Colstrip coal mine seeks expansion

Scoping meeting to be held for environmental impact statement of proposed mine expansion

MONTANA LIVING — The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is preparing an environmental impact statement under the Montana Environmental Policy Act for the expansion of Area B of the Rosebud Mine proposed by Western Energy Company.

The environmental impact statement will analyze the potential impacts of the proposed expansion area and serve as the review for other potential permits that may be issued by the Department of Environmental Quality.

The first phase in preparing an environmental impact statement is to determine the scope. Department of Environmental Quality is asking for comments from federal, tribal, state and local governments and interested persons and groups that help identify issues likely to involve significant impacts and possible alternatives to be considered in the environmental impact statement. 

 
The scoping period will begin March 30, 2018, and end April 30, 2018. Department of Environmental Quality is hosting an open house and public scoping meeting to provide the public with information on the proposed project and an opportunity to submit written and/or oral comments.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 11 from 4-7 pm at the Colstrip City Hall, 12 Cherry Street, in Colstrip. The open house portion of the meeting will be from 4 – 5:30 pm.

A presentation from Department of Environmental Quality regarding the environmental impact statement and permitting process will begin at 5:30 pm, followed by the opportunity for the public to provide oral and/or written testimony. Scoping comments must be received by April 30, 2018. Written comments should be submitted to Jen Lane, Department of Environmental Quality Director's Office, PO Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901. Comments may be e-mailed to western-energy-area-b-eis@eroresources.com.
 
DEQ deemed Western Energy’s AM5 application administratively complete on May 24, 2017. The current Area B permit area is owned or controlled by Western Energy and encompasses approximately 6,063 acres. The proposed expansion would add coal reserves to the existing Rosebud Mine and extend mine life until 2047.
 
DEQ will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in the scoping meeting. If you require an accommodation, please contact Jen Lane at 406-444-4956 or jlane2@mt.gov