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river by the 1st sheriff o~La Plata County for his homestead), approp•iation date <br />111/1876, decree date 11/8J1923. This irrigation water had been utilized frx over 100 <br />years in this ditch until the Animas Aggregates/Mountain Redi Mix operations finally <br />altered the river flow so dramatically. There are several other property owners with <br />rights on the same ditch who are effected and concerned as I am. Our ditch head gate <br />has been left high and dry due to the eastern channel of the river having bean dried up <br />and diverted into the Thomas Pit as a direct result of their aggregate operations. W e <br />want our rightful water flow back and the aggregate operator should be held <br />accountable. <br />At the very least, prior to any permits being issued, there should be a public hearing <br />conducted to allow for more input prior to the Corps making such a far reaching <br />decision which has such potential for heavy impact. <br />Further, the heavy mining activities in the mountains of Silverton upstream of the <br />aggregate operations in the late 1800's and early 1900's resulted in massive amounts <br />of pollutant and heavy metals laden tailings being dumped into the Anirnas River. <br />Some of these may have washed through over the years; some may have settled in <br />the river beds in the the areas of the mining operations. Who knotivs? There has never <br />been a study done. <br />Who knows what the overall effects are as regards flood plain, further water right <br />damage, further adjoining property owner land and mineral takirn~ without <br />authorization by the owners, potential wetlands damage, potential water quality <br />damage due to silting and disturbance of pollutant and heavy metal Laden sediments, <br />potential fish habitat damage? No one knows because there has never been a study <br />done. The Animas River and valley bottom is an irreplaceable natural resource that if <br />not managed responsibly could be irreversibly damaged. I feel that it would be an <br />irresponsible act to approve the above referenced permit applications without first <br />having a comprehensive study done and an Environmental Impact Statement <br />completed at the cost of the operators.The removal of up to 198.000 cubic: yards of <br />material from the river within a 5 or 6 mile stretch has got to have an impact. V'Ihat is it? <br />There are a number of us who own property in the vicinity of the Mountain Redi <br />Mix/Thomas Pit who have been impacted by this operation either through river front <br />loss, land and/or water loss, loss of quiet enjoyment of our property, and threat of <br />effected water table and water quality. There must be a reasonable solution to provide <br />for the need for aggregate product without adversely effecting others properties and <br />the environment. We are intent on pursuing a remedy for our loss thus far and are <br />dedicated to seeing that the situation does not worsen. I have enclosed copies of letter <br />and maps that I mailed to Susan Nall at your Grand Junction Co. office 11/1/1995. <br />Sincerely, <br />Geof Schlittgen <br /> <br />