I recently have read the letters regarding County Road 120 and the concerns of both health-related issues and quality of life issues connected to the hauling of coal by the mine owned by Grupos Cementos de Chihuahua. These letters have stuck a heart-string of my own, as I often drive on that county road to visit what I consider my family living in Hay Gulch.
I personally have experienced the pressure of these coal trucks on my tail, as I drive the speed limit on the county road, being mindful of all of its uphills, downhills and sharp curves – and even have had the extremely unfortunate experience of being passed by a coal truck on a downhill and curve, with my young children in my car. Terrified, I immediately pulled over, fearing another truck or vehicle might come around the curve in the opposite direction, hopeful to avoid what could have been a head-on, unforeseen collision.
I have been driving out to Hay Gulch for more than 10 years, and the frequency of these types of worrisome occurrences has increased since the change of ownership of the mine and the increase in trucks utilizing that road.
I put faith in my county that my taxes are being used for honest endeavors, but I believe that our taxes are being abused by the use of this county road for mining purposes.
The county is unable to keep up with the maintenance of the road, aiding in dust pollution from the road itself and diminishing air quality. The road is also unable to be maintained due to the increase in the number of trucks driving too fast and at times erratically, now occurring all day and all night.
I ask that our county take a stand, for the health of the Hay Gulch residents, as well as for the safety of the residents driving on that road.
This is a county road, and therefore, our county residents should be at the heart of this discussion and not the economic gains of the mining company.
Kimi Hanson
Durango
