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approximately nine miles northeast of Dolores, Montezuma County, Colorado. Vol. 1, pp. 1-2.
<br />Four States proposed a 22.6-acre pit along the west flood plain for the Dolores River. Vol. 2, p.
<br />523, 748. Four States must have a reclamation permit to conduct this mining operation, in
<br />accordance with § 34-32.5-109(1), C.R.S.'
<br />The Division assigned three people to review the application. Wallace Erickson, an
<br />environmental protection specialist, was primarily responsible for reviewing the application.
<br />Vol. 3, pp. 1369-1370. Dr. Harry Posey, a geochemist with the Division, assisted in the review
<br />in order to determine if the proposed operation would have an adverse effect on water quality.
<br />Vol. 2, pp. 702. Allen Sorenson, a geological engineer, evaluated the proposed operation's
<br />potential impacts on the river. Vol. 2, p. 721.
<br />Sixteen parties, including the Plaintiffs, filed objections to the application as "aggrieved
<br />parties," pursuant to § 34-32.5-114, C.R.S.2 Vol. 1-2, pp. 177, 265, 283, 649. The Division
<br />responded by carefully evaluating all comments, as well as forwarding the comments to Four
<br />States for responses. Vol. 1-2, pp. 132, 159, 223, 577, 647, 658, 671. The Division spent four
<br />months scrutinizing Four States' proposal, demanding additional information, and evaluating the
<br />Plaintiffs' concerns, as well as its own concems. Vol. 1-2, pp. 86, 113, 246, 255, 672, 702, 721.
<br />Four States addressed each issue, and provided the Division with sufficient information and
<br />commitments to satisfy the Division. Vol. 1-2, pp. 99, 109, 509, 515, 741, 746, 806.
<br />' Article 32.5 establishes the regulatory framework for all construction materials mining.
<br />Construction materials include sand and gravel. § 34-32.5-103(3).
<br />z "Aggrieved" is defined at § 34-32.5-103(1.5), C.R.S. (2002)_
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