Welcome to the OSMRE Spring Creek Mine, LBA 1 mining plan modification Environmental Assessment (EA) webpage. Here you will be able to view and download all documents relating to this EA as they become available to the public. For more information about this project see About the Project. When available, the EA and other supporting documentation will be posted in the Document Library.

Available EA

The OSMRE is responsible for reviewing plans to conduct coal mining and reclamation operations on lands containing leased federal coal. Pursuant to 30 CFR 746, the OSMRE must prepare and submit to the Secretary of the Interior a decision document recommending approval, disapproval or approving with condition(s) of the proposed mining plan modification.

Spring Creek Coal Company operates the Spring Creek Mine (SCM) which is located approximately 32 miles north of Sheridan, WY. The SCM is a surface coal mine that uses a combination of dragline and truck shovel mining methods.

OSMRE has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA), which analyzes the environmental impacts resulting from the originally proposed and currently approved mining plan modification for Federal coal lease MTM 94378. OSMRE concluded that the Proposed Action would meet the agency’s purpose and need. The Proposed Action would authorize mining activities on 1,111.7 acres of Federal coal lease MTM94378 within the existing, state approved mine permit boundary.

OSMRE has also made available the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and mining plan modification approval which will allow SCM to continue operations. OSMRE determined that the Proposed Action does not constitute a major federal action having significant effect on the human environment; therefore, an EIS is not required.