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E.ehibit Il.b <br />STATE OF COLORADO <br />Bill Owens, Governor <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br />DIVISION OF WILDLIFE <br />AN EQUAL O--ORTUNI'rY EFI-LOYFR <br />Russell George, Director <br />6060 Broadway <br />Denver, Colorado 80216 <br />Telephone: (303) 297-1192 <br />Feb. ~, 200 L <br />Clear Creek Planning Commission <br />P.O. Box 2000 <br />Georgetown, CO 80444 <br />Dear Commissioners, <br />RECEIVED <br />MAY 2 S 2002 <br />Division of Minerals and Geology <br />`p1A Rt~O <br />a ,, <br />30~ oi• ~~av <br />For [['i!dlife- <br />Fnr 1'ea~ile <br />I want to thank you for the opporttutity to comment on the proposed expansion of the Frei Quarry in <br />eastern Clear Creek County. Myself, and Elabita[ Biologist Eric Odell met with the owmer, 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 allowed by their <br />current permit. Even at current levels, there are tunes when aerial pollutant {dust) levels are very obvious <br />and are ofconcern, 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 />[ made several calls to the agencies that regulate and monitor the production and pollutant levels of [he <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 />I have personally seen days when the aerial levels were VERY obvious and this is at current levels of <br />operation, which by their CDOT permit, could be quadnlpled, and still be within the limits of that permit. <br />Because of this, [have fairly serious concerns 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 tra(i3c will likely result in more wildlife being hit in the <br />area (especially deer, bighorn sheep, and small animals). <br />Short-lean concerns include direct loss of wildlife, loss of habitat, air and water pollution, increased silt in <br />the Gt'eek, attd itl~reased coati kills. Long-term concerns are linked mare to habitat lr)ss (may be a i3(G <br />concern if bonding for reclamation is not sufficient when minine is completed), pollutants, road kills, and <br />if there will be additional roads or road improvements required to move materials. <br />DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Greg E. Watcher, Executive (Urector <br />WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Rick Enstrom, Chair .Robert Shoemaker, Uce-Chair .Marianna RaRopoulos, Secrerarv <br />