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11. No significant detraction from economic base, environmental, <br />historical, recreational or aesthetic character. <br />Possible conflict. Failure to comply with permit conditions, <br />as noted above, will renew air and visual pollution problems for <br />Somerset, thus adversely impacting the aesthetic and environmental <br />'character" of the community. And while the argument can be made <br />that the town's "true" character might be that of its mining <br />heritage (and so imply that dust and windblown fine are not issues <br />for mitigation, but are facts of life to the area), a balance of <br />support for the economic base of the community, with improvement <br />and maintenance of a healthy environment for area residents is <br />appropriate. Upgrading the layout and daily maintenance levels of <br />the operation by relocation of coal stockpiling, and application of <br />dust retardent and provision of windscreens and other mechanical <br />means to obstruct particulate transport, ensure substantial <br />mitigation of identified conflicts. <br />ECONOMIC LAND USE POLICIES: <br />1. Encourage existing industries of agriculture, tourism, <br />recreation, mining and education. <br />Possible conflict. Should residents of the community seek to <br />expand their economic base to include the tourism that is apparent <br />in areas surrounding Somerset, the appearance, as we 11 as the <br />quality of air and water of the town will be important. The <br />• presence of excessive air pollution and black dust on homes and <br />roads could hinder the interest of potential tourists. However, <br />this application, when effected, will assist in lessening those <br />adverse conditions. Failure to comply with permit conditions cited <br />above, will imply failure to mitigate these conflicts, as well. <br />2. Business/commercial development permitted only oa specific <br />finding of fact. <br />No conflict. It was around coal extraction that the community <br />of Somerset was built, and location of minerals and historic <br />placement of facilities necessitated this development along the <br />highway. <br />3. Insure industrial/mining operations only in specific, <br />compatible areas. <br />Possible conflict. Though the location of minerals requires <br />that extraction operations exist here, the mining and processing <br />must .occur in such a way that they can be considered "compatible" <br />with the residents who have elected to remain in this mining <br />community. As noted above, compliance with permit conditions will <br />be required to consider potential conflicts between land uses <br />mitigated. <br /> <br />