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t <br /> ` Letter to Mr. David Shelton, Director <br /> Mined Land Reclamation Division <br /> Page 3 <br /> - Our records confirm the contention of Mid-Continent that 1954 <br /> produced natural hydrologic phenomena that were unprecedented <br /> in our area - 1984 was the heaviest snow year on record in <br /> Pitkin County and numerous mud and rockslides, road washouts <br /> and highwater alarms characterized the spring season. <br /> - Nlid-Continent did make effective and timely efforts to correct <br /> all of the violations found during 1984 and to correct any <br /> damages caused by the failure of environmental controls. Their <br /> success in this regard is indicated by the fact that no recur- <br /> rences or, for that matter, violations of any kind have been <br /> found in 1985. <br /> - we have no dispute with the IILRD 'S violation findings of 1084 <br /> or with the fines and other penalties imposed, and we can only <br /> applaud the Division 's diligence in pursuing even apparently <br /> insignificant violations of State regulations. The thoroughness <br /> and stringency exhibited by the Division is, we think, the best <br /> way for it to maintain its credibility. we must note, however, <br /> that given Mid-Continent 's response efforts to those violations, <br /> the current proceedings do not seem to be fair or timely. To <br /> impose the demands of this hearing on all parties involved over <br /> a year after most of the violations were found and corrected <br /> does not seem to be the most useful or equitable approach to <br /> final resolution of Mid-Continent ' s environmental problems , <br /> assuming that such a resolution was not in fact part of the <br /> response to the initial findings. <br /> Finally , we would like to note that Mid-Continent has shown <br /> itself to be a responsible member of the Pitkin County business <br /> community as well as a mainstay of the local economy. We would <br /> urge you to find a way to resolve this dispute in a cooperative <br /> manner which will allow both entities to continue their activities <br /> in an atmosphere free of suspicion and second-guessing. The <br /> relationship between regulators and those regulated is a difficult <br /> one under the best of circumstances and can only be productive if <br /> a mutually respectful attitude prevails. <br /> Yours truly, <br /> Toro Blake, Chairman <br /> Pitkin Countv Board of Comni.ssioners <br /> TB :cd <br />