The Bureau of Land Management is conducting three additional meetings to gather public comments about the future management of federal coal in North Dakota.

The meetings are scheduled for July 29 in Bismarck at the Doublewood Inn, July 30 in Beulah at Looney Bin Restaurant and July 31 in Dickinson at Days Inn Dakota Lodge. All meetings will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

The BLM invites the public to participate in these coal discussions and provide input to help shape how the BLM manages public lands and minerals inNorth Dakota.

Public scoping meetings were held in August through October 2007. However, based on information on new areas of interest from the coal mining industry, the North Dakota field office has decided to hold additional public meetings as part of its resource management planning effort.

These scoping meetings will provide an opportunity for North Dakota residents and other key constituents to comment on BLM's management of federal coal resources.

Documents related to this proposal may be examined at the North Dakota field office. Comments on issues and planning criteria may be submitted in writing to Bureau of Land Management, RMP Manager, North Dakota Field Office, 99 23rd Ave. W., Dickinson, N.D. 58601; or fax 701-227-7789.

Comments also may be submitted through the BLM Web site at www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/north_dakota_field/rmp.html.

Responders' comments, including their names and street addresses, will be available for public review at the North Dakota office during regular business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays, and may be published as part of the EIS.