Meeting for bentonite project

The Bureau of Land Management Worland Field Office will host a public informational meeting on November 10 in Thermopolis to discuss a proposed expansion to a bentonite mining project in Hot Springs County. The meeting will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Big Horn Federal Savings Bank.

The BLM has analyzed Wyo-Ben, Inc.’s proposal to expand its 108T plan of operations on public land approximately 5 miles northwest of Thermopolis off of Highway 120. At the meeting, staff will discuss the mine plan and how the BLM is responding to comments on the environmental assessment (EA) that were received during the public comment period, Sept. 16-Oct. 17.

The EA, unsigned finding of no significant impact and map of the project area are available for review at http://bit.ly/2coIDc3. Wyo-Ben’s mine and reclamation plan can also be found on the website for reference. The EA analyzes potential impacts to access to public lands, geology, cultural and paleontological resources, vegetation, visual resources, soil and hydrology.

For more information, please contact BLM Planning and Environmental Coordinator Holly Elliott at 307-347-5100 or helliott@blm.gov.