In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended; the National Forest Management Act of 1976, and the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Price Field Office, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA Forest Service) Manti-La Sal National Forest, as co-lead agencies, intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in response to a Lease by Application for the Little Eccles Federal Coal Lease Tract (UTU-92226) of 120 acres and a Lease Modification Application to add 640 acres to the Flat Canyon Lease Tract (UTU-77114). The notice of intent in the Federal Register announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be reviewed online at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2015277/510, https://www.fs.usda.gov/sopa/forest-level.php?110410, and at the BLM Price Field Office: 125 South 600 West, Price, Utah 84501.
The signed decision that the USDA Forest Service will make is subject to a pre-decisional administrative review process, also known as an objection process (36 C.F.R. 218, Subparts A and B). Parties eligible to file an objection are individuals and entities who have submitted substantive formal comments related to Skyline Mine Little Eccles Lease by Application in Emery County and Flat Canyon Lease Modification EIS during the opportunities provided for public comment during the planning process. The burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance with requirements for objections (36 CFR 219.53).
Written, facsimile, and electronic comments concerning this action will be accepted for 45 calendar days following the publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register https://www.federalregister.gov/, published 4/15/2024. The publication date in the Federal Register is the exclusive means for calculating the comment period for this analysis. Those wishing to comment should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.
The lead agencies will hold one virtual and two in-person scoping meetings. The specific dates and locations of the scoping meetings will be announced in advance and posted to the project websites listed above.
Published in the ETV Newspaper April 24, 2024.