REV98716

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Name: OXBOW CARBON & MINERALS INC COAL LEASE MODIFICATIO APPLICATION C-53510 COAL RIGHT OF WAY COC-59584
• Type & Sequence: PR3
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

to ensure that the permipplication complies with the permitg requirements and that
the coal mining operation will meet the approved permanent program's performance
standards; if it does comply, CDMG issues the lessee a permit to conduct coal mining
operations. The OSM, BLM, and other federal agencies review the permit application
package to ensure that it complies with the terms of the coal lease; the requirements of
the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920; the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; and
other federal laws and their attendant regulations. The OSM recommends approval,
approval with conditions, or disapproval of the mining plan to the Assistant Secretary -
Land and Minerals Management. Before the mining plan can be approved, BLM and the
surface-managing agency (if other than BLM) must concur with this recommendation.
The CDMG enforces the performance standards and permit requirements during the
mine's operation and has primary authority in environmental emergencies. The OSM
retains oversight responsibility for this enforcement. The BLM has authority in those
emergency situations where CDMG or OSM inspectors cannot act before significant
environmental harm or damage occurs.
The information submitted in the coal lease modification application by Oxbow does not
constitute a formal underground mining permit application. It has been used in order to
develop an impact analysis. Its use is intended to illustrate one possible plan for
developing federal coal reserves on this tract. In addition, it does not imply that the
mining permit application developed from these preliminary plans would comply with the
regulations or be approved by the CDMG. Any plan which is ultimately submitted must
comply with all applicable state and federal regulations as described above before it can
be approved.
These applications are in compliance with the existing land use plan. The Uncompahgre
Basin Resource Management Plan~(RMP) was completed and approved in July, 1989.
The land use plan determined that the lands under application were to be managed for
both existing and potential coal development. The area is acceptable for coal
development and coal production could occur without conflicting other land uses with a
minimum of multiple use restrictions as described in the RMP.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION
The proposed action is to grant R/W COC-59584 for an underground tunnel system,
containing approximately 18 acres and to modify coal lease COC-53510 by adding
157.55 acres to the east end of the lease as requested by Oxbow.
There are two alternatives associated with this EA: Alternative One -the proposed
action is to modify coal lease COC-53510 and grant R/W COC-59584; Alternative Two,
the No Action Alternative is to deny the lease modification and R/W application. The
preferred alternative is to modify the lease and grant the R/W.
A. Alternative One -Proposed Action
The proposed action is to add 157.55 acres of federal coal to lease COC-53510
and grant the RNV for approximately 18 acres. The lease modification application "~"'~
contains an estimated 2.6 million tons of minable reserves and 766,000 tons of
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