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4/17/01 Dear County Commissioners This letter is to voice our objection to the choice of Jord Gertson to provide an assessment of the effects of dewatering on the water table and cottonwood trees at the mine site located near the town of Milner. The proposal requested by County Commissioners asks, "Whether the existing health and vigor of the cottonwoods and associated vegetation surrounding the proposed site be maintained in the presence of the mine dewatering given the mitigation measures proposed" at the proposed Camilletti Pit #2 location. The purpose of the study is to determine what is likely to happen to the mature cottonwood trees when 750,000 gallons of water per day (521 gallons per minute) is taken from the watertable. Without the mature trees there is no visual and no noise mitigation plan whatsoever. Without the trees there is no mitigation to potential negative effects to wildlife and wildlife habitat. Berms for visual mitigation cannot be constructed in the wetlands. We are feartul that, in the event that the trees die, the County will not take any action to shut the mine down (until appropriate mitigation is in place) once the mine is in operation. The Zoning Resolution directs in 8.3.1.C.4 the applicant "shall mitigate visual and scenic quality impacts." In 8.3.1.C.6 "shall mitigate potential negative effects to wildlife and wildlife habitat." In 8.3.A.C it states, "The mining site will not be visible to adjacent or surrounding residences, or will be mitigated to the extent reasonably possible, to have reduced visibility. Placement of the operation a sufficient distance from public roadways, behind natural landforms and existing major vegetation, and/or away from growth centers will minimize visual contact." We realize we are not in a growth center, but the rest of these regulations apply and they must be followed. We do not believe that Jord Gertson is qualified in any way to conduct this study. We request that his proposal be denied and that someone with the appropriate qualifications be hired to do this important job. Mr. Gertson is a hydrologist and a water consultant not a researcher or a biologist. His educational background is severely lacking in the field of groundwater and riparian vegetation systems. According to his resume, he received a Bachelor of Science degree two years ago and has done no research of any kind on the effects of mining on cottonwood trees or riparian areas. He has never published any research on this or on any other similar topic. In our opinions, he has no credibility and should not be hired to do this study. It is a sad situation when the County will not hire the most qualified person to do the study but approves the selection on cost instead. The residents of Milner and the surrounding area are already feeling the effects of discrimination by County officials and this solidifies our feeling that elected and appointed officials just don't care about areas west of Steamboat. Your selection of an unqualified person to do this study is just another example of disregard and disrespect.