| Contacts: | Erin Curtis, Public Information Officer, (970) 244-3097 |
BLM Seeking Comment on Coal Lease Modification Near Paonia (04-30-10)
MONTROSE, Colo. — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on an environmental analysis for proposed coal lease modifications at the Bowie No. 2 Mine near Paonia.
Bowie Resource, LLC submitted an application to the BLM Uncompahgre Field Office to add about 160 acres to its existing lease to provide access to federal coal reserves.
If BLM decides to modify the lease, the modification would be offered by non-competitive sale. Fair market value of the modification is determined through a BLM appraisal process.
The lease modification would provide a location for development mains and gateroads, allowing coal to be mined from existing leases. The coal would be transported using Bowie’s existing coal transportation system and surface facilities. Bowie plans some shallow exploratory drilling on the lease modification area to identify the extent of minable coal using a zero impact drilling technique. The drill rig, crew and support equipment would access Terror Creek road from the Bowie No. 2 Mine site.
The BLM is conducting an environmental analysis on the lease modification proposal, and will identify any needed stipulations to protect related surface resources. Public comments will assist the interdisciplinary team in identifying issues that should be addressed as part of the evaluation.
Written comments may be submitted by mail, email, or fax. Comments concerning this proposal will be most helpful if submitted by June 2, 2010, and sent to:
Desty Dyer
BLM-UFO
2465 South Townsend Avenue
Montrose, Colorado 81401
Email: desty_dyer@blm.gov
Fax: (970) 240-5367
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
2465 South Townsend Avenue Montrose, CO 81401