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r August 9, 1993 To All Concerned Officials: AUG ~ 21gg~ Div~q,~n ~,~ A,•„E, . ~,, 5 Uri ~~~`. I am writing to express my strong opposition to Southwestern Portland Cement's plan to mine Dowe Flats. As a homeowner located one-half mile south of the proposed quarry, I am very concerned about how the mine will affect my quality of life and property value, as well as its overall impact on•~the environment: 1Jhile I knew when I purchased my home in October of 1992 that Southdown, Inc. had tentative plans to mine the area at some future point, their current application for permits with intent to mine as soon as possible has forced me to examine this issue much more closely, I have reviewed the mine's plans and various reports; I. have talked extensively with plant officials, other homeowners in my area and with specialists in the fields of mining geology and environmental land use. The conclusion of my personal education is that I cannot support this project in any way. I would like to focus on how the proposed quarry will affect me personally, as I am sure other groups can more accurately speak to the larger environ- mental impact. I bought my home and paid significantly more money (as compared to houses ih town in Lyons) precisely because of its location. While I did not have enough money to buy a larger, more isolated piece of property in Boulder county, I felt my choice was a good compromise: the neighborhood has a rural feel, yet has easy access to Longmont and Boulder; I am isolated from the goings=on of my neighbors; there is little traffic on my road. Most of all, though, I value the easy access I have to the undeveloped Dowe Flats land and the Open Space beyond. Each day I appreciate the peace and beauty of that landscape, with its lovely vegetation, plentiful bird and animal life, and spectacular mountain views. I cannot begin to describe the loss I will feel should this valley become marred by huge, ugly quarry pits and heavy machinery. Getting away from the aesthetic and down to the practical, I foresee the mine will affect my quality of life in many other ways. At present, what I dislike most about where I live are two things. First, the cement plant's laud drone is present day and night, blotting out sounds of birds and water running in the ditch that borders my property. The former owners told me 1 would get used to it, but I have not. I do not want to listen to this noise for the next thirty years. Second, there is a lot of traffic on Highway 66...it is often jam-packed with speeding cars and their noise is frequently punctuated by the fake-break decelerations of semis slowing to turn into the plant's entrance. If Southwestern obtains permits, their added hauling of quarried material in trucks across 66 will be a traffic nightmare.