[Federal Register: January 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 14)]
[Notices]               
[Page 3542-3543]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22ja99-102]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WY-920-1320-00]

 
Powder River Regional Coal Team Activities: Schedule of Public 
Meeting

AGENCY: Department of the Interior, Wyoming.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Powder River Regional Coal Team (RCT) announces that it 
has scheduled a public meeting for February 23, 1999, for the following 
purposes: (1) Review current and proposed activities in the Powder 
River Coal Region, (2) review new and pending coal lease applications 
(LBA), and (3) make recommendations on new coal lease applications.

DATES: The RCT meeting will begin at 9 a.m. MDT, on Tuesday, February 
23, 1999, in the Centennial South Conference Room of the Radisson 
Northern Hotel, Broadway & 1st Ave. North, Billings, MT, 406-245-5121. 
The meeting is open to the public.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Radisson Northern Hotel, 
Broadway & 1st Ave. North, Billings, MT, 406-245-5121. Attendees are 
responsible for making their own reservations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mel Schlagel, Wyoming State Office, 
P.O. Box 1828 (MS-922), Cheyenne, WY 82003, 307-775-6257.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss 
two new pending coal leases by application (LBA) from Jacobs Ranch Coal 
Company (Kennecott Energy Company) (WYW146744), filed on October 2, 
1998, for an estimated 519 million tons and 4,821 acres, and the Spring 
Creek Coal Company (Kennecott Energy Company) (MTM88405) filed June 26, 
1998, for an estimated 15.4 million tons and 150

[[Page 3543]]

acres. This is the initial public notification of the pending 
applications listed above, in accordance with the ``Powder River 
Operational Guidelines'' (1991). Generally, a coal lease application 
filed under the LBA portion of BLM regulations (43 CFR 3425) takes 2-4 
years to be processed to the competitive sale stage, depending on 
informational and environmental study requirements. The RCT may 
generate recommendation(s) for any or all of the new and pending LBAs.
    The meeting will serve as a forum for public discussion on Federal 
coal management issues of concern in the Powder River Basin region. Any 
party interested in providing comments or data related to the above 
pending applications may either do so in writing to the State Director 
(925), Wyoming State Office, Bureau of Land Management, P.O. Box 1828, 
Cheyenne, WY 82003, no later than February 12, 1999, or by addressing 
the RCT with his/her concerns at the meeting on February 23, 1999. The 
draft agenda for the meeting follows.
    1. Introduction of RCT Members and guests.
    2. Approval of the Minutes of the April 23, 1997, RCT meeting held 
in Casper, WY.
    3. Regional Coal Activity Status:
    a. Current Production and Trend.
    b. Activity Since Last RCT Meeting.
    c. Status of pending LBAs previously reviewed by RCT:

--North Rochelle LBA--WYW127221
--Powder River--WYW136142
--Thundercloud--WYW136458
--Belle Ayr--WYW141568

    d. Status of the Belco/Hay Creek Coal Exchange.
    e. Environmental Status Check update.
    f. Wetlands Unsuitability Criteria update.
    g. Status of Coal Leasing Potential Report.
    4. Lease Applicant Presentations:

--Spring Creek Coal Company
--Jacobs Ranch Coal Company

    5. RCT Activity Planning Recommendations

--Review and recommendation(s) on pending lease Application(s)

    6. Discussion of the next meeting.
    7. Adjourn.

    Dated: January 12, 1999.
Alan R. Pierson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 99-1070 Filed 1-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P