2007-04-19_REVISION - M1977247 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman St. /~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~-~ ._ ~, ~ ~~--~ Room 215 0' _ _ '' /,. Denver, CO 80203 / ~ ' ~ ~ ~~~ . RE: HOLCIM INC, PERMIT # 1977-2417/ RECLAMATION AMENDMENT APP April 17, 2007 We aze writing this letter of objection regarding the Coaldale Gypsum Mine. We aze one of the homeowners that have adjoining property next to the mine. Two yeazs ago we made the decision to invest our life savings into this home, and the beautiful peaceful area of Coaldale. We knew that the mine existed, but were told by several local people, and our broker that the mine was in reclamation, and that it would not operate again. We aze horrified by the thought that his mine will open again. We did not buy into an active mine operation. I have talked to several neighbors that have had bad experiences with this mine when it operated before, and during the reclamation phase. I was told that windows in houses rattled during blasting, a brand new home had the ceiling crack and it effected the new windows and the seals, 2 or 3 neighbors had well problems, the noise of machinery can be heazd, and dust is a problem. It is my understanding that the mine operator at that time would not take responsibility for these problems. The wind blows here in Coaldale almost on a daily basis, it comes from the South, South East, or South West, with severe gusts of up to 40-60 mph. Locals call it BLOWDALE. The mine and the mine road sit right in the middle of the wind. I called 3 local realtors and they all said the mine operation will effect our property values. The wild life is abundant here, almost every afternoon I have 20 - 30 mule deer in my yard, they come from the mine property behind my house. I have 3 Red fox, Elk, Owls, a Bobcat, Coyote, Bald Eagles, and Golden Eagles. They all frequent my property, my neighbors, and the mine property. There is also Bighorn Sheep within a'/< of a mile. How is the mine operation going to effect them over the next 32 years? I have a concern regazding the sediment pond that has been used by the mine for drainage, according to the map shown on the 1994 storm water management plan submitted to your office. The plans show a holdingpond with flows of water and run off from the mine shop yazd runnine down into this pond, the mine ditch is an oven ditch that runs over the top of my irrigation ditch, the pond itself is 15 - 20 feet from my ditch. The information in the documents state: the maintenance yazd azea including fuelin¢ azea and buildings drain to the Northeast into the main holding Pond sediment .There is also a run off ditch or ravine that intersects my irrigation ditch on the comer of my pronerty. (Please see hiEhli¢hted areas on Aerial map)