BLM Rawlins publishes Final EIS for uranium project modifications in Sweetwater County
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RAWLINS, Wyo. – Today the Bureau of Land Management released the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lost Creek Uranium In-Situ Recovery Project Modifications in Sweetwater County, Wyo. The facility is located approximately 38 miles northwest of Rawlins and 15 miles southwest of Bairoil, Wyo.
On September 23, 2014, Lost Creek ISR, LLC requested to modify its plan of operations for the existing Lost Creek ISR Project, and to amend its Nuclear Regulatory Commission materials license for the mine.
The modification would increase the area authorized for mining operations and allow LCI to expand mining into the next deeper layer of mineralized sandstone. Approving the expansion would add approximately 5,751 acres to the existing Lost Creek ISR Project for a combined project area of 10,005 acres. The modification would add up to 1,415 acres of surface disturbance within the project area over the life of the project. Last, the modifications would increase authorized annual yellowcake production rate to 2.2 million pounds per year, up from its currently authorized 2 million pounds. Yellowcake is a type of uranium concentrate obtained from processing uranium ore.
The Environmental Protection Agency published a notice of availability for the Final EIS on Dec. 28, 2018. Due to a lapse in appropriations for the Department of the Interior, the BLM was unable to post the Final EIS until today. We are extending the availability period for this document until Feb. 28, 2019, to ensure the public has a sufficient opportunity for review. The BLM will issue a final decision on the project after the public availability period closes. The Lost Creek Expansion Project Final EIS is available on the BLM ePlanning website at https://go.usa.gov/xQwbS and in the BLM Rawlins Field Office at 1300 N. Third St. in Rawlins.
For further information, please contact Annette Treat at 307-328-4314, or visit the project website above.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.