GENERAL44936 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• . 4. And, K approprfate, preparation for lease sale, holding of the lease sale and Issuance of the lease. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) has agreed to cooperate in preparing this Environmental Assessment (EA). In addition, OSM has Jurisdiction In recommending approval d any mining plan that mlgM result from BUrf's leasing derision. The Surface Mining Contrd and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) gives OSM primary responsibAfly to administer programs that regulate surface coal mining operations on federal lands and the surface effects of underground coal mining operations on federal lands. Pursuant to Section 503 d SMCRA, the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division (MEAD) developed, and the Secretary d the Interor approved, a permanent program authorizing Coorado MLRD to regulate surface coal mining operations and surface effects of underground coal mining on non-federal lands wfthin the State d Coorado. In September 1982, pursuant to Section 523(c) of SMCRA, Cdorado MLRD entered into a cooperate agreement wRh the Secretary d the Interior authorizing Cdorado MEAD to regulate surface coal mining operations and surface effects of underground mining on federal lands wtthin the state. Pursuant to the cooperatNe agreement, federal coal lease hdders In Colorado must submR permit application packages to OSM and Cdorado MEAD for proposed mining and reclamation operations on federal lands In the state. Cdorado MEAD reviews the packages to ensure that the pertnft application complies whh the pertnltting requirements and that the coal mining operation will meet the approved permanent program's environmental performance standards; I7 k does Comply, Cdorado MLRD Issues the lessee a state pertnft to conduct coal mining operations. OSM and other federal agencies review the pertnk appliption packages to ensure that it complies wkh the terms of the coal • ~ lease; the operation and reclamation requirements d the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as defined in SMCRA; the National Environmental Pdicy Act d 1969; and other federal laws and their attendant regulations. OSM recommends approval, approval with conditions, or disapproval of the mining plan contained in the packages to the Assistant Secretary -Land and Minerals Management BLM and the surface-managing agency (iF other than BEM) must concur with the recommendation based on their review of the pertnft application package. Coorado MLRD enforces the state and federal performance standards and permit requirements during the mine's operation and has primary authority in environmental emergencies. OSM oversees this enforcement BLM has authority In emergencies where Coorado MEAD or OSM inspectors cannot act before signifipnt enilronmental harm or damage occurs. Irtterelatbnshlo Whh Other PrQJects Western Fuel's Desersdo Coal Mine surface facilities are located about one and one-haM mAes southwest of the lease application area The underground mine Iles Immediately to the south and adjacent to the lease application tract. This mine Is expected to produce approximately 1.4 mAlkxt tons of coal per year and fe the fuel supply portion of the Bonanza Power Plant Protect The Deserado Mine is en ortgdng operation wfth a reserve base sufficient for production untA approximately the year 2010. Impacts resulting from mining pperatlons, surface facAhies, and railroad routes were addressed in the April 1981 Flrtal Ervironmental Impact Statement on the Moon Lake Power Plant Project, Unhs One and Two. Total surface disturbance associated with the Deserado Mine will be about 900 acres by 1995, and wll reach a maximum of 1,000 acres by 2005. Water use for the mine is 367 acre-feet/year, derived • from four alluvial wells drilled adjacent to the White RNer.