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of gravel trucks, it would be extremely dangerous to try to pull a horse trailer, move cattle, drive a tractor or let a child ride a horse on these roads. Finally, there are two bridges along the route with only single lanes. The pit operator, Kirk Eberle, does not want to pay to replace the bridges and, instead, wants taxpayers to subsidize his gavel operations. Effectively, Mr. Eberle is attempting to use six miles of county road as a mine "haul road." Standard road engineering demonstrates that the roads will need to be paved to withstand the increased, heavy truck traffic. In general, transportation and related safety concerns clearly dictate that changes be made to the roads, bridges, highway entrances and ways of egress before a 112 Permit is issued to King Mountain, not after. e. Aesthetic and Recreational Concerns The detrimental effect that an expanded gravel pit will have on the aesthetics of the area surrounding the ranch lands is clear. First, the expanded operation of the gravel pit will cause a substantial increase in noise. Likewise, the forecasted increase in truck (and other vehicular) traffic will inevitably result in increased dust, which will reduce visibility and impair the ability to enjoy the area. From a recreational perspective, Egeria Park is heavily used for recreational purposes, including horseback riding, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling and hunting. A gravel pit expansion of the nature proposed by King Mountain will inevitably and adversely affect the aesthetics and recreational use of the ranch lands, and Topanas generally. Agricultural land values are very limited. Property values are 3.to 10 times as high as agriculture alone would support -these recreation enhanced land values are lost with increased gravel trucks. Sincerely, Art Collins, Tom Shields, Gary Mesch BoaNrd Members of The Ranches at Five Pine Mesa uy~a~