Committee hears CEMEX plan,

Advisory Committee member describes mining extension application as ‘binary’

At its regular meeting Thursday, the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee heard from several residents who are concerned about CEMEX’S desire to continue mining in the area.

CEMEX, a global building materials company, applied to the Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting Department on May 2 for a special-use permit to continue mining at the Dowe

Flats property east of Lyons and north of Colo. 66 for 15 years until Dec. 31, 2037.

Tony Lewis, who serves on the Advisory Committee called the application process thus far a “binary decision.”

“It feels a little bit like blackmail quite honestly to me,” Lewis said. “I’m not a big fan of ‘take this deal or leave it.’ I’m a much bigger fan of working through a deal and creating a deal collectively.”

Unless extended, CEMEX’S rock mining permit will expire later this