Notice2023-17297
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Mojave Precious Metals Exploratory Drilling Project, Ridgecrest, Inyo County, CA
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Published
August 16, 2023
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentLand Management Bureau
Abstract
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ridgecrest Field Office, Ridgecrest, California intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to consider the effects of the proposed Mojave Precious Metals Exploratory Drilling Project in Inyo County, California, and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 157 (Wednesday, August 16, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55719-55720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17297]
[[Page 55719]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_CA_FRN_MO4500170074]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Mojave Precious Metals Exploratory Drilling Project,
Ridgecrest, Inyo County, CA
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act
of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Ridgecrest Field Office, Ridgecrest, California intends to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) to consider the effects of the
proposed Mojave Precious Metals Exploratory Drilling Project in Inyo
County, California, and by this notice is announcing the beginning of
the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS.
The BLM requests that the public submit comments concerning the scope
of the analysis, potential alternatives, and identification of relevant
information, and studies by October 10, 2023. To afford the BLM the
opportunity to consider comments in the Draft EIS, please ensure your
comments are received prior to the close of the 60-day scoping period.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Mojave Precious
Metals Exploratory Drilling Project by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Website: <a href="https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022050/510">https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022050/510</a>.
<bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#357779786a76746a677c6a785a5f54435065785041545946755759581b525a43"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d49698998b97958b869d8b99bbbeb5a2b18499b1a0b5b8a794b6b8b9fab3bba2">[email protected]</span></a>.
<bullet> Fax: (760) 384-5499.
<bullet> Mail: BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, Attn: Mojave
Exploration Project, 300 S. Richmond Rd., Ridgecrest, CA 93555.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at
<a href="https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022050/510">https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022050/510</a> and at the
BLM Ridgecrest Field Office during regular business hours.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tamara Faust, Project Manager,
telephone: (505) 427-6759; address: Bureau of Land Management
Ridgecrest Field Office, 300 S. Richmond Rd., Ridgecrest, CA 93555;
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#490b0504160a08161b0016042623283f2c19042c3d28253a092b2524672e263f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5c1e1011031f1d030e15031133363d2a390c1139283d302f1c3e3031723b332a">[email protected]</span></a>. Contact Ms. Faust to have your
name added to our mailing list. Individuals in the United States who
are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may
dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay
services for contacting Ms. Faust. Individuals outside the United
States should use the relay services offered within their country to
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The BLM's need for the action is established by FLPMA, 43 U.S.C.
1732(b), and the surface management regulations promulgated under the
authority of FLPMA, 43 CFR subpart 3809. The BLM's purpose is to
provide Mojave Precious Metals, Inc. (MPM) with the opportunity to
explore its existing mining claims on BLM-managed lands, while ensuring
compliance with applicable land management plans, protection of
resources, and compliance with Federal and State laws related to
environmental protection (e.g., 43 CFR 3809.420).
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
MPM proposes an exploratory drilling plan of operations
modification (Plan Modification) on public lands. The plan would modify
the 2018 approved plan of operations that was originally submitted by
Silver Standard US Holdings, Inc. and reviewed under NEPA in a 2017
environmental assessment (DOI-BLM-CA-0050-2017-0037-EA; Perdito
Exploration Project). The Plan Modification is for additional
exploratory drilling activities within a portion of its mining claims
termed the ``Mojave Property'' and would require development of
additional access routes. The Plan Modification would include 25
additional drill sites and reopening a reclaimed access road. The
project is in conformance with the California Desert Conservation Area
Plan, as amended.
The Mojave Property is located near Conglomerate Mesa in west-
central Inyo County, approximately 3.4 miles east of Keeler,
California, and 15.5 miles (25 km) southeast of Lone Pine, California.
The property is located within Township 16 and 17 south, Range 38 and
39 east, San Bernardino Base and Meridian. The project would access and
drill up to 30 drill sites with a total estimated 120 boreholes, each
averaging 300 meters (984 feet) below ground surface. The plan would
access the drill sites along a combination of overland travel and
reconstruction of about 7 miles of previously developed (now reclaimed)
roads. The total amount of land disturbed by the drilling program would
be up to 15 acres. The project would be limited to exploration
activities; no mining or processing of minerals is proposed. The
project would be completed within 5 to 10 months and reclamation would
be completed within 3 years.
Any hydrocarbons and petroleum lubricants used on site would be
stored on the equipment, and fueling of equipment would be done with
mobile fuel/lube trucks. Diesel fuel used on the site would comply with
California Air Resources Board low-sulfur diesel requirements. Spills
would be managed and contained according to the project's spill
contingency plan. An estimated 500 to 1,000 gallons of water would be
required per day. Water would be supplied from a permitted/authorized
source and delivered via water truck by a licensed commercial delivery
service. Portable water storage tanks would be kept on site for
drilling, dust suppression, and firefighting assistance.
Reclamation of disturbed areas resulting from mining operations
would be completed in accordance with BLM and the California Surface
Mining Control and Regulation Act of 1975 regulations. Reclamation
activities would include the following:
<bullet> Plugging of boreholes;
<bullet> Regrading and reshaping of disturbed topography to
approximate the original contour;
<bullet> Restoring existing public roads in project area to pre-
project conditions;
<bullet> Rehabilitating wildlife habitat;
<bullet> Revegetating disturbed areas;
<bullet> Removing equipment and temporary and mobile support
facilities; and
<bullet> Monitoring and maintenance.
A range of reasonable alternatives will be developed and analyzed
in the EIS after considering information received during the scoping
period. Preliminary action alternatives include using an alternative
route with less ground disturbance. The range of reasonable
alternatives will include a no action alternative, under which the BLM
would deny the Plan Modification and MPM's Exploratory Drilling Plan of
Operations would remain as analyzed in the original environmental
assessment. The BLM welcomes comments on all preliminary alternatives
as well as suggestions for additional alternatives, including the
feasibility of using a helicopter alternative to satisfy the objectives
of the project.
[[Page 55720]]
Summary of Expected Impacts
Preliminary issues, either beneficial or adverse and of varying
intensity, for the Project have been identified by BLM personnel and in
consultation with Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribes, and other
cooperating agencies. These preliminary issues include potential
impacts to:
<bullet> Cultural resources;
<bullet> Biological resources, including Joshua trees and the Inyo
thread plant;
<bullet> Special designations, including California Desert National
Conservation Lands and the Conglomerate Mesa Area of Critical
Environmental Concern; and
<bullet> Water resources.
The public scoping process will guide determination of relevant
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis,
including alternatives and mitigation measures. The EIS will identify
and describe the effects of the proposed action and alternatives on the
human environment. The BLM also requests the identification of
potential impacts that should be analyzed. Impacts should be a result
of the action; therefore, please identify the activity along with the
potential impact.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
In addition to the requested authorization to perform mineral
exploration under a mining plan of operations, other Federal, State,
and local authorizations will be required for the project. These
include authorizations under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act,
the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and other laws and
regulations determined to be applicable to the project.
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public
participation consistent with the NEPA process, including a 60-day
comment period on the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS is anticipated to be
available for public review in Fall/Winter 2023, and the Final EIS is
anticipated to be released in Summer 2024 with a record of decision
(ROD) in Fall 2024.
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping period. The BLM will
accept public scoping comments via letter or email. Should the BLM
decide to hold public meetings, the specific date(s) and location(s) of
any meeting will be announced in advance through public notices, media
releases, mailings, and the BLM website (see ADDRESSES).
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The National Park Service has agreed to participate in the
development of the EIS as a cooperating agency. Inyo County is also a
cooperating agency. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with
Indian Tribal Nations and stakeholders that may be interested in or
affected by the proposed Mojave Precious Metals Exploratory Drilling
Project that the BLM is evaluating, are invited to participate in the
scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the
BLM to participate in the development of the environmental analysis as
a cooperating agency.
Responsible Official
The BLM California Ridgecrest Field Manager is the responsible
official who will make the decisions below.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The BLM will use the analysis in the EIS to inform the following:
whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the applicant's
proposed Plan Modification. The BLM may: (a) decide to approve the
complete Plan Modification; (b) approve the Plan Modification subject
to certain conditions imposed to ensure the operation meets the
performance standards and does not result in unnecessary or undue
degradation (UUD); or (c) disapprove or withhold approval of the Plan
Modification. The ROD will explain how the selected alternative meets
the requirement to prevent UUD and is in conformance with the
applicable land use plans.
Additional Information
The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address
the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the proposed
action and all analyzed reasonable alternatives and, in accordance with
40 CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate mitigation measures not already
included in the proposed action or alternatives. Mitigation may include
avoidance, minimization, rectification, reduction or elimination over
time, and compensation, and may be considered at multiple scales,
including the landscape scale.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA process to help
support compliance with applicable procedural requirements under the
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1536) and Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR
800.2(d)(3), including public involvement requirements of Section 106.
The information about historic and cultural resources and threatened
and endangered species within the area potentially affected by the
proposed plan will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts
to such resources. The BLM is the lead Federal agency for this EIS and
the related National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process and
Endangered Species Act consultation process.
The BLM will consult with Indian Tribal Nations on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175, BLM MS 1780,
and other Departmental policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on
Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will
be given due consideration. The BLM intends to hold a series of
government-to-government consultation meetings. The BLM will send
invitations to potentially affected Tribal Nations prior to the
meetings. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for government-
to-government consultation during the NEPA process.
Before including your address, 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.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9.
Thomas Bickauskas,
Bureau of Land Management Ridgecrest Field Manager (Acting).
[FR Doc. 2023-17297 Filed 8-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-15-P
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