BLM announces actions to improve mine permitting, early engagement
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WASHINGTON – To enhance permitting efficiency for mining projects on public lands while ensuring rigorous environmental and public engagement standards, the Bureau of Land Management today announced a new national process for early coordination and engagement on mineral projects. This approach, known as pre-plan coordination, shortens review times while allowing potential conflicts to be identified and addressed early on. This builds on a proven model developed by the BLM’s Nevada office and is consistent with widely accepted permitting best practices.
“By prioritizing early coordination, we’re enabling faster reviews and earlier engagement with Tribes and local communities,” said Department of the Interior Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Dr. Steve Feldgus. “This process brings together all levels of government – Federal, State, local, and Tribal – so that responsible mining projects can move forward efficiently, which is why our interagency working group on mining recommended its adoption nationwide.”
Under the new policy, the BLM will direct field offices to encourage operators to engage in pre-plan coordination. This model brings together applicants with the Bureau, state and local governments, Tribes, and other agencies before mining plans are submitted to allow projects to be shaped, concerns identified, and expectations to be set for environmental review requirements. The BLM will then work with the operator to set mutually agreed review schedules.
Once pre-plan coordination is complete, applicants would submit their proposed plan of operations or plan modification to the appropriate BLM field office. The BLM would then proceed with National Environmental Policy Act review, Tribal consultation, and all other required steps.
BLM has found such meetings and the resulting alignment on needs, expectations, and schedules can speed the permitting process without any loss of environmental protection or opportunity for public input.
The new pre-plan coordination policy responds to recommendations from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Interagency Working Group on Mining Laws, Regulations, and Permitting (IWG) in its September 2023 report. It also reflects best practices outlined by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council.
The BLM has also finalized performance metrics to improve the efficiency and transparency of permitting mining projects on public lands, as directed by Section 40206 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Developed in coordination with Departmental performance experts and the U.S. Forest Service, these metrics will help BLM track key steps in the permitting process, including during pre-plan coordination, to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure compliance with timelines set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Informed by extensive public input that included engagement from industry, environmental and non-profit groups, and other stakeholders, the metrics will help measure success in the timely and effective permitting of mineral exploration and development projects.
BLM’s new pre-plan coordination policy follows additional recent steps to implement recommendations from the IWG. In September, BLM issued a policy to ensure that Tribal Nations are notified whenever mineral exploration work is proposed on BLM-managed lands.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.