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NOISE - By locating the various processing equipment in the central regions of the site, noise Levels at the property boundary can be minimized at the permit boundary. The operator and the Mine Safety & Health Administration conducts noise level tests adjacent to the process equipment on a routine basis. DUST -The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Air Quality Control Division, requires thatdustemissionsformthepropertybemaintainedwithinacceptablelimits. Dust permits are not only required for the sand and gravel component of the operation, but each piece of process equipment as well. In order to maintain the permits, a "dust control plan" is in place. A key element of the control measures calls for the watering within the extraction area and haul routes. Water is also used to control dust, which may be emitted by crushing operations. The asphalt plant may utilize water as part of it's air pollution control equipment. WATER QUALITY -Mining on the property is conducted in a fashion which does not allow storm or process water from the operation to leave the property. A Storm Water Management Plan has been implemented for the Thomas Gravel Pit. A Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan have been prepared for any portable above ground fuel storage tanks. The plan calls for a lined containment area to be installed around the tanks to insure that in the event of a spill, rt will not leave the property. WILDLIFE -Effects of the operation on the ebsting wildlife in the area will be offset by the creation of additional wildlife habitat once each of the activities cease. The creations of a 3.3 acre lake coupled with river bank stabil¢ation are two illustrations of how the effects to wildlife can be off-set with reclamation plan that is sensitive to wildlife which inhabd the area. Development of a new pond on the sde will be an enhancement for waterfowl and other wildlife which is expected versus the current site which contains an abandoned waste water treatment plant. EMERGENCY SERVICES -The layout of the operation is conducted in a manner which allows for mabmum accessibility to the buildings and site operations form police and fire protection services, while maintaining security. An aggressive safety program has been instituted which includes extensive safety training for employees working at the facility. (3) Adequacy of existing roads and access to the site. Factors for consideration are existing and proposed road alignment, intersection, condition, structure and site distances, tratic volumes and types of equipment,' dust control; and existing road uses. RESPONSE -The ebsting State Highway and access serving the site are well maintained and are in good repair. Increase in overall traffic will not substantially increase over those which east once the expansbn of the operation is granted. Traffic impacts are off set due to the location of the sde in relationship to the users of the construction materials obtained from the site. Aggregate users historically obtain the resource from the area for which they are to be used. However, they have no choice but to go outside of their area in obtaining construction materials when they are not available locally. This would be the case if the Thomas Gavel Pdwas not operational at its current location. (4) SRe characteristics. Factors to 6e considered are topography, natural hazards (landslides, flooding, wildfire), and current rosource values (open space corridor prime farmland as designated by Soil conservation Service and wildlife habitat). RESPONSE -The site is not prime farmland in its current state and is subject to flooding by the Animas River during a 100 year event. The proposed bank stabil¢ation efforts should off set the impacts of flooding as illustrated by acceptance of proposal by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Colorado Divisbn of Minerals and Geology. Sand and gravel mining are common within river flood plains and have demonstrated that impacts to and by flooding are minimal. The proposed reclamation plan will enhance the agricultural opportunity for the property with the creation of two new hay fields.