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iii iiiiiiiiiiiii iii , • John Covert 1040 South Eighth Street Colorado 63212226 CO 80906 ~ C ~ ~ ~ ~~ June 24, 1989 JUN 3 U 1969 MINED LK~VU RECLAMATION DIw191ptg Dear Editor: I have been working with a very dedicated group of people trying to impact the decisions of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board (MLRB) concerning the mindless expansion of quarrying activities along ouc scenic mountain backdrop. Next month this Board will decide whether or not Castle Concrete should be allowed to expand its Snyder Quarry operations. During a meeting with the County Commissioners a couple of weeks ago, the MLRB staff couldn't cite an instance where the Board had denied a permit if a company met the technical requirements of the law. So, given the lack of broader legal protections, the issues during next months Board hearing are likely to be technical in nature. Will Castle Concrete be required, under their reclamation plan, to sustain 75 to 80 trees per acre (the current density) or only provide 35 trees per acre as has been agreed to with the MLRB staff. If the MLRB requires improved reclamation standards, will it apply to the entire disturbed area or only to the proposed expansion? Will sedimentation controls be designed for a 10 year, 24 hour storm, which the staff says is an industry standard, or will structures be designed to accommodate a 50 or 100 year storm? Will the Board require significant reclamation of areas already mined before moving into the proposed expansion area or will the apparent staff-Castle agreement to postpone reclamation be sustained. Will the Board prosecute Castle Concrete for recent illegal rock slides or simply slap their hands and say don't let it happen again? Readers can contribute to the debate by writing to the Mined Land Reclamation Board, 1313 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203.