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Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Division of Mining, Land and Water

Wishbone Hill Mine

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Project Description

Wishbone Hill Mine, Permit Numbers 01-89-796 & 02-89-796 is owned and operated by Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. (UCM), P.O. Box 1000, Healy, Alaska 99743. The Project is a surface coal mining and export development proposal for a bituminous coal resource located in the Matanuska Coal Field of South-central Alaska, approximately 40 miles northeast of Anchorage and 10 miles northeast of Palmer, Alaska, near the Buffalo/Soapstone Community.

Extension of Public Comment Period Wishbone Hill Mine Permit Renewal

The Department of Natural Resources has extended the public comment period for the renewal of the Wishbone Mine Permit The amended deadline to submit written comment closes at 5:00PM on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.

Extension Notice PDF

Application for Renewal of Permits 02-83-196 and S-0602A

A request to renew Surface Coal Mining Permits 01-89-796 & 02-89-796 was filed with the Division of Mining, Land and Water on December 10, 2018. Renewal of the permits has been requested in accordance with AS 27.21.080(d) and 11 AAC 90.129(b). DMLW - Mining is noticing the request for renewal and issuing Preliminary Findings for the renewal of the Wishbone Hill Mine permits. The permits are currently under Temporary Cessation under 11 AAC 90.471. As of February 13, 2020 there is no activity occurring or planned within the permit area.

Public Notice PDF Preliminary Findings of Fact PDF Application for Renewal PDF Updated Part A: Application and Mine Site Identification PDF

2018 Decision and Citizens Complaint concerning the Validity of the Wishbone Hill Mine Permits

November 29, 2018 DNR Decision PDF January 11, 2019 Citizens Complaints from Trustees for Alaska to OSMRE concerning Wishbone Hill PDF March 5, 2019 Citizens Complaints from EarthJustice to OSMRE concerning Wishbone Hill PDF January 18, 2019 Letter from DMLW to OSMRE concerning Citizens Complaint PDF OSMRE July 24, 2019 Response to Citizens Complaints PDF

2015 Commissioner's Decision on the October 3, 2014 Renewal Decision

Commissioner's Decision adopting hearing officer decision Wishbone Hill Coal Mining Permits No 01-89-796 & 02-89-796 PDF Final Recommended Decision PDF Errata for Final Recommended Decision PDF

2011 Renewal Permit and Final Decision

Oct 26, 2015 Permit PDF 2014 Final Findings of Fact and Decision PDF 2014 Appendix A Response to Public Comments PDF 2014 Public Notice PDF

Preliminary Decision Documents

2011 Public Notice PDF 2011 Preliminary Findings of Fact and Decision PDF

Project Documents

Preface PDF Part A: Application and Mine Site Identification PDF Part B: Legal, Financial and Compliance Information PDF Part C: Environmental Resource Information PDF (277 MB)
*Part C is a very large pdf document. It is broken out by chapters below for optimal viewing. Part D: Operation and Reclamation Plan PDF Part D: Appendices PDF Part E: Special Categories of Mining PDF Transmittal Letters PDF
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