Watchdogs off to discuss mine with U.S. Energy

HCCA, Red Lady Coalition and town reps fly to Riverton

The three primary entities representing the Upper East River Valley in the potential molybdenum mine issue will be meeting Thursday, March 6 with U.S. Energy executives at their headquarters in Riverton, Wyo. U.S Energy holds the mineral rights to the moly beneath Mt. Emmons (a.k.a. Red Lady) and has been pushing a mine at the site for years.

Flying to Wyoming will be High Country Citizens’ Alliance executive director Greg Dyson, along with Crested Butte Town Manager Todd Crossett and Town Attorney John Belkin. Red Lady Coalition president Bill Ronai will take part in the conversation via phone.
“There were some on the council who asked that we try to reopen a dialogue with U.S. Energy and that we try to get a face-to-face meeting with them,” explained Crossett. “They were willing to do that. The purpose of this meeting is to essentially re-open a dialogue with them.”
“Given that they are pursuing the VCUP [Voluntary Clean-up Plan] through the state, we’d like to understand the VCUP,” said Belkin, “so we hope we can get some information on that. The VCUP is obviously part of any long-term plan they have with the proposed mine.
“It’s also significant that they have agreed to meet with everyone,” Belkin continued. “The fact that HCCA and the Red Lady Coalition will be part of the talks is a big deal.”
“It’s just good that we can sit down around the table and talk,” summarized Ronai.