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iii iiiiiiiiiiiu iii <br />~a• United Safes / Forest Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and P.O. Bos 1030 <br />Department of Service Gunnison National Forests N Rio Grande Ave. <br />Agriculture Paonia Ranger District Paonia, CO 81428 <br />PHONE NO. 970-527-4131 FAJ~ 970-527-4151 <br />File Code: 2820 <br />Date: November 1, 2000 <br />Ms. Sandra Brown <br />Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 <br />Dear Ms. Brown: <br />RECEIVED <br />NOV Og 2000 <br />Division of Minerals 8 Geology <br />We have reviewed the Permit Revision Application 4 (PR-04) for Oxbow Mining's Sanborn Creek Mine. <br />PR-04 would add acreage to the existing permit area, including lands contained in the Eik Creek Coal <br />Lease (COC-61357). <br />The Forest Service consented to the BLM leasing the National Forest System Lands (NFSL) within the <br />Elk Creek Coal Lease in the specific Record of Decision for the North Fork Coal EIS dated March 27, <br />2000. It is our understanding at this time that the BLM and Oxbow have not finalized the lease <br />agreement. <br />With regard to the NFSL within the proposed permit expansion area, there are a couple of items we would <br />like to bring forward. First, section 32, T 12 S, R 90 W lies within an inventoried roadless area. As you <br />may be aware, the Forest Service was directed by President Clinton in 1999 to evaluate the effects of <br />prohibiting additional road conswction and reconstruction in these areas. A final ruling on this issue is <br />expected before [he end of the calendar year. Oxbow has approached the Forest Service with potential <br />needs for drilling to further characterize the geologic conditions within the Elk Creek lease. The final <br />ruling on [he roadless issue may have implications regarding road access and drilling activities in [he <br />inventoried roadless area. At this time, however, we do not know what the final rule will be. <br />The North Fork Coal E[S analyzed the effects of coal leasing and subsequent mining on the federal lands <br />involved. It did not address any site specific occupation of these lands. Any proposals by Oxbow <br />including drilling, road access, monitoring station needs, etc. that involve NFSL must be brought to the <br />Forest Service. Additional NEPA analysis for site specific uses will be needed, and the appropriate <br />authorizations and permits issued. <br />Thank you for [he opportunity to comment on this revision. We look forward to receiving the mine plan <br />in the future. If you have any questions, please contact Liane Mattson at the above telephone number, or <br />via electronic mail at lmattson@_fs.fed.us. <br />Sincerely, <br />SUSAN J. SPEAR <br />District Ranger <br />Caring for the Land and Serving People PnnteO on Retycletl Paperi~ <br />