_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 (253)

Home Browse Search

The above lands are located within the boundaries of the White River National Forest and total approximately 5,800 acres. The portion of the Mid-Continent property conveyed to the United States will have a value equal to BLM Disposal Parcel 86 described above as determined by appraisals reviewed and approved by BLM and/or the Forest Service. To the extent necessary, either party may equalize the values by payment of cash. The amount of cash may not exceed 25 percent of the appraised value of the federal lands. Under the proposed exchange, the United States will acquire a portion (estimated to be 750-850 acres) of the Mid-Continent Resources Coal Basin property near Redstone in Pitkin County. The Forest Service has identified the Mid-Continent property as a high priority acquisition and is working with Mid-Continent Resources and Western Land Group, Inc. to acquire the entire property through a series of federal land exchanges. Mid-Continent is currently in bankruptcy. Under the Court-approved liquidation plan, 69W of the funds generated by the conveyance of the above-described lands will be used to pay for reclamation of mining areas on the Mid-Continent and adjoining National Forest System lands as required by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining, and the State of Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Minerals and Geology. ELM and the Forest Service are cooperatively processing the proposed land exchange. As part of the environmental analysis process, ELM and the Forest Service are inviting public comments regarding this proposed land exchange. The comment period will end on January 23, 1995. All questions and/or written comments should be sent to: Dennis Mouland, U.S. Forest Service, Sopris Ranger District, 620 Main Street, P.O. Box 309, Carbondale, CO 81623, (303) 963-2266. Sincerely, VETO J. LE Forest Supervisor Enclosure