Federal Level Comment Notices

This page is to keep you informed about those mining projects which are subject to the Federal Level scoping and permitting processes, comment deadlines, and information.

You can also find a variety of projects on the Black Hills National Forest Service’s webpage – HERE.

Note: If you have trouble finding a project and status on the Forest Service website go to their SOPA page. Click HERE.

4/15/26 UPDATE: IMPORTANT COMMENT DEADLINE!

DEWEY-BURDOCK URANIUM PROJECT

YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT NEEDED BY MAY 14

There is a new opportunity for you to do something to oppose plans to mine radioactive uranium in Custer and Fall River Counties. Public comments on part of the proposed Dewey-Burdock mine are due to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) by May 14, 2026.

The Dewey-Burdock mine is planned by enCore Energy through its subsidiary, Powertech. Powertech intended to start mining in 2009, but determined public and tribal government resistance has meant that it hasn’t started yet. 

The Dewey-Burdock project would be about 10,580 acres and would mine using the in situ leach process. The Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for this project focuses only on the surface area that is controlled by the BLM, but the agency also controls 41% of the subsurface rights in the project area. Your comments can address any issues that you think are important. Say who you are and why you are interested in this project. You should use your own words, but here are some ideas on topics you could talk about in your comments:

  • The entire Dewey-Burdock mining project should be forbidden, because it would contaminate groundwater with radioactive and toxic uranium and heavy metals.
  • The BLM should choose the “No Action Alternative” for this proposed project.
  • A lot of the analysis for this project is based on documents that are over ten years old. Analysis needs to be based on recent information.
  • The Draft EA lists some of the legal approvals that the proposed Dewey-Burdock project would need. It skips the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty. It skips the Fall River County ordinance forbidding uranium mining. It skips tribal ordinances. It skips South Dakota water permits. It does not mention that proposed permits are under legal challenges.
  • Cultural resources are not adequately considered in the EA or the documents on which the EA is based.
  • Impacts of rainstorms are downplayed. On the Dewey-Burdock site, a thunderstorm washed a locomotive and several train cars off the tracks.
  • The BLM should consider all relevant issues in detail, not omit 11 topics.
  • The Draft EA does not consider other uranium activity in Fall River County.

BLM National NEPA Register

  • NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-MT-C040-2026-0009-EA
  • Project Name: Dewey-Burdock Uranium In-Situ Recovery (Initial Infrastructure Development) Plan of Operations
  • Project Type: EA
  • NEPA Status: In Progress – Analysis & Document Preparation

For more information on the project click or scan the following QR Code:

To comment, go to https://tinyurl.com/2nkvfp5r or click or scan the following QR Code:

Once on the BLM Comment Page – Click on the “Participate Now” Button, then from the dropdown menu select “20260414_DRAFT_EnvironmentalAssessment_DeweyBurdockUraniumISR_Plan.pdf.”

DRAFT BLM EA 4-14-26Download

For more information about the Dewey-Burdock Project on this website click HERE.

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