HomeMy WebLinkAbout982596.tiff WELD COUNTY
Jacob Kammerzell col!,l'` 1,-.--. Irn' P
25090 WCR 15
Johnstown, Co 89534 1998 NOV I 6 AF1 t0 9
November 16. 1998 CLERK
TO THE BOARD
Board of County Commissioners
Weld County, Colorado
To County Commissioners: Reference: Docket No. 98-66
It is not my intent to prevent Mr. Challenger and Coulson Excavating from mining
and marketing the gravel that they seek by obtaining County Permit. My concern is that
with such a permit that certain environmental problems need to be recognized, addressed
and solved. Additional responsibilities must be evaluated and taken into account with the
issuance of the Mining Permit.
Previous gravel mining operations by Challenger and Coulson Excavating has
caused the Big Thompson River to take a more westerly course. The West bank of this
river is lined with old cottonwood trees. The ground and root base of these trees are
being eroded by the forced new path of the river. Some of these trees are falling into and
blocking the river flow forming obstructions and causing dam like conditions. ( See Photo
1 ) This restricts flow of the river and will exasperate any new flooding condition that
will occur in the future.
Over the period of years, as you must be aware, there were several Big Thompson
floods. One in 1976 whereby many lives were lost in the narrows of the Big Thompson
Canyon. One in 1980 whereby the bridge at CR52 and CR15.5 was washed out. (This
bridge at this date has never been replaced by the County). One flood is as recent as 1995
(See Photo 4 ). Most certainly future floods will occur. My concern is that with the tree
trunks and debris blocking and acting as a dam, damage will be extensive not only to me
as a down stream property owner but also to the County as road damage to CR52 and
CR15.5 and even to Challenger's property.
Mother one of my concerns is that some consideration should be given to the wild
life in this area. The West bank cottonwood trees are a nesting habitat for the Great Blue
Heron. While these birds are not an endangered species, one would like to see them
around and survive. Some effort should be given to their continued existence.(Photo5)
It is my request that if further gravel mining is permitted that the following
stipulations be made as a condition of granting a permit to mine gravel.
1. That any mining action will not impede or cause the Big Thompson River to
take a more westerly path.
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982596 tk
2.. That damages from past mining operations be corrected and allow the river
to take it's original course prior to gavel mining operations.
3. That all debris resulting from mining operations including fallen trees be
removed from the river and piled on the west bank to prevent further
west bank erosion.
4, That mining operations do not interfere with the natural habitat of the Blue
Heron nesting in the river bottom cottonwood trees.
5. That this entire area be recognized as a flood plain and that any future buyers be
so advised in the resale of this property. (Photo 6)
6, That concrete rubble be placed at eddy site 1 (Photo 1)west bank to prevent
further erosion that is now about 30 feet from my crop producing farm land.
Respectfully yours,
/y2,-11/141 ,3itte
Jacob Kammerzell
Enclosures:
Correspondence to Army Corp of Engineers dated April 25, 1997
U.S Farm Agency Aerial Photo of Sec 29 Weld County showing Gravel
Mining Site and The Course of The Big Thompson River
Ten pages of photos (Page 2 to Page 12) of existing river conditions
�f? 536
WELD COUNTY
25090 WCR 15
Johnstown, Co 80534
1998 NOV 16 MI 1Q 20
April 25, 1997
CLERK
TO THE BOARD
Army Corp of Engineers
9307 State Hwy 121
Littleton, Co 80123-6901
Attention: Tim Carey
Dear Mr. Carey:
This correspondence is in regards to the diversion problem created by Mr.
Challenger, owner of Big Thompson River frontage property in Weld County.
Earlier this year Mr. Challenger, who's property is north and adjacent to my
property along the Big Thompson River, contracted with an excavation contractor to do
extensive gravel mining of the existing river bed gravel from the Big Thompson river. It
was his intention to mine the gravel and to sub-divide his tract of land to market five acre
river front lots for re-sale.
I certainly have no objections to his desire to market his property the best way he
can. My problem is that in doing so he has had the contractor divert the flow of the Big
Thompson river. This was done to make his property more marketable and to harvest the
river bed gravel that became available by this effort.
As you may be aware, the Big Thompson overflows it's banks periodically and
adjacent farm lands become saturated with the over flow. Most notable flooding of the
Big Thompson was in 1976. Many lives were lost in the Big Thompson narrows above
Loveland, Co. The river flooded again in 1980 and wiped out the county road bridge on
WCR 15.5. To this date this bridge has never been restored. More recently the Big
Thompson flooded in May 25-30, 1995, With each flooding condition, adjacent crop lands
become engulfed by the river. This results in a loss of the crop in these fields and a
financial loss to the farmer.
Mr. Challenger's diversion of the Big Thompson river bed, forces the river to take
a more westerly path placing even more crop producing land in the wake of an over
flowing river. It is my understanding that it is illegal to alter the course of river flow and to
change river beds by mining the river bed gravel. This action affects up-stream and down-
stream property owners and the county roads as well. The river is right next to WCR 15.5
and most certainly will be washed out by the next flood.
9 ?596
I have enclosed an aerial photo copy of the area. This photo was made last year
(1996)by the US Farm Agency. This photo depicts the flow condition of the Big
Thompson before diversion changes were made. The overlay tracing shows the present
and altered condition that now exists. I do not have aerial photos of the present condition
of the river, but I do have photos taken showing the activity in dirt moving as viewed
from the ground level.
If Challenger is allowed to profit from his effort on mining the gravel on his
property and altering the course of the Big Thompson, a precedence will have been set.
Other property owners along the river will opted to do likewise. This would indeed have a
deleterious effect on others who have property along the Big Thompson. Please advise
course of action.
Sincerely Yours
Jacob Kammerzell
Enclosure: US Farm Survey Map of Area(1996)with Overlay.
-2-
9532596
EXHIBIT E CONTAINS PHOTOS
PLEASE SEE ORIGINAL FILE
Condition of approval prior to recording the plat:
N. The applicant shall supply a wildlife mitigation plan, if
required by the Division of Wildlife, to include the habitat of
the Blue Heron and other species this site serves as
habitat (Planning Department).
9F??591'
I EXHIBIT,
F
a 4107.2
Coulson Excavating Co., Inc.
Phone 970-667-2178
Fax#970-667-2193
3609 N. County Road 13
Weld County Planning Dept. Loveland, Colorado 80538
November 6, 1998
NOV 1 3 1998
RECEIVED
Weld County Planning Department
C/O Anne Johnson
1400 North 17th Ave.
Greeley, Co. 80631
RE: Challenger Pit
Dear Ms. Johnson,
The purpose of this letter is to provide your office with information concerning the
road use agreements at the "Challenger" Pit in Weld County, located in part of the West 2
of Section 29, T5N, R67W of the 6th P.M. . Our company, Coulson Excavating Company, Inc.
is the current lessee of this pit owned by Albert Challenger. We are aware of the road
use agreements and are in agreement with them. If you have any questions, please call me.
Yours Truly,
•
•
ichard Coulson, President
992596
�t.
EXHIBIT H IS MAPS
PLEASE SEE ORIGINAL FILE
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