2018-06-25_PERMIT FILE - M2018016

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June 2018 M Sorg _©/� RECEIVED To Department of Reclamation, Mining and Safety and other State/Local agencies: Subject: Permit #M2018016, Douglas Mountain Mine Project JUN 2 b U i ) DIVISION OF RECLAMATION MINING AND SAFETY I am part of a group of concerned citizens who are in opposition to the development of a strip mining operation in our county. I would like to share my concerns and, objections regarding the proposed development of the Douglas Moun- tain '.!car Creek County which would be located at or near Section 28, Township 3S, Range74W, 6t' Principle Meridian in Clear Creek County: namely Empire Junction and westward to the town of Empire. Water Issues: Here are just a few of the detrimental effects of this 150 acre, 200 feet deep gravel pit operation. This proposed opera- tion will damage/deplete the local water systems of Bard Creel:, Clear Creel: and the ground w2ter. The water table on the plateau is also very shallow thereby contaminating the ground water and natural springs. The amount of water needed to run this type of operation would be astronomicall Allocating water to the Douglas Mountain Ranch Mine, in an already over taxed watershed, is inappropriate and wasteful. 7 AeApt wr o! a 0" k /A". -MA, /SS ed ej W / 1h !A' q'1&A Wildlife Issues: J'eir/'ae• *sSze e s Land erosion would be significant potentially contaminating Clear Creek with toxic soil and debris thereby disturb- ing/destroying the fish habitat which includes the endangered Greenback cutthroat that has been reintroduced to this area. The wildlife that lives on/near the plateau would be devastated and potentially destroyed. Elk, deer, moose and bear roam this plateau. Also thriving in this area is a substantial Big Horn Sheep population whose range and migratory patterns are well documented in the recent Colorado Parks and Wildlife report entitled "Population Estimation, Survival Estimation and Range Delineation for the Georgetown Bighorn Sheep herd" dated Sept. 2015. This is the largest Big Horn Sheep population in the nation, not to mention our State animal. Do you really want to jeopardize their existence by allowing the development of a mining operation in the midst of their migratory route and habitat? Air Pollution and health Issues: This area Beals with constant heavy winds. The air pollution due to the massive amount of dust entering the environ- ment through the strip mining operation and the hundreds of trucks daily transporting materials would cause health issues for many residents. In particular, the Easter Seals Rocky Mountain Vallate Camp is directly across the high- way from this mine. The dust and other pollutants will negatively affect the 1200+ campers with special needs that attend this camp to enjoy the Rocky Mountains and the clean fresh air. Many of these individuals deal with respiratory issues. Is jeopardizing the health and wellbeing of this sensitive population and the potential closing of the Easter Seals Rocky Mountain Village camp that was established in 1951 worth the risk? The Douglas Mountain Mine development would destroy the only plateau in Clear Creek Countyl Our State and County is in need of a positive, eco -friendly, tourism friendly and wildlife friendly use for this land; that is our future economy. Please, I am asking you to deny the establishment of the Douglas Mountain Mine. Best Regards, 4�/000e� K1*1v /) az'-V� Printed name: /fe/A'ie Address: )P-101 4 7e 3 93, /gli,rcilt 4, eolG Phone Number: LL°a&,e 4%X74 7-;.0 Email: 9f a � e SA