82 FR 25759 - Payette and Boise National Forests; Valley County, Idaho; Stibnite Gold Project Environmental Impact Statement
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 106 (June 5, 2017)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 106 (June 5, 2017)
| Page Range | 25759-25761 | |
| FR Document | 2017-11483 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 106 (Monday, June 5, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 25759-25761] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-11483] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Payette and Boise National Forests; Valley County, Idaho; Stibnite Gold Project Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Payette National Forest (PNF) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate and disclose the potential environmental effects from: (1) Approval of the ``Stibnite Gold Project Plan of Restoration and Operations'' (Plan) submitted by Midas Gold Idaho, Inc. (Midas Gold) in September 2016, to occupy and use National Forest System (NFS) lands for operations associated with open-pit mining and ore processing; and (2) related amendments to the Payette National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Payette Forest Plan, 2003) and/or the Boise National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Boise Forest Plan, as amended in 2010). The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will cooperate on the preparation of the EIS and evaluate its content to ensure that the EIS can be adopted by the USACE to support an eventual decision to either issue, issue with conditions, or deny a Department of the Army Permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for the Plan. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will cooperate on the preparation of the EIS and evaluate its content to ensure that the EIS can be adopted in support of the decision-making process for issuance of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit under Section 402 of the CWA. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by July 20, 2017. ADDRESSES: Webform submission of comments is encouraged. Comments can be submitted via the project Web page at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/payette/StibniteGold by selecting the ``Comment on Project'' link on the right side of the page. Written comments may also be sent to Payette National Forest, ATTN: Forest Supervisor Keith Lannom--Stibnite Gold EIS, 500 N. Mission St., McCall, Idaho 83638. Comments may also be sent via email with a subject line reading ``Stibnite Gold EIS Scoping Comment'' to [email protected] or via facsimile (FAX) to 1-208-634-0744. Additional information regarding submittal of comments is provided below in the Scoping Process section. Written comments may also be submitted during public scoping meetings that will be held by the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service), as follows: 1. June 27, 2017, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Ashley Inn, Cascade, Idaho 2. June 28, 2017, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Payette Forest Supervisor's Office, McCall, Idaho 3. June 29, 2017, 1:00-3:00 and 5:00-7:00 p.m., Holiday Inn Express and Suites (Airport), Boise, Idaho FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Harris, Public Affairs Officer, at 1-208-634-0784 or [email protected]. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Stibnite Gold Project (Project) is located in both the PNF and BNF. The PNF will be the lead unit for processing and administering the Plan on NFS lands. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of the Forest Service's action is to provide for approval of the Plan, which would govern occupancy and use of NFS lands for operations that are reasonably incident to mining. To provide for such approval, the Responsible Official needs to determine whether reasonable changes or additions to the Plan are necessary in order to meet the requirements of regulations set forth in 36 CFR 228 Subpart A and other applicable laws, regulations, or policies, prior to approval. Midas Gold submitted a plan of operations for mining on NFS lands, titled ``Stibnite Gold Plan of Restoration and Operations'' (Plan) to the Forest Service in September 2016, in accordance with Forest Service regulations for locatable minerals set forth at 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 228 Subpart A. In order to comply with its statutory and regulatory obligations to respond to the Plan submitted by Midas Gold Idaho, Inc. (Midas Gold), the Forest Service must: (1) Evaluate the Plan; (2) consider requirements set forth at 36 CFR 228.8, including those to minimize adverse effects to the extent feasible, comply with applicable laws, regulations, and standards for environmental protection, and provide for reclamation; and (3) respond to the Plan as set forth at 36 CFR 228.5(a). The Responsible Official determined the Plan to be administratively complete in December 2016. Approval of the Plan and issuance of permits under the CWA would be major federal actions subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Accordingly, the federal land management and regulatory agencies must also prepare an EIS to consider and publicly disclose the potential environmental effects of the proposed action. Proposed Action The Responsible Official proposes to approve the Plan submitted by Midas Gold, with any modifications determined necessary through the analysis to comply with applicable laws and regulations. USACE would review the Plan and EIS for purposes of evaluating Midas Gold's application for a Department of the Army Permit under Section 404 of the CWA. EPA would review the Plan and EIS for purposes of evaluating Midas Gold's application for a related NPDES Permit under Section 402 of the CWA. As described in the Plan, the Project would affect federal, state, and private lands. The proposed action by the Forest Service would only authorize approval of mining-related operations on NFS lands, because the Forest Service does not have jurisdiction to regulate mining operations that occur on private or state land. However, the EIS will consider and disclose environmental effects of mining-related operations that would occur on private and state lands. Connected actions related to the Plan, including but not necessarily limited to CWA permitting by USACE and EPA and related amendments of the Payette and Boise Forest Plans, will be [[Page 25760]] considered. Impacts of past, present, ongoing, and reasonably foreseeable future actions in the Project area will be considered in combination with the impacts of the Project to estimate the potential cumulative impacts of Project implementation. Project Location The Project area is located in the upper East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River (EFSFSR) drainage, approximately 44 air miles northeast of the City of Cascade and three miles east of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in Valley County, Idaho. Operations would impact approximately 500 acres of patented mining claims owned or controlled by Midas Gold and approximately 1,500 acres of federal public lands comprised of adjacent NFS lands administered by the PNF and two supporting-infrastructure corridors located primarily in the BNF. Parts of the Project area, such as the Stibnite mine site, have been impacted by historic mining and ore processing operations. Some of these impacts have been remediated, but legacy mining impacts remain. Project Description Midas Gold's stated objective is to economically develop and operate a modern mine, while providing environmental restoration of impacts related to historic mining activities at the site and socioeconomic benefits in surrounding areas. Midas Gold's Plan includes descriptions of the following operations and activities to be conducted on a mixture of NFS, State, and private lands:Redevelopment and Construction (2 to 3 years): Developing supporting infrastructure, including upgraded and reconstructed powerline, communication sites, upgraded and/or new roads (including a long-term, temporary mine access and public by-pass route), maintenance facility, and onsite housing, oxygen plant, and water management infrastructure; relocation and reuse of spent ore and construction of a lined tailings storage facility; modifying stream channel to reduce sedimentation and restore wetland function and fish passage (including temporarily rerouting the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River [EFSFSR] through a fish-passable tunnel); planting burned areas; initial mining of one open pit (which will require closure of the Stibnite road through the mine site); and constructing development rock storage and temporary ore stockpile facilities, crusher, and ore processing facilities. Mining and Ore Processing (12 to 15 years): Resuming mining from two historical and one new open pit at a rate of approximately 40,000 to 100,000 tons of material per day; processing up to 25,000 tons per day of ore to recover gold/silver dor[egrave] and antimony concentrate; historical tailings reprocessing and clean-up; placing neutralized new and reprocessed tailings in the tailings storage facility; placing development rock in four engineered facilities, backfilling Yellow Pine pit; and concurrent reconstruction of stream channels, riparian areas, wetlands, and upland habitat, including restoring the EFSFSR to its approximate original gradient across the backfilled Yellow Pine pit. Initial Closure and Reclamation (2 to 3 years): Removing structures and facilities; decommissioning temporary roads; recontouring and drainage; additional wetland mitigations; reconstructing the Stibnite Road and various stream channels in the project area; and growth media placement and revegetation. Post-Closure and Monitoring (5 to 7 years): Establishing a wetland on top of the tailings storage facility; reclaiming rock storage facilities; monitoring reclamation and remediation projects. The Plan includes operational standards and practices to minimize, mitigate or eliminate the potential for negative impacts and environmental monitoring to document compliance and to facilitate adaptive management through the redevelopment, mining, reclamation, and post-closure periods. An initial review of the consistency of the Plan with both the Payette and Boise Forest Plans indicates that approval of the Plan as submitted would result in conditions that are inconsistent with the forest plans. Amendments to the forest plans may be required to address inconsistencies with Forest Plan standards including standards for recreation, roadless areas, vegetation, visual quality, and wildlife. Possible Alternatives The EIS will disclose the effects of the no-action alternative, which, while not within the Responsible Official's discretion, would provide a baseline against which action alternatives can be compared, and the proposed action, approval of Midas Gold's Plan. Additional alternatives and Project design features may be evaluated in the EIS. Alternatives and design features determined reasonable and necessary to meet Forest Service regulations for locatable minerals set forth at 36 CFR 228 Subpart A may require changes and/or additions to the Plan. Further information regarding the nature of the decision(s) to be made is presented in the following section. Lead and Cooperating Agencies The Forest Service will be the lead agency preparing the EIS. Currently, five Cooperating agencies have been identified, they are: --U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) --U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) --Idaho Department of Lands --Idaho Department of Environmental Quality --Governor's Office of Energy and Mineral Resources Other agencies or governmental entities may join as cooperators during the process. Responsible Official The Forest Supervisor of the PNF has been delegated authority for decisions related to the Plan on the BNF and will be the Responsible Official who prepares the record of decision (ROD) necessary to approve the portions of the Plan on NFS lands. USACE and EPA will prepare final decisions for their respective permitting action(s). Nature of Decision To Be Made The Responsible Official will consider the beneficial and adverse impacts of each alternative. With respect to the portions of the Plan on NFS lands, the Forest Service Responsible Official has discretion to determine whether changes in, or additions to, the Plan will be required prior to approval. However, the Responsible Official cannot categorically prohibit operations that are reasonably incident to mining of locatable minerals on NFS lands in the area of the proposed Plan. Using the analysis in the EIS and supporting documentation, the Forest Service Responsible Official will make the following decisions regarding the Plan: 1. Decide whether to approve the Plan as submitted by Midas Gold, or to require changes or additions to the Plan to meet the requirements for environmental protection and reclamation set forth at 36 CFR 228 Subpart A before approving a final Plan. The Forest Service decision may be to approve a plan of operations composed of elements from one or more of the alternatives considered. The alternative that is selected for approval in the final Plan must minimize adverse impacts on NFS surface resources to the extent feasible. 2. Decide whether to approve amendments to the forest plans, if [[Page 25761]] required in order to approve the final Plan. 3. Decide whether and/or how to mitigate the effects of the proposed mining operation to existing public motorized access. Final EIS and Record of Decision The Forest Service would release a draft ROD in conjunction with the final EIS. The draft ROD would address approval of the Plan, and any related project-specific Forest Plan or Travel Plan amendments that may be required. The draft decision would be subject to 36 CFR 218, ``Project-Level Pre-decisional Administrative Review Process.'' Depending on the nature of the forest plan amendments required, the draft decisions may also be subject to 36 CFR 219 Subpart B, ``Pre- decisional Administrative Review Process.'' Following resolution of objections to the draft ROD, a final ROD would be issued. As the operator, Midas Gold would have an opportunity to appeal the decision as set forth at 36 CFR 214, ``Postdecisional Administrative Review Process for Occupancy and Use of National Forest System Lands and Resources.'' Prior to approval of the Plan, Midas Gold may be required to modify the September 2016 Plan to comply with the description of the selected alternative in the final ROD. In addition, the PNF Forest Supervisor would require Midas Gold to submit a reclamation bond or provide proof of other acceptable financial assurance to ensure that NFS lands and resources involved with the mining operation are reclaimed in accordance with the approved Plan and Forest Service requirements for environmental protection (36 CFR 228.8 and 228.13). After the Forest Service has determined that the Plan conforms to the ROD as well as other regulatory requirements, including acceptance of financial assurance for reclamation, it would approve the Plan. Implementation of mining operations that affect NFS lands and resources may not commence until the reclamation bond or other financial assurance is in place and a plan of operations is approved. Preliminary Issues Issues to be analyzed in the EIS will be developed during this scoping process. Preliminary issues expected to be analyzed include potential impacts to: Access and transportation; aesthetics and visual resources; botanical resources, including wetlands and threatened, endangered, proposed, and sensitive species; climate and air quality; cultural and heritage resources; environmental justice; federal land management and environmental protection; fire and fuels management; fisheries and wildlife, including threatened, endangered, proposed, and sensitive species; geochemistry; geology; hazardous materials; land use; long-term, post-closure site management; noise; public health and safety; recreation; roadless and wilderness resources; socioeconomics; soils and reclamation cover materials; timber resources; water resources (groundwater and surface water); and water rights. Permits or Licenses Required Aspects of the Plan will also require other permitting, including by the Idaho Departments of Lands, Environmental Quality, and Water Resources. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping (public involvement) process, which guides the development of the EIS. Public comments may be submitted to the PNF in a variety of ways, including: via email, via the project Web site, by mail, and via FAX. In addition, the PNF will conduct scoping meetings, during which members of the public can learn about the Forest Service proposed action and the NEPA process and submit written comments. Comments sought by the PNF include comments specific to the proposed action, information that could be pertinent to analysis of environmental effects, identification of significant issues, and identification of potential alternatives. Written comments may be sent to: Payette National Forest, ATTN: Forest Supervisor Keith Lannom--Stibnite Gold EIS, 500 N. Mission St., McCall, ID 83638. Comments may also be sent via email with a Subject Line reading ``Stibnite Gold EIS Scoping Comment'' to [email protected], submitted via Web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/payette/StibniteGold, or sent via FAX to 1-208- 634-0744. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such manner that they are useful to preparation of the EIS. Therefore, to be most useful, comments should be provided prior to the close of the scoping comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, without an associated name and address, receiving further correspondences concerning the proposed action will not be possible and those individuals will not have standing for objection. Dated: May 12, 2017. Robert M. Harper, Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2017-11483 Filed 6-2-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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Responsible Officials for the MNF evaluate its content to ensure that the regulations, or policies, prior to
LRMP Amendment and the GWNF EIS can be adopted in support of the approval.
LRMP Amendment, respectively. decision-making process for issuance of Midas Gold submitted a plan of
However, since the Regional Foresters a National Pollutant Discharge operations for mining on NFS lands,
for the Eastern and Southern Region Elimination System (NPDES) Permit titled ‘‘Stibnite Gold Plan of Restoration
will be the Responsible Officials for the under Section 402 of the CWA. and Operations’’ (Plan) to the Forest
decision to authorize the construction DATES: Comments concerning the scope Service in September 2016, in
and operation of ACP, in the interest of of the analysis must be received by July accordance with Forest Service
administrative efficiencies as well as to 20, 2017. regulations for locatable minerals set
simplify the administrative review ADDRESSES: Webform submission of
forth at 36 Code of Federal Regulations
process for the public, the Responsible comments is encouraged. Comments can (CFR) 228 Subpart A. In order to comply
Officials for the LRMP Amendments be submitted via the project Web page with its statutory and regulatory
will now be the Regional Forester at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/payette/ obligations to respond to the Plan
Eastern Region for the MNF LRMP StibniteGold by selecting the ‘‘Comment submitted by Midas Gold Idaho, Inc.
Amendment and the Regional Forester (Midas Gold), the Forest Service must:
on Project’’ link on the right side of the
Southern Region for the GWNF LRMP (1) Evaluate the Plan; (2) consider
page. Written comments may also be
Amendment. requirements set forth at 36 CFR 228.8,
sent to Payette National Forest, ATTN:
including those to minimize adverse
Dated: May 10, 2017. Forest Supervisor Keith Lannom—
effects to the extent feasible, comply
Robert M. Harper, Stibnite Gold EIS, 500 N. Mission St.,
with applicable laws, regulations, and
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National McCall, Idaho 83638. Comments may
standards for environmental protection,
Forest System. also be sent via email with a subject line
and provide for reclamation; and (3)
[FR Doc. 2017–11484 Filed 6–2–17; 8:45 am] reading ‘‘Stibnite Gold EIS Scoping
respond to the Plan as set forth at 36
Comment’’ to comments-intermtn-
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P CFR 228.5(a). The Responsible Official
payette@fs.fed.us or via facsimile (FAX) determined the Plan to be
to 1–208–634–0744. Additional administratively complete in December
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE information regarding submittal of 2016. Approval of the Plan and issuance
comments is provided below in the of permits under the CWA would be
Forest Service Scoping Process section. Written major federal actions subject to the
comments may also be submitted during National Environmental Policy Act
Payette and Boise National Forests; public scoping meetings that will be
Valley County, Idaho; Stibnite Gold (NEPA). Accordingly, the federal land
held by the U.S. Forest Service (Forest management and regulatory agencies
Project Environmental Impact Service), as follows:
Statement must also prepare an EIS to consider
1. June 27, 2017, 5:00–7:00 p.m., Ashley and publicly disclose the potential
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. Inn, Cascade, Idaho environmental effects of the proposed
ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an 2. June 28, 2017, 5:00–7:00 p.m., Payette action.
environmental impact statement. Forest Supervisor’s Office, McCall,
Idaho Proposed Action
SUMMARY: The Payette National Forest 3. June 29, 2017, 1:00–3:00 and 5:00– The Responsible Official proposes to
(PNF) is preparing an Environmental 7:00 p.m., Holiday Inn Express and approve the Plan submitted by Midas
Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate and Suites (Airport), Boise, Idaho Gold, with any modifications
disclose the potential environmental FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: determined necessary through the
effects from: (1) Approval of the Brian Harris, Public Affairs Officer, at analysis to comply with applicable laws
‘‘Stibnite Gold Project Plan of 1–208–634–0784 or bdharris@fs.fed.us. and regulations. USACE would review
Restoration and Operations’’ (Plan) Individuals who use the Plan and EIS for purposes of
submitted by Midas Gold Idaho, Inc. telecommunication devices for the deaf evaluating Midas Gold’s application for
(Midas Gold) in September 2016, to (TDD) may call the Federal Information a Department of the Army Permit under
occupy and use National Forest System Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 Section 404 of the CWA. EPA would
(NFS) lands for operations associated between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern review the Plan and EIS for purposes of
with open-pit mining and ore Time, Monday through Friday. evaluating Midas Gold’s application for
processing; and (2) related amendments SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The a related NPDES Permit under Section
to the Payette National Forest Land and Stibnite Gold Project (Project) is located 402 of the CWA. As described in the
Resource Management Plan (Payette in both the PNF and BNF. The PNF will Plan, the Project would affect federal,
Forest Plan, 2003) and/or the Boise be the lead unit for processing and state, and private lands. The proposed
National Forest Land and Resource administering the Plan on NFS lands. action by the Forest Service would only
Management Plan (Boise Forest Plan, as authorize approval of mining-related
amended in 2010). Purpose and Need for Action operations on NFS lands, because the
The United States Army Corps of The purpose of the Forest Service’s Forest Service does not have
Engineers (USACE) will cooperate on action is to provide for approval of the jurisdiction to regulate mining
the preparation of the EIS and evaluate Plan, which would govern occupancy operations that occur on private or state
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
its content to ensure that the EIS can be and use of NFS lands for operations that land. However, the EIS will consider
adopted by the USACE to support an are reasonably incident to mining. To and disclose environmental effects of
eventual decision to either issue, issue provide for such approval, the mining-related operations that would
with conditions, or deny a Department Responsible Official needs to determine occur on private and state lands.
of the Army Permit under Section 404 whether reasonable changes or Connected actions related to the Plan,
of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for the additions to the Plan are necessary in including but not necessarily limited to
Plan. The United States Environmental order to meet the requirements of CWA permitting by USACE and EPA
Protection Agency (EPA) will cooperate regulations set forth in 36 CFR 228 and related amendments of the Payette
on the preparation of the EIS and Subpart A and other applicable laws, and Boise Forest Plans, will be
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considered. Impacts of past, present, • Mining and Ore Processing (12 to information regarding the nature of the
ongoing, and reasonably foreseeable 15 years): Resuming mining from two decision(s) to be made is presented in
future actions in the Project area will be historical and one new open pit at a rate the following section.
considered in combination with the of approximately 40,000 to 100,000 tons
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
impacts of the Project to estimate the of material per day; processing up to
potential cumulative impacts of Project 25,000 tons per day of ore to recover The Forest Service will be the lead
implementation. gold/silver dorè and antimony agency preparing the EIS. Currently, five
concentrate; historical tailings Cooperating agencies have been
Project Location reprocessing and clean-up; placing identified, they are:
The Project area is located in the neutralized new and reprocessed —U.S. Environmental Protection
upper East Fork of the South Fork of the tailings in the tailings storage facility; Agency (EPA)
Salmon River (EFSFSR) drainage, placing development rock in four —U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
approximately 44 air miles northeast of engineered facilities, backfilling Yellow (USACE)
the City of Cascade and three miles east Pine pit; and concurrent reconstruction —Idaho Department of Lands
of the Frank Church-River of No Return of stream channels, riparian areas, —Idaho Department of Environmental
Wilderness in Valley County, Idaho. wetlands, and upland habitat, including Quality
Operations would impact approximately restoring the EFSFSR to its approximate —Governor’s Office of Energy and
500 acres of patented mining claims original gradient across the backfilled Mineral Resources
owned or controlled by Midas Gold and Yellow Pine pit. Other agencies or governmental entities
approximately 1,500 acres of federal • Initial Closure and Reclamation (2 may join as cooperators during the
public lands comprised of adjacent NFS to 3 years): Removing structures and process.
lands administered by the PNF and two facilities; decommissioning temporary
Responsible Official
supporting-infrastructure corridors roads; recontouring and drainage;
additional wetland mitigations; The Forest Supervisor of the PNF has
located primarily in the BNF. Parts of
reconstructing the Stibnite Road and been delegated authority for decisions
the Project area, such as the Stibnite
various stream channels in the project related to the Plan on the BNF and will
mine site, have been impacted by
area; and growth media placement and be the Responsible Official who
historic mining and ore processing
revegetation. prepares the record of decision (ROD)
operations. Some of these impacts have
• Post-Closure and Monitoring (5 to 7 necessary to approve the portions of the
been remediated, but legacy mining
years): Establishing a wetland on top of Plan on NFS lands. USACE and EPA
impacts remain.
the tailings storage facility; reclaiming will prepare final decisions for their
Project Description rock storage facilities; monitoring respective permitting action(s).
reclamation and remediation projects.
Midas Gold’s stated objective is to Nature of Decision To Be Made
economically develop and operate a The Plan includes operational standards
and practices to minimize, mitigate or The Responsible Official will consider
modern mine, while providing the beneficial and adverse impacts of
environmental restoration of impacts eliminate the potential for negative
impacts and environmental monitoring each alternative. With respect to the
related to historic mining activities at portions of the Plan on NFS lands, the
to document compliance and to
the site and socioeconomic benefits in Forest Service Responsible Official has
facilitate adaptive management through
surrounding areas. Midas Gold’s Plan discretion to determine whether
the redevelopment, mining,
includes descriptions of the following changes in, or additions to, the Plan will
reclamation, and post-closure periods.
operations and activities to be An initial review of the consistency of be required prior to approval. However,
conducted on a mixture of NFS, State, the Plan with both the Payette and Boise the Responsible Official cannot
and private lands: Forest Plans indicates that approval of categorically prohibit operations that are
• Redevelopment and Construction (2 the Plan as submitted would result in reasonably incident to mining of
to 3 years): Developing supporting conditions that are inconsistent with the locatable minerals on NFS lands in the
infrastructure, including upgraded and forest plans. Amendments to the forest area of the proposed Plan.
reconstructed powerline, plans may be required to address Using the analysis in the EIS and
communication sites, upgraded and/or inconsistencies with Forest Plan supporting documentation, the Forest
new roads (including a long-term, standards including standards for Service Responsible Official will make
temporary mine access and public by- recreation, roadless areas, vegetation, the following decisions regarding the
pass route), maintenance facility, and visual quality, and wildlife. Plan:
onsite housing, oxygen plant, and water 1. Decide whether to approve the Plan
management infrastructure; relocation Possible Alternatives as submitted by Midas Gold, or to
and reuse of spent ore and construction The EIS will disclose the effects of the require changes or additions to the Plan
of a lined tailings storage facility; no-action alternative, which, while not to meet the requirements for
modifying stream channel to reduce within the Responsible Official’s environmental protection and
sedimentation and restore wetland discretion, would provide a baseline reclamation set forth at 36 CFR 228
function and fish passage (including against which action alternatives can be Subpart A before approving a final Plan.
temporarily rerouting the East Fork of compared, and the proposed action, The Forest Service decision may be to
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
the South Fork of the Salmon River approval of Midas Gold’s Plan. approve a plan of operations composed
[EFSFSR] through a fish-passable Additional alternatives and Project of elements from one or more of the
tunnel); planting burned areas; initial design features may be evaluated in the alternatives considered. The alternative
mining of one open pit (which will EIS. Alternatives and design features that is selected for approval in the final
require closure of the Stibnite road determined reasonable and necessary to Plan must minimize adverse impacts on
through the mine site); and constructing meet Forest Service regulations for NFS surface resources to the extent
development rock storage and locatable minerals set forth at 36 CFR feasible.
temporary ore stockpile facilities, 228 Subpart A may require changes 2. Decide whether to approve
crusher, and ore processing facilities. and/or additions to the Plan. Further amendments to the forest plans, if
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required in order to approve the final quality; cultural and heritage resources; those individuals will not have standing
Plan. environmental justice; federal land for objection.
3. Decide whether and/or how to management and environmental Dated: May 12, 2017.
mitigate the effects of the proposed protection; fire and fuels management; Robert M. Harper,
mining operation to existing public fisheries and wildlife, including Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National
motorized access. threatened, endangered, proposed, and Forest System.
Final EIS and Record of Decision sensitive species; geochemistry; geology; [FR Doc. 2017–11483 Filed 6–2–17; 8:45 am]
hazardous materials; land use; long-
The Forest Service would release a term, post-closure site management;
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
draft ROD in conjunction with the final noise; public health and safety;
EIS. The draft ROD would address recreation; roadless and wilderness
approval of the Plan, and any related DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
resources; socioeconomics; soils and
project-specific Forest Plan or Travel reclamation cover materials; timber Forest Service
Plan amendments that may be required. resources; water resources (groundwater
The draft decision would be subject to and surface water); and water rights. Notice of Updated Information
36 CFR 218, ‘‘Project-Level Pre- Concerning the Mountain Valley
decisional Administrative Review Permits or Licenses Required Pipeline Project and Equitrans
Process.’’ Depending on the nature of Aspects of the Plan will also require Expansion Project and the Associated
the forest plan amendments required, other permitting, including by the Idaho Forest Service Land and Resource
the draft decisions may also be subject Departments of Lands, Environmental Management Plan Amendments
to 36 CFR 219 Subpart B, ‘‘Pre- Quality, and Water Resources.
decisional Administrative Review AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
Process.’’ Scoping Process ACTION: Notice; updating information.
Following resolution of objections to
This notice of intent initiates the SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service
the draft ROD, a final ROD would be
scoping (public involvement) process, (Forest Service) is participating as a
issued. As the operator, Midas Gold
which guides the development of the cooperating agency with the Federal
would have an opportunity to appeal
EIS. Public comments may be submitted Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
the decision as set forth at 36 CFR 214,
to the PNF in a variety of ways, and the Bureau of Land Management
‘‘Postdecisional Administrative Review
including: via email, via the project Web (BLM) in the preparation of the
Process for Occupancy and Use of
site, by mail, and via FAX. In addition, Mountain Valley Pipeline Project (MVP)
National Forest System Lands and
the PNF will conduct scoping meetings, and Equitrans Expansion Project (EEP)
Resources.’’
Prior to approval of the Plan, Midas during which members of the public can Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Gold may be required to modify the learn about the Forest Service proposed On October 14, 2016, the Forest Service
September 2016 Plan to comply with action and the NEPA process and published in the Federal Register (81
the description of the selected submit written comments. Comments FR 71041) a Notice of Availability of the
alternative in the final ROD. In addition, sought by the PNF include comments Mountain Valley Pipeline Project and
the PNF Forest Supervisor would specific to the proposed action, Equitrans Expansion Project Draft
require Midas Gold to submit a information that could be pertinent to Environmental Impact Statement and
reclamation bond or provide proof of analysis of environmental effects, the Draft of Amendments to the
other acceptable financial assurance to identification of significant issues, and Jefferson National Forest’s Land and
ensure that NFS lands and resources identification of potential alternatives. Resource Management Plan (LRMP) to
involved with the mining operation are Written comments may be sent to: allow for the MVP to cross through the
reclaimed in accordance with the Payette National Forest, ATTN: Forest Jefferson National Forest. Since that
approved Plan and Forest Service Supervisor Keith Lannom—Stibnite publication, the Forest Service
requirements for environmental Gold EIS, 500 N. Mission St., McCall, ID determined there is a need to disclose
protection (36 CFR 228.8 and 228.13). 83638. Comments may also be sent via the following: New information relating
After the Forest Service has determined email with a Subject Line reading to the proposed LRMP amendments and
that the Plan conforms to the ROD as ‘‘Stibnite Gold EIS Scoping Comment’’ the substantive provisions in the 2012
well as other regulatory requirements, to comments-intermtn- Planning Rule that are likely to be
including acceptance of financial payette@fs.fed.us, submitted via Web directly related to the proposed
assurance for reclamation, it would site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ amendments. In addition, a proposed
approve the Plan. Implementation of payette/StibniteGold, or sent via FAX to change to one of the LRMP amendments
mining operations that affect NFS lands 1–208–634–0744. will result in a change to the
and resources may not commence until It is important that reviewers provide administrative review procedures as
the reclamation bond or other financial their comments at such times and in outlined in the October 14, 2016
assurance is in place and a plan of such manner that they are useful to Federal Register Notice.
operations is approved. preparation of the EIS. Therefore, to be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
most useful, comments should be Information about the MVP Project is
Preliminary Issues provided prior to the close of the available from the FERC’s Office of
scoping comment period and should
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
Issues to be analyzed in the EIS will External Affairs at 866–208–FERC
be developed during this scoping clearly articulate the reviewer’s (3372), or on the FERC Web site
process. Preliminary issues expected to concerns and contentions. (www.ferc.gov). On the FERC’s Web site,
be analyzed include potential impacts Comments submitted anonymously go to ‘‘Documents & Filings,’’ click on
to: Access and transportation; aesthetics will be accepted and considered; the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link, click on ‘‘General
and visual resources; botanical however, without an associated name Search’’ and enter the docket number
resources, including wetlands and and address, receiving further CP16–10. Be sure you have selected an
threatened, endangered, proposed, and correspondences concerning the appropriate date range. For assistance,
sensitive species; climate and air proposed action will not be possible and please contact FERC Online Support at
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Jun 02, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05JNN1.SGM 05JNN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_25865/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2018-11-14 10:00:28
Document Modified: 2018-11-14 10:00:28
| 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 intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. | |
| Dates | Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by July 20, 2017. | |
| Contact | Brian Harris, Public Affairs Officer, at 1-208-634-0784 or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 25759 |
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