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We cannot believe the County would blindly rely on questionable information to make important decisions that could damage an entire valley and disrupt its residents and wildlife to approve a gravel pit that is not even needed. Months ago, we told John Eastman our concerns but he very obviously had made up his mind on the issue of the floodplain. Instead of listening, he belittled us and tried to make us feel inadequate. We offered testimony from John Marrone a geologist with BLM with 20-years experience in reviewing mine proposals and in giving mapping analysis as part of the review process. He gave testimony that questioned the validity of the 100-year floodplain mapping as submitted by the applicant and even drew his own cross-sections. Aerial photos of 1997 flooding along the Yampa showed that it is possible that floodwaters could backup into the mine area. Instead of acknowledging our concerns, commissioners asked Mr. Camilletti whether he ever saw the area flood. What did they think he would say? A USGA map shows the area in the floodway but it was discounted. FEMA 100-year flood delineation mapping is usually available but their mapping ends before the Milner area and Routt County does not have its own mapping. Therefore, the County's only source of information is from the applicant (who has not always been truthful, as everyone is aware) and there has been no effort to obtain any other information. Although the Planning Department staff admits that it does not have anyone qualified to verify floodplain mapping, County Commissioners determined that an independent study was not necessary based on John Eastman saying, "it looks like any other floodplain mapping I have seen." Hopefully, other floodplain reports had surveys that were legal that is, sealed, stamped and signed (as is requved by law) and they did not "look like" this one. Several times, residents asked for a second opinion by an independent company not affiliated with the applicant but you denied the request based on this incorrect opinion from staff who has extremely limited expertise on the subject and on a non-survey upon which the floodplain report was based. We are disappointed that we cannot even present our floodplain information at the meeting this evening and feel it is grossly unfair. Once again, we ask that an independent study (by someone qualified) do a complete and accurate survey and a complete and accurate 100-year floodplain delineation mapping of the entire mine site and surrounding area. And more importantly, that the County make a competent review of all survey mapping and compare it to the HEC-RAS cross-setions submitted by any one who does the floodplain mapping.