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1UN-29-94 WED 15 ~ 22 C ITY~ BOULDER OS/RE FAX N0. 3034 429 t -. CITY OF BOULDER Open Space/Real Estate Post Office Box 791, Boulder, CO 80306 303-441-3440 P. 02 M-~i-o3~ une , State of Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 Attn: Mr. Carl Mount, Senior Envirotunent Protection Specialist Re: Mining Permit Application Submitted by Western Aggregate, Inc. Bluestone Sand and Gravel Mine Sections 3 and 4, Township 2 South, Range 70 West, 6th Prime Meridian Dear Mr. Mount, The City of Boulder Open Space Staff has reviewed the mining application submitted by Western Aggregate, Inc. for the proposed Bluestone Sand and Gravel Mine to be located in Sections 3 and 4, Township 2 South, Range 70 West, 6th Prime Meridian. The Open Space Depaztment will be recommending to the Open Space Board of Trustees and the Boulder City Council that we should oppose this mining application for the following reasons: Area of Hieh_Diversity of Plants and Insect Life The natural values associated with the grassland azea that is proposed to be destroyed (mined) should be strongly arosidered. Recent research on the ICelsall Open Space property (immediately north of the proposed permit area) has revealed an unusually high diversity of plant and insect habitat very similar to the proposed mining area. Lazge contiguous tracts of these sorts of grasslands are becoming increasing rare on the Front Range. They are the only habitat where prairie dog colonies have a chance of functioning; in any reasonably balanced relationship with their environment. The value of the Rocky Flats propert;r for its potential to provide these large tracts should not be overlooked. Property has a particularly high scenic value. We disagree with the statement in the application which states "The Property has no particular scenic value." Many people believe that these remaining lazge azeas of undeveloped grasslands are very beautiful. Stockpiling of Existing Topsoil Stockpiling o1.' topsoil by the applicants' other mines in the area has been less than desirable. The side slopes have btzn built too steep which has caused lazge material slides onto our property which destroys fencing and habitat. Improper use of large rocks on the top of these stockpiles has resulted in these rocks rolling down these slopes and coming to rest 30 to 50 yards onto our land after destroying