2013-04734. Notice of Invitation To Participate; Coal Exploration License Application WYW181224, WY

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, and to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulations, all interested parties are hereby invited to participate with Peabody Powder River Mining, LLC, on a pro rata cost-sharing basis, in its program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in Campbell County, Wyoming.

DATES:

This notice of invitation will be published in the Gillette News-Record once each week for 2 consecutive weeks beginning the week of March 4, 2013, and in the Federal Register. Any party electing to participate in this exploration program must send written notice to both the BLM and Peabody Powder River Mining LLC, as provided in the ADDRESSES section below, no later than April 3, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the exploration plan are available for review during normal business hours in the following offices (serialized under number WYW181224): BLM, Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003; and, BLM, High Plains District Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, Casper, WY 82604. The written notice should be sent to the following addresses: Peabody Powder River Mining LLC, c/o Peabody Energy Corporation, Attn: Adam Stephens, 1013 E. Boxelder, Gillette, WY 82717, and BLM, Wyoming State Office, Branch of Solid Minerals, Attn: Mavis Love, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mavis Love, Land Law Examiner, at 307-775-6258. 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:

Peabody Powder River Mining LLC has applied to the BLM for a coal exploration license on public land adjacent to its North Antelope Rochelle Coal Mine. The purpose of the exploration program is to obtain structural and quality information of the coal. The BLM regulations at 43 CFR 3410 require the publication of an invitation to participate in the coal exploration in the Federal Register. The Federal coal resources included in the exploration license application are located in the following described lands in Wyoming:

Sixth Principal Meridian

T. 42 N., R. 70 W.,

Sec. 7, lots 15 to 20, inclusive;

Sec. 8, lots 13 to 16, inclusive;

Sec. 17, lots 1 to 16, inclusive;

Sec. 18, lots 5 to 20, inclusive;

Sec. 19, lots 5 to 8, inclusive;

Sec. 20, lots 1 to 4, inclusive.

T. 41 N., R. 71 W.,

Sec. 2, lots 5 to 20, inclusive;

Sec. 3, lots 5 to 20, inclusive;

Sec. 10, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, and lots 6 to 10, inclusive;

Sec. 11, lots 1 to 12, inclusive, and lots 14 to 16, inclusive.

T. 42 N., R. 71 W.,

Sec. 1, lots 7 to 10, inclusive, and lots 15 to 18, inclusive;

Sec. 2, lots 5 to 20, inclusive;

Sec. 11, lots 1 to 16, inclusive;

Sec. 12, lots 1 to 16, inclusive;

Sec. 13, lots 1 to 16, inclusive;

Sec. 14, lots 1 to 16, inclusive;

Sec. 23, lots 1 to 4, inclusive;

Sec. 24, lots 1 to 4, inclusive;

Sec. 34, lots 13 to 16, inclusive.

The areas described aggregate 8,261.93 acres.

The proposed exploration program is fully described and will be conducted pursuant to an exploration plan to be approved by the BLM.

Authority: 43 CFR 3410.2-1(c)(1).

Donald A. Simpson,

State Director.