2002-03-17_PERMIT FILE - M2002004

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Greg E. Walcher Executive Director Division of Minerals and Geology 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 Dear Mr. Walcher: 1 3838 South 2900 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84109 March 17, 2002 This letter concerns our strong opposition to the establishment of the Rio Grande Portland Cement Company on Colorado land south of Pueblo. My husband and I have been searching for the ideal place to build a home when we retire, a healthy place of clean air and natural beauty. Several years ago, we learned of large parcels of land south of Pueblo being offered for sale on which only one residence per parcel could be built in order to preserve the ecological vibrancy of the land. We went to Colorado to investigate the land sales in Pueblo County, and fell in love with what we saw. We spent days hiking this area of high plains near foothills. We were charmed by the wildness of the ravines and rock cliffs, and thrilled to witness fox, coyote, antelope, porcupine, deer, rabbit, golden eagle, and redtail hawk. We learned about the preciousness of Colorado water, and_ were excited to find that this fragile land continues to support such diverse wildlife. And, most especially, we thoroughly appreciated the precious cleanliness of the air we were breathing. Before we left Colorado, we had purchased 100 acres of land south of Pueblo, and were well into dreams of making your state our home in a few years. Now we have learned that a huge and highly polluting company may be erected only a few miles north of our Colorado land. We are devastated. My husband and I join the many concerned citizens of Pueblo County in asking you to please do all you possibly can to keep this operation from being established. This plant would emit 3300 tons a year of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide into the air of Pueblo County, intensely polluting the atmosphere :.