The Overland Trail
Plans to Strip Mine!
- An overview of the plans of a South Dakota Mining Company which is intending to strip mine limestone (for inclusion in chicken feed) along the Overland Trail in an area that is over 500 acres in size. Not only will parts of the Overland Trail be completely destroyed, but also Native American artifacts, including teepee rings, possible burial grounds, and evidence of an 8000 year old settlement in addition to endangered species, pristine prairie which has never been plowed, and buffalo wallows.
- Read How Much Is Enough? a letter to the editor of the Fort Collins Daily Coloradoan
- Read the "Rebuttal" to Colorado Lien's Technical Review, submitted to Larimer County.
- January 1999: The Larimer County Historical Alliance is making the strip mine proposal across the Robert's Ranch their main cause at this time. They have had two meeting so far this year to organize and plan strategy for this cause. (Read A Mine Is A Terrible Waste!) They are a non-profit organization which has been in existance for about 10 years, are registered with both the State of Colorado and the IRS. Donations (which are fully tax-deductible) are being accepted at this time for mailings, and to help defray the cost of an attorney who has had success defeating this Mining Company all the way to the US Supreme Court in 1998 on another mining issue in Northern Larimer County.
- June, 2000: It appears that the Lien Company has backed off from its earlier plans to stripmine along the Overland Trail for limestone. It is rumoured that they will be concentrating only on the silica sand which is available near by, but at least not impacting historical sites.
Donations may be sent to:
Larimer County Historical Alliance
PO Box 275
Livermore, Colorado 80536
Please e-mail me if you too are concerned, and I will personally hand deliver all responses to the proper County officials who are requesting information at this time, or write them directly (copy me too please) at:
Visit the OCTA (Oregon California Trails Association) pages for more information on other preservation projects!
For snail mail information:
Elizabeth Larson
POST OFFICE BOX 247
VIRGINIA DALE, COLORADO 80536
Send comments, suggestions or inquiries: 
Elizabeth Larson
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