[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 249 (Friday, December 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 76516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-31146]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCOS05000 L51100000.GB0000 LVEMC12CC280]


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Federal 
Coal Lease Modifications COC-1362 and COC-67232 for the West Elk Mine 
Near Somerset, CO

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of 
the Record of Decision (ROD) for the West Elk Mine lease modifications 
underlying National Forest System (NFS) lands included in the Federal 
Coal Lease Modifications COC-1362 and COC-67232 Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS).

ADDRESSES: The document is available electronically on the following 
Web site: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Information/nepa/ufo.html. 
Paper copies of the ROD are also available upon request from the BLM 
Uncompahgre Field Office, 2465 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO 81401.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Desty Dyer, Mining Engineer; at 
970-240-5300. Mr. Dyer's office is located at the BLM Uncompahgre Field 
Office 2465 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO 81401. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above 
individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above 
individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ROD covered by this Notice of 
Availability (NOA) is for modification Federal coal leases in Gunnison 
County, Colorado, administered by the BLM Uncompahgre Field Office. The 
BLM approves Alternative 3, to modify Mountain Coal Company's existing 
Federal coal lease COC-1362 by adding 921 acres and the Ark Land 
Companies existing Federal coal lease COC-67232 by adding 800 acres at 
the West Elk Mine. The lease modifications are located approximately 7 
miles southeast of Somerset, Colorado, in portions of sections 10, 11, 
14, 15, 22 and 23 of T. 14S., R. 90W., 6th PM in Gunnison County, 
Colorado. The quantity of mineable coal in both lease modifications 
would likely extend the existing operations approximately 19 months 
beyond those currently approved within Federal leases and an additional 
16-17 months of mining coal on adjacent private lands could also be 
realized by access gained through the lease modification areas. The 
Environmental Protection Agency published a Federal Register notice 
announcing that the Final EIS was publicly available on August 10, 2012 
(77 FR 47839).
    The BLM's decision to offer the coal lease modifications is subject 
to appeal to the Interior Board of Land Appeals. Anyone wishing to 
appeal will have 30 days from this decision to appeal to the Board of 
Land Appeals, Office of the Secretary, in accordance with regulations 
at 43 CFR Part 4.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6.

Helen M. Hankins,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-31146 Filed 12-27-12; 8:45 am]
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