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In the E.A. in Chapter I under purpose and need for action it states "This <br />action responds to the goals and objectives outlined in the 2002 White River <br />National Forest Plan..." I believe the intent behind this objective was to make it <br />easier to find new sources of energy so our country would be less dependent on <br />foreign sources. The proposed permit would only consume more energy and create <br />more pollution. There are no new jobs created directly and no one is locally <br />employed by this operation. The E.A. would have you believe our neighborhood is <br />comprised of "about two dozen single family homes or trailers". On the South side of <br />the Crystal River across from the proposed project area there are in fact close to forty <br />homes that are impacted by this quarrying and another five on the north side of the <br />Crystal River. The trailers referred to in the E.A. are actually several 5`' Wheels <br />clustered on the airstrip, which are owned by the Gallegos' and occasionally used on <br />the weekends (when the majority of the quarrying activity is not going on). Our <br />neighborhood/community is comprised of hardworking single families, retirees, and <br />some 2°d homeowners. The one thing that we all have in common is we chose to be <br />in the Upper Crystal River Valley for it's scenic beauty and quiet surroundings. <br />Furthermore, I would remind you that while Marble is a historic mining town it was <br />in a time when the residents were actually the miners. Since that time we have <br />become a residential and tourist community. <br />The E.A. often refers to previous operations and the proposed operation being <br />much the same. If that were the case I would say the E.A. is inaccurate in its <br />assessment of the noise and traffic generated. In the past they have commonly used <br />large steel tracked dozers and excavators for the quarrying. The sounds of squeaking <br />and grinding steel tracks on stone as well as backup beepers and trucks in low gear <br />as they descent the hill are easily heard over the sounds of the river and through <br />walls in a house. I can only assume the reference to "manual rock harvesting <br />activities" is in relation to when the stone, after being accessed by machine, is <br />eventually hand stacked on pallets. The reference to two weekly truck trips is also <br />inaccurate. I have seen two drivers in one day combine to make at least six trips. <br />Another oversight of the E.A. in the section on the "Human Environment" when <br />discussing recreation in the area, McKee Pond a State Wildlife Resource located <br />adjacent to the "landing strip (620 ft)", is not mentioned. On any given day during <br />the summer months McKee Pond will see anywhere from two to twenty visitors and <br />sometimes more, comprised of families and individuals fishing, swimming, walking, <br />picnicking, sunbathing or just reading a book. The quarrying operations are not only <br />heard easily from McKee Pond, but are visible along with the scarring from previous <br />operations. <br />As far addressing wildlife concerns I have personally witnessed the <br />"federally threatened" Canada Lynx in close proximity to the quarry site and <br />reported the sighting to the Colorado Division of Wildlife.