SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Project Crucible is a covered project under the FAST-41 statute. FAST-41 is intended to provide transparency into the environmental review and authorization process for infrastructure projects, which is accomplished by posting projects on the Permitting Dashboard. The Project Crucible FAST-41 Permitting Dashboard can be viewed at www.permits.performance.gov/​permitting-project/​fast-41-covered-projects/​project-crucible.

The Final EA evaluates the reasonably foreseeable environmental effects associated with the construction and operation of Project Crucible, an integrated non-ferrous smelting and refining facility near Clarkesville, Montgomery County, Tennessee. The EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and DoW NEPA Implementing Procedures to inform DoW's decision whether to provide financial assistance through the DoW Office of Strategic Capital to Crucible Metals, LLC for Project Crucible and to inform the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) decision-making responsibilities associated with the Connected Actions. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Tennessee State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), federally recognized Indian Tribes, TVA, and other participating agencies were involved in review and consultation related to the Proposed Action.

The Final EA evaluates the reasonably foreseeable environmental effects of the Proposed Action and no action alternative. Environmental resource areas carried forward for detailed analysis in the EA include air quality and greenhouse gases, water resources, acoustic environment, biological resources, cultural resources, utilities, solid and hazardous waste and hazardous materials, transportation, and socioeconomics. Based on the analysis presented in the EA, which was prepared in accordance with the requirements of NEPA and DoW NEPA Implementing Procedures, and in coordination with the USACE, Tennessee SHPO, federally recognized Indian Tribes, USFWS, and TVA, DoW finds that implementation of the Proposed Action would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment.

Endangered Species Act Section 7. The DoW consulted with the USFWS under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act regarding the proposed action and received concurrence with DoW's finding that the Proposed Action may affect but is not likely to adversely affect ESA-listed species. USFWS also acknowledged DoW's “no jeopardy” conference determinations for species proposed for listing. There are no federally designated critical habitats in the proposed project area.

National Historic Preservation Act Section 106. In consultation with

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federally recognized Tribes, Tennessee SHPO, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, DoW found that construction activities associated with the project would adversely affect three archaeological resources and one historic site. DoW proposed phased identification and assessment of effects resulting from construction of the connected utility infrastructure. The Tennessee SHPO concurred with this finding, the phased approach, the proposed conditions on the undertaking to avoid and minimize effects, and the proposed mitigation measures to resolve adverse effects. DoW has documented its decision, including the final conditions on the undertaking and the measures to resolve adverse effects, in the FONSI.

The Final EA and FONSI will be available to view and download electronically at www.denix.osd.mil/​ProjectCrucible on September 11, 2026. The documentation is available from any internet access including from computers freely available at public libraries.

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