Laserfiche WebLink
mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of mitring on the bird and its habitat. In fact, in <br />September 2005, the State of Colorado submitted the Wildlife Conservation Plan to the USFWS. <br />In the original permit conversion process, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (the "DOW ') <br />stated "adequate mitigation will only be accomplished through the implementation of one or <br />more offsite mitigation strategies." Unfortunately, King Mountain's final application did not <br />include any offsite strategies. As such, King Mountain's mitigation strategies fall woefully short <br />of meeting those suggested by DOW. <br />b. Conservation and Property Values <br />The proposed gravel pit expansion site is located neaz property on which the Yampa <br />Valley Land Trust holds a conservation easement. Five Pine Mesa and surrounding area is a <br />_ _ unique area, with minimal traffic, few residential properties, pristine alpine forest and wetlands, <br />where significant investment has been made to protect and preserve the views`, peace and quiet, <br />water quality, wildlife habitat and wildlife. As a result, the conservation values within the area <br />are very high. The proposed gravel pit expansion, together with significantly increased traffic <br />and corresponding dust, and other particulates, noise and the likely decrease in wildlife usage in <br />the area, will inevitably compromise the conservation value of the various easements held by the <br />conservation and environmental organizations. Millions of dollars of State funds are currently <br />proposed to be spent immediately adjacent to the pit to preserve Crrouse habitat. <br />c. Transportation and Safet~Concems <br />King Mountain's current operation has two access points on County Road 3 (CR 3). The <br />short section of that road (utilized by the gravel pit) is very steep with grades up to 19%, a <br />recognizable hazazd. Due to the topography of the area, those grades cannot be adjusted without <br />a road relocation. The steep grade on CR 3 at its intersection with County Road 5 (CR 5) is a <br />serious safety problem due to truck traffic associated with the operation. There are very limited <br />sight distances to see trucks or visa versa before an intersection, around comers, prior to one-lane <br />bridges etc.. It is very dangerous. <br />The project proposed by King Mountain will involve a significant amount of haul traffic <br />and a significant increase'iri"frock"traffic generally. At a minimum, if"appears that an expansion <br />of King Mountain's gravel mine will add a volume of approximately 160 vehicles per day during <br />the peak mining months. Combined with the traffic volume already traveling CR 3 and CR 5, <br />approximately 350 trucks (plus 30 cars) will be using those roads daily. In their current condition, <br />the existing roads simply cannot support that increased level of traffic. <br />Furthermore, the intersection of CR 3 and CR 5 poses a serious safety concern. With <br />respect to all three approaches to the intersection, sight distance is very limited. The north leg of <br />the intersection on CR 3 has a steep, 18%, grade on its approach. Trucks crawl down this grade <br />at very low speeds. Despite those low speeds, it is questionable whether those trucks aze able to <br />stop for oncoming traffic. With the forecasted increased volume of truck activity that will result <br />if the Boazd approves King Mountain's Permit Conversion Application, the safety concerns at <br />this intersection (and along the roads generally) aze substantially amplified. With a large volume <br />