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NEPA Projects and Documentation

Below is a list of recent active surface coal mining activities requiring environmental assessments (EA) or environmental impact statements (EIS). NEPA documentation is required for the Department of the Interior to make a mining plan decision on Federal lands. Pursuant to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, EAs must be finalized in 1 year and EISs must be finalized in 2 years. 

For abandoned mine land related documents, please visit the Oversight Document Database

NEPA Documents Pending

Rosebud Supplemental EIS

The Rosebud Mine, operated by Westmoreland Rosebud Mining, LLC, is an existing coal mine in Colstrip, Montana, on public and private lands in Treasure and Rosebud Counties. The proposed project would allow 4,288 acres of surface disturbance and recovery of 71.3 million tons of Federal coal.  The EIS analyzes the Rosebud Area F Mining Plan for Federal Coal Lease MTM 082186. OSMRE is preparing this supplemental EIS, as directed by the September 30, 2022, District Court of Montana court ruling to address deficiencies in OSMRE's 2018 Final EIS. 

Rosebud Mine Area F Supplemental EIS Schedule
Unique ID SEIS-010-08-000-1732112584

MILESTONE DATE STATUS
Notice of Intent N/A N/A
Draft EIS Publication December 6, 2024 Complete
Draft EIS 45-Day
Comment Period
December 6, 2024 -
January 21, 2025
Closed
Final EIS August 2025 In Progress
Record of Decision September 2025 Planned

Bull Mountains EIS

Bull Mountains Mine, operated by Signal Peak Energy, LLC, is located 30 miles north of Billings, Montana, on private and public land in Musselshell and Yellowstone Counties. The proposed project would allow 247 acres of surface disturbance and recovery of 24 million tons of Federal coal. The EIS analyzes the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification associated with Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988. OSMRE is preparing this EIS for the Bull Mountains Mine Amendment 3, as directed by the October 14, 2022, U.S. District Court of Montana court ruling, to address the deficiencies identified in OSMRE’s 2018 EA.

Bull Mountains Mine No. 1 Mine EIS Schedule
Unique ID EISX-010-08-000-1732112615

MILESTONE DATE STATUS
Notice of Intent August 7, 2023 Complete
Draft EIS Publication May 2025 In Progress
Draft EIS 45-Day
Comment Period
May/June 2025 Planned
Final EIS August 2025 Planned
Record of Decision September 2025 Planned

West Antelope EA

The Antelope Mine, operated by the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, is located in Converse County, Wyoming. Coal at the Antelope Mine is mined using conventional surface-mining methods and shipped from an onsite railroad loading facility to electric utilities and industrial customers in the U.S. The proposed project would authorize the mining of approximately 857 acres and 14.6 million tons of recoverable Federal coal and extend the life of mine by approximately 0.5 year into 2035. The EA analyzes the West Antelope II South Modification Tract Mining Plan Modification associated with Federal Coal Lease WYW-177903. OSMRE is preparing the EA to evaluate the environmental impacts, pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 

West Antelope EA Schedule
Unique ID EAXX-010-08-14Y-1745432499

MILESTONE DATE STATUS
Project Scoping November 4, 2019 - December 3, 2019 Closed
Draft EA Publication May 8, 2020 Complete
Draft EA Comment Period May 8, 2020 - 
June 8, 2020
Closed
Final EA June 2025 In Progress
Signed FONSI June 2025 Planned

 

NEPA Documents Complete