The Fremont County Commissioners approved a conditional use permit for a gypsum mine operation at Tuesday's regular meeting. The approval for the Salt Canyon Gypsum Project to be operated by GCC Rio Grande came after another lengthy public hearing before the commissioners. GCC Rio Grande plans to truck 11 loads of gypsum daily from the site 2 1/4 miles south of the Fremont-El Paso County line to their new cement plant at Pueblo.
The site was previously permitted for both gravel and gypsum mining operations but little material was ever removed from the site. Several citizens spoke in opposition to the project saying it would spoil the 'view shed' along Highway 115 which carries all the tourist traffic into Fremont County.
In approving the mine permit on a 2-1 vote the commissioners expressed an interest in designing extra conditions on the gypsum mining operation to limit any negative visual impacts from the highway. Commissioner Ed Norden said when the board considers final action on March 24th he wants revised conditions to include a requirement that no more than ten acres of the 560 acre site be disturbed at any one time. He also said there should be a condition that limits the stacking of a stockpile of gypsum so it is hidden behind the ridges with limited visibility from Highway 115. Other issues to be added to the conditions on March 24th include a requirement for dust suppressant on the haul road, a prohibition of mud getting onto the highway, leaving a large knoll untouched so it can help screen operations, and a prohibition of using 'K' Street or any other county roads when trucks haul from the quarry to Pueblo.
The Commissioners Tuesday also voted to extend the conditional use permit for the Northfield Coal Mine in the Williamsburg area by an additional two years. The permit was originally granted in March, 2007. Angela Bellantoni of Environmental Alternatives, representative for owners Scott Lenhart of Castle Rock and Bob Scott of Virginia, said they've made progress on the mine development but the economic downturn came and they are in a bit of a slowdown for funding of the project. In the meantime, Bellantoni said the mine owners continue to work on the slope and shaft design, miner training plans and securing water to augment the coal mining operation.
In other business the Commissioners:
The site was previously permitted for both gravel and gypsum mining operations but little material was ever removed from the site. Several citizens spoke in opposition to the project saying it would spoil the 'view shed' along Highway 115 which carries all the tourist traffic into Fremont County.
In approving the mine permit on a 2-1 vote the commissioners expressed an interest in designing extra conditions on the gypsum mining operation to limit any negative visual impacts from the highway. Commissioner Ed Norden said when the board considers final action on March 24th he wants revised conditions to include a requirement that no more than ten acres of the 560 acre site be disturbed at any one time. He also said there should be a condition that limits the stacking of a stockpile of gypsum so it is hidden behind the ridges with limited visibility from Highway 115. Other issues to be added to the conditions on March 24th include a requirement for dust suppressant on the haul road, a prohibition of mud getting onto the highway, leaving a large knoll untouched so it can help screen operations, and a prohibition of using 'K' Street or any other county roads when trucks haul from the quarry to Pueblo.
The Commissioners Tuesday also voted to extend the conditional use permit for the Northfield Coal Mine in the Williamsburg area by an additional two years. The permit was originally granted in March, 2007. Angela Bellantoni of Environmental Alternatives, representative for owners Scott Lenhart of Castle Rock and Bob Scott of Virginia, said they've made progress on the mine development but the economic downturn came and they are in a bit of a slowdown for funding of the project. In the meantime, Bellantoni said the mine owners continue to work on the slope and shaft design, miner training plans and securing water to augment the coal mining operation.
In other business the Commissioners:
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Awarded a bid of $81,341 to Cruz Construction of Colorado Springs for construction of guard rail in four locations along County Road 11 (High Park Road). The money comes from a State of Colorado Gaming Impact grant;
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Approved final language changes to conditions for the Southern Delivery System (SDS) Special Review Use Permit. The Commissioners sought clarification in language regarding how Penrose Water District might be able to share the same SDS easement for their own water line and to what extent Colorado Springs Utilities might participate in helping construct stormwater detention ponds to help control flooding north of Highway 50 in the Penrose area;
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Approved a zone change from Ag Forestry to Business Zone for Justin and Juliann Kaiser for 6.5 acres west of Texas Creek near the McCoy Gulch Road;
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Heard an annual report from Jane Mannon of the Cripple Creek and Victor Gold Mine. She reported that 82 Fremont County residents are currently employed at the gold mine and earn an average hourly wage of $23.17.