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L~ <br />RONALD G. RITZ, M.D. <br />DIPLOM.4TE <br />AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY <br />Aprillst, 2002 <br />Mr. Walley Erickson <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />701 Camino Del Rio <br />Room # 125 <br />Durango, Colorado 81301 <br />Durango, Colorado 81302 <br />dF~C~R <br />A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION <br />Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery -Cosmetic Surgery -Surgery of the Hand <br />1902E 2ntl AVENUE. DURANGO, CO 81301 <br />TELEPHONE (910) 2595990 <br />Re~~~~ <br />AP <br />R ~ 2 2002 <br />Oivte~o tkdp ABM <br />MioBr~s $ y oe <br />°ey <br />Re: Thomas Pit Amendment, Four Corners Materials Gravel Operation <br />Dear Mr. Erickson: ~ - - --_--- <br />As a property owner, living directly across the river from the proposed, "Thomas <br />Ptt/Pond Operation ", I would like to state my strong opposition to this project as well as <br />any proposed in-river gravel extraction operation in this immediate area. <br />The proposed `pond" which in reality is a gravel extraction pit is planned to be located <br />just twenty feet from the river with a "berm" of questionable stability, especially if there <br />is high river flow. The placement of the armoring has also been scaled back in order to <br />facilitate permitting and this may also present a adverse and inadequate design for river <br />stability. This `pond" is to be built on a "septic collection pond", currently unused. <br />What are the contamination issues of disturbing this structure? <br />I have great concern regarding long term plans. As you are aware, the prior Animas <br />Aggregate Gravel Mining Operation, which operated adjacent to this `pond" site <br />created tremendous damage to the river and surrounding riparian areas as well as drying <br />up a major irrigation head gate. Several years ago the Army Corps of Engineers enacted <br />by law restrictions on in-river mining operations which Animas Aggregates violated on <br />several counts. They made no attempt to repair any of the damage they caused,• they <br />simply sold out and left, having done very well in their operation and leaving a disaster <br />- - in their wake- -- - - - - <br />Now we have another mining operation to take their place. Same game, different name. <br />What is the long term plan, especially with reference to re-contouring the river? What <br />studies have to be done by the various agencies to prevent further destruction of a <br />already severely damaged river? <br />How much river can you dig out? We are lowering our river without getting the gravel <br />replaced from spring flow. Our banks are caving in, we are loosing and killing trees, <br />