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TO: Division of Reclamation, Mining Safety: <br />FROM: Smith Ranch (adjacent to proposed mine expansion) <br />DATE: June 23, 2011 <br />I am writing you this letter as my comment on the Public Notice announcing the Mt. Elbert Mining CO. (L.L.C. P.O. Box 16851, Denver <br />Colorado, 80216) application for a Regular (112) Hard /Rock/Metal Mining Reclamation Permit with the Colorado Land Reclamation <br />Board under provisions of the Colorado Land Redamation Act; with the proposed date of commencement of August 2, 2011. <br />I have several issues with granting this permit to these miners. They include a complete lack of trust, a defensive resistance to any <br />attempts at communication, a lack of respect for the environment and the "cowboy" attitude that comes with excessive amounts of <br />automatic gun fire that occurs from early morning till after dark. <br />I was raised in a community of mining professionals and my father was a mine superintendent. I witnessed the care and <br />communications needed for a mining operation to fit into its cultural location as well as a respect for the neighboring people and <br />their lands. I have a great understanding of how things should be. <br />Ten years ago, I tried calling Mt. Elbert Mining and eventually I stopped over to introduce myself. I was met with hostility and asked <br />to get off the property. Since then, I have tried again and again with the same results. Last year the sheriff called to tell me that the <br />miners had filed a complaint against me for using an egress access across the corner of the mining property to my property. This <br />egress has been used by my family for seven generations. <br />The entire mine site is a collection of old cars, old trailers, steel piles, piles of garbage and old broken down equipment. I can't <br />imagine they will take much care in final remediation if they start with the mess that is currently there. <br />Automatic rifle fire can go on for hours and days. In the country we like our guns, but I would hope this would be restricted around <br />gas and heavy equipment. <br />1 think these guys would have fit -in great back in the 1900's but now this is a modern industrial business and it should be run like a <br />business. Permits should not be given to reckless miners who treat their current permit as a license to have their own boys dub of <br />environmental abuse and dangerous behavior. <br />Before granting this permit, I would expect the Division of Reclamation to look into the tailings water drainage issue. The history of <br />this site has allowed tailings water to drain down through my property. I have tried to address this with these miners and again I was <br />asked to leave. <br />Noise is also a big problem here. It is hard to explain the difference in the valley when they are shut down verses the amount of <br />noise these guys can make when they are running. I have worked at mine mills that make less noise than this mine site. The <br />equipment running all day is far noisier than any mill 1 have visited. <br />1 expect the use of Tight will be increased as well. These miners should be required to focus their work lights to the work area only <br />with peripheral shading to prevent light contamination of the area. This allows light to radiate in all directions and is another <br />example of their disregard for the neighboring property owners and a lack of professionalism. <br />The area immediately adjacent to the mine is a major elk calving ground. The increased usage of this area, the added noise, gunfire <br />and all the commotion has and will continue to cause a strain on these animals. <br />I am also concerned about what chemicals (including gas, oil etc.) they will be using and whether or not they will be using and <br />disposing of them in a responsible manner. To look at the current site makes me feel that the required education and respect for <br />these issues does not exist. <br />I don't want to block progress for miners in this time of economic struggle; but these guys haven't shown me any sign that they have <br />any integrity. And if they can't reconcile these basic issues, they will certainly ignore any future concerns and /or rehabilitation when <br />it is required. <br />1 am also worried about harassment. These guys aren't nice people. "Too many guns and too many hot tempers." <br />I grew up with the knowledge that mines can exist along with other uses of the land. It's these miners' attitude of defiance and <br />disrespect that has led me to have serious concerns if this permit is granted. <br />I have tried for ten years to work and communicate with these guys and they did everything they could to create issues and ignore <br />me. No matter what they say now, I don't believe a word. <br />Please Deny This Permit <br />Dennis J. Smith <br />Smith Ranches <br />1322 CR 24A <br />Leadville, Co. 80461 <br />Email:smithranches @comcast.net <br />Return Mail: <br />4961 So Boston St. <br />Greenwood Village, Co. <br />80111 <br />Phone: 303 - 501 -7506 <br />