USE probing how to resubmit a new VCUP application to the state

Starr as conduit?

While no new application has yet been submitted by U.S. Energy to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to implement a VCUP (Voluntary Clean Up Plan) at the old Keystone mine, one is expected.

“We believe US Energy intends to submit a new application but have not received any official notice of that,” said CDPHE public information specialist Katherine Lemon. “There is no time limit for them to submit, as this is a totally voluntary process. If and when we receive a new application, we will notify all stakeholders fairly immediately.”
In that vein, former Gunnison County Commissioner Jim Starr said he was approached by USE executives to possibly help reinitiate a conversation with the community that would address a new VCUP, the proposed mine, and the wastewater treatment plant.
The state had approved such a VCUP application last fall for USE, but after a public outcry from local stakeholders, the state agency rescinded that approval and outlined a process that would need to be followed if a new application was submitted. Part of that new process would be public involvement.
“Under program guidelines, we can request that the applicant hold a public meeting to explain the plan,” explained CDPHE Superfund/Brownfields unit leader Doug Jamison. “Conversely, CDPHE could hold a public meeting to explain the plan, answer questions, etc. We want to clarify that a VCUP approval process is not exactly like, say, a Superfund approval process when it comes to public involvement.”
Starr said USE president and chief operating officer Mark Larsen contacted him by phone in early January. “I met with them in Denver a couple of weeks ago,” said Starr. “I have since been talking with representatives of the most involved local three entities and USE, and others.”
Crested Butte town manager Todd Crossett said nothing has been formalized but said the town, the Red Lady Coalition (RLC) and the High Country Citizens’ Alliance (HCCA) are “generating a number of questions for USE.”
“It looks like US Energy might be willing to have the conversation we asked them to have when their original VCUP application was under review by the state,” said HCCA executive director Greg Dyson. “We are encouraged the company is reaching out to the community to restart some form of conversation. We, the town and RLC are approaching this conversation together in a cohesive and cooperative group.”
Emails to USE’s Mark Larsen from the Crested Butte News asking about the shift in position were not returned.