Steinhoff Hill project does not make sense

[Lloyd Schott]

Dear honorable Larimer County Commissioners,

When we heard of the proposed project to mine sand and gravel on Steinhoff Hill, we were in disbelief.   How does such a mining operation make any sense in that particular locale?  The big picture of optimum land use should be at the forefront of such decisions.

We do not claim to be experts on all things related to mining, but we feel like we have an abundance of common sense about nature and respect for the land, given that members of our family have lived and worked in northern Larimer County continuously since 1912.  Wildlife habitat and migration should matter more than ever now.  Ranching is also more of a struggle in Larimer County due to drought conditions and loss of grazing lands.  It seems logical that the county would choose to support ranchers and conserve our lands.  

Steinhoff Hill area is one that has remained natural and unaltered for eons.  Due to the close proximity to the Roberts Ranch Bison Jump and well known Lindenmeyer sites, there is a potential for significant and undiscovered buried prehistoric deposits here which may make Steinhoff eligible for the National Registry of  Historic places.  Mining activities here would clearly destroy any hope of that and learning more about our early ancestors and their use of the land.  Once the landscape is destroyed by mining, there are no "do-overs".   

There are other nearby sources for road sand and gravel and we are respectfully asking you to realize that mining Steinhoff Hill is not in keeping with the best practices of land use in our county.  Just because mining COULD occur here does not mean that it SHOULD ! 

Best Regards, 

Signed, Mrs. Lloyd Schott