Overview
Title
To allow certain Federal minerals to be mined consistent with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 931 is a plan that lets certain rocks and minerals from a part of Montana be dug up for use, as long as they follow specific rules. It tells the Secretary of the Interior to say "yes" to this plan really quickly, without changing it.
Summary AI
H. R. 931 allows for the mining of specific federal minerals in line with the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification. The bill specifies that federal coal reserves under Lease MTM 97988 in Musselshell County, Montana, can be mined as per the approved plan. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to approve the mining plan without changes within 30 days of the bill's enactment, covering 800 acres of land in T. 6 N., R. 27 E., Montana Principal Meridian.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, H.R. 931, seeks to facilitate the mining of certain Federal coal reserves in Musselshell County, Montana. Specifically, it authorizes the mining of Federal minerals in accordance with a predefined plan known as the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification. The modification, referred to as Amendment 3, received prior approval from the Department of the Interior. The bill mandates that the Secretary of the Interior ratify the plan without changes within 30 days of the bill’s enactment, thereby enabling mining on approximately 800 acres of specified Federal land.
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill presents several notable issues. Firstly, while it references the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification as Amendment 3, it lacks details about what this amendment encompasses, potentially limiting public understanding of its implications. The requirement for automatic approval of the mining plan—without modification or delay—raises concerns about potential bypassing of thorough review processes, which could benefit the company holding the lease at the expense of broader stakeholder input. Additionally, the 30-day timeframe for plan approval could be insufficient for a comprehensive evaluation, risking oversight, especially regarding environmental and public interest evaluations. The legal land descriptions used to identify the mining area may be difficult for the general public to interpret, hindering transparency and comprehension.
Impacts on the Public
The bill could broadly impact the public in several ways. It significantly curtails the period for governmental review and public comment, which might affect environmental safeguards and community oversight. The emphasis on expedited mining approval could impact local ecosystems, water sources, and air quality, which are often concerns in communities near mining operations. Furthermore, without specific details concerning Amendment 3, the public is left without crucial information needed to assess potential environmental and economic outcomes.
Impacts on Specific Stakeholders
From a stakeholder perspective, the bill tends to favor the mining company leasing the coal reserves, potentially allowing for rapid commencement of mining operations, which could lead to economic benefits such as job creation and increased local revenues. However, the absence of a robust review period, including public input and environmental assessments, might lead to adverse impacts on local residents and environmental groups concerned with the long-term sustainability and health of local ecosystems. This could create tension between economic growth proponents and environmental advocates.
In summary, while H.R. 931 aims to facilitate coal mining under the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification, it raises significant concerns regarding transparency, environmental oversight, and the overall consideration of public interest. The lack of clarity surrounding the amendment details and the expedited approval process may disproportionately favor mining operators while heightening environmental and community risks.
Issues
The Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification is defined in Section 1(a) as Amendment 3, but there is no detailed explanation of what Amendment 3 entails. This lack of detail could hinder understanding and transparency regarding the modification's implications.
The automatic approval requirement in Section 1(b)(2), which mandates that the Secretary of the Interior approve the mining plan modification without modification or delay, could bypass comprehensive review processes. This may favor the company holding the lease, potentially leading to inadequate consideration of the modification's impacts.
The 30-day timeframe for the Secretary of the Interior to approve the plan, as stated in Section 1(b)(2), may not provide sufficient time for thorough review. This could increase the risk of oversight or errors, particularly in evaluating environmental and public interest concerns.
Section 1(c) describes the Federal land using legal land description terms (e.g., T. 6 N., R. 27 E., Montana Principal Meridian), which may not be easily accessible or understandable to the general public. More specific geographic identifiers or maps could improve clarity and transparency.
The absence of any mention of environmental evaluations or public input in Section 1 regarding the mining activities may raise concerns about potential environmental impacts being overlooked and insufficient consideration of public interests.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Authorization to mine Federal minerals Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill allows mining of Federal coal reserves on specific lands in Musselshell County, Montana, under the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification. The Secretary of the Interior must approve the plan without changes within 30 days of the bill's enactment to authorize mining on the specified lands.