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Agencies Sign Record of Decision for the Smoky Canyon Mine
IDAHO FALLS, ID — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho Falls District and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest will each release a Record of Decision (ROD) on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 for the expansion of the Smoky Canyon Mine, Panels F & G.

The RODs authorize the J.R. Simplot Company’s proposal to extend current open pit phosphate mining operations at Smoky Canyon Mine south into two existing federal phosphate leases (Manning Creek–Panel F and Deer Creek–Panel G). The leases are administered by BLM’s Pocatello Field Office and are located on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The proposed extension of mining operations will include modification (enlargement) of the Panel F lease and approval of a mine plan by the BLM. The RODs also authorize roads and utilities on National Forest System land outside the lease boundaries that are needed for mining operations.

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-- Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008