Steinhoff Hill Gravel Project

[Gary Butts]

My wife and I have lived near Livermore since 2008. We moved from the Denver metropolitan area to escape the hectic pace and become part of this peaceful ranching community. We built a home in Phantom Canyon Ranches so we obviously support the philosophy of maintaining the landscape in a natural state with minimal disturbance of not only Phantom Canyon Ranch lands but adjacent lands as well. 

For this and other reasons listed below, we oppose the above referenced project:

• Bighorn sheep used to wander our property. The Landowners Association of Phantom Canyon Ranches stopped allowing domestic sheep to graze our properties in an attempt to minimize the spread of disease from domestic to wild sheep. We have not seen a Bighorn in the area in several years and we understand the herd is in decline. The proposed project will only exacerbate their decline. The project will also negatively impact the corridor for other wildlife.
•  In the last 18 years, Larimer County has spent millions of tax dollars on various conservation efforts in the Livermore area. The gravel project would be in stark conflict with these conservation efforts.
• I worked as a process engineer in the mining industry for more than 35 years. I understand the need to develop our natural resources but there are several deposits of sand and gravel along the front range in Colorado and Wyoming. Why not contract with these existing suppliers? Private industry has always provided resources more efficiently and more cost effectively than government entities.
• I understand the project will incorporate a dry processing method but some water will be required at the site for clean-up and employee use. Where will that water come from and how will that impact wildlife? 
•  The project will result in the loss of property values in the area.

For many years, I have noticed that county dump trucks are filled to only about 50% of capacity. Why not increase the load to decrease the cost of hauling sand and gravel from any and all locations?

Respectfully submitted,

Gary & Terry Butts

6750 W County Rd 80C

PO Box 198

Livermore, CO 80536

7206359630