BLM begins EIS process for Alton Coal Mine
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Kanab Field Office (KFO) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a Federal Coal Lease Application from Alton Coal Development LLC. The public was able to submit comments to BLM during a scoping period that ended February 26, 2007. Additional opportunities for public comment will be available once the draft of the EIS is completed (anticipated Spring or Summer of 2008). A link to the draft EIS will be available at this site at that time.
The application is to lease Federal coal on 3,581 acres (more or less) of public and private land near Alton, Utah.
According to Rex Smart, KFO Manager, “The public needs to be involved in the process as early as possible so we can be aware of and address all concerns with the proposal. We have already identified several issues – potential impacts in the vicinity of the tract to city and county facilities and occupied residences, potential health issues related to blasting operations conducted by the mines to remove overburden and coal, and impacts to livestock grazing, big game herds and hunting, etc. – but we still need to hear from the public about their issues. Comments are most useful when they are as specific as possible.”
Scoping meetings were held in Alton, Kanab, Panguitch, Cedar City, and Salt Lake City during January and Febraury of 2007. At these meetings the public had the opportunity to meet with the specialists, study maps, and make comments.
Members of the public may examine documents pertinent to this proposal by visiting the Kanab Field Office during its business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except holidays. The public can submit written comments or concerns to the BLM Kanab Field Office, Attn: Keith Rigtrup, 318 North 100 East, Kanab, Utah 84741. Written comments or resource information may also be hand-delivered to the BLM Kanab Field Office, or sent by facsimile to the attention of Keith Rigtrup at 435-644-4620. Comments may be sent electronically to UT_Kanab_Altoncoal@blm.gov. Please put “Alton Coal Lease/Keith Rigtrup” in the subject line.
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