Bureau of Land Management January 7, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a competitive coal lease application from Black Butte Coal Company (BBCC) for a maintenance tract adjacent to its existing Black Butte Mine in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. A maintenance tract is a parcel of land containing coal reserves nominated for leasing that may be used to extend an existing mine. This tract, assigned case number WYW160394, is called the Pit 14 Tract and was applied for as a lease by application (LBA) under the provisions of 43 Code of Federal Regulations 3425. Consistent with regulations pertaining to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the BLM must prepare an environmental document prior to allowing the coal lease to be sold. Under the provisions of Section 102(2)(c) of NEPA, the BLM announces its intentions to prepare an EIS and to solicit public comments regarding issues and resource information. Consistent with regulations found at 43 CFR 3425, this NOI also serves to notify the public that a coal lease is under consideration.

This order extends Public Land Order No. 6597 for an additional 20-year period. This extension is necessary to continue the protection of the White Mountain Petroglyphs Site in Sweetwater County.