[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 56164-56165] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-28183] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Emerald Creek Garnet Company, Benewah and Shoshone Counties, Idaho
Agency
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.
Action
Notice of Intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
Emerald Creek Garnet Company is proposing to initiate dredge mining of alluvial garnet deposits on an approximately 416 acre site along the St. Maries River in Benewah and Shoshone Counties, Idaho. The site contains approximately 160 acres of wetlands which will be temporarily filled by construction of isolation berms, topsoil and overburden stockpiles, work pads, and other discharges of dredged and fill material. The entire site is proposed to be mined over a period of up to 25 years, with reclamation of mined properties occurring each year. Reclamation would consist of returning the land to pre-minig contours and reestablishing hydrology and plant communities appropriate to site conditions. The total acreage proposed for mining and reclamation each year would not exceed 16 acres. Temporary or permanent discharges of fill material into wetlands will require a Department of the Army Permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The U.S. Army corps of Engineers is the lead Federal agency.
For Further Information Contact
Questions about the proposed action and the Draft EIS can be answered by Mr. Michael T. Doherty, Coeur d'Alene Regulatory Office, Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineerrs, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815-8363, telephone 208-765-7237.
Supplementary Information
1. Proposed Action: Emerald Creek Garnet Company is proposing to initiate placer mining of alluvial garnet deposits along the St. Maries River in portions of Sections 5, 8, 9, 15, and 16, township 43 North, Range 1 East, Boise Meridian, Shoshone and Benewah Counties, Idaho. the project extends from just upstream of the confluence of Emerald Creek and the St. Maries River, 3.2 miles downstream to just above the confluence of Carpenter Creek and the St. Maries River. The purpose of the project is to extract industrial garnet to meet worldwide market demand. Mining would be conducted incrementally over a period of up to 25 years. The acreage of area to be mined each year would depend on the ability of the company to assure adequate environmental protection and reclamation on a yearly basis as well as market demand for industrial garnet products. Reclamation would immediately follow mining, and would be monitored for a period of five years to assure that the annually mined properties meet or exceed pre-project environmental value. 2. Alternatives: Because garnet deposits are located in specific water-deposited areas, alternative locations to be mined will not be examined. The alternatives analysis will focus on timing of mining activities, type of mining method, and duration of mining in any given year. Seven alternatives will be considered. They include: (1) wet panel mining all year long. (2) wet and dry panel mining all year long. (3) wet panel mining 8 months (approximately March through November). (4) wet and dry panel mining 8 months (approximately march through November). (5) dry panel mining all year long.
(6) dry panel mining 8 months (approximately March through November). (7) no action. 3. Scoping and Public Involvement: The scoping process will commence in late October 1998 with the issuance of a Scoping Notice. Federal, state and local agencies, Indian tribes, and interested organizations and individuals will be asked to comment on the significant issues relating to the potential effects of the alternatives. A formal public scoping meeting is planned for the evening of November 5, 1998 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. An informal open- house will be held the same day in Fernwood, Idaho at Emerald Creek Mining Company headquarters. Potentially significant issues to be addressed in detail include the effects of the project on wetlands, wildlife and fish, endangered species, cultural resources, recreation, traffic, hazardous materials and waste, and any other issues revealed during the scoping process. The Draft EIS will be prepared concurrently with other environmental compliance requirements, including the Endangered Species Act and the national Historic Preservation Act. The Corps intends to integrate the consultation procedures pursuant to these other statutes with the EIS. The corps and the applicant have begun consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed project also requires a placer mining permit from the State of Idaho Department of Lands as well as a Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the State of Idaho Division of Environmental Quality. 4. Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft EIS is scheduled for release in April 1999. Gregory D. Showalter, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 98-28183 Filed 10-20-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-GC-M