BLM releases final environmental analysis on mineral materials sale proposal in Fremont County
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CAÑON CITY, Colo. – Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Royal Gorge Field Office released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) evaluating the proposed expansion of the Parkdale Quarry, west of Cañon City.
The Final EIS identifies the proposed action, Alternative A, as the BLM preferred alternative, which provides access to approximately 400 million net tons of aggregate on 700 acres of BLM lands. The aggregate will be used to produce asphalt and concrete, as well as railroad ballast.
In addition to identifying a preferred alternative, the EIS identifies additional project design features that apply to all alternatives in response to public and cooperating agency comments on the draft EIS. These design features avoid, reduce, or mitigate potential impacts to the land, air resources, water resources, and wildlife.
“The preferred alternative mitigates many of the visual impacts of the quarry expansion by using the existing topography as a visual barrier” said Royal Gorge Field Manager Keith Berger. “This alternative balances the impacts to scenery along Highway 50 with the public demand for aggregates throughout southern Colorado and beyond.”
The Final EIS is available for a public review until July 12. The Final EIS, maps, and more information can be found on the BLM ePlanning site at https://go.usa.gov/xy6tn.
In Fiscal Year 2018, non-energy minerals on BLM lands in Colorado generated approximately $194 million in economic output and supported 650 jobs.
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.