[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 203 (Friday, October 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26113]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 21, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[NM-930-1320-01; OKNM 91190, et al.]

 

Notice of Coal Lease Offering; Oklahoma

agency: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

action: Notice of competitive coal lease sale by sealed bid.

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summary: Notice is hereby given that certain coal resources in the 
tracts described below in LeFlore and Latimer Counties, Oklahoma, will 
be offered for competitive lease by sealed bid in accordance with the 
provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C. 
181 et seq.), and the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1977.

dates: The lease sale will be held at 10:00 a.m., November 14, 1994. 
Sealed bids must be submitted on or before 10:00 a.m., November 14, 
1994. Each bid should be clearly identified by tract and/or serial 
number on the outside of the envelope containing the bid(s).

addresses: The lease sale will be held in the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) Conference Room, Tulsa District Office, 9522-H East 47th Place, 
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145. Sealed bids must be submitted to the Cashier, 
Tulsa District Office, Attention: Laura Stich, 9522-H East 47th Place, 
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145.

for further information contact: Gary Stephens, BLM, New Mexico State 
Office, (505) 438-7451.

supplementary information: The tracts will be leased to the qualified 
bidder(s) submitting the highest cash offer provided that the high bid 
meets the fair market value determination of the coal resource. The 
minimum bid for these tracts is $100.00 per acre, or fraction thereof. 
No bid that is less than $100.00 per acre, or fraction thereof, will be 
considered. This $100.00 per acre is a regulatory minimum, and is not 
intended to reflect fair market value for the tracts. Bids should be 
sent by certified mail, return receipt, or be hand-delivered. The 
cashier will issue a receipt for each hand-delivered bid. Bids received 
after the time specified above will not be considered. The fair market 
value of each tract will be determined by the authorized officer after 
the sale.
    If identical high sealed bids are received, the tying high bidders 
will be requested to submit follow-up sealed bids until a high bid is 
received. All tie-breaking sealed bids must be submitted within 15 
minutes following the Sale Official's announcement at the sale that 
identical high bids have been received.
    All the tracts in this lease offering contain split estate lands. 
Except where specified, the proposed mining method is surface mining 
techniques. The regulations in 43 CFR part 3427 set out the protection 
that shall be afforded qualified surface owners of split estate lands 
(as defined in 43 CFR 3400.0-5(gg)).

Tract No. 1--Spiro Tract--OKNM 91190 Coal Offered:

    The coal resource to be offered is limited to recoverable 
reserves by underground mining methods in the following described 
lands in LeFlore County, Oklahoma:
T. 8 N., R. 26 E., I.M.
    Sec. 4, lots 3 and 4, NW\1/4\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 5, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/
4\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, and S\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 6, lots 1 and 2, S\1/2\NE\1/4\.
T. 9 N., R. 26 E., I.M.
    Sec. 20, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\
    Sec. 21, SE\1/2\SE\1/2\
    Sec. 28, N\1/2\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/
4\SW\1/4\, N\1/2\N\1/2\SE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\SE\1/4\, S\1/
2\NW\1/4\SE\1/4\, and NW\1/4\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\
    Sec. 29, E\1/2\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 30, lots 3 and 4, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/
4\;
    Sec. 31, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, E\1/2\ and E\1/2\W\1/2\;
    Sec. 32, NE\1/4\, W\1/2\, N\1/2\SE\1/4\, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\, N\1/
2\SE\1/4\SE\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SE\1/4\SE\1/4\
    Sec.
    Sec. 33, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\NW\1/4\.

    Containing 3,429,04 acres, more or less.

    Total recoverable reserves are estimated to be 15,320,000 tons. 
This tract has a single coal seam, the Hartshorne Coal, which crops out 
near the southeastern boundary of the tract and dips northwest at 6 to 
8 degrees. The arithmetic average thickness of the coal based on 25 
points, is 5.21 feet. The maximum depth is in excess of 800 feet.
    The Hartshorne Coal seam analysis for this tract is: Moisture--1.86 
percent; Ash--13.32 percent; Volatile Matter--16.37 percent; Fixed 
Carbon--68.79 percent; Sulfur--1.80 percent; and BUT/lb--12,834.

Tract No. 2--West Red Oak Tract (OKNM 91568)

T. 6 N., R. 21 E., I.M.
    Sec. 31, lots 2, 3, and 4, S\1/2\S\1/2\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\SE\1/
4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 32, S\1/2\S\1/2\N\1/2\, N\1/2\S\1/2\, and N\1/2\S\1/
2\S\1/2\;
    Sec. 33, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/
2\S\1/2\NW\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, N\1/2\S\1/2\SW\1/4\, W\1/
2\NE\1/4\SE\1/4\, NW\1/4\SE\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\, and 
NW\1/4\SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, E\1/2\SW\1/4\ and SE\1/4\.
T. 6 N., R. 22 E., I.M.
    Sec. 31, lots 3 and 4, E\1/2\SW\1/4\ and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 32, N\1/2\S\1/2\ and N\1/2\S\1/2\S\1/2\;
    Sec. 33, N\1/2\SW\1/4\ and N\1/2\S\1/2\SW\1/4\.

    Containing 1,933.46 acres, more or less.

    The lands described below may only be mined by underground 
mining techniques, NO surface mining is allowed.

T. 6 N., R. 21 E., I.M.
    Sec. 31, lots 2, 3, and 4, S\1/2\S\1/2\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\SE\1/
4\NW\1/4\, and E\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 32. SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 33, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, and S\1/
2\S\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, S\1/2\SE\1/4\.
T. 6 N., R. 22 E., I.M.
    Sec. 32, N\1/2\S\1/2\ and N\1/2\S\1/2\S\1/2\;
    Sec. 33, N\1/2\SW\1/4\ and N\1/2\S\1/2\SW\1/4\.

    Total recoverable reserves are estimated to be 11,136,600 tons.

    The coal beds present in this revised application area are the 
Upper and Lower McAlester Coals of Pennsylvanian Age. About 7.5 miles 
of cropline are present in this area, which now contains 1,933.46 
acres. The Upper McAlester Coal averages 2.1 feet thick, and the Lower 
McAlester Coal averages 2.0 feet thick. In general, the Upper McAlester 
is more consistent in thickness than the Lower McAlester which has a 
tendency, in places, to change to a boney coal and develop shale splits 
in the lower part of this bed.
    These two coals are separated by about 61 to 57 feet of gray shale 
in the Western two-thirds of this application, and about 51 feet of 
gray shale in the Eastern third of this application. The Upper 
McAlester Coal overburden was described consistently on the drill hole 
logs as gray shale. The drill hole information indicates that these two 
beds have an average dip to the North of 6.9 degrees along the Western 
3.5 miles (just west of the town of Red Oak), and an average dip of 13 
degrees (just East of the Town of Red Oak), on to the Eastern edge of 
the application area where the dip increases to a little more than 17 
degrees.
    The In-Place coal present in this area was calculated to be 5.1 
million tons for the Upper McAlester Coal, and 6.0 million tons for the 
Lower McAlester Coal. This is based on 1,800 tons per acre-foot using 
the above stated average thickness.
    Minable reserve base and recoverable coal reserves for the area 
were based on (1) geology and coal quality data; (2) assumptions used 
in determining maximum economic recovery for the original lease 
application report; and (3) data adequacy standards for Federal coal 
leasing in Southeastern Oklahoma.
    There are no quality analysis in the CRO-CDP maps which can be 
specifically identified with this tract. However, from Trumball, et 
al., 1957, we have the following quality data for the McAlester Coal in 
this part of Oklahoma: Moisture--2.5 percent; Volatile Matter--31.6 
percent; Fixed Carbon--66.3 percent; Ash--11.7 percent; Sulfur--3.2 
percent; and BTU/lb-unknown.

Surface Owner Consent Information

    It has been determined that this tract has six qualified surface 
owners. Copies of consents granted by the qualified surface owners are 
attached to the detailed statement of sale. The lands and the purchase 
price of these consents are shown below:

T. 6 N., R. 21 E., I.M.--$250,000
    Sec. 32, SW\1/4\.
T. 6 N., R. 21 E., I.M.--$250,000
    Sec. 33, SW\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\, and W\1/2\E\1/2\SE\1/4\.
T. 6 N., R. 21 E., I.M.--$1,800
    Sec. 35, SW\1/4\ and S\1/2\NW\1/4\ (lying and being South of 
U.S. Highway 270)
T. 6 N., R. 21 E., I.M.--$50,000
    Sec. 35, N\1/2\SE\1/4\, less and except:
Beginning at the NW\1/4\ corner of the NW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Thence, East 725.00 feet;
    Thence, South 600.83 feet;
    Thence, West 725.00 feet;
    Thence, North 600.83 feet to the point of beginning.
T. 6 N., R. 21 E., I.M.--$3,500
    Sec. 35, NW\1/4\SE\1/4\,
Beginning at the Northwest corner of the said NW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Thence, East a distance of 725.00 feet;
    Thence, South a distance of 600.83 feet;
    Thence, West a distance of 725.00 feet;
    Thence, North a distance of 600.83 feet; to the point of 
beginning.
T. 6 N., R. 22 E., I.M.--$3,260
    Sec. 31, lots 3 and 4, E\1/2\SW\1/4\ and SE\1/4\.

Tract No. 3--Heavener Tract--OKNM 91569 Coal Offered:

    The coal resource to be offered in Tract No. 3 (OKNM 91569), 
will be mined by both surface and underground mining methods in the 
following described lands located in LeFlore County, Oklahoma:

T. 5 N., R. 26 E., I.M.,
    Sec. 23, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 24, S\1/2\SW\1/4\ and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 25, N\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 26, N\1/2\;
    Sec. 27, S\1/2\N\1/2\, N\1/2\S\1/2\, and SW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 28, S\1/2\;
    Sec. 29, N\1/2\SE\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SE\1/
4\.
T. 5 N., R. 27 E., I.M.,
    Sec. 15, lots 2 and 3;
    Sec. 16, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\ and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 17, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\ and S\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 19, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\N\1/2\, N\1/2\S\1/2\, and SW\1/
4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 20, N\1/2\NE\1/4\ and NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 21, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\.

    Containing 2,724.78 acres, more or less.

    The lands described below may only be mined by underground 
mining techniques, NO surface mining is allowed.

T. 5 N., R. 26 E., I.M.,
    Sec. 23, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 24, N\1/2\SW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 25, N\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 26, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 27, S\1/2\N\1/2\, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\SE\1/4\, NW\1/4\SE\1/4\, 
and S\1/2\NE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 28, N\1/2\S\1/2\ and S\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 29, N\1/2\SE\1/4\ and N\1/2\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\.
T. 5 N., R. 27 E., I.M.,
    Sec. 16, N\1/2\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\, S\1/2\NE\1/4\SE\1/4\, 
N\1/2\NW\1/4\SE\1/4\; and SW\1/4\NW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 19, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\,NW\1/4\, and W\1/2\SE\1/4\NW\1/
4\;
    Sec. 20, N\1/2\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 21, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\.

    The coal seams present in the application area are the Lower 
Hartshorne Coal (in places, the Upper Hartshorne Coal may be 
recoverable). The application area contains about 9 miles of cropline. 
USGS CRO-CDP reports cover the Western 5.5 miles of the application 
area. These reports show that there are four slope mines along the 
Lower Hartshorne cropline. No information on coal quantity and quality, 
or the areal extent of mining is available.
    The Eastern seven miles of the application area has been strip 
mined. Thirty two drill holes have been identified in or near the 
application area. These holes provide adequate coal quantity data for 
about one-third of the application area. Coal thickness of the Lower 
Hartshorne is 5.6 feet. Total disturbance would be about 1,910.00 
acres.
    Total recoverable coal reserves are estimated to be 18,290,200 
tons.
    There are 16 quality analysis points in or near the application 
area. The following analysis for the Lower Hartshorne Coal provide 
adequate coal quality data for about one-third of the application area: 
Moisture--unknown; Volatile Matter--20.4 percent; Fixed Carbon--68.3 
percent; Ash--10.5 percent; Sulfur--1.2 percent; and BTU/lb--13,850.

Surface Owner Information

    There are ten qualified surface owners. Consents granted by the 
qualified surface owners have been filed with and verified by the BLM. 
Copies of these consents are attached to the detailed statement of 
sale. The lands and the purchase price of the consents are shown below:

T. 5 N., R. 26 E., I.M.--$2,500
    Sec. 26, W\1/2\E\1/2\NE\1/4\ and W\1/2\NE\1/4\.
T. 5 N., R. 26 E., I.M.--$1,700
    Sec. 26, E\1/2\NW\1/4\.
T. 5 N., R. 26 E., I.M.--$1,100
    Sec. 26, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 27, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\SE\1/4\.
T. 5 N., R. 26 E., I.M.--$400
    Sec. 27, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\ and SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, lying and being 
North of the Arkansas Western Railroad.
T. 5 N., R. 26 E., I.M.--$745
    Sec. 27, NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, and all that portion lying and being 
North of the Arkansas Western Railroad, within the SW\1/4\SW\1/4\.
T. 5 N., R. 26 E., I.M.--$900
    Sec. 28, S\1/2\SW\1/4\.
T. 5 N., R. 27 E., I.M.--$1,395
    Sec. 15, lots 2 and 3.
T. 5 N., R. 27 E., I.M.--$2,400
    Sec. 16, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\ and SE\1/4\NW\1/4\SE\1/4\.
T. 5 N., R. 27 E., I.M.--$2,400
    Sec. 17, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\ and S\1/2\SE\1/4\.
T. 5 N., R. 27 E., I.M.--$3,240
    Sec. 20, NW\1/4\, less exception.

Tract No. 4--Cavanal Tract--OKNM 91590 Coal Offered

    The coal resource to be offered in Tract No. 4 (OKNM 91590), 
will be offered for both surface and underground mining methods in 
the following described lands located in LeFlore County, Oklahoma:

T. 7 N., R. 24 E., I.M.
    Sec. 9, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 10, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 16, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\.

    Containing 400.00 acres, more or less.

    Total recoverable reserves are estimated to be 369,400 tons. The 
coal seam present in the application area is the Secor Coal. About 1.5 
miles of cropline is contained within the coal lease application area. 
The applicant submitted lithologic logs for three drill holes without 
locations identified. The only analysis provided for this tract was 
supplied by the applicant as follows: Secor Coal: Moisture--1.2 
percent; Volatile Matter--unknown; Fixed Carbon--unknown; Ash--15.2 
percent; Sulfur--4.5 percent, and BTU/lb--12,991.

    The lands described below may only be mined by underground 
mining techniques, no surface mining is allowed.

T. 7 N., R. 24 E., I.M.
    Sec. 10, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\ and N\1/2\N\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 16, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\.

Surface Owner Information

    It has been determined that there is one qualified surface owner. A 
copy of the consent granted by the surface owner is attached to the 
Detailed Statement of Sale. The legal land description and the purchase 
price of this consent are shown below:

T. 7 N., R. 24 E., I.M.--$1,600
    Sec. 10, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/4\, and S\1/2\N\1/2\SW\1/4\.

Rental and Royalty

    The leases issued as a result of this lease offering will require 
payment of an annual rental of $3.00 per acre, or fraction thereof, and 
a royalty payable to the United States of 12\1/2\ percent of the value 
for the coal removed from a surface mine and 8 percent of the value of 
the coal removed from an underground mine. The value of the coal will 
be determined in accordance with 30 CFR Sec. 206.250.

Notice of Availability

    Bidding instructions for the offered tracts are included in the 
detailed Statement of Coal Lease Sale. Copies of the Statement and 
proposed coal lease sale are available upon request in person or by 
mail from the New Mexico State Office, P.O. Box 27115, 1474 Rodeo Road, 
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502-0115 or the Tulsa District Office at the 
address shown above. The case files are available for inspection during 
normal business hours only at the Santa Fe, New Mexico, office at the 
address indicated.

    Dated: October 7, 1994.
William C. Calkins,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 94-26113 Filed 10-20-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-FB-M