BLM announces a virtual public meeting to invite public input on an Environmental Assessment for federal right-of-way applications associated with the Project West Trona Mine Project in Sweetwater County

KEMMERER, Wyo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Kemmerer Field Office is seeking public comment on an environmental assessment to analyze resource concerns associated with right-of-way applications associated with Project West, a private trona mine proposed to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality by West Soda, LLC. The associated right-of-way applications will affect lands located in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. 

Applications on file to support the private Project West Trona Mine are as follows:

• • • • Water pipeline to the Green River
      • Fluid transportation pipelines – injection/brine 
      • Future fluid transport pipeline extensions
      • Solution mining area primary access road
      • Solution mining area secondary access road
      • Paved access road to the soda ash plant
      • Rail line from the processing plant to the Union Pacific mainline.

Additional federal connected actions to this project include a natural gas pipeline and two power lines, which will be applied for by a third-party application.

The virtual public meetings will be held on March 20 at 3:00 P.M. Interested parties can join the meeting at https://blm.zoomgov.com/j/1617465819?pwd=aGtoTUs2MzhiRWJ1NHNzbEROUnNZZz09. The 30-day public scoping period will begin after the meeting and end April 19. Additional project information is posted on the BLM’s ePlanning website at: EplanningUi (blm.gov).  

“We greatly appreciate the public’s participation as we assess projects like this,” said Brandon Teppo, Acting Kemmerer Field Manager, “your feedback certainly helps us make the best possible decisions.”

Comments may be submitted electronically through the BLM’s ePlanning website linked above or by mail to the Bureau of Land Management Kemmerer Field Office, Attn: Kelly Lamborn, 430 North Highway, Kemmerer, WY 83101

All comments, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While those commenting may ask that their identifying information be withheld from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that they will be able to do so.

For more information, contact Kelly Lamborn at 307-828-4505 or klamborn@blm.gov.