County notes Office of Surface Mining comment window for Black Butte Coal lease renewal

County staff notified commissioners that the U.S. Office of Surface Mining has opened a public-comment period on Black Butte Coal Company’s mining lease renewal, running Aug. 12–18, 2025.

The notice matters because the federal comment window is an opportunity for local governments and residents to submit views on a federal mining lease renewal that could affect local land use, reclamation and environmental oversight.

A staff member told the commission the comment period was the final week and asked whether the commission or any local residents had submitted comments; none were reported during the meeting. Staff advised that commissioners or members of the public could submit comments during the federal window if they wished; no county action was taken during the meeting.