The BLM’s Rock Springs office said Friday that it had released the environmental assessment for the project, finding no significant impact. It also released its decision record authorizing Bridger to add adjacent coal lease WYW154595 to its property.

The additional 320 acres of BLM-administered land is in the checkerboard region of mixed public, private and state-owned land. Bridger’s permit covers 26,691 acres about 35 miles northeast of Rock Springs.

In addition to the federal lease modification request, the company is also seeking to conduct underground coal mining on connecting private land.

Bridger Coal operates the Jim Bridger complex, which began production in 1974.

It has the distinction of surface mining as well as underground and highwall mining methods, along with ongoing reclamation.

Initial public scoping on the modified coal lease was conducted in April and May, and Bridger’s environmental assessment was released for public comment in January.

Two comments were received during that period, but neither required modification of the document.