81 FR 41330 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Bald Mountain Mine North and South Operations Area Projects, White Pine County, Nevada

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 122 (June 24, 2016)

Page Range		41330-41331
FR Document		2016-15017

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Egan Field Office, Ely, Nevada has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Bald Mountain Mine North and South Operations Area Projects (Project) and by this notice is announcing its availability.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 122 (Friday, June 24, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41330-41331]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15017]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVL01000. L51100000.GN0000. LVEMF1601180 241A; NVN-090443 and NVN-
082888; 13-08807; MO#4500047785; TAS: 14X5017]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed Bald Mountain Mine North and South 
Operations Area Projects, White Pine County, Nevada

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
Egan Field Office, Ely, Nevada has prepared a Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Bald Mountain Mine North and 
South Operations Area Projects (Project) and by this notice is 
announcing its availability.

DATES: The BLM will not issue a final decision for a minimum of 30 days 
after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS for the Bald Mountain Mine North and 
South Operations Area Projects are available for public inspection at 
the BLM Ely District Office and at http://on.doi.gov/14R9rZ8. 
Additional information is available at http://on.doi.gov/14vXckC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact 
Stephanie Trujillo, BLM Ely District Project Manager, telephone: (775) 
289-1831; address: 702 North Industrial Way, Ely, NV 89301; email: 
[email protected]. 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: Barrick Gold U.S. Inc. (Barrick) proposes to 
expand, construct, and operate an open-pit gold mining operation 
located in the Bald Mountain Mining District in White Pine County, 
Nevada, approximately 65 miles northwest of the Town of Ely. The 
proposed development and expansion would result in the disturbance of 
approximately 7,097 acres, which would be located primarily on public 
land managed by the BLM. The life of the mine would extend for 80 years 
including construction, operation, reclamation, closure, reclamation 
monitoring, and post-closure monitoring. Barrick completed the sale of 
the Bald Mountain Mine (BMM) to Kinross Gold Corporation (Kinross) on 
January 11, 2016 prior to final completion of the EIS process. Kinross 
has assumed ownership of the Bald Mountain Mine and the proposed 
expansion of the North and South Operations Area Projects (Project). 
The Final EIS has retained the name of Barrick in the document, but 
Kinross is the new operator of the BMM and proponent of the proposed 
expansion.
    The Final EIS describes and analyzes the proposed project site-
specific impacts (including cumulative) on all affected resources. The 
Final EIS describes four alternatives: the Proposed Action, the North 
and South Operations Area Facilities Reconfiguration Alternative, the 
North and South Operations Area Western Redbird Modification 
Alternative, and the No Action Alternative.
    The North and South Operations Area Facilities Reconfiguration 
Alternative was developed to avoid or minimize potential impacts to 
mule deer migration; Greater Sage-Grouse leks, associated Priority 
Habitat Management Areas (PHMAs), and General Habitat Management Areas 
(GHMAs); visual impacts affecting the cultural setting of the Pony 
Express National Historic Trail, Ruby Valley Pony Express Station, and 
Fort Ruby National Historic Landmark; and visual impacts affecting 
visitor aesthetics at the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The North 
and South Operations Area Facilities Reconfiguration Alternative would 
eliminate 1,429 acres of disturbance from the Proposed Action and an 
additional 1,934 acres of previously authorized disturbance would not 
be constructed, representing a 3,352-acre (47 percent) reduction in 
comparison to the Proposed Action.
    The North and South Operations Area Western Redbird Modification 
(WRM) Alternative was developed to further reduce potential impacts to 
mule deer migration. The WRM Alternative further reduces impacts to 
groundwater and key cultural and visual resource settings, and reduces 
potential impacts to Greater Sage-Grouse. The WRM Alternative would 
eliminate 1,831 acres of disturbance from the Proposed Action and an 
additional 2,169 acres of previously authorized disturbance would not 
be constructed, representing a 3,989-acre (56 percent) reduction in 
comparison to the Proposed Action. Five other alternatives were 
considered but eliminated from further analysis. Mitigation measures 
are considered to minimize environmental impacts and to ensure the 
Project does not result in unnecessary or undue degradation of public 
lands.
    On April 16, 2012, a Notice of Intent was published in the Federal 
Register inviting scoping comments on the Proposed Action. A legal 
notice for scoping was prepared by the BLM and published in the Elko 
Daily Free Press, Ely Times, Eureka Sentinel, and Reno Gazette-Journal 
informing the public of the BLM's intention to prepare the Bald 
Mountain Mine North and South Operations Area Projects EIS. Public 
scoping meetings were held May 7-10, 2012, in Ely, Eureka, Elko, and 
Reno, Nevada. A total of 180 individual comments were received. The 
comments were incorporated in a Scoping Report and were considered in 
the preparation of the Draft EIS.
    Concerns raised during scoping included: potential degradation of 
surface water or groundwater quality and potential depletion to 
groundwater from pit lakes and/or water withdrawals for mine 
operations; potential impacts to mule deer habitat and migration 
corridors; potential impacts to Greater Sage-Grouse habitat and 
strutting grounds; potential impacts to Wild Horse Herd Management 
Areas (HMAs), including herd access to surface water sources; potential 
air quality impacts from fugitive dust containing mercury, arsenic, or 
other contaminants; and potential impacts to visual resources including 
the visual setting of the Pony Express Trail and the Ruby Lake National 
Wildlife Refuge. The North and South Operations Area Facilities 
Reconfiguration Alternative and Western Redbird Alternative were 
developed to help reduce impacts to mule deer, Greater Sage-Grouse, and 
visual resources. Mitigation measures have also been included to show 
how impacts on resources could be minimized.
    The BLM prepared the Draft EIS in conjunction with its five 
Cooperating

[[Page 41331]]

Agencies: Nevada Department of Wildlife, State of Nevada Sagebrush 
Ecosystem Program, Eureka County, White Pine County, and the U. S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. A Notice of 
Availability was published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2015 
(80 FR 48913-48914), and the public was invited to provide written 
comments on the Draft EIS during the 45-day comment period (8/14/2015 
to 9/28/2015). The BLM extended the comment period an additional 15 
days to 60 days based on several comments received that requested an 
extension of the comment period on the Draft EIS.
    A legal notice was prepared by the BLM and published in the Elko 
Daily Free Press, Ely Times, Eureka Sentinel, and Reno Gazette-Journal 
informing the public of the availability of the Bald Mountain Mine 
North and South Operations Area Projects Draft EIS and upcoming public 
meetings, which were held in Ely, Eureka, Elko, and Reno (9/15/2015 to 
9/18/2015). A total of 35 individual comment submittals containing 451 
individual comments were received. Comments on the Draft EIS received 
from the cooperating agencies, the public, and the internal BLM review 
were considered and incorporated, as appropriate, into the Final EIS. 
Concerns included potential impacts (1) to mule deer migration; (2) to 
Greater Sage-Grouse leks and associated habitats; (3) to springs from 
groundwater pumping; (4) to Wild Horse Herd Management Areas (HMAs), 
including herd access to surface water sources; (5) to air quality 
(specifically from mercury); (6) of climate change on wildlife and 
other resources; and (7) to visual resources and other indirect impacts 
to the setting of the Pony Express National Historic Trail, Ruby Valley 
Pony Express Station, Fort Ruby National Historic Landmark, and 
Sunshine Locality National Register District and the Ruby Lake National 
Wildlife Refuge. There were also comments received in general support 
or opposition to the Project. These public comments resulted in the 
addition of clarifying text, but did not significantly change the 
analysis. The selected agency preferred alternative is the Western 
Redbird Modification Alternative.
    On September 21, 2015, during the public comment period for the 
Draft EIS, the Record of Decision (ROD) and 2015 Nevada and 
Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource 
Management Plan Amendment was signed. To ensure consistency with the 
Plan Amendment, the BLM compared the maps and habitat management 
categories in that document to the initial habitat maps from BLM 
Instruction Memorandum 2012-044 (December 27, 2011) that were used in 
the development of the DEIS. The proponent has proposed a robust suite 
of applicant-committed environmental protection measures into their 
Proposed Action and all Alternatives, to incorporate Design Features 
and Management Decisions from the 2015 Nevada and Northeastern 
California Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 
Amendment. As a result, the analysis and resulting mitigation for 
Greater Sage-Grouse outlined in Chapter 6 (Mitigation and Monitoring) 
of this Final EIS are consistent with the Greater Sage-Grouse Plan. 
This will be achieved by avoiding, minimizing, and compensating for 
residual impacts by applying beneficial mitigation actions.
    Following a 30-day Final EIS availability and review period, a 
Record of Decision (ROD) will be issued. The decision reached in the 
ROD is subject to appeal to the Interior Board of Land Appeals. The 30-
day appeal period begins with the issuance of the ROD.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6 and 40 CFR 1506.10.

Jill A. Moore,
Field Manager, Egan Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2016-15017 Filed 6-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 122 / Friday, June 24, 2016 / Notices 41331

Agencies: Nevada Department of management categories in that publishes its Notice of Availability of
Wildlife, State of Nevada Sagebrush document to the initial habitat maps the Final EIS in the Federal Register.
Ecosystem Program, Eureka County, from BLM Instruction Memorandum ADDRESSES: Copies of the Monument
White Pine County, and the U. S. Fish 2012–044 (December 27, 2011) that were Butte Area Oil and Gas Development
and Wildlife Service Ruby Lake used in the development of the DEIS. Project Final EIS are available for public
National Wildlife Refuge. A Notice of The proponent has proposed a robust inspection at the BLM-Vernal Field
Availability was published in the suite of applicant-committed Office at 170 South 500 East Vernal,
Federal Register on August 14, 2015 (80 environmental protection measures into Utah 84078. Interested persons may also
FR 48913–48914), and the public was their Proposed Action and all review the Final EIS on the Internet at
invited to provide written comments on Alternatives, to incorporate Design http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/vernal/
the Draft EIS during the 45-day Features and Management Decisions planning/nepa_.html.
comment period (8/14/2015 to 9/28/ from the 2015 Nevada and Northeastern FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
2015). The BLM extended the comment California Greater Sage-Grouse Stephanie Howard, NEPA Coordinator;
period an additional 15 days to 60 days Approved Resource Management Plan telephone: 435–781–4469; address 170
based on several comments received Amendment. As a result, the analysis South 500 East Vernal, Utah 84078;
that requested an extension of the and resulting mitigation for Greater
comment period on the Draft EIS. email BLM_UT_Vernal_Comments@
Sage-Grouse outlined in Chapter 6 blm.gov. Persons who use a
A legal notice was prepared by the (Mitigation and Monitoring) of this
BLM and published in the Elko Daily telecommunications device for the deaf
Final EIS are consistent with the Greater (TDD) may call the Federal Information
Free Press, Ely Times, Eureka Sentinel, Sage-Grouse Plan. This will be achieved
and Reno Gazette-Journal informing the Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
by avoiding, minimizing, and to contact the above individual during
public of the availability of the Bald compensating for residual impacts by
Mountain Mine North and South normal business hours. The FIRS is
applying beneficial mitigation actions. available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
Operations Area Projects Draft EIS and Following a 30-day Final EIS
upcoming public meetings, which were to leave a message or question with the
availability and review period, a Record
held in Ely, Eureka, Elko, and Reno (9/ above individual. Replies are provided
of Decision (ROD) will be issued. The
15/2015 to 9/18/2015). A total of 35 during normal business hours.
decision reached in the ROD is subject
individual comment submittals to appeal to the Interior Board of Land SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Newfield
containing 451 individual comments Appeals. The 30-day appeal period Exploration Company (Newfield)
were received. Comments on the Draft begins with the issuance of the ROD. submitted oil and gas field development
EIS received from the cooperating plan for the Monument Butte Project
agencies, the public, and the internal Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6 and 40 CFR Area (MBPA) to the BLM. The MBPA
1506.10.
BLM review were considered and encompasses approximately 119,784
incorporated, as appropriate, into the Jill A. Moore, acres in an already developed field
Final EIS. Concerns included potential Field Manager, Egan Field Office. containing approximately 3,209 existing
impacts (1) to mule deer migration; (2) [FR Doc. 2016–15017 Filed 6–23–16; 8:45 am] oil and gas wells. The MBPA
to Greater Sage-Grouse leks and BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
contemplates the drilling of up to 5,750
associated habitats; (3) to springs from new oil and gas wells over a 16-year
groundwater pumping; (4) to Wild period, and the construction and
Horse Herd Management Areas (HMAs), DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR operation of ancillary transportation,
including herd access to surface water transmission, processing, and treatment
sources; (5) to air quality (specifically Bureau of Land Management facilities. The MBPA is located in
from mercury); (6) of climate change on southeastern Duchesne County and
[16X L1109PF LLUTG01100
wildlife and other resources; and (7) to L13110000.EJ0000 24 1A] southwestern Uintah County:
visual resources and other indirect
Salt Lake Meridian, Utah
impacts to the setting of the Pony Notice of Availability of the Final
Express National Historic Trail, Ruby Tps. 8 S., Rs. 15 thru 19 E.
Environmental Impact Statement for Tps. 9 S., Rs. 15 thru 19 E.
Valley Pony Express Station, Fort Ruby the Monument Butte Area Oil and Gas The areas described, including both
National Historic Landmark, and Development Project, Duchesne and Federal and non-Federal lands, aggregate
Sunshine Locality National Register Uintah Counties, Utah 119,784.12 acres.
District and the Ruby Lake National
Wildlife Refuge. There were also AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, The BLM’s purpose and need for the
comments received in general support Interior. action is to respond to Newfield’s
or opposition to the Project. These ACTION: Notice of Availability. proposal. The BLM intends to approve,
public comments resulted in the approve with modifications, or
addition of clarifying text, but did not SUMMARY: In accordance with the disapprove Newfield’s proposed project
significantly change the analysis. The National Environmental Policy Act of and project components based on the
selected agency preferred alternative is 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the analysis of potential impact in the Final
the Western Redbird Modification Federal Land Policy and Management EIS and related documents. As part of
Alternative. Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of this process, the BLM worked with
On September 21, 2015, during the Land Management (BLM) has prepared Newfield, the State of Utah,
public comment period for the Draft a Final Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Protection Agency
sradovich on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES

EIS, the Record of Decision (ROD) and (EIS) for the Monument Butte Area Oil Region 8 (EPA) to develop measures
2015 Nevada and Northeastern and Gas Development Project and is designed to avoid, minimize, or mitigate
California Greater Sage-Grouse announcing its availability. environmental impacts to the extent
Approved Resource Management Plan DATES: The BLM will not issue a final possible, while allowing Newfield to
Amendment was signed. To ensure decision on the proposal for at least 45 exercise its valid existing lease rights.
consistency with the Plan Amendment, days after the date on which the The Federal Land Policy and
the BLM compared the maps and habitat Environmental Protection Agency Management Act of 1976 recognizes oil

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Document Created: 2016-06-24 00:53:04
Document Modified: 2016-06-24 00:53:04

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 of Availability.
Dates		The BLM will not issue a final decision for a minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.
Contact		For further information contact Stephanie Trujillo, BLM Ely District Project Manager, telephone: (775)
FR Citation		81 FR 41330

81 FR 41330 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Bald Mountain Mine North and South Operations Area Projects, White Pine County, Nevada

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 122 (June 24, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management