New uranium mine proposed

PARADOX, CO—Rimrock Exploration and Development, Inc. submitted a 3809 Plan of Operations to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to open a new uranium mine, the J Birds Mine. The mine is located on lands managed by the BLM in Section 13, T.47N., R.20W., NMPM, Montrose County, Colorado, approximately one mile from the Utah State Line and five miles southwest of Paradox, Colorado. The surface and mineral estate is managed by the BLM. Approximately 7.5 acres of surface disturbance is proposed for the mine site, ventilation holes and waste rock area. Access to the site on Ray Mesa is by county roads in Utah and Colorado.

BLM is in the process of preparing an environmental analysis (EA). The purpose of the EA is to evaluate the potential impacts of the mine upon the environment. For further information or if you are interested in participating in the process and have concerns, issues or alternatives you would like addressed in the EA, please respond with your written comments by February 24, 2006. Send comments to Lynn Lewis, BLM Uncompahgre Field Office, 2505 S. Townsend, Montrose, CO 81401. If you have questions, please contact Lynn Lewis at 970-240-5305.

-BLM-