82 FR 14745 - Notice of Intent To Initiate Public Scoping and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the San Juan Mine Deep Lease Extension Mining Plan Modification
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 54 (March 22, 2017)
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 54 (March 22, 2017)
| Page Range | 14745-14747 | |
| FR Document | 2017-05645 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 14745-14747] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-05645] [[Page 14745]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement [S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000 178S180110; S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A00 17XS501520] Notice of Intent To Initiate Public Scoping and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the San Juan Mine Deep Lease Extension Mining Plan Modification AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent to initiate public scoping and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are notifying the public that we intend to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the impacts of alternatives relating to the San Juan Coal Company's proposed mining plan modification for the Deep Lease Extension (DLE). The EIS will analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the Company's DLE mining plan modification, Federal Coal Lease NM-99144, at the existing San Juan Mine. The EIS will also analyze the effects of coal combustion at the Public Service Company of New Mexico's San Juan Generating Station (SJGS or the Generating Station). OSMRE is soliciting public comments on the proposed Project, scope of the EIS, and the significant issues that should be analyzed in the EIS. DATES: Comments: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before May 8, 2017. Any comments that we receive after the closing date may not be considered. Scoping Meetings: We will hold public scoping open houses at the following times and locations during the scoping period:Monday, April 10th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center at 2401 12th St. NW., Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tuesday, April 11th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Ute Community Center at 785 Sunset Road, Towaoc, Colorado. Wednesday, April 12th, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Shiprock High School approximately a half-mile west on US-64 from US- 491 in Shiprock, New Mexico. Thursday, April 13th, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Farmington City Civic Center at 200 West Arrington St., Farmington, New Mexico. Friday, April 14th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Durango Community Recreation Center at 2700 Main Avenue, Durango, Colorado. At the scoping meetings, the public is encouraged to submit resource information, and identify topics to be considered in the development of the EIS. Written and oral comments will be accepted at each meeting. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by one of the following methods: Email--Comments should be sent to: [email protected]. Mail/Courier--Written comments should be sent to: Gretchen Pinkham, OSMRE c/o Catalyst Environmental Solutions P.O. Box 56539 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 At the top of your written submission or in the subject line of your email message, please indicate that the comments are ``San Juan Mine EIS Comments.'' We request that you send comments only by one of the methods described above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information about the Project and/or to have your name added to the mailing list, 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 (TDD) 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 to your message during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background on the Project II. Mining Plan Modification for the DLE III. Alternatives and Related Impacts under Consideration IV. Public Comment Procedures I. Background on the Project As established by the Mineral Leasing Act 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 NM and the DOI Secretary in accordance with Section 523(c) of SMCRA, and 30 U.S.C. 1273(c), the Company's Permit Application Package (PAP) must be reviewed and approved before the Company may conduct underground mining and reclamation operations to develop the DLE Federal Coal Lease NM-99144. The NM Mining and Minerals Division (NM MMD) is the regulatory authority responsible for reviewing and approving PAPs, and OSMRE is responsible for the oversight of the NM MMD coal program. OSMRE is also responsible for making recommendations to the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management (ASLM) regarding decisions on proposed mining plan modifications for federally leased coal (30 CFR 476.13). The NM MMD approved the PAP for the DLE on October 22, 1999. OSMRE submitted a mining plan decision document to the ASLM which was approved by the ASLM on January 17, 2008, which included a Finding of No Significant Impact signed by OSMRE in 2007 and the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) 1998 decision record on the amendment to the 1988 Farmington Resource Management Plan to include the Federal Coal Lease NM-99144 for the San Juan Mine's DLE. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) 4231-4347; the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA, 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 1500 through 1508; and the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, 43 CFR part 46, we, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are notifying the public that we intend to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the impacts of alternatives relating to the San Juan Coal Company's proposed mining plan modification for the Deep Lease Extension (DLE). Preparation of the EIS will be completed pursuant to the court-approved Voluntary Remand, as approved by the United States District Court for the District of NM on August 31, 2016, in the case entitled WildEarth Guardians v. U.S. Office of Surface Mining et al., Case 1:14-cv-00112- RJ-CG (D. NM 2016). As part of the court-approved Voluntary Remand, OSMRE agreed to prepare an EIS and Mining Plan Decision Document within three years for the San Juan Mine's mining activity within Federal Coal Lease NM-99144, the DLE, beginning in 2008 and continuing through the life of reserves for the DLE. The San Juan Mine currently delivers approximately 6 million tons per year (tpy) of coal from the DLE and other approved mining areas to the Generating Station and will continue delivering at that rate through 2017. It is anticipated that approximately 3 million tpy of coal from the DLE and other approved mining areas would be delivered to the [[Page 14746]] Generating Station post-2017. Mining activities within the DLE have been ongoing since OSMRE approval in 2008, and continue presently. Per the Voluntary Remand, mining operations within the DLE are allowed to proceed during the development of the EIS. The above-referenced court order stipulates that the Secretary's approval of the 2008 mining plan modification for the DLE would be vacated if OSMRE does not complete the EIS process and issue a decision by August 31, 2019, absent a court order for good cause shown. As a result, OSMRE has identified a need to re-evaluate its previous mining plan modification recommendation for this area based, in part, on (1) the PAP submitted to OSMRE and NM MMD, and (2) new information regarding potentially affected resources available since the 2008 MPDD approval. The underground operations at San Juan Mine use longwall mining methods consisting of one longwall miner and continuous miner in the development portion of the Mine. Underground mining occurs within multiple state and federal lease areas at the San Juan Mine; these are generally referred to as the Deep Lease and DLE Areas. Since authorization in 2008, the Company has mined approximately 18 million tons of coal in the DLE. The mine currently employs approximately 360 people. The approved NM MMD permit area would not increase from its present approximate size of 17,726 acres. A total of approximately 15,404 acres of federally owned coal remains within the current San Juan Mine permit area, approximately 4,484 acres of which is within the DLE. The 2008 mining plan modification would not increase any acres of federal surface lands or any acres of federal coal to the approved permit area, but would authorize the recovery of approximately 36.6 million tons of federal coal from 4,484 acres of federal coal from the DLE. The remaining coal reserves in the DLE and other approved mining areas will allow the mine to continue operating at the anticipated mining rates until approximately 2033. The post-mining land use remains grazing and wildlife habitat. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and NM MMD will cooperate with OSMRE in the preparation of the EIS. Additional Cooperating Agencies may be identified during the scooping process. OSMRE will also consult the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 300101-307108), as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3) concurrently with the NEPA process, including the public involvement requirements. Native American tribal consultations will be conducted in accordance with DOI policy. Federal, Tribal, State and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by OSMRE's decision on the Project, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by OSMRE to participate as a cooperating agency. As part of its consideration of impacts of the Project on threatened and endangered species, OSMRE will consult the USFWS pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations. The consultation will consider direct and indirect impacts from the proposed Project, including Project related coal combustion emissions generated by SJGS from the combustion of DLE coal. 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 CWA, 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 Executive Orders relating to Environmental Justice, Sacred Sites, and Tribal Consultation, and other applicable laws and regulations. II. Mining Plan Modification for the DLE The Company's mining plan modification provides for continued development of the DLE, Federal Coal Lease NM-99144, within the San Juan Mine permit area. Due to the retirement of coal fired Units 2 and 3 at the Generating Station, the annual production rate of the DLE would be reduced from the current annual production rate of 4-6 million tons to an annual production rate of 2-3 million tons for approximately 10-15 years beginning in 2017. The Generating Station, located approximately 4 miles northeast of Waterflow and 15 miles west of Farmington, NM, is operated by Public Service Company of New Mexico on its own behalf and on behalf of eight other owners. The Generating Station currently operates four coal-fired units which generate 1800 megawatts and provide power to Arizona, NM, Utah, and California. However, Units 2 and 3 will be retired by December 31, 2017. The Generating Station's Units 1 and 4 would remain operational, generating approximately 910 megawatts burning approximately 3 million tons of coal per year. Federal Coal Lease NM-99144 encompasses 4,483.88 acres and includes: Township 30, North, Range 14 West, NMPM Section 17: All; Section 18: All; Section 19: All; Section 20: All; Section 29: All; Section 30: All; Section 31: Lot 1 (41.70 acres), Lot 2 (41.21 acres), Lot 3 (40.73 acres), Lot 4 (40.24 acres), N\1/2\, N\1/2\S\1/2\ Upon completion of the EIS and issuance of the Record of Decision, OSMRE will submit a mining plan decision document to the ASLM to recommend approval, disapproval, or approval with conditions of the proposed mining plan modification for the continuation or cessation of the San Juan Mine to mine the DLE within Federal Coal Lease NM-99144 within the three year period required under the Voluntary Remand. The ASLM will decide whether the mining plan modification is approved, disapproved, or approved with conditions. III. Alternatives and Related Impacts Under Consideration The analysis in the EIS will address direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the Proposed Action and Alternatives. Since the NOI must be published prior to the scoping process, in compliance with 40 CFR 1501.7, OSMRE may need to modify the Proposed Action and Alternatives from those presented in this NOI based on issues raised during scoping. The scoping process provides, among other things, the opportunity for interested parties to identify issues and propose alternative actions. As explained in the DOI regulations for implementing NEPA, the input received during scoping efforts is important to help define the issues for consideration. However, suggestions obtained during scoping are not binding but are only important options for the lead agency to consider (43 CFR 46.235(b)). Alternatives for the Project that are currently under consideration include: (a) Proposed Action Alternative--The DLE as proposed and approved in the PAP and the 2008 Mining Plan Decision Document. (b) Alternate Mining Technique, room and pillar and retreat mining--An alternative mining technique alternative would utilize room and pillar and retreat mining methods instead of the current longwall mining technique [[Page 14747]] being utilized in the DLE. This alternative would be analyzed as a variation to the Proposed Action and Current Mining Activity Alternatives. (c) No Action Alternative--as described above, the court-approved Voluntary Remand will vacate the 2008 mining plan modification for the DLE if the EIS and Mining Plan Decision Document are not complete within three years, by August 31, 2019. Therefore, in this instance, the No Action Alternative is to continue with the present course of action (mining) until that action is changed (through vacatur of the mining plan approval). Implementation of the no action alternative would result in the discontinuation of mining activities at San Juan Mine and the final closure and reclamation activities at the Mine. As a consequence of Mine shutdown, the Generating Station would likely cease operations after any stockpiled coal is used. Considering mining activities in the DLE have been ongoing since 2008 and will continue throughout the NEPA process, the baseline conditions for the No Action Alternative will reflect the conditions present in August 2019, when the ASLM has made a decision on the mining plan modification based on OSMRE's recommendation in the mine plan decision document. (d) Any environmentally preferable alternatives that may be identified in accordance with 40 CFR part 1500 and 43 CFR part 46. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that could influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS and related compliance efforts. The final range of reasonable alternatives to be considered will be determined based, in part, on the issues raised during the scoping process. At present, OSMRE has identified the following preliminary issues and potential impacts: Federally listed threatened and endangered species, including but not limited to the Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychochelius lucius), and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus); Air quality and climate change; Surface and ground water resources (including potential wetlands and floodplains); Environmental Justice considerations; Cultural and historic resources; Biological resources (including wildlife, fish, and vegetation); Visual resources; Public health and safety; Land use and recreational resources; Transportation and access; Socioeconomics; and Noise and vibration. IV. Public Comment Procedures In accordance with the CEQ's regulations for implementing NEPA and the DOI's NEPA regulations, OSMRE solicits public comments on the scope of the EIS and significant issues that should be addressed in the EIS. Written comments, including email comments, should be sent to OSMRE at the addresses given in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice. Comments should be specific and pertain only to the issues relating to the Project and EIS. OSMRE will include all comments in the project record. If you would like to be placed on the mailing list to receive future information, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, above. Navajo and Ute interpreters will be present at meetings on the Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute Reservations, respectively. Scoping Meetings See DATES section above for the dates and times of the public scoping meetings. The primary purpose of the meetings and the public comment period is to provide the public with a general understanding of the background of the proposed action and to solicit suggestions and information on the scope of issues and alternatives we should consider when preparing the DEIS. Written and oral comments will be accepted at the meetings. Comments can also be submitted by the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. Once the DEIS is complete and made available for review, there will be additional opportunity for public comment. Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend and participate in the public scoping meetings should contact the person listed under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section at as soon as possible. In order to allow sufficient time to process requests, please make contact no later than one week before the public meeting. Navajo and Ute interpreters will be present at meetings held on the Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute Reservations, respectively. Availability of Comments OSMRE will make comments, including name of respondent, address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information, available for public review during normal business hours. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, those who submit anonymous comments may not have standing to appeal the subsequent decision. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--will be publicly available. 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. All submissions from organizations or businesses and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses will be available for public review to the extent consistent with applicable law. Dated: February 28, 2017. David Berry, Regional Director, Western Region. [FR Doc. 2017-05645 Filed 3-21-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-05-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 22, 2017 / Notices 14745
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR • Friday, April 14th, from 4:00 p.m. and Minerals Division (NM MMD) is the
to 7:00 p.m. at the Durango Community regulatory authority responsible for
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation Recreation Center at 2700 Main Avenue, reviewing and approving PAPs, and
and Enforcement Durango, Colorado. OSMRE is responsible for the oversight
[S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000
At the scoping meetings, the public is of the NM MMD coal program. OSMRE
178S180110; S2D2S SS08011000 SX064A00 encouraged to submit resource is also responsible for making
17XS501520] information, and identify topics to be recommendations to the Assistant
considered in the development of the Secretary for Land and Minerals
Notice of Intent To Initiate Public EIS. Written and oral comments will be Management (ASLM) regarding
Scoping and Prepare an Environmental accepted at each meeting. decisions on proposed mining plan
Impact Statement for the San Juan ADDRESSES: modifications for federally leased coal
Mine Deep Lease Extension Mining You may submit written comments by (30 CFR 476.13). The NM MMD
Plan Modification one of the following methods: approved the PAP for the DLE on
Email—Comments should be sent to: October 22, 1999. OSMRE submitted a
AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining osm-nepa-nm@osmre.gov. mining plan decision document to the
Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior. • Mail/Courier—Written comments ASLM which was approved by the
ACTION: Notice of intent to initiate should be sent to: ASLM on January 17, 2008, which
public scoping and prepare an included a Finding of No Significant
Gretchen Pinkham, OSMRE
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). c/o Catalyst Environmental Solutions Impact signed by OSMRE in 2007 and
P.O. Box 56539 the Bureau of Land Management’s
SUMMARY: We, the Office of Surface
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 (BLM) 1998 decision record on the
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
(OSMRE), are notifying the public that At the top of your written submission or amendment to the 1988 Farmington
we intend to prepare a draft in the subject line of your email Resource Management Plan to include
environmental impact statement (EIS) to message, please indicate that the the Federal Coal Lease NM–99144 for
evaluate the impacts of alternatives comments are ‘‘San Juan Mine EIS the San Juan Mine’s DLE.
relating to the San Juan Coal Company’s Comments.’’ Pursuant to the National
proposed mining plan modification for We request that you send comments Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
the Deep Lease Extension (DLE). The only by one of the methods described 1969, as amended, 42 United States
EIS will analyze the direct, indirect, and above. Code (U.S.C.) 4231–4347; the Council
cumulative impacts of the Company’s FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ)
DLE mining plan modification, Federal further information about the Project regulations for implementing NEPA, 40
Coal Lease NM–99144, at the existing and/or to have your name added to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts
San Juan Mine. The EIS will also mailing list, contact: Gretchen Pinkham, 1500 through 1508; and the Department
analyze the effects of coal combustion at OSMRE Project Manager, at 303–293– of the Interior’s (DOI) NEPA regulations,
the Public Service Company of New 5088 or by email at osm-nepa-nm@ 43 CFR part 46, we, the Office of Surface
Mexico’s San Juan Generating Station osmre.gov. Persons who use a Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
(SJGS or the Generating Station). telecommunications device for the deaf (OSMRE), are notifying the public that
OSMRE is soliciting public comments (TDD) may call the Federal Information we intend to prepare a draft
on the proposed Project, scope of the Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 environmental impact statement (EIS) to
EIS, and the significant issues that to contact the above individual during evaluate the impacts of alternatives
should be analyzed in the EIS. normal business hours. The FIRS is relating to the San Juan Coal Company’s
DATES: available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, proposed mining plan modification for
Comments: We will accept comments to leave a message or question with the the Deep Lease Extension (DLE).
received or postmarked on or before above individual. You will receive a Preparation of the EIS will be completed
May 8, 2017. Any comments that we reply to your message during normal pursuant to the court-approved
receive after the closing date may not be business hours. Voluntary Remand, as approved by the
considered. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: United States District Court for the
Scoping Meetings: We will hold District of NM on August 31, 2016, in
I. Background on the Project
public scoping open houses at the the case entitled WildEarth Guardians v.
II. Mining Plan Modification for the DLE
following times and locations during the III. Alternatives and Related Impacts under U.S. Office of Surface Mining et al., Case
scoping period: Consideration 1:14-cv-00112–RJ–CG (D. NM 2016). As
• Monday, April 10th from 5:00 p.m. IV. Public Comment Procedures part of the court-approved Voluntary
to 8:00 p.m. at the Indian Pueblo Remand, OSMRE agreed to prepare an
Cultural Center at 2401 12th St. NW., I. Background on the Project EIS and Mining Plan Decision
Albuquerque, New Mexico. As established by the Mineral Leasing Document within three years for the San
• Tuesday, April 11th from 5:00 p.m. Act of 1920, the Surface Mining Control Juan Mine’s mining activity within
to 8:00 p.m. at the Ute Community and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977, Federal Coal Lease NM–99144, the DLE,
Center at 785 Sunset Road, Towaoc, as amended (30 U.S.C. 1201–1328), and beginning in 2008 and continuing
Colorado. the Cooperative agreement between the through the life of reserves for the DLE.
• Wednesday, April 12th, from 5:00 State of NM and the DOI Secretary in The San Juan Mine currently delivers
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Shiprock High accordance with Section 523(c) of approximately 6 million tons per year
School approximately a half-mile west SMCRA, and 30 U.S.C. 1273(c), the (tpy) of coal from the DLE and other
on US–64 from US–491 in Shiprock, Company’s Permit Application Package approved mining areas to the Generating
New Mexico. (PAP) must be reviewed and approved Station and will continue delivering at
• Thursday, April 13th, from 5:00 before the Company may conduct that rate through 2017. It is anticipated
p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Farmington City underground mining and reclamation that approximately 3 million tpy of coal
Civic Center at 200 West Arrington St., operations to develop the DLE Federal from the DLE and other approved
Farmington, New Mexico. Coal Lease NM–99144. The NM Mining mining areas would be delivered to the
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 22, 2017 / Notices 14747
being utilized in the DLE. This • Visual resources; phone number, email address, or other
alternative would be analyzed as a • Public health and safety; personal identifying information,
variation to the Proposed Action and • Land use and recreational available for public review during
Current Mining Activity Alternatives. resources; normal business hours. Comments
(c) No Action Alternative—as • Transportation and access; submitted anonymously will be
described above, the court-approved • Socioeconomics; and accepted and considered; however,
Voluntary Remand will vacate the 2008 • Noise and vibration. those who submit anonymous
mining plan modification for the DLE if IV. Public Comment Procedures comments may not have standing to
the EIS and Mining Plan Decision appeal the subsequent decision.
Document are not complete within three In accordance with the CEQ’s
regulations for implementing NEPA and Before including your address, phone
years, by August 31, 2019. Therefore, in
the DOI’s NEPA regulations, OSMRE number, email address, or other
this instance, the No Action Alternative
solicits public comments on the scope personal identifying information in your
is to continue with the present course of
of the EIS and significant issues that comment, you should be aware that
action (mining) until that action is
changed (through vacatur of the mining should be addressed in the EIS. your entire comment—including your
plan approval). Implementation of the Written comments, including email personal identifying information—will
no action alternative would result in the comments, should be sent to OSMRE at be publicly available. While you can ask
discontinuation of mining activities at the addresses given in the ADDRESSES us in your comment to withhold your
San Juan Mine and the final closure and section of this Notice. Comments should personal identifying information from
reclamation activities at the Mine. As a be specific and pertain only to the public review, we cannot guarantee that
consequence of Mine shutdown, the issues relating to the Project and EIS. we will be able to do so.
Generating Station would likely cease OSMRE will include all comments in All submissions from organizations or
operations after any stockpiled coal is the project record. businesses and from individuals
used. Considering mining activities in If you would like to be placed on the identifying themselves as
the DLE have been ongoing since 2008 mailing list to receive future representatives or officials of
and will continue throughout the NEPA information, please contact the person organizations or businesses will be
process, the baseline conditions for the listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION available for public review to the extent
No Action Alternative will reflect the CONTACT, above. Navajo and Ute
consistent with applicable law.
conditions present in August 2019, interpreters will be present at meetings
on the Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute Dated: February 28, 2017.
when the ASLM has made a decision on
the mining plan modification based on Reservations, respectively. David Berry,
OSMRE’s recommendation in the mine Scoping Meetings Regional Director, Western Region.
plan decision document. [FR Doc. 2017–05645 Filed 3–21–17; 8:45 am]
(d) Any environmentally preferable See DATES section above for the dates
BILLING CODE 4310–05–P
alternatives that may be identified in and times of the public scoping
accordance with 40 CFR part 1500 and meetings. The primary purpose of the
43 CFR part 46. meetings and the public comment
period is to provide the public with a
The purpose of the public scoping INTERNATIONAL TRADE
general understanding of the
process is to determine relevant issues COMMISSION
background of the proposed action and
that could influence the scope of the
to solicit suggestions and information
environmental analysis, including
on the scope of issues and alternatives [Investigation No. 332–561]
alternatives, and guide the process for
we should consider when preparing the
developing the EIS and related
DEIS. Written and oral comments will Global Digital Trade I: Market
compliance efforts. The final range of
be accepted at the meetings. Comments Opportunities and Key Foreign Trade
reasonable alternatives to be considered
can also be submitted by the methods Restrictions; Notice of Correction
will be determined based, in part, on the
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Once Concerning Institution of Investigation
issues raised during the scoping
the DEIS is complete and made and Scheduling of Hearing
process.
available for review, there will be
At present, OSMRE has identified the AGENCY:U.S. International Trade
additional opportunity for public
following preliminary issues and
comment. Commission.
potential impacts:
Persons needing reasonable
• Federally listed threatened and accommodations in order to attend and ACTION: Correction of notice.
endangered species, including but not participate in the public scoping
limited to the Razorback sucker meetings should contact the person SUMMARY: Correction is made to the
(Xyrauchen texanus), Colorado listed under the FOR FURTHER March 23, 2017 deadline for filing pre-
pikeminnow (Ptychochelius lucius), and INFORMATION CONTACT section at as soon hearing briefs and statements in the
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher as possible. In order to allow sufficient Dates section of the notice which was
(Empidonax traillii extimus); time to process requests, please make published on February 10, 2017 (82 FR
• Air quality and climate change; contact no later than one week before 10397). The date of the deadline for
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
• Surface and ground water resources the public meeting. Navajo and Ute filing pre-hearing briefs and statements
(including potential wetlands and interpreters will be present at meetings should be March 28, 2017.
floodplains); held on the Navajo and Ute Mountain Issued: March 16, 2017.
• Environmental Justice Ute Reservations, respectively.
considerations; Lisa R. Barton,
• Cultural and historic resources; Availability of Comments Secretary to the Commission.
• Biological resources (including OSMRE will make comments, [FR Doc. 2017–05576 Filed 3–21–17; 8:45 am]
wildlife, fish, and vegetation); including name of respondent, address, BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
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Document Created: 2017-03-22 03:58:24
Document Modified: 2017-03-22 03:58:24
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of intent to initiate public scoping and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). | |
| Dates | Comments: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before May 8, 2017. Any comments that we receive after the closing date may not be considered. | |
| Contact | For further information about the Project and/or to have your name added to the mailing list, contact: Gretchen Pinkham, OSMRE Project Manager, at 303-293-5088 or by email at [email protected]re.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) 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 to your message during normal business hours. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 14745 |
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