80 FR 54800 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Gold Bar Mine Project, Eureka County, NV
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 176 (September 11, 2015)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 176 (September 11, 2015)
| Page Range | 54800-54801 | |
| FR Document | 2015-22907 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 176 (Friday, September 11, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 54800-54801] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-22907] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNVB01000. L51100000.GN0000. LVEMF 1503550.15X MO# 4500077415] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Gold Bar Mine Project, Eureka County, NV AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mount Lewis Field Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until October 13, 2015. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_mountain_field/blm_information/national_environmental.html. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Gold Bar Mine Project by any of the following methods:Web site: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/ battle_mountain_field/blm_ [[Page 54801]] information/national_environmental.html. Email: [email protected]. Fax: 775-635-4034. Mail: 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, Nevada 89820. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Mount Lewis Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Moskiewicz--Project Manager, telephone 775-635-4000; address 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, Nevada 89820; email [email protected]. Contact Mr. Joseph Moskiewicz to have your name added to our mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: McEwen Mining Inc. (McEwen) proposes to develop a gold mine in the southwest portion of the Roberts Mountains, approximately 30 miles northwest of Eureka, Nevada. The proposed McEwen Gold Bar Mine Project (Project) consists of a mining Plan of Operations and four ROW grant authorizations to be analyzed in a single NEPA analysis document. Mining would occur from the existing Gold Pick and Gold Ridge pits and the proposed Cabin Creek North and South pits. Additional disturbance would be result from activities associated with gold mining operations, including waste rock disposal areas, crusher and ore stockpile pad, growth media stockpiles, process ponds, haul roads, access roads and power lines, heap leach facility, ancillary facilities, and diversion channels and sediment basins. Total proposed Project disturbance would be approximately 1,300 acres, including disturbance associated with the ROWs (consisting of approximately 1,137 acres of surface disturbance on public land and 163 acres of surface disturbance on private land controlled by McEwen, as well as other private land owners); 366 acres of the total disturbance would occur on areas disturbed by previous mining operations. The proposed Project would take up to 17 years to complete, including: A year of pre- stripping and construction, 8 years of mining, 4 years of reclamation following mine closure, and 4 years of post-reclamation monitoring. The proposed pit depths would not intercept groundwater. No pit dewatering would be necessary and no pit lakes are expected to form after mining operations end. The Project is expected to employ 151 individuals comprised of 90 contractors and 61 staff. Mt. Wheeler Power requested a ROW grant authorization to supply needed power to the Project. McEwen has requested three ROW grant authorizations for the following: 1) Primary access along the Atlas Haul Road; 2) Employee transport and emergency secondary access along North Roberts Creek Road and GB Process Road; and 3) A water supply pipeline. The Gold Bar Project boundary contains 916.5 acres of Greater Sage- Grouse Preliminary Priority Habitat (PPH) on BLM-managed public lands. The total mine disturbance, including the right-of-way (ROW), affecting Greater Sage-Grouse habitat on public land is 294 acres of PPH and 36 acres of Preliminary General Habitat (PGH). Since 2013, BLM biologists at the Mount Lewis Field Office have coordinated with the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the BLM State Office regarding Gold Bar's ROW and disturbance to Greater Sage-Grouse habitat. Collectively, the organizations formulated best management practices for Greater Sage- Grouse and other wildlife species and developed measures to offset the potential disturbance associated with the project to benefit Greater Sage-Grouse habitat. For example, as a result of this collaboration, the proposed project's power line was re-routed to use pre-existing routes in order to minimize effects to Greater Sage-Grouse habitat. These and other measures, including compliance with the Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment, if finalized, will be among the issues analyzed in the EIS. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: Water resources; air quality; vegetation resources (including noxious weeds); wildlife (including migratory birds and Greater Sage-Grouse); special status species; grazing management; land use and access; aesthetics (noise and visual); cultural resources; geological resources; minerals; soils; recreation; social and economic values; hazardous materials; Native American cultural concerns; and wild horses. The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill the public involvement requirements under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed Project will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources in the context of both NEPA and NHPA. The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to- government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed Project that the BLM is evaluating, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 Joseph S. Moskiewicz, Jr., Acting Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field Office. [FR Doc. 2015-22907 Filed 9-10-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P
![54800 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 176 / Friday, September 11, 2015 / Notices
developed south of new recreational program. Additionally, the refuge would Next Steps
beach, and added to the new assigned allow migratory bird hunting on Federal We will document the final decision
area. We would continue current holidays within the Commonwealth of in a record of decision, which will be
management of the Overwash and Hook Virginia hunting seasons. The refuge published in the Federal Register after
area for shorebirds until the new would also add turkeys to the big game a 30-day ‘‘wait period’’ that begins when
recreational beach is established, at hunting program and pursue EPA announces this final CCP–EIS. For
which time the March 15 through development of a trapping program for more information, see EPA’s Role in the
September 15 closure would go into furbearers. The refuge would continue EIS Process.
effect. sika hunting and would conduct
• We will keep current biking access research to identify a desired population Dated: August 18, 2015.
open via Swan Cove Trail and will not size. Deborah Rocque,
propose an alternative bike route north Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region,
The refuge would pursue partnerships
to the relocated public beach (from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
to enhance land conservation,
Wildlife Loop to Mallard (C Dike)). [FR Doc. 2015–21925 Filed 9–10–15; 8:45 am]
• The Service Road would continue environmental education, and
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
to be open year-round to hikers north to interpretation on the Delmarva
the refuge/National Seashore boundary. Peninsula. The ‘‘Chincoteague ponies’’
• A section of the Affected have a strong cultural tie to the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Environment (Chapter 3) on cultural community, and the refuge would
resources was inadvertently left out of implement a Chincoteague pony Bureau of Land Management
the draft CCP/EIS. This section, which management plan that meets multiple
has been coordinated with the Virginia objectives: visitor viewing, habitat [LLNVB01000. L51100000.GN0000. LVEMF
Department of Historic Resources, is management, and pony health. The 1503550.15X MO# 4500077415]
included in the final CCP/EIS. refuge would allow grazing of the
current pony population, with a Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Other Features of Alternative B maximum pony herd size of 150, per the Environmental Impact Statement for
Alternative B would continue management agreement with the the Proposed Gold Bar Mine Project,
established habitat and wildlife Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company. Eureka County, NV
management strategies but focus them
Public Availability of Documents AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
in light of the new goals and vision
Interior.
established by the CCP. The alternative You can view or obtain the final CCP/
balances habitat management, public ACTION: Notice.
EIS as indicated under ADDRESSES.
use and access, and administration of SUMMARY: In compliance with the
the refuge. We would continue to Comments
National Environmental Policy Act of
preserve approximately 2,650 acres of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the
During the public comment period, a
wetland impoundments, but make Federal Land Policy and Management
total of 236 emails and 94 letters were
adjustments in accordance with a new Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of
received, including official comments
impoundment management plan that Land Management (BLM) Mount Lewis
from the town of Chincoteague, the
takes into account various factors, such Field Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada,
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce,
as the habitat needs of black ducks and intends to prepare an Environmental
The Nature Conservancy, NPS,
monarch butterflies, climate change and Impact Statement (EIS) and by this
Environmental Protection Agency,
natural coastal processes, and relocated notice is announcing the beginning of
various departments from the
beach access and parking. The refuge the scoping process to solicit public
Commonwealth of Virginia, and other
would continue to protect and enhance comments and identify issues.
local interest groups. In addition a
the wilderness character of the 1974
petition was submitted supporting DATES: This notice initiates the public
proposed wilderness area, and there
Alternative ‘‘A plus,’’ an alternative scoping process for the EIS. Comments
would be no change in its size (1,300
with elements of both alternative A and on issues may be submitted in writing
acres) or location.
In recognition of the vulnerability of B, with approximately 600 individuals until October 13, 2015. The date(s) and
the current parking, the refuge would signing. Another petition supporting the location(s) of any scoping meetings will
develop and implement a site design preferred alternative (alternative B) was be announced at least 15 days in
plan for parking and access to a new submitted with 112 individuals signing. advance through local media,
beach location, approximately 1.5 miles We held two public open house newspapers and the BLM Web site at:
north of the existing beach. We are meetings in Chincoteague, and http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_
committed to working with the National additional meetings in Melfa, Virginia, mountain_field/blm_information/
Park Service (NPS) and others to future and Pocomoke City, Maryland. As part national_environmental.html. In order
design, refine, and analyze beach of the public involvement process, we to be included in the Draft EIS, all
relocation infrastructure in a separate held a public hearing on June 26, 2014, comments must be received prior to the
National Environmental Policy Act in Chincoteague with 28 people close of the 30-day scoping period or 15
document. formally raising a variety of issues and days after the last public meeting,
Over the next 15 years, the refuge concerns. whichever is later. We will provide
would maintain and, where possible, We evaluated all the letters and additional opportunities for public
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
expand current hunting opportunities emails sent to us during that comment participation upon publication of the
by including additional species, period, along with comments recorded Draft EIS.
extending hours, and providing special at our public hearing, and addressed all ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
events. The refuge would add mourning substantive comments. A summary of related to the Gold Bar Mine Project by
doves, light geese, and non-migratory those comments and our responses to any of the following methods:
Canada goose hunting opportunities to them is included in the final CCP/EIS as • Web site: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/
the refuge’s migratory bird hunting appendix R. en/fo/battle_mountain_field/blm_
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 176 / Friday, September 11, 2015 / Notices 54801
information/national_ pit depths would not intercept The BLM will utilize and coordinate
environmental.html. groundwater. No pit dewatering would the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill
• Email: blm_nv_bmdo_mlfo_gold_ be necessary and no pit lakes are the public involvement requirements
bar_project_eis@blm.gov. expected to form after mining under the National Historic Preservation
• Fax: 775–635–4034. operations end. The Project is expected Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108) as
• Mail: 50 Bastian Road, Battle to employ 151 individuals comprised of provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The
Mountain, Nevada 89820. 90 contractors and 61 staff. information about historic and cultural
Documents pertinent to this proposal Mt. Wheeler Power requested a ROW resources within the area potentially
may be examined at the Mount Lewis grant authorization to supply needed affected by the proposed Project will
Field Office. power to the Project. McEwen has assist the BLM in identifying and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: requested three ROW grant evaluating impacts to such resources in
Joseph Moskiewicz—Project Manager, authorizations for the following: 1) the context of both NEPA and NHPA.
telephone 775–635–4000; address 50 Primary access along the Atlas Haul The BLM will consult with Indian
Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, Nevada Road; 2) Employee transport and tribes on a government-to-government
89820; email blm_nv_bmdo_mlfo_gold_ emergency secondary access along basis in accordance with Executive
bar_project_eis@blm.gov. Contact Mr. North Roberts Creek Road and GB Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal
Joseph Moskiewicz to have your name Process Road; and 3) A water supply concerns, including impacts on Indian
added to our mailing list. Persons who pipeline. trust assets and potential impacts to
use a telecommunications device for the The Gold Bar Project boundary cultural resources, will be given due
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal contains 916.5 acres of Greater Sage- consideration. Federal, State, and local
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– Grouse Preliminary Priority Habitat agencies, along with tribes and other
800–877–8339 to contact the above (PPH) on BLM-managed public lands. stakeholders that may be interested in or
individual during normal business The total mine disturbance, including affected by the proposed Project that the
hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a the right-of-way (ROW), affecting BLM is evaluating, are invited to
day, 7 days a week, to leave a message Greater Sage-Grouse habitat on public participate in the scoping process and,
or question with the above individual. land is 294 acres of PPH and 36 acres if eligible, may request or be requested
You will receive a reply during normal of Preliminary General Habitat (PGH). by the BLM to participate in the
business hours. Since 2013, BLM biologists at the Mount development of the environmental
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: McEwen Lewis Field Office have coordinated analysis as a cooperating agency.
Mining Inc. (McEwen) proposes to with the Nevada Department of Wildlife Before including your address, phone
develop a gold mine in the southwest and the BLM State Office regarding Gold number, email address, or other
portion of the Roberts Mountains, Bar’s ROW and disturbance to Greater personal identifying information in your
approximately 30 miles northwest of Sage-Grouse habitat. Collectively, the comment, you should be aware that
Eureka, Nevada. The proposed McEwen organizations formulated best your entire comment—including your
Gold Bar Mine Project (Project) consists management practices for Greater Sage- personal identifying information—may
of a mining Plan of Operations and four Grouse and other wildlife species and be made publicly available at any time.
ROW grant authorizations to be developed measures to offset the While you can ask us in your comment
analyzed in a single NEPA analysis potential disturbance associated with to withhold your personal identifying
document. Mining would occur from the project to benefit Greater Sage- information from public review, we
the existing Gold Pick and Gold Ridge Grouse habitat. For example, as a result cannot guarantee that we will be able to
pits and the proposed Cabin Creek of this collaboration, the proposed do so.
North and South pits. Additional project’s power line was re-routed to use Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7
disturbance would be result from pre-existing routes in order to minimize
Joseph S. Moskiewicz, Jr.,
activities associated with gold mining effects to Greater Sage-Grouse habitat.
operations, including waste rock These and other measures, including Acting Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field
Office.
disposal areas, crusher and ore stockpile compliance with the Nevada and
Northeastern California Greater Sage- [FR Doc. 2015–22907 Filed 9–10–15; 8:45 am]
pad, growth media stockpiles, process
ponds, haul roads, access roads and Grouse Land Use Plan Amendment, if BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
power lines, heap leach facility, finalized, will be among the issues
ancillary facilities, and diversion analyzed in the EIS.
channels and sediment basins. Total The purpose of the public scoping DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
proposed Project disturbance would be process is to determine relevant issues Bureau of Land Management
approximately 1,300 acres, including that will influence the scope of the
disturbance associated with the ROWs environmental analysis, including [LLCAC09000, L1430; CACA 008215]
(consisting of approximately 1,137 acres alternatives, and guide the process for
of surface disturbance on public land developing the EIS. At present, the BLM Public Land Order No. 7840;
and 163 acres of surface disturbance on has identified the following preliminary Revocation of Withdrawal Created by
private land controlled by McEwen, as issues: Water resources; air quality; Executive Order No. 5732, California
well as other private land owners); 366 vegetation resources (including noxious AGENCY: The Bureau of Land
acres of the total disturbance would weeds); wildlife (including migratory Management.
occur on areas disturbed by previous birds and Greater Sage-Grouse); special ACTION: Public Land Order.
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
mining operations. The proposed status species; grazing management;
Project would take up to 17 years to land use and access; aesthetics (noise SUMMARY: This order revokes in its
complete, including: A year of pre- and visual); cultural resources; entirety the withdrawal created by
stripping and construction, 8 years of geological resources; minerals; soils; Executive Order No. 5732 dated October
mining, 4 years of reclamation following recreation; social and economic values; 14, 1931, which withdrew 40 acres of
mine closure, and 4 years of post- hazardous materials; Native American public land from settlement, location,
reclamation monitoring. The proposed cultural concerns; and wild horses. sale, or entry for use as a lookout station
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 09:59:55
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 09:59:55
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until October 13, 2015. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_mountain_field/ blm_information/national_environmental.html. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. | |
| Contact | Joseph Moskiewicz--Project Manager, | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 54800 |
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