Laserfiche WebLink
Routt County Planning Commission Apri125, 2W5 <br />Ruutt County Regional Planning Departrncmt <br />P.t ~. Box 773749 <br />Steamboat Spring, CO 80477 <br />Rc: King Mountain Gravel, LLC - Activity No. PP2004-041 <br />Dc;v Commissioners, <br />i understand that you are wnsidering gnmtirtg approval to King Mountain Sand & Gravel Mina <br />W expand the mine they puroha.,ed from Frank Hewes frnm its eu:rpatt 10 sores to 341 acres. <br />Access to this mine would be over Routt County Roads Three and Five. <br />AI the present time Colorado Open Lands holds a Conservation Easement un a large ranch <br />corned by Alfred Fisher. Tho easement protects epee space, scenic, riparian, agricultural and <br />wi Idlife wnservatioa values. Our easement and much of the rest of the ranch is significant <br />hal+itat for a large herd of elk. In addition, much of the eras is also critical habitat for Columbian <br />Sharp-tailed Grouse end Utxater Sage-Orovse as outlined in a letter to you fmm the Colorado <br />Division of Wildlife. <br />This ptvporty ie tme of the largest undivided pt+opertias in that area of Routt County sad ae such <br />is extremely significant in the protection of thane conservation vadtusi. The landowner hen <br />ind rested to us that he is seriously considering prewerving additional portioav of this ranch and its <br />coi;scrvation values in the future. This caasolidated ownership provides an cxceptlonal <br />opportunity to protest open space, agricultural and wildlife wnservation values that we believe <br />arc of great value M the County, especially ea population pressures mount in the future. <br />Wei believe that the operation of a mine of this magnitude in this rural agiicultural valley will <br />have a severe negative impact on both wildlife and agriculture, due to fragmentation of elk and <br />sago grouse habitat, introduction ofnoxious weeds, noise and air pollution. We ask that you <br />sainualy consider limiting the size of this project to iYs existing permits, and adding wnditions <br />that will limit its negative impact on the local area. h <br />Y <br />Y <br />V <br />Sincerely, ~ <br />u <br />0 <br />A <br />0 <br />N <br />0 <br />U <br />Mo <br />Land Stewardg6ip Duocxor <br />