Public comments for proposed uranium mine will be accepted for 30 days 

(Albuquerque, NM, September 11, 2026) —The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service submitted a notice of intent for publication in the Federal Register to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed Roca Honda Mine Project in the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands.

This action initiates a 30-day public comment period on the proposed action, substantive issues to be analyzed, and anticipated permits and other authorizations. The Roca Honda Mine Project is a Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act – Title 41 (FAST-41) Transparency Project.

The proposed project includes the development, operation, and reclamation of an underground uranium mine on National Forest System lands near Jesus Mesa in the Mount Taylor Ranger District near Grants, New Mexico. The proposed project is expected to last approximately 21 years, contributing to the nation's domestic supply of uranium – a critical mineral that is used in energy production, technology, and scientific research. 

Roca Honda Mine Project helps strengthen national security by expanding the domestic uranium supply. It also advances multiple administration priorities, including Executive Orders 13817 (Critical Minerals Strategy), 13953 (Addressing the Threat to the Domestic Supply Chain from Reliance on Foreign Adversaries), 14154 (Unleashing American Energy), 14156 (Declaring a National Emergency), 14241 (Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production), and USDA Secretarial Memo 1078-005 (Expanding Energy and Mineral Opportunities on Federal Forest Lands), all of which reinforce the administration's commitment to securing critical mineral supply chains and increasing domestic critical mineral production.

The public can submit comments electronically using the public comment form at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=301824. Electronic submission of comments is preferred; however, written comments may be submitted via mail to Heidi McRoberts, Forest Supervisor, Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, 2113 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 (please include "Roca Honda Mine Project" in the subject line). In addition to the 30-day comment period, a subsequent public comment period will occur at the draft environmental impact statement milestone. 

More information, including links to the Federal Register Notice and planning documents can be found on the project website. The public is also encouraged to follow the progress of the Roca Honda Mine Project on the FAST-41 Permitting Dashboard.