A controversial mining company is looking to expand its operation underneath the Mark Twain National Forest. The public can comment on the petition but must limit comments to the proposed expansion.
The Doe Run Company currently operates 3,800 acres of mineral mines in Reynolds and Shannon counties and wants to expand its lease to add another 1,500 acres.
The Bureau of Land Management prepared an and on the expansion proposal until Oct. 24.
鈥淭his analysis is about adding these additional acres to the current leases,鈥� said Stephanie Carman, district manager for BLM Eastern States鈥� Northeastern States District. 鈥淏ecause of that, we are not looking at the leasing as a whole, that was done previously and will be done again under our regular 10-year review period.鈥�
Doe Run has been , and has also been involved in in recent years.
Carman said the agency will read and take all public comments seriously, but the most useful and relevant comments will specifically address the technical aspects of the lease expansion proposal.
鈥淲e appreciate any additional information. We don鈥檛 know everything, so this is an opportunity for the public, additional partners, to identify things that we may not have been aware of or may not have considered,鈥� Carman said.
鈥淔or example, if there is a bird species present in this area that has been documented that we are not aware of, that kind of information would be very important.鈥�
The 30-day comment period is now open. The public can and has the option to upload supporting documentation. The site also includes directions on how to file comments by mail.
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