19'...12 days} for this potentially <br />major action affecting the social and physical environment was very inadequate. More time is needed to <br />carry out a thorough review of this proposed action by us and others before we can be sure our comments <br />to the Fremont P&Z Commission are adequate. We urge your commission to provide more time to review <br />this proposal. <br />Fourth, it would appear at 5rst review of this permit package describing the proposed development that an <br />environmental analysis is needed here. This is needed in order to fully understand the many potential <br />ramiScations of this proposed action, prior to Fremont PBtZ Commission action. This mine will create <br />positive impacts but it appears that it will also cause some major negative ones as well. These need to be <br />studied and looked at prior to the commission's action on the permit. <br />Fifth, we offer these "initial" comments on this proposal <br />• More than 126,367 people utilize this site in Fremont County each year. The Arkansas Headwaters <br />Recreation Area bas spent over $260,000 developing this recreation site for public recreationists in <br />Fremont County. This site is used extensively for public 5shing, picnicking, sightseeing, and private <br />boating, as well as by over 70 commercial out5tters. This site is key to the recreational enjoyment of <br />these people as well as to the success the private businesses. <br />• We conservatively estimate tbat the direct expenditures tied to this site are $7,183,880, and the total <br />economic affect of this visitation occurring in Fremont County is approximately $18,390,732. The <br />proposed mine may have a severe impact on this present economic activity and must be fully analyzed <br />within the conditional use permit process. The following table highlights some of these recreation <br />activity statistics: <br />