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Craig briefs: Moffat County Libraries to host monthly meeting

Moffat County Libraries to host monthly meeting

Moffat County Libraries regular monthly board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Craig Branch located at 570 Green St. For more information, call 970-824-5116.

State officials press interior for assurances



WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, Congressman Scott Tipton, R-Colorado, and Senators Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, and Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, sent Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell a follow-up letter expressing disappointment with the Interior Department’s decision not to appeal WildEarth Guardians v. Office of Surface Mining by the July 7 deadline, underscoring “The executive branch has a duty to defend its permitting actions.”

The members urged Jewell in May to take all necessary and appropriate action, including consideration of an appeal, to prevent the impending closure of the Colowyo mine and loss of hundreds of jobs in Moffat County, according to a news release from Tipton’s office.



“The decision of the Federal District Court for the District of Colorado gave OSM 120 days to complete a new National Environmental Policy Act review, or the Court stated that it would vacate the mine plan, effectively shutting down the mine,” Tipton, Bennet and Gardner wrote. “We are truly appreciative of the early actions taken by agency officials. We remain concerned, however, about the rapidly approaching deadline, and your department’s decision to not appeal the court’s decision has done nothing to allay this concern.”

The court-ordered deadline for OSM to prepare a new analysis is Sept. 6. Tipton, Bennet and Gardner are asking Jewell to give assurances interior will meet the deadline or request an extension.

“We understand that you committed to Governor Hickenlooper that you would complete the necessary review by the deadline. What assurances can you provide us that the updated NEPA review will be completed by the Sept. 6 deadline?” the U.S. lawmakers wrote. “Please respond to this request by providing a timeline for when you anticipate completing and publishing the new analysis including key milestones. Further, if you anticipate that the Court deadline cannot be met, will you guarantee that the DOI will request an extension?”

Minority leader of state senate to step down

On Wednesday, Colorado Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, announced that effective Wednesday, she is resigning as Senate Minority Leader for the Democrats, according to a news release.

“It was an honor to serve in leadership as senate majority leader, president and minority leader,” Carroll said in a statement. “I am proud of all we have accomplished together for job growth, capping college tuition, increasing K-12 funding and protecting important freedoms for all Coloradans.“

Although stepping down as minority leader, Carroll will continue to represent Senate District 29 to finish her elected term. It wasn’t clear why she was stepping down in the news release.

“The Senate has very talented members, and I am confident in its future leadership,” added Sen. Carroll.

The election for a new minority leader will be held at 8 a.m. on Wednesday at the State Capitol.


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