Bureau of Land Management to Revise Analysis for the Alton Coal Lease in Utah
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SALT LAKE CITY— In response to a court-ordered remand issued in Utah Physicians For A Healthy Env’t v. United States BLM, 528 F. Supp. 3d 1222 (D. Utah 2021), the Bureau of Land Management is initiating a process to revise aspects of the environment impact statement that supported the lease sale that resulted in the issuance of Alton Coal Development’s coal lease, UTU-81895, on public lands in Kane County, Utah. To ensure a thorough analysis, the BLM will engage with the public, partner agencies, and other stakeholders, and the agency will rely upon the best available scientific information. In addition to greenhouse gases, the agency will consider other appropriate improvements to the analysis to ensure consistency with current policies and procedures. The BLM will post documents and opportunities for public engagement at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/79446/510.
Separately, the BLM is aware of the Cessation Order issued to Alton by the State of Utah. The BLM has been in communication with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, which is evaluating the situation.
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.