Spring Creek Mining Plan Modification EIS

Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Navajo Transitional Energy Company's Federal Mining Plan Modification for Federal Lease MTM 94378

OSMRE has released the Final EIS for Navajo Transitional Energy Company's (NTEC) Lease by Application 1 (LBA1) Federal Mining Plan Modification at Spring Creek Mine in Big Horn County, Montana. The proposed action would allow 162.5 acres of additional surface disturbance and recovery of 39.9 million tons of Federal coal from leases MTM-94378 and MTM-110693 over approximately 16 years. The EIS, which updates a 2016 EA found deficient by a federal district court, analyzes four alternatives including No Action, Partial Mining (the preferred alternative), the full Proposed Action, and an Accelerated Mining Rate option. OSMRE anticipates issuing a Record of Decision in February 2025.

Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Navajo Transitional Energy Company's Federal Mining Plan Modification for Federal Lease MTM 94378; Spring Creek Mining Plan Modification EIS

OSMRE has published a Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Navajo Transitional Energy Company's (NTEC) Federal Mining Plan Modification for Federal Lease MTM-94378 at Spring Creek Mine in Big Horn County, Montana. The proposed action would allow 162.5 acres of additional surface disturbance and recovery of 39.9 million tons of Federal coal. This DEIS was prepared after a 2016 Environmental Assessment was found deficient by the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, which required harder looks at diesel emissions, coal dust, noise, vibration, and social costs of greenhouse gases. OSMRE is the sole lead agency with no cooperating agencies. The 45-day public comment period closes October 22, 2024, a public meeting is set for September 24, 2024, the Final EIS is expected in December 2024, and the Record of Decision is targeted for January 2025.