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Winkler Light Aggregate Quarry August 15, 1989 Page 2 permit process could have been established which allows the State's approval of a reclamation plan prior to the local government's land use approval. The project, as represented in the submitted materials, would involve a rhyolite mining operation on the 1600 acre Winkler Ranch located southeast of the Town of Castle Rock. A total of 79 acres would be disturbed for mining purposes, only 13 acres allowed to be mined at any one time. Reclamation of exhausted areas would be ongoing. Ten mining phases/areas have been identified with an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 tons of aggregate to be mined in any one year. Primary access would be provided via a connection to Ridge Road to allow access to Hwy 86 and I-25. Due to topography and location, visual impacts will be minimal and successful reclamation feasible. A minimum 500 foot setback will be maintained from all bounds of the permit area. Concrete and asphalt hatching plants are included in the list of proposed permitted activities. My initial concerns center around the following aspects of the proposed project: 1). The site's Qroximiry to Castle Rock. The project site is in some instances as close as a mile to existing planned and zoned urban-density residential neighborhoods (see attached map) -specifically Founders Village and Plum Creek South (Crystal Valley). I am fairly well satisfied that the visual impacts of the proposed mining operation, along with the nr ise and dust generated on site, will be minimal upon the currently developed portions of Town. Given the size and time frame of the project, however, these impacts must be assessed as they relate to the future development within these PD's. I would be particularly interested in seeing several site line graphics prepared from these two areas. (Proximity will become an increasing issue as the Planned Developments and quarry develop out -and is the primarily reason why I feel it critical to approve the mining operation on a "phase by phase" basis only.) 2). Potential offsite impacts and lack of offsetting_economichenefit. While the applicant's report makes reference to the adjacent county roadway system, it must be recognized that 95% of the generated truck traffic will lead directly into and through Castle Rock's local street system. In addition to the Town controlled roadways impacted (particularly Ridge Road, Lake Gulch Road, Plum Creek Parkway, Founders Parkway, and Wilcox Street), significant portions of the Ridge Road and Lake Gulch Road located within the County are also being maintained by the Town. The anticipated 114, 15 and 25-ton truck trips per day will have a significantly negative impact on the useful life and maintenance needs these Town roadways. In addition, Ridge Road and Lake Gulch Road are for the most part unpaved which will lead to an unacceptable increase in particulate (dust) pollution experienced within the Town. For Ridge Road this will have a very real impact upon the existing Founders Village residents.