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The Preiri®Farm ~ ~~ 11419 Weld County Road 36 Platteville, Colorndo 80651 Phone (970) 785fi061 &mail: tpfl 1419@cs.com July 13, 2004 Ms. Erica Crosby / Divison of Minerals and Geology d Mined Land Relcamation Boazd 1313 Sherman Street, Suite 215 Denver, CO 80203 Dear Ms. Crosby, RECEIVED JUL i 4 2004 Division ~t Minerals and Geology Greetings once again. I sincerely wish that there would not be a need for this letter of opposition. However, I have received notice the Platte Sand & Gravel, LLC has applied for an amendment to their M.L.R.B. Permit #2000-158. '~ Specifically, Platte Sand & Gravel, LLC has requested an amendment to their original permit that would allow for them to change thew operation from a wet mining project to a dry mining project. This proposed amendment has serious ramifications for those of us who are immediate, geographical neighbors of this property; and I must respectfully request that the Mined Land Reclamation Boazd deny this proposed amendment to the original permit. My request for denial of this amendment is based on the following concerns that are not clearly addressed in the proposed amendment: • The potential impacts from dry mining operations to adjacent landowners, domestic wells, irrigation wells, irrigation ditches and alluvial groundwater use subirrigation. • The amended reclamation plan with respect to environmental protection of surface wather run-on, run-off, discharge, and goals and expectations. • The presence of wetlands that necessitate mitigation and need fora 404 permit from the Corps of Engineers. • The potential loss of wildlife habitat and delineation ofbuffer zones to protect the bald eagle winter roost habitat identified by the Colorado Division of Wildlife in 2001. Please reference Division of Wildlife envirorunental specialist Mike Sherman's original reports on this application. These may require significant revision for a proposed dry mining operation. • A careful, prudent review of the 100 year flood plain analysis, mitigation and set back requirements for a dry mining operation. • .4r1 appropriate water augmentation plan from the reclaimed lake surface and water utilized in the day-to-day operation of a dry mine. • The wntainment and disposal for mine and plant generated chemical and other mining by-products. • The appropriate lining of reclaimed pits for the proposed use of such pits for municipal water storage. • The legal right to enter and protection of existing structures and easements. Specifically, the protection of the Ft. Saint Vrain historical site. The Fort's original site is not mazked by the existing monument. The original site can be determined only by trained, professional archeologists who can precisely determine the original site of the Fort and can recommend the appropriate preservation measures required to maintain the historical integity of the site. • The legal rite to enter with respect to future exploration and development of oil and gas leases. • The question of appropriate recharge structures and test wells to maintain the integrity of the amendment's proposed slurry walls for protection of groundwater supplies. [ request status as a `part}°' to this amendment application Sincerely, Bruce Rippe