Mineral Resource Exploration

This page is compiled resources to aid the community in staying up to date with mineral exploration activities within the Mancos Watershed. This website is not a venue for direct public comment and is meant to provide context and content. See below for agency resources to be able to provide public comment.

Mineral Exploration Informational Session

MCD facilitated an information session June 20, 2024. At this event, representatives from the US Forest Service, Colorado Department of Water Resources, and the President of Metallic Minerals gave brief presentations and answered community questions.

Comment Letters

The Substitute Water Supply Plan (SWSP) was released and available for comment in April 2024. In response to the plan, several local government agencies wrote letters of opposition to the SWSP plan. You can view the letters of comment below.

Get Informed

See the drop down menu for ways to stay informed, provide your comments, and learn more about current and previous mining activities in the Mancos Watershed.

  • The Forest Service will be conducting an environmental review of the proposed action pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

    Contact Emma Reinemann to sign up for updates on the Forest Service NEPA process:

    Emma Reinemann (she/her) San Juan National Forest NEPA Planner

    p: 970-882-6822

    emma.reinemann@usda.gov

  • All prospecting and permitting actions under consideration can be found on the DRMS website.

    Public comment periods are determined by State statute. Comment periods for 'Notice of Intents' are 10 working days from the date it is posted on the DRMS website.

  • You can sign up for an account to be notified of future Substitute Water Supply Plans through DWR's website.

    If you do not want to create an account, MCD staff have signed up and will notify through our events email list if anything is sent out.

  • Metallic Minerals is the company that is conducting active mineral exploration in the East Mancos Watershed You can view their webpage here.

  • If you would like to be added to MCD's Events list, email taylor@mancoscd.org and she will add you.

  • The current geology and historic mining within the East Mancos Watershed impact the water quality within the East Mancos River.

    This report outlines previous studies completed by Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety, Mancos Conservation District, Mountain Studies Institute, Southwest Hydrologic, Colorado Sate Conservation Board and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.