Comment period ends today on Wishbone Hill permit extension

SUTTON — People have until 5 p.m., today to comment on the Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. application for a two-year extension to its coal exploration permit for Wishbone Hill.

The area is northeast of Palmer eight miles in the Buffalo/Soapstone Community and is within all or parts of Sections 13, 14, 22-28, Township 19 North, Range 2 East and Sections 2, 3, 7-11, 15-19, Township 19 North, Range 3 East, Seward Meridian, according to a statement from the Department of Natural Resources.

If renewed, the permit would authorize the company to drill up to 25 exploration drill holes, geologic surface mapping and the construction of 0.6 acres of trail extensions.

Usibelli said in its application that all drill sites will be reclaimed and all drill holes not retained as hydrologic monitoring wells would be sealed immediately upon completion of work at the site.

Division of Mining, Land and Water has determined that the application complies with the requirements of the Alaska Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act (AS 27.21 and 11 AAC 90) and that Pursuant to 11 AAC 90.167(b) a reclamation bond in the initial amount of $47,457 is sufficient to cover the associated reclamation costs.

Copies of the application and preliminary decision are available for review at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 920, Anchorage, AK 99501-3577 or online at dnr.state.ak.us/mlw/mining/index.htm.

Comments should be sent to Liping Jing at the address listed above, by fax at (907) 269-8930, or by e-mail at coalprogram@alaska.gov with the subject “Wishbone Hill Exploration.”