2007-04-23_REVISION - M1977247 (2)

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Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 Re: Coaldale Quany ,M,j~7,~;,~~/7 - ~~-~V''"'l/ ~2 R~~°~Ae,~~~ APR 2 3 2pa7 Division of ~;~cSlamr.,tion, April 7a~$U~4ety Holcim, (US) Inc. held a public meefing in the Coaldale Community Building on April 10, 2007 regazding the reopening of the gypsum mine in Coaldale. We were disappointed that the State did not send a representative. While the Company answered many of our questions, we still have concerns regazding the Company's compliance with the things they promised. We doubt that the State will be able to enforce any requirements not provided in the permit or required by State environmental laws. It appears that the existing permit was issued in 1977. The neighborhood has grown considerably since then. In addition, adverse environmental issues surrounding mining have also been identified since then. The amendment proposed by Holcim provides only minimal changes to the original permit. Issues that need to be addressed in the permit to ensure that the State can enforce them include: 1) Actions that must be taken to ensure that our surface and ground (well) water will not be affected by blasting and/or dust suppression. Recommend ground water and/or well monitoring, both baseline and frequency of follow-up. 2) Actions to alleviate the dust and dirt which could affect our health and the vegetation grown in the area (i.e., gardens, hay) and ppm limits established. 3) Actions that must be taken to ensure that other naturally occurring toxins (i.e., azsenic, asbestos, etc.) disturbed by the mining of gypsum do not affect our health and/or groundwater. 4) Noise level limits need to be established, not only for trucks, but also for crushers. Hours of operations aze intended to be 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, 5-days a week. We would prefer 8:00 or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This is a very quiet azea and we do not want that to change appreciably. Many of us moved here just for that reason. 5) Holcim stated that they would be responsible for repairs to County Road 6. Some minimum condition or frequency needs to be established. 6) Actions that must be taken to ensure that the condition of our homes will not be affected by the blasting and the heavy equipment/truck movements. In the past, when some homes have been severely damaged by the blasting, the previous company refused to take responsibility. In addition, we have the following concerns that were not adequately addressed: 1) Holcim indicated that they are allowed 3 acre feet of well water per yeaz and that this will not affect our wells due to the 158 foot depth of their well. Most of the subdivision wells aze between 80 and 95 feet. Given the elevation of the mine above the subdivision, this could put their well directly in the vein that the subdivision uses. The area has grown since the mine was active. Can we be assured that water usage by Holcim will not run our wells dry?