Judge OKs Trapper Coal Mine Environmental Review

(Courtesy The Craig Daily Press)

Judge R. Brooke Jackson issued an order Monday accepting a deal negotiated by the Trapper Mine, environmentalists and regulators that calls for a review to be done by the end of April with monthly status updates from the mine.

WildEarth Guardians went to court to challenge the permits for both the Trapper and Colowyo mines, arguing the government didn't give enough public notice and didn't seriously consider the environmental effects, including the climate change impacts of burning coal.

Jackson agreed but only ordered a new review for the Colowyo Mine because Trapper said most of the coal at issue had already been mined. Lawyers later said there was still more left because of permit changes.