RIDGECREST, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management, Ridgecrest Field Office has approved the plan for a proposed pumice mine in the Coso Mountains, south of Owens Lake.
The decision authorizes Southwest Pumice, LLC, to mine up to 25 acres and 100,000 tons of pumice on BLM-managed public lands in Inyo County, California. The Makayla II mine proposal includes some previously mined areas. The environmental assessment analyzed impacts to resources including special areas, special status plant and animal species, and cultural concerns.
The decision record, finding of no significant impact, environmental assessment, and associated documents are available via ePlanning at https://go.usa.gov/x6BfK. For more information about the project please contact Randall Porter, Geologist, at rporter@blm.gov.
This year, we invite everyone to reimagine your public lands as we celebrate 75 years of the BLM’s stewardship and service to the American people. The BLM manages approximately 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.