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Pursuant to Water Quality Regulations Chapter 8, the Water Quality Division is providing notice for the proposed reclassification of groundwater within the Production Zone Aquifer (K Sandstone of the Wasatch Aquifer) as Class V (Mineral Commercial). This classification includes specified production zones for the wellfields included in the application for the (K Sandstone) , which ranges in depth from 250 to 600 below ground surface. The groundwater, after mining, shall be returned to a condition and quality consistent with the pre-discharge use suitability of the water.
Uranium Energy Corporation (UEC), 907 N. Poplar, Suite 260, Casper, WY 82601, received an in-situ uranium mining permit PT0478) from the Land Quality Division of the DEQ on April 18, 1978. In conjunction with the mining permit, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) authorized multiple aquifer exemptions for the production zones associated with the uranium mining operation on August 26, 1988 and August 25, 2020. USEPA aquifer exempted acreage is approximately 2,859.1 acres. UEC is requesting a modification to the approved aquifer exemption areas of approximately 352.2 acres to incorporate additional uranium ore into the mining operation. The proposed aquifer exemption expansion for the mining of uranium is in portions of Section 25, 25, and 36, Township 45 North, Range 77 West; Johnson County, Wyoming. The expanded mining permit area is located in all or portions of Sections 21 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 of Township 43 North and Range 73 West; Campbell County, Wyoming.
The Willow Creek ISR (Charlie Amendment) is located in the Johnson and Campbell Counties.
The public comment period begins July 2, 2026, and August 3, 2026. Electronic access to a copy of the Statement of Basis (SOB) for an Aquifer Exemption that is completed to support the aquifer exemption request which is submitted to the USEPA for those portions of the aquifer coincident with the Class V classification is provided here.
During the 30-day public comment period, any interested person may submit written comments on the proposed permit and may request a public hearing be held. Electronic comments may only be submitted through and accepted by the WDEQ comment portal provided at http://wq.wyomingdeq.commentinput.com/. Requests for public hearings must be made in writing and shall indicate the name and full mailing address of the individual requesting a hearing, the interest that individual has in the project, and the grounds for holding a public hearing.
Requests for a contested case hearing on a permit issuance, denial, revocation, termination, or other final department action appealable to the Council, must be made in writing to the Chairman of the Environmental Quality Council and the WDEQ Director at the address above and state the grounds for the request pursuant to the WDEQ Rules of Practice and Procedure.
All written comments and requests received prior to 5:00 P.M, August 3, 2026 in the Cheyenne office will be considered. Electronic comments may be submitted to the link identified above. Comments submitted by email will not be considered. Written comments may be directed to Lily R. Barkau, P.G., Groundwater Section Manager, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division, 200 West 17th Street, 2nd Floor, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002 or by fax at (307) 635-1784.
Para español, visite deq.wyoming.gov. Americans with Disabilities Act: special assistance or alternative formats will be made available upon request for individuals with disabilities. Please provide at least fourteen (14) days before the close of the public comment period for such requests.
WDEQ/WQD June 5, 2026 Statement of Basis – Groundwater Classification
WDEQ/WQD June 5, 2026 Groundwater Reclassification Summary
USEPA Class III Aquifer Exemption Request, Willow Creek – Christensen Ranch, Johnson and Campbell Counties, Wyoming, August 25, 2020
USEPA Ground Water Classification for Christensen Ranch In-Situ Uranium Project (WDEQ Permit to Mine #478), August 26, 1988
Figure D12-2, Christensen Ranch Johnson & Campbell Counties, Wyoming, Groundwater Wells Within 2 Miles, February 2026
Permit to Mine 478 Charlie Amendment Appendix D5
Permit to Mine 478 Charlie Amendment Appendix D6
Permit to Mine 478 Charlie Amendment Appendix D12
Permit to Mine 478 Charlie Amendment Mine Reclamation Plan
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