Welcome to the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement (OSMRE) Colowyo Coal Mine, Collom Permit Expansion Area Project Mining Plan Environmental Assessment (EA) webpage. Here you will be able to view and download all documents relating to this EA in the Document Library.

AVAILABLE EA

The OSMRE is responsible for reviewing plans to conduct coal mining and reclamation operations on lands containing leased Federal coal. Pursuant to 30 CFR 746, the OSMRE must prepare and submit to the Secretary of the Interior a decision document recommending approval, disapproval or approving with condition(s) of the proposed mining plan modification.

Colowyo Coal Company, L.P. (Colowyo) operates the Colowyo Coal Mine, a surface coal mine located approximately 26 miles southwest of Craig, Colorado and 22 miles north-northeast of Meeker, Colorado, west of Colorado Highway 13/789 in southeast Moffat and northern Rio Blanco Counties, Colorado.

OSMRE has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA), which analyzes the potential environmental effects that may result from approval of the mining plan modification for Federal Leases COC-123475 01 and COC-68590. OSMRE concluded that there is one reasonable alternative, other than the Proposed Action and No Action alternatives, that would meet the agency’s purpose and need. Alternative B would authorize Colowyo to conduct surface coal mining on approximately 3,573 acres of previously undisturbed. Approximately 79.1 million tons of Federal coal will be extracted at an average annual production rate of 2.3 million tons per year and the maximum production rate of 5 million tons per year, extending the life of mine by 16-34 years (2033-2051).

OSMRE has also made available the FONSI for the approval of the mining plan modification which will allow Colowyo to continue operations. OSMRE determined that Alternative B does not constitute a major Federal action having significant effect on the human environment; therefore, an EIS is not required.