2013-29965. Notice of Invitation-Coal Exploration License Application MTM 106757, Montana

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Members of the public are hereby invited to participate with Signal Peak Energy, LLC on a pro rata cost sharing basis in a program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in lands located in Yellowstone and Musselshell Counties, Montana, encompassing 2,039.64 acres.

DATES:

Any party seeking to participate in this exploration program must send written notice to both the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Signal Peak Energy, LLC as provided in the ADDRESSES section below no later than January 16, 2014 or 10 calendar days after the last publication of this Notice in the Roundup Record Tribune and Winnett Times newspaper, whichever is later. This Notice will be published once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in the Roundup Record Tribune and Winnett Times, Roundup, Montana. Such written notice must refer to serial number MTM 106757.

ADDRESSES:

The proposed exploration license and plan are available for review from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the public room at the BLM Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT. The exploration license application and exploration plan are also available for viewing on the Montana State Office coal Web site at http://www.blm.gov/​mt/​st/​en/​prog/​energy/​coal.html.

A written notice to participate in the exploration licenses should be sent to the State Director, BLM Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101-4669 and Signal Peak Energy, LLC, 100 Portal Drive, Roundup, MT 59072.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Craig Drake by telephone at 406-896-5349 or by email at [e-mail]; or Connie Schaff by telephone at 406-896-5060 or by email at [e-mail]. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The exploration activities will be performed pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, 30 U.S.C. 201(b), and to the regulations at 43 CFR part 3410. The purpose of the exploration program is to gain additional geologic knowledge of the coal underlying the exploration area for the purpose of assessing the coal resources. The exploration program is fully described and will be conducted pursuant to an exploration license and plan approved by the BLM. The exploration plan may be modified to accommodate the legitimate exploration needs of persons seeking to participate. The lands to be explored for coal deposits in exploration license MTM 106757 are described as follows:

Principal Meridian, Montana

T. 5 N., R. 27 E.,

Sec. 4, S1/2NE1/4, S1/2NW1/4, S1/2;

T. 6 N., R. 27 E.,

Sec. 24, NE1/4, W1/2, NW1/4SE1/4, and S1/2SE1/4;

Sec. 32, SW1/4;

Sec. 34, SE1/4;

T. 6 N., R. 28 E.,

Sec. 18, lots 1 thru 4, inclusive, E1/2, and E1/2W1/2.

Containing 2,039.64 acres.

The Federal coal within the lands described for exploration license MTM 106757 is currently unleased for development of Federal coal reserves.

Phillip C. Perlewitz,

Chief, Branch of Solid Minerals.