BLM releases decision on Twentymile Coal lease modification
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DENVER – The Bureau of Land Management today approved a coal lease modification that will allow Twentymile Coal to access an estimated 340,000 additional tons of federal coal from its existing underground Foidel Creek Mine, 20 miles southwest of Steamboat Springs.
The 310-acre lease modification involves federal coal under private surface and will not result in new surface disturbance. The decision and associated documents are available online at http://bit.ly/2hB4oWv.
Twentymile Coal has been mining at the Foidel Creek Mine through underground methods since 1983. The Foidel Creek Mine is made up of six federal coal leases, private coal leases and state coal leases and currently produces about 7 million tons per year.
The BLM is responsible for the balanced use of the public lands and resources in a manner that best serves the long-term needs of current and future generations. Therefore, the BLM takes the necessary steps to ensure that federal coal lease modification applications are analyzed in accordance with Federal regulations (43 CFR 3432.2). These regulations provide for lease modifications when: 1) the modification serves the interests of the United States; (2) there is no competitive interest in the lands or deposits; and (3) the additional lands or deposits cannot be developed as part of another potential or existing independent operation.
The BLM has made the determination that the above criteria apply to this application. The BLM will receive fair market value from Twentymile Coal for the lands added to the lease by the proposed modification.
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.