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<br />Page 2 <br />Approximately 1000 acres of dry land, sub-irrigated and irrigated pasture <br />exists on this land. <br />This land is excellent agricultural land for farming and has been <br />significantly useful for ranching with historical documentation. Use of <br />the property for agricultural purposes has been a financially successful <br />venture as well. Thus, there is a critical violation by the applicants for <br />failure to conserve productive agricultural land, and it is my contention <br />that the entire acreage in the application should be considered productive, <br />agricultural land. <br />The applicant further states that this concrete, asphalt, precast <br />batch plant and gravel mining operation "will have little effect on the <br />surrounding" area. This statement is outrageous and absolutely false. I <br />own approximately 500 acres of prime irrigated farmland immediately to the <br />east and northeast portion of the applicants' land. We have three homes <br />with three domestic wells and ten irrigation wells on these 500 acres. The <br />three domestic wells are within 169 feet to 516 feet of the applicants' <br />land. Two irrigation wells are within 169 and 427 feet of the applicants <br />land, and three wells are approximately 800 feet away. I think it is a <br />fairly reasonable assumption that continued function of these domestic and <br />irrigation wells is in great danger from this mining operation and almost <br />assuredly if dewatering and dry mining techniques are utilized. My right <br />to farm is threatened. <br />There is mention of a northern access route at intersection 23 and 40. <br />This is the location of two of my houses, on a narrow dirt road, where <br />small children live and play. Farm equipment at slow speeds is frequent <br />at this intersection. This route runs approximately two miles through many <br />country homes and farms to reach paved road at Highway 60. WCR 23 is a bus <br />route that also is heavily trafficked with agricultural machinery. The <br />headquarters of the operation is stated to be on WCR 23. There is also <br />mention of as many as 40 employees and 200 people on the land at any one <br />time. Thus, this northern access route proposed seems relatively dangerous <br />and a major concern regarding continuing agricultural use of surrounding <br />land in the area because of the heavy traffic and congestion about this <br />mined area. The requested permit time is 100 years. I think there will <br />be a substantial effect on the surrounding area. Agricultural will begin <br />to disappear further and further from the mining site. <br />The traffic volume mentioned here is simply staggering. Highway 66 <br />is already congested. I would think a formal traffic study is warranted. <br />Approval would change this agriculturally zoned area to a true industrial <br />area for 100 years! The noise and dust pollution will be significant and <br />should not be minimized. Property values will plummet. <br />Do not forget the historical significance of the Fort St. Vrain area <br />which exists in the midst of the requested mining area. Indian burial <br />grounds have been rumored to be in this area, and over the years multiple <br />Indian artifacts have been found in this area. <br />