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Delta County Planning Department <br />Delta County Courthouse <br />501 Palmer St. <br />Delta, Colorado 81416 <br />Helm County plenninp Dept <br />oem Recored <br />z~ l~/os <br />ay: fJ ~ <br />~.~: <br />February 17, 2005 <br />I am writing this second letter to further support my request for the denial of <br />the Benson Brothers mine permit in Coalby Canyon. <br />My property addresses are 20993 and 20997 Snowdrift Road. My property <br />borders the Bensons property on the south, a total of 713 feet. <br />In 1997 I started grape growing research on this property. From 1997 <br />through 2002 I planted a number of different varieties of grape plants. <br />My conclusion was that this property would become the Coalby Canyon <br />Vineyard and future winery. The cool mountain air and warm sunny days <br />are critical to the quality of the grape. The vines grew and produced beyond <br />my expectations. <br />In the spring of 2003, after a year of construction on the vineyard, I planted <br />2.5 acres of gewurztraminer grape vines. Prior to planting these vines, I <br />purchased additional irrigation water, and built a water holding tank and <br />pump station. I had the land ripped (47 rows, 3.5 feet deep) and leveled the <br />land. I put in posts and trellis wires and installed a micro jet irrigation <br />system. <br />Although I requested financial assistance through the Natural Resources <br />Conservation Services in Delta County, my request was denied. This <br />incredible expense of setting up this vineyard was paid for with my life <br />savings. I am a single female with a dream of farming i~nd I was willing to <br />make this investment in order to fulfill my dream. This vineyard is alsd the <br />way I make my living. ~ . <br />I now have information from Dr. Horst Caspari who is associated with the <br />Colorado State University, Western Colorado Research Center in Grand <br />Junction, Co. that the dust from a mine operation 500 feet from my vineyard <br />will seriously effect the quality and quantity of the grapes. Photosynthesis <br />will be compromised with dust on the grape leaves. The quality and <br />quantity of the grape will be reduced by dust on the grape. <br />