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Purpose and Overview • PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW Castle Concrete Company's proposed revisions to the Pikeview Quarry Mining and Reclamation Plans is unique in several respects. First, the impetus for these revisions came from the community, not Castle. Second, because of the community's desire for enhanced reclamation to mitigate visual impact, these revisions present a mining plan which, in large measure, is driven by the reclamation plan instead of the usual other way around. Third, because the impetus for enhanced reclamation comes from the community, reclamation is treated in two distinct but related plans - a Base Reclamation Plan, which is part of Castle's obligation, and a compatible Enhanced Reclamation Plan for which the community as a whole is responsible. Fourth, the enhanced reclamation plan is to be publicly funded through donations, including funds provided by the State of Colorado itself. The proposed revisions now before the Division of Minerals and Geology should be examined in light of each of these unique characteristics. Community /mpetus This plan is the product of negotiations between the public and castle which began in 1989. Representatives of the community have expended a tremendous amount of effort and dedication in developing these plans and Castle has spent at least as much time, plus considerable money. Thus, this plan is not just what Castle wants, but what the citizens of Colorado Springs and El Paso County want as well. Community involvement in the development of this plan really began in early 1989 when Castle submitted an amendment to the Snyder Quarry plan. Although that amendment addressed visual impact, at least some segments of the community were dissatisfied. After many hearings, that plan was approved. But the public's concern regarding visual impact mitigation had been clearly expressed. In September 1990, Governor Roy Romer established the Colorado Commission on Mountain Scars (Scar Commission). The Scar Commission was charged with two tasks. One subcommittee worked on legislative and regulatory adjustments to address visual impact issues. Another subcommittee examined these issues from a technical viewpoint and proposed technical solutions for mitigating the visual impact of quarries, including the three Castle quarries in • particular. The Governor also directed the Scar Commission to explore possible alternative Pikeview Quarry Amendment Page 1