2020-10-27_PERMIT FILE - C1981035 (23)

Home Browse Search

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 1.2 PURPOSE AND NEED CEQ regulations at 40 CFR§1502.13 specify the requirements for the purpose and need statement. 1.2.1 Purpose The purpose of the federal action is established by the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (MLA) (as amended), which requires BLM to respond to GCCE's lease application for federal coal reserves contained in the LBA and, if appropriate, offer the lands for competitive leasing. Leasing the lands is a necessary first step before mining federal coal resources can be authorized. The purpose of the federal action is further established by the MLA, which, in the case that GCCE is awarded the competitive lease by BLM, also requires the approval of GCCE's proposed mining plan modification forthe lease by the Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals(ASLM),before GCCE may conduct underground mining and reclamation operations within the new lease. Additionally, OSMRE is the regulatory authority that administers Federal Mine Permit CO-0106C, which covers the permitted land owned by the UMU Tribe. As the regulatory authority, OSMRE must evaluate the environmental effects resulting from a permit revision for the King II Federal Permit CO-0106C. The purpose of GCCE's Proposed Action is to allow the applicant access to and mining of federal coal reserves, and for the efficient and economic recovery of the coal resource. This Proposed Action would allow for a logical progression of sequenced mining to recover the federal coal resource. 1.2.2 Need The need for the federal action is established by BLM's responsibility under the MLA, as amended by the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976 and the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), which states that public lands shall be managed in a manner that recognizes the nation's need for domestic sources of minerals (43 United States Code [USC] 1701(a)(12)). Furthermore, FLPMA authorizes BLM to manage the use, occupancy, and development of public lands through leases and permits (43 USC 1732). Additionally, the need for the action is to encourage development of domestic coal reserves to meet future energy needs, reducing dependence on foreign sources of energy, and providing for dependable and affordable domestic energy while giving due consideration to the protection of other resource values. If BLM first decides to offer the lease competitively and it is subsequently issued by BLM to GCCE, the need for this action is also for OSMRE to make a recommendation to the ASLM,and the ASLM to approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove a mining plan modification. Approval would allow GCCE the opportunity to exercise its rights under the new federal coal lease to access and mine the Federal coal reserves. For GCCE,the need for the Proposed Action is to produce coal to supply the energy source and continue its primary business of cement production both in the United States and in Mexico, as well as to continue supplying specialized markets that are dependent on the King II Mine's coal as an energy source. Dunn Ranch Area Coal Lease by Application COC-78825 and Mine Plan Modification EA 1-4