Notice of Termination of Spring Creek Coal Mine Environmental Impact Statement, Big Horn County, MT, 32046 [2020-11441]

Download as PDF 32046 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 103 / Thursday, May 28, 2020 / Notices incidental take of the covered species from the implementation of the covered activities described in the HCP. A permit decision will be made no sooner than 30 days after the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Authority We issue this notice pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32), and the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6 and 43 CFR 46.305). Jennifer Norris, Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 2020–11369 Filed 5–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLMTC02000.L51100000.GA0000. LVEME14CE500] Notice of Termination of Spring Creek Coal Mine Environmental Impact Statement, Big Horn County, MT Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of termination. AGENCY: The preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Spring Creek Coal Mine is no longer necessary and the process is hereby terminated. DATES: This termination takes effect immediately. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irma Nansel, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, Miles City Field Office, telephone: 406–233–3653, email: inansel@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact Ms. Nansel during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality regulations, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced its Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS in the Federal Register on December 14, 2016 (81 FR 90380). jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:32 May 27, 2020 Jkt 250001 The EIS was to evaluate the potential impacts of four proposed actions related to coal mining at the Spring Creek Mine in Big Horn County, Montana: (1) Federal Coal Lease by Application; (2) Application To Modify Federal Coal Lease; (3) Application To Amend Land Use Permit; and (4) Application for a Land Use Lease. The proposed actions involved the potential sale of two tracts of Federal coal through a Lease-ByApplication (LBA) and a lease modification application. Both applications covered proposed actions for Federal coal within the Spring Creek Mine. Related to these leasing requests, the EIS would have also evaluated proposed amendments to an existing land use permit to maintain access to mine monitoring and gauging stations and an existing land use lease to provide room for the placement of overburden and infrastructure. Since the publication of the NOI to prepare an EIS, the BLM no longer proposes to take action due to the unknown timeframe to complete required lease transfers to the new company (the previous company filed for bankruptcy after the NOI was published). Lease transfers may be prolonged due to ongoing bankruptcy court proceedings and the primary need to obtain required State permits to continue current mine operations. In addition, depending on the request by the new company owner, the BLM would need to determine the type of NEPA document to be completed for the proposed action while considering the Miles City Field Office Supplemental EIS Record of Decision, which was signed on November 24, 2019. The lack of lease and mine permit transfers in the near future, in addition to an unknown proposed action, has eliminated the need for detailed analysis. Therefore, the BLM hereby terminates preparation of an EIS for the Spring Creek Coal Mine. (Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10) John Mehlhoff, State Director, Montana/Dakotas BLM. [FR Doc. 2020–11441 Filed 5–27–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DN–P PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNVL0000–L51100000–GN0000– LVEMF1905850 19X MO #4500144424] Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Robinson Mine Plan of Operations Amendment and Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment, White Pine County, Nevada Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District (EYDO), Nevada, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Robinson Mine Plan of Operations Amendment and proposed Amendment of the BLM Ely District Resource Management Plan (RMP). By this Notice, BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: This Notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until June 29, 2020. To maximize the opportunity for public input on this project while prioritizing the health and safety of BLM employees and the interested public, BLM will host online virtual public scoping meetings to provide information and gather input on the project. The date(s) and information on how to login and participate in these virtual scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media and on the BLM website at https://go.usa.gov/xvYad. In order to be considered in the scope of analysis for the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public scoping meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Robinson Mine Plan of Operations Amendment and Proposed Ely District RMP Amendment by any of the following methods: • Website: https://go.usa.gov/xvYad. • Email: blm_nv_edyo_robinson_eis@ blm.gov. • Mail: BLM Bristlecone Field Office, ATTN: Robinson EIS Project, 702 North Industrial Way, Ely, Nevada 89301. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 103 (Thursday, May 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 32046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11441]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLMTC02000.L51100000.GA0000.LVEME14CE500]


Notice of Termination of Spring Creek Coal Mine Environmental 
Impact Statement, Big Horn County, MT

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of termination.

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SUMMARY: The preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 
Spring Creek Coal Mine is no longer necessary and the process is hereby 
terminated.

DATES: This termination takes effect immediately.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irma Nansel, Planning and 
Environmental Coordinator, Miles City Field Office, telephone: 406-233-
3653, email: [email protected]. Persons who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 
1-800-877-8339 to contact Ms. Nansel during normal business hours. The 
FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or 
question. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as implemented by the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
announced its Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS in the Federal 
Register on December 14, 2016 (81 FR 90380).
    The EIS was to evaluate the potential impacts of four proposed 
actions related to coal mining at the Spring Creek Mine in Big Horn 
County, Montana: (1) Federal Coal Lease by Application; (2) Application 
To Modify Federal Coal Lease; (3) Application To Amend Land Use Permit; 
and (4) Application for a Land Use Lease. The proposed actions involved 
the potential sale of two tracts of Federal coal through a Lease-By-
Application (LBA) and a lease modification application. Both 
applications covered proposed actions for Federal coal within the 
Spring Creek Mine. Related to these leasing requests, the EIS would 
have also evaluated proposed amendments to an existing land use permit 
to maintain access to mine monitoring and gauging stations and an 
existing land use lease to provide room for the placement of overburden 
and infrastructure.
    Since the publication of the NOI to prepare an EIS, the BLM no 
longer proposes to take action due to the unknown timeframe to complete 
required lease transfers to the new company (the previous company filed 
for bankruptcy after the NOI was published). Lease transfers may be 
prolonged due to ongoing bankruptcy court proceedings and the primary 
need to obtain required State permits to continue current mine 
operations. In addition, depending on the request by the new company 
owner, the BLM would need to determine the type of NEPA document to be 
completed for the proposed action while considering the Miles City 
Field Office Supplemental EIS Record of Decision, which was signed on 
November 24, 2019. The lack of lease and mine permit transfers in the 
near future, in addition to an unknown proposed action, has eliminated 
the need for detailed analysis. Therefore, the BLM hereby terminates 
preparation of an EIS for the Spring Creek Coal Mine.

(Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10)

John Mehlhoff,
State Director, Montana/Dakotas BLM.
[FR Doc. 2020-11441 Filed 5-27-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P

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