The exemption is likely to allow the West Elk Mine in Somerset and Arch Coal to reach up to 350 million tons of coal through road less forest , which would also produce half a billion tons of carbon pollution from mining and burning the coal.
A proposal, which was rejected by a federal court in September last year.
According to reports, the exemption was developed by the state to protect forest areas where there are no roads, and was approved by the federal government, reported Denver Post.
WildEarth Guardians Climate and Energy Program director Jeremy Nichols said: "It’s bad enough the Forest Service is considering sacrificing our public lands for dirty coal mining, now they’re doing so at the demand of Arch Coal, a company some analysts say is on the verge of bankruptcy.
"The Forest Service’s proposal is not only directly at odds with the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases, it’s at odds with preserving Colorado’s natural legacy of vibrant, wild forests."
Sierra Club organizer Bryce Carter added: "The Forest Service’s proposal undermines the good work the Obama administration is doing to protect our climate through the Clean Power Plan, fuel efficiency standards and targets for reducing the nation’s carbon emissions.
"This proposal puts the Forest Service dangerously out of step with the rest of the Administration and makes a sacrifice of our public lands."
