BLM seeks comments on Rosebud Mine coal lease modification
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MILES CITY, Mont.) – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing the start of a 30-day public scoping period regarding an application to add 160 acres of federal coal to an existing Western Energy Company lease at the Rosebud Mine. The scoping period ends on November 30, 2016.
The BLM received Western Energy’s “lease by modification” application to mine a tract that is currently within their approved state and federal mine permit boundaries. The Miles City Field Office is preparing an Environmental Assessment in response to the application to assess the possible effects of the leasing of that coal. This scoping period will help the BLM in preparation of that analysis. Western Energy’s application covers a proposed 160 acre tract that contains approximately 5.9 million tons of coal.
The BLM has determined that this application is not subject to the pause on new leasing activity under Secretarial Order 3338 because it meets the exception found in Section 6(b) of the Order. That exception allows for lease modifications that do not exceed 160 acres to be processed through to a lease sale.
The purpose of this public scoping period is to obtain feedback on relevant issues that may influence the BLM’s environmental analysis or range of alternatives analyzed. This input will assist the BLM in developing the environmental assessment. Comments are most helpful if they provide specific actions to consider, specific resources or issues to analyze, or specific references to refer to for analysis of an issue or resource.
Those who provide comments are advised that before including their address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information, they should be aware that the entire comment – including their personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While those commenting can ask in their comments to withhold personal identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that they will be able to do so.
Send comments and information to: BLM Miles City Field Office, Attn: Western Energy Lease by Modification, 111 Garryowen Road, Miles City, MT 59301. Comments also can be emailed to blm_mt_mcfo_weco_80697ea@blm.
The BLM is responsible for the balanced use of the public lands and resources in a manner that best serves the long-term needs of current and future generations.
– BLM –
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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.