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Therefore we understand that these permitting processes and requirements can take some time in <br />order to ensure that impacts are assessed and appropriately mitigated. We also understand that <br />recent inquiries from stakeholders and citizen groups need to be addressed and evaluated. The <br />OSM WRCC indicated that the Elk Creek Mine Plan was recently forwarded to the Assistant <br />Secretary, Land and Minerals Management, Department of the Interior in Washington DC. <br />Given the significant amount of time and resources that have been expended in this effort, along <br />with the significant investment to be made in this mine expansion for the benefit of local <br />communities, we are asking the Interior Department to conduct an expeditious review and to <br />provide us an update on the status of such review of the Oxbow Elk Creek Mine Federal Mining <br />Plan Decision Document. This would help the State and other governmental entities better <br />prepare for the timing of any additional analyses or permitting that may be required. Any <br />insights that you can provide as to the timeline of your review and decision would be much <br />appreciated. As always, the State stands ready to assist, where appropriate, in any necessary <br />analyses or reviews. Given the significant impact that the down economy has had in many rural <br />areas of Colorado, including the North Fork Valley, we hope that the Department is making this <br />project a high priority. <br />Thank you for your attention. We look forward to your response and our continued work <br />together to allow for continued development of coal mining operations while protecting the <br />public and the environment and fulfilling the mandates of the Surface Coal Mine and <br />Reclamation Act. <br />Sincerely, <br />47 <br />John W. Hickenlooper <br />Governor <br />cc: Ken Salazar, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior <br />Al Klein, Regional Director, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement <br />Mike King, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources <br />Loretta Pineda, Director, Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, & Safety <br />James Eklund, Senior Deputy Legal Counsel, Colorado Governor's Office <br />James Cooper, President, Oxbow Mining LLC <br />Bob Hurst, Crestview Partners and Director, Oxbow Carbon LLC <br />