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~r~-iy~7~a~~ <br />~M~v- <br /> <br />6ivision o. r...clamaU011, <br />~Aining and Safety <br />Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />1313 Sherman St., Rm 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />w/--~~A n <br />J <br />Dolphia Cazney <br />P.O. Box 254 <br />Coaldale, CO 81222 <br />719-942-5857 <br />~ ~ ~ 0.J c~ ~~ <br />Deaz Sirs, <br />I am writing concerning the proposed reopening of the Coaldale Quarry, a gypsum mine <br />located here in Coaldale, in western Fremont County. Many of the residents here in <br />Coaldale are very concerned about this mine reopening. According to the papers filed <br />with the state and county, Holcim, Inc., proposes to use drilling, blasting, crushing, <br />screening; loading and hauling to remove up to 100,000 metriatons of raw material from <br />the Coaldale quarry. They propose drilling blasting holes 3" to 4" diameter holes 30 ft. <br />deep. Holes of this size are capable of containing a sizeable amount of dynamite and we <br />question Holcim's contention that "...the operation will have no appreciable affect on <br />neighboring surface or subsurface water resources". How can they predict that blasting of <br />this magnitude will have no effect on our water wells? Many Coaldale residents live on <br />property directly adjacent to the quarry and we rely on groundwater to be able to live <br />here. Many homes have been built and many water wells have been drilled, close to this <br />quarry, since operations ceased back in 1990. How will this operation affect the habitat <br />for our abundant wildlife here? One of the few Bighorn Sheep herds in the state resides <br />here, not to mention deer, elk, coyotes, bear and cougar. How will they react to over <br />4,500 cubic inches (4" by 30 ft. hole) of explosives going off? How about our diverse <br />bird population here, including bald eagles? <br />People who lived here prior to 1990, when the mine was in operation, have reported <br />collapsed water wells and cracked house walls as results ofthe blasting operations back <br />then. Since then, many more residences have been built adjacent to the mine. The mine is <br />now located in what can only be described as a residential area. How can an application <br />be approved to reopen mining operations when there are so many residences right next to <br />it? How about an impact study which addresses the consequences of these operations? An <br />impact study done 20 or 30 years ago can not accurately reflect the Coaldale we're living <br />in today. What about the prospect of slow moving trucks entering U. S. Hwy. 50 from <br />County Rd. 6? This seems like a prescription for serious accidents. <br />In considering an application to reopen this mine, the opinions and concerns of the <br />residents of Coaldale should be heard. Here in Coaldale, there is a lot of concern and <br />opposition to this mine reopening. Thank you. <br />Sincerely, <br />Dolphia Carney <br />~~~, <br />