80 FR 58501 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Greater Phoenix Mine Project, Lander County, NV
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 188 (September 29, 2015)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 188 (September 29, 2015)
| Page Range | 58501-58502 | |
| FR Document | 2015-24432 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 58501-58502] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-24432] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNVB01000.L71220000.EX0000.LVTFF15F6810 MO# 4500081505] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Greater Phoenix Mine Project, Lander 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 29, 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.html. In order to be considered during the preparation of 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. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the proposed Greater Phoenix Mine Project by any of the following methods:Email: [email protected] Fax: 775-635-4034 Mail: Mount Lewis Field Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Mount Lewis Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Worthington, Project Manager, telephone: 775-635-4144; address: 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820; email: [email protected]. Contact Mr. Worthington if you wish to add your name 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: Newmont Mining Corporation, Inc. (NMC) proposes to amend the existing Phoenix Mine Plan of Operations to construct, operate, reclaim, and close an open pit, heap leach, gold and copper mining operation known as the Greater Phoenix Mine Project (Project) located 14 miles south of Battle Mountain, Nevada, in Lander County. The proposed Project would be located within all or portions of the following Townships, Ranges, and Sections relative to the Mount Diablo Baseline and Meridian: Township 30 North, Range 43 East, Sections 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 08, 09, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22; and Township 31 North, Range 43 East, Sections 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36. The proposed Plan of Operations amendment would include increasing the existing Phoenix Mine plan boundary by 10,429 acres to 18,657 acres, of which approximately 9,950 acres is public land managed by the Mount Lewis Field Office. New surface disturbance would include approximately 3,245 acres, which includes approximately 2,285 acres of surface disturbance on public land administered by the BLM, and approximately 960 acres of surface disturbance on private land controlled by NMC. The proposed Project consists of a modification to an existing mining Plan of Operations and a new right-of-way (ROW) grant authorization to be analyzed in a single NEPA analysis document. The proposed Project would create one large pit encompassing the footprint of the existing Bonanza and Fortitude pit areas into one large Phoenix Pit, of approximately 1,912 acres, of which approximately 568 acres is public land administered by the BLM. The proposed pit depths would intercept groundwater and pit dewatering would be necessary. Following mine closure, pit water would be managed and treated to meet water quality standards and subsequently put to beneficial use. The primary components associated with the proposed Project would include the open pit, two new waste rock dump facilities (WRDF), an expansion of an existing WRDF, expansion of an existing heap leach pad, an expansion of an [[Page 58502]] existing tailings storage facility, and a new borrow area. NMC would continue to employ the existing workforce of approximately 500 employees for the construction, operation, reclamation, and closure of the proposed project expansion, which is anticipated to extend the mine life by approximately another 23 years from 2040 to 2063. The proposed Project surface disturbance affecting Greater Sage- Grouse habitat on BLM administered land is 7 acres of Preliminary Priority Habitat (PPH) and 108 acres of Preliminary General Habitat (PGH). Since 2013, BLM biologists at the Mount Lewis Field Office have coordinated with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) and the BLM State Office regarding NMC's disturbance to Greater Sage-Grouse habitat. Collectively, the organizations will formulate best management practices for Greater Sage-Grouse and other wildlife species and will agree on measures to mitigate the disturbance to Greater Sage-Grouse habitat through the EIS development. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including potential alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: Closure of the cyanide heap leach pad (s), water management, air quality impacts, wildlife (including migratory birds), special status species, noise and visual issues, soils, recreation, cultural resources, Native American cultural concerns, and grazing management. The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill the public involvement process 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 the 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. Jon D. Sherve, Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field Office. [FR Doc. 2015-24432 Filed 9-28-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 2015 / Notices 58501
C010–2012–0058–EA. The lands have DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Federal Information Relay Service
no known mineral value, no recognized (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the
environmental conditions, and no Bureau of Land Management above individual during normal
existing encumbrances of record. [LLNVB01000.L71220000. business hours. The FIRS is available 24
Conveyance of the parcel would be EX0000.LVTFF15F6810 MO# 4500081505] hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a
message or question with the above
subject to valid existing rights and the
Notice of Intent To Prepare an individual. You will receive a reply
following terms, conditions, and
Environmental Impact Statement for during normal business hours.
reservations:
the Proposed Greater Phoenix Mine SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Newmont
1. A right-of-way thereon for ditches Project, Lander County, NV Mining Corporation, Inc. (NMC)
and canals constructed by authority of proposes to amend the existing Phoenix
the United States, Act of August 30, AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Mine Plan of Operations to construct,
1890 (43 U.S.C. 945). Interior.
operate, reclaim, and close an open pit,
ACTION: Notice. heap leach, gold and copper mining
2. An appropriate indemnification
clause protecting the United States from SUMMARY: In compliance with the operation known as the Greater Phoenix
claims arising out of the patentee’s use National Environmental Policy Act of Mine Project (Project) located 14 miles
occupancy or occupations on the 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the south of Battle Mountain, Nevada, in
patented lands. Federal Land Policy and Management Lander County. The proposed Project
Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of would be located within all or portions
On August 20, 2014, the lands were of the following Townships, Ranges,
segregated from the public land laws, Land Management (BLM) Mount Lewis
Field Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada, and Sections relative to the Mount
including the mining laws, except for Diablo Baseline and Meridian:
the sale provisions of FLPMA (79 FR intends to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) and by this Township 30 North, Range 43 East,
49336). Detailed information concerning Sections 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 08, 09, 10,
the land sale including the EA, notice is announcing the beginning of
the scoping process to solicit public 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22; and
appraisal report, environmental site Township 31 North, Range 43 East,
comments and identify issues.
assessment, and mineral report are Sections 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26,
available for review at the BLM Cedar DATES: This notice initiates the public
27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36. The
City Field Office. scoping process for the EIS. Comments proposed Plan of Operations
on issues may be submitted in writing amendment would include increasing
Any comments regarding the sale will until October 29, 2015. The date(s) and
be reviewed by the BLM State Director the existing Phoenix Mine plan
location(s) of any scoping meetings will boundary by 10,429 acres to 18,657
or other authorized official of the be announced at least 15 days in
Department of the Interior, who may acres, of which approximately 9,950
advance through local media, acres is public land managed by the
sustain, vacate, or modify this realty newspapers and the BLM Web site at: Mount Lewis Field Office. New surface
action in whole or in part. In the http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_ disturbance would include
absence of timely filed objections, this mountain_field.html. In order to be approximately 3,245 acres, which
realty action will become the final considered during the preparation of the includes approximately 2,285 acres of
determination of the Department of the Draft EIS, all comments must be surface disturbance on public land
Interior. received prior to the close of the 30-day administered by the BLM, and
Before including your address, scoping period or 15 days after the last approximately 960 acres of surface
telephone number, email address, or public meeting, whichever is later. The disturbance on private land controlled
BLM will provide additional by NMC.
other personal identifying information
opportunities for public participation The proposed Project consists of a
in your comment, you should be aware
upon publication of the Draft EIS. modification to an existing mining Plan
that your entire comment—including
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments of Operations and a new right-of-way
your personal identifying information—
may be made publicly available at any related to the proposed Greater Phoenix (ROW) grant authorization to be
Mine Project by any of the following analyzed in a single NEPA analysis
time. While you can ask in your
methods: document. The proposed Project would
comment to withhold your personal
• Email: BLM_NV_BMDO_ create one large pit encompassing the
identifying information from public
GreaterPhoenixProject@blm.gov footprint of the existing Bonanza and
review, we cannot guarantee that we • Fax: 775–635–4034
will be able to do so. Fortitude pit areas into one large
• Mail: Mount Lewis Field Office, 50 Phoenix Pit, of approximately 1,912
Authority: 43 CFR 2710, 2711, and 2720 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV acres, of which approximately 568 acres
89820. is public land administered by the BLM.
Jenna Whitlock,
Documents pertinent to this proposal The proposed pit depths would
Acting State Director. may be examined at the Mount Lewis intercept groundwater and pit
[FR Doc. 2015–24695 Filed 9–28–15; 8:45 am] Field Office. dewatering would be necessary.
BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Following mine closure, pit water
Chris Worthington, Project Manager, would be managed and treated to meet
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
telephone: 775–635–4144; address: 50 water quality standards and
Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV subsequently put to beneficial use. The
89820; email: BLM_NV_BMDO_ primary components associated with the
GreaterPhoenixProejct@blm.gov. proposed Project would include the
Contact Mr. Worthington if you wish to open pit, two new waste rock dump
add your name to our mailing list. facilities (WRDF), an expansion of an
Persons who use a telecommunications existing WRDF, expansion of an existing
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the heap leach pad, an expansion of an
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![58502 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 2015 / Notices
existing tailings storage facility, and a by the BLM to participate in the (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the
new borrow area. development of the environmental above individual during normal
NMC would continue to employ the analysis as a cooperating agency. business hours. The FIRS is available 24
existing workforce of approximately 500 Before including your address, phone hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a
employees for the construction, number, email address, or other message or question with the above
operation, reclamation, and closure of personal identifying information in your individual. You will receive a reply
the proposed project expansion, which comment, you should be aware that during normal business hours.
is anticipated to extend the mine life by your entire comment—including your SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
approximately another 23 years from personal identifying information—may Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM)
2040 to 2063. be made publicly available at any time. Alaska State Office, under the authority
The proposed Project surface While you can ask us in your comment of 43 CFR 3131.4–1(a), hereby notifies
disturbance affecting Greater Sage- to withhold your personal identifying the public it will hold a National
Grouse habitat on BLM administered information from public review, we Petroleum Reserve in Alaska oil and gas
land is 7 acres of Preliminary Priority cannot guarantee that we will be able to lease sale bid opening for tracts in the
Habitat (PPH) and 108 acres of do so. National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.
Preliminary General Habitat (PGH).
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7. All bids must be submitted by sealed
Since 2013, BLM biologists at the Mount
bid in accordance with the provisions
Lewis Field Office have coordinated Jon D. Sherve, identified in the Detailed Statement of
with the Nevada Department of Wildlife Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field Office. Sale. They must be received at the BLM
(NDOW) and the BLM State Office [FR Doc. 2015–24432 Filed 9–28–15; 8:45 am] Alaska State Office, ATTN: Carol Taylor
regarding NMC’s disturbance to Greater BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P (AK932); 222 West 7th Avenue, #13;
Sage-Grouse habitat. Collectively, the
organizations will formulate best Anchorage, AK 99513–7504; no later
management practices for Greater Sage- than 4:00 p.m., Monday, November 16,
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 2015.
Grouse and other wildlife species and
will agree on measures to mitigate the The Detailed Statement of Sale for the
Bureau of Land Management
disturbance to Greater Sage-Grouse National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska
habitat through the EIS development. [LLAK930000.L13100000.EI0000.241A] Oil and Gas Lease Sale 2015 will be
The purpose of the public scoping available to the public immediately after
process is to determine relevant issues Notice of National Petroleum Reserve publication of this Notice in the Federal
that will influence the scope of the in Alaska Oil and Gas Lease Sale 2015 Register. The Detailed Statement may be
environmental analysis, including and Notice of Availability of the obtained from the BLM Alaska Web site
potential alternatives, and guide the Detailed Statement of Sale for Oil and at www.blm.gov/ak, or by request from
process for developing the EIS. At Gas Lease Sale 2015 in the National the Public Information Center, BLM
present, the BLM has identified the Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Alaska State Office; 222 West 7th
following preliminary issues: Closure of Avenue, #13; Anchorage, AK 99513–
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
the cyanide heap leach pad (s), water 7504; telephone 907–271–5960. The
Interior.
management, air quality impacts, Detailed Statement of Sale will include
ACTION: Notice. a description of the areas to be offered
wildlife (including migratory birds),
special status species, noise and visual SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land for lease, the lease terms, conditions,
issues, soils, recreation, cultural Management’s (BLM) Alaska State special stipulations, required operating
resources, Native American cultural Office hereby notifies the public it will procedures, and how and where to
concerns, and grazing management. hold a National Petroleum Reserve in submit bids.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate Alaska oil and gas lease sale bid Authority: 43 CFR 3131.4–1 and 43 U.S.C.
the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill opening for tracts in the National 1733 and 1740.
the public involvement process under Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The
the National Historic Preservation Act Bud C. Cribley,
United States reserves the right to State Director.
(NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided withdraw any tract from this sale prior
in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information [FR Doc. 2015–24671 Filed 9–28–15; 8:45 am]
to issuance of a written acceptance of a
about historic and cultural resources bid. BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P
within the area potentially affected by
DATES: The oil and gas lease sale bid
the proposed Project will assist the BLM
opening will be held at 1 p.m. on DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
in identifying and evaluating impacts to
Wednesday, November 18, 2015. Sealed
such resources in the context of both
bids must be received by 4 p.m., Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
NEPA and the NHPA.
The BLM will consult with Indian Monday, November 16, 2015.
tribes on a government-to-government ADDRESSES: The oil and gas lease sale [BOEM–2015–0016]
basis in accordance with Executive bids will be opened at the Anchorage
Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal Federal Building, Denali Room (fourth Revised Environmental Assessment
concerns, including impacts on Indian floor), 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, for Virginia Offshore Wind Technology
trust assets and potential impacts to AK. Sealed bids must be sent to Carol Advancement Project on the Atlantic
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
cultural resources, will be given due Taylor (AK932), BLM-Alaska State Outer Continental Shelf Offshore
consideration. Federal, State, and local Office; 222 West 7th Avenue, #13; Virginia; MMAA104000
agencies, along with tribes and other Anchorage, AK 99513–7504.
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy
stakeholders that may be interested in or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Management (BOEM), Interior.
affected by the proposed Project that the Wayne Svejnoha, 907–271–4407.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a
BLM is evaluating, are invited to Persons who use a telecommunications
Revised Environmental Assessment and
participate in the scoping process and, device for the deaf (TDD) may call the
a Finding of No Significant Impact.
if eligible, may request or be requested Federal Information Relay Service
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 09:46:25
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 09:46:25
| 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 29, 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.html. In order to be considered during the preparation of 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. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. | |
| Contact | Chris Worthington, Project Manager, | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 58501 |
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