# 2026-11992: Forest Service Reviews Montana Mine Expansion Plans

2026-11992, Custer Gallatin National Forest; Montana; Stillwater Mine Complex Amendment 14, is a Federal Register notice from Agriculture Department, Forest Service published 2026-06-15, effective 2026-07-15; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-22).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-11992
- As of: 2026-06-22
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-11992
- Title: Custer Gallatin National Forest; Montana; Stillwater Mine Complex Amendment 14
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Agriculture Department; Forest Service
- Citation: 91 FR 35952
- Published: 2026-06-15
- Effective: 2026-07-15
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-22

## In one line

Forest Service Reviews Montana Mine Expansion Plans

## Summary

The Forest Service and Montana’s environmental team are teaming up to review Stillwater Mining’s plan to expand mining on forest and private lands. They’re kicking off a 30-day public comment period until July 15, 2026, to hear your thoughts before drafting a big impact report in 2027. This update could change how mining affects the land and local communities, so it’s a big deal for everyone nearby!

## Abstract

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (Custer Gallatin National Forest), intends to prepare an environmental impact statement to assess and disclose effects from Stillwater Mining Company's proposed amendment to the Stillwater Mine plan of operations. Acting as joint lead agencies, the Forest Service and Montana Department of Environmental Quality are preparing an environmental impact statement to evaluate potential impacts from expanding mining- related surface disturbance on National Forest System lands and private lands. This notice announces the beginning of a dual agency 30-day comment period to solicit comments and identify issues. The Planning, Administrative Reviews, and Litigation System identification number for the project is 68998.

## Effects PRIA read

- Mine life extended 36–42 years: mixed, high. Stillwater Mining’s Amendment 14 proposes to expand underground mining on National Forest System and private lands to continue platinum-group metal production for an additional 36 to 42 years. The proposal would add ventilation and water-management infrastructure, modify reclamation plans, and requ…
- No-action could cost 1,100 jobs: cost, high. Under the no-action alternative, development would be limited to currently approved operations and the Stillwater Mine is projected to reach full capacity in 2031. The notice states the no-action alternative would directly impact 1,100 jobs and affect production at the principal domestic source of…
- Possible water, soil, and scenic harms: cost, medium. The Forest Service identifies likely issues to evaluate: diverting Nye Creek into an engineered channel may degrade riparian areas and scenic integrity; continued and expanded construction may impact surface and groundwater quality and quantity; and construction of the expanded waste rock facility…

## Related documents

- [2026-16965](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16965): Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation, 2026-08-20
- [2026-20512](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20512): Purchaser Credit on Timber Sale Contracts, 2026-10-07
- [2026-18765](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18765): Mount Taylor Ranger District, Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands; New Mexico; Roca Honda Mine Project, 2026-09-14
- [2026-18244](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18244): Proposed Recreation Fee Sites, 2026-09-08
- [2026-18239](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18239): Proposed Recreation Fee Sites, 2026-09-08
- [2026-18246](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18246): Proposed Recreation Fee Sites, 2026-09-08

## Sources
- [2026-11992 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/15/2026-11992/custer-gallatin-national-forest-montana-stillwater-mine-complex-amendment-14)
- [2026-11992 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-15/pdf/2026-11992.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-11991, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 114, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Rai…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-11991)
- [Next: 2026-11995, Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Information Collecti…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-11995)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-11992 (as of 2026-06-22).