2001-08-31_PERMIT FILE - M2001090

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TaE DENVER POST COLORADO Gravel in scenic valle fou pit Y Steamboat opponents seek less-visible location Roiling over rl A proposed gravel mine By Steve Lipsher Steamboat, the 105-acre pit billed as residents valued preserving the south Springs has some resit Denver Post Mountam Bureau River Valley Resource would operate valley more than any other open space, mine operator says the A proposed gravel pit at the base of under a 10-year permit and be the larg- mirroring years of citizen-directed fueled by development,: Rabbit Ears Pass has alarmed some est gravel provider for the region—but planning efforts and the work of several site west of town fresidents of Steamboat Springs, who one highly visible from the picturesque local and state land-preservation orga- would send say it would defeat preservation efforts overlooks on the pass. nizations. thousands of b for the scenic Yampa Valley floor that "The main argument for this gravel "We're all very passionate about the trucks through it is that we need ravel. That's not community, and we're t town each is the gateway to town. being debated by our group," said Ken to protect ome of what trying feel amakes summer. cot: But operators of the Lafarge Corp., Solomon,one of the major forces behind this place great;'said Susan Otis,exec- facing an ever-present demand for the opposition. "What is being debated utive director of the Yampa Valley gravel in the rapidly growing area,con- is there may be better locations. The Land Trust. Ste tend that the site near Lake Catamount Spr is the best one available and that the valley is very sacred." The nonprofit group isn't taking sides onlyother option would be to send thou- He points to wildly successful land- in the debate, but Otis points out that it O P ears conservation efforts in the area, plan- has worked over the past six to sands of trucks rolling through the tour- P Y ist town each summer. ning documents that stake out the prop- preserve 22,900 acres in the Yampa a { The issue has become a major dilem- erty as key open space and public senti- Valley — worth about $86 million — 1 ment against the gravel pit as reasons and six other organizations hold another ' I ma for Roult County,and a hearing be- enough to deny the permit, not to men- 12,000 acres. fore the county planning lann ing crs tonight ommission and the tionathe environmental and aesthetic "Tourism is a big part of the econo- 131 peeled to simplify things, as a mush- P my here, and tourists have told us that 'To punctuate this wonderful ranch- enjoyingthe rural and pastoral land- R2 rooming group of citizens is set to land with a gravel pit is incongruous;' p weigh in on the matter. scopes of the Yampa Valley n an she {ems Solomon said. Critics to the gravel pit said.portant part of their experience," she c ft( "These battles are always tough," also cite environmental impacts, in- said. "Studies by (Colorado State Uri- said Steve Wood, vice president and eluding dust noise pollution, depleted versity)have indicated that tourists are , l general manager for Lafarge's Western water tables and increased fog generat- willing to pay an average of about$15 a -_.�.131 Slope division,which operates two other ed by a large body of water—a chronic day per person extra because we have expiring quarries in the arga. problem in the valley. these natural, scenic, pastoral land- Slated for the historic More Ranch A recent survey by the Emerald P f.. off Colorado 131,about 6 miles south of Mountain Partnership indicated that Please see GRAVEL on 8B