Board of Directors Dr. Tom Steinberg, In Memoriam Tom Edwards, Emeritus Dan Godec, Emeritus Adriana Bombard, PhD, President Christina Lautenberg, Vice President Andrew Larson, Treasurer June 30, 2020 Susan Johnson, Secretary Todd Biekkola Kelly Bronfman Anni Davis Eric Eves Chris Fedrizzi Hatsie Hinmon Neal Kimmel Tina Nielsen David Schlendorf T.J. Voboril Sustaining Council Kelly and Sam Bronfman Judy and Peter Copses George Family Foundation Barbara Krichbaum and Kent Erickson Tara and Bob Levine Jenny and Flip Maritz Pam and Ben Peternell Molly and Jay Precourt The Scrooby Foundation Jody and David Smith Brooke and Hap Stein Jessica Foulis Executive Director jfoulis@evlt.org Bergen Tjossem Deputy Director bergen@evlt.org Brittany Bobola Administrative and Fundraising Coordinator brittany@evlt.org Nancy Glass Stewardship Manager nglass@evlt.org Mailing Address Post Office Box 3016 Edwards, CO 81632 Physical Address 34215 Hwy. 6, Suite 205 Edwards, CO 81632 Ms. Marcia Gilles, District Ranger c/o Matt Klein, Realty Specialist for the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District White River National Forest 24747 US Hwy 24 PO Box 190 Minturn, CO 81645 Re: Whitney Creek Geotechnical Investigations Dear Ms. Gilles, The mission of the Eagle Valley Land Trust (EVLT) is to protect forever the lands we love, to preserve our heritage, scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitats, and to build a permanent legacy for future generations. EVLT respectfully requests that you deny the issuance of the Special Use Permit (SUP) to the Homestake Partners and related Categorical Exclusion for geophysical surveys and subsurface studies in connection with their proposed Whitney Creek Geotechnical Investigation project. The proposed drilling, seismic testing, road building, heavy equipment and use of cross-country vehicles will result in significant and irreparable damage to a rare, vulnerable and threatened fen wetland ecosystem. EVLT is deeply concerned about this project’s impact on the area and questions the feasibility of Homestake Partners’ proposed mitigation by relocating impacted fen wetlands, an effort that has not been clearly established nor supported by science. Although much of this proposed work may not occur directly in a specific wetland, it will occur adjacent to wetlands and will most certainly impact the wetland areas outside of the work area. Fen wetlands are among the most species rich habitats and are especially sensitive to small changes in the surrounding hydrology. In addition, the conservation of fen wetlands has been deemed a high priority in other regions of the west and elsewhere. Even if this SUP is granted and, at the end of the geophysical and subsurface studies the area is then deemed unsuitable for a reservoir; this work will leave behind an irreparable scar in this sensitive ecosystem that has taken thousands of years to form. Furthermore, EVLT opposes any boundary adjustment to a federally-protected Wilderness Area. This area was protected for its special qualities and is highly valued for wildlife habitat, sensitive wetland systems, and recreation. The removal of acreage from wilderness protection is a dangerous precedent to set and puts all other federally-protected wilderness areas in danger of land, water and mineral exploitation efforts. The Homestake area has been a much-loved and valued recreational area for our community for many years. Evidence for this can be seen in the numerous comments submitted against this project by the community. 970.748.7654 www.evlt.org The Eagle Valley Land Trust stands in solidarity with all citizens and organizations who oppose the issuance of this SUP. We are also happy to work with the White River National Forest in any way we can to ensure that our protected lands remain protected for all. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Glass Stewardship Manager