Energy and Hard Rock Mines

Dragline2Ecosphere has worked for more than 20 years for energy and hard rock mines. Ecosphere has been a leader in designing and developing water quality compliance plans through the Clean Water Act permitting process. In addition, Ecosphere has unique experience working with a variety of federal government agencies (BIA, BLM, OSM) on the compliance and permitting for development and continued operation of mine resources on tribal lands—particularly Navajo Mine, a surface coal mine located on Navajo Nation lands. The areas where Ecosphere has specific expertise in mine planning and compliance include:

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

  • Programmatic Environmental Assessments
  • Lease by Application
  • Public involvement and scoping
  • Mitigation planning and monitoring

Clean Water Act (CWA)

  • Nationwide Permit preparation
  • Individual Permit preparation
  • Coordination with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in NEPA process
  • Wetland delineation and mitigation planning

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA)

  • Mine Permit Planning and Revision
  • Third Party NEPA with Office of Surface Mining (OSM)
  • Mine Permit Transfer

Reclamation/Wildlife Monitoring

  • Sensitive species surveys
  • Mine Closure/Abandoned Mine Plans (bat habitat suitability)
  • Coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Section 7 requirements
  • Reclamation and Mitigation Plan preparation
  • Raptor and wildlife monitoring

Socioeconomic Impact Assessment and Community Development Planning

  • Economic and social baseline reporting
  • Community development management planning
  • Socioeconomic Impact Assessment for NEPA documents