spring creek mine

St. Louis-based Peabody declined to comment.

The decision also includes more than $105,000 for 615 acres of lost habitat for endangered sage grouse.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Navajo Transitional Energy Company have been negotiating.

CEO Clark Moseley said in a statement that the company appreciated efforts by the state to keep Spring Creek working.

State officials said they were optimistic on reaching a deal with the Navajo Transitional Energy Company.

Tuesday's release of the draft environmental study of the Spring Creek expansion kicks off a 30-day public comment period.

The auction, originally scheduled for Thursday, will take place 11 a.m. EDT Aug. 15 in New York.