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Roott County Planning Commission April 25, 2005 <br />Ruutt County Regional Planttii-g Department <br />P.c ), Box 773749 <br />Stcuroboat Springs, CU 80477 <br />Rc: King Mountain Grave], LLC -Activity No. PP2004-041 <br />Dc~v Commiaeionera, <br />T underataad that you era considering granting approval to King Mountain Sand & Gravel Miae <br />to oxpend the mine they purchased from Frank Hewes from its current 10 sates to 341 saes, <br />Access to this mine would be ova Roott County Roads Three and Five. <br />Al the presmtt time Colorado Open Lands holds a Conservation Easement on a large ranch <br />owned by Alfred Fisher. The easement protects open space, scenic, riparian, agricultural and <br />wildlife wnservaUon values. Our eascraertt and much of the rest of the ranch is significant <br />habitat for a large herd of elk. In addition, much of the area is also critical habitat for Cohrmbian <br />Sharp-tailed Gmusa and Cltratcz Sage-Grouse es outlined in a letter to you fmm the Coloradn <br />Division of Wildlife. <br />Th iv property is one of the largest undivided pnopaties in that area of ltoutt County and as such <br />is uxttcmely significant in the protection of these conservation vahtea. The landowner has <br />indicated to us that be is seriously considering praverving additional portions of this ranch and its <br />coiicavation values in the future. This wnaolidatcd ownership provides an exceptional <br />opportunity to protect open space, agricultural and wildlife cansecaation values that we believe <br />arc of great value In the County, especially as population presentee mount in the future. <br />Wa believe that the operation of a mine ofthis magnitude in this rural agricnltural valley will <br />have a severe negative impact on both wildlife and agriculttuc, duo to fragmentation of elk and <br />sage gmuse habitat, introduction ofnoxious weeds, noise and atr pollution. We ask that you <br />eainuely conaida limiting the size of this project to it's existing permits, end adding conditioae <br />that will limit its negative impact on the local area. <br />.SmCerely, <br />Mo <br />Land Stewardship Duedor <br />k <br />n <br />0 <br />0 <br />J <br />4 <br />y7 <br />0 <br />u <br />0 <br />0 <br />e <br />N <br />Y <br />a <br />u <br />