2020 case over BLM enforcement of mining permit regulations The Glenwood Springs Citizens’ Alliance charges the U.S. Bureau of Land Management with failing to properly regulate mining activity at the Rocky Mountain Industrials’ limestone quarry. The Rocky Mountain Industrials limestone quarry operates on federally owned public land, under a mining permit issued by the U.S.
Efforts by Garfield County to enforce special use permit regulations for current quarry operations resulted in RMI filing suit against Garfield County. After nearly four years of legal wrangling, Garfield County prevailed in defending its authority to enforce permit conditions. In the fall of 2018, the Citizens’ Alliance, City of Glenwood Springs and Glenwood Caverns
In 2018, Rocky Mountain Industrials (RMI) shocked the Glenwood Springs community by announcing its plans to vastly expand the existing limestone quarry. The quarry is located on public lands that are managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The quarry lies directly north of the city of Glenwood Springs, and is accessed via Transfer
Issues related to Rocky Mountain Industrials’ current quarry operations are the subject of three lawsuits. Glenwood Springs Citizens’ Alliance v. U.S. Bureau of Land Management This case, over BLM’s withholding of documents about mine operations, limestone sales and permit enforcement actions, was filed on February 15, 2024, in U.S. District Court in Denver. MORE INFORMATION
Permits for the project must be approved by federal, state and local governments. The lead permitting agency is the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), since the existing quarry and the proposed expansion is on public land managed by BLM. If Rocky Mountain Industrials were to gain permit approval from BLM, it must also seek