There were no minutes ready from the November meeting. The secretaries (Marci Bowman and Bill Sanders) apologized for the error.

Old Business

The development plan and Gilpin land annexation have been completed, and Central has Clear Creek water rights. But they don't have permits for pipeline and road, and nothing happens up YG until those are obtained.

xxxx [who?] said that individual legal action by YG residents could delay but not halt development, because the principle of "eminent domain" would eventually triumph. One county, however, has a good chance to block or modify action if it can prove significant negative impact. (Dave Gallaher said he'd find the legal citation for the statute.) It was agreed in concept to approach the CCC Commissioners with a list of costs involved. Dave Gallaher mentioned another tack: he claims to have seen a lynx in the Gulch, and that could increase the EPA's interest. He thought that requiring an EA (environmental assessment) should be possible, and maybe even the tougher EIS (environmental impact statement).

xxx said that anyone with adjacency priority to slivers of land in between the mining claims should make petition to acquire soon, because Gilpin will want as much land as possible; see the "Small Parcel Purchase" article on the Website.

Sign
Craig Wandrey has the white masonite stock for the information sign at the foot of York Gulch. Don will cut and assemble.

Roads
It was noted that Jack Winkler obtained a driveway permit before he crossed Forest Service land.

New Business

• the uncertainty of road access to claims not crossing a permitted road;
• the absence of power (and residents' satisfaction with the situation);
• the fact that road maintenance beyond the firehouse is local responsibility.

Next Meeting.