GENERAL50821 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

i United States Forest Grand Mesa, 2250 Highway 50 USDA Department of Service Uncompahgre and Delta, CO 81416 Agriculture Gunnison Voice: 970-874-6600 National Forests TDD: 970-874-6660 File Code: 2820_4 RECEIVED Date: Mazch 14, 200~AR ~ 9 2007 Division of i'e'=l3mation, Mining and Safety NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT DEER CREEK SHAFT AND E SEAM METHANE DRAINAGE WELL PROJECT Deaz Interested Party: The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) and the BLM- Uncompahgre Field Office (BLM) have prepazed a draft environmental impact statement (Draft EIS) that discloses the effects of installing a ventilation shaft, methane drainage wells and access needs to support on-going underground coal mining activities at Mountain Coal Company's West Elk Mine. The GMUGs preferred alternative would approve surface operations associated with accessing, drilling, constructing, operating, and reclaiming 168 methane drainage wells on 137 drilling locations; construction, operation .and reclamation of one ventilation shaft and escapeway shaft; and construction, use, and appropriate decommissioning of about 23.8 miles of new and existing roads. This approval would contribute to having safe working conditions in the underground mine, and would facilitate safe and efficient recovery of leased federal coal reserves. The general legal description of lands involved is: ^ Deer Creek ventilation shafl/escapeway in NE'/4 Section 32, Township 13 South, Range 90 West, 6`h PM, ^ E seam methane drainage well development in Sections 26-29 and 32-35, Township 13 South, Range 90 West and in Sections 1-5, and 9-11, Township 14 South, Range 90 West, 6`h PM, The project area lies in Gunnison County, Colorado (approximately 7 to 10 miles east and northeast of Paonia, Colorado). The Draft EIS is enclosed for your review, and is being released for the 45-day public comment period according to 36 CFR 215.5. The opportunity to comment on the Drag EIS ends 45 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes of the Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register. The publication date of the NOA is the exclusive means for calculating the time to submit comments on the Draft EIS. Only those who submit timely comments will be accepted as appellants of the final decision. Comments are defined in 36 CFR 215.6(a)(3). Comments must be within the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the proposed action, and include supporting reasons for the Responsible Official to consider. Also, for appeal eligibility, each individual or representative from each organization submitting comments must either sign the comments or verify their identit}r upon request. u!s ~~ Caring for the Land and Serving People Printetl on Recycled Paper