It’s déjà vu all over again — an Interior Department agency is conducting yet another time and tax-dollar wasting review of a Colorado mine because the sue-happy WildEarthers just can’t get enough of those lawyer fees. Those fees by the way are also paid by taxpayers when the groups sue the government, and win.
But we digre$$.
U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson of Colowyo fame ruled that the Trapper Mine near Craig was also wrongly approved by the federal folks because there wasn’t enough public notice and input. Plus, it appears that when the government approves mining operations, it must now take into account the environmental impact on the whole freaking planet when that coal is actually used to produce electricity.
It turns out the enviros sued after the coal had already been mined, but now that Trapper has discovered more coal and wants to continue operations they have to jump through the bureaucratic hoops.
The good news is that at least the feds will reopen the case and complete a new environmental assessment by April 30, the Daily Sentinel reports.
A public hearing will be held to gather input on Oct. 29 in Craig. We urge the miners and electricity consumers in northwest Colorado to show up and make their voices heard. If it’s public input the WildEarthers are demanding, make sure they get it.