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DEC.10 '98 2:51PM DMG,GJCT 1 303 2410336 P.2 <br /> accompany development of recreational facilities , as contem— <br /> plated by Mid-Continent . <br /> D. Recreation Use <br /> 1. Winter Use <br /> The Coal Basin area offers good opportunities <br /> for wintr.r tire. 1: an Alpine and Nordic (popularly known as <br /> downhill and cross—cotintry) ski area . Summer recreational <br /> opportunities for hiking, backpacking and hprscbarlc riding <br /> are also good. Recreation is the most desirable and feasible <br /> economic use to succeed mining , <br /> The applicant believes that a significant post- <br /> mining economic use is of particular importance because <br /> closure of the mining operations , after 64 years , will <br /> dcpri.vc local governmcnt, and the area economy, of an <br /> accustomed and sizable source of income. <br /> In 1979 the Coal Basin operations alone employed <br /> 636 people, providing a payroll of over $13. 5 million. <br /> Mid-Continent ' s property tax payments to Garfield and Pitkin <br /> Counties exceeded $400, 000. <br /> Replacement of mining with an alternate economic <br /> u3C -- nnmely, development of Coal Basin' s recreational <br /> potential -- would have a stabilizing effect on the •surround- <br /> ing commiinities because it would help to replace the lose of <br /> revenues and jobs . Moreover , the precedent is well established . <br /> The historic expericnee of ?itkin County , in which <br /> -8- <br />