Commission mulls gravel-pit decision

Commission mulls gravel-pit decision

Sept. 12, 2000

By Jim Mimiaga
Journal Staff Writer

Once again, a large crowd turned out Monday to voice opposition to a controversial gravel pit proposed for the Dolores Valley at a public hearing continued from July 17.

No decision was made, and the commissioners agreed to continue the hearing until Monday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m., at which point a decision will be made.

"We’re not taking this lightly," said Commissioner Gene Story. "It’s a very emotional and personal issue."

At issue is the proposed Line Camp Gravel Pit, located 9 miles up the Dolores River Valley along Highway 145. Four State Aggregates is seeking commission approval for a high-impact permit to mine commercial sand and gravel from a 19-acre parcel on land leased to the company by owner Val Truelson. Mine organizers are hoping to mine between 130,000 and 150,000 tons of gravel per year from the site for the next five years.

Because the operation exceeds threshold standards for dust, noise and traffic outlined in the county’s Land Use Code, the mine needs a variance from the commission. Monday, 12 people spoke against the project, many to applause, while one spoke favorably of the right of locals to create business for themselves.

Complaints focused on the effect the mine would have on the popular San Juan Skyway, a scenic byway connecting Dolores, Silverton and Durango.

"As my wife and I recently drove on the San Juan Skyway, when we approached Dolores the beauty was marred by ugly craters and heaps of gravel dotting the landscape," said Joe Canter, who lives near the proposed pit. "I urge you to decide in the interests of the majority and not set a precedent. We entrust this pristine (byway) to you in order to protect it."

Based on Colorado Department of Transportation figures, traffic would increase by 6 percent on the two-lane highway, and state regulations would not require acceleration or deceleration lanes. Four Corners Aggregate estimated that gravel trucks hauling the commodity onto the two-lane state highway would make 30 round-trips per day, or 22,000 additional trips of truck traffic per year. While this falls within standards set by CDOT for Highway 145, opponents said the regulations were not enough and that safety was a big concern.

"I challenge the statement that deceleration lanes are not needed," said Robert Knox, who lives a mile from the Line Camp. "When these big trucks make a turn, they block the entire roadway, which is especially dangerous in the winter. For tourism we do not want to become known as ‘Gravel Valley Full of Truck Traffic.’

"We should have a moratorium on gravel mines in the Dolores Valley, leading to an outright ban of them there."

Passing zones on either side of the proposed entrance create a major hazard, he said, as motorists passing may suddenly encounter a large gravel truck inching its way into the mine operations from the highway.

"The effects cannot be minimized when other gravel pits are 3 miles away," said Pat Kantor. "The state regulations are deficient, so it is up to county to protect us from impacts of heavy industry. Through the (Landowners Initiated Zoning) code, they have the mechanism to do it."

Other neighbors agreed, with Pete Robinson offering a recording of loud heavy equipment noise taken 200 feet from the Tam Pit at a decibel level allowable under state rules.

"Please do not sentence us to that noise seven days per week. That is how far we would be from this," Robinson said.

When asked, Story said that no environmental-impact studies would be required for the project beyond what state and federal agencies require. Barton said that wildlife agencies have indicated it would not be a problem because the area is relatively small and does not use up a lot of water. But others disagreed, noting that preserving the state’s wildlife should be a priority because it fuels the lucrative hunting economy here.

"If you disrupt migratory patterns for deer and elk, they will not return," said Rollie Cundiff. "When they need to begin migrating, they cannot swim up the (reclamation ponds), they cannot go up the highway and with all of the residences around, they cannot go there either."

Nathon Barton, an engineer, hired by Four States, told the commission that the project falls within state and federal requirements for such operations and that the mitigation efforts would be sufficient to deal with its impacts.

He explained that after the mining was complete, the remaining pits would be filled with river water and shaped into attractive ponds. Soil berms would minimize the view of the mine from the road and neighbors, but Barton admitted that they could never completely hide the operation.

"It greatly changes the appearance of the property and the view from the from the Line Camp and other residents would be only partially blocked," he said.