1990-10-31_REVISION - M1988112 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Governor Roy Romei • Costilla County ano Battle Mountain Resources October 31, 1990 Page Two We are unfamiliar with the specific economic development efforts of the area. Regardless, we can appreciate the desire on the part of some residents in and around San Luis to increase tourism and low-impact economic development. One apparent hindrance in accomplishing the community's economic development goals is that the county larks land-use plans or regulations. Long-term land use plans should be defined by and reflect the values of the local community. If they determine that certain uses (e.g., a mining operation) are incompatible with current or future surrounding land uses, steps can be taken under local land use law and regulations to prevent or restrict such development. In Costilla County, there has been little focus on land-use planning and zoning which is, in large part, at the root of the present debate about the desirability of the Battle Mountain operation. If the area did have local land-use planning in place, we do not know how this mining operation would have been received. Before the Mined Land Reclamation Board, there was a good deal of conflicsting testimony about the project in three separate hearings including an all-day hearing in Alamosa. There appeared to be a well-orga~oized and vocal minority opposing the project. However, few if any ele<:ted officials testified in opposition. Composition of the Mined Land Reclamation Board Two questions were raised about the composition of the MLRB. The composition of the seven-member Board is set by statute. Five of the members are Gubernatorial appointments. Three of these must have substantial experience in either agriculture or conservation (no more than two from either category). The current board has two thoughtful environmental representatives. And, the others -- who represent agriculture, mining, the Soil Conservation Board, and the DNR Executive Director -- bring a knowledgeable and well-balanced perspective to the board. There is no basis for concern about the lack of "environmental" representation on the board. There is no Hispanic representation on this Board. We have made an effort to identify qualified minorities and women for a number of our boards and commissions. In the case of MLRB, we believe we have identified a well-qualified Hispanic mining engineer with one of the major mining companies in Colorado. He has expressed interest in serving on the Board. While we are several months away from having an opening on the MLRB, we are considering recommending this individual to you to fill one of the "mining" positions on the Board when it opens in 1991.