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III IIIIIIIIIIIII III • • • • Memo to File Lorencito Canyon April 24, 1997 On March 26, 1997 Kent Gorham of CDMG and Bill Huber, representing Lorencito Coal Company, LLC, met with Las Animas county officials at the Las Animas county courthouse for the purpose of conducting a site visit of the proposed Lorencito Canyon mine. The meeting began at the courthouse at 1:00 pm in the county planners office. [n attendance from Las Animas county were Tom Verquer, Dave Gourdin, and Francis Cuckow who are on the Las Animas county planning commission. Also in attendance were Bob Lucero, the county planner and another fellow believed to be the plumbing inspector. Discussion began by reviewing the mine plan proposal with Mr. Huber generally outlining the plan as depicted on the mine plan map taken from the permit application. Questions were raised with regazd to blasting noise and dust (Verquer) and dust in general (Gourdin). Also asked was the possibility of employment of local folks(85% local, 15% import, Huber) and whether mine would be union (start non-union). Also of concern was the visibility of the surface mine portion of the plan and it's impact to the Scenic Highway of Legends (Hwy #12). The meeting in the office was generally disorganized with numerous random questions being asked by different people, many times interrupting Mr. Huber's answer to the previously asked question. Afrer approximately 35 minutes we loaded into vehicles and headed for the proposed mine site. We entered the site at the Lorencito Canyon entrance and the first stop was at the site of the coal loadout shortly into the canyon. Visibility of this site from the highway will be minimal. The next stop was in upper Jeff Canyon, the site of the surface mining operation. We also drove along the ridge to the north until reaching the point of Fill #9. Both Mr. Verquer and Mr. Gourdin expressed concerns that the mining operation would be highly~frob the highway at this location. We discussed the limited length of time that the disturbance would be disturbed (as opposed to re-seeded and mulched and/or revegetated). The P3 portal azea was also visited and no particulaz concerns were expressed by the planning board members. The inspection [our ended at approximately 4:30 pm. On April 14, 1997 the Las Animas county planning commission held their monthly public hearing. Lorencito Coal Company formally presented the Lorencito Canyon coal mining proposal to the board at approximately 2:30 pm. Planning board members present were Mr. Verquer, Mr. Gourdin, Mr. Cuckow, and Mr. Bill McCarthy. One planning member was absent. Only one citizen from the public expressed concerns, a women representing the Primero School. Her concerns were mainly about blasting at the site and dust. Company officials answered her questions concerning vibration and noise and also were seen talking with her during the recess. It was my opinion that based on the companies responses, detailed communication will take place during active mining operations to alleviate any concerns that the school might have.