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~•~l/la/1999 98:96 97952 RICH~,RD P.UDIN PGGE 0a s~M FOR RELEASE::: BLM &USFS ew5 -- 1U OF LAND MANAGEMENT - MONTR05E DISTRICT OFFICE npah~e Fhtld OR1ca 2505 South Towossad, Moatrou, CO 81.101 DEC 17 ~ggg CONTACT: Allan Belt 970.240-5300 prepare.ElS; Coal Mining to Continue in the Interim Buteau of Land. Manage ' t (BLM) and US Forest Service (USFS) spokesman Allaa Bel[ announced today that an riviroametltal impact statement (EIS) will be prepared to analyu the impacts of exp loradon, I acing and development of public coal resources in the North Fork Valley. Belt emphasiu~i that eosi Mining on e~cissting leases will rnntiaue while the EIS is being prepared. "I w.anc to ass coal mine employees in the North Fork Valley that mining operations can ~:onenue o !existing leases and exploration licenses." he said. '"IT»s is NOT an effort to shut-down co mir»ng in the North Fork;' he stated. According to Belt, the EI ~ will provide a single, comprehensive watershed-based analysis of coal mining ac~ivities in ~ North Fork Valley. `This EI5 will provide for current and fututt development os'.public co resources in the North Fork while protecting the environment azld the quality of I'te in the beat Fork; Valley;' he said. Belt also said that the how coal mining Sts i the residents oi` the N. social, ernnom.ic and "We're hoping that the la develop a com:aon visioc and the Forest Service do social and ecoecornic deCi cotnmicsiorlets. communi together for th;: common provide their answer," h I provide a fortrm for the local community to tell the agencies overall picttrte of life in the North Fork. "During the next year, k are going to have an incredible oppornttiiry to determine the rental future of the North Fork," he said. 1 community can come together with the coal companies and If what the North Fotk should look like 10 years from now. BLM t believe the federal agencies should be making those kind of ins, so we want [o encourage the mining companies. county leaders and local msidents to sit down at the table aad work god of the North Fork -we'll provide the forum, but they'll need to added. Belt said that '.he agar ' had committed to a "fast-track" EIS. "Our ob}ective is w be able to make decisions on ex 1 radon and lease applications by December 1999;' he said. "[n order to make that date, e'n going to all have to work together -the mining companies, federal agencies, and the desidents of the North Fork," Belc added. aelt seta mat ire agent- wur provtat: tegutar upaau:s on vto ptogtcss or tnc zrs. ma encouraged people in th orth Fork to contac[ him if thcy had any questions. He can be reached at 97(:--240-530 mail abeltG~co.blm.gov, or 2505 South Townsend. Montrose, CO 81401.