Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement July 18, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4231-4347; the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA, 40 CFR Parts 1500 through 1508; and the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, 43 CFR Part 46, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), Western Region (WR), Denver, Colorado, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS will analyze the impacts for several related actions. It will analyze impacts for the BHP Navajo Coal Company (BNCC) Proposed Pinabete Permit and for the Navajo Mine Permit Renewal, both of which are located on the Navajo Reservation in San Juan County, New Mexico. The EIS will also analyze the impacts for the Arizona Public Service Company (APS) Proposed Four Corners Power Plant (FCPP) lease amendment, located on the Navajo Reservation in San Juan County, New Mexico, and associated transmission line rights-of-way renewals for lines located on the Navajo and Hopi Reservations in San Juan County, New Mexico and Navajo, Coconino and Apache Counties in Arizona. The EIS will also analyze impacts for the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) transmission line rights-of-way renewal associated with the FCPP and located on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. This Notice refers to these proposals collectively as the ``Project.'' OSM is requesting public comments on the scope of the EIS and significant issues that should be addressed in the EIS.