Jim Bridger Coal Mine EA FONSI-1

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Jim Bridger Coal Mine Complex

Federal Coal Leases WYW-02727

Mining Plan Modification

A. Introduction

The Bridger Mine Complex is operated by the Bridger Coal Company (BCC) and is located 

approximately 31 miles northeast of Rock Springs, Wyoming. The Wyoming Department of 

Environmental Quality (WDEQ)-Land Quality Division (LQD) issued Permit No. 388-T7, in accordance 

with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) and the Wyoming State Coal 

Regulatory Program (30 CFR Part 950). If approved, this mining plan modification (the Project) would 

allow mining within Sections 12 and 24 T20N, R100W, which are included in federal coal lease WYW02727 from the date of approval through the life-of-the mine for the tract. The approved permit boundary 

includes the entire amendment area. Federal coal leases WYW-02728 and WYW-02727 were originally 

issued to BCC by the BLM in October 1969. The BLM modified lease WYW02727 to add 560 acres in 

July 2010, following completion of the 2010 Bridger Lease Modification EA. The accompanying 

Environmental Assessment (EA) discloses the potential environmental effects of this Project beginning in 

August 2017, through the life-of-mine for those areas.

The latest WDEQ-LQD permit renewal for the Bridger Mine Complex Permit No. 388-T7 was issued 

effective November 28, 2014, and included mining in the amendment area associated with federal coal 

lease WYW02727.

B. Statement of Environmental Significance of the Proposed Action

Pursuant to 30 CFR Part 746, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is 

recommending selection and approval of the Proposed Action (see section C). The undersigned person 

has determined that approval of a federal mining plan modification authorizing continuation of mining 

operations for approximately 13 more years and additional surface disturbance of approximately 104

acres in sections 12 and 24 to recover the federal coal would not have a significant impact on the quality 

of the human environment under section 102(2)(C) of NEPA, 42 USC 4332(2)(C); therefore, an 

Environmental Impact Statement is not required.

C. Reasons

OSMRE prepared the Jim Bridger Coal Mine Complex Federal Lease WYW02727, Mining Plan 

Modification Environmental Assessment (hereafter, the EA) to satisfy OSMRE’s requirements under the 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). OSMRE prepared this EA to evaluate the environmental 

effects resulting from approving federal mining plan modification request related to adding portions of 

federal coal lease WYW02727, pursuant to the requirements of NEPA; the Council on Environmental 

Quality (CEQ), Department of Interior (DOI), and OSMRE regulations; and guidance regarding 

implementing NEPA. As part of the evaluation process, OSMRE will make a recommendation to the 

Assistant Secretary of Lands and Minerals (ASLM) on a new decision to approve, disapprove, or approve 

the mining plan with conditions. 

OSMRE is the lead federal agency responsible for development of the EA because it has the decisionmaking authority regarding a recommendation for the proposed federal mining plan modification under 

the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (MLA). As such, this EA followed the CEQ’s, DOI’s, and OSMRE’s 

regulations and guidance for implementing NEPA. The EA analyzed the potential impacts associated with 

the Proposed Action and No Action Alternative. The Proposed Action would authorize recovery of 

approximately 4.5 million tons (Mt) at a maximum rate of 700,000 tons per year and with a surface 
Finding of No Significant Impacts

FONSI-2 Jim Bridger Coal Mine EA

disturbance of 104 acres. The Proposed Action includes design features to reduce or eliminate potential 

adverse impacts to the environment.

The EA also analyzed the impacts of the No Action Alternative. The No Action Alternative would not 

result in a new mining plan decision document from OSMRE, or a new decision by the ASLM. 

The attached EA considers the Proposed Action and a reasonable range of alternatives to the Proposed 

Action, discloses the potential environmental effects of the Proposed Action and reasonable alternatives, 

and provides sufficient evidence and support for this FONSI. The EA was prepared by a third-party 

consulting firm at the direction of OSMRE. During the development of the EA, OSMRE independently 

reviewed the document to ensure compliance with 43 CFR Part 46, Subpart D and all relevant provisions 

of CEQ regulations, and other program requirements. This independent review included OSMRE’s 

evaluation of all environmental issues disclosed in the EA and also those identified in comments received 

from the public. OSMRE takes full responsibility for the accuracy, scope, and the content of this 

document.

The undersigned has determined that, per the CEQ’s, DOI’s, and OSMRE’s regulations and guidance, the 

public involvement requirements have been met. OSMRE conducted public outreach and received 

comment regarding the preparation of the EA during a 30-day period, ending July 1, 2016. The EA and 

unsigned FONSI were made available to the public for review during a 30-day comment period that 

ended September 5, 2017, prior to OSMRE making a final decision. All substantive public comments 

received to date have been fully considered in the EA and in reaching this FONSI.

This finding is based on the context and intensity of the proposed federal mining plan modification that 

would be conducted under the Proposed Action, as described in the following paragraphs.

Context: BCC proposes to meet demand for coal and continue mine operations through approximately 

2037 by

1. securing federal mining plan modification approval authorizing mining of leased federal 

coal within federal coal lease WYW02727, and

2. continuing to mine, process, and transport coal from the Jim Bridger Mine.

Approval of the Proposed Action is a site specific action that would authorize mining of approximately 

4.5 Mt of federal coal at a maximum rate of 700,000 tons and a surface disturbance of 104 acres. The 

effects of the action have been analyzed at the local and regional scale.

Intensity: The following discussion is organized around the 10 Significance Criteria described within the 

federal regulations at 40 CFR §1508.27. The following criteria have been considered in evaluating the 

severity of impacts for this proposal.

1. Impacts that may be both beneficial and adverse:

Beneficial and adverse impacts of the Proposed Action are described in the attached EA. Project design 

features to reduce potential short-term and long-term impacts to topography, air quality, water resources, 

vegetation, fish and wildlife, threatened and endangered (T&E) species, cultural resources, visual 

resources, and soils are incorporated into the design of the Proposed Action. Additionally, mitigation 

measures related to air quality, migratory birds, special status species, cultural resources, and 

paleontological resources are required by the state-approved mine permit, stipulations to the federal coal 

lease, and approved mining plan.

The Proposed Action would result in a continuation of existing mining levels at the Bridger Mine 

Complex through 2037; therefore, direct effects on greenhouse gases (GHG) would also continue at 

current levels and would be short-term and minor. The Proposed Action’s indirect effects on GHG 

emissions (based on the burning of the coal excavated from the project area) are expected to be long-term 
Finding of No Significant Impacts

Jim Bridger Coal Mine EA FONSI-3

and moderate. The Proposed Action’s direct and indirect effects on air quality would be short-term and 

minor. Regionally the comparative emissions are higher, but the region has and is expected to remain in 

attainment. Indirectly, the Proposed Action would contribute to criteria emissions and GHG emissions 

through the combustion of coal at the Jim Bridger power plant. The direct and indirect effects to fish and 

wildlife, geology and minerals, socioeconomics, soils, topography and physiography, vegetation, water 

resources, and wetlands and riparian zones range from minor to moderate and from short-term to 

permanent. There are no cultural resources in the project area that have been recommended eligible for 

the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), so impacts to cultural resources would be negligible.

The Proposed Action would result in impacts to socioeconomics in the area of influence. There would be 

an extension of employment for approximately 230 employees, primarily from Sweetwater County, 

Wyoming for up to approximately 13 years. The socioeconomic benefits are derived from payroll, 

insurance, retirement contributions, local expenditures, taxes, and federal coal royalty payments.

None of the environmental effects discussed in the EA are considered to be significant.

2. The degree to which the Proposed Action affects public health or safety:

There are approximately 1.5 miles of county roads in the existing Bridger Mine Complex mine permit 

boundary. Public access to the area affected by mining is strictly controlled by the mine and the Proposed 

Action would not affect levels of traffic within the existing permit boundary. All mine activities with 

potential public exposure would also be subject to state mine permit approval and review by the Mine 

Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), which include safety standards. Precautions for public health 

and safety would also be implemented during transport of equipment along public roads to and from the

amendment area. Emissions and effluent limits are within approved standards, as required by state 

permits, thereby limiting potential impacts to public health. Emissions and effluent limits are within 

approved standards, as required by state permits, thereby limiting potential impacts to public health. After 

full reclamation has occurred, no public health or safety concerns are expected.

3. Unique characteristics of the geographic area such as proximity to historic or cultural resources, 

park lands, prime farm lands, wetlands, wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, or ecologically critical 

areas:

There are no park lands, prime farmlands, wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, or ecologically critical areas 

within the EA project area. There are no jurisdictional wetlands (aquatic resources) within the tract 

boundary. Inventories of historic or cultural resources have been completed for the EA project area and 

found eleven previously recorded sites and five new sites. None of these sites are recommended eligible 

for the NRHP and it was determined that the Proposed Action would have no adverse effect on any 

cultural resources eligible for the NRHP that would require mitigation prior to disturbance. Additional 

cultural resources discussions are included below under Item 8.

4. The degree to which the impacts on the quality of the human environment are likely to be highly 

controversial:

As a factor for determining within the meaning of 40 CFR 1508.27(b)(4) (whether or not to prepare a 

detailed EIS) “controversy” is not equated with “the existence of opposition to a use.” Northwest 

Environmental Defense Center v. Bonneville Power Administration, 117 F.3d 1520, 1536 (9th Cir. 1997). 

The term ‘highly controversial’ refers to instances in which “a substantial dispute exists as to the size, 

nature, or effect of the major federal action rather than the mere existence of opposition to a use” Hells 

Canyon Preservation Council v. Jacoby, 9 F.Supp.2d 1216, 1242 (D. Or. 1998).
Finding of No Significant Impacts

FONSI-4 Jim Bridger Coal Mine EA

The EA has analyzed the direct and indirect effects on and from climate change and determined that the 

Proposed Action would result in no direct effects and indirect effects that are long-term, and moderate. 

Approvals of federal mining lands and mining plan modifications have been made in the area for several 

decades. The project design features and reclamation plan would reduce the effects on the environment; 

or, in some cases, would improve the current condition (e.g., soils, vegetation, and wildlife habitat (EA 

Section 2.1.1.15). No other anticipated effects have been identified that are scientifically controversial.

5. The degree to which the possible effects on the human environment are highly uncertain or involve 

unique or unknown risks:

There are no effects on the human environment under the Proposed Action that are highly uncertain or 

involve unique or unknown risks. OSMRE has experience implementing similar actions in similar areas.

6. The degree to which the action may establish a precedent for future actions with significant effects 

or represents a decision in principal about future considerations:

This decision is not precedent setting. The issues considered in the EA were developed by OSMRE within 

the context of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions. Significant cumulative impacts are not 

anticipated.

7. Whether the action is related to other actions with individually insignificant but cumulatively 

significant impacts – which include connected actions regardless of land ownership:

OSMRE evaluated the possible issues in context of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable activities, 

including past, present, and reasonably foreseeable mining for the Bridger Mine Complex and other 

mining operations in the region, the combustion of that coal at the Jim Bridger power plant., ranching, 

livestock grazing, recreation, and oil and gas development. 

Both the indirect and cumulative effects of coal combustion were disclosed in the EA. There were no 

significant cumulative effects identified.

8. The degree to which the action may adversely affect districts, sites, highways, structures, or other 

objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or may 

cause loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural, or historical resources:

A cultural resources inventory performed in Section 12 resulted in the discovery of five newly identified 

sites, nine previously recorded sites, and four isolated artifacts. None of these sites are eligible for 

nomination to the NRHP and no further action was recommended (WAS 2009). A segment of the 

Cherokee Trail, Evans Variant, that crosses the south half of Section 12 was also evaluated and found to 

be non-contributing to the NRHP eligibility of the Cherokee Trail. No significant trail remains would be 

affected by the Proposed Action, and no further work was recommended (WAS 2010). 

A cultural resources inventory was also performed in Section 24, identifying one previously recorded site 

(48S13859). No newly identified cultural resource properties were in this section of the project area. Site 

48S13859 was recommended not eligible for the NRHP and no further work was recommended (WAS 

2008). Although the Evans Variant segment of the Cherokee Trail that crosses the south half of Section 

12 may be impacted by the Proposed Action, it is a non-contributing element to the NRHP eligibility of 

the Cherokee Trail, and there would be no adverse effect.

Based on the results of the cultural resource inventories, OSMRE has determined there would be no 

historic properties affected as a result of the Proposed Action.
Finding of No Significant Impacts

Jim Bridger Coal Mine EA FONSI-5 

A scoping letter was sent on June 1, 2016, to the following Native American tribes to identify any Native 

American religious concerns or other issues with the Proposed Action: 

• Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Fort Hall Reservation, Idaho) 

• Eastern Shoshone Tribe (Wind River Reservation, Wyoming) 

• Northern Arapahoe Tribe (Wind River Reservation Wyoming)

• Northern Ute Tribe (Uintah and Ouray Reservation, Utah) 

The scoping letter requested comments on the Proposed Action and continued consultation with the tribes 

for the stages of proposal development and implementation of the final federal action. No cultural or 

religious concerns or Traditional Cultural Properties have been identified through consultation with the 

tribes.

9. The degree to which an action may adversely affect a threatened or endangered (T&E) species or its 

habitat that has been determined to be critical under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA): 

The current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) list of T&E species that may occur in Sweetwater 

County, Wyoming includes the Ute Ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) yellow-billed cuckoo 

(Coccyzus americanus), bonytail chub (Gila elegans), Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), 

humback chub (Gila cypha), and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus). There would be no direct or 

indirect impacts to threatened, endangered, candidate, or special status plant or animal species from 

mining or coal combustion resulting from the Proposed Action because of a lack of habitat within the 

direct and indirect impacts analysis area.

10. Whether the action threatens a violation of a federal, state, local, or tribal law, regulation, or policy 

imposed for the protection of the environment, where non-federal requirements are consistent with 

federal requirements:

The Proposed Action would not violate any known federal, state, local, or tribal laws or requirements 

imposed for the protection of the environment. During the public and agency involvement for this EA, 

state, local, and tribal interests were given the opportunity to participate in the EA process. The Proposed 

Action is consistent with applicable plans, policies, and programs.