PERMFILE134363

• Permit No: C2008086
• IBM Index Class Name: Application Correspondence
• Doc Date: 12/7/2006
• Doc Name: Public Scoping Report for the Environmental Impact Statement
• From: BLM
• To: DRMS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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' August 24, 2006
Catherine Robertson
Grand Junction Field Manager
' Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Department of the Interior
' 2815 H Road
Grand Junction, CO 81506
Debby Locke
Bookcliff Walkers
1940 10 Road, Mack, CO 81525
[phone], [phone]
[e-mail]
' Re: Red Cliff Coa] Mine and Railroad Spur Scoping Issues
Dear Ms Robertson:
I am concerned about the proposed railroad spur and its impacts. I live on 10 Road
in the valley area north of Mack Mesa, which will be impacted by the railroad spur. My
first preference would be that the location of the railroad spur be altered to access Big Salt
Wash at its head and proceed in the wash or that it be moved west to the old alignment of
the Uintah Railway. What alternatives have been considered? Slurry lines aze already in
place to the old Gary Refinery, Gary Refinery already has a railroad load out system in
place. I believe this rail spur will have a high impact on the noise level (pollution),
emergency access, wetlands, springs, disruptions of irrigation of our local lands. I believe
this rail road will decrease our quality of life with its high noise level, eye sore, road access
and crossings. If relocation of the proposed spur is not an option, I believe that the
following issues are important in considering the proposal as presently located:
The railroad spur is proposed to cross the Highline Canal and proceed south east to
the northerly toe of Mack Mesa where it will turn westerly and proceed to 10 Road where it
will turn in a southerly direction and proceed down Big Salt Wash to the Town of Mack.
The valley east of 10 Road and North of Mack Mesa is, at this point, beautiful, quite, and
relatively undeveloped. Our main view is to the south, southeast and southwest. The rail
road will cross above the canal where sound will not be buffered, sound will echo and
reverberate off Mack Mesa. There is no vegetation or natural relief to absorb the sound.
The proposed spur will result in a cut and rails which will be visible to us for the
entire distance from where the spur will cross the Highline Canal to where it will cross 10
Road. During that distance, Mack Mesa functions as a megaphone by reflecting noise back
to the north. We expect that the noise from the train's engines, the horns, and the attendant
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