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ii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii <br />Glerffi Clads <br />1146-3950 Rced <br />Paortia, 0081428 <br />February 7, 1999 <br />Joe Dudash <br />Division of Minerals 8 Geology <br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />Dear Mr. Dudash, <br />Gy V .~ <br />,1 J ~~ ,~ <br />o\`\S\o~p1~\~ia~~ <br />I wish to make known to you my personal thoughts and concerns about coal mining in <br />the North Fork Valley. <br />I do agree that an EU , is required to safeguard the quality of life here. Coal mine <br />industry and the environmentalists need to be accountable to the PEOPLE. Neither <br />group has all of the answers. <br />I have worked for various coal companies for the past twenty years. I remember the <br />good times, but I also remember the 1980s when coal mining was nearly extinguished <br />here. I remember the economic slump that brought property values crashing down. I <br />remember the resultant exodus of people from the Valley. They did not leave because <br />they wanted to. They left because they could not make a living in this Valley with little or <br />no coal mining. Many of the people who were forced by economics to leave have come <br />back to a place that they love. Now their fate hinges on this EIA. <br />I have seldom earned a grand salary while working with the coal indusVy; however, I <br />have been able to invest in a house and 30 acres. This is my retirement. This is the <br />difference, for me, between being able to live on my Social Security or of sinking into <br />poverty. Land values are very important to me. If the E~ is unfavorable to the coal <br />industry, a return to the 1980 economic bust is likely, and my retirement is certainly at <br />risk. I am sure that an exodus from the Valley is also a good possibility. I choose to <br />believe that this outcome is not the aim of the "Concerned Garven Mesa Citizens". I <br />believe that they, like most of their neighbors in the Valley favor "responsible" coal <br />mining. In my opinion, Bowie Resources, Limited is also in favor of "responsible coal <br />mining. <br />Please consider all factors when you are making your decision. I hope that you will be <br />able to recommend that the leases sought by the coal industry should be granted. <br />Sincerely, <br />Glenda Childs <br />