Forest Service delivers setback to coal mine expansion

By Dennis Webb
Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The U.S. Forest Service has reversed a previous decision that would help allow for expansion of the West Elk coal mine near Somerset into a roadless area.

However, while conservationists are praising the action by the agency’s Rocky Mountain Region office, the decision doesn’t close the door on the Forest Service eventually approving the expansion by Arch Coal.

The regional office has instructed the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest to reconsider the matter because it didn’t explain why existing coal lease stipulations designed to protect wildlife and other resources were eliminated or modified.

“It doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. It just means that further environmental analysis needs to occur based on the points that were appealed,” said Steve Segin, a spokesman for the Forest Service’s regional office.

Earthjustice had filed the appeal on behalf of the Sierra Club, High Country Citizens’ Alliance, WildEarth Guardians and Defenders of Wildlife. The mine expansion would entail building up to 48 well pads and 6.5 miles of roads into a roadless area to allow for drilling wells to vent methane, which is considered a potent greenhouse gas, the groups said in a news release today. Almost all of the 1,700-acre expansion would be in the Sunset Roadless Area.

“This is a win for Colorado’s forests and wildlife, streams and clean air,” Jeremy Nichols, climate and energy director for WildEarth Guardians, said in the release. “The Forest Service should protect these roadless lands and habitat by putting this damaging mine expansion plan to bed permanently.”

The Forest Service had approved the expansion just days after the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals had upheld the 2001 national roadless rule protections, which conservationists say should apply in this case.

The expansion also would have to receive state and U.S. Bureau of Land Management approval to go forward.