Document VjYw91e24ppdBVjGvmO8Z1X3w

LA R R Y R U CSH O N , M D. O yr Ih S Y rn C T . h\'iA?-;A A W iU P A H O D , 6 4 OcUCLi: :005 D446YV:>i;Y4 HX 'S: CiTiC!: DC 20516 DOA OOD-OOOO cicnxc': o w e s . 420 tSiMi-i OXXXT Dl.:: ri: DOO OVAX.iiV'iLi.U 04 47500 (D25 465-8444 9 0 1 W v>4A 6X V<; 4 4 X , Si.::': :;; 'O U T iiififi i-i-AUVi:, 54 4700? D D } OODOOOO Zotige o! lafprititiatilisg lUasfiiiigfii, HC 20515-140$ November 7, 2016 COMMITTEE ON NK*GY AND COMMERCE CicNO.OO O OAijAY 46,00V Colonel Christopher G. Beck District Commander U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District 600 Dr. Martin Luther King Place Louisville, Kentucky 40202 Re: United Minerals Company, LLC Seven Hills Mine, LRL-2013-635-gjd Dear Colonel Beck, The United Minerals Company, LLC (Peabody), Seven Hills proposed permit area is within the borders of the Eighth Congressional District, which I represent. I understand that the Army Corps has decided to require Peabody to generate and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prior to a permit being issued at the Seven Hills Mine. I am concerned that it appears premature that the Army Corps would require an EIS before the completion of an Environmental Assessment (EA). Similar projects, such as Wild Boar, have been successfully permitted with an EA and a Finding of No Significant Impact, even after discussion that an EIS might be needed. In this case, it is concerning that Peabody was not given any indication by the Army Corps that an EIS might be required. Additionally, it is troubling that EA process completion is currently being delayed. I understand that Peabody is ready to provide responses to technical comments made by the EPA and Fish and Wildlife Service, but is still waiting on the Army Corps to provide their technical comments for response. Also, they have communicated to me that they have not received clear and meaningful guidance from the Army Corps as to their proposed mitigation plans on the site. I respectfully urge the Army Corps to provide technical responses as well as prompt and clear mitigation guidance consistent with Corps regulations for this project. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA PR-N k ON kCYPL E PAPER Tier 2 ED 002061 00034750-00001 I believe that an EIS may be unnecessary, and will further delay this project which is expected to bring significant jobs and economic impact to my district, an area that has seen many jobs lost in the coal industry. I respectfully request that you reconsider your decision to require an EIS until the EA process has been completed, at which time you will have complete information regarding the environmental impact and the subsequent mitigation. Member of Congress Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 2 ED 002061 00034750-00002