Laserfiche WebLink
E.ehibit 12.6 <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Bill Owens, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNRY EMPLOYER <br />Russell George, Director <br />60ED Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80216 <br />Telephone: (303) ~7-1192 <br />Feb. 5, 2001 <br />Clear Creek Planning Commission <br />P.O. Box 2000 <br />Georgetown, CO 30d~44 <br />Dear Commissioners. <br />Far II`ildlife- <br />Far Pcn(~le <br />I want to thank you for the opporttmity to comment on the proposed expansion of the Frei Quarry in <br />eastern Clear Creek County. IVtyself; and I-Iabitat Biologist Eric Odell met with the owner, and his <br />consultant onsite and have several concerns with the operation. <br />We were told that last years production of materials was about one fourth of the amount allo4ved by their <br />current permit. Even at current levels, there are times when aerial pollutant (dust) levels are very obvious <br />and are of concern, both in terms as an aerial pollutant and as a water pollutant due to the mines' <br />proximity to the creek. We also have concerns with possible additional sedimentation into the creek via <br />dust contamination from the trucks that are loaded and parked along the creek after loading. <br />This aerial and water borne dust could have very adverse affects on the aquatic wildlife in the creek. <br />1 made several calls to the agencies that regulate altd monitor the production and pollutant levels of the <br />mine and was told that in general the mine has been pretty good as far as compliance is concerned. I was <br />informed that when a violation is reported, they send out an employee to check on the report (as soon as <br />one is available which maybe the same day or in several days). It seems that this system may or may not <br />detect a violation, depending on operation conditions and weather conditions when the worker gets there. <br />f have personally seen days when the aerial levels were VEEtY obvious and this is at current levels of <br />operation, which by their CDOT permit, could be quadrnpled, and still be within [he limits of [hat permit. <br />Because of this, I have fairly serious concems with the potential For aerial and water borne pollutants. <br />Also, I have concerns that expanding the quarry operation will result in a much increased level of truck <br />traffic (in hauling out product) and this increased traffic will likely result in more wildlife being hit in the <br />area (especially deer, bighorn sheep, and small animals). <br />Short-term concems include direct loss of wildlife, fuss of habitat, air and water pollution, increased silt in <br />the creek, and increased road kills. Long-terra concerns are linked more to habitat loss (may be a f31G <br />concern if bonding for reclamation is not sufficient when mining is completed), pollutants, road kills, and <br />if there will be additional roads or road improvements required to move materials. <br />DEPARTMENT OF tJATURAL RESOURCES, Greg E. Walther, Executive Director <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION. Rick EnST<Om, Chair • Rohert Shoemaker, Vice-Chair • Marianna RaRopoulos, Secretary <br />