Notice of Intent To Initiate Public Scoping and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the San Juan Mine Deep Lease Extension Mining Plan Modification, 14745-14747 [2017-05645]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 22, 2017 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation
and Enforcement
[S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000
178S180110; S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A00
17XS501520]
Notice of Intent To Initiate Public
Scoping and Prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement for the San Juan
Mine Deep Lease Extension Mining
Plan Modification
Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to initiate
public scoping and prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
AGENCY:
We, the Office of Surface
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
(OSMRE), are notifying the public that
we intend to prepare a draft
environmental impact statement (EIS) to
evaluate the impacts of alternatives
relating to the San Juan Coal Company’s
proposed mining plan modification for
the Deep Lease Extension (DLE). The
EIS will analyze the direct, indirect, and
cumulative impacts of the Company’s
DLE mining plan modification, Federal
Coal Lease NM–99144, at the existing
San Juan Mine. The EIS will also
analyze the effects of coal combustion at
the Public Service Company of New
Mexico’s San Juan Generating Station
(SJGS or the Generating Station).
OSMRE is soliciting public comments
on the proposed Project, scope of the
EIS, and the significant issues that
should be analyzed in the EIS.
DATES:
Comments: We will accept comments
received or postmarked on or before
May 8, 2017. Any comments that we
receive after the closing date may not be
considered.
Scoping Meetings: We will hold
public scoping open houses at the
following times and locations during the
scoping period:
• Monday, April 10th from 5:00 p.m.
to 8:00 p.m. at the Indian Pueblo
Cultural Center at 2401 12th St. NW.,
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• Tuesday, April 11th from 5:00 p.m.
to 8:00 p.m. at the Ute Community
Center at 785 Sunset Road, Towaoc,
Colorado.
• Wednesday, April 12th, from 5:00
p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Shiprock High
School approximately a half-mile west
on US–64 from US–491 in Shiprock,
New Mexico.
• Thursday, April 13th, from 5:00
p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Farmington City
Civic Center at 200 West Arrington St.,
Farmington, New Mexico.
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SUMMARY:
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• Friday, April 14th, from 4:00 p.m.
to 7:00 p.m. at the Durango Community
Recreation Center at 2700 Main Avenue,
Durango, Colorado.
At the scoping meetings, the public is
encouraged to submit resource
information, and identify topics to be
considered in the development of the
EIS. Written and oral comments will be
accepted at each meeting.
ADDRESSES:
You may submit written comments by
one of the following methods:
Email—Comments should be sent to:
osm-nepa-nm@osmre.gov.
• Mail/Courier—Written comments
should be sent to:
Gretchen Pinkham, OSMRE
c/o Catalyst Environmental Solutions
P.O. Box 56539
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413
At the top of your written submission or
in the subject line of your email
message, please indicate that the
comments are ‘‘San Juan Mine EIS
Comments.’’
We request that you send comments
only by one of the methods described
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information about the Project
and/or to have your name added to the
mailing list, contact: Gretchen Pinkham,
OSMRE Project Manager, at 303–293–
5088 or by email at osm-nepa-nm@
osmre.gov. Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
to contact the above individual during
normal business hours. The FIRS is
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
to leave a message or question with the
above individual. You will receive a
reply to your message during normal
business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background on the Project
II. Mining Plan Modification for the DLE
III. Alternatives and Related Impacts under
Consideration
IV. Public Comment Procedures
I. Background on the Project
As established by the Mineral Leasing
Act of 1920, the Surface Mining Control
and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977,
as amended (30 U.S.C. 1201–1328), and
the Cooperative agreement between the
State of NM and the DOI Secretary in
accordance with Section 523(c) of
SMCRA, and 30 U.S.C. 1273(c), the
Company’s Permit Application Package
(PAP) must be reviewed and approved
before the Company may conduct
underground mining and reclamation
operations to develop the DLE Federal
Coal Lease NM–99144. The NM Mining
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14745
and Minerals Division (NM MMD) is the
regulatory authority responsible for
reviewing and approving PAPs, and
OSMRE is responsible for the oversight
of the NM MMD coal program. OSMRE
is also responsible for making
recommendations to the Assistant
Secretary for Land and Minerals
Management (ASLM) regarding
decisions on proposed mining plan
modifications for federally leased coal
(30 CFR 476.13). The NM MMD
approved the PAP for the DLE on
October 22, 1999. OSMRE submitted a
mining plan decision document to the
ASLM which was approved by the
ASLM on January 17, 2008, which
included a Finding of No Significant
Impact signed by OSMRE in 2007 and
the Bureau of Land Management’s
(BLM) 1998 decision record on the
amendment to the 1988 Farmington
Resource Management Plan to include
the Federal Coal Lease NM–99144 for
the San Juan Mine’s DLE.
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended, 42 United States
Code (U.S.C.) 4231–4347; the Council
on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ)
regulations for implementing NEPA, 40
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts
1500 through 1508; and the Department
of the Interior’s (DOI) NEPA regulations,
43 CFR part 46, we, the Office of Surface
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
(OSMRE), are notifying the public that
we intend to prepare a draft
environmental impact statement (EIS) to
evaluate the impacts of alternatives
relating to the San Juan Coal Company’s
proposed mining plan modification for
the Deep Lease Extension (DLE).
Preparation of the EIS will be completed
pursuant to the court-approved
Voluntary Remand, as approved by the
United States District Court for the
District of NM on August 31, 2016, in
the case entitled WildEarth Guardians v.
U.S. Office of Surface Mining et al., Case
1:14-cv-00112–RJ–CG (D. NM 2016). As
part of the court-approved Voluntary
Remand, OSMRE agreed to prepare an
EIS and Mining Plan Decision
Document within three years for the San
Juan Mine’s mining activity within
Federal Coal Lease NM–99144, the DLE,
beginning in 2008 and continuing
through the life of reserves for the DLE.
The San Juan Mine currently delivers
approximately 6 million tons per year
(tpy) of coal from the DLE and other
approved mining areas to the Generating
Station and will continue delivering at
that rate through 2017. It is anticipated
that approximately 3 million tpy of coal
from the DLE and other approved
mining areas would be delivered to the
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Generating Station post-2017. Mining
activities within the DLE have been
ongoing since OSMRE approval in 2008,
and continue presently. Per the
Voluntary Remand, mining operations
within the DLE are allowed to proceed
during the development of the EIS.
The above-referenced court order
stipulates that the Secretary’s approval
of the 2008 mining plan modification
for the DLE would be vacated if OSMRE
does not complete the EIS process and
issue a decision by August 31, 2019,
absent a court order for good cause
shown. As a result, OSMRE has
identified a need to re-evaluate its
previous mining plan modification
recommendation for this area based, in
part, on (1) the PAP submitted to
OSMRE and NM MMD, and (2) new
information regarding potentially
affected resources available since the
2008 MPDD approval.
The underground operations at San
Juan Mine use longwall mining methods
consisting of one longwall miner and
continuous miner in the development
portion of the Mine. Underground
mining occurs within multiple state and
federal lease areas at the San Juan Mine;
these are generally referred to as the
Deep Lease and DLE Areas. Since
authorization in 2008, the Company has
mined approximately 18 million tons of
coal in the DLE. The mine currently
employs approximately 360 people. The
approved NM MMD permit area would
not increase from its present
approximate size of 17,726 acres. A total
of approximately 15,404 acres of
federally owned coal remains within the
current San Juan Mine permit area,
approximately 4,484 acres of which is
within the DLE. The 2008 mining plan
modification would not increase any
acres of federal surface lands or any
acres of federal coal to the approved
permit area, but would authorize the
recovery of approximately 36.6 million
tons of federal coal from 4,484 acres of
federal coal from the DLE. The
remaining coal reserves in the DLE and
other approved mining areas will allow
the mine to continue operating at the
anticipated mining rates until
approximately 2033. The post-mining
land use remains grazing and wildlife
habitat.
The Bureau of Land Management
(BLM); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), and NM MMD will cooperate
with OSMRE in the preparation of the
EIS. Additional Cooperating Agencies
may be identified during the scooping
process.
OSMRE will also consult the New
Mexico State Historic Preservation
Officer in compliance with Section 106
of the National Historic Preservation Act
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(NHPA) of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C.
300101–307108), as provided for in 36
CFR 800.2(d)(3) concurrently with the
NEPA process, including the public
involvement requirements. Native
American tribal consultations will be
conducted in accordance with DOI
policy. Federal, Tribal, State and local
agencies, along with other stakeholders
that may be interested in or affected by
OSMRE’s decision on the Project, are
invited to participate in the scoping
process and, if eligible, may request or
be requested by OSMRE to participate as
a cooperating agency.
As part of its consideration of impacts
of the Project on threatened and
endangered species, OSMRE will
consult the USFWS pursuant to Section
7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.) and its implementing regulations.
The consultation will consider direct
and indirect impacts from the proposed
Project, including Project related coal
combustion emissions generated by
SJGS from the combustion of DLE coal.
In addition to compliance with NEPA,
NHPA Section 106, and ESA Section 7,
all federal actions will be in compliance
with applicable requirements of the
SMCRA; the CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1251–
1387; the Clean Air Act of 1970, as
amended, 42 U.S.C. 7401–7671q; the
Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act of 1990, as amended,
25 U.S.C. 3001–3013; and Executive
Orders relating to Environmental
Justice, Sacred Sites, and Tribal
Consultation, and other applicable laws
and regulations.
II. Mining Plan Modification for the
DLE
The Company’s mining plan
modification provides for continued
development of the DLE, Federal Coal
Lease NM–99144, within the San Juan
Mine permit area. Due to the retirement
of coal fired Units 2 and 3 at the
Generating Station, the annual
production rate of the DLE would be
reduced from the current annual
production rate of 4–6 million tons to an
annual production rate of 2–3 million
tons for approximately 10–15 years
beginning in 2017. The Generating
Station, located approximately 4 miles
northeast of Waterflow and 15 miles
west of Farmington, NM, is operated by
Public Service Company of New Mexico
on its own behalf and on behalf of eight
other owners. The Generating Station
currently operates four coal-fired units
which generate 1800 megawatts and
provide power to Arizona, NM, Utah,
and California. However, Units 2 and 3
will be retired by December 31, 2017.
The Generating Station’s Units 1 and 4
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would remain operational, generating
approximately 910 megawatts burning
approximately 3 million tons of coal per
year. Federal Coal Lease NM–99144
encompasses 4,483.88 acres and
includes:
Township 30, North, Range 14 West,
NMPM
Section 17: All;
Section 18: All;
Section 19: All;
Section 20: All;
Section 29: All;
Section 30: All;
Section 31: Lot 1 (41.70 acres), Lot 2
(41.21 acres), Lot 3 (40.73 acres),
Lot 4 (40.24 acres), N1⁄2, N1⁄2S1⁄2
Upon completion of the EIS and
issuance of the Record of Decision,
OSMRE will submit a mining plan
decision document to the ASLM to
recommend approval, disapproval, or
approval with conditions of the
proposed mining plan modification for
the continuation or cessation of the San
Juan Mine to mine the DLE within
Federal Coal Lease NM–99144 within
the three year period required under the
Voluntary Remand. The ASLM will
decide whether the mining plan
modification is approved, disapproved,
or approved with conditions.
III. Alternatives and Related Impacts
Under Consideration
The analysis in the EIS will address
direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts
of the Proposed Action and
Alternatives. Since the NOI must be
published prior to the scoping process,
in compliance with 40 CFR 1501.7,
OSMRE may need to modify the
Proposed Action and Alternatives from
those presented in this NOI based on
issues raised during scoping. The
scoping process provides, among other
things, the opportunity for interested
parties to identify issues and propose
alternative actions. As explained in the
DOI regulations for implementing
NEPA, the input received during
scoping efforts is important to help
define the issues for consideration.
However, suggestions obtained during
scoping are not binding but are only
important options for the lead agency to
consider (43 CFR 46.235(b)).
Alternatives for the Project that are
currently under consideration include:
(a) Proposed Action Alternative—The
DLE as proposed and approved in the
PAP and the 2008 Mining Plan Decision
Document.
(b) Alternate Mining Technique, room
and pillar and retreat mining—An
alternative mining technique alternative
would utilize room and pillar and
retreat mining methods instead of the
current longwall mining technique
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being utilized in the DLE. This
alternative would be analyzed as a
variation to the Proposed Action and
Current Mining Activity Alternatives.
(c) No Action Alternative—as
described above, the court-approved
Voluntary Remand will vacate the 2008
mining plan modification for the DLE if
the EIS and Mining Plan Decision
Document are not complete within three
years, by August 31, 2019. Therefore, in
this instance, the No Action Alternative
is to continue with the present course of
action (mining) until that action is
changed (through vacatur of the mining
plan approval). Implementation of the
no action alternative would result in the
discontinuation of mining activities at
San Juan Mine and the final closure and
reclamation activities at the Mine. As a
consequence of Mine shutdown, the
Generating Station would likely cease
operations after any stockpiled coal is
used. Considering mining activities in
the DLE have been ongoing since 2008
and will continue throughout the NEPA
process, the baseline conditions for the
No Action Alternative will reflect the
conditions present in August 2019,
when the ASLM has made a decision on
the mining plan modification based on
OSMRE’s recommendation in the mine
plan decision document.
(d) Any environmentally preferable
alternatives that may be identified in
accordance with 40 CFR part 1500 and
43 CFR part 46.
The purpose of the public scoping
process is to determine relevant issues
that could influence the scope of the
environmental analysis, including
alternatives, and guide the process for
developing the EIS and related
compliance efforts. The final range of
reasonable alternatives to be considered
will be determined based, in part, on the
issues raised during the scoping
process.
At present, OSMRE has identified the
following preliminary issues and
potential impacts:
• Federally listed threatened and
endangered species, including but not
limited to the Razorback sucker
(Xyrauchen texanus), Colorado
pikeminnow (Ptychochelius lucius), and
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
(Empidonax traillii extimus);
• Air quality and climate change;
• Surface and ground water resources
(including potential wetlands and
floodplains);
• Environmental Justice
considerations;
• Cultural and historic resources;
• Biological resources (including
wildlife, fish, and vegetation);
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18:14 Mar 21, 2017
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• Visual resources;
• Public health and safety;
• Land use and recreational
resources;
• Transportation and access;
• Socioeconomics; and
• Noise and vibration.
IV. Public Comment Procedures
In accordance with the CEQ’s
regulations for implementing NEPA and
the DOI’s NEPA regulations, OSMRE
solicits public comments on the scope
of the EIS and significant issues that
should be addressed in the EIS.
Written comments, including email
comments, should be sent to OSMRE at
the addresses given in the ADDRESSES
section of this Notice. Comments should
be specific and pertain only to the
issues relating to the Project and EIS.
OSMRE will include all comments in
the project record.
If you would like to be placed on the
mailing list to receive future
information, please contact the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT, above. Navajo and Ute
interpreters will be present at meetings
on the Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute
Reservations, respectively.
Scoping Meetings
See DATES section above for the dates
and times of the public scoping
meetings. The primary purpose of the
meetings and the public comment
period is to provide the public with a
general understanding of the
background of the proposed action and
to solicit suggestions and information
on the scope of issues and alternatives
we should consider when preparing the
DEIS. Written and oral comments will
be accepted at the meetings. Comments
can also be submitted by the methods
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Once
the DEIS is complete and made
available for review, there will be
additional opportunity for public
comment.
Persons needing reasonable
accommodations in order to attend and
participate in the public scoping
meetings should contact the person
listed under the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section at as soon
as possible. In order to allow sufficient
time to process requests, please make
contact no later than one week before
the public meeting. Navajo and Ute
interpreters will be present at meetings
held on the Navajo and Ute Mountain
Ute Reservations, respectively.
Availability of Comments
OSMRE will make comments,
including name of respondent, address,
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14747
phone number, email address, or other
personal identifying information,
available for public review during
normal business hours. Comments
submitted anonymously will be
accepted and considered; however,
those who submit anonymous
comments may not have standing to
appeal the subsequent decision.
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—will
be publicly available. While you can ask
us in your comment to withhold your
personal identifying information from
public review, we cannot guarantee that
we will be able to do so.
All submissions from organizations or
businesses and from individuals
identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses will be
available for public review to the extent
consistent with applicable law.
Dated: February 28, 2017.
David Berry,
Regional Director, Western Region.
[FR Doc. 2017–05645 Filed 3–21–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–05–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332–561]
Global Digital Trade I: Market
Opportunities and Key Foreign Trade
Restrictions; Notice of Correction
Concerning Institution of Investigation
and Scheduling of Hearing
U.S. International Trade
Commission.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Correction of notice.
Correction is made to the
March 23, 2017 deadline for filing prehearing briefs and statements in the
Dates section of the notice which was
published on February 10, 2017 (82 FR
10397). The date of the deadline for
filing pre-hearing briefs and statements
should be March 28, 2017.
SUMMARY:
Issued: March 16, 2017.
Lisa R. Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2017–05576 Filed 3–21–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14745-14747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05645]
[[Page 14745]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
[S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 178S180110; S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A00
17XS501520]
Notice of Intent To Initiate Public Scoping and Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for the San Juan Mine Deep Lease
Extension Mining Plan Modification
AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to initiate public scoping and prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
(OSMRE), are notifying the public that we intend to prepare a draft
environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the impacts of
alternatives relating to the San Juan Coal Company's proposed mining
plan modification for the Deep Lease Extension (DLE). The EIS will
analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the Company's
DLE mining plan modification, Federal Coal Lease NM-99144, at the
existing San Juan Mine. The EIS will also analyze the effects of coal
combustion at the Public Service Company of New Mexico's San Juan
Generating Station (SJGS or the Generating Station). OSMRE is
soliciting public comments on the proposed Project, scope of the EIS,
and the significant issues that should be analyzed in the EIS.
DATES:
Comments: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or
before May 8, 2017. Any comments that we receive after the closing date
may not be considered.
Scoping Meetings: We will hold public scoping open houses at the
following times and locations during the scoping period:
Monday, April 10th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center at 2401 12th St. NW., Albuquerque, New
Mexico.
Tuesday, April 11th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Ute
Community Center at 785 Sunset Road, Towaoc, Colorado.
Wednesday, April 12th, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the
Shiprock High School approximately a half-mile west on US-64 from US-
491 in Shiprock, New Mexico.
Thursday, April 13th, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the
Farmington City Civic Center at 200 West Arrington St., Farmington, New
Mexico.
Friday, April 14th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the
Durango Community Recreation Center at 2700 Main Avenue, Durango,
Colorado.
At the scoping meetings, the public is encouraged to submit
resource information, and identify topics to be considered in the
development of the EIS. Written and oral comments will be accepted at
each meeting.
ADDRESSES:
You may submit written comments by one of the following methods:
Email--Comments should be sent to: osm-nepa-nm@osmre.gov.
Mail/Courier--Written comments should be sent to:
Gretchen Pinkham, OSMRE
c/o Catalyst Environmental Solutions
P.O. Box 56539
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413
At the top of your written submission or in the subject line of your
email message, please indicate that the comments are ``San Juan Mine
EIS Comments.''
We request that you send comments only by one of the methods
described above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information about the
Project and/or to have your name added to the mailing list, contact:
Gretchen Pinkham, OSMRE Project Manager, at 303-293-5088 or by email at
osm-nepa-nm@osmre.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at
1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business
hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a
message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply
to your message during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background on the Project
II. Mining Plan Modification for the DLE
III. Alternatives and Related Impacts under Consideration
IV. Public Comment Procedures
I. Background on the Project
As established by the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, the Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977, as amended (30
U.S.C. 1201-1328), and the Cooperative agreement between the State of
NM and the DOI Secretary in accordance with Section 523(c) of SMCRA,
and 30 U.S.C. 1273(c), the Company's Permit Application Package (PAP)
must be reviewed and approved before the Company may conduct
underground mining and reclamation operations to develop the DLE
Federal Coal Lease NM-99144. The NM Mining and Minerals Division (NM
MMD) is the regulatory authority responsible for reviewing and
approving PAPs, and OSMRE is responsible for the oversight of the NM
MMD coal program. OSMRE is also responsible for making recommendations
to the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management (ASLM)
regarding decisions on proposed mining plan modifications for federally
leased coal (30 CFR 476.13). The NM MMD approved the PAP for the DLE on
October 22, 1999. OSMRE submitted a mining plan decision document to
the ASLM which was approved by the ASLM on January 17, 2008, which
included a Finding of No Significant Impact signed by OSMRE in 2007 and
the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) 1998 decision record on the
amendment to the 1988 Farmington Resource Management Plan to include
the Federal Coal Lease NM-99144 for the San Juan Mine's DLE.
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969,
as amended, 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) 4231-4347; the Council on
Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA, 40
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 1500 through 1508; and the
Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, 43 CFR part 46,
we, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE),
are notifying the public that we intend to prepare a draft
environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the impacts of
alternatives relating to the San Juan Coal Company's proposed mining
plan modification for the Deep Lease Extension (DLE). Preparation of
the EIS will be completed pursuant to the court-approved Voluntary
Remand, as approved by the United States District Court for the
District of NM on August 31, 2016, in the case entitled WildEarth
Guardians v. U.S. Office of Surface Mining et al., Case 1:14-cv-00112-
RJ-CG (D. NM 2016). As part of the court-approved Voluntary Remand,
OSMRE agreed to prepare an EIS and Mining Plan Decision Document within
three years for the San Juan Mine's mining activity within Federal Coal
Lease NM-99144, the DLE, beginning in 2008 and continuing through the
life of reserves for the DLE. The San Juan Mine currently delivers
approximately 6 million tons per year (tpy) of coal from the DLE and
other approved mining areas to the Generating Station and will continue
delivering at that rate through 2017. It is anticipated that
approximately 3 million tpy of coal from the DLE and other approved
mining areas would be delivered to the
[[Page 14746]]
Generating Station post-2017. Mining activities within the DLE have
been ongoing since OSMRE approval in 2008, and continue presently. Per
the Voluntary Remand, mining operations within the DLE are allowed to
proceed during the development of the EIS.
The above-referenced court order stipulates that the Secretary's
approval of the 2008 mining plan modification for the DLE would be
vacated if OSMRE does not complete the EIS process and issue a decision
by August 31, 2019, absent a court order for good cause shown. As a
result, OSMRE has identified a need to re-evaluate its previous mining
plan modification recommendation for this area based, in part, on (1)
the PAP submitted to OSMRE and NM MMD, and (2) new information
regarding potentially affected resources available since the 2008 MPDD
approval.
The underground operations at San Juan Mine use longwall mining
methods consisting of one longwall miner and continuous miner in the
development portion of the Mine. Underground mining occurs within
multiple state and federal lease areas at the San Juan Mine; these are
generally referred to as the Deep Lease and DLE Areas. Since
authorization in 2008, the Company has mined approximately 18 million
tons of coal in the DLE. The mine currently employs approximately 360
people. The approved NM MMD permit area would not increase from its
present approximate size of 17,726 acres. A total of approximately
15,404 acres of federally owned coal remains within the current San
Juan Mine permit area, approximately 4,484 acres of which is within the
DLE. The 2008 mining plan modification would not increase any acres of
federal surface lands or any acres of federal coal to the approved
permit area, but would authorize the recovery of approximately 36.6
million tons of federal coal from 4,484 acres of federal coal from the
DLE. The remaining coal reserves in the DLE and other approved mining
areas will allow the mine to continue operating at the anticipated
mining rates until approximately 2033. The post-mining land use remains
grazing and wildlife habitat.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), and NM MMD will cooperate with OSMRE in the preparation of the
EIS. Additional Cooperating Agencies may be identified during the
scooping process.
OSMRE will also consult the New Mexico State Historic Preservation
Officer in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 300101-307108),
as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3) concurrently with the NEPA
process, including the public involvement requirements. Native American
tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with DOI policy.
Federal, Tribal, State and local agencies, along with other
stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by OSMRE's decision
on the Project, are invited to participate in the scoping process and,
if eligible, may request or be requested by OSMRE to participate as a
cooperating agency.
As part of its consideration of impacts of the Project on
threatened and endangered species, OSMRE will consult the USFWS
pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations. The
consultation will consider direct and indirect impacts from the
proposed Project, including Project related coal combustion emissions
generated by SJGS from the combustion of DLE coal.
In addition to compliance with NEPA, NHPA Section 106, and ESA
Section 7, all federal actions will be in compliance with applicable
requirements of the SMCRA; the CWA, 33 U.S.C. 1251-1387; the Clean Air
Act of 1970, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q; the Native American
Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, as amended, 25 U.S.C.
3001-3013; and Executive Orders relating to Environmental Justice,
Sacred Sites, and Tribal Consultation, and other applicable laws and
regulations.
II. Mining Plan Modification for the DLE
The Company's mining plan modification provides for continued
development of the DLE, Federal Coal Lease NM-99144, within the San
Juan Mine permit area. Due to the retirement of coal fired Units 2 and
3 at the Generating Station, the annual production rate of the DLE
would be reduced from the current annual production rate of 4-6 million
tons to an annual production rate of 2-3 million tons for approximately
10-15 years beginning in 2017. The Generating Station, located
approximately 4 miles northeast of Waterflow and 15 miles west of
Farmington, NM, is operated by Public Service Company of New Mexico on
its own behalf and on behalf of eight other owners. The Generating
Station currently operates four coal-fired units which generate 1800
megawatts and provide power to Arizona, NM, Utah, and California.
However, Units 2 and 3 will be retired by December 31, 2017. The
Generating Station's Units 1 and 4 would remain operational, generating
approximately 910 megawatts burning approximately 3 million tons of
coal per year. Federal Coal Lease NM-99144 encompasses 4,483.88 acres
and includes:
Township 30, North, Range 14 West, NMPM
Section 17: All;
Section 18: All;
Section 19: All;
Section 20: All;
Section 29: All;
Section 30: All;
Section 31: Lot 1 (41.70 acres), Lot 2 (41.21 acres), Lot 3 (40.73
acres), Lot 4 (40.24 acres), N\1/2\, N\1/2\S\1/2\
Upon completion of the EIS and issuance of the Record of Decision,
OSMRE will submit a mining plan decision document to the ASLM to
recommend approval, disapproval, or approval with conditions of the
proposed mining plan modification for the continuation or cessation of
the San Juan Mine to mine the DLE within Federal Coal Lease NM-99144
within the three year period required under the Voluntary Remand. The
ASLM will decide whether the mining plan modification is approved,
disapproved, or approved with conditions.
III. Alternatives and Related Impacts Under Consideration
The analysis in the EIS will address direct, indirect, and
cumulative impacts of the Proposed Action and Alternatives. Since the
NOI must be published prior to the scoping process, in compliance with
40 CFR 1501.7, OSMRE may need to modify the Proposed Action and
Alternatives from those presented in this NOI based on issues raised
during scoping. The scoping process provides, among other things, the
opportunity for interested parties to identify issues and propose
alternative actions. As explained in the DOI regulations for
implementing NEPA, the input received during scoping efforts is
important to help define the issues for consideration. However,
suggestions obtained during scoping are not binding but are only
important options for the lead agency to consider (43 CFR 46.235(b)).
Alternatives for the Project that are currently under consideration
include:
(a) Proposed Action Alternative--The DLE as proposed and approved
in the PAP and the 2008 Mining Plan Decision Document.
(b) Alternate Mining Technique, room and pillar and retreat
mining--An alternative mining technique alternative would utilize room
and pillar and retreat mining methods instead of the current longwall
mining technique
[[Page 14747]]
being utilized in the DLE. This alternative would be analyzed as a
variation to the Proposed Action and Current Mining Activity
Alternatives.
(c) No Action Alternative--as described above, the court-approved
Voluntary Remand will vacate the 2008 mining plan modification for the
DLE if the EIS and Mining Plan Decision Document are not complete
within three years, by August 31, 2019. Therefore, in this instance,
the No Action Alternative is to continue with the present course of
action (mining) until that action is changed (through vacatur of the
mining plan approval). Implementation of the no action alternative
would result in the discontinuation of mining activities at San Juan
Mine and the final closure and reclamation activities at the Mine. As a
consequence of Mine shutdown, the Generating Station would likely cease
operations after any stockpiled coal is used. Considering mining
activities in the DLE have been ongoing since 2008 and will continue
throughout the NEPA process, the baseline conditions for the No Action
Alternative will reflect the conditions present in August 2019, when
the ASLM has made a decision on the mining plan modification based on
OSMRE's recommendation in the mine plan decision document.
(d) Any environmentally preferable alternatives that may be
identified in accordance with 40 CFR part 1500 and 43 CFR part 46.
The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant
issues that could influence the scope of the environmental analysis,
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS
and related compliance efforts. The final range of reasonable
alternatives to be considered will be determined based, in part, on the
issues raised during the scoping process.
At present, OSMRE has identified the following preliminary issues
and potential impacts:
Federally listed threatened and endangered species,
including but not limited to the Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus),
Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychochelius lucius), and Southwestern Willow
Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus);
Air quality and climate change;
Surface and ground water resources (including potential
wetlands and floodplains);
Environmental Justice considerations;
Cultural and historic resources;
Biological resources (including wildlife, fish, and
vegetation);
Visual resources;
Public health and safety;
Land use and recreational resources;
Transportation and access;
Socioeconomics; and
Noise and vibration.
IV. Public Comment Procedures
In accordance with the CEQ's regulations for implementing NEPA and
the DOI's NEPA regulations, OSMRE solicits public comments on the scope
of the EIS and significant issues that should be addressed in the EIS.
Written comments, including email comments, should be sent to OSMRE
at the addresses given in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
Comments should be specific and pertain only to the issues relating to
the Project and EIS. OSMRE will include all comments in the project
record.
If you would like to be placed on the mailing list to receive
future information, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT, above. Navajo and Ute interpreters will be present
at meetings on the Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute Reservations,
respectively.
Scoping Meetings
See DATES section above for the dates and times of the public
scoping meetings. The primary purpose of the meetings and the public
comment period is to provide the public with a general understanding of
the background of the proposed action and to solicit suggestions and
information on the scope of issues and alternatives we should consider
when preparing the DEIS. Written and oral comments will be accepted at
the meetings. Comments can also be submitted by the methods listed in
the ADDRESSES section. Once the DEIS is complete and made available for
review, there will be additional opportunity for public comment.
Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend and
participate in the public scoping meetings should contact the person
listed under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section at as soon as
possible. In order to allow sufficient time to process requests, please
make contact no later than one week before the public meeting. Navajo
and Ute interpreters will be present at meetings held on the Navajo and
Ute Mountain Ute Reservations, respectively.
Availability of Comments
OSMRE will make comments, including name of respondent, address,
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information,
available for public review during normal business hours. Comments
submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, those
who submit anonymous comments may not have standing to appeal the
subsequent decision.
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--will be publicly available. While you can ask us in your
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
All submissions from organizations or businesses and from
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses will be available for public review to the
extent consistent with applicable law.
Dated: February 28, 2017.
David Berry,
Regional Director, Western Region.
[FR Doc. 2017-05645 Filed 3-21-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P