The company has no solutions for the enormous increase in truck traffic, which is devastating to the unimproved roads, poses a risk to road safety and is a continuous source of noise, dust and air pollution along the entire route.

Demands on water use by the mine are enormous and will only increase with expansion. It’s estimated the million gallons used from Hay Gulch ditch will be insufficient, and the remaining of millions of gallons needed will be pumped from a massive groundwater well or diverted from the La Plata River.

Increased production only places more demands on a drought-stricken resource. There are no updated studies by the Water Conservancy on the area’s water table since the drought started years ago, so the present state is unknown. Also, many local landowners are deeply concerned by the mine’s toxic waste water and are unconvinced by the company’s explanation that the King II is a “dry mine” and the millions gallons of wastewater will simply evaporate.

The massive expansion of a coal mine in a residential neighborhood is contrary to the Planning Department’s mission to provide a “vibrant and beautiful community” with a fair planning process. Without comprehensive studies to analyze the environmental, economic, health and safety effects of such an ill-prepared project, the risks are unknown.

La Plata County residents should urge the county commissioners at the Thursday, Dec. 11, meeting that much more work is needed before they approve this permit.

William Thomas Williams

Hesperus