BLM Accepting Public Comment on Potential Coal Leasing in Western Garfield County
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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on a proposal to lease approximately 14,160 acres of federal coal reserves beneath BLM-managed lands in western Garfield County 15 miles north of Fruita, Colo.
Before the BLM begins an Environmental Impact Statement on this proposal, it wants the public’s help in identifying issues and concerns to be addressed in the environmental review.
CAM-Colorado, LLC submitted an application for the BLM to consider leasing the Books Cliffs Tract. If the BLM decides to make the lands available for leasing, they would be offered through a future open competitive sale.
The Book Cliffs Tract is estimated to contain approximately 78 million tons of in-place Federal coal. Construction of a new mine would be required to access the coal.
A summary and map of the proposal are available at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/land_use_planning/rmp/red_cliff_mine.html. All comments must be received prior to Feb. 18, or 15 days after the last public meeting (whichever is later) to be included in the Draft EIS. Information regarding upcoming public meetings will be announced via a press release once those dates are set. Comments may be sent by any of the following methods:
- Email: BLM_CO_GJ_Public_Comments@blm.gov
- Fax: 970-244-3085
- Mail: BLM, Grand Junction Field Office, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506, Attn: Coal LBA
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
In Fiscal Year 2011, coal energy production on BLM Colorado public lands directly contributed $884 million to the economy and accounted for 5,719 direct and indirect jobs in Colorado.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.