A bill to allow certain Federal minerals to be mined consistent with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification, and for other purposes.
Description
This bill would authorize coal mining on 800 acres of federal land in Montana under the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification.
Summary
What it does
This bill would authorize coal mining on approximately 800 acres of federal land located in Musselshell County, Montana. It proposes to allow the extraction of federal coal reserves within this area in accordance with the 2020 Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification. Additionally, the bill would direct the Department of the Interior to approve the mining plan modification to facilitate operations at the Bull Mountains Mine.
Who is affected
This bill directly affects Signal Peak Energy, the operator of the Bull Mountains Mine, by authorizing the mining of federal coal reserves on approximately 800 acres in Musselshell County, Montana. The Department of the Interior is also affected, as the bill mandates the agency to approve the 2020 Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification without modification or delay.
Key provisions
- Authorization of federal coal mining in Montana. The bill authorizes the mining of federal coal reserves on approximately 800 acres of land located in Musselshell County, Montana.
- Application of the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification. The legislation specifies that federal coal reserves leased under Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988 may be mined according to the 2020 Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification.
- Mandated approval by the Department of the Interior. The Department of the Interior is directed to approve the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification without delay or modification to facilitate mining on the designated federal land.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
The bill mandates the approval of the 2020 Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification and authorizes mining activities within Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988, an existing federal leasing agreement.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to authorize the mining of federal coal reserves on approximately 800 acres in Musselshell County, Montana, by requiring the Department of the Interior to approve the 2020 Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification.