83 FR 49123 - Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed East Smoky Panel Mine Project at Smoky Canyon Mine, Caribou County, ID

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 189 (September 28, 2018)

Page Range		49123-49124
FR Document		2018-21204

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS) Caribou-Targhee National Forest (CTNF), have prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed East Smoky Panel Mine Project (Project), and by this Notice announce the opening of the public comment period.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 189 (Friday, September 28, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 189 (Friday, September 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49123-49124]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21204]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

[17XL LLIDI00000.L71220000.EO0000.LVTFD1700100 241A 4500116174]


Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Proposed East Smoky Panel Mine Project at Smoky Canyon Mine, 
Caribou County, ID

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior; Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS) Caribou-Targhee 
National Forest (CTNF), have prepared a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the proposed East Smoky Panel Mine Project 
(Project), and by this Notice announce the opening of the public 
comment period.

DATES: To ensure consideration, the Agencies must receive written 
comments on the East Smoky Panel Mine Project Draft EIS no later than 
90 days after the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its notice 
of availability of the Draft EIS in the Federal Register. The BLM will 
announce any future public meetings and any other public involvement 
activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media 
news releases, and/or mailings.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Project Draft EIS by 
any of the following methods:
     Website: https://go.usa.gov/xnYTG.
     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: East Smoky Panel Mine Draft EIS, c/o Stantec 
Consulting Services Inc., 3995 South 700 East, Suite 300, Salt Lake 
City, Utah 84107.
    Please reference ``East Smoky Panel Mine Draft EIS'' on all 
correspondence. CD-ROM and print copies of the East Smoky Panel Mine 
Draft EIS are available in the BLM Pocatello Field Office at the 
following address: 4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204. In addition, 
an electronic copy of the Draft EIS is available online at:

 BLM Land Use Planning and NEPA Register: https://go.usa.gov/xnYTG
 Caribou-Targhee National Forest Current and Recent Projects: 
http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ctnf/landmanagement/projects.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle Free, BLM Pocatello Field Office, 
4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204; phone 208-478-6352; email: 
[email protected]; fax 208-478-6376. Persons who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 
1-800-877-8339 to contact Mr. Free. The FRS is available 24 hours a 
day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question for Mr. Free. You 
will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM, as the Federal lease administrator, 
is the lead agency, and the USFS is the co-lead agency. The Idaho 
Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho Department of Lands, and 
Idaho Governor's Office of Energy and Mineral Resources are cooperating 
agencies. J.R. Simplot Company has submitted a proposed lease 
modification and Mine and Reclamation Plan (M&RP) for agency review for 
the East Smoky Panel leases (IDI-015259, IDI-26843, and IDI-012890) at 
the Smoky Canyon Phosphate Mine in Caribou County, Idaho. Existing 
Smoky Canyon mining and milling operations were authorized in 1982 by a 
mine plan approval issued by the BLM and Special Use Authorizations 
(SUAs) issued by the USFS for off-lease activities, supported by the 
Smoky Canyon Mine Final EIS and Record of Decision (ROD). Mining 
operations began in Panel A in 1984 and have continued ever since, with 
the mining of Panels A through G. The

[[Page 49124]]

proposed East Smoky Panel Project Area is located approximately one-
half mile directly east of Panel A and, in the northern portion, 
adjacent to Panel B. The BLM prepared a supplemental EIS for mining of 
Panels B and C, addressing selenium and endangered species issues, in 
2002; a subsequent ROD approved the mining of Panels B and C. The BLM 
and USFS approved the mining of Panels F and G in 2008 and a subsequent 
Mine Plan modification in 2015.
    The Proposed Action would consist of mining the East Smoky Panel as 
outlined in the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS fully evaluates Alternatives 
to the Proposed Action, including a No Action Alternative, and 
addresses issues identified during scoping.
    The BLM and USFS will make separate but coordinated decisions 
related to the proposed Project. The BLM will either approve, approve 
with modifications, or deny the M&RP; and recommend whether to modify 
lease IDI-015259. In addition, the BLM will decide whether to approve a 
modification to the existing B-Panel Mine Plan. The BLM will base its 
decisions on public and agency input on the Draft EIS, the Final EIS, 
and any recommendations the USFS may have regarding surface management 
of leased National Forest System lands. The USFS will make 
recommendations to the BLM concerning surface management and mitigation 
on leased lands within the CTNF and will issue decisions on SUAs for 
off-lease activities. SUAs from the USFS would be necessary for any 
off-lease disturbances/structures located within the CTNF and 
associated with the Project. A Forest Plan amendment by the USFS would 
also be necessary as outlined in the Draft EIS.
    On April 3, 2015, the Federal Register published a Notice of Intent 
to prepare this EIS (80 FR 18250), initiating a 30-day public scoping 
period for the Proposed Action during which the BLM accepted written 
comments. The scoping process identified concerns involving impacts to 
water resources and watersheds from potentially elevated levels of 
selenium; potential effects and/or cumulative effects of the Project 
regarding air quality, human health and safety, socioeconomics, 
wildlife, reclamation and financial assurance; and mitigation and 
monitoring of mine operations.
    To facilitate understanding and comments on the Draft EIS, the BLM 
has planned public meetings for Afton, Wyoming, and Pocatello, Idaho. 
Meetings will be open-house style, with displays explaining the Project 
and a forum for commenting on the Project. The BLM will announce dates, 
times, and locations of the public scoping meetings in mailings and 
local media at least 15 days in advance.
    Stakeholders, interested parties and members of the public should 
submit written and electronic comments regarding the Draft EIS no later 
than 90 days after the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its 
notice of availability of the Draft EIS in the Federal Register. To 
assist the BLM and the USFS in identifying issues and concerns related 
to this project, comments should be as specific as possible. The 
portion of the proposed project related to special use authorizations 
for off-lease activities are subject to the USFS objection process. Due 
to the need for a Forest Plan amendment, this proposed project is 
subject to the predecisional administrative review process pursuant to 
36 CFR part 218 subparts A and B and 36 CFR part 219 subpart B. Only 
those who provide comment during this comment period or who have 
previously submitted specific written comments on the Proposed Action, 
either during scoping or other designated opportunity for public 
comment, will be eligible as objectors (36 CFR 218.5(a) and 219.53(a)). 
BLM appeal procedures found in 43 CFR part 4, subpart E apply to the 
portion of the Project related to the Federal mineral lease(s).
    Before including your 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: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 43 U.S.C. 1701; 40 CFR parts 
1500 through 1508; 43 CFR part 4; 43 CFR part 3590.

    Dated: July 16, 2018.
Peter J. Ditton,
Acting State Director, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office.
Mel Bolling,
Forest Supervisor, Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2018-21204 Filed 9-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 189 / Friday, September 28, 2018 / Notices 49123

Number of Number of Completion time Total annual
Form/activity annual annual per response burden hours *
respondents responses

3–2321 Membership Application ............................................................. 76 76 2 hours ................ 152
3–2322 Applicant Interview ...................................................................... 76 76 30 minutes .......... 38
3–2323 Reference/Contact Interview ...................................................... 189 189 15 minutes .......... 47
3–XXXX Incumbent Application ............................................................... 22 22 5 minutes ............ 2
3–2326 Hunt Application and Permit ....................................................... 11,141 11,141 10 minutes .......... 1,857
3–2326 Hunt Report ................................................................................ 11,141 11,141 5 minutes ............ 928
3–2327 Designated Hunter Application and Permit ................................ 701 701 10 minutes .......... 117
3–2327 Designated Hunter—Hunt Report ............................................... 701 701 5 minutes ............ 58
3–2328 Fishing Application and Permit ................................................... 2,136 2,136 10 minutes .......... 356
3–2328 Fishing Report ............................................................................ 2,136 2,136 5 minutes ............ 178
3–2378 Designated Fishing Application and Permit ............................... 58 58 10 minutes .......... 10
3–2378 Designated Fishing Report ......................................................... 58 58 5 minutes ............ 5
3–2379 Customary Trade Recordkeeping Application and Permit ......... 18 18 10 minutes .......... 3
3–2379 Customary Trade Recordkeeping—Report ................................ 18 18 5 minutes ............ 2
Petition to Repeal ....................................................................................... 1 1 2 hours ................ 2
Proposed Changes .................................................................................... 70 70 30 minutes .......... 35
Special Actions Request ............................................................................ 17 17 30 minutes .......... 9
Request for Reconsideration (Appeal) ....................................................... 741 741 4 hours ................ 2,964
Traditional/Cultural/Educational Permits and Reports ............................... 5 5 30 minutes .......... 3
Fishwheel, Fyke Net, and Under-Ice Permits and Reports ....................... 7 7 15 minutes .......... 2

Totals .................................................................................................. 29,290 29,290 ............................. 6,766
* Rounded.

An agency may not conduct or National Forest (CTNF), have prepared www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ctnf/
sponsor and a person is not required to a Draft Environmental Impact Statement landmanagement/projects.
respond to a collection of information (EIS) for the proposed East Smoky Panel FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle
unless it displays a currently valid OMB Mine Project (Project), and by this Free, BLM Pocatello Field Office, 4350
control number. Notice announce the opening of the Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204; phone
The authority for this action is the public comment period. 208–478–6352; email: kfree@blm.gov;
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 DATES: To ensure consideration, the fax 208–478–6376. Persons who use a
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Agencies must receive written telecommunications device for the deaf
Dated: September 25, 2018. comments on the East Smoky Panel (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
Madonna Baucum, Mine Project Draft EIS no later than 90 Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. days after the Environmental Protection contact Mr. Free. The FRS is available
Fish and Wildlife Service. Agency publishes its notice of 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave
[FR Doc. 2018–21160 Filed 9–27–18; 8:45 am] availability of the Draft EIS in the a message or question for Mr. Free. You
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
Federal Register. The BLM will will receive a reply during normal
announce any future public meetings business hours.
and any other public involvement SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM,
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR activities at least 15 days in advance as the Federal lease administrator, is the
through public notices, media news lead agency, and the USFS is the co-lead
Bureau of Land Management releases, and/or mailings. agency. The Idaho Department of
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments Environmental Quality, Idaho
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE related to the Project Draft EIS by any Department of Lands, and Idaho
of the following methods: Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral
Forest Service • Website: https://go.usa.gov/xnYTG. Resources are cooperating agencies. J.R.
[17XL LLIDI00000.L71220000. • Email: blm_id_espm_eis@blm.gov. Simplot Company has submitted a
EO0000.LVTFD1700100 241A 4500116174] • Mail: East Smoky Panel Mine Draft proposed lease modification and Mine
EIS, c/o Stantec Consulting Services and Reclamation Plan (M&RP) for
Notice of Availability of Draft Inc., 3995 South 700 East, Suite 300, agency review for the East Smoky Panel
Environmental Impact Statement for Salt Lake City, Utah 84107. leases (IDI–015259, IDI–26843, and IDI–
the Proposed East Smoky Panel Mine Please reference ‘‘East Smoky Panel 012890) at the Smoky Canyon
Project at Smoky Canyon Mine, Mine Draft EIS’’ on all correspondence. Phosphate Mine in Caribou County,
Caribou County, ID CD–ROM and print copies of the East Idaho. Existing Smoky Canyon mining
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Smoky Panel Mine Draft EIS are and milling operations were authorized
Interior; Forest Service, USDA. available in the BLM Pocatello Field in 1982 by a mine plan approval issued
Office at the following address: 4350 by the BLM and Special Use
ACTION: Notice of availability.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1

Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204. In Authorizations (SUAs) issued by the
SUMMARY: In accordance with the addition, an electronic copy of the Draft USFS for off-lease activities, supported
National Environmental Policy Act of EIS is available online at: by the Smoky Canyon Mine Final EIS
1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Bureau of • BLM Land Use Planning and NEPA and Record of Decision (ROD). Mining
Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Register: https://go.usa.gov/xnYTG operations began in Panel A in 1984 and
Department of Agriculture, Forest • Caribou-Targhee National Forest have continued ever since, with the
Service (USFS) Caribou-Targhee Current and Recent Projects: http:// mining of Panels A through G. The

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49124 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 189 / Friday, September 28, 2018 / Notices

proposed East Smoky Panel Project Area The BLM will announce dates, times, INTERNATIONAL TRADE
is located approximately one-half mile and locations of the public scoping COMMISSION
directly east of Panel A and, in the meetings in mailings and local media at
[Investigation Nos. 701–TA–609 and 731–
northern portion, adjacent to Panel B. least 15 days in advance. TA–1421 (Preliminary)]
The BLM prepared a supplemental EIS
Stakeholders, interested parties and
for mining of Panels B and C, addressing Steel Trailer Wheels From China
members of the public should submit
selenium and endangered species
issues, in 2002; a subsequent ROD written and electronic comments Determinations
approved the mining of Panels B and C. regarding the Draft EIS no later than 90
On the basis of the record 1 developed
The BLM and USFS approved the days after the Environmental Protection
in the subject investigations, the United
mining of Panels F and G in 2008 and Agency publishes its notice of States International Trade Commission
a subsequent Mine Plan modification in availability of the Draft EIS in the (‘‘Commission’’) determines, pursuant
2015. Federal Register. To assist the BLM and to the Tariff Act of 1930 (‘‘the Act’’),
The Proposed Action would consist of the USFS in identifying issues and that there is a reasonable indication that
mining the East Smoky Panel as concerns related to this project, an industry in the United States is
outlined in the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS comments should be as specific as materially injured by reason of imports
fully evaluates Alternatives to the possible. The portion of the proposed of steel trailer wheels from China that
Proposed Action, including a No Action project related to special use are alleged to be sold in the United
Alternative, and addresses issues authorizations for off-lease activities are States at less than fair value (‘‘LTFV’’)
identified during scoping. subject to the USFS objection process. and to be subsidized by the government
The BLM and USFS will make Due to the need for a Forest Plan of China.2 3
separate but coordinated decisions amendment, this proposed project is
related to the proposed Project. The Commencement of Final Phase
subject to the predecisional Investigations
BLM will either approve, approve with
administrative review process pursuant
modifications, or deny the M&RP; and Pursuant to section 207.18 of the
recommend whether to modify lease to 36 CFR part 218 subparts A and B
Commission’s rules, the Commission
IDI–015259. In addition, the BLM will and 36 CFR part 219 subpart B. Only
also gives notice of the commencement
decide whether to approve a those who provide comment during this
of the final phase of its investigations.
modification to the existing B-Panel comment period or who have previously The Commission will issue a final phase
Mine Plan. The BLM will base its submitted specific written comments on notice of scheduling, which will be
decisions on public and agency input on the Proposed Action, either during published in the Federal Register as
the Draft EIS, the Final EIS, and any scoping or other designated opportunity provided in section 207.21 of the
recommendations the USFS may have for public comment, will be eligible as Commission’s rules, upon notice from
regarding surface management of leased objectors (36 CFR 218.5(a) and the U.S. Department of Commerce
National Forest System lands. The USFS 219.53(a)). BLM appeal procedures (‘‘Commerce’’) of affirmative
will make recommendations to the BLM found in 43 CFR part 4, subpart E apply preliminary determinations in the
concerning surface management and to the portion of the Project related to investigations under sections 703(b) or
mitigation on leased lands within the the Federal mineral lease(s). 733(b) of the Act, or, if the preliminary
CTNF and will issue decisions on SUAs determinations are negative, upon
Before including your phone number,
for off-lease activities. SUAs from the notice of affirmative final
USFS would be necessary for any off- email address, or other personal
determinations in those investigations
lease disturbances/structures located identifying information in your
under sections 705(a) or 735(a) of the
within the CTNF and associated with comment, you should be aware that
Act. Parties that filed entries of
the Project. A Forest Plan amendment your entire comment—including your appearance in the preliminary phase of
by the USFS would also be necessary as personal identifying information—may the investigations need not enter a
outlined in the Draft EIS. be made publicly available at any time. separate appearance for the final phase
On April 3, 2015, the Federal Register While you can ask us in your comment of the investigations. Industrial users,
published a Notice of Intent to prepare to withhold your personal identifying and, if the merchandise under
this EIS (80 FR 18250), initiating a 30- information from public review, we investigation is sold at the retail level,
day public scoping period for the cannot guarantee that we will be able to representative consumer organizations
Proposed Action during which the BLM do so. have the right to appear as parties in
accepted written comments. The Commission antidumping and
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 43 U.S.C.
scoping process identified concerns countervailing duty investigations. The
1701; 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508; 43
involving impacts to water resources Secretary will prepare a public service
CFR part 4; 43 CFR part 3590.
and watersheds from potentially list containing the names and addresses
elevated levels of selenium; potential Dated: July 16, 2018. of all persons, or their representatives,
effects and/or cumulative effects of the Peter J. Ditton, who are parties to the investigations.
Project regarding air quality, human Acting State Director, Bureau of Land
health and safety, socioeconomics, Management, Idaho State Office. 1 The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the

wildlife, reclamation and financial Mel Bolling,
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19
assurance; and mitigation and CFR 207.2(f)).
Forest Supervisor, Caribou-Targhee National 2 Certain Steel Wheels 12 to 16.5 Inches in
monitoring of mine operations.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1

Forest. Diameter From the People’s Republic of China:
To facilitate understanding and Initiation of Countervailing Duty Investigation, 83
comments on the Draft EIS, the BLM has [FR Doc. 2018–21204 Filed 9–27–18; 8:45 am]
FR 45100, September 5, 2018; Certain Steel Wheels
planned public meetings for Afton, BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P 12 to 16.5 Inches in Diameter From the People’s
Wyoming, and Pocatello, Idaho. Republic of China: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-
Value Investigation, 83 FR 45095, September 5,
Meetings will be open-house style, with 2018.
displays explaining the Project and a 3 Commissioner Meredith M. Broadbent did not

forum for commenting on the Project. participate in the determinations.

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Document Created: 2018-09-28 01:22:22
Document Modified: 2018-09-28 01:22:22

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		To ensure consideration, the Agencies must receive written comments on the East Smoky Panel Mine Project Draft EIS no later than 90 days after the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its notice of availability of the Draft EIS in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce any future public meetings and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media news releases, and/or mailings.
Contact		Kyle Free, BLM Pocatello Field Office, 4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204; phone 208-478-6352; email: [email protected]; fax 208-478-6376. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact Mr. Free. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question for Mr. Free. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
FR Citation		83 FR 49123

83 FR 49123 - Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed East Smoky Panel Mine Project at Smoky Canyon Mine, Caribou County, ID

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land ManagementDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREForest Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 189 (September 28, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service