BLM Evaluating Coal Proposal in Las Animas County
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CAÑON CITY, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management, Royal Gorge Field Office is initiating the public scoping process for a Lease by Application (LBA) for federal coal adjacent to the New Elk Coal Mine in Las Animas County, Colorado.
This proposed lease of 1,279 acres holds approximately 15 million tons of coal below privately owned surface. The coal would be mined by underground mining methods with no surface disturbance.
This proposal would permit New Elk Coal to mine federally owned coal as part of their existing operation 26 miles west of Trinidad, Colorado. Access to federally owned subsurface coal would allow New Elk to more easily access privately and state owned coal they are currently permitted to mine.
“The Bureau of Land Management supports working landscapes across the west through multiple-use programs like coal mining. Public lands are managed to best serve present and future needs of the country, and we welcome public input on these proposals,” said BLM Royal Gorge Field Manager Keith Berger.
Before the BLM begins an environmental assessment (EA) of the LBA, it wants to hear about any issues or concerns the public would like to see addressed in the EA. The proposal, including maps, is available for review at https://go.usa.gov/xENMj and a copy is available for review at the Royal Gorge Field Office in Canon City.
A 15-day public scoping period is open from February 12, 2019 to February 26, 2019. During the scoping period, the public is invited to submit comments and to identify issues or concerns that the BLM should address in evaluating this proposal. Comments will only be accepted through the BLM ePlanning site, which can be found at https://go.usa.gov/xENMj.
Coal mines in Colorado generated $35 million in federal royalties in 2017. This revenue is split with the State of Colorado. Mining coal from BLM Colorado lands and minerals generated $742.5 million in total economic output in 2017.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or any other personal identifying information in your comments, please be aware that your entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may request BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public view, the BLM cannot guarantee it will be able to do so.
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.