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The Bensons are required to assess the geologic hazards within <br />one half mile of the development and submit a plan for <br />mitigation of geologic hazards. In their permit packet I find a <br />cover letter to addressed to Mike Ripp from Tom Cope, <br />Principal Engineer, UTE Engineering Survey Company, Delta <br />Co. This three paragraph letter indicates that Mr. Cope visually <br />reviewed the site and anticipates no problems as long as #1 a <br />silt fence is provided near the top of the ridge and #2 the <br />lowering of the edge of the ridge will be conducted by back hoes <br />pulling material towards the project. The last sentence in the <br />first paragaraph also gives me concern. Mr. Cope states -- I <br />anticipate lowering the bluff will not cause any stability issues of <br />the existing slope. (The ridge is scheduled to be lowered, not <br />the bluff). If this can pass as a geologic hazard report, why are <br />the very unstable Rollins Cliffs not recognized as a hazard? <br />Please reference attached pictures of portions of the edge of the <br />cliff (bluff) that has recently fallen. These dislodged boulders <br />rolled 20 to 50 feet from where they landed. It appears that they <br />were stopped by other existing boulders. Note: My upper drive <br />way, shop and house are 150 to 200 feet from this recent rock <br />slide. There is no telling where the next slide will end up. <br />The Bensons have stated that the geologic hazards within one <br />half mile of this site are 20 to 60 percent slopes and rock <br />outcrops. I calculate that there is not only a 150 foot vertical <br />rock cliffdu•ectly behind my house, the slope is more like 1.30 <br />percent. The Bensons mining activity will be conducted several <br />hundred feet above this vertical wall. <br />Please keep in mind # 1 surface run off is very rapid and the <br />hazards of water erosion is very high. (Combine this with rocks <br />& possible trees if the silt fence does not hold back the known <br />summer flash floods) Reference: Exhibit I, Non-Technical <br />Descriptions-Soil Survey Area: 679. #2 Earth vibrations <br />(caused by large equipment and the breaking of walls of rock) <br />could easily disturb this unstable cliff resulting in an <br />unpredicted land slide. <br />If the Bensons were not allowed to do any mining on the ridge <br />