81_FR_59128 81 FR 58962 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Sheep Mountain Uranium Project, Fremont County, Wyoming

81 FR 58962 - Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Sheep Mountain Uranium Project, Fremont County, Wyoming

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 166 (August 26, 2016)

Page Range58962-58963
FR Document2016-20449

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Sheep Mountain Uranium Project and by this notice is announcing its availability.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 166 (Friday, August 26, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58962-58963]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20449]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLWYR05000.L51100000.GN0000.LVEMK11CW630-WYW-168184]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Sheep Mountain Uranium Project, Fremont County, 
Wyoming

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy Act of 1976 
(FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Sheep Mountain 
Uranium Project and by this notice is announcing its availability.

DATES: The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal 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 Sheep Mountain Uranium Project Final EIS are 
available for public inspection in the BLM Lander Field Office, 1335 
Main Street, Lander, Wyoming; and in the BLM Wyoming State Office, 5353 
Yellowstone, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Interested persons may also review the 
Final EIS on the Internet at the project Web site at http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/documents/lfo/sheepmtn.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Krassin, Project Manager, 
telephone 307-332-8400; address Lander Field Office, 1335 Main Street, 
Lander, Wyoming 82520; email [email protected]. Persons 
who use a telecommunications device for the deaf 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: Titan Uranium USA Inc., a wholly owned 
subsidiary of Titan Uranium Inc., submitted a 43 CFR 3809 plan of 
operations to the BLM Lander Field Office (LFO) for the Sheep Mountain 
Uranium Project (Project) in Fremont County, Wyoming on June 16, 2011. 
On February 29, 2012, Energy Fuels Inc. acquired Titan Uranium Inc. and 
all of its subsidiaries are now wholly-owned subsidiaries of Energy 
Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. (Energy Fuels). Energy Fuels will continue 
as the owner and operator of the Project. Energy Fuels submitted a 
revised Plan of Operations to the BLM on July 9, 2012 and August 27, 
2013.
    The Project is located 8 miles south of Jeffrey City, Wyoming, in 
south-central Fremont County, in the Crooks Gap-Green Mountain Mining 
District, which was extensively mined starting in the 1950s. This area 
lies 62 miles southeast of Riverton, 67 miles north of Rawlins, and 105 
miles southwest of Casper. The Project is within the active State of 
Wyoming Permit to Mine 381C administered by the Wyoming Department of 
Environmental Quality-Land Quality Division (WDEQ-LQD). Energy Fuels' 
revised application to Permit to Mine 381C was approved in July 2015. 
Energy Fuels is currently considering applying for a U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission (NRC) Source Materials License.
    Energy Fuels proposes to explore for and develop uranium reserves 
to produce approximately 1.0 million to 2.0 million pounds of 
U3O8, or yellowcake, from the uranium ore per 
year over an anticipated project life of 20 years. Mining would be 
completed using conventional methods including open pit and underground 
methods. Ore processing into yellowcake would occur either on site 
using a heap leach and solvent extraction/ion exchange or off site 
using the existing conventional Sweetwater Uranium Mill approximately 
30 miles to the south. The boundary of the Sheep Mountain Project Area 
is within the active WDEQ-LQD Permit to Mine 381C Permit Area, 
encompassing approximately 3,611 acres (approximately 5.6 square 
miles), of which approximately 929 acres would be disturbed under the 
Proposed Action Alternative. Approximately 62 percent (572.5 acres) of 
the surface within the proposed action disturbance area historically 
was disturbed by previous mining and exploration activities.
    The Final EIS addresses the direct, indirect and cumulative impacts 
of the proposed action, the No Action Alternative and the BLM 
Mitigation Alternative.
    The No Action Alternative, as required by NEPA, describes 
conditions that would occur if the proposed Project were denied. The No 
Action Alternative includes reclamation by Energy Fuels of 
approximately 144 acres as required by the WDEQ-LQD Permit to Mine 
381C, and the reclamation of the existing McIntosh Pit by the WDEQ-
Abandoned

[[Page 58963]]

Mine Lands Program which began in 2014 and is scheduled to conclude in 
2020. The Proposed Action Alternative is the Project as proposed by 
Energy Fuels in its plan of operations and the WDEQ-LQD Permit to Mine 
381C as approved in July 2015.
    The BLM Mitigation Alternative would utilize the same conventional 
mining techniques over the same period as under the Proposed Action 
Alternative, but modifications to the proposed reclamation plan would 
be required. In addition, the BLM Mitigation Alternative would identify 
opportunities to apply hierarchical mitigation strategies for on-site 
and regional mitigation strategies and identify areas appropriate to 
apply landscape-level conservation and management actions to achieve 
resource objectives.
    The Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal 
Register on August 23, 2011 (76 FR 52688). The scoping comments 
received in response to this notice were used while preparing the Draft 
EIS to inform during alternative development and to identify issues to 
be analyzed in the impact analysis. A 45-day public comment period for 
the Draft EIS was held from January 16-March 2, 2015. The BLM hosted a 
public meeting in Lander at the Fremont County Library on January 28, 
2015.
    Notable changes to the Draft EIS based on comments received include 
the following:
     Clarified the description of specific aspects of the 
Proposed Action, including revisions to the WDEQ-LQD Mine Permit 381C, 
storm-water management, disposal of dewatered waste water under the 
Wyoming Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WYPDES), and roles and 
responsibilities of permitting agencies in allowing off-site versus on-
site processing.
     Reviewed and revised the analysis of impacts to water 
resources as a result of the WYPDES permit and storm-water management 
plans under the Proposed Action Alternative for consistency with Mine 
Permit 381C.
     Added details to the analysis of impacts to Greater Sage-
Grouse, particularly in regards to hauling material off site which 
included analyzing alternative haul routes to the potential off-site 
processing facility.
     Added details to the analysis of other resources such as 
public health and safety, wetlands, vegetation, soils, water, climate 
and air quality.
    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, 40 CFR 1506.10

Mary Jo Rugwell,
BLM Wyoming State Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-20449 Filed 8-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-22-P

58962 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2016 / Notices One position in Category Three— DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR acquired Titan Uranium Inc. and all of Representatives of state, county, or local its subsidiaries are now wholly-owned elected office; representatives and Bureau of Land Management subsidiaries of Energy Fuels Resources employees of a state agency responsible [LLWYR05000.L51100000.GN0000. (USA) Inc. (Energy Fuels). Energy Fuels for the management of natural LVEMK11CW630–WYW–168184] will continue as the owner and operator resources; representatives of Indian of the Project. Energy Fuels submitted a Tribes within or adjacent to the area for Notice of Availability of the Final revised Plan of Operations to the BLM which the RAC is organized; Environmental Impact Statement for on July 9, 2012 and August 27, 2013. the Sheep Mountain Uranium Project, The Project is located 8 miles south of representatives and employees of Fremont County, Wyoming Jeffrey City, Wyoming, in south-central academic institutions who are involved Fremont County, in the Crooks Gap- in natural sciences; and the public-at- AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Green Mountain Mining District, which large. Interior. was extensively mined starting in the Individuals may nominate themselves ACTION: Notice of Availability 1950s. This area lies 62 miles southeast or others to serve on an advisory of Riverton, 67 miles north of Rawlins, council. Nominees, who must be SUMMARY: In accordance with the and 105 miles southwest of Casper. The National Environmental Policy Act of Project is within the active State of residents of the state or states where the 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Wyoming Permit to Mine 381C RAC has jurisdiction, will be judged on Federal Land Policy Act of 1976 administered by the Wyoming the basis of their training, education, (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of and knowledge of the council’s Department of Environmental Quality- Land Management (BLM) has prepared Land Quality Division (WDEQ–LQD). geographical area. Nominees should a Final Environmental Impact Statement also demonstrate a commitment to Energy Fuels’ revised application to (EIS) for the Sheep Mountain Uranium Permit to Mine 381C was approved in consensus building and collaborative Project and by this notice is announcing July 2015. Energy Fuels is currently decision-making. Individuals who are its availability. considering applying for a U.S. Nuclear Federally-registered lobbyists are DATES: The BLM will not issue a final Regulatory Commission (NRC) Source ineligible to serve on all FACA and non- decision on the proposal for a minimum Materials License. FACA boards, committees, or councils of 30 days after the date that the Energy Fuels proposes to explore for in an individual capacity. The term Environmental Protection Agency and develop uranium reserves to ‘‘individual capacity’’ refers to publishes its Notice of Availability in produce approximately 1.0 million to individuals who are appointed to the Federal Register. 2.0 million pounds of U3O8, or exercise their own individual best ADDRESSES: Copies of the Sheep yellowcake, from the uranium ore per judgment on behalf of the government, Mountain Uranium Project Final EIS are year over an anticipated project life of such as when they are designated available for public inspection in the 20 years. Mining would be completed Special Government Employees, rather BLM Lander Field Office, 1335 Main using conventional methods including than being appointed to represent a Street, Lander, Wyoming; and in the open pit and underground methods. Ore particular interest. All nominations BLM Wyoming State Office, 5353 processing into yellowcake would occur must be accompanied by letters of Yellowstone, Cheyenne, Wyoming. either on site using a heap leach and reference from any represented interests Interested persons may also review the solvent extraction/ion exchange or off or organizations, a completed RAC Final EIS on the Internet at the project site using the existing conventional application, and any other information Web site at http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/ Sweetwater Uranium Mill that speaks to the nominee’s en/info/NEPA/documents/lfo/ approximately 30 miles to the south. sheepmtn.html. The boundary of the Sheep Mountain qualifications. Project Area is within the active WDEQ– Those who have already submitted a FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LQD Permit to Mine 381C Permit Area, nomination in response to the first call Chris Krassin, Project Manager, encompassing approximately 3,611 for nominations (published in the telephone 307–332–8400; address acres (approximately 5.6 square miles), Federal Register, 81 FR 14879, March Lander Field Office, 1335 Main Street, of which approximately 929 acres 18, 2016) do not need to resubmit. All Lander, Wyoming 82520; email blm_ would be disturbed under the Proposed nominations from the first and second wy_sheep_mountain_eis@blm.gov. Action Alternative. Approximately 62 calls will be considered together during Persons who use a telecommunications percent (572.5 acres) of the surface the review process. device for the deaf may call the Federal within the proposed action disturbance Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– area historically was disturbed by The BLM-Utah will consult with the 800–877–8339 to contact the above previous mining and exploration Governor’s office before forwarding its individual during normal business activities. recommendations to the Secretary of the hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a The Final EIS addresses the direct, Interior for a final decision. day, 7 days a week, to leave a message indirect and cumulative impacts of the Simultaneous with this notice, BLM- or question with the above individual. proposed action, the No Action Utah will issue a press release providing You will receive a reply during normal Alternative and the BLM Mitigation additional information for submitting business hours. Alternative. nominations. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Titan The No Action Alternative, as Uranium USA Inc., a wholly owned required by NEPA, describes conditions mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–1. subsidiary of Titan Uranium Inc., that would occur if the proposed Project Jenna Whitlock, submitted a 43 CFR 3809 plan of were denied. The No Action Alternative Acting State Director. operations to the BLM Lander Field includes reclamation by Energy Fuels of [FR Doc. 2016–20551 Filed 8–25–16; 8:45 am] Office (LFO) for the Sheep Mountain approximately 144 acres as required by Uranium Project (Project) in Fremont the WDEQ–LQD Permit to Mine 381C, BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P County, Wyoming on June 16, 2011. On and the reclamation of the existing February 29, 2012, Energy Fuels Inc. McIntosh Pit by the WDEQ-Abandoned VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:17 Aug 25, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26AUN1.SGM 26AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2016 / Notices 58963 Mine Lands Program which began in decision reached in the ROD is subject business hours. The FIRS is available 24 2014 and is scheduled to conclude in to appeal to the Interior Board of Land hours a day, seven days a week, to leave 2020. The Proposed Action Alternative Appeals. The 30-day appeal period a message or question with the above is the Project as proposed by Energy begins with the issuance of the ROD. individual. You will receive a reply Fuels in its plan of operations and the Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10 during normal business hours. WDEQ–LQD Permit to Mine 381C as SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Oh Be approved in July 2015. Mary Jo Rugwell, Joyful Campground is a destination The BLM Mitigation Alternative BLM Wyoming State Director. campground for people visiting in the would utilize the same conventional [FR Doc. 2016–20449 Filed 8–25–16; 8:45 am] Gunnison Basin near Crested Butte, mining techniques over the same period BILLING CODE 4310–22–P Colorado. The BLM’s overall goal is to as under the Proposed Action maintain the area’s recreational Alternative, but modifications to the experiences, quality social setting and proposed reclamation plan would be DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR overnight camping that require required. In addition, the BLM substantial Federal investment, while Mitigation Alternative would identify Bureau of Land Management protecting natural resources. The BLM opportunities to apply hierarchical [LLCOS06000–L12320000–DA0000–14X– is committed to finding the proper mitigation strategies for on-site and LVRDCO050000] balance between public use and the regional mitigation strategies and protection of public lands and identify areas appropriate to apply Notice of Intent To Establish a resources. The campground qualifies as landscape-level conservation and Campground Fee on Public Land in a site wherein visitors can be charged an management actions to achieve resource Gunnison County, Colorado expanded amenity fee for overnight use, objectives. authorized under Section 803(g)(2)(h) of The Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. the Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), was published in the Federal Register 16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq. In accordance on August 23, 2011 (76 FR 52688). The ACTION: Notice of Intent. with the REA and implementing scoping comments received in response SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land regulations at 43 CFR 2930, visitors to this notice were used while preparing Management (BLM), Gunnison Field would obtain an individual Recreation the Draft EIS to inform during Office, Gunnison, Colorado, intends to Use Permit to camp within the Oh Be alternative development and to identify establish an overnight camping fee at Joyful Campground. Campers would be issues to be analyzed in the impact the Oh Be Joyful Campground. required to display a permit stub at each analysis. A 45-day public comment DATES: Comments on the proposed fee campsite. Permits would expire at the period for the Draft EIS was held from changes must be received or postmarked beginning of the subsequent calendar January 16–March 2, 2015. The BLM by November 25, 2016 and include a day. The suggested fees for campsites hosted a public meeting in Lander at the legible full name and address. Effective are $10 per night for sites with picnic Fremont County Library on January 28, February 26, 2017, the BLM will initiate tables and campfire containment 2015. Notable changes to the Draft EIS based fee collection at the Oh Be Joyful devices (a limit of eight people and up on comments received include the Campground, unless the BLM publishes to two tents); $5 per night for overflow following: a Federal Register notice to the sites with campfire containment devices • Clarified the description of specific contrary. Comments received after the (a limit of eight people and up to two aspects of the Proposed Action, close of the comment period or tents); and $30 per night for proposed including revisions to the WDEQ–LQD delivered to an address other than the group campsites (site designed for 9–25 Mine Permit 381C, storm-water one listed in this notice may not be people). A vault toilet is available for all management, disposal of dewatered considered or included in the designated campsites and portable waste water under the Wyoming administrative record for the proposed toilets are set up for use by the overflow Pollutant Discharge Elimination System fee. camping areas during the high-use (WYPDES), and roles and summer months. If potable drinking ADDRESSES: Documents concerning this water is provided, all site fees would responsibilities of permitting agencies fee change may be reviewed at the increase by $5 per night. As in allowing off-site versus on-site Gunnison Field Office, 210 W. Spencer infrastructure improvements are made processing. • Reviewed and revised the analysis Avenue, Suite A, Gunnison, CO 81230. at the Oh Be Joyful Campground, of impacts to water resources as a result Written comments may be mailed or overnight fees will be charged of the WYPDES permit and storm-water delivered to the same address; faxed to accordingly for campsites. Free management plans under the Proposed 970–642–4990; or emailed to blm_co_ dispersed camping would no longer be Action Alternative for consistency with gfo_nepa_comments@blm.gov with ‘‘Oh available at the Oh Be Joyful Mine Permit 381C. Be Joyful Fee Proposal’’ referenced in Campground and the surrounding area • Added details to the analysis of the subject line. (approximately 100 acres). The BLM’s impacts to Greater Sage-Grouse, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: goals for the Oh Be Joyful Campground particularly in regards to hauling Stuart Schneider, Project Manager, at fee program are to provide additional material off site which included the address above, or phone (970) 642– facilities through capital improvements; analyzing alternative haul routes to the 4964. The Business Plan and ensure that funding is available to information concerning the proposed maintain the campground; manage mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES potential off-site processing facility. • Added details to the analysis of fee schedule are available at http:// visitor use and provide a quality other resources such as public health www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gfo.html. recreation experience under existing and safety, wetlands, vegetation, soils, Persons who use a telecommunications rules and regulations; provide for law water, climate and air quality. device for the deaf (TDD) may call the enforcement presence; develop Following a 30-day Final EIS Federal Information Relay Service additional services (such as expanding availability and review period, a Record (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact interpretive and educational of Decision (ROD) will be issued. The Stuart Schneider during normal information); and protect resources. The VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:17 Aug 25, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26AUN1.SGM 26AUN1


Document Created: 2016-08-26 10:40:14
Document Modified: 2016-08-26 10:40:14
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of Availability
DatesThe BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for a minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.
ContactChris Krassin, Project Manager,
FR Citation81 FR 58962 
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