For Immediate Release: August 30,2004
Contact: Mel Lloyd, 970-244-3097
 
 

Abandoned mine closures on BLM lands

MONTROSE, CO—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Uncompahgre Field Office is inviting public comment on a proposed project closing abandoned mines on public lands in portions of Montrose and San Miguel counties.  The BLM administers the surface and mineral estate on these lands.  The project involves establishing procedures allowing remediation and closure of the many abandoned uranium mines, in operation from the 1950s to 1970s, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA). 

An Environmental Assessment is needed to expedite securing hazardous sites that do not require more specific NEPA analysis.  The physical hazards at these inactive and unclaimed mine sites include steep declines, adits, highwalls, unsupported rock in and around openings, open trenches and subsidence pits.  Other safety hazards include falling rocks, mine gases, dilapidated structures, mechanical and electrical equipment as well as unstable ground.  Work at each mine site would be in areas previously disturbed by mining activities, with new surface disturbance not anticipated.  Existing access would be used for remediation, which would consist of recontouring waste rock dumps and backfilling the openings to eliminate potential hazards and limit public access.  Of the estimated 300 mine openings on public lands in the Uncompahgre Field Office, about 100 sites have been secured by gates, backfilling or bulkhead seals.  Remaining sites may pose a serious risk to human safety and should be closed.

The NEPA process includes public involvement through scoping prior to initiating the project.  You may submit written comments to Lynn Lewis, Uncompahgre Field Office, 2505 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO  81401.  The public comment period ends September 30, 2004.  For additional information, contact Lynn Lewis at (970) 240-5305. 

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