BLM-CO Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Project - Gunnison Field Office

This announcement is to provide public notice of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) intention to fund the following project activities without full and open competition. In support of this single-source justification and Notice of Intent to Award, BLM Colorado cites the following policy: Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award. The justification addresses one or more of the following criteria as well as discussion of the program legislative history, unique capabilities of the proposed recipient, and cost-sharing contribution offered by the proposed recipient, as applicable. In order for an assistance award to be made without competition, the award must satisfy one or more of the following criteria: BLM Colorado did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria and exception: (3) Legislative intent. Under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), Congress has determined that a federally-approved State AML program will have the exclusive responsibility and authority to implement the provisions of the approved program¿ within the state (30 U.S.C. §1235(d)). Congress directed the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) to provide grants under SMCRA to such approved states, which then spend money to implement AML projects within their jurisdiction. Through SMCRA Congress recognizes state governments, following approval of their programs by the Secretary, as the primary governmental players in the reclamation of abandoned mine lands. The State of Colorado, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety is the only source that is uniquely qualified and legislatively authorized to perform the work proposed herein. The project area will be lands under the jurisdiction of the Gunnison Field Office which contains multiple watersheds.