MALTA, Mont. (NMB) – The Bureau of Land Management has announced a proposed withdrawal of over 900 acres at the Zortman-Landusky Mine reclamation area, in addition to lands previously proposed for withdrawal last October.
According to a press release, the total acreage of the two withdrawals would cover approximately the same area as the previous 20-year withdrawal that expired in 2020.
The BLM proposed a withdrawal and two-year segregation of 2,688.13 acres in October 2020. This newly proposed withdrawal of 912.33 acres would limit new mining or disturbance of these additional acres of public land while providing the BLM time to assess and monitor the effectiveness of ongoing reclamation activities and ensure public safety. This requires the publication of an additional Federal Register notice and another opportunity for public comment.
Approximately $83.7 million in reclamation bonds and State of Montana and BLM funding have been spent since 1999 to fund site reclamation and water treatment plant operations after the mine operator declared bankruptcy and abandoned the mines in 1998.
The publication of the notice in the Federal Register closes 912.33 acres of land from appropriation under the public land laws, including location and entry under the United States mining laws for up to two years, subject to valid existing rights. This closure will protect the lands and facilitate reclamation efforts at the Zortman and Landusky mines.
The BLM is seeking public input on this proposed withdrawal. Public comments will be accepted for 90 days following the Federal Register notice publication https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/06/06/2022-12103/notice-of-proposed-withdrawal-and-public-meeting-montana. A virtual Zoom meeting to provide for public comment will be held June 21st, 2022, at 4 PM (Mountain Time) https://blm.zoomgov.com/j/1616502018?pwd=d1hHenZNdnk2ZmhqY0tPaFUxMUFaUT09, Meeting ID: 161 650 2018, Passcode: 544914.
