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q Noxious Weed Control: The plan calls for application of herbicides in spring and fall. <br />Herbicides constitute a public health threat when used inappropriately, and have the <br />potential for damage to nearby crops when carried by the wind. This poses a threat to the <br />agricultural activities of a vineyard that lies immediately below the sandstone cliffs, where <br />breezes could carry herbicide sprays. <br />J) Nuisances: The applicant claims that noise from rock crushing, diesel generators, backup <br />beepers, bulldozers, semi-truck traffic, and Jake brakes will be mitigated by only working <br />from 7 am to 5:30 pm., and by the remoteness of the site. As stated above, this is NOT a <br />remote site. It is a rural residential area, and working daytime hours does not mitigate <br />anything for the large number of retired people who enjoy the peace and beauty of the <br />area all day, every day. To have a major disturbance of the peace all day long for the <br />rest of our lives is unacceptable. There are no mitigation measures that can make <br />this high level of industrial noise acceptable to nearby neighbors. Dust is also a <br />major issue. The only operation involving dust mitigation is the rock crusher that will have <br />water misters. The major source of dust, however, will come from ripping of bedrock by <br />the bulldozers rpm pushing material down slope to stockpile areas, and from loading of <br />-~ semi-trucks. a dust will be carried to residences in the immediate vicinity by the <br />prevailing breezes. In the Green Valley shale pit that was one third the size of this <br />proposed operation, the fire department was called on several occasions due to the huge <br />clouds of dust generated by the Benson Brothers operation. This quarry will constitute a <br />major public nuisance in the midst of a peaceful residential area. <br />N) Access: The Red Canyon Mine Road access is on a narrow blind S-curve on Ward Creek <br />road, with several private drives entering the road at that point, and school bus stops. <br />This is not a place for semi-truck traffic to be entering and leaving the road. There have <br />been many complaints by residents regarding speeding by the Benson Brothers trucks on <br />the rural roads near the Green Valley shale mine. Ward Creek road has walkers, <br />horseback riders, and bikers, and is not compatible with heavy truck traffic. A major <br />widening and improvement of all county roads used for hauling would be required to <br />make them suitable for the huge semi-trucks. <br />Water: The applicant claims they will have no impact on quality or quantity of water <br />belonging to others. However, Benson Brothers told us they will pump groundwater at <br />3,000 to 4,000 gallons per day which could have a significant impact on the local water <br />table, equivalent to 10 households. <br />Utilities: Electric power for the rock crusher will be provided by diesel generators adding to <br />the noise din of the operation. <br />O) Runoff. Storrs water and Erosion Control: Production of a barren rock slope pit with <br />surface area of 30 acres could produce substantial runoff problems. There is already <br />flood hazard to homes just below the sandstone cliffs during cloudbursts, and runoff from <br />the valley is currently a hazard to the homes immediately south of the site. The presence <br />of a quarry will greatly enhance flood problems. <br />P) Scenic Views: This quarry will be visible from most of Coalby valley, part of Green Valley, <br />and from the Surface Creek area. It will disrupt scenic landmarks of the Coalby area, and <br />will be an eyesore to the entire neighborhood. See photos for indications of impact. <br />