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Lastly, the letter from Mr. Gibbons requested specifics about how often dust suppression measures will be used and under what circumstances. In reality, there is no set schedule that operators adhere to to keep dust under control. Dust suppression is typically only needed during dry andfor particularly windy conditions. Logic suggests . that during wet conditions, such as during or after a rainstorm, dust control measures are not needed. Dust generation is measured by opacity tests. Once opacity reaches a certain point, (usually a 10% factor of opacity, as per the requirements of the Air Pollution Control Division Permits) dust control measures must be applied. In general, operators will run a water truck around the site as needed, depending upon daily conditions. Some days that can be once or twice, and on particularly dry and/or windy days constant application of dust control measures is required. The key is.to stay within the required permit limits, as defined by the Air Pollution Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Enviroriment. Beyond the,above information, we are not certain what more detail Mr. Gibbons is seeking. 3 -Precise Estimate of Mine Life -Our initial estimate of mine Iffe span was 5 phases at 5 years each for a total of 25 years. The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology and the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board issues their 112 Regular Permits for "The Life of the Mine°. They do this because they realize that the ability to forecast the consumption of a market driven commodity is impossible. At best we can only estimate based on what we know today. The total of 5 phases of 5 years each for a total of 25 years is as precise as is possible given what we know about the potential market today and we request that these figures be used as a forecast However, the permit should be issued for tMe "Life of the Mine" so that the County permit runs.cpncurrent..with the~Sfate penrrit. ., . , ... At the last hearing, Mr. Gibbons volunteered,that perhaps the Plannin$,Camtrtission could issue this Special Use Permit for a limited time of five years retherthan for the.. "Life of the Mine' orfor the 25 years we have projected.. We strongly object to Phis approach on.several grounds that must be considered by the Planning Commission. First, such a limiting permit will have a severe impact on fnancing far both the properly and the equipment and operating capital needed. Secondly, we do not feel that this permit is any different from other mines that do not have such a severe restriction attached to them. Lastly, this type of limited permit issuance is not applied to any other type of business from Wal-Mart to Seven-Eleven or any other commercial or industrial land use. Such a restriction would pose an undue hardship on the applicant Anyone who has taken the risk to start a new business venture knows that raising. millions of dollars in investment and operating capital is difficult and that investment needs to be paid back from the business operating profits over time..This misguided and severely limiting proposal as suggested by Mr. Gibbons would wreak havoc anthis project. We respectfully ask the Planning Commission to reject this proposal by Planning Staff as it is wholly unrealistic, unfair,.and discriminatory towards this applicant when compared to other businesses. and the applicants potential competitors within the County. 4 -Revised Reclamation Ptan (for Cropland) - We are somewhat unclear what is needed here. Prior to the deadline from Planning Staff to submit new material in this case before our last public hearing, m r `d. The application to the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology for the Regular 112 permit also states that the end-use wil! be "Cropland°. A copy of the DMG application form is attached. The DMG application has been reviewed and deemed complete by State DMG Staff. They are now proceeding with 4