Laserfiche WebLink
Bureau of Land Management Environmental Assessment <br /> Royal Gorge Field Office DOI-BLM-CO-F020-2020-0036 EA <br /> 1.3. PURPOSE AND NEED <br /> 1.3.1. BLM Statutory Authority <br /> The purpose of the action is to respond to Colorado Quarries Inc., regarding a request for a <br /> mineral materials contract to produce federal minerals from approximately 10.75 acres of <br /> interspersed BLM managed lands, in an area one mile north of Silver Cliff, Colorado. The need <br /> is based on BLM's multiple-use mission, set forth in the Federal Land Policy and Management <br /> Act of 1976,which mandates that BLM manages public land resources for a variety of uses. <br /> These uses include mining, and more specifically in this case,the development of mineral <br /> materials. <br /> Per 30 USC Section 1602 (01/03/2012),the Congress declares that it is the continuing policy of <br /> the United States to promote an adequate and stable supply of materials necessary to maintain <br /> national security, economic well-being, and industrial production with appropriate attention to a <br /> long-term balance between resource production, energy use, a healthy environment,natural <br /> resource conservation, and social needs. The Congress further declares that implementation of <br /> this policy requires that the President shall, through the Executive Office of the President, <br /> coordinate the responsible departments and agencies to, among other measures: (1) identify <br /> materials needs and assist in the pursuit of measures that would assure the availability of <br /> materials critical to commerce,the economy, and national security and(2) encourage Federal <br /> agencies to facilitate availability and development of domestic resources to meet critical <br /> materials needs. <br /> It is BLM policy to make mineral materials available in accordance with the Mineral Materials <br /> Act,provided adequate measures are taken to protect public land resources and the environment <br /> and that damage to public health and safety is minimized(43 CFR 3601.6). Since disposal of <br /> mineral materials is discretionary on the part of BLM, no disposals will be made if it is <br /> determined by the Authorized Officer that the aggregate damage to public lands and resources <br /> would exceed the public benefits that BLM expects from the proposed disposal. <br /> BLM will determine if the proposed project results in no significant impacts (either because none <br /> exist or if they do exist, they can be adequately mitigated)during the EA process. Results and <br /> any mitigation developed through this environmental assessment and resulting decision <br /> document will be forwarded by BLM to the CDRMS and Custer County, as needed, for inclusion <br /> into their respective permitting processes. <br /> 1.3.2. Applicant Goals <br /> For an applicant-proposed project, it is important for the purpose and need statement to be based <br /> on the applicant's goals and the agency's statutory authorities for consideration of that <br /> 5 <br />