2017-10-12_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M2017049

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Turkey Canon Ranch Homeowners Association 15440 Henry Ride Heights Colorado Springs CO 80926 RECEIVED October 10,2017 r - OCT 12 2017 Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety DMSION OF RECLAMATION 1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 MINING AND SAFETY Denver,CO 80203 Dear Ms. Eschberger, On the 25th September, 2017,a notice was posted on the Hitch Rack Ranch property by Transit Mix Concrete Company informing the public that an application for a Reclamation Permit has been filed with the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board(CMLRB).As per the notice,any public comments are to be submitted to the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety by October 31,2017.The Division has now subsequently recorded the application as Permit File M2017049. This letter constitutes the public comment response from the Turkey Canon Ranch Homeowners Association (TCRHOA). We are an association of thirty two members who own significant property acreage(approx 1800 acres) along the Front Range,some 2-3 miles to the South of the proposed mining site.We are hosts to an existing mining operation (Menzer Quarry)that utilizes our private roads and infrastructure.Our relationship with the Schmidt Construction Company,that runs the site, has always been amicable and mutually beneficial.We believe that this illustrates that we are in no way anti-mining. The intent of this letter is to convey our concerns for other issues that we believe will arise from a new mining operation in such close proximity to our properties and those of our neighbors. As we now understand it,the purpose of the CMLRB is to support the interests of mining corporations to responsibly mine Colorado resources. By imposing safety rules, operating regulations and setting guidelines for reclamation,the CMLRB can endorse any mining application that meets its narrow requirements.Therefore,we acknowledge that our concerns over traffic noise/volume/safety, reduced property values, potential health issues and unsightly scarring are of no interest to you and that they should be left to our County officials to address. However,we still have concerns that should be considered by the CMLRB. Firstly,there still exists a legal right of way issue pertaining to the Eagles Nest properties above and to the North of the proposed mining site.The property owners affected are being forced to fight their case in the County courts at considerable expense. Until resolved,we are in total support of their rights to access their properties at any time they see fit to do so.The CLMRB should not proceed with any application approval until this matter is closed.