HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Hearing Staff Report 08.04.820
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PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
PROJECT NAME: Colorado Lien Company
OWNER: Bureau of Land Management
LOCATION: Approximately 10 miles northeast
of Rifle, west of the Rifle Fish
Hatchery off State Highway 325.
SITE DATA: The affected area is a 40 acre
tract of land owned by BLM. The
actual mine site and processing
area would encompass approximately
26 acres.
PROPOSED ROADS: The applicant would haul by way of a
access road onto State Highway 325,
then to State Highway 13, and then
proceed to the respective destinations
either by way of State Highway 13 north,
or possibly through Rifle to I-70.
ADJACENT ZONING: North: A/R/RD
South: O/S
East: A/R/RD
West: A/R/RD
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL:
The applicant proposes to develop an open pit mine to extract high calcium limestone
and to crush and stockpile this product on a 26 acre parcel of BLM land. As
mentioned above, the product would be transported by State Highway 325 from the
site. The year-round employee count is expected to be eight miners. Five to
six of these employees would be seasonal; employees, living in temporary quarters.
The remaining employees would be permanent, and they are expected to live either
in Rifle of Glenwood Springs.
Colorado Lien's transport operations would be conducted 52 weeks per year, five
;days per week at an average of 384 tons per day. This would require approximately
16 round trips per day or 32 vehicle trips per day. Colorado Lien has proposed
certain provisions and guidelines by which they would transport their product.
The applicant has indicated that the hauling will take place as follows:
1. The applicant will coordinate with the Rifle school boards to ensure that
truck traffic will not oppose school bus traffic;
2. Truck length will be limited to 38 feet;
3. All safety requirements required by the State Department of Transportation
will be implemented, including:
a. Log books on drivers;
b. Regular physical inspection of all vehicles;
C. Limitation of driving hours to reduce accidents caused by fatigue.
4. Tacogra�hs will'be installed in all vehicles to monitor vehicle speed and
engine r.p.m. to provide additional checks on vehicle safety and speed
on highway;
5. Semi-annual reports will be made to Garfield County, including:
a. Number of citations issued to individual drivers, if any;
b. Number of motor vehicle accidents involving Colorado Lien drivers, if any;
c. Number of deer killed, if any;
d. Number of loads hauled per week;
e. Number of workers employed;
f. Monthly quarry output;
g. Any other relevant information requested by the County.
6. Drivers will be paid on a per hour salary rather than a per load hauled
basis in order to reduce incentive for high speed;
7. Truck traffic will be limited to the hours between 7:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.
during summer months and daylight hours in the winter. No loads will be
hauled after 3:00 P.M. Friday, on weekends, or on state or National Holidays.
8. Truck speeds will be restricted to posted speed limits. All trucks will be
equipped with Jake brakes;
9. Applicant will install two-way radios in trucks and school buses to facilitate
safety;
10. Blasting will be restricted to mid-day and warning signs will be posted giving
notice of actual blasting and the hours blasting will occur;
11. Dust control will be implemented on the crushing operation. Chip and seal will
be applied to the access road between the quarry and Highway 325. Sedimentary
procedures will be used between the quarry and Rifle Creek;
12. Applicant will cooperate with the State Highway Department to place signs
warning of ,heavy truck use on Highway 325 and other roads and highways used
within Garfield County;
13. Only legal loads will be hauled on Highway 325 and other roads and highways used
within Garfield County.
The life of the operation is seventy-five years.
PREVIOUS HISTORY OF THIS REQUEST
This application was first reviewed by the Garfield County Planning Commission in
August of 1980. The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions
(see copy of August 1980 minutes, pages 15,16. On September 22, 1980, the Garfield
County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on this request. This hearing
was continued until October 6, 1980, at which time the Board accepted further testimony.
The hearing was then closed, and a decision was scheduled for October 20, 1980. On
that date, the Garfield County Commissioners denied the application"by Colorado Lien
Company, due to the inadequacy of the road systems providing access for the mine
site, and due to the impact of this use and the resultant traffic on the recreational
facilities in the area.
Subsequent to this decision by the Board, Colorado Lien filed suit against the county.
However, when it was discovered that Colorado Lien had applied for the wrong type
of permit, (Special Use vs. Conditional Use), the lawsuit was withdrawn.
The county, in the meantime, had amended the zoning regulations to allow for a
determination of certain uses on public lands to be either special or conditional
uses, depending on the issue of Federal or State preemptive regulations in regard
to the specific proposals.
On April 5, 1982, the County Commissioners hedrd legal arguments from the County
Attorney and counsel for Colorado Lien in regard to the question of federal preemption
and whether this proposal constitutes a special use or a conditional use. On that
date, the County Commissioners made the decision that the Colorado Lien proposal
was a special use, and the project was referred to the Planning Commission.
Since that time, the applicant and the county have jointly employed a traffic
consultant to review the access route proposed by the applicant. Mr. Matt Delich,
the consultant, will present his findings to the Planning Commission at the August
11, 1982 meeting. A copy of his study is also enclosed.
STAFF COMMENTS:
1. Colorado Lien proposes to use State High4way 325 as its immediate access to the
mining area. The road presently cannot safely accommodate the type of heavy traffic
proposed by the applicant. This road is recognized by the Colorado State Highway
Department as being narrow and having numerous curves. The Department also acknowledges
that the road and structural base is not sufficient to carry the types of heavy
traffic projected for the mining operations. Improvements to this road are not
included in the Department's present five-year construction plan.
2. Colorado Lien proposes to limit its haul truck size to 38 feet in length. These
trucks would carry an average load of 76,000 pounds. Due to the existing winding
conditions of State Highway 325, and the narrow width of the road base, this type
of heavy industrial traffic would have a major impact on the safety of the recreational
and residential users of the highway.
3. In the traffic study it was noted that State Highway 325 had capacity to handle
the increased volume of traffic as generated by Colorado Lien. The consultant also
discussed safety improvements and vehicle specifications that need to be addressed
before State Highway 325 experiences increased taffic volumes.
However, one issue needs to be further stressed; that is, the structural (road base)
capacity of State Highway 325. As indicated, the State Highway Department is of
the opinion that the increased heavy haulage precipitated by Colorado Lien's proposal
Page 5
will cause further deterioration to the road base. It is the responsibility of the
Highway Department to maintain the roads as needed. Yet the State has indicated
that they do not have additional monies budgeted for improvements to the road;
and they have asked the county to "bear with them" in the time required for needed
road maintenance.
Because of the condition of State Highway 325, regardless of the many improve-
ments suggested by the traffic consultant, the actual structural condition of the road
base is of utmost importance. Lack of swift and adequate maintenance of any road
base deterioration decreases the safety of the road, and therefore, raises concerns
regarding the types of traffic which would likely precipitate this deterioration.
4. The environmental report supplement for the Union Shale Oil Upgrading plant and
truck loading facility noted that "Highway 13 from Rifle to the county line is already
over capacity and additional truck traffic will add to present over capacity.<< Although
not part of the existing 5 -year Capital Improvement Program of the Colorado Department
of Highways, the reconstruction of Highway 13 and addition of hill climbing lanes
to the road were suggested by the Colorado West Area Council of Governments as a
means of improving the road for projected traffic increases by the year 2000.
5' Recent traffic counts are showing an increase in usage of State Highway 325 over
previous years. The 1980 annual average daily county for State Highway 325
just north of its intersection with State Highway 13, showed 1050 vehicles per day.
The previous year indicated 900 vehicles per day. Increasing area populations
will further stimulate an increase in this traffic.
6. Tourism and recreation play major roles in the economy of Garfield County. In
the area of the mine site and along the applicant's proposed access route, there is
considerable public investment in numerous tourist and recreational facilities.
Those public facilities could experience substanti.�al adverse impacts as a result of mining
-nerations in such close proximity.
The Rifle Falls State Park and Rifle -Gap Reservoir Area had a visitor count of
148,026 in 1981. The Rifle Gap State Park had a visitor count of 166,,103 from
July 1979 to June 1980. The City of Rifle Mountain Park, north of the mine site,
also has substantial usage.
The Division of Wildlife has operated the Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery since 1954.
The Hatchery had an estimated count of over 30,000 visitors in 1981. The operators
indicated that slightly less than half of these visitors are from out of state.
To the best knowledge of the Wildlife Division, the Rifle Hatchery has the largest
trout production of any state or federal hatchery in the United States. It represents
a multi-million dollar operation that contributes to both the state and local economies.
The value of catchable and fingerling trout produced at the hatchery approaches
one half million dollars annually, generating a significant number of dollars for the
recreation industry.
7. The character of the land uses adjoining State Highway 325 can be characterized by
two distinct patterns. The land uses surrounding State Highiaay 325 from the Rifle Gap
Reservoir to the Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery is generally recreational in nature, with a
few residential units interspersed. The character of the southerly portion of State
Highway 325 has, in fact, been changing in recent years. Several residential developments
have been approved (Rifle Creek Estates) or are now in the review process (Rifle Creek
Ranch, Cedar Hills PUD) in this area.
8. The Garfield County Comprehensive Plan encourages industrial expansion where
similar development already exists in appropriate areas. The Plan also encourages
industrial development in areas where adequate transportation facilities are
available. Further, the Comprehensive Plan allows for the county to deny a project
based on inadequate road access which would lead to further deterioration of the road
and/or large daily traffic volumes.
The Compmehensive Plan addresses at length, the issue of compatibility of proposed
and existing uses. Specifically, it speaks to a proposal's "adverse impacts on the
desirability of the surrounding community," "alteration of the basic character of
adjacent land uses" and "impairment of the stability or value of adjacent or
surrounding properties."
REVIEW AGENCY COMMENTS:
1. State Highway Department indicated that the June 27 and July 30 comments still
apply: The road can handle increased traffic volume, but that State Highway 325 is
not structurally capable of handling the heavier truck traffic; and some deterioration
is to be expected (see pages 17 & 18 ).
PaFe 6
2, City of RIfle - the City recommends denial of this request until the access
limitations are corrected; see August 11, 1980 memorandum and resolution and
April 2, 1982 memorandum, pages 19gQ F 91
3. RE -2 School District indicated that the September 12, 1980 comments still appy:
Concerns in regard to the safety of the school children and residents, page 22
4. Bureau of Land Management- letter of April 1, 1982 indicated that the proposed
limestone is of metallurgical grade and is considered a locatable mineral. (See letter,
page 23 ).
5. Division of Wildlife- the Division of Wildlife is adamantly opposed to any activity
which would adversely impact the safety, security and overall operation of the Rifle
Falls Fish Hatchery or its personnel. The Division's opinion is that the Colorado
Lien project may do so; and they therefore, request that an alternate quarry site
be selected (see April 21, 1982 letter, pages 24 & 25 ),
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
6. March 29, 1982 letter and addendum from Allen A. Schaefer -opposed to the project,
see letter, page s 26-28
7. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Jewell -opposed to the project, see letter pages 29 - 32 ,
8. May 10, 1982 letter from Reg Thurlow-concerns regarding possible damage to
springs and ponds on his property. See letter page 33
9. May 10, 1982 letter from the Economic Development Committees of the Rifle Area
Chamber of Commerce- encourages Colorado Lien to consider alternative access routes,
and supports the appplicant's proposal to establish an operation in the Rifle area.
See letter, page 34
RECOMMENDATION:
Denial, due to the incompatibility with the existing recreational and residential uses
in the area, the potential impact on the stability and value of the existing surrounding
and due to the present inability of the roa system to safely handle the types of traffic
proposed by this application. I
2
8'
Page 7
EXi:,Lil B
the Buresu of Land F'anaae cnt will be afforded an oppertunity to review
and corrment on the following types of applications or proposals that
may be filed with Garfield County:
1. Subdivision or mobile home parks within one mile of Public
lands or that may impact Public Lands.
2. Roads, power lines, pipelines, telephone lines, and similar
rights-of-way.
3. Dams, diversions, ditches, and similar water development
or conveyance facilities. '
4. Solid waste disposal sites and sewage treatment sites
within one mile of Public Lands or that may impact Public
Lands.
5. Sand and gravel permits.
6. Any mineral developments on private lands.
-_ �n-,s...-��... _ ._ ._ _ -^ _.... _. l� -.^-. �- Yom.^-•-�. t - .m -r^ .. �,-e.-..�..�._1�_ -�^vr +. -.+r++�. �+^.� '- _
;'I 1,NNING t7EPARTIAENT
GLENWOuD 5,'RINGS, COLORADO E31501
2014 BLAKE AVENUE
t
August 9, 1982
Matt Delich
31114 Banyan Avenue
Loveland, CO 80522
Dear Matt:
PHONE 945-8212
This is to confirm that Colorado Lien's public hearing with the
Board of County Commissioners is scl,^duled for Monday, August 23, 1982
at 1:30 P.M. This hearing will be held at the Garfield County
Commissioner's Annex, across the street from the Courthouse in
Glenwood Springs.
If you have any questions, please give me a call.
Sincerely,
ro---Z�
Terry L. Bowman
Planner
TLB:lw
AMERICAN
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BOX 13109 RIFLE,
November 4, 1982
Jim Drinkhouse
County Commissioner
Garfield County Colorado
Dear Jim,
81650 PH. 303.35-3399
Just a quick note to voice my opposition to a limestone
quarry near the Rifle Fish Hatchery. Not because I am opposed
to the idea of industry in this area, but because of the danger
involved on the road to and from the proposed quarry.
As a frequent traveler through the Rifle Gap State Recreation
Area, and the Rifle Mountain Park, I am acquainted with the
narrowness of the road that connects the two. I have no desire
to be driving my camper around one of the blind curves on that
road and meet a fully loaded, 18 wheel truck. I have a young son
that needs me as he grows up.
I am fully convinced that it would be of serious danger to
residents who travel the road much more than I do for the
Commisioners or the courts to allow that quarry to be put in
without substantial improvement to the only road connecting the
quarry and highway 13.
jarry,
inc rely,
housetat' n Planager
OIL SHALE BROADCASTING COMPANY - C.N. PRICE - PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER
P.O. Box 640
0 GARFIELD COUNTY
COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81602-0640
TO: Dennis Stranger, Planning Director
FROM: Earl G. Rhodes, County Attorney
DATE: August 4, 1982
SUBJECT: Legal Opinion in Regards to the Application of the Colorado
Lien Company
I. INTRODUCTION
Phone 945-9158
You have asked my opinion in regards to the status of the application of the
Colorado Lien Company, and specifically, whether said application is for a
conditional or special use permit.. You need to be advised that on April 5,
1982, a public hearing was held in front of the Garfield County Board of County
Commissioners. At the conclusion of that hearing the Board ruled that the
application was a special use permit. The effect of that ruling was to make a
referral to the Garfield County Planning Commission of the matter, in
accordance with Section 9.03.04 of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of
1978. The Board's decision was based in part upon a memorandum of law which I
prepared for the Board dated March 23, 1982. A copy of this memo in whole is
attached hereto.
By way of conclusion, it is my position that
pre-emption is applicable under the facts of
pursuant to Section 3.09.01 of the Garfield
Colorado Lien application can be treated as
permit. This is what the Board decided in i
II. HISTORY OF THE CASE
neither state or federal
the Colorado Lien application, and
County Zoning Resolution, the
an application for a special use
is April 5, 1982 meeting.
The above application is the second application
permit. The first one was filed in the fall of
of County Commissioners denied the application u
applicant was applying for a special use permit.
since at the time of application the appropriate
conditional use permit, which under our zoning r
have had the authority to deny. The discovery o
litigation between the applicant and the county,
basic defect in the jurisdiction of the Board.
by Colorado Lien for a land use
1980. At that time the Board
pon the assumption that the
This was a factual error,
permit would have been a
egulation the Board would not
f this error terminated
since there appeared to be a
In 1981 the applicable part of the zoning resolution, (Section 3.09.01) was
amended so that in the open space zone district an activity could either be
special or conditional, based upon the question of the extent of county land
use authority. This zoning resolution acknowledges the existence of the
doctrine of federal pre-emption of county land use authority, and simply states
that to the extent that the county recognizes that doctrine, the county may
condition the issuance of a land use permit but not deny it. As stated above,
the Board of County Commissioners has determined that the federal doctrine is
not applicable in the instant case, and therefore, has stated his desire to a
certain maximum land use authority over the application.
• 0
III. FEDERAL PRE-EMPTION
As you are no doubt aware, substantial acreage in Garfield County is owned by
the federal government, and as to these lands, private parties have certain
vested rights in terms of the location and extraction of commercial mineral
deposits. State law and state police power extend over the federal public
domain unless pre-empted by the authority of the federal government. Further,
there appears to be a conflict between federal regulations and state and local
regulations regarding public land state and local regulations must give way
(Ventura County vs. Gulf Oil Corporation, 601 F.2d 1080).
Certain tests have been used to determine the presence of a pervasive federal
regulatory scheme. The rights of the applicant are under the 1872 Mining Act,
which is characterized by an absence of federal regulation. In the instant
case, the applicant has been unable to show that it operates by means of either
a permit from the federal government or contract. The applicant has submitted
a mining operations plan to the Bureau of Land Management, but because of the
size of the applicant's operation, that plan does not trigger approval from any
federal agency. Two other aspects of the federal involvement in this'case
indicate that there is no federal pre-emption. One is the BLM's agreement with
Garfield County which provides for the BLM's recognition of county land use
authority. The second is a statement of policy in the National Envirolulental
Policy Act (42 USC 4371) which provides that environmental concerns are to be
carried forward by means of state and local governments.
In essence, it is my position that federal and county regulations are not in
conflict but are concurrent. By this I mean that the object of the regulations
are different, and therefore, are not in conflict.
IV. STATE PRE-EMPTION
The applicant has argued that Garfield County has no authority over its
proposed operation since the applicant's mining operations are governed by the
Colorado State Mine Land Reclamation Board. This argument is contradictory to
the applicant's argument as to federal pre-emption, since the authority of the
State Mine Land Reclamation Board is the same source as the authority for the
county zoning authority. Analagous to my position as to federal pre-emption,
it appears to me that the object of county zoning, particularly in regards to
off -side impacts, is different than the purpose of the Mine Land Reclamation
Board. The purpose of the state action is to ensure the reclamation of the
site upon the ceasing of operations. The purpose of the county zoning
resolution is to determine the appropriateness of the use in accordance with
the uses of the neighborhood and the impact of the use upon the public health,
safety, and welfare. Since the Colorado statute expressly provides that the
Mine Land Reclamation Board shall not grant a permit in violation of a county
zoning resolution, it appears to be the intent of the legislature to provide
for concurrent jurisdiction of two different regulatory bodies.
0 0
V. CONCLUSION
On April 5, 1982, the Board of County Commissioners made a referral of the
subject application to the Garfield County Planning Commission. At that time
it was expressly declared by the Board that said application was a special use
permit. The purpose of the Planning Commission review is to consider the
criteria set forth in the Garfield County Zoning Resolution which are
applicable to this industrial activity, and make a recommendation to the Board
as to approval, approval with conditions, or denial. It is not appropriate for
the applicant to argue to the Planning Commission the question of whether the
use is conditional or special. In any case, it is my opinion that under the
present state of law, the County can view the applicant's use as a special use
under the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978.
EGR/tb
Attachments
Dictated, but not read.
GARFIELD COUNTY
COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
P.O. Box 640 Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81602-0640 Phone 945-9158
MEMORANDUM OF LAW
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Earl G. Rhodes, County Attorney
DATE: March 23, 1982
SUBJECT: Application of Colorado Lien Company
I. INTRODUCTION
By letter dated Yebruary 9, 1982; the attorney for the Colorado
Lien Company has made application for.a land use permit for its
operations in the East Rifle Creek area off of Colorado Highway
325. Attached to this memo and marked exhibit "A" is the legal
position of the Colorado Lien Company, which has been forwarded
to the County Attorney's office for review. The purpose of this
memo is to respond to that statement of legal authority, and to
indicate to the Board the general parameters of the Board's
authority as to the two issues raised by the attorney for the
Colorado Lien Company: 1) Whether there is Federal pre-emption
of County land use authority as a result or a mining claim under
the 1872 mining act; and 2) whether State regulation of mining
activity pre-empts County land use authority... By way of
conclusion, it is the position of the County Attorney that
neither State nor Federal pre-emption is applicable upon the
facts as set forth by the Colorado Lien Company, and therefore,
pursuant to §3.09.01 of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution,
that the Colorado Lien Company's application can be treated as
an application for special use permit. The implication of this
conclusion is that the Board has the power to deny this applica-
tion if it deems that appropriate.
II. HISTORY OF THE CASE
On September 22, 1980, this Board held public hearings in regards
to the first application of the Colorado Lien Company for a
limestone quarrying operation immediately to the west of the
State fish hatchery off of State Highway 325 in the East Rifle
Creek area. The matter was then continued until October 6, 1980,
and the Board announced its decision on October 20, 1980.
Subsequent to the announcement of the Board's decision, the
applicant, Colorado Lien Company, brought suit in State District
Court to challenge the denial of its application. After legal
proceedings had gone on for some time, it was determined that
an error had been made by both the applicant and the County Staff,
Memo to Board
March 23, 1982
Page 2
which error was that the permit which was applied for was a
conditional use as opposed to a special use. As you are
aware, under our zoning system the Board does not have the
authority to deny a conditional use, whereas, it does have
the authority to deny special use. Based upon the discovery
of this error, the lawsuit was dismissed and the Colorado
Lien Company has made application for a land use permit. At
this time, the applicant is arguing that a conditional land
use permit is appropriate here fcr the argument stated in the
introductory section above.
Subsequent to the discovery of the error mentioned above,
§3.09.01 was amended by resolution #81-145 so that in the
open space zone district an activity may either be a special
or a conditional use based upon the question of the extent.
of the County land use authority. Marked as exhibit "B" is
the verbatim language of this section. In summary, when the
Board determines that it does not have the power to deny a
land use application because the Federal government has
pre-empted the County's land use authority, the application
is treated as a conditional use application. Where the Board
determines that there has been no pre-emption, such activities
are treated as special eases. The purpose of this memo is to
outline for the Board what the Doctrine of Federal Pre-emption
is and how the specifics of this case relate -to that legal
theory.
III. STATE PRE-EMPTION OF COUNTY LAND USE AUTHORITY
Before reaching the question of Federal pre-emption, it is
appropriate to consider the issue raised by the applicant of
whether the County's land use authority has been pre-empted
by the State of Colorado, as a result of the activities of
the Mine Land Reclamation Board. As the Board may be aware,
this issue is presently in the Courts, as a result of the
decision of the Boulder District Court Judge in the C&M Gravel
case (80CV1359-2) in which case, on December 18, 1981, Judge
Richard Dana ruled that the County has no land use authority
as to the location of a gravel pit. By way of conclusion,
the County Attorney's research indicates that Judge Dana's
opinion is incorrect, as well as the stated position of the
applicant, Colorado Lien Company, since both by tradition,
and by legal interpretation, there is no conflict between the
County's land use authority and the authority of the State
Mine Land Reclamation Board.
Prior to discussing what authority the State has delegated to
the Mine Land Reclamation Board, it is good to remember that
the County's land use authority also comes from the State.
Memo to Board
March 23, 1982
Page 3
Although the manifestation of that authority is regulations.
enacted by the County, the authority to enact these regulations
was promulgated by the State Legislature in §30-28-101 et seq.
C.R.S. 1973, as amended. Thus, the County's land use authority
does not spring from any inherent power in the County, but as
a delegation of the responsibility from the State of Colorado.
The sound reason for this is the determination that the Counties,
which exists for the convenient administration of State government,
are in a better position to make land use decisions than the State
government itself. Thus, it is incorrect to characterize local
regulations as being supported only by local authority since these
regulations have been expressly authorized by the State of Colorado.
On pages four through six of.the applicant's legal position paper,
the applicant argues that there is comprehensive State legislation
of the mining field, and therefore, no room for the County to
exercise its State given land use authority. A.reading of the
statute indicates no such legislative intent, and in fact, exactly
the opposite: express recognition of the County's land use
authority. To begin with, the applicant's reliance upon the
Preservation of Commercial Mineral Deposits Act, §34-1-301 et seq.
.(applicant's legal position paper, page 5).is misplaced for two
reasons: 1) That act is not applicable to Garfield County, since
its population is less than 65,000 [see §34-1-302 (3) ], and 2) The
act defines at. §34-1-302(1) a commercial mineral deposit to
include "a natural mineral deposit of limestone used for
construction purposes." In the last hearing in regards to this
application, the applicant indicated that the purpose of its
limestone was for a chemical to be used in scrubbing devices at
the Craig power plant. This could not reasonably be included in
the definition of "for construction purposes." Thus, the
applicant's reliance upon the Commercial Mineral Deposits Act
is misplaced, and to the extent that the Judge in the C&M
Gravel case also relied heavily upon this act, the applicant's
reliance upon that case is not well founded.
The applicant is correct in that its activities would be governed
by the Colorado Mine Land Reclamation Act at §34-32-101 et seq.,
C.R.S. 1973, as amended. However, the applicant stretches beyond
reasonable understanding of the intent of that act-, when it interprets
that act to exclude local land use authority. It is clear from
reading the act that its intent is to cover the operation of
mining activity, and specifically, the reclamation of land
consumed by that activity. The language of the statute does not
give the Mine Land Reclamation Board any authority over off-site
impacts or the relationship of the mining activity to other uses
in the neighborhood of the proposed mining site. This is made
clear by the definition of mining operation in §34-32-103(8),
Memo to Board
March 23, 1982
Page 4
where "transportation, and other off-site operations not
conducted on affected land" are expressly not included
within this definition. Both the name of the act and the
name of the Board contain the word reclamation, and the
general intent of the statute is to govern reclamation
activities on-site. At page five of its legal position
paper the applicant states "Garfield County does not have
authority to demand a special use permit of this applicant
because of C.R.S. 1973 §34-32-105'(6)." The applicant then
quotes accurately from this section, but then fails to
point out to the Board the next sentence of :he section
which is crucial to the Board's authority in this area.
The next sentence reads:
"However, the Board (Mine Land Reclamation Board)
shall not grant a permit in violation of city,
town, county, or city and county zoning or
subdivision regulations or contrary to any
master plan for extraction adopted pursuant to
§34-1-304, unless a prior declaration of intent
to change or waive the prohibition is obtained
by the applicant from the affected government
subdivisions."
Reading this section as a whole, it is clear that Garfield
County could not issue a permit for mining activities in
contravention of State law, but it is equally clear that
no State permit for mining activities will be issued without
the approval of the affected government subdivision. By
failing to point this out to the Board, the applicant has
badly misconstrued the intention of the statute.
No doubt this Board and the applicant are both aware that
as a matter of practice, the Mine Land Reclamation Board
will not issue its permit in contravention of County land
use authority. Marked as exhibit "C" and attached hereto
is a letter dated October 2, 1980, from Monte Pascoe,.
Executive Director of the State of Colorado Department of
Natural Resources. In summary, this letter gives an
administrative interpretation of the statute, which has the
same effect as the literal language of the statute itself.
This is that the County does not have the authority to issue
permits for mining or for reclamation, but the State Board
will not issue its permit in violation of County zoning
authority.
From the above, it is clear that there is no comprehensive
State regulation of mining with the intent of excluding
LJ
Memo to Board
March 23, 1982
Page 5
•
County land use authority. Rather, the State system contains
regulation of specific areas deemed to be of State interest.
Both because of the existence of State statutory authority
for local land use control, and ex-olicit references in the
statute that mining permits will not be issued in violation
of County zoning, it simply cannot be said there is State
pre -emotion of mining activities from local control.
IV. FEDERAL PRE-EMPTION
As the Board is aware, Garfield County contains 719,747 acres
of property, the surface of which is owned by the United States
Government, and additional acreage in which the minerals are
reserved to the United States Government. As to these lands,
there is concurrent jurisdiction of both County land use
regulation and Federal proprietary management systems. It is
an established principle of law that State law and State police
power extend over the Federal public domain within its boundaries
until pre-empted, and only to the extent pre-empted by Federal
law. Texas Oil and Gas Corp. vs..Phillips Petroleum Company,
(Western District Okla. 1967) 277 F. Suon. 366 Aff'd (10th
Cir. 1969), 406 F.2d 1303; State of Idaho Ex Rel. Andrus vs.
Click, 554 P.2d 969 (Idaho, 1976). In.a:recent Colorado Case
the principle has been established that tr.e Federal government
must be responsive to local land use concerns. See City and
Countv of Denver vs. Bergland, 517 F. Supp. 155 (1981).
It is well established in the law that where conflicts arise
between Federal regulations and State and local regulations
regarding public land, the latter are pre-empted. Kleppe vs.
New Mexico, 426 U.S. 529, 96 S. Ct. 2285, 49 L. Ed. 2d 34 (1976);
Ventura Company vs. Gulf Oil Corporation, 601 F.2d 1080 (9th
Cir. 1979), Aff'd 445 U.S. 947, 100 S. Ct. 1593, 63 L. Ed. 2d
782 (1980). However, it is not self-evident that there is any
inherent conflict between County land use authority and a
Federal mining claim based upon the 1872 mining law, as is
asserted by the applicant.
"It is often a perplexing question whether congress has precluded
State action, or by the choice of selective regulatory measures
has left the police power of the State undisturbed, except as
the State and Federal regulations collide. Rice vs. Sante Fe
Elevator Corporation, 331 U.S. 218, 67 S. Ct. 1146, 91 L. Ed.
1447 (1947)." However, four tests have been developed to
determine pre-emption:
1) The intent of congress, as revealed by the
statute in its legislative history.
•
Memo to Board
March 23, 1982
Page 6
0
2) The pervasiveness.of the Federal regulatory scheme.
3) The nature of the subject matter regulated, and
whether it demands exclusive Federal regulation.
4) Whether, under the circumstances of a particular
case, State law stands as an obstacle to the
accomplishment of the purpose established by
congress.
It should be noted that in applying these tests, the pre-emption
should not be found unless "the act of congress, fairly
interpreted, is in actual conflict with the law of the.State."
Huron Portland Cement Company vs. City of Detroit,.Michigan,
362 U.S. 440, 80 S. Ct. 813, 4 L. Ed. 2d 852 (1960).
Applying the first test above, it is clear that the intent of
the 1872 Mining Act was to provide for the development of the
mineral resources of the country. However, there is no
express declaration that State regulation is to pre-empted,
and in fact, there is express references to local law;.
"...all valuable mineral deposits and lands belonging
to the United States ... shall be free and open to.
exploration and purchase... under regulations
prescribed -by law, and according -o the local
customs or rules of miners in the several mining
districts, so far as the same are applicable and
not inconsistent with the laws of the United States."
30 U.S.C. Sec. 22,
Several cases have recognized that "nothing in the (Mining
Law of 1872) or its legislative history (indicates) an attempt
to pre-empt State regulation. Indeed the Federal statute
specifically recognizes the State's right to impose additional
requirements in some areas." Click,Supra;.see also O'Donnel
vs. Glen, 8 Montana 248, 19 P. 302, 306 (1888); see also
Butte City Water Company vs. Baker_, 196 U.S. 119, 123-124,
49 L. Ed. 409, 411 (1905).
Applying the second test, the Mining Law of 1872 is to be
noted by its absence of regulation as opposed to a pervasive
regulatory scheme. This is very important, since this allows
the instant case to be distinguished from the Ventura case
which is based upon the Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920,
which is a much more comprehensive legislative scheme. In
this regard, the language of the Garfield County Zoning
Resolution, §3.09.01 is significant since it is the duty of
the Board to determine whether the applicant operates by means
of a permit or contract with the Federal government. In the
instant case, the applicant merely has a claim, the use of which
•
Memo to Board
March 23, 192
Page 7
does not require compliance with any Federally imposed conditions.
This is the essence of the distinction between this matter and
the drilling operation in the Ventura case.
Marked as exhibits "D" and "E" and attached hereto are memorandum
of understanding between Garfield County and the Bureau of Land
Management, United States Department.of Interior. These agree-
ments govern cooperation between the two entities in regards to
land use matters on public lands. In exhibit "E", II, section h.
the memorandum of understanding states:
"To the maximum extent possible (the parties) agree
that no lease, grant, or other conveyance of public.
land shall exempt such lessee, grantee,.or other
conveyee from compliance with County land use
plans, laws, or regulations which are or may be
in effect as of the date of the lease, grant,
or other conveyance."
In that the Bureau of Land Management is a responsible Federal
entity for the property of interest to the applicant, this
section is significant for giving the administrative interpretation
as to local land use authority. Simply put, the above section
indicates that the Bureau of Land Management will recognize
the County authority unless its actions pie-empt the field.
In the instant case, were a mining claim is involved, the
Bureau of Land Management has issued no permits or contracts
and has imposed no conditions on the operation of the applicant.
Thus, according to section h. above, the Bureau of Land
Management would respect the County's land use authority over
the subject matter.
The third test above is that of national uniformity of the
Federal legislation. In regards to this, it cannot be denied
the State and local governments are vitally interested in the
management of their natural resources. Indeed, congress is
recognized in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969,
(NEPA), that the primary responsibility for implementing an
environmental policy rests with State and local governments,
42 U.S.C. §4371 (b)(2); see also 42 U.S.C. §4331 (a). Also
the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 as recognized
the rule of local governments in Federal decision-making.
See 43 U.S.C. §1765. Thus, given the references in the
1872 mining law to local custom and the more recent Federal
legislation, it cannot be said the national uniformity
is presently an imperative objective of the mining laws.
Memo to Board
March 23, 1982
Page 8
The fourth test stated above is whether under the circumstances
of a particular case, the application of State law is an
obstacle to the accomplishment of the purposes set forth by'
Congress. It is to be admitted that the 1872 mining law was
prompted mainly by hopes of economic development. Click, Supra,
976. However more recent legislation has tempered this one-
sided policy. At 42 U.S.C. 4371, the National Environmental
Policy Act declares:
"(b)(1) There is a national policy for the .
environment which provides for the enhancement
of environmental quality. This policy is
evidenced by statutes heretofore enacted
relating to the prevention, abatement, and
control of environmental pollution, water
and land resources, transportation, and
economic and regional development. (2) The
primary responsibility for implementing this
policy rests with the State and local
governments."
Given the above, Garfield County zoning regulations are consistent
with, and not contrary to, the objectives and purposes of Congress.
Further, the requirement for a County land use permit does not
preclude mineral development, although it .may make it more difficult.
Therefore, since the regulatory scheme is not an absolute bar to
development, it cannot be said that its application to the instant
case is such as to thwart the purposes of Congress.
The above analysis strongly suggests that there is no Federal
pre-emption in regards to claims filed on Federal property under
the 1872 mining law. This conclusion is strongly buttressed by
the applicant's failure to recognize that it willingly submits
itself to the jurisdiction of the Mining Land Reclamation Board,
and yet argues the local zoning authority, which is also derived
from the State, is precluded by Federal pre-emption. From the
point of view of Federal pre-emption, the authority of the Mine
Land Reclamation Board stands in no better position than the
County's land use authority. It seems obvious that the purposes
of the Mine Land Reclamation Board, as well as local zoning, are
compatible with the Federal legislation, since each is directed
toward a different purpose, and that the applicant must comply
with all laws, Federal, State and local, in order to undertake
its operation.
EGR/tb
EXHIBIT A
41
LEGAL POSITION OF COLORADO LIEN COMPANY
Garfield County Does Not Have The Authority Under Its Zoning
Ordinance To Deny Colorado Lien Its Right To Mine Limestone
On Federal Mining Claims.
I. Introduction.
Sec. 3.09 of the Garfield County Zoning Ordinance
provides that unless included within another zone district
all land owned by the United States Government shall be
within the Open/Space district. Sec. 3.09.01 provides for
the following uses with-in-the-open/Space district:
Uses, special or conditional: Extraction, pro-
cessing, fabrication, and storage of natural
resources and agricultural materials; water
impoundments; sanitary landfills; aircraft landing
strips; and utility facilities; recreational
support facilities.
The above uses shall be governed by a special use
permit which shall be approved by the County
Commissioners as provided for in this Zoning
Resolution; except that where the authority for
said use arises from a specific contract or permit
with the U.S. Government for the use of property
owned by that government, then that use shall be a
conditional use, upon which the County Commissioners
may impose conditions necessary to protect the
health, safety .and welfare of the people of
Garfield County, provided that said conditions do
not directly conflict with.the federally imposed
regulatory scheme. The procedure for obtaining
such conditional use permit shall be that prescribed
for any use otherwise authorized by conditional
use permit.
The above form of Sec. 3.09.01 was adopted by the Board
of County Commissioners by Resolution on August 24, 1981.
This section is an effort by Garfield County to utilize the
zoning power to regulate to the fullest legal extent the
enumerated uses on federal lands. It establishes a permit
program whereby'a use is a special use if in the mind of the
Commissioners they have the authority �to altogether deny the
use but only a conditional use if the Commissioners may only
condition the use -to protect -the public health, safety and
welfare. It is a clear recognition that by virtue of con-
flicting statutory schemes Garfield County may have the
authority to re ulatel2 use but not to ultimately determine
if the use can occur. -
II. Garfield County Is Precluded From Applying Its Special
Use Provisions To The Instant Application Because Of The
Relationship Between The Federal Government And The Applicant.
The real property which is the subject of this appli-
cation is' owned by the United -States Bureau of Land Management.
The applicant, Colorado Lien Company, is the owner of the
substance to be mined and has the legal right to enter the
property by virtue of valid mining claims filed pursuant to
the general mining laws of the United States, 30 USC 21, et
seg. These statutes establish the federal government's
intent to solely determine the existence of mining activities
on federal land and thus preclude Garfield County from
denying the applicant a permit to conduct its proposed
mining activity.
Thergeneral mining laws of the United States, 30 USC
21, et seg., establish a scheme whereby public lands containing
valuable minerals are subject to location and entry by the
l/ Sec. 3.09.01 of the Zoning Ordinance states on its face
that -uses on federal government property are conditional
where the authority for such use arises from a specific
contract or permit with the U. S. Government. We submit
that while this language recognizes to some degree the
limitations placed upon local governmental authority by
conflicting federal and state laws, it is not an accurate
enunciation of the full extent of the limitations imposed by
the doctrine of preemption and is therefore unlawful.
Similarly, we note other legal deficiencies in the language
of Sec. 3.09.01 but do not advance them here, reserving,
however, our right to raise them in a more appropriate forint.
-2-
permit than was presented in Brubaker v. Board of County
Commissioners of El Paso County, Ng .81SA186, now pending
before the Colorado Supre-me.Court. . In this case there is
no question about the legitimacy of the applicant's claim to
valuable mineral lands. Applicant has the exclusive right
of possession and enjoyment of its claims, 30 USC 26, and it
is obligated to perform work upon the claim or forfeit.it,
30 USC 28. See also 43 CFR 3850. For Garfield County to
prohibit the applicant from mining by denying a special use
permit is to not only unlawfully interfere with a preemptive
federal statutory scheme but also to deprive the applicant
of valid property rights without compensation.
For the foregoing reasons, it is clear that Garfield
County does not have the authority to deny applicant the
right to mine limestone on its federal mining claims. Under
the current languFge of Sec. 3.09.01 of the Garfield County
Zoning Ordinance, therefore, applicant's proposed use is a
conditional use which can only be reasonably regulated by
the Commissioners.
III. Garfield County Cannot Demand A Special Use Permit Of
Ap_plica- nE-Because The Area -Of Mining -Regulation Has Been
Preempted By State Law And The Permit Requirement Is Prohibited
By C.R.S. 1973 34-32-109(6).
Sec. 3.09.01 of the Garfield County Zc;ning Ordinance,
while recognizing the doctrine of preemption as applied to
federal law, does not acknowledge that local government
regulations can also be preempted by a state statutory
scheme. Bennion v. Denver, 180 Colo. 213, 504 P.2d 350_
(1972); Givigliano v. Veltri, 180 Colo. 10, 50.1 P,2d 1044
(1972). Thus, where the state has provided a comprehensive
scheme to regulate the field, a county does not have authority
to promulgate regulations which in any way contradict the
state legislation. In Colorado, mining is such a field.
Applicant agrees with the appellant in Brubaker that
even in the circumstances there presented the District Court
of El Paso County was incorrect in affirming the County
Commissioners' denial.of the special use permit. -
-4-
The mined Land Reclamation Act (MLRA), C.R.S. 1973 34-
32-101, et seq., and the Preservation of Commercial Mineral
Deposits Act, C.R.S. 1973 34-1-301, et sem., present a
comprehensive, pervasive legislative scheme to regulate
mining in Colorado, from the discovery of the mineral to
the reclamation of the land after completion of extraction.
Both statutes proclaim that the regulation of mining is of
state-wide concern. The statutes together establish a
state-wide program for all stages of mining and the issuance
of permits therefor.
The MLRA creates the Mined Land Reclamation Board
(MLRB) to which every mine operator must make application
for a permit, 34-32-109, and which is the only arm of the
state which has the authority.to issue a permit for mining,
34-32-109(b). The MLRA thus creates a single state agency
which is charged with permitting all mining throughout the
state. Such state-wide regulation over an -area declared.to
be of state-wide concern is classic preemptive legislation.
In the face of such state legislation, Garfield County is
without the power to impose contradictory regulations.
Yet, this is exactly what Garfield County has attempted
to do by demanding special use permits of mining operations.
The County is attempting to .superimpose another permit
system upon a state-wide system which specifically provides
that no state entity except the MLRB has authority to demand
a permit. Again, Garfield County has attempted to give
itself a power of determination where only a power of
reasonable regulation exists. Garfield County does not have.
the power to demand a special use permit of this applicant
.because the area of permitting mines has been preempted by
state statute. See, C & M Sand & Gravel Co. V. Board of
County Commissioners of the Countv of Boulder, 80CV1359-2,
December 18, 1981.
More specifically, Garfield County .does not have the
authority to demand a special use permit of this applicant
because of C.R.S. 1973 34-32-109(6). That section provides:
"No governmental office of the state, other than the Board,
nor any political subdivision of the state shall have
authority to issue a permit.or to require any performance or
financial warranty of any kind for mining operations." By
requiring a special use permit of mining operators,
-5-
0 0
Garfield County has attempted to assume the ultimate mining
authority granted to the MLRB by this statute.' In other
words, Garfield County has attempted to place itself in a
position of greater authority than the 1LRB - a position
where Garfield County, not the Board, determines whether
mining occurs. This usurpation of authority by the County
is patently offensive to the state statute. See, C & M
Gravel Co., supra. Garfield County may have the power to
reasonably regulate the health, safety and welfare aspects
of a proposed mining operation but it cannot retain the
discretion_ to altogether deny a permit which a state statute
specifically grants to an independent state agency.
In the context of Sec. 3.09.01 of the Garfield County
Zoning Ordinance, then, this applicant's proposed use must_
be a conditional use. Garfield County does not have the
authority to demand a permit of this applicant which in the
discretion of the County may be denied,.because a state
statute specifically prohibits it and the entire field of
regulation of mining activity has been preempted by the
state legislative scheme.
IV. Conclusion.
This applicant's proposed use is a conditional use
which can only be reasonably regulated by Garfield County.
The use cannot be a special use because the.Garfield County
Zoning Ordinance grants the County the discretion to altogether
deny a special use, Garfield County does not have the
authority to deny this applicant's proposed use hN/virtue of
conflicting and preemptive federal and state law.—
In this document we have shown how the applicant's
proposed use is a conditional use within the terms and
conditions of Sec. 3.09.01 of the Garfield County Zoning
Ordinance. lie believe there are other constitutional and
statutory reasons why Garfield County is -constrained from
altogether denying applicant its permit. Failure to discuss
those reasons in a document of such limited scope as this
does not constitute a waiver of any such issues which might
be raised in a more appropriate forum,
0.
The conditions heretofore imposed by the Garfield
County Planning Commission and incorporated in the instant
application will protect the health, safety and welfare of
the -citizens of.Garfield. County. The application for
conditional use should therefore be granted.
Respectfully submitted,
DELANEY & BALCOIIB, P.C.
B/ �� A
Lawrence R. G en',
P. O. Drawer 790
Glenwood Springs, CO 81J 2
(303) 945-6546
Attorneys for Colorado Lien Co.
MFt
EXHIBIT "B"
3.09.01
Uses, special or conditional:
Extraction, processing,,fabrication, and storage of natural
resources and agricultural materials; water impoundments;
sanitary landfills; aircraft landing strips; and utility
facilities.
Tha above uses shall be governed by a special use permit
which shall be approved by the County Commissioners as
provided for in this Zoning Resolution; except that where
the authority for said use arises from a specific contract
or permit with the U.S. Government for the use of property
owned by that government, then that use shall be a condi-
tional use, upon which the County Commissioners may impose
conditions necessary to protect the health, safety and
welfare of the people of Garfield County, provided that
said conditions do not directly conflict with a federally
imposed regulatory scheme. The procedure for obtaining
such conditional use permit shall be that prescribed for
any use otherwise authorized by a conditional use permit.
t
r L V- r_ t�'_ r.. _ •r, t,.:t;J ^. (:9vcin^.r eoo,,1 a La,d 1-s
-r 1 l i1` Y r :1 '7 a j r -ti -'S �'t Di,.r�f7n C}. v!.;r-,fiSlra liC;1
f 3' D vrsio nt r,Grie3
Monte• Pascoe..— � .
Erecu;t�7 Direc;0: _ f �i Diwisioh of Parks & Out_wr Recreation
1313 Sherman St., Room 713, Denver, Colorado 80203.839.3311V j
` Division of Water Rcanurces
! N Divisign.of Wildlife
.W— Geological Survey
Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
Soil Conservation Board
`� , / 17+ attLConservation Board YYY I Alined LandRctallon —
October 2, 19801•; ..... ✓
•_.... (1; :� -: eamj
Vp
Garfard ield CoL'"i of County Ccnissiorers -
ty
Post Office Box 640
Glenwood Sprin-s, CO 81601
RE: Policy of Departs-nt of Natural Resources and :Mined L�3zd Reclanatien Board
regarding County zoning resolutions
C.aentlenvan :
This office has been requested to provide the position of the Colorado
Depart=t of Natural Resources and the .Colorado Mined: Laid Rechation
Board re gardi--:g the ability of camty cave rments to exercise the zcning
tD
power recob ized at C.R.S. 1973, 34-32-109(6), in light of the a"parent
prchLbit_Lon or, local permdttLng contained in. the sate section.
It is the policy and interpretation of the Departure-nt of NafiT•al Resc7Lrces and
the Mined Land Reclamiat on Board that any county ray --.xercise its zoning power
through special use permti.ts , conditional -use pe mts . or uses by right or by
exception, provided that the zoni-ig procedure (1) does not require the posting
of surety for reclamation, (2) does not address the recla-=-tion perform,ce
standards set forth in 34-32-116(a) through (r), and (3) does not purport
to authorize udning operations zrifrout the issuance of the appropriate pew dt
from the Board. Unless a county zoning process violates one of the above
conditions, the Department and the Board consider ccnT)liance with the county
zoning process prerequisite to issuance of any a nino pe=tet.
The basis of this opinion is found in 34-32-109(6) and (8) and 34-32-115 (4)
and (4)(e). All of the cited sections provide in one way or antler that
mining and recl,--rarion pernats may not be granted by the Board if the
application is '!...inconsistent with..." or ".,.in violation of ..." county
zoning or subdivision regulations.
Yyou
sante Pascoe
n{ecutive Director
;3i:;SC?2T':7v;i OF tiJDRTI,lDI3v
i<EviI :ia OF SUt'.UIVISIOA I'ILIAG PL.=QTS iL:D '_'RGPGS D
STp.UCTI0J OF POP.DS '�CRDSS IATIU•+ISL ._:SOURCE LAIiDS
::e twean
Garfield County, Colorado
I�ctiag by and ti:roug" its i�ard of County Cor. issioners
-aid
The Bureau of Land Manage:xnt
United States Department of t:ie Interior
The Parties to this i.leinorandum of Understanding, made t]iis 14th
day of —January , 1973, between Garfield County, acting by
and through its Board of County Com;ilissioners, heroinafter
referred to as tie County, aid the bureau of Land `ianagement,
U.S. D,�L.artment of t;;e Interior, hereinafter referred to as the
Bureau, witness that:
l•HERE.�S, Garfield County contains 719,747 acres of :.ational
Resource Lands of tZe United States and additional 'areas ism which
minerals were reserved to tiie United States, bott-i of w:7ich are
administered and managed by tie Bureau; and
WH3 .-'R2 AS, changing land use resulting from the subdivision of
privately o.med lands for rural residential homesites or cabin
sites and construction and maintenance of roads across :rational
R.asource Lands affects in varyirig degrees said lands and minerals
ad:zinistered and managed by the Bureau; and
17??Lrc '1S, suc 1 development and construction has a direct effect on
the economic and social Nell being of the county; and
r"
I
under t' �' i'r3tlU1'lal L ,IVironmc,—ital i)011� y t Of 1`�J� �
if
r Title 42 U.S. Co:3s S�etion 4332, the Du--eau])asa continuing
re<.'Donsibility to maintain, enhance and restors t:.a c,sality• of
the environment; and
under tale County's planning and zoning authority and
the requirements of Colorado Senate :gill 35, u`ie Counthas a
y
continuing and increasing responsibility for proper land use
throughout t3 -'e County; and
i'•F IEREAS, development of rural residential horesites or caiiin
sites is usually dependent, among other dings, on the construc-
tion of access roads, sone of wiv ch cross "jat'-oral resource
Lairds under jurisdiction of t!1e ZTureau; and
the res,i�onsibilities of the County and Bureau are
dependent upon such roads :being adequately clesl ned, constructed,
and maintained; and
nable
�ti,=EAS, the County and Bureau recognize the right Sf reaso
access to and devVloPmnt of private lands;
,collo•.,7ing is understood and agreed to by the
:.ow Therefore, tiie
parties hereto:
That with respect to proposed si`,divisicn filings:
The County -rill:
1. afar or000sed subdivision filings, together
with ttihe engineering design and supporting
2
F
f
r-.
r .
t
�Stcri.11 ri:r_uired unser Colorado S-tnate
Bill 35 to the Bureau of Land *-:an._- e±r,-,nt
for evaluation of environmental impact
and reconn-1--ndations as soon as practicable .
after receipt it the County for initial
review.
2. Give due consideration to the District
Manager's recor.u--ndations when approval of
uie subdivision filings are. being considered.
3. Invite the District Manager to -participate
in any negotiations with potential sub-
dividers when the proposed subdivision is
believed to have a significant impact.
.he Lureau, through its District iianager in the area of the pro-
posed su!)division, will:
1. Upon receipt of subdivision filings referred by the County,
initiate prompt review.
a. i4here no significant impact is identified
i
on National ]Resource Lands or on mineral I `V
rights or other rights reserved to the =
United States on non -Federal land, the _1
i -
County will be so advised :within one week
or less,
14:1ere si(nificant a0v_-rse impact on !rational
resource Lands or mineral rights or other
rights reserved to the United states on non -
Federal land is identified, the -.Coi-r,ty will
be so advised within one week, with an
indication of tie probable nature of t. -,e
impact and tie Bureau's ;>est estimate of the
tires that will be required to fully evaluate
t:e impact. The Bureau ,will analyze the
environ -mental impact to the degree appropriate
to the particular situation, and will reco-=iand
to the County,
1) Special conditions and stipulations
needed to mitigate adverse impact on
natural resources;
2) Modification of alignment of roads on
other facilities;
3) ,hat an Environmental Impact Statement
is needed;
4) That the proposal be denied.
With respect to authorization of road construction across i:ational
Resource Lands, ahetier in connection with proposed subdivision
devalopc:iants or other,,Ase,
The Sure au will:
4
,�
tt
f
1.
Pn,,uire filing of a spoe�ial land use
�
Perrot application ,by land developer
or others;
2.
P.afer copy of application, together
s
with supporting engineering data, to
the County for review;
3.
Give due consideration to the County's
recon.�iendations concerning approval ,of
the permit and any special stipulations
•
or conditions required.
The County will:
=
�s
1.
Determine compatibility of road
construction proposed ;vith State
and County transportation plan;
2.
tdhether engineering design will
assure construction to County
standards;
3.
�r e
neti� r road at completion of
-
construction can and will be -
accented into County road system
--
for p-erpetual maintenance;
4.
Regardless of �a..ether raadwa
whether will
.gill
-
be accepted into County's transportation
-
F ~-
. - - - - .-� , �- _-may. �.�., n--. _ _ +-+r.-- =YTT>"�T��--� '� _-�-----T�,T __•
Y _r. _-- .- - _ �-_ �
systonr recDn .. - d to
s,)ecial cGndit:1 GnS C',•-�G: i2:i ne casSarY
' for the pernitl
S. Will determ, ine when the road ha's en
constructed to County standards. ,
Annual Review
.At least once a year, representatives of both agencies
will review this agrLemnnt for op=rating efficiency.
:codification
This agreer,-hent will become effective when signed by the
designated representatives of both ag,311cies.
This agreement. shall remain in effect until modified
by the parties in writing and is renegotiable' at the
option of aider party. -
.A. P'RJV—ED:
f.(hq_^----
State Director, Colorado
bureau of Land t-Ianager,�ent
/ Late
Garfield County,
By and Through, its
Board, of County Commissionars
�z .
Chairman-• -
January 14, 1974
Date
6
C:. ;. „,....rrs of Garfie;d Co' ,'y, Cnlorad0
and
1,-teUir('ctor, Gln'c'U of L::nd ..':n ^,_,=nt
U. S. D:,ar -ent of the in`c:rior
of Undrrsta^Jin;, ,.:adc and entered into by , d between
cf C(,u,ty Co;n�nissioners of Garfield County, Colorado, -2nd the
ar, C,;reau of Land f.anagcment, Colorado, acting pursu2nt to
1 Land Policy and .11ana.,nrent Act of 1470, Rational Envira-amental
;•.' of 1?C9, Titic IV of the Intcr-,,ivcrr.:-ental Cooperation I,ct of
L;)Cal Sovernment Laid Use Enabling Act of 1974, as co:,ifled
C.R.S. 19733; �29-1-201 et seo., C.R.S. 1973; and 330-11-102 (1)
15i3; ,:nd all ame^d=tory acts thereof or, supple. Lntal thereto,
„ a:!,er iegislation and regulations as may apply, WITNESSETH, that:
Garfield County (hereinafter referred to as the County) has
a C(,unty ;-taster Plan, zoning, and other land use control regulations
develop er.. of all lands in the County, and
W.itr2E.,S. Bureau of Land Manage:=ent (hereinafter referred to as BLED has
; .:naco:nent framexorh plans to guide management and develorment of
; :;'.)1 i c 1 encs, and
Ladd use or development decisions by either party may become
censtrain.s on similar decisions by the other party, and
WiiEREAS, Goth the Ccuntv and BLt•1 desire to coordinate their respective
pl,:rning and decision processes in oreer to achieve maximum benefits from
av--ilabie resources, to reduce duplication of effort and to attain better
overall coordination of land ma;age,ent throughout Garfield County,
t;M4, THEREFORE, it is agreed that:
I. Each party will: ,
A. Cooperate in land use decision-making, including consultation
in land use decisions and in preparation of land use plans,
including, for example, County master plans and BLH manage-
ment frz.—,ework plans,.including any amendr„ent to or revision
of said plans.
B. Inform each other as far in advance as possible of anticipated
plans and proposed activities that mig`.;t affect either party,
but in no c -,se shall such infor-atian be provided less
(i y n►u,
1 �
t
r
}
,_
i
2
I
isn Cf s: ific
;o this i�arcr--.r_nt, includ',ng, but
not liriit,d to, agree: -:eats rcyDarding zon;ng, subdivision
of lands, road construction, ... in cn nue and use, and
rights-of-way,
• i 1
? 1. Tf:c•
Curcau of Land i;anagement will :
A.
Solicit County participation in developing plans, programs,
and proposals for mana5eent of public lards and ccnsider
those views in the decision process. Participation will
specifically include analysis of preliminary recoF2endations
(Step 1, 1•iFP) and conflicts, development of recoT-7:endations
(Step 2, 11FP) for adoption of the managec,ent fr.am:ework
plan, and all rights to receive notice of and to participate
in such planning as are provided by §202(F) of the Federal
Land and Policy Management Act of 1976 and regulations
adopted pursuant thereto.
B.
Provide the County an opportunity to (1) revier,v and cc7.merit
on applications sub,,itted to BLM that would affect land use
or development in Garfield County, and (2) to participate in
development of the requisite environ; -cental assess -rents
(environmental statements and envirommental analysis reports).
Participation will specifically include analysis of land use
irpacts and analysis of alternatives. Those types of applications
the County will review include, but are not limited to, those
on Exhibit A, attached hereto.
C.
Make available to the County all non-proprietary resource
and land use infor;,a"ion concerning land located in Garfield
County in possession of BLIM and all data frcm public land
,inventories
m.aintained under ;201(a), (b) of the Federal Land
Policy 1•12n3ge.ment Act of 1976 and all regulations adopted
pursuant thereto.
2
I
or c . ,ir c : '.c, c c l i nce
tr;_h Cc-unty ;:nd use pl;:n<_, laws, or re;uiat e„S which
arc or F -ay be in effe:t as of Vie date of the lease,
gr:nt, or other, conveyance.
At least sixty (60) days prior to offering for sale or
other,aise conveying public lands within the Ccunty,
notify the Board of County Co.--missioners of such sale
or conveyance in order to afford them an opportunity to
zone or othenvise regulate, or chance or amend existing
zoning or other regulations concerning the use of lands .
prior to such conveyance. The BLM shall also promptly
notify the Board of County Co. issioners of the patent or
other document of conveyance for such lands:
,.^J: Cooperate with the County in the enforce..ent of the
County re-gulations specified at SII.C. of this 1-lesorandum
of Understanding.
S K: In the development and revision of BLM land use plans,
provide for cc.,plia,ce with all state pollution laws and
county regulations pronulc3ted thereunder ;pursuant to
state law re;ardino air, water, noise, or other pollution
standards or impler„entation plans.
Cooperate with the County in mitigating the socio-economic
impacts of lard use activities on federal lands and with
regard to federal mineral rights.
III. Garfield County will:
A. Solicit ELM participation in developing master plans and
zoning, or revisions thereto, for lands in Garfield County.
Participation will include review ar-d co=ent on planning
and Zoning proposals and may include non-voting ex -officio
membership or. the Ccunty Planning Cc,-_iission.
B. Provide Kri an epPortuni ty to review and cc.. er,t on
jS �— Za ttz C ::nt,y I .,�iUJ:,iy ti.c 71 i.iliif.�]
Cor:;iission) that involve land use or zoning that may
4
J
' �• sic t, ..-i _�� .. -�t iI lii� �-�. �. '. l' ti .. :i ,i ��'-\
,
C. "::fie ovaileb! e to BLM social and cconoTis infcrr.ation in
`ossession of the County.
D. !',.ke County expertise or personnel available for com-
plc•mcntary data -gathering, environmental studies, and
land use planning as is deter-ined by the County to be
practical, recognizing financial and pers3nnel co.straints.
E. Unless agreed to the contrary, the County shall not
rezone any land described in §!I.I. a5ove, after the
notification and before the sale therein described.
IV. Tineliness:
Both parties recognize that time is of the essence in per-
formance under this agreement; in some cases -it may be critical.
Where necessary, reasonable tine limits may be set for par-
ticipation by either party.
N. Yothing in this agreement will be construed as limiting or
affecting in any way the authority or legal responsibility of
the Board of County Ccmrnissicners or the State Director, or as
binding either County or the Bureau of Land HanaceTant to
perform beyond the respective authority of each, or as re-
quiring either party to assume or expend any sum in excess of
appropriations available.
VI• Amendments or supplements to this agreement may be proposed by
either party and shall beccme effective upon written approval
of both parties.
VII. This agreement shall beco„e effective as soon as signed by the
parties hereto and shall continue in force unless form -ally
terminated by either party after thirty (30) days' notice in
writing to the other of the intention to do so.
m
4t, 5
C
0
' �'1(!.• E.;:'i c•,.•: 4'rov :;n � ,iS i', .. ,.;',:a of l:+•.i�rst:.n'ir•y •
t to the I a..;s of *'he SLate of Cnlorado' Garfield
County, and the lows of the United States, and the regulations
of t'le Secretary of the Interior.
IN Wll,"[SS Th;;,ior, the parties hereto have caused this document to
be executed, the Board of County CG:--,iiiissicners of Garfield County, Color'ado,
and the State Director, Bureau of Land j,anaqe.-,,2nt, Colorado, on this
day of 1978.
SLate ir—Loi, e
e 4, Gate
Bureau of Land !'�nagement
7
Bureau of Lend j'-'anaqei--_-E-nt
The Board'of County Cc.T,,missioners
of
Garfield County, Colorado
C h a late
'Commissiny
late
C of):.j i S ner
Date
Approved:
SLate ir—Loi, e
e 4, Gate
Bureau of Land !'�nagement
'
...
�T �
—
'
xn c;-/,--t-,riry to rcvi�� and cn
the opplico1ions or �''i�rols that may be filed :i1h Sorcoo of Lend
��nt, "clvu'in3, tut not linited to the fol lowing types of act iviti es�
� .
l, n�,hts'of'vxy for roads, poocr lines, pipelines, tcleFtone
'
lines, and rights-of-way projects'
y. Land use Plen"ixg info,notinn (resource in,cntpri:s, mznac-
mcnt. pians, etc).
]. [nvirun:-,ental aos»ment* and stutc-ents'
4' Withdrawals and revocations. ,
6. Sole` rxc��:Se' lease or other c3nveyance of lands.
O' Oil, gas and mineral expinrotiun, develop:-,ent and
`
production. '
. .
^ .
, . .
' _t'
�
afforded an opportunity to review
�1teUrcau of Lend t--,dn.,Qc .. cnt will be - r
and co = ent on the folici-ing types Of applications or proposal i S that
befiled with Gar`eld County:
1. Subdivision or W3ilc ,,O -e par-I.s within one mile' of Public
-D
lands or t11 -.3t r, -,ay I;-,p3C, Public Lands.
Z. p.op.ds, po"er lines, pipelines, telephone lines, and similar
rights -of -:pay.
3. Dams, diversions, ditches, and similar water development
or conveyance facilities.
4. Solid waste disposal sites and se,,,;age treatment sites
within one mile of Public Lands or that may impact Public
Lands.
5. Sand and gravel permits.
6. Any mineral developments on private lands.
J�.