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indicates the mature junipers aze up to 2000 years old, and lazge pinions (which aze easily <br />datable) are up to 600 yeazs old. Unless Bensons can prove otherwise, it should be <br />assumed the trees on their property are of the same vintage and are not recent invaders of <br />grassland habitat as implied by their usage of SCS report Number 284, which is addressed <br />below.(34-32.5-116(4)(f) & (k) <br />Bensons have failed to mention that there are 21 homes within 1/4 Hole of the <br />proposed mine boundaries, and 36 homes in the Wazd Creek drainage (Coalby Canyon) <br />that aze within 1/2 mile of the proposed mine boundary. Many more homes are located <br />between 1/2 and 1 mile of the boundaries(18-8-503, C.R.S.). Adjacent to the southern <br />boundary of the mine boundary is a commercial vineyazd which will be vulnerable to the <br />dust which is part of a quarry operation. The use of herbecides on the pit property may <br />also be detrimental to the existing vineyazd operation. Note that the prevailing winds in <br />the area are up and down canyon. The vineyazd is in line with down canyon air flow. In <br />fact, the prevailing wind directions have been measured from the north borders of two <br />adjacent property owners, (from top of sandstone cliffs) and also at the vineyazd. It shows <br />prevailing winds from the operation will travel in a southerly direction, off the cliffs and <br />onto the property below, where an eddy pattern is set up. This will maximize the settling <br />of dust carried from the mine operation directly onto the vineyazd. The Colorado <br />cooperative extension office has confirmed that dust in even small quantities will damage <br />a vineyazd. Therefore the quarry will adversely affect this adjacent landowner's <br />vineyazd.(34-32.5-103(1.5) & 34-32.5-114 & Responsibilities as a Pennittee #3) <br />It is true that there are old coal mines within one mile of the property. All were <br />abandoned prior to 1960 except the Red Canyon Coal mine, which was closed about 20 <br />yeazs ago. Reclamation of that property was completed and the bond released about six <br />years ago. Joe Beldon has a red shale pit adjacent to the property which is under <br />reclamation, and his operation was a fraction of the size of the current proposed <br />operation. Since the closing of the coal mines, the azea has grown rapidly into a <br />residential neighborhood. Therefore the inference that this is a mining area rather than a <br />residential azea is false and misleading.(Responsibilities as a Permittee #2) <br />The plat maps (exhibits F & C) included with the application are grossly out of <br />date. It shows only the shed, and not the residence, of Larry Chick, and states his <br />residence as being in Montrose. This house was built about five years ago and he has <br />lived there ever since. It also fails to show the residence of Norma Jean Norton. Bensons <br />should be aware of the deceptive nature of this map, as Larry has been very active in <br />protesting this quarry, stating dangers to his residence from cliff failure. Mr and Mrs <br />Norton have also been very vocal in their opposition, as Mr. Norton has a doctor's letter <br />stating that the quarry dust will be very detrimental to his health, which is fragile. <br />(Responsibilities as a Permittee#2, & 18-8-503CRS). <br />Exhibit E -Reclamation Plan <br />a) "The site is rangeland and will be reclaimed as rangeland". <br />As described in the second paragraph under OTHER ISSUES, the site is primarily old <br />