Notice2022-11470
Custer Gallatin National Forest-Yellowstone Ranger District-Stillwater Mining Company, East Boulder Mine Amendment 004 Expansion EIS
Primary source
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Published
May 27, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Custer Gallatin National Forest has received a proposal from Stillwater Mining Company to amend the East Boulder Plan of Operations. Stillwater Mining Company proposes to expand the currently approved plan of operations boundary to provide their East Boulder Mine with additional storage for tailings and waste rock disposal and operational changes for continued operations. This notice informs the public that the Custer Gallatin National Forest intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to assess the Plan of Operations Amendment and provides supporting information to the public on the purpose and need for Forest Service Action, a brief summary of the proposed action, preliminary impacts, and upcoming public scoping and comment opportunities.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 103 (Friday, May 27, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 32119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11470]
[[Page 32119]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Custer Gallatin National Forest--Yellowstone Ranger District--
Stillwater Mining Company, East Boulder Mine Amendment 004 Expansion
EIS
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Custer Gallatin National Forest has received a proposal from Stillwater
Mining Company to amend the East Boulder Plan of Operations. Stillwater
Mining Company proposes to expand the currently approved plan of
operations boundary to provide their East Boulder Mine with additional
storage for tailings and waste rock disposal and operational changes
for continued operations. This notice informs the public that the
Custer Gallatin National Forest intends to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement to assess the Plan of Operations Amendment and
provides supporting information to the public on the purpose and need
for Forest Service Action, a brief summary of the proposed action,
preliminary impacts, and upcoming public scoping and comment
opportunities.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by June 27, 2022. The draft environmental impact statement is expected
January 2023 and the final environmental impact statement is expected
October 2023.
ADDRESSES: Comments may also be sent electronically to <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61385">https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61385</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Grosvenor, CGNF Minerals
Administrator, (406) 848-7375 ext. 28, or at:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ccbea3aea9beb8e2abbea3bfbaa9a2a3be8cb9bfa8ade2aba3ba"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fc8e939e998e88d29b8e938f8a9992938ebc898f989dd29b938a">[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, 24 hours a
day, every day of the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
The Forest Service's purpose for action is to consider approval of
Stillwater Mining Company's East Boulder Plan of Operations Amendment
004 to expand operations on National Forest System lands in order to
continue to develop and mine platinum and palladium deposits from the
J-M Reef. The Forest Service purpose and need for action are
established by the agency's responsibilities under the Organic
Administration Act of 1897 (16 United States Code 478, 482, and 551)
and the locatable minerals regulations at 36 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) 228, subpart A, which set forth rules and procedures
through which use of the surface of NFS lands in connection with
operations authorized by the United States Mining Laws (30 United
States Code 21-54), which confer a statutory right to enter upon the
public lands to search for minerals, shall be conducted so as to
minimize adverse environmental impacts on National Forest System lands
surface.
Proposed Action
The East Boulder Mine Amendment 004 project proposes continuation
of mining operations by constructing a new tailings storage facility,
waste rock storage area, and constructing supporting infrastructure or
relocating existing infrastructure to support the expansion activities
in the vicinity of the existing East Boulder Mine on National Forest
System and private lands. The Plan of Operations incorporates closure
and reclamation, monitoring, and mitigation activities throughout the
life of the mine. Under the plan of operations, construction,
operation, closure, and reclamation phases of the Amendment 004 project
would take place over a period of approximately 20 years. Environmental
monitoring and maintenance would continue for as long as needed to
demonstrate that the site has been fully reclaimed.
Expected Impacts
Preliminary impacts were identified based on regulatory
requirements, input from Forest Service Interdisciplinary Team and
previous public involvement and collaboration related to mineral
development projects. Preliminary impacts include:
Surface Water and Groundwater--Construction and operation of mine
infrastructure may inpact water quality and quantity.
Public Health and Safety--Public health and safety could
potentially be impacted throughout the life of the mine.
Wildlife--Construction activities and operations could affect
wildlife species and habitats including fish such as Yellowstone
cutthroat trout.
Joint Lead Agencies
USDA Forest Service--Custer Gallatin National Forest and Montana
Department of Environmental Quality.
Responsible Official
Mary C. Erickson, Forest Supervisor, Custer Gallatin National
Forest.
Scoping Comments and the Objection Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. In this process
the Agency is requesting comments on potential alternatives and
impacts, and identification of any relevant information, studies or
analyses of any kind concerning impacts affecting the quality of the
human environment.
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. Commenting during
scoping and any other designated opportunity to comment provided by the
Responsible Official will also establish standing to object once the
final EIS and Draft Record of Decision has been published. 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 anonymously will be accepted
and considered, however, they will not be used to establish standing
for the objection process.
Permits, Licenses or Other Authorizations Required
Department of Environmental Quality--Mine Operations and
Reclamations Permit Amendment.
Dated: April 28, 2022.
Barnie Gyant,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2022-11470 Filed 5-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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