Federal Register #2026-17785

Environmental Review and Permit Approval for Navajo Mine Expansion

This notice announces the completion of an environmental review and decision for a major mining permit on Navajo Nation land. - Government Buyer: - Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), Department of the Interior - OSM Western Regions 5 & 711 - OEM/Vendor Mentioned: - Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) - Project Details: - SMCRA permit for the No Name Permit area within the Navajo Mine Lease - Permit covers 11,526 acres of tribal land - Allows 9,042 acres of additional surface disturbance - Authorizes production of approximately 502,984,700 tons of recoverable coal - Unique Requirements: - Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) completed and Record of Decision issued - Permit term is five years, renewable for the life of the mine (potentially until 2136) - Compliance with NEPA and SMCRA regulations - No products or services are being procured; this is an announcement of permit approval and environmental review outcome.

Description

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) for Navajo Transitional Energy Company's proposed Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) permit for the No Name Permit area within NTEC's existing Navajo Mine Lease. The permit area covers 11,526 acres on Navajo Nation tribal lands and would allow for 9,042 acres of additional surface disturbance and production of approximately 502,984,700 tons of recoverable coal, extending the life of the mine to 2136. The FEIS analyzes three alternatives including the No Action, Proposed Action, and Avoid Pinabete Arroyo alternatives, with the Proposed Action selected as preferred. The permit is effective immediately and is part of the Department of the Interior's compliance with NEPA regulations.

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