Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Red Cliff Coal Mine and Associated Surface Facilities Including a Railroad Spur Line COC 69290, and Federal Coal Lease by Application COC 70538, in Garfield and Mesa Counties, CO, 3096-3098 [E9-1006]
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<![CDATA[
3096
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 11 / Friday, January 16, 2009 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S. Geological Survey
Announcement of National Geospatial
Advisory Committee Meeting
AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey,
Interior.
ACTION:
Bureau of Land Management
The National Geospatial
Advisory Committee (NGAC) will meet
on February 4–5, 2009 at the Hotel
Monaco, 480 King Street, Alexandria,
VA 22314. The meeting will be held in
the Paris West Room.
The NGAC, which is composed of
representatives from governmental,
private sector, non-profit, and academic
organizations, was established to advise
the Chair of the Federal Geographic Data
Committee on management of Federal
geospatial programs, the development of
the National Spatial Data Infrastructure,
and the implementation of Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
Circular A–16. Topics to be addressed at
the meeting include:
SUMMARY:
The meeting will include an
opportunity for public comment during
the afternoon of February 5. Comments
may also be submitted to the NGAC in
writing.
Members of the public who wish to
attend the meeting must register in
advance. Please register by contacting
Arista Maher at the U.S. Geological
Survey (703–648–6283,
amaher@usgs.gov). Registrations are due
by January 30, 2009. While the meeting
will be open to the public, seating may
be limited due to room capacity.
DATES: The meeting will be held from
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 4 and
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 5.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Mahoney, U.S. Geological Survey (206–
220–4621).
Meetings
of the National Geospatial Advisory
Committee are open to the public.
Additional information about the NGAC
and the meeting is available at https://
www.fgdc.gov/ngac.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Jkt 217001
[F–14914–A, F–14914–A2; AK–965–1410–
KC–P]
Alaska Native Claims Selection
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of decision approving
lands for conveyance.
SUMMARY: As required by 43 CFR
2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an
appealable decision approving lands for
conveyance pursuant to the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act will be
issued to Nunapitchuk Limited. The
lands are in the vicinity of
Nunapitchuk, Alaska, and are located
in:
Lot 4, U.S. Survey No. 10374
Containing 4.79 acres.
—Transition Activities
—The National Map
—OMB Circular A–16 Supplemental
Guidance
—NGAC Vision
—Land Parcel Data Update
—Geospatial Partnerships
—NGAC Communications Activities
—NGAC Action Plan
19:02 Jan 15, 2009
BILLING CODE 4311–AM–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of meeting.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
Dated: January 12, 2009.
Ivan DeLoatch,
Staff Director, Federal Geographic Data
Committee.
[FR Doc. E9–918 Filed 1–15–09; 8:45 am]
Seward Meridian, Alaska
T. 10 N., R. 73 W.,
Sec. 19;
Secs. 29 to 32, inclusive.
Containing approximately 2,186 acres.
T. 10 N., R. 74 W.,
Secs. 1 and 2.
Containing approximately 668 acres.
T. 10 N., R. 75 W.,
Secs. 1 and 12.
Containing approximately 631 acres.
T. 11 N., R. 75 W.,
Secs. 5, 7, 8, 17, and 18.
Containing approximately 1,834 acres.
T. 7 N., R. 76 W.,
Secs. 28 to 36, inclusive.
Containing approximately 4,767 acres.
T. 11 N., R. 76 W.,
Secs. 1 and 2;
Secs. 11 to 14, inclusive.
Containing approximately 2,100 acres.
T. 9 N., R. 78 W.,
Secs. 1, 2, and 3;
Secs. 10 to 15, inclusive;
Secs. 22 to 27, inclusive.
Containing approximately 7,875 acres.
T. 10 N., R. 78 W.,
Secs. 1 to 18, inclusive;
Secs. 22 to 27, inclusive;
Secs. 34, 35, and 36.
Containing approximately 15,941 acres.
T. 11 N., R. 78 W.,
Secs. 1 to 30, inclusive;
Secs. 33 to 36, inclusive.
Containing approximately 12,705 acres.
Aggregating approximately 48,712 acres.
PO 00000
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The subsurface estate in these lands
will be conveyed to Calista Corporation
when the surface estate is conveyed to
Nunapitchuk Limited. Notice of the
decision will also be published four
times in Tundra Drums.
DATES: The time limits for filing an
appeal are:
1. Any party claiming a property
interest which is adversely affected by
the decision shall have until February
17, 2009 to file an appeal.
2. Parties receiving service of the
decision by certified mail shall have 30
days from the date of receipt to file an
appeal.
Parties who do not file an appeal in
accordance with the requirements of 43
CFR Part 4, Subpart E, shall be deemed
to have waived their rights.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the decision may
be obtained from: Bureau of Land
Management, Alaska State Office, 222
West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage,
Alaska 99513–7504.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The
Bureau of Land Management by phone
at 907–271–5960, or by e-mail at
ak.blm.conveyance@ak.blm.gov. Persons
who use a telecommunication device
(TTD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–
8330, 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, to contact the Bureau of Land
Management.
Charmain McMillan,
Land Law Examiner, Land Transfer
Adjudication II.
[FR Doc. E9–871 Filed 1–15–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CO–921; COC–70538; CO–130; COC 69290]
Notice of Availability of the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Red Cliff Coal Mine and
Associated Surface Facilities Including
a Railroad Spur Line COC 69290, and
Federal Coal Lease by Application
COC 70538, in Garfield and Mesa
Counties, CO
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), Colorado State
Office, Lakewood, Colorado, hereby
gives notice that a public hearing will be
held to receive comments on the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS),
Maximum Economic Recovery (MER)
and Fair Market Value (FMV) of Federal
E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM
16JAN1
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 11 / Friday, January 16, 2009 / Notices
coal to be offered. An application for
coal lease was filed by CAM-Colorado,
LLC (CAM) on September 12, 2006. As
a result, the BLM offers for competitive
lease 14,466 acres of Federal coal in
Garfield County, Colorado.
In accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) and the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976, the BLM has
prepared a DEIS for the proposed Red
Cliff Mine, located near Loma, Colorado.
The DEIS responds to Right-of-Way
(ROW) Applications for a railroad spur
and associated mine facilities on
Federal Lands, and an electrical
transmission line. In addition, a Federal
Coal Lease by Application (LBA) was
submitted by CAM-Colorado, on
September 12, 2006. The BLM is
providing this notice to announce the
availability of the Red Cliff Mine DEIS,
the proposed LBA, and the public
hearing requesting comments on the
DEIS, MER and FMV, pursuant to 40
CFR 1503.1 and 43 CFR 3425.4.
The Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) is being prepared in cooperation
with the Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM);
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE);
the Colorado Department of Natural
Resources; the Colorado Division of
Reclamation, Mining and Safety
(CDRMS); the Colorado Division of
Wildlife (CDOW); and Garfield and
Mesa counties.
The EIS analyzes the development of
surface facilities for coal mining
associated with CAM’s proposed
underground Red Cliff Mine, including
roads, a water pipeline, electric
transmission line, conveyers, coal
stockpile and waste disposal areas, a
coal preparation plant, the mine portal,
other administrative and operations
facilities, and a railroad spur line that
will connect to the existing Union
Pacific Railroad line near Mack,
Colorado. The EIS also considers the
effects of extracting coal from CAM’s
existing Federal coal leases, defined as
logical mining unit COC–57198, and
issuance of an adjoining Federal coal
LBA COC–070538. This notice
announces the opening of the public
comment period for the DEIS.
DATES: Written comments on the DEIS,
MER, and FMR will be accepted for 60
calendar days following the date that
the Environmental Protection Agency
publishes a NOA in the Federal
Register. The public hearing will be
held at a date, time and location to be
announced in the local media,
displayed on the Web site https://
www.blm.gov/rmp/co/redcliffmine/, or
obtained by calling the BLM Grand
VerDate Nov<24>2008
19:02 Jan 15, 2009
Jkt 217001
Junction Field Office at 970–244–3000,
Monday through Friday between 7:30
a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mountain Standard
Time (MST).
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by any of the following methods:
• Web site: https://www.blm.gov/rmp/
co/redcliffmine/.
• E-mail:
RedCliffMineEIS@urscorp.com.
• Fax: 303 239–3808.
• Mail: Glenn Wallace, BLM, 2850
Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO 80215.
Please note that public comments and
information submitted, including
names, street addresses, and e-mail
addresses of respondents, will be
available for public review and
disclosure at the above address during
regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.),
Monday through Friday, except
holidays. Before including your address,
phone number, e-mail address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, please be aware that your
entire comment, including your
personal identifying information, may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can request in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so. Comments and responses to
comments will be published as part of
the Final EIS. Copies of the DEIS for the
Proposed Red Cliff Coal Mine are
available at the Web site https://
www.blm.gov/rmp/co/redcliffmine/. A
limited number of printed copies of the
DEIS and copies of the DEIS on compact
disk are available at the BLM Grand
Junction Field Office, located at 2815 H
Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506,
and at the Colorado State Office public
2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood,
Colorado 80215. In addition, a printed
copy of the DEIS is available for review
at the Fruita Branch Library at 325 E.
Aspen Avenue, in Fruita, Colorado and
at the Mesa County Central Library at
530 Grand Avenue, in Grand Junction,
Colorado.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Glenn Wallace, 303–239–3736,
glenn_wallace@blm.gov, or by mail at
2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO
80215.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM,
Colorado State Office, Lakewood,
Colorado, hereby gives notice of the
public hearing at a date, time and
location to be announced in the local
media, displayed on the Web site https://
www.blm.gov/rmp/co/redcliffmine/, or
obtained by calling the BLM Grand
Junction Field Office, 970–244–3000,
Monday through Friday between 7:30
PO 00000
Frm 00107
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
3097
a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mountain Standard
Time (MST).
The BLM proposes to offer for
competitive lease Federal coal in the
lands described as:
T. 7 S, R. 101 W., 6th P.M. Colorado
Sec. 7, SE1⁄4SE1⁄4, lot 8
Sec. 8, S1⁄2SW1⁄4, NE1⁄4SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4
Sec. 16, TR 43, Lots 5 and 6
Sec. 17, All
Sec. 18, E1⁄2E1⁄2, Lots 5 to 8 inclusive
Sec. 19, E1⁄2E1⁄2, Lots 5 to 8 inclusive
Sec. 20, All
Sec. 21, E1⁄2, S1⁄2NW1⁄4, SW1⁄4, Lots 1 and
2
Sec. 28, N1⁄2, SW1⁄4, W1⁄2SE1⁄4, NE1⁄4SE1⁄4
Sec. 29, All
Sec. 30, TR 44, Lots 5 to 10 inclusive
Sec. 31, Lots 5 to 8 inclusive
Sec. 32, NE1⁄4, N1⁄2NW1⁄4, Lots 1 to 4
inclusive
Sec. 33, NW1⁄4, Lots 3 and 4
T. 8 S., R. 101 W. 6th P.M. Colorado
Sec. 4, Lot 8
Sec. 5, S1⁄2, Lots 5 to 20 inclusive
Sec. 6, SE1⁄4, Lots 8 to 27 inclusive
Sec. 7, E1⁄2, E1⁄2W1⁄2, Lots 5 to 8 inclusive
Sec. 8, All
T. 7 S., R., 102 W., 6th P.M. Colorado
Sec. 13, S1⁄2NW1⁄4, SW1⁄4, SW1⁄4NE1⁄4,
W1⁄2SE1⁄4, Lots 2 to 4 inclusive
Sec. 14, S1⁄2N1⁄2, S1⁄2
Sec. 23, E1⁄2, NW1⁄4, E1⁄2SW1⁄4, Lots 1 and
4
Sec. 24, W1⁄2E1⁄2, W1⁄2, Lots 1 to 4 inclusive
Sec. 25, W1⁄2E1⁄2, W1⁄2, Lots 1 to 4 inclusive
Sec. 26, All
Sec. 35, All
Sec. 36, W1⁄2E1⁄2, W1⁄2, Lots 1 to 4 inclusive
T. 8 S., R. 102 W., 6th P.M. Colorado
Sec. 1, S1⁄2, Lots 5 to 20 inclusive
Sec. 12, N1⁄2, SE1⁄4
Containing approximately 14,466 acres in
Garfield County, Colorado.
The public hearing described above is
for the purpose of soliciting public
input regarding the MER and FMV of
the proposed coal lease.
The proposed Red Cliff Mine is
located approximately 11 miles north of
the towns of Mack and Loma, Colorado,
and 1.5 miles east of State Highway (SH)
139. CAM is proposing a new mine
portals and associated facilities to
extract low-sulfur coal from Federal coal
leases C–0125515, C–0125516 and C–
0125439 (defined collectively as logical
mining unit COC–57198), from LBA
COC 070538 filed September 12, 2006,
as well as a small amount of private
coal. CAM proposes to locate surface
facilities on existing and potential new
coal leases with the majority of the
surface facilities located off-lease on
BLM administered public lands within
the boundaries of the proposed ROW
(approximately 1,140 acres). These
facilities will include, but not be limited
to, a waste rock pile, railroad loop, unit
train loadout, a coal conveyor, storage
and equipment yards, sewage treatment
plant, water tank, fuel oil storage and
E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM
16JAN1
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
3098
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 11 / Friday, January 16, 2009 / Notices
various buildings. County Road (CR) X
will be upgraded to serve as the mine
access road from SH 139. The railroad
spur will be located on BLM and private
lands, with the railroad connecting to
the existing Union Pacific Railroad
(UPRR) near Mack, Colorado. The
proposed railroad will traverse
approximately 9.5 miles of BLM
administered public land and
approximately 5 miles of private land. A
water diversion will be constructed in
Mack Wash and the water pipeline will
follow the proposed railroad spur. The
railroad spur would serve only the Red
Cliff Mine for the purpose of
transporting coal to market. CAM will
own the railroad spur, but the trains
using the spur will be operated by the
UPRR or other railroad companies. The
draft EIS discusses BLM’s analysis and
proposed conclusion that CAM will not
operate a common carrier railroad.
Electric power will be needed at the
mine to run the underground mining
machinery, the conveyor system, and
other mine support facilities. The local
utility, Grand Valley Power (GVP), has
applied to BLM for a ROW to supply the
necessary electric power. GVP will need
to construct a new 69-kilovolt (kV)
transmission line from the Uintah
Substation to the mine to supply this
power. The transmission line will be
approximately 14 miles long, with
approximately 7 miles on federally
managed lands and 7 miles on private
land, depending on which alternative
route is chosen. This ROW application
is analyzed in the EIS as a connected
action as is the LBA filed by CAM
(COC–070538) for approximately 11,660
acres adjacent to CAM’s existing leases.
BLM determined that, if this coal is to
be leased, it would be by a competitive
bid process. BLM has modified the
proposed LBA area to include 14,466
acres.
The EIS analysis area includes a total
future lease area of about 23,000 acres
which corresponds to the estimated life
of the mine.
CAM proposes to conduct
underground mining 24 hours per day,
7 days per week, and 365 days per year
by room and pillar and longwall mining
techniques. CAM’s production from the
Red Cliff Mine would be up to 8 million
tons per year of clean coal depending on
market conditions, with an estimated
mine life of 30 years.
A mine permit application has been
filed for CAM’s existing leases in
accordance with the OSM and the
CDRMS regulations. This EIS will meet
the NEPA requirements for the mine
permit for the existing Federal coal
leases, and is intended to provide
necessary information to facilitate the
VerDate Nov<24>2008
19:02 Jan 15, 2009
Jkt 217001
USACE, Colorado Public Utility
Commission, and Garfield and Mesa
Counties’ permitting decisions regarding
the project. There will be additional
opportunities for public involvement as
the mine permit application is
processed.
The DEIS analyzes the potential
impacts of the proposed action and
connected actions and a No-Action
alternative. Alternatives to individual
project components were considered
that were consistent with the purpose
and need, which is to mine and
transport coal for sale at competitive
prices to help supply the energy needs
of the United States. Alternatives to
project components were included for
detailed analysis if they were found to
be practical, feasible, reduced
environmental impacts, and/or
addressed public and agency concerns.
A wide range and variety of alternatives
were examined, resulting in the
following alternative project
components that are analyzed in detail:
Grade separated railroad crossing at
Mesa County Road (CR) M.8; noiseless
grade crossings at CR M.8 and CR 10;
construction of an electric transmission
line along CR 16 crossing BLM and
private lands north of the Highline
Canal; construction of an electric
transmission line along CR 16 to the
Highline Canal and then along section
lines to avoid as many private land
parcels as possible; and construction of
an electric transmission line along CR
14 to just north of the Highline Canal
and then northwesterly and north to
join the proposed railroad alignment
east of SH 139.
Required consultations are in progress
or have been completed, including
consultations with tribal governments
and the State Historic Preservation
Officer, as required by the National
Historic Preservation Act; consultations
with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as
required by the Endangered Species Act;
and consultations with the USACE as
required by the Clean Water Act.
Raul Morales,
Grand Junction Associate Field Manager.
[FR Doc. E9–1006 Filed 1–15–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–$$–P
PO 00000
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[MT–070–1430–ET; MTM 73404]
Notice of Proposed Withdrawal
Extension and Opportunity for Public
Meeting; Montana
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) proposes to extend
the duration of Public Land Order (PLO)
No. 6912 for an additional 20-year term.
The PLO withdrew approximately 490
acres of reserved public minerals from
location or entry under the United
States mining laws for the BLM to
protect the archaeological, historical,
educational, interpretive, and
recreational integrity of the Mount
Haggin Prehistoric Quarry Site in Deer
Lodge County. This notice also gives an
opportunity to comment on the
proposed action and to request a public
meeting.
DATES: Comments and requests for a
public meeting must be received by
April 16, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Comments and meeting
requests should be sent to the BLM
Butte Field Manager, 106 North
Parkmont, Butte, Montana 59701.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Figarelle, BLM, Butte Field Office,
(406) 533–7671, or at the above address,
or Sandra Ward, BLM, Montana State
Office, (406) 896–5052, or at 5001
Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana
59101–4669.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
withdrawal created by PLO No. 6912 (56
FR 60928 (1991)) will expire November
28, 2011, unless extended. The BLM has
filed an application to extend PLO No.
6912 for an additional 20-year period.
The withdrawal was made to protect the
Mount Haggin Prehistoric Quarry Site
on the reserved minerals described as
follows:
Principal Meridian, Montana
T. 3 N., R. 11 W.,
Sec. 20, those portions lying east of
Highway 274;
Sec. 29, lots 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8, and that
portion of lot 6 lying east of Highway
274.
The area described contains
approximately 490 acres in Deer Lodge
County.
The purpose of the proposed
extension is to continue the withdrawal
created by PLO No. 6912 for an
additional 20-year term to protect the
Frm 00108
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Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\16JAN1.SGM
16JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 11 (Friday, January 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3096-3098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1006]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CO-921; COC-70538; CO-130; COC 69290]
Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement for the Proposed Red Cliff Coal Mine and Associated Surface
Facilities Including a Railroad Spur Line COC 69290, and Federal Coal
Lease by Application COC 70538, in Garfield and Mesa Counties, CO
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado State Office,
Lakewood, Colorado, hereby gives notice that a public hearing will be
held to receive comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS), Maximum Economic Recovery (MER) and Fair Market Value (FMV) of
Federal
[[Page 3097]]
coal to be offered. An application for coal lease was filed by CAM-
Colorado, LLC (CAM) on September 12, 2006. As a result, the BLM offers
for competitive lease 14,466 acres of Federal coal in Garfield County,
Colorado.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the BLM
has prepared a DEIS for the proposed Red Cliff Mine, located near Loma,
Colorado. The DEIS responds to Right-of-Way (ROW) Applications for a
railroad spur and associated mine facilities on Federal Lands, and an
electrical transmission line. In addition, a Federal Coal Lease by
Application (LBA) was submitted by CAM-Colorado, on September 12, 2006.
The BLM is providing this notice to announce the availability of the
Red Cliff Mine DEIS, the proposed LBA, and the public hearing
requesting comments on the DEIS, MER and FMV, pursuant to 40 CFR 1503.1
and 43 CFR 3425.4.
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared in
cooperation with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement (OSM); U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE); the Colorado
Department of Natural Resources; the Colorado Division of Reclamation,
Mining and Safety (CDRMS); the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW);
and Garfield and Mesa counties.
The EIS analyzes the development of surface facilities for coal
mining associated with CAM's proposed underground Red Cliff Mine,
including roads, a water pipeline, electric transmission line,
conveyers, coal stockpile and waste disposal areas, a coal preparation
plant, the mine portal, other administrative and operations facilities,
and a railroad spur line that will connect to the existing Union
Pacific Railroad line near Mack, Colorado. The EIS also considers the
effects of extracting coal from CAM's existing Federal coal leases,
defined as logical mining unit COC-57198, and issuance of an adjoining
Federal coal LBA COC-070538. This notice announces the opening of the
public comment period for the DEIS.
DATES: Written comments on the DEIS, MER, and FMR will be accepted for
60 calendar days following the date that the Environmental Protection
Agency publishes a NOA in the Federal Register. The public hearing will
be held at a date, time and location to be announced in the local
media, displayed on the Web site https://www.blm.gov/rmp/co/redcliffmine/, or obtained by calling the BLM Grand Junction Field
Office at 970-244-3000, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and
4:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST).
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
Web site: https://www.blm.gov/rmp/co/redcliffmine/.
E-mail: RedCliffMineEIS@urscorp.com.
Fax: 303 239-3808.
Mail: Glenn Wallace, BLM, 2850 Youngfield Street,
Lakewood, CO 80215.
Please note that public comments and information submitted, including
names, street addresses, and e-mail addresses of respondents, will be
available for public review and disclosure at the above address during
regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Monday through Friday,
except holidays. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment,
please be aware that your entire comment, including your personal
identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time.
While you can request in your comment to withhold your personal
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we
will be able to do so. Comments and responses to comments will be
published as part of the Final EIS. Copies of the DEIS for the Proposed
Red Cliff Coal Mine are available at the Web site https://www.blm.gov/rmp/co/redcliffmine/. A limited number of printed copies of the DEIS
and copies of the DEIS on compact disk are available at the BLM Grand
Junction Field Office, located at 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, Colorado
81506, and at the Colorado State Office public 2850 Youngfield Street,
Lakewood, Colorado 80215. In addition, a printed copy of the DEIS is
available for review at the Fruita Branch Library at 325 E. Aspen
Avenue, in Fruita, Colorado and at the Mesa County Central Library at
530 Grand Avenue, in Grand Junction, Colorado.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glenn Wallace, 303-239-3736, glenn_wallace@blm.gov, or by mail at 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO
80215.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM, Colorado State Office, Lakewood,
Colorado, hereby gives notice of the public hearing at a date, time and
location to be announced in the local media, displayed on the Web site
https://www.blm.gov/rmp/co/redcliffmine/, or obtained by calling the BLM
Grand Junction Field Office, 970-244-3000, Monday through Friday
between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST).
The BLM proposes to offer for competitive lease Federal coal in the
lands described as:
T. 7 S, R. 101 W., 6th P.M. Colorado
Sec. 7, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\, lot 8
Sec. 8, S\1/2\SW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\
Sec. 16, TR 43, Lots 5 and 6
Sec. 17, All
Sec. 18, E\1/2\E\1/2\, Lots 5 to 8 inclusive
Sec. 19, E\1/2\E\1/2\, Lots 5 to 8 inclusive
Sec. 20, All
Sec. 21, E\1/2\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, Lots 1 and 2
Sec. 28, N\1/2\, SW\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\, NE\1/4\SE\1/4\
Sec. 29, All
Sec. 30, TR 44, Lots 5 to 10 inclusive
Sec. 31, Lots 5 to 8 inclusive
Sec. 32, NE\1/4\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\, Lots 1 to 4 inclusive
Sec. 33, NW\1/4\, Lots 3 and 4
T. 8 S., R. 101 W. 6th P.M. Colorado
Sec. 4, Lot 8
Sec. 5, S\1/2\, Lots 5 to 20 inclusive
Sec. 6, SE\1/4\, Lots 8 to 27 inclusive
Sec. 7, E\1/2\, E\1/2\W\1/2\, Lots 5 to 8 inclusive
Sec. 8, All
T. 7 S., R., 102 W., 6th P.M. Colorado
Sec. 13, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\,
Lots 2 to 4 inclusive
Sec. 14, S\1/2\N\1/2\, S\1/2\
Sec. 23, E\1/2\, NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, Lots 1 and 4
Sec. 24, W\1/2\E\1/2\, W\1/2\, Lots 1 to 4 inclusive
Sec. 25, W\1/2\E\1/2\, W\1/2\, Lots 1 to 4 inclusive
Sec. 26, All
Sec. 35, All
Sec. 36, W\1/2\E\1/2\, W\1/2\, Lots 1 to 4 inclusive
T. 8 S., R. 102 W., 6th P.M. Colorado
Sec. 1, S\1/2\, Lots 5 to 20 inclusive
Sec. 12, N\1/2\, SE\1/4\
Containing approximately 14,466 acres in Garfield County,
Colorado.
The public hearing described above is for the purpose of soliciting
public input regarding the MER and FMV of the proposed coal lease.
The proposed Red Cliff Mine is located approximately 11 miles north
of the towns of Mack and Loma, Colorado, and 1.5 miles east of State
Highway (SH) 139. CAM is proposing a new mine portals and associated
facilities to extract low-sulfur coal from Federal coal leases C-
0125515, C-0125516 and C-0125439 (defined collectively as logical
mining unit COC-57198), from LBA COC 070538 filed September 12, 2006,
as well as a small amount of private coal. CAM proposes to locate
surface facilities on existing and potential new coal leases with the
majority of the surface facilities located off-lease on BLM
administered public lands within the boundaries of the proposed ROW
(approximately 1,140 acres). These facilities will include, but not be
limited to, a waste rock pile, railroad loop, unit train loadout, a
coal conveyor, storage and equipment yards, sewage treatment plant,
water tank, fuel oil storage and
[[Page 3098]]
various buildings. County Road (CR) X will be upgraded to serve as the
mine access road from SH 139. The railroad spur will be located on BLM
and private lands, with the railroad connecting to the existing Union
Pacific Railroad (UPRR) near Mack, Colorado. The proposed railroad will
traverse approximately 9.5 miles of BLM administered public land and
approximately 5 miles of private land. A water diversion will be
constructed in Mack Wash and the water pipeline will follow the
proposed railroad spur. The railroad spur would serve only the Red
Cliff Mine for the purpose of transporting coal to market. CAM will own
the railroad spur, but the trains using the spur will be operated by
the UPRR or other railroad companies. The draft EIS discusses BLM's
analysis and proposed conclusion that CAM will not operate a common
carrier railroad.
Electric power will be needed at the mine to run the underground
mining machinery, the conveyor system, and other mine support
facilities. The local utility, Grand Valley Power (GVP), has applied to
BLM for a ROW to supply the necessary electric power. GVP will need to
construct a new 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from the Uintah
Substation to the mine to supply this power. The transmission line will
be approximately 14 miles long, with approximately 7 miles on federally
managed lands and 7 miles on private land, depending on which
alternative route is chosen. This ROW application is analyzed in the
EIS as a connected action as is the LBA filed by CAM (COC-070538) for
approximately 11,660 acres adjacent to CAM's existing leases. BLM
determined that, if this coal is to be leased, it would be by a
competitive bid process. BLM has modified the proposed LBA area to
include 14,466 acres.
The EIS analysis area includes a total future lease area of about
23,000 acres which corresponds to the estimated life of the mine.
CAM proposes to conduct underground mining 24 hours per day, 7 days
per week, and 365 days per year by room and pillar and longwall mining
techniques. CAM's production from the Red Cliff Mine would be up to 8
million tons per year of clean coal depending on market conditions,
with an estimated mine life of 30 years.
A mine permit application has been filed for CAM's existing leases
in accordance with the OSM and the CDRMS regulations. This EIS will
meet the NEPA requirements for the mine permit for the existing Federal
coal leases, and is intended to provide necessary information to
facilitate the USACE, Colorado Public Utility Commission, and Garfield
and Mesa Counties' permitting decisions regarding the project. There
will be additional opportunities for public involvement as the mine
permit application is processed.
The DEIS analyzes the potential impacts of the proposed action and
connected actions and a No-Action alternative. Alternatives to
individual project components were considered that were consistent with
the purpose and need, which is to mine and transport coal for sale at
competitive prices to help supply the energy needs of the United
States. Alternatives to project components were included for detailed
analysis if they were found to be practical, feasible, reduced
environmental impacts, and/or addressed public and agency concerns. A
wide range and variety of alternatives were examined, resulting in the
following alternative project components that are analyzed in detail:
Grade separated railroad crossing at Mesa County Road (CR) M.8;
noiseless grade crossings at CR M.8 and CR 10; construction of an
electric transmission line along CR 16 crossing BLM and private lands
north of the Highline Canal; construction of an electric transmission
line along CR 16 to the Highline Canal and then along section lines to
avoid as many private land parcels as possible; and construction of an
electric transmission line along CR 14 to just north of the Highline
Canal and then northwesterly and north to join the proposed railroad
alignment east of SH 139.
Required consultations are in progress or have been completed,
including consultations with tribal governments and the State Historic
Preservation Officer, as required by the National Historic Preservation
Act; consultations with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as required by
the Endangered Species Act; and consultations with the USACE as
required by the Clean Water Act.
Raul Morales,
Grand Junction Associate Field Manager.
[FR Doc. E9-1006 Filed 1-15-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P
