--- type: document title: Initial Concept Approval Letter file: ../Initial Concept Approval Letter.pdf tags: - Amys_Drop_Box - Project Reclaim II - Final Inspection docDate: 2020-07-01 contentType: application/pdf contentLength: 182944 sha256sum: 658490e8a6a9b022979a8bf276c94606d1a1bfd4ed8435d34bac7593b667dd86 sha1sum: e1e90fe5c23329df15ffa73ab7b68aece31aaf6a --- United States Department of the Interior OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT Charleston Field Office 1027 Virginia Street, East Charleston, West Virginia 25301 July 1, 2020 Bradley C. Lambert Deputy Director Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy 3405 Mountain Empire Road Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 Dear Mr. Lambert: This letter is to inform you that the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) has completed our internal vetting process for the Project Reclaim Phase II Pilot application. We are satisfied with the concept of the project and that it meets the intent of the program. Please proceed with submitting the necessary documents for sub-recipient approval through the OSM Pittsburgh grants office, if you have not already done so, being mindful no federal funds can be expended without this approval. Contingent upon sub-recipient approval you may authorize project development activities as included in the Applicant’s submitted budget, however construction activities, including any property purchases or equipment purchases, cannot be initiated until OSM issues an official Authorization to Proceed. We also recommend scheduling a meeting with the project partners, OSM, and your office ahead of project work to assist with coordinating the proposed up-front expenditures, NEPA, and any other ESA requirements needed for this project. If you have any questions, please contact me. Sincerely, Richard W. Buckley For: Ben Owens, Acting Director Charleston Field Office United States Department of the Interior OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT Charleston Field Office 1027 Virginia Steet, East ‘Charleston, West Virginia 25301 July 1, 2020 Bradley C. Lambert Deputy Director Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy 3405 Mountain Empire Road Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 Dear Mr. Lambert: This letter is to inform you that the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) has completed our internal vetting process for the Project Reclaim Phase II Pilot application. We are satisfied with the concept of the project and that it meets the intent of the program. Please proceed with submitting the necessary documents for sub-recipient approval through the OSM Pittsburgh grants office, if you have not already done so, being mindful no federal funds can be expended without this approval. Contingent upon sub-recipient approval you may authorize project development activities as included in the Applicant’s submitted budget, however construction activities, including any property purchases or equipment purchases, cannot be initiated until OSM issues an official Authorization to Proceed. We also recommend scheduling a meeting with the project partners, OSM, and your office ahead of project work to assist with coordinating the proposed up-front expenditures, NEPA, and any other ESA requirements needed for this project. If you have any questions, please contact me. Sincerely, Kichard W. Buckley ‘ox: Ben Owens, Acting Director Charleston Field Office