The Bureau of Land Management has decided to complete the more extensive environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Mid-Continent Quarry expansion near Glenwood Springs, the federal land agency announced Monday.
The BLM released the complete proposal for the quarry expansion being put forth by operators RMR Industrials after reviewing the plan for completeness for a third time.
This means that BLM can begin scheduling public hearings, and work on several studies that have to be completed before a final decision is reached.
RMR’s complete 260-page proposed expansion plan is now available online.
The BLM decided to do an EIS, instead of an environmental assessment, due to the significant impact of the proposed expansion, said David Boyd, spokesman for the Colorado River Valley Field Office.
The final plan generally follows previous drafts. RMR wants to operate the quarry 24 hours a day, but with crushing and hauling happening between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and blasting occurring between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
RMR’s goal is to remove 5 million tons of rock from the quarry per year for about 20 years.
Still, the first public comment process is “months away,” the BLM noted in a fact sheet that accompanied the latest decision. The BLM expects to hold public meetings in the late spring or summer of 2020.
Before the EIS process, several studies have to be completed, according to the fact sheet.
tphippen@postindependent.com