Mining Federal Minerals in Montana
Official: A bill to allow certain Federal minerals to be mined consistent with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification, and for other purposes.
This bill lets companies mine federal coal in Montana according to an existing plan. It aims to streamline the process for mining on specific federal land.
This bill authorizes coal to be mined on approximately 800 acres of federal land in Musselshell County, Montana. Specifically, it allows all federal coal reserves in such federal land and leased under Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988 to be mined in accordance with the 2020 Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification. The Bull Mountains Mine is operated by Signal Peak Energy. This bill directs the Department of the Interior, without modification or delay, to approve the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification to the extent necessary to mine such land.
1. This bill allows mining of certain federal coal reserves in Montana. 2. It specifically authorizes the mining plan approved in 2020. 3. The mining is permitted on about 800 acres of federal land. 4. The Secretary of the Interior must approve the mining plan quickly. 5. Mining can continue for one year after the bill becomes law.
Mining companies and workers in Musselshell County, Montana, will be directly affected by this bill.