DENVER—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has approved three projects in roadless areas on national forests in Colorado.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week upheld a 2001 rule prohibiting commercial development on about 50 million acres in national forests.
One project that Vilsack approved involves West Elk Mine drilling 48 methane wells as the mine seeks to expand. The U.S. Forest Service says road construction wouldn’t start until spring, when the agency expects to have finalized a Colorado-specific roadless rule that includes exceptions to the federal rule.
Another project involves an exploration oil well on the San Juan National Forest under an oil lease that predates the 2001 rule. The last project involves drilling wells to vent methane from the Elk Creek coal mine, consistent with the 2001 rule.
