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3. Location of Plant and Sequence of Mining <br />AI presents alternatives for the sequence of mining and the location of <br />their onsite plant. The location of the plant and the sequence of mining <br />will have substantial impact on the neighbors in terms of traffic, noise, <br />dust, visual impact and other items and on wildlife in the area. There will <br />be a major difference between using the existing Tucson Pit for the plant <br />until enough of Water Reservoir A area is mined to be able to locate the <br />plant there versus locating the plant in the southwest portion of the Water <br />Reservoir B area. <br />I believe the county should require AI to specifically determine if the City <br />of Thornton will allow AI to use the Tucson Pit for the location of the plant <br />and submit the specific mining sequence plan to the County before the <br />County even considers their request for a conditional use permit. The <br />alternative of locating the plant at ground level in plain view of Route 7 in <br />the southwest portion of Water Reservoir B for the life of the mine is <br />unacceptable unless AI's plan is expanded to include substantial berms, <br />landscaping and other factors to reduce the visual and other negative <br />impacts of having the plant in this location. <br />If AI is allowed to use the Tucson Pit for the location of the plant, I <br />believe the County should require AI to follow the mining sequence in <br />such a manner as to ensure that the plant will be located in the Northern <br />portion of the Water Storage area A for the life of the mine. <br />4. Method of Mining <br />AI is proposing to use dry mining techniques for the vast majority of the <br />area to be mined. This mining technique results in the most amounts of <br />dust, noise, and unsightly and dangerous conditions. I understand that <br />dry mining techniques are the ones used by most mining operations in <br />Adams County; however, I respectfully request the County to consider <br />requiring AI to use a wet mining technique for the entire area to be <br />mined. Use of wet techniques substantially reduces most of the negative <br />factors associated with dry mining and would make a mining operation in <br />this location much more tolerable to the neighborhood and the <br />environment. <br />As I understand it, using a wet technique is similar to watching a field turn <br />into a lake as opposed to having huge open pits for substantial periods of <br />time. <br />4 <br />