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Received MP,R 2 3 ?r]p~ Dear Nls. Pickford, UiYi5lon of idincrals ~i pec"ogy o~.~~ ~r ~ ~5~~6 March 23, 2006 Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the application by Mr. Allen for constructing and operating a cement plant near our property in Redhill Forest near Fairplay, Colorado. Since 1989, we have owned several properties in. Redhill and we will be significantly and unfavorably impacted if the cement plant is approved and operated. The majority of our properties he along the ridge line of the Redhill escarpment which rises about 1500 feet from the valley floor where the plant site is being proposed. Building sites along the ridge line are valued at $50,000 to $80,000 each. Homes built on the ridge line, which take advantage of the spectacular view to the North of Fairplay and the Mosquito Mountaui Range, will be adversely affected by the noise of plant operations and the degradation of air quality. Tlus will significantly lower their value and the capability to sell them. In addition to these problems, the plant will violate rules contained within: "Mineral Rules and'Regulations of The Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for the Extraction of Construction Materials, promulgated in Qctober 1995." These rules, I understand, are those used in the evaluation of the permit. Specifically, Rule 3.1.fi, dealing with hydrology and. water quality can not be complied with unless several specific and costly preventive steps are taken by the applicant. This is because the land upon which the plant will be built lies within an alluvial plain generated by glaciers during the geologic formation of the Middle Fork of the South Platte valley. As a result, the overlying ground consists mainly of small to medium size boulders which are spaced such that any runoff quickly reaches the low lying water table making the ground water extremely susceptible to pollution since there is'no appreciable overlying earth strata to both absorb and filter polluted run off created by plant operations. The terrain is such that pollution will occur not only within the water table, but also rapidly impact water quality of the Middle Fork of the South Platte river which lies at a lower elevation at the Southern boundaries of the outer area where the plant is proposed. Combined with the historical fact that the valley is located in a flood plain that has flooded numerous times in its history and as recently as 1991, the location of fhe plant presents a significant flood risk. Flooding would create a situation in which the cement and other products of the operation would run unimpeded into the plane, severely degrading the water supply of several downstream cities, with potentially devastating and costly results. Not to mention that the Middle Fork of the South Platte river is one of Colorado's premier fisheries; a Gold Medal Stream which creates jobs and other economic benefits to Fairplay and the surrounding areas. I know that you will carefully assess the requested pemut and also ensure that a sizeable performance Financial Warranty is provided to ensure that the Applicant is fully liable to remediate any damage from his operations and to ensure he is financially obligated to perform all requisite reclamation work before the permit is approved. 1 would appreciate it very much if you would provide me with a copy of the permit application and, if necessary,l will reimburse you for copying and mailing costs. In the interim, 1 will keep in contact with you for status of the application during the review /~ Z0/r0 39bd Ql21QM 3d0~S SI1S2iC L066ELb6tLt Sb~9t 9002/EZ/E0