HomeMy WebLinkAbout20132949.tiffTammy Waters
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Sent:
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Patty Daulton [pattyjdaulton@gmail.com]
Wednesday, October 16, 2013 2:16 PM
Tammy Waters
Fwd: Flood Impacts
Tammy
This is the email I sent to Mr. Conway. I realize this may seem harsh, but the effect of all of this has been very
difficult for our family.
I am extending an invitation to all commissioners to visit our property and have a first hand look at all of the
situations I have described.
Thank you for your time.
Patty Daulton
970-534-1237
Forwarded message
From: Patty Daulton <pattyjdaultonAgmail.com>
Date: Fri, Oct 4, 2013 at 9:03 AM
Subject: Flood Impacts
To: sconway •,weldgov.com
Commissioner Conway,
On September 13 we lost our home on county road 35 west of LaSalle due to the flooding. This was not a
natural flood occurrence. Several factors played part in increasing the damage. With the wells being shut off,
the ground water level is much higher. Our reservoirs were at high levels due to our hoarding of water in this
state. The poor condition of irrigation canals. The releasing of Lake Estes to save the town of Estes Park
because of the revenue it generates, at the expense of everyone downstream, especially the town of Lyons. This
was not a rising of the water. This was a title wave beginning at Lake Estes and gathering speed and mass as it
made its way to eastern Colorado.
The damage to our home was compounded by several other factors. In 2008, we had some flooding due to
rainfall. Our home is elevated and the damage was restricted to our garage. There are no drainage ditches or
culverts on the west side of 35, so we were forced to pump water across the road into a seep ditch on the east
side, which irritated the land owner on that side, Jerry Loeffler, but what else were we to do with the water
accumulated on the west side with absolutely no drainage? We, along with several neighbors contacted the
county and begged for culverts, but were told no. Again this time, we pumped the water across the road, which
enraged Mr. Loeffler, who harassed and threatened and called the sheriffs office. Please note that this pumping
did not affect his home at all, only his hayfield. After someone pointed out to Mr. Loeffler that the condition of
irrigation ditches contributed to the damage and he is on the ditch company board,did he relent in his
harassment.
Another significant factor to increasing the damage to our home is the fact that directly across the road from my
home, approximately 100ft, in Mr. Loeffler's hay field is a Noble Energy drilling rig. This rig is on the largest
pad that Noble builds and consists of 5 well heads. Before the flood our lives were greatly impacted by truck
traffic, dust, shaking and noise. The constant noise, shaking of the ground and at times, not being able to access
and/or leave my home in a timely manner greatly decreased our quality of living. Noble did install a sound wall
LYyUt,yAC vi2lit, 1 2013-2949
that is at least 40ft high and several hundred feet long. When the title wave of this flood hit, the water was
moving at a high rate of speed, it hit this sound wall and sent the water back towards my house causing a
whirlpool or cyclone effect, significantly increasing the damage to our home, including sending railroad ties
back to the east and through my garage doors. Also increasing the water level at our home. Now with the rig
drilling and the shaking of the ground associated with it compounded with the structural damage done to our
home, has us concerned. With the house being damaged and then being shaken 24/7 has a significant impact on
the structural integrity of our home.
Drilling in a flood plain should be prohibited. Drilling so close to a residence should be prohibited. I understand
the amount of revenue that oil contributes to Weld county, but HOW are you protecting the citizens from the
adverse effects?
We are now without a home, a home we shared with our 2 daughters for the last 13 1/2 years. A home we put a
lot of time, money and care into. The property surrounding our home, including the 2 1/4 acres we own is very
contaminated . There are pools of oil everywhere. The ground will not even dry out because of the oil in the
soil. IF we are able to rebuild our home, it will never be the same. we will never grow a garden again because of
the soil contamination, and we will never feel safe because of the actions, in -actions, and priorities of others that
do not reflect a concern or responsibility for the safety of the county's citizens.
Looking forward to your reply.
Jim and Patty Daulton
23693 WCR 35
LaSalle, CO 80645
2
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