Notice2021-17040
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Nevada Gold Mines LLC's Goldrush Mine Project, Lander and Eureka Counties, Nevada
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 10, 2021
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentLand Management Bureau
Abstract
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will consider authorizing the proposed Nevada Gold Mines LLC (NGM) Goldrush Mine Project in Lander and Eureka Counties, Nevada.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 151 (Tuesday, August 10, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 10, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43674-43677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17040]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNVB01000.L19900000.EX0000.21X.MO:4500152487]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
Nevada Gold Mines LLC's Goldrush Mine Project, Lander and Eureka
Counties, Nevada
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will consider authorizing
the proposed Nevada Gold Mines LLC (NGM) Goldrush Mine Project in
Lander and Eureka Counties, Nevada.
DATES: The BLM requests comments concerning the scope of the analysis
and identification of relevant information, studies, and analyses. All
comments must be received by September 9, 2021. The Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) is scheduled for publication in December 2021,
and the Final EIS is scheduled for publication in April 2022, with a
Record of Decision in May 2022. The BLM will announce dates of scoping
meetings at least 15 days in advance of the meeting on the BLM National
ePlanning website, <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xsVs8">https://go.usa.gov/xsVs8</a>. Scoping meetings will be
held online.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Goldrush Mine EIS c/o BLM Mount
Lewis Field Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820.
Comments may also be sent via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#205344495354454c60424c4d0e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e291868b9196878ea2808e8fcc858d94">[email protected]</span></a>. Submit comments
online at the website <a href="https://go.usa.gov/xsVs8">https://go.usa.gov/xsVs8</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Distel, Project Manager,
telephone: (775) 635-4093; address: 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain,
Nevada 89820; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#186b7c716b6c7d74587a7475367f776e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1566717c66617079557779783b727a63">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The BLM's purpose for the action is to respond to NGM's proposal as
described in the proposed Plan of Operations and to analyze the
environmental effects associated with the proponent's Proposed Action
and alternatives to the Proposed Action. The National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) mandates that the BLM evaluate the effects of the
Proposed Action and develop alternatives when necessary to lessen any
effects to environmental resources. The BLM's need for the action is
established by its responsibilities under Section 302 of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act and the BLM Surface Management
Regulations at 43 CFR 3809 to respond to a proposed Plan of Operations
and ensure that operations prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of
[[Page 43675]]
public lands. NGM's purpose and need is to develop the mineral
resource.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
NGM is proposing to construct, operate, close, and reclaim a new
underground mining project in the Cortez Mining District. The proposed
Goldrush Mine is located approximately 30 miles south of Beowawe,
Nevada, in Lander and Eureka Counties, Nevada.
The proposed Goldrush Mine Plan of Operations boundary would
encompass approximately 19,895 acres, of which 772 acres would be on
private land controlled by NGM and 19,123 acres on public lands
administered by the BLM Battle Mountain District, Mount Lewis Field
Office and BLM Elko District, Tuscarora Field Office. The proposed
Goldrush Mine would include approximately 1,717 acres of new proposed
disturbance and approximately 1,037 acres of existing/authorized and
reclassified disturbance, for a total disturbance of approximately
2,754 acres.
The proposed underground mining and surface support activities for
the Goldrush Mine would include: (1) A materials handling system for
transporting ore and waste rock from the underground workings to the
surface and transporting aggregate and supplies to the underground
workings and surface backfill plant; (2) a dewatering system, including
wells, pipelines and pipeline corridors, a water treatment plant (WTP),
rapid infiltration basins (RIBs), and a multi-use shop; (3) a contact
water pipeline; (4) ventilation raises; (5) a backfill aggregate paste
plant and crusher; (6) a shotcrete/cemented rock fill (CRF) plant; (7)
two new power lines, including a 120-kilovolt (kV) power line with two
switching stations, and a 13.8-kV power line; (8) new ancillary surface
facilities, including bulk material storage, access roads, power
supply, stormwater controls, laydown and parking areas, lighting,
growth media stockpiles, dewatering and monitoring wells, gravel pit
expansion, potable water and septic systems, dry facilities (change
rooms), service boreholes for electrical and fuel delivery, fire
suppression system, water truck refill stations, emergency helipads,
fencing, and modular information technology (IT) and communications
buildings; (9) dual use of existing facilities within the nearby Cortez
Mine Plan boundary; and (10) continued surface and underground
exploration activities.
A fleet of over-the-road haul truck and trailer units would be used
for ore transportation to either the NGM-operated Goldstrike or Gold
Quarry off-site processing facilities. The Proposed Action would result
in changes to the Horse Canyon Mine Plan (NVN-066896), Horse Canyon/
Cortez Unified Exploration Project (HC/CUEP) Plan (NVN-066621), West
Pine Valley Exploration Plan (NVN-077213), and Cortez Mine Plan (NVN-
067575).
The Goldrush Mine would operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year
for approximately 24 years. The work force would be approximately 570
persons, which includes both NGM employees and contractors. The
construction work force would be approximately 495 workers.
Reclamation of disturbed areas resulting from mining operations
would be completed in accordance with BLM and Nevada Division of
Environmental Protection (NDEP) regulations. Concurrent reclamation
would take place where practicable and safe and when an area is no
longer needed. Reclamation activities at the end of mining are
anticipated to take approximately 36 months.
In addition to the No Action and the Proposed Action, other
alternatives may be identified through scoping comments or through
analysis.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The BLM has identified the following preliminary resource concerns
associated with the Project: (1) Properties of Cultural and Religious
Importance (PCRI) and Native American concerns. Up to 50 National
Register of Historic Places-eligible or unevaluated cultural properties
would be physically altered, resulting in an adverse effect to these
cultural sites. Adverse impacts would occur to approximately 392 acres
of the Horse Canyon PCRI. Vegetation communities important to Native
American traditional values may be impacted by the Proposed Action. (2)
Impacts to wildlife resources. Potential impacts include habitat
change, habitat loss, alterations to water sources, fatalities as a
result of collisions with vehicles, displacement due to human activity
and disturbance, and impediments to movement through corridors. (3)
Potential impacts to BLM sensitive species including greater sage-
grouse and golden eagles. For greater sage-grouse, the Proposed Action
would disturb approximately 805 acres of Priority Habitat Management
Areas, 14 acres of General Habitat Management Areas, 618 acres of Other
Habitat Management Areas, and 79 acres of Non-Habitat Management Areas.
Exploration activities could result in up to 210 acres of additional
disturbance to any of the greater sage-grouse habitat types. For golden
eagles, the Proposed Action would result in the removal of 1,094 acres
of foraging habitat. Additionally, eight golden eagle territories occur
within one mile of the proposed Project disturbance area. (4) Potential
impacts to visual resources. The Proposed Action would add form, line,
texture, and color to the existing landscape. (5) Potential impacts to
air quality. Modeling has determined that impacts from the Proposed
Action would not exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards for
PM<INF>10</INF>, PM<INF>2.5</INF>, CO, NO<INF>X</INF>, and
SO<INF>2</INF>. Total facility-wide Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) are
estimated to be 1.8 tons per year (tpy), with 0.5 tpy of the highest
single HAP, arsenic. The facility-wide HAP emissions are within U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) thresholds. Greenhouse gas
emissions, including off-site ore transport, are estimated to be 96,624
tpy CO<INF>2</INF>e. Mercury emissions are estimated to be 0.014 tpy.
(6) Potential impacts to surface and groundwater resources. Potential
impacts to seep, spring, and stream flow may occur from proposed
dewatering operations if the source of the water is connected to the
regional aquifer. Dewatering operations would also result in a lowering
of the local groundwater table. Sedimentation and erosion may also
occur due to Project-related surface disturbance. (7) Potential impacts
to traffic. The Proposed Action would result in two ore hauling trucks
per hour on the transportation route, as well as 89 trips each shift
for employees and contractors during construction and up to 71 trips
during operations along the transportation route. Changes in the level
of service at some locations along the transportation route may occur,
but there would be no degrading of the level of service below
acceptable levels. (8) Potential impacts to livestock grazing. The
Proposed Action would result in new surface disturbance of 1,717 acres,
which would impact forage utilized by livestock. Approximately 119
Animal Unit Months (AUMs) would be impacted in the Carico Lake, Grass
Valley, JD, and South Buckhorn allotments. The 210 acres of proposed
exploration disturbance may result in an impact ranging from 9 to 19
AUMs, depending on the allotment in which the activities occur. (9)
Potential impacts on vegetation communities and soil productivity. The
Proposed Action would result in disturbance to soil and removal of
vegetation on 1,717 acres. (10) Potential for subsidence. In the post-
closure period, underground mine induced rock collapse may occur over
open workings and result in the
[[Page 43676]]
development of localized ground deformation/subsidence type features,
which are unlikely to impact surface features due to the strength and
thickness of the overlying rock, and any surface expression is
anticipated to be local to the immediate mining area and not propagate
extensively. Additionally, at the end of mining, model-predicted
subsidence from dewatering may cause a four-inch contour of land with
the potential for development of fissures. (11) Reclamation to reduce
permanent disturbance. Approximately 2,232 acres of total surface
disturbance would be reclaimed and would return to post-reclamation
land uses, including open space, grazing, dispersed recreation, and
wildlife habitat, while 523 acres would remain permanently altered.
The proposed project has the potential to affect golden eagle nests
and territories; therefore, NGM has prepared an Eagle Conservation Plan
(ECP) and has requested an incidental take permit for golden eagles in
the area in which NGM proposes to conduct mining operations. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is considering the applicant's
request for incidental take, as allowed under the Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act (Eagle Act) for the purpose of resource development and
recovery operations. The USFWS will evaluate the applicant's ECP, which
describes NGM's request for incidental take authorization for impacts
resulting from their proposed mining operations. The DEIS will analyze
any potential effects and impacts of the proposed project on golden
eagles and may also analyze impacts and develop alternatives associated
with the USFWS eagle take permit decision under the Eagle Act.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
The BLM anticipates that the following permits and authorizations
will be required for the mine:
<bullet> Air Quality Operating Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Air Pollution
Control)
<bullet> Eagle Take Permit: USFWS
<bullet> Explosives Permit: U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms,
and Explosives
<bullet> General Stormwater Discharge Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Water
Pollution Control)
<bullet> Hazardous Materials Storage Permit: Nevada Department of
Public Safety, State Fire Marshall, and State Emergency Response
Commission
<bullet> Industrial Artificial Pond Permit: Nevada Department of
Wildlife (Habitat Division)
<bullet> Jurisdictional Delineation Report Concurrence: U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers
<bullet> Liquefied Petroleum Gas License: Nevada Board of the
Regulation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Notification of Commencement of
Operations MSHA
<bullet> Permit to Appropriate Water: Nevada Division of Water
Resources
<bullet> Permit to Operate: Nevada Division of Minerals
<bullet> Plan of Operations/Record of Decision: BLM
<bullet> Potable Water System Permit: Nevada Bureau of Safe Drinking
Water
<bullet> Radioactive Materials License: Nevada Division of Public and
Behavioral Health
<bullet> Reclamation Permit and Reclamation Cost Determination: NDEP
(Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation)
<bullet> Section 401 Certification: NDEP (Bureau of Water Pollution
Control)
<bullet> Septic Treatment Permit, Holding Tank Permit, Sewage Disposal
System Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Water Pollution Control)
<bullet> Water Pollution Control Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Mining
Regulation and Reclamation)
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
The BLM anticipates a decision in May of 2022.
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. Scoping meetings
will be virtual. An announcement about when and how to access the
virtual meetings online will be posted on the BLM's project website.
The purpose of public scoping is to identify relevant issues that
will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including
alternatives, and guide the process for developing the environmental
impact statement. The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA public
scoping to help fulfill the public involvement requirements under the
National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36
CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about historic and cultural resources
within the area potentially affected by the proposed action will assist
the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
The BLM will conduct government-to-government consultation with
Indian Tribes in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other
policies. Agencies will give due consideration to Tribal concerns,
including impacts on Indian trust assets and treaty rights and
potential impacts to cultural resources.
The BLM invites Federal, State, and local agencies, along with
Tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by
the proposed Goldrush Mine to participate in scoping. Agencies with
regulatory authority or special expertise, if eligible, may request or
be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the
environmental analysis as a cooperating agency.
Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action
The BLM requests assistance with identifying potential alternatives
to the Proposed Action to be considered. As alternatives should resolve
a problem with the Proposed Action, please indicate the purpose of the
suggested alternative. The BLM also requests that potential impacts
that should be analyzed be identified. Impacts should be a result of
the action; therefore, please identify the activity and the potential
impact that should be analyzed. Information that reviewers have that
would assist in the development of alternatives or analysis of
resources issues is also helpful.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The BLM is the lead agency. Cooperating agencies include the USFWS,
the USEPA, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Nevada Department of
Transportation, and Eureka County.
Decision Maker
The BLM Battle Mountain District Manager, Doug Furtado, is the
responsible official.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The BLM will issue a decision on the proposed Plan of Operations
for the Goldrush mine project.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record
for this proposed action. Comments submitted
[[Page 43677]]
anonymously will also be accepted and considered.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7.
Bradlee A. Matthews,
Acting Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field Office, Battle Mountain
District.
[FR Doc. 2021-17040 Filed 8-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P
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