Stateboardsays no to new mine

Colorado’s mining board on Thursday voted unanimously against granting a required state permit for a proposed new gravel pit mine north of Silverthorne in the protected Blue River Valley.

State mining officials had recommended approval of this project to install a 54-acre mine along the river on a former ranch that includes wetlands. But the Mined Land Reclamation Board, after hearing testimony for and against the proposal over three days, voted 5-0 against allowing the mine.

Peak Materials had proposed to construct it within 300 feet of the river as a source of sand and gravel in Summit County to support construction of roads, buildings and luxury housing.

Over the past two decades, landowners in the area, with support from state, federal and local government agencies, have prioritized preservation along the Blue River, using conservation easements to protect private land.

A 600-member group led by nature photographer John Fielder, along with Friends of the Lower Blue River, opposed the gravel mining project and hired experts who warned board members of potential harm to underground water flows, soil, domestic wells, elk migration and other impacts including noise, light and truck traffic.

Board members in their deliberations considered concerns that Peak’s plan to “reclaim” damaged terrain would have left large pools of water where algae could grow and that domestic water wells and water in the river could be impaired.

Peak Materials officials are “evaluating their options,” company spokeswoman Joanna Hopkins said after the decision Thursday evening.

Those options include revising their plan and applying again for a state permit, appealing the board’s decision and looking for other locations to mine gravel.

“The Mined Land Reclamation Board made an important, courageous decision. They recognized that this valley is one of Colorado’s crown jewels. A large gravel mine has no place along the Blue River,” attorney Harris Sherman said, representing project opponents.