83_FR_61901 83 FR 61670 - Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Caldwell Canyon Mine Project, Caribou County, Idaho

83 FR 61670 - Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Caldwell Canyon Mine Project, Caribou County, Idaho

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 231 (November 30, 2018)

Page Range61670-61671
FR Document2018-26093

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Caldwell Canyon Mine Project, and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 231 (Friday, November 30, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 231 (Friday, November 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61670-61671]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26093]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[18XL LLIDI00000.L71220000.EO0000.LVTFDX402300 241A 4500129252]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed Caldwell Canyon Mine Project, Caribou 
County, Idaho

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, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Caldwell 
Canyon Mine Project, and by this notice is announcing the opening of 
the comment period.

DATES: To ensure the BLM considers all comments, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft EIS for the proposed Caldwell Canyon Mine 
Project within 45 days following the date the Environmental Protection 
Agency publishes this Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. 
The BLM will announce public comment meetings at least 15 days in 
advance through public notices, media release, and/or mailings. To 
assist the BLM in identifying issues and concerns related to this 
project and the Draft EIS, comments should be as specific as possible.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Caldwell Canyon Mine 
Project Draft EIS by any of the following methods:
     Website: https://bit.ly/2SaxWcO.
     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: Caldwell Canyon Mine EIS, c/o Tetra Tech, 2525 
Palmer Street, Suite 2, Missoula, MT 59808.
    Please reference ``Caldwell Canyon Mine Draft EIS'' on all 
correspondence. The BLM has made CD-ROM and print copies of the 
Caldwell Canyon Mine Draft EIS available in the BLM Pocatello Field 
Office at the following address: 4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 
83204. In addition, the BLM has made an electronic copy of the Draft 
EIS available online at the BLM Land Use Planning and NEPA Register 
website: http://bit.ly/2zuZ8Mn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Bill 
Volk, Planning and NEPA Specialist, phone (208) 236-7503; address, BLM 
Pocatello Field Office, 4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204; email, 
[email protected]; and fax, (208) 478-6376. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FRS) at (800) 877-8339 to contact Mr. Volk. 
The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message 
or question for Mr. Volk. You will receive a reply during normal 
business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM, as the Federal lease administrator, 
is the lead agency. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, 
Idaho Department of Lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the 
Idaho Governor's Office of Energy and Mineral Resources are cooperating 
agencies.
    P4 Production, LLC (P4), a subsidiary of Bayer AG, developed and 
submitted a Mine and Reclamation Plan (M&RP), the Proposed Action, for 
the Caldwell Canyon Mine. The Proposed Action consists of mining 
Federal Phosphate Leases IDI-02, IDI-014080, and IDI-13738 and State of 
Idaho Mineral Lease E07959. Portions of the mine's waste rock would be 
placed into the nearby inactive Dry Valley Mine on Federal Phosphate 
Lease IDI-014184. P4 will request modifications to enlarge the 
phosphate lease boundaries for the Caldwell Canyon leases, and obtain 
authorization for a haul road across BLM public land as outlined in the 
Draft EIS. The BLM has fully evaluated alternatives to the Proposed 
Action, including a No Action Alternative, in the Draft EIS and 
addressed issues identified during scoping and analysis.
    The BLM will make decisions to either approve, approve with 
modifications, or deny the Caldwell Canyon Mine M&RP and modification 
of the Dry Valley Mine M&RP. In addition, the BLM will determine 
whether to modify the lease boundaries, and whether to issue a right-
of-way or phosphate use permit for a haul road on BLM lands. These 
decisions will consider public and agency input received on the Draft 
and Final EISs.
    The BLM published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare this EIS in 
the Federal Register on March 22, 2017, initiating a 30-day public 
scoping period for the Proposed Action during which the BLM accepted 
written comments. Public scoping identified concerns related to the 
following topics: The potential impacts to water quantity from 
dewatering; potential impacts to water quality from elevated levels of 
selenium and other constituents of concern; potential effects of 
increased noise on wildlife, safety, and socioeconomics; effects to 
tribal interests; cultural resources; wildlife; vegetation, visual 
quality; reclamation and financial assurance; and mitigation and 
monitoring of mine operations.
    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.


[[Page 61671]]


    Authorities: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 40 CFR 1500 through 1508; 
43 CFR 46; 43 U.S.C. 1701; 43 CFR 3590.

Peter J. Ditton,
BLM Idaho State Director, Acting.
[FR Doc. 2018-26093 Filed 11-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P

61670 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 231 / Friday, November 30, 2018 / Notices was offered the opportunity to provide ACTION: Notice of availability. Department of Lands, the U.S. Army written comments throughout the Corps of Engineers, and the Idaho scoping process. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral In 2015, pursuant to Executive Order National Environmental Policy Act of Resources are cooperating agencies. 13175, the BLM initiated government- 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land P4 Production, LLC (P4), a subsidiary to-government consultation with Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft of Bayer AG, developed and submitted interested tribes, including the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) a Mine and Reclamation Plan (M&RP), Confederated Tribes of the Goshute for the proposed Caldwell Canyon Mine the Proposed Action, for the Caldwell Reservation, the Hopi Tribe, the Kaibab Project, and by this notice is Canyon Mine. The Proposed Action Band of Paiute Indians, the Kanosh announcing the opening of the comment consists of mining Federal Phosphate Band of Paiute Indians, the Navajo period. Leases IDI–02, IDI–014080, and IDI– Nation, the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, DATES: To ensure the BLM considers all 13738 and State of Idaho Mineral Lease the Skull Valley Band of Goshute, and comments, the BLM must receive E07959. Portions of the mine’s waste the Ute Indian Tribe. Beginning in 2015, written comments on the Draft EIS for rock would be placed into the nearby the BLM coordinated with the Utah the proposed Caldwell Canyon Mine inactive Dry Valley Mine on Federal State Historic Preservation Office and Project within 45 days following the Phosphate Lease IDI–014184. P4 will seven other consulting parties that date the Environmental Protection request modifications to enlarge the requested to participate in the Section Agency publishes this Notice of phosphate lease boundaries for the 106 process, to develop a Programmatic Availability in the Federal Register. The Caldwell Canyon leases, and obtain Agreement to outline a process to be BLM will announce public comment authorization for a haul road across used to avoid, mitigate, or treat adverse meetings at least 15 days in advance BLM public land as outlined in the Draft effects to historic properties. through public notices, media release, EIS. The BLM has fully evaluated In August 2015, the BLM invited and/or mailings. To assist the BLM in alternatives to the Proposed Action, agencies to participate as Cooperating identifying issues and concerns related including a No Action Alternative, in Agencies in the Project. The following to this project and the Draft EIS, the Draft EIS and addressed issues agencies accepted the invitation: The comments should be as specific as identified during scoping and analysis. U.S. Department of Defense (Utah Test possible. The BLM will make decisions to and Training Range), the U.S. either approve, approve with ADDRESSES: You may submit comments Environmental Protection Agency, the modifications, or deny the Caldwell related to the Caldwell Canyon Mine Canyon Mine M&RP and modification of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State Project Draft EIS by any of the following of Utah, and Millard and Beaver the Dry Valley Mine M&RP. In addition, methods: the BLM will determine whether to Counties. These agencies and • Website: https://bit.ly/2SaxWcO. modify the lease boundaries, and governments reviewed the Draft EIS • Email: blm_id_caldwell_canyon_ before it was available to the public and whether to issue a right-of-way or mine_eis@blm.gov. their comments have been incorporated • Mail: Caldwell Canyon Mine EIS, phosphate use permit for a haul road on into the document. BLM lands. These decisions will c/o Tetra Tech, 2525 Palmer Street, Before including your address, phone consider public and agency input Suite 2, Missoula, MT 59808. number, email address, or other Please reference ‘‘Caldwell Canyon received on the Draft and Final EISs. personal identifying information in your The BLM published a Notice of Intent Mine Draft EIS’’ on all correspondence. comment, you should be aware that (NOI) to prepare this EIS in the Federal The BLM has made CD–ROM and print your entire comment—including your Register on March 22, 2017, initiating a copies of the Caldwell Canyon Mine personal identifying information—may 30-day public scoping period for the Draft EIS available in the BLM Pocatello be made publicly available at any time. Proposed Action during which the BLM Field Office at the following address: While you can ask us in your comment accepted written comments. Public 4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204. In scoping identified concerns related to to withhold your personal identifying addition, the BLM has made an information from public review, we the following topics: The potential electronic copy of the Draft EIS impacts to water quantity from cannot guarantee that we will be able to available online at the BLM Land Use dewatering; potential impacts to water do so. Planning and NEPA Register website: quality from elevated levels of selenium Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10. http://bit.ly/2zuZ8Mn. and other constituents of concern; FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For potential effects of increased noise on Anita Bilbao, further information contact Bill Volk, wildlife, safety, and socioeconomics; Associate State Director. Planning and NEPA Specialist, phone effects to tribal interests; cultural [FR Doc. 2018–26076 Filed 11–29–18; 8:45 am] (208) 236–7503; address, BLM Pocatello resources; wildlife; vegetation, visual BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P Field Office, 4350 Cliffs Drive, quality; reclamation and financial Pocatello, ID 83204; email, wvolk@ assurance; and mitigation and blm.gov; and fax, (208) 478–6376. monitoring of mine operations. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Persons who use a telecommunications Before including your phone number, device for the deaf (TDD) may call the email address, or other personal Bureau of Land Management Federal Information Relay Service (FRS) identifying information in your [18XL LLIDI00000.L71220000.EO0000. at (800) 877–8339 to contact Mr. Volk. comment, you should be aware that LVTFDX402300 241A 4500129252] The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 your entire comment—including your amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 days a week, to leave a message or personal identifying information—may Notice of Availability of the Draft question for Mr. Volk. You will receive be made publicly available at any time. Environmental Impact Statement for a reply during normal business hours. While you can ask us in your comment the Proposed Caldwell Canyon Mine SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM, to withhold your personal identifying Project, Caribou County, Idaho as the Federal lease administrator, is the information from public review, we AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, lead agency. The Idaho Department of cannot guarantee that we will be able to Interior. Environmental Quality, Idaho do so. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Nov 29, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 231 / Friday, November 30, 2018 / Notices 61671 Authorities: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 40 CFR BLM Miles City Field Office, 111 review the mining plan and make a 1500 through 1508; 43 CFR 46; 43 U.S.C. Garryowen Road, Miles City, MT 59301, recommendation to the Assistant 1701; 43 CFR 3590. Between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Secretary for Land and Minerals Monday through Friday (Closed Saturday Management (ASLM) in the form of a Peter J. Ditton, and Sunday). BLM Idaho State Director, Acting. BLM State Office, Billings, MT, 5001 mining plan decision document to [FR Doc. 2018–26093 Filed 11–29–18; 8:45 am] Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101, approve, disapprove, or approve with Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. conditions, the proposed mining plan BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P Monday through Friday (Closed Saturday for the Project (30 CFR 746) . The ASLM and Sunday). will decide whether the mining plan is DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: approved, disapproved, or approved Logan Sholar, OSMRE Project with conditions. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation Coordinator; Telephone: 303–293–5036; The DEQ’s purpose for the Project is and Enforcement Address: 1999 Broadway Street, Suite to review and make a decision on 3320, Denver, Colorado 80202–3050; Western Energy’s surface mine Notice of Availability of the Western email: lsholar@osmre.gov. operating permit application under Energy Company’s Rosebud Mine Area SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MSUMRA and to review and make F Final Environmental Impact decisions on the following related Statement; S1D1S SS08011000 I. Project Purpose permits: (1) An application for a new SX064A000 190S180110; S2D2S The purpose of the Project is to Montana Pollutant Discharge SS08011000 SX064A000 19XS501520 consider continued operations at the Elimination System (MPDES) permit, Rosebud Mine by permitting and and (2) an application to modify AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining developing a new surface mine permit Montana Air Quality Permit #1570*07 Reclamation and Enforcement, U.S. area, known as permit Area F. Western to include the project area. The Bureau Department of the Interior. Energy submitted a permit application of Land Management (BLM) is a ACTION: Notice of availability. cooperating agency on the Final EIS. package to DEQ for the proposed 6,746- SUMMARY: In accordance with the acre permit Area F (also referred to as The Final EIS considers three National Environmental Policy Act the project area) at the Rosebud Mine, alternatives and evaluates the direct, (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Office which is an existing 25,455-acre surface indirect, and cumulative effects of the of Surface Mining Reclamation and coal mine annually producing 8.0 to Proposed Action and the other two Enforcement (OSMRE) has prepared a 10.25 million tons of low-sulfur alternatives on the environment. Final Environmental Impact Statement subbituminous coal. DEQ is the OSMRE is complying with Section (EIS) for the Western Energy Company’s regulatory authority for permitting 106 of the National Historic Rosebud Mine Area F (Project) in actions involving federal coal in Preservation Act (NHPA Section 106) southeastern Montana. This notice is Montana. 30 CFR 926.10. If DEQ (16 U.S.C. 470f), as provided in 36 CFR announcing its availability. The approves the permit and a Federal 800.2(d)(3), concurrently with the NEPA Montana Department of Environmental mining plan for the Project is approved process, including public involvement Quality (DEQ) is a co-lead on this EIS as proposed, at the current rate of requirements and consultation with the process. production, the operational life of the State Historic Preservation Officer and Rosebud Mine would be extended by 8 Historic Preservation Officers with DATES: The OSMRE will not issue a final years. Mining operations in the project Tribal nations. Native American Tribal decision on the Proposed Action and consultations are ongoing and have been area, which would commence after all Alternatives for a minimum of 30 days conducted in accordance with permits and approvals have been from the date that the U.S. applicable laws, regulations, and U.S. secured and a reclamation and Environmental Protection Agency Department of the Interior (DOI) policy. performance bond has been posted, (USEPA) publishes this notice in the Federal, Tribal, State, and local would last 19 years. Western Energy Federal Register. agencies, along with other stakeholders estimates that 70.8 million tons of ADDRESSES: The Final EIS is available recoverable coal reserves exist in the that may be interested in or affected by for review at: https:// project area and would be removed the Federal agencies’ decisions on the www.wrcc.osmre.gov/initiatives/ during the 19-year operations period. As Project, are invited to submit comments westernEnergy/documentLibrary.shtm. with other permit areas of the Rosebud on the Final EIS. Paper and computer compact disk (CD) Mine, all coal would be combusted As part of its consideration of the copies of the Final EIS are available for locally at the Colstrip and Rosebud proposed Project’s impacts on review at the OSMRE Western Region Power Plants. threatened and endangered species, Office, 1999 Broadway Street, Suite Western Energy is required to obtain OSMRE conducted informal 3320, Denver, Colorado 80202. In a surface coal mine operating permit consultation as well as streamlined addition, a paper and CD copy of the from DEQ (pursuant to the Montana consultation per the final 4(d) rule for Final EIS are available for review at Strip and Underground Mine the northern long-eared bat with the each of the following locations: Reclamation Act (MSUMRA), Section U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant Rosebud County Library, 201 North 9th 82–4–221 et seq., Montana Code to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Avenue, Forsyth, MT 59327, Between the Annotated) and federal approval of the Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1536), and its hours of 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday mining plan to mine leased federal coal implementing regulations, as provided amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 through Thursday; 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in accordance with the Mineral Leasing in 50 CFR 400. The Section 7 Friday; 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday Act of 1920 as Amended for the consultation considered direct and (Closed Sunday). Montana DEQ Headquarters (Lee Metcalf proposed project area to access indirect impacts from the proposed Building), 1520 East 6th Avenue, Helena, MT additional coal reserves in Federal coal Project, including mining and related 59620, Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and lease M82186 and in privately held operations in the project area and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (Closed leases G–002 and G–002–A.The continued operation of the Colstrip and Saturday and Sunday). OSMRE’s purpose for the Project is to Rosebud Power Plants. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Nov 29, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30NON1.SGM 30NON1


Document Created: 2018-11-30 04:35:29
Document Modified: 2018-11-30 04:35:29
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.
DatesTo ensure the BLM considers all comments, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft EIS for the proposed Caldwell Canyon Mine Project within 45 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes this Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce public comment meetings at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media release, and/or mailings. To assist the BLM in identifying issues and concerns related to this project and the Draft EIS, comments should be as specific as possible.
ContactFor further information contact Bill
FR Citation83 FR 61670 
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