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State Opens Comment Period for Proposed Northfield Coal Mine

State Opens Comment Period for Proposed Northfield Coal Mine

The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety has released a proposed decision and findings of compliance on an application for the Northfield Coal Mine which would operate in the Chandler area near Williamsburg.

A copy of the division's proposed decision and findings is available for public review at the Fremont County Clerk's Office in the County Administration Building at 615 Macon Ave. in Canon City. A 30 day public comment period is now in effect.

Northfield Partners L.L.C. was granted a conditional use permit by the Fremont County Board of Commissioners one year ago and approval from the Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety is the final hurdle before the mine can begin preparations to operate. If Northfield plans to ship coal by rail they would return to the Board of Commissioners with another conditional use permit application that would specifically address conditions necessary to ship coal by rail.

The Commissioners approved its permit to allow mining by Northfield 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But trucking from the coal mine would be limited to Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The proposed mine is located a half mile west of the intersection of County Roads 11A and 79.

If the 30 day public comment period passes without objection, the division's final decision would become effective and a mine permit would be issued. Comments can be submitted in writing to the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, 1313 Sherman Avenue, Denver, CO 80203.