Notice of Record of Decision for the Coal Hollow Mine Mining Plan, 32214-32216 [2019-14333]

Download as PDF 32214 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 129 / Friday, July 5, 2019 / Notices 2019, at https://www.nps.gov/nagpra. The meeting is open to the public and there will be time for public comment. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–27998; PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP16.R50000] Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee Notice of Public Meeting National Park Service, Interior. Meeting notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Park Service is hereby giving notice that the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee (Review Committee) will meet as indicated below. SUMMARY: The Review Committee will meet on August 21–22, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 5 p.m. in Fairbanks, Alaska. ADDRESSES: The Review Committee will meet in the Arnold Espe Multimedia Auditorium, University of Alaska Museum of the North, 1962 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775. Electronic submissions of materials or requests are to be sent to nagpra_info@nps.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melanie O’Brien, Designated Federal Officer, National Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Program (2253), National Park Service, telephone (202) 354–2201, or email nagpra_info@nps.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Review Committee was established in section 8 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA). Information about NAGPRA, the Review Committee, and Review Committee meetings is available on the National NAGPRA Program website at https://www.nps.gov/nagpra. Purpose of the Meeting: The agenda will include a report from the National NAGPRA Program; the discussion of the Review Committee Report to Congress; subcommittee reports and discussion; and other topics related to the Review Committee’s responsibilities under section 8 of NAGPRA; and public comments. In addition, the agenda may include requests to the Review Committee for a recommendation to the Secretary of the Interior that an agreedupon disposition of Native American human remains proceed; and presentations by Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, museums, Federal agencies, associations, and individuals. Presentation to the Review Committee by telephone may be requested but is not guaranteed. The agenda and materials for this meeting will be posted on or before July 22, jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Jul 03, 2019 Jkt 247001 General Information The Review Committee is responsible for monitoring the NAGPRA inventory and identification process; reviewing and making findings related to the identity or cultural affiliation of cultural items, or the return of such items; facilitating the resolution of disputes; compiling an inventory of culturally unidentifiable human remains that are in the possession or control of each Federal agency and museum, and recommending specific actions for developing a process for disposition of such human remains; consulting with Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations and museums on matters affecting such tribes or organizations lying within the scope of work of the Review Committee; consulting with the Secretary of the Interior on the development of regulations to carry out NAGPRA; and making recommendations regarding future care of repatriated cultural items. The Review Committee’s work is carried out during the course of meetings that are open to the public. The Review Committee is soliciting presentations from Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, museums, and Federal agencies on the following two topics: (1) The progress made, and any barriers encountered, in implementing NAGPRA and (2) the outcomes of disputes reviewed by the Review Committee pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3006 (c)(4). The Review Committee also will consider other presentations from Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, museums, Federal agencies, associations, and individuals. A presentation request must, at minimum, include an abstract of the presentation and contact information for the presenter(s). Written comments will be accepted from any party and provided to the Review Committee. The Review Committee will consider requests for a recommendation to the Secretary of the Interior that an agreedupon disposition of Native American human remains proceed. A disposition request must include specific information and, as applicable, ancillary materials. For details on the required information go to https://www.nps.gov/ nagpra/Review. Contact the Designated Federal Officer to discuss requests for findings of fact related to the identity or cultural affiliation of human remains or other cultural items, or the return of such items; or requests to facilitate the resolution of disputes. PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Deadlines for submissions and requests can be found at https:// www.nps.gov/nagpra/review/ announcements.htm. Submissions and requests should be sent to nagpra_info@ nps.gov. Such items are subject to posting on the National NAGPRA Program website prior to the meeting. Public Disclosure of Comments: Before including your address, telephone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information— may be made publicly available at any time. 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. Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2; 25 U.S.C. 3006. Alma Ripps, Chief, Office of Policy. [FR Doc. 2019–14354 Filed 7–3–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–52–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement [S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 190S180110; S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A00 19XS501520] Notice of Record of Decision for the Coal Hollow Mine Mining Plan Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior. ACTION: Notice of record of decision. AGENCY: The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) announces its decision to adopt the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Alton Coal Tract Lease by Application at the Coal Hollow Mine located in Kane County, UT. In accordance with Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA, and other applicable authorities, OSMRE has conducted an independent review and evaluation of the BLM’s FEIS for the Alton Coal Tract Lease by Application at the Coal Hollow Mine dated July 2018. As a cooperating agency with responsibility for the Federal Lands Program and the preparation of mining plan decision documents for review by the Assistant Secretary for Land and SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\05JYN1.SGM 05JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 129 / Friday, July 5, 2019 / Notices Minerals Management (ASLM), OSMRE provided subject matter expertise to the BLM during the environmental review process. Based on its independent review and evaluation, OSMRE has determined the FEIS, including all supporting documentation, as incorporated by reference, adequately assesses and discloses the environmental impacts for the mining plan, and that adoption of the 2018 FEIS by OSMRE is authorized. Accordingly, OSMRE adopts the 2018 FEIS, and takes full responsibility for the scope and content that addresses the proposed mining plan at Coal Hollow Mine. ADDRESSES: Documents are available on OSMRE’s website: https:// www.wrcc.osmre.gov/initiatives/ coalHollowMine.shtm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Pinkham, OSMRE Project Manager, at 303–293–5088 or by email at osm-nepa-ut@osmre.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf 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 during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES I. Background on the Project II. Alternatives III. Environmental Impact Analysis IV. Decision I. Background on the Project As established by the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) 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 Utah and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) in accordance with Section 523(c) of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1273(c)), Alton Coal Development, LLC Permit Application Package (PAP) (also referred to as LBA Block 1) must be reviewed by OSMRE and a mining plan approved by the ASLM before Alton Coal Development, LLC may significantly disturb the environment in order to develop the Federal Coal Lease UTU–081895. The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM) is the SMCRA regulatory authority principally responsible for reviewing and approving PAPs. Under the MLA, OSMRE is responsible for making a recommendation to the ASLM about whether the proposed mining plan modification should be approved, disapproved, or approved with conditions (30 CFR 746). OSMRE has VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Jul 03, 2019 Jkt 247001 reviewed the FEIS in its entirety for adoption and determined the analysis to be sufficient. Any future mining plan decisions within the Alternative K1 lease area would be subject to reevaluation under NEPA. It is OSMRE’s decision to adopt the BLM Kanab Field Office ‘‘Alton Coal Tract Lease by Application’’ FEIS (2018), as allowed under 40 CFR 1506.3. Consistent with the BLM decision, OSMRE is selecting Alternative K1, as described in the FEIS (Section 2.5), based on the agencies’ consideration of: The purpose and need for the action; the issues; current policies and regulations; the analysis of alternatives contained in the FEIS; public comments received and other information in the project record. Alternative K1 as analyzed in the FEIS would add 2,114 acres of which approximately 1,227 acres are federal surface and mineral estate and 887 acres are split estate (private surface and federal mineral estate) for surface and underground mining activities. Under Alternative K1, the lease to be mined contains approximately 40.9 million tons of coal and an estimated 30.8 million tons of coal will be recoverable. The lease would produce approximately 2 million tons per year and mining operations would be extended by approximately 16 years. The BLM and OSMRE, in consultation with the Utah State Historic Preservation Office, developed a programmatic agreement (Appendix N of the FEIS) pursuant to 36 CFR 800.14 that would provide for a comprehensive consideration of possible effects to historic properties in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 300101–307108). Consultations with Native American Tribes are being conducted in accordance with DOI policy. As part of its consideration of impacts of the proposed Project on threatened and endangered species, OSMRE completed the Section 7 consultation process under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, utilizing the BLM’s previous consultation completed on October 6, 2017 and came to a finding of no effect for the Ute ladies’-tresses, pursuant to Section 7 of ESA, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations. 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 Clean Water Act (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 PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 32215 Repatriation Act of 1990, as amended, (25 U.S.C. 3001–3013), and all applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders relating to Environmental Justice (E.O. 12898), Sacred Sites (E.O. 13007), and Tribal Consultation (E.O. 13175). II. Alternatives The analysis in the FEIS considers direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the Proposed Action and three Alternatives. Alternatives for the Project that were analyzed in the FEIS include: (a) Alternative A—No Action Alternative: This Alternative was identified by OSMRE as the environmentally preferable Alternative. Even though this is the No Action Alternative, currently permitted mining on private lands adjacent to the lease would continue to mine approximately 5 million short tons of recoverable coal from approximately 635 acres. (b) Alternative B—Proposed Action: Under the Proposed Action, the lease would encompass approximately 3,576 acres of which approximately 2,280 acres are federal surface and mineral estate and 1,296 acres are split estate; private surface estate and federal mineral estate. The Proposed Action would include approximately 44.9 million tons of recoverable coal to be mined over 25 years at a rate of approximately 2 million tons per year. (c) Alternative C—Reduced Tract Acreage and Seasonal Restrictions: Under Alternative C, the lease would be modified to exclude Block NW and certain mining activities in the south portion of the lease (Block S) would be subject to seasonal restrictions to reduce impacts to the local Greater Sage-Grouse population. The modified lease would encompass approximately 3,173 acres of which approximately 2,280 acres are federal surface and mineral estate and 893 acres are split estate. The modified lease area would contain 39.2 million tons of recoverable coal to be mined over 21 years at a rate of 2 million tons per year. (d) Alternative K1—Preferred Alternative: Under Alternative K1, the lease would be modified to exclude Block NW and Block S. The lease would add 2,114 acres of which approximately 1,227 acres are federal surface and mineral estate and 887 acres are split estate (private surface and federal mineral estate) for surface and underground mining activities. Approximately 30.8 million tons of coal will be recoverable to be mined over 16 years at a rate of 2 million tons per year. A wide range of additional Alternatives were considered by OSMRE but not carried forward for E:\FR\FM\05JYN1.SGM 05JYN1 jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES 32216 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 129 / Friday, July 5, 2019 / Notices detailed analysis in the FEIS. The following Alternatives were not analyzed in the FEIS (Section 2.7) because they either did not meet the purpose and need of the Project or were not considered technically feasible or economically feasible or cost-effective: • Alternative D: Alton Coal Development’s Original Lease By Application Submittal • Alternative E: No Surface Mining • Alternative F: Postpone Leasing Decision Until Completion Of The Kanab Field Office Resource Management Plan Revision • Alternative G: Postpone Leasing Decision Until More Environmentally Friendly Coal Mining Practices Are Available • Alternative H: Construct A Coal-Fired Power Plant Next To The Tract • Alternative I: Promote The Development Of Alternative Sources Of Energy, Natural Gas, And Energy Conservation • Alternative J: Coal Transportation Alternatives • Alternative K2: Tract Modifications To Address Concerns Related To Greater Sage-Grouse And Big Game • Alternative L: Tract Modifications To Address Concerns Related To Kanab Creek, Possible Alluvial Valley Floors, And Other Water Features • Alternative M: Maximize Flexibility Of Mining Operations • Alternative N: Nitrogen Dioxide Emissions Control Measures • Alternative O: Restrict Mining Operations To Daylight Hours • Alternative P: Update The KFO RMP Unsuitability Determinations Based On The Analysis In The DEIS And Reconfigure The Tract To Exclude These Areas • Alternative Q: Air Quality Protection Alternative • Alternative R: Restrict Coal Truck Traffic After Sunset And Before Sunrise • Alternative S: Reconfigure The Tract To Exclude Cultural Resources Sites Eligible For The National Register Of Historic Places • Alternative T: Seasonal Timing Restrictions And Varying Buffer-Size Restrictions For The Tract • Alternative U: Alternative Locations • Alternative V: Lease All Known Recoverable Coal Resources Certain components of the federal action would be independent of the elements of any alternative. In the FEIS, these were considered options, any one of which could be chosen in combination with any alternative and would not necessitate changes in the alternative, or vice versa. Those options VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Jul 03, 2019 Jkt 247001 that were considered but not carried forward for detailed analysis are listed below (FEIS Section 2.7). • Kanab Field Office Route 116 Relocation Options • Other Roads In The Tract • Power Generation Options III. Environmental Impact Analysis The FEIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts to 16 different resource categories, including: • Air Resources • Paleontology • Geology and Minerals • Cultural Resources • Soils • Vegetation • Wildlife: Special Status Species • Wildlife: General • Hazardous Materials and Hazardous and Solid Waste • Water Resources • Livestock Grazing • Transportation • Land Use and Access • Recreation • Socioeconomics • Aesthetics Resources IV. Decision In consideration of the information presented above, OSMRE approves the Record of Decision (ROD) adopting the BLM Alton Coal Tract Lease by Application FEIS and selects Alternative K1 as the Preferred Alternative as described in the FEIS (Section 2.5). The BLM included lease stipulations which were outlined in Appendix B of BLM’s ROD to minimize environmental impacts. This action can be implemented following approval of the mining plan modification by the ASLM. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.1. Dated: June 25, 2019. David Berry, Regional Director, Regions 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. [FR Doc. 2019–14333 Filed 7–3–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–05–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation Nos. 701–TA–606 and 731– TA–1416 (Final)] Quartz Surface Products From China; Determinations developed On the basis of the in the subject investigations, the United record 1 1 The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 207.2(f)). PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 States International Trade Commission (‘‘Commission’’) determines, pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930 (‘‘the Act’’), that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports of quartz surface products from China, provided for in subheading 6810.99.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that have been found by the U.S. Department of Commerce (‘‘Commerce’’) to be sold in the United States at less than fair value (‘‘LTFV’’), and to be subsidized by the government of China.2 Background The Commission, pursuant to sections 705(b) and 735(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1671d(b) and 19 U.S.C. 1673d(b)), instituted these investigations effective April 17, 2018, following receipt of a petition filed with the Commission and Commerce by Cambria Company LLC, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The final phase of the investigations was scheduled by the Commission following notification of preliminary determinations by Commerce that imports of quartz surface products from China were subsidized within the meaning of section 703(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1671b(b)) and sold at LTFV within the meaning of 733(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1673b(b)). Notice of the scheduling of the final phase of the Commission’s investigations and of a public hearing to be held in connection therewith was given by posting copies of the notice in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and by publishing the revised notice in the Federal Register on February 12, 2019 (84 FR 3487). The hearing was held in Washington, DC, on May 9, 2019, and all persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in person or by counsel. The Commission made these determinations pursuant to sections 705(b) and 735(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1671d(b) and 19 U.S.C. 1673d(b)). It completed and filed its determinations in these investigations on June 28, 2019. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 4913 (June 2019), entitled Quartz Surface Products from China: Investigation Nos. 701–TA–606 and 731–TA–1416 (Final). By order of the Commission. 2 The Commission also finds that imports subject to Commerce’s affirmative critical circumstances determinations are not likely to undermine seriously the remedial effect of the countervailing and antidumping duty orders on quartz surface products from China. E:\FR\FM\05JYN1.SGM 05JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 129 (Friday, July 5, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32214-32216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14333]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

[S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 190S180110; S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A00 
19XS501520]


Notice of Record of Decision for the Coal Hollow Mine Mining Plan

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of record of decision.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 
(OSMRE) announces its decision to adopt the Bureau of Land Management's 
(BLM) Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Alton Coal 
Tract Lease by Application at the Coal Hollow Mine located in Kane 
County, UT. In accordance with Section 102 of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Council on Environmental 
Quality's (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA, and other applicable 
authorities, OSMRE has conducted an independent review and evaluation 
of the BLM's FEIS for the Alton Coal Tract Lease by Application at the 
Coal Hollow Mine dated July 2018.
    As a cooperating agency with responsibility for the Federal Lands 
Program and the preparation of mining plan decision documents for 
review by the Assistant Secretary for Land and

[[Page 32215]]

Minerals Management (ASLM), OSMRE provided subject matter expertise to 
the BLM during the environmental review process. Based on its 
independent review and evaluation, OSMRE has determined the FEIS, 
including all supporting documentation, as incorporated by reference, 
adequately assesses and discloses the environmental impacts for the 
mining plan, and that adoption of the 2018 FEIS by OSMRE is authorized. 
Accordingly, OSMRE adopts the 2018 FEIS, and takes full responsibility 
for the scope and content that addresses the proposed mining plan at 
Coal Hollow Mine.

ADDRESSES: Documents are available on OSMRE's website: https://www.wrcc.osmre.gov/initiatives/coalHollowMine.shtm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Pinkham, OSMRE Project 
Manager, at 303-293-5088 or by email at [email protected]. Persons 
who use a telecommunications device for the deaf 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 during normal business hours.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background on the Project
II. Alternatives
III. Environmental Impact Analysis
IV. Decision

I. Background on the Project

    As established by the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) 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 Utah and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) 
in accordance with Section 523(c) of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1273(c)), Alton 
Coal Development, LLC Permit Application Package (PAP) (also referred 
to as LBA Block 1) must be reviewed by OSMRE and a mining plan approved 
by the ASLM before Alton Coal Development, LLC may significantly 
disturb the environment in order to develop the Federal Coal Lease UTU-
081895. The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM) is the SMCRA 
regulatory authority principally responsible for reviewing and 
approving PAPs. Under the MLA, OSMRE is responsible for making a 
recommendation to the ASLM about whether the proposed mining plan 
modification should be approved, disapproved, or approved with 
conditions (30 CFR 746). OSMRE has reviewed the FEIS in its entirety 
for adoption and determined the analysis to be sufficient. Any future 
mining plan decisions within the Alternative K1 lease area would be 
subject to re-evaluation under NEPA.
    It is OSMRE's decision to adopt the BLM Kanab Field Office ``Alton 
Coal Tract Lease by Application'' FEIS (2018), as allowed under 40 CFR 
1506.3. Consistent with the BLM decision, OSMRE is selecting 
Alternative K1, as described in the FEIS (Section 2.5), based on the 
agencies' consideration of: The purpose and need for the action; the 
issues; current policies and regulations; the analysis of alternatives 
contained in the FEIS; public comments received and other information 
in the project record.
    Alternative K1 as analyzed in the FEIS would add 2,114 acres of 
which approximately 1,227 acres are federal surface and mineral estate 
and 887 acres are split estate (private surface and federal mineral 
estate) for surface and underground mining activities. Under 
Alternative K1, the lease to be mined contains approximately 40.9 
million tons of coal and an estimated 30.8 million tons of coal will be 
recoverable. The lease would produce approximately 2 million tons per 
year and mining operations would be extended by approximately 16 years.
    The BLM and OSMRE, in consultation with the Utah State Historic 
Preservation Office, developed a programmatic agreement (Appendix N of 
the FEIS) pursuant to 36 CFR 800.14 that would provide for a 
comprehensive consideration of possible effects to historic properties 
in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 300101-307108). Consultations 
with Native American Tribes are being conducted in accordance with DOI 
policy.
    As part of its consideration of impacts of the proposed Project on 
threatened and endangered species, OSMRE completed the Section 7 
consultation process under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, 
utilizing the BLM's previous consultation completed on October 6, 2017 
and came to a finding of no effect for the Ute ladies'-tresses, 
pursuant to Section 7 of ESA, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and 
its implementing regulations.
    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 Clean Water Act (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 all applicable laws, regulations, 
and Executive Orders relating to Environmental Justice (E.O. 12898), 
Sacred Sites (E.O. 13007), and Tribal Consultation (E.O. 13175).

II. Alternatives

    The analysis in the FEIS considers direct, indirect, and cumulative 
impacts of the Proposed Action and three Alternatives. Alternatives for 
the Project that were analyzed in the FEIS include:
    (a) Alternative A--No Action Alternative: This Alternative was 
identified by OSMRE as the environmentally preferable Alternative. Even 
though this is the No Action Alternative, currently permitted mining on 
private lands adjacent to the lease would continue to mine 
approximately 5 million short tons of recoverable coal from 
approximately 635 acres.
    (b) Alternative B--Proposed Action: Under the Proposed Action, the 
lease would encompass approximately 3,576 acres of which approximately 
2,280 acres are federal surface and mineral estate and 1,296 acres are 
split estate; private surface estate and federal mineral estate. The 
Proposed Action would include approximately 44.9 million tons of 
recoverable coal to be mined over 25 years at a rate of approximately 2 
million tons per year.
    (c) Alternative C--Reduced Tract Acreage and Seasonal Restrictions: 
Under Alternative C, the lease would be modified to exclude Block NW 
and certain mining activities in the south portion of the lease (Block 
S) would be subject to seasonal restrictions to reduce impacts to the 
local Greater Sage-Grouse population. The modified lease would 
encompass approximately 3,173 acres of which approximately 2,280 acres 
are federal surface and mineral estate and 893 acres are split estate. 
The modified lease area would contain 39.2 million tons of recoverable 
coal to be mined over 21 years at a rate of 2 million tons per year.
    (d) Alternative K1--Preferred Alternative: Under Alternative K1, 
the lease would be modified to exclude Block NW and Block S. The lease 
would add 2,114 acres of which approximately 1,227 acres are federal 
surface and mineral estate and 887 acres are split estate (private 
surface and federal mineral estate) for surface and underground mining 
activities. Approximately 30.8 million tons of coal will be recoverable 
to be mined over 16 years at a rate of 2 million tons per year.
    A wide range of additional Alternatives were considered by OSMRE 
but not carried forward for

[[Page 32216]]

detailed analysis in the FEIS. The following Alternatives were not 
analyzed in the FEIS (Section 2.7) because they either did not meet the 
purpose and need of the Project or were not considered technically 
feasible or economically feasible or cost-effective:
 Alternative D: Alton Coal Development's Original Lease By 
Application Submittal
 Alternative E: No Surface Mining
 Alternative F: Postpone Leasing Decision Until Completion Of 
The Kanab Field Office Resource Management Plan Revision
 Alternative G: Postpone Leasing Decision Until More 
Environmentally Friendly Coal Mining Practices Are Available
 Alternative H: Construct A Coal-Fired Power Plant Next To The 
Tract
 Alternative I: Promote The Development Of Alternative Sources 
Of Energy, Natural Gas, And Energy Conservation
 Alternative J: Coal Transportation Alternatives
 Alternative K2: Tract Modifications To Address Concerns 
Related To Greater Sage-Grouse And Big Game
 Alternative L: Tract Modifications To Address Concerns Related 
To Kanab Creek, Possible Alluvial Valley Floors, And Other Water 
Features
 Alternative M: Maximize Flexibility Of Mining Operations
 Alternative N: Nitrogen Dioxide Emissions Control Measures
 Alternative O: Restrict Mining Operations To Daylight Hours
 Alternative P: Update The KFO RMP Unsuitability Determinations 
Based On The Analysis In The DEIS And Reconfigure The Tract To Exclude 
These Areas
 Alternative Q: Air Quality Protection Alternative
 Alternative R: Restrict Coal Truck Traffic After Sunset And 
Before Sunrise
 Alternative S: Reconfigure The Tract To Exclude Cultural 
Resources Sites Eligible For The National Register Of Historic Places
 Alternative T: Seasonal Timing Restrictions And Varying 
Buffer-Size Restrictions For The Tract
 Alternative U: Alternative Locations
 Alternative V: Lease All Known Recoverable Coal Resources

    Certain components of the federal action would be independent of 
the elements of any alternative. In the FEIS, these were considered 
options, any one of which could be chosen in combination with any 
alternative and would not necessitate changes in the alternative, or 
vice versa. Those options that were considered but not carried forward 
for detailed analysis are listed below (FEIS Section 2.7).

 Kanab Field Office Route 116 Relocation Options
 Other Roads In The Tract
 Power Generation Options

III. Environmental Impact Analysis

    The FEIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts to 16 
different resource categories, including:

 Air Resources
 Paleontology
 Geology and Minerals
 Cultural Resources
 Soils
 Vegetation
 Wildlife: Special Status Species
 Wildlife: General
 Hazardous Materials and Hazardous and Solid Waste
 Water Resources
 Livestock Grazing
 Transportation
 Land Use and Access
 Recreation
 Socioeconomics
 Aesthetics Resources

IV. Decision

    In consideration of the information presented above, OSMRE approves 
the Record of Decision (ROD) adopting the BLM Alton Coal Tract Lease by 
Application FEIS and selects Alternative K1 as the Preferred 
Alternative as described in the FEIS (Section 2.5). The BLM included 
lease stipulations which were outlined in Appendix B of BLM's ROD to 
minimize environmental impacts. This action can be implemented 
following approval of the mining plan modification by the ASLM.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.1.

    Dated: June 25, 2019.
David Berry,
Regional Director, Regions 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.
[FR Doc. 2019-14333 Filed 7-3-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-05-P
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