This is a text-only version of the document "Bridger Coal Lease Modification - Finding of No Significant Impact - 2009". To see the original version of the document click here.

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FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Bureau of Land Management
Rock Springs Field Office
Bridger Coal Lease Modification: WYW2727


Case File No.: WYW2727 and WYW167727 EA Number: WY-040-EA10-30


Proposed Action Title: Bridger Coal Lease Modification to W Y W2727


Proposed Action Type and Location: To modify the existing federal coal lease WYW2727 to
include parcels of unleased federal coal lands situated within Sections 12 and 24, Township 20
North, Range 100 West; and to obtain a right-of-way to conduct surface operations in Section 36
Township 20 North, Range 100 West.


Applicant: Bridger Coal Company
Cio Interwest Mining Company
1407 West North Temple, Suite 310
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116


BACKGROUND




The proposed action is to modify federal coal lease WYW2727 to include 560 acres of
contiguous coal lands in Sections 12 and 24 and to be granted a right-of-way to conduct surface
operations in Section 36, Township 20 North, Range 100 West. The lands in section 36 are split
estate, with the State of Wyoming owning the subsurface estate and the surface estate federally
owned and managed by the BLM.




Federal coal lease WYW2727 was originally issued on October l, 1969, and readjusted effective
October 1, 1999. This lease modification does not exceed the modified acreage limitation of 960
acres as set forth with the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005; therefore, a revision of the
existing Mining and Reclamation Plan for the Jim Bridger Coal Mine is not required.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Based upon the information contained in the attached environmental assessment, ‘Bridger Coal
Lease Modification: WYW2727", and all other information available to me, it is my
determination that: (1) the implementation of the Proposed Action will not have significant
environmental impacts beyond those already addressed in the Green River Resource
Management Plan (GRRMP) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) ; (2) the Proposed Action is
in conformance with the GRRMP; and (3) the Proposed Action does not constitute a major
federal action having a significant effect on the human environment. Therefore, an
environmental impact statement is not necessary and will not be prepared.


 




This finding is based on my consideration of the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ)
criteria for significance (40 CFR 15OS.27), both with regard to the context and to the intensity 0
the impacts described in the EA or as articulated in the letters of comment.






The Proposed Action has been designed to avoid or minimize environmental impacts to the
extent feasible. The following mitigations measured have been identified for the proposed
action:




Air Quality
o Bridger Coal Company will operate a water truck, as needed, to control fugitive
dust within its control.


Cultural


The identified paleontological, archaeological, and cultural resources shall be
preserved or mitigated in conformance with Bridger Coal Company’s existing
Memorandum of Agreement that is part of the existing mining operations.
A 75 foot avoidance area around the existing prehistoric site identified in the
project area has been established through Native American consultations.


Grazing
o Appropriate fencing around the expanded lease area will ensure livestock are not
impacted by the surface mining activities. Additionally, appropriate reclamation
will be completed alter mining and the allotted AUMS will remain unchanged.


Riparian Wetlands
o In order to avoid anticipated impacts to riparian Wetlands, Bridger Coal Company
will prevent any surface disturbance Within 500 feet of the edge of the riparian
area associated with Ten Mile Draw in Section 12. Also, the company will
provide for the prevention of direct runoff from the mining operations into this
drainage or take measures to filter sediment.


Wildlife


The approved Mining and Reclamation Plan includes plans for the return of
vegetation suitable for winter range habitat.
Bridger Coal Company has an existing plan in place for raptor monitoring and
mitigation as part of its existing operations. This existing plan will continue for
the lease modification area.


Authorized Official: _ %' \ 9-
Lance Porter Date
Field Manager
Rock Springs Field Office