Thursday is the last day the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement will accept public comment to aide in the drafting of its environmental assessment for Trapper Mine.

OSMRE representatives have encouraged interested members of the community to study up on the issue and submit their comments before the deadline. Letters postmarked up to the day the comment period closes will be accepted.

Public comment is important because it is required under the National Environmental Policy Act when recommending the approval of mining plans, according to OSMRE officials.

Chris Holmes, public affairs specialist for OSMRE, said all comments are accepted but substantive ones are the most useful.

“The comments that we look for are those that have carefully examined all the issues, looked at the specific permit that’s in question and the revisions,” he said. “Substantive comments are what carry the most weight.”

To learn how to submit your comment visit http://www.wrcc.osmre.gov/initiatives/trapperMine.shtm