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18176 Ward Creek Road <br />Cedaredge, CO 8]413 <br />February 17, 2005 <br />Delta County Planning Department <br />Delta County Courthouse <br />501 Palmer Street, Suite 115 <br />Delta, Colorado 81416 <br />To Whom ItMay Concern: <br />I am writing to express my concern to the proposed rack shale mining operation proposed by the Benson <br />Brothers in Coalby Canyon Twenty of so years ago Coaiby was a very sparsely populated area with <br />several small mines. Most of the people living in the area tolerated the noise and truck traffic as the mine <br />was their livelihood. Today the mining area in question is surrounded by many, manyhomesand is a resi- <br />dential communitywhichcontinuesto growmalcingilreateaincompatible withaminingoperation <br />My main concerns are noise, dust, heavy truck traffic, safety, flooding potential, loss of natural beauty as <br />well as an eye sore in the community. <br />Longtime residents of the area say the noise from the miningyears ago could be heazd amile or more up <br />the canyon This operation is a much lazger project using larger and noisier equipment which is not only <br />loud but will have the required beepers when backing up. The many trucks expected daily, according to <br />the Benson Brothers, add to the noise as well as road hazards and safety issues. The trucks will be coming <br />out onto Wazd Creek Road on a blind comer. They will also pose a threat to the many walkers and horse- <br />backriders as we[I as the school buses that stop up and down the road. Safety is also a concern due to air <br />quality Many have moved to the azea for the clean air due to asthma and other respiratory problems. <br />Residents who live east of the Coaiby Canyon area and located in the vicinity ofa current, smallerBenson <br />Brothers shale mining operation say the dust and noise have been unacceptable. They say they know ofat <br />least two times when the fire department was called when neighbors thought the mining area was on fire only <br />to learn the problem was not smoke but rather dust. Flooding has been a problem in the azea previously <br />when heavy rain fell in a shorttime frame. Ifthe natural ridges and valleys are mined offend the slope is <br />replaced with a larger areathat is reclaimed in a 2:1 ratio as requiredby the State this will give an even <br />larger area which will all drain offin one direction leading to a greaterthreat offlooding. Benson Brothers at <br />first said, but then changedtheir story, that they wouldnot be taking offthe top ofthe ridge which my home <br />looks toward and others are even closer to with the threat of fallingrock onto theirhomes. This ridge is a <br />beautiful landmark and can be seen from a great distance. <br />I feel the Benson Brothers have property rights but so do the rest of us. Is it fair for one owner to interfere <br />with the rights of other property owners? We have rights too and have moved to this area because ofits <br />peace and quiet, natural beauty, and laid back community atmosphere. <br />I urge you to not approve the Benson Brothers application to mine the Red Canyon area in Coalby Canyon <br />Sincerely, <br />G~~a~~~ <br />Joyce Garman <br />