Notice2026-06547
Black Pine Gold Project, Cassia and Oneida Counties, Idaho
Primary source
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Published
April 3, 2026
Effective
May 4, 2026
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
The Forest Service (Sawtooth National Forest) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess and disclose effects from the proposed mine plan of operations (MPO) submitted by Liberty Gold (USA) Inc. for the development of the Black Pine Gold Project. The Forest Service is the lead agency, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pocatello Field Office is a cooperating federal agency. This notice announces the beginning of a 30-day comment period to solicit comments and identify issues. The EIS will evaluate potential impacts of proposed open pit mining for gold and silver ores from National Forest System (NFS) and BLM administered lands and the processing of these minerals on BLM administered lands. The proposed action is expected to require a project-specific plan amendment to make the project consistent with the Sawtooth Forest Plan. The Planning, Administrative Reviews, and Litigation System identification number for the project is 68766.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 64 (Friday, April 3, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 64 (Friday, April 3, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16895-16897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06547]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Black Pine Gold Project, Cassia and Oneida Counties, Idaho
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service (Sawtooth National Forest) intends to
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess and disclose
effects from the proposed mine plan of operations (MPO) submitted by
Liberty Gold (USA) Inc. for the development of the Black Pine Gold
Project. The Forest Service is the lead agency, and the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) Pocatello Field Office is a cooperating federal
agency. This notice announces the beginning of a 30-day comment period
to solicit comments and identify issues. The EIS will evaluate
potential impacts of proposed open pit mining for gold and silver ores
from National Forest System (NFS) and BLM administered lands and the
processing of these minerals on BLM administered lands. The proposed
action is expected to require a project-specific plan amendment to make
the project consistent with the Sawtooth Forest Plan. The Planning,
Administrative Reviews, and Litigation System identification number for
the project is 68766.
DATES: This notice initiates a 30-day public comment process for the
EIS. The Forest Service requests that the public submit comments on the
alternatives or effects and on relevant information, studies, or
analyses with respect to the proposal by May 4, 2026. The complete EIS
is expected two years from now. A schedule for the decision-making
process and additional information about the project can be found here:
<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/projects/68766">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/projects/68766</a>. This project is a
``covered project'' under section 41 of the Fixing America's Surface
Transportation Act (FAST-41). FAST-41 provides increased transparency
and predictability by requiring Federal agencies to publish
comprehensive permitting timetables for all covered projects. FAST-41
also provides procedures for modifying permitting timetables to address
the unpredictability inherent in the environmental review and
permitting process for significant infrastructure projects. To view the
FAST-41 Permitting Dashboard for the Project, visit: <a href="https://www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/fast-41-covered-projects/black-pine-gold-project">https://www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/fast-41-covered-projects/black-pine-gold-project</a>.
ADDRESSES: Additional information about the proposal; documents
pertinent to this proposal; and direction regarding comment submission
can be found on the following website: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/projects/68766">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/projects/68766</a>.
Written Comments
Send written comments to Minidoka Ranger District, 2306 Hiland
Ave., Burley, ID 83318. Comments may be submitted electronically to
<a href="https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=68766">https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=68766</a>.
Written public comments will be accepted by 11:59 p.m. Mountain
Standard Time on May 4, 2026. Comments submitted after this date may
not be included in the analysis.
Public Scoping Process
The lead agency is planning to hold one virtual public meeting and
one in-person public meeting. The specific dates and locations of these
meetings will be announced in advance through the lead agency website
(<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/projects/68766">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/projects/68766</a>).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Casey D. Johnson, Forest Supervisor,
Sawtooth National Forest, by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c98aa8baacb0e783a6a1a7baa6a789bcbaada8e7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="33705240564a1d795c5b5d405c5d73464057521d545c45">[email protected]</span></a>, by phone
at 208-423-7501, or in writing at 370 American Avenue, Jerome, Idaho
83338.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the hearing-
impaired may call 711 to reach the Telecommunications Relay Service, 24
hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Liberty Gold (USA) Inc. submitted a proposed
[[Page 16896]]
mine plan of operations (MPO) to the USFS Sawtooth National Forest and
BLM Pocatello Field Office on February 27, 2025, proposing to develop
the Black Pine Gold Project. The surface estate in the project area is
administered by the Forest Service Sawtooth National Forest and the BLM
Pocatello Field Office.
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The purpose of the USFS and BLM actions is to respond to the
applicant's proposal for the mining and development of precious metals
from its unpatented mining claims and non-Federal mineral estates
located on NFS and BLM administered lands in the project area, and land
use authorizations requested for siting of proposed support facilities
and infrastructure.
The need for USFS action is established by the agency's
responsibilities under the Organic Administration Act of 1897 (16
U.S.C. 478, 482, and 551) and the locatable minerals regulations at 36
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 228 Subpart A. In accordance with 36
CFR 228.5, the Forest Service must analyze and provide timely response
to the submittal of an MPO. Furthermore, the Forest Service must assess
whether the proposed operations will be conducted so as, where
feasible, to minimize adverse environmental impacts on national forest
surface resources in accordance with 36 CFR 228.8.
The need for BLM action is established by the agency's
responsibility under the Federal land Policy and Management Act of 1976
(FLPMA) and BLM regulations at 43 CFR 3809 (Surface Management), 43 CFR
3715 (Use and Occupancy), 43 CFR 2800 (Rights-of-Way under FLPMA), and
43 CFR 2920 (Leases, Permits, and Easements) to respond to Liberty's
proposal for mining activities, support facilities, and infrastructure
proposed on BLM administered lands and take any action necessary to
prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of public lands.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
Under the Proposed Action alternative, the USFS and BLM would
approve, with terms and conditions for the protection of surface
resources and any necessary modifications to comply with applicable
laws and regulations, the applicant's MPO, which describes the
expansion of four existing open pits and the construction of four new
open pits as well as development of mine infrastructure, ore
stockpiling, and support facilities. Gold and silver bearing ore
extracted via open pit mining methods, would be processed by way of a
cyanidation heap leach facility to be constructed on adjacent BLM-
administered lands. Additional support infrastructure such as mine
office facilities, access roads, utilities, and water supply pipelines
would also be constructed on BLM administered lands. The MPO
incorporates reclamation and closure, monitoring, and mitigation
activities throughout the life of the mine. Mine life is estimated at
17 years. Upon completion of mining operations, closure, drain-down of
the heap leach facility, and final reclamation phases would occur over
approximately 25 years with environmental monitoring and maintenance
until reclamation is demonstrated.
Under the No Action alternative, the USFS and BLM would deny
approval of the applicant's MPO. Under this alternative, the extraction
and development of the applicant's mineral resource would not occur.
Other alternatives to be considered in the EIS are expected to be
variations of mine and facility configuration based on resource issues
identified through the public comment process. The federal agencies
welcome comments on all preliminary alternatives as well as suggestions
for additional alternatives.
Preliminary List of Substantive Issues and Expected Impacts
Substantive issues are those that meaningfully inform the
consideration of reasonably foreseeable impacts of the proposed action
or a decision on the alternative selected for implementation (7 CFR
1b.11(a)(53)). The following preliminary substantive issues are
anticipated to be evaluated.
<bullet> Potential effects of development under the Proposed Action
may include hydrologic effects (groundwater quality and quantity).
<bullet> Construction activities and operations could affect
wildlife species and habitats including Greater sage grouse.
<bullet> Mining operations may impact cultural sites and/or
historic properties and sites that are important to Tribal Nations.
<bullet> Construction and operation of a mine may impair the scenic
environment and alter grazing allotments overlapping the proposed mine
area.
<bullet> Potential for the mining operation to impact local air
quality and the availability of suitable topsoils in service meeting
final reclamation objectives.
Anticipated Permits and Other Authorizations
The Applicant requires USFS and BLM approval of the MPO. In
addition, the Applicant would need to obtain approvals from other
regulatory agencies, including:
<bullet> Cyanidation permit to construct, operate, and close a
cyanidation facility from Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
<bullet> Air quality Permit To Construct (PTC) from Idaho
Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ)
<bullet> An approved mine operating and reclamation plan from the
Idaho Department of Lands (IDL)
<bullet> Permanent Closure Plan for Cyanidation Facility from Idaho
Department of Lands (IDL).
Comments and the Objection Process
This notice of intent initiates the NEPA timeline, 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.
This proposed action is subject to the pre-decisional
administrative review process, also known as the objection process at
36 CFR 218, Subparts A and B. A proposed rule to amend 36 CFR 218 was
published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2026 (91 FR 5387),
prior to the initiation of public comment in this NOI. This proposed
action may be subject to the final rule amending 36 CFR 218 if the
final rule takes effect before the objection period occurs for this
proposed action. Otherwise, this proposed action will be subject to the
pre-decisional administrative review process established prior to the
proposed rule. The BLM will make a separate decision that will be
subject to their post-decision appeal process (43 CFR part 4 and 43 CFR
Subpart 3809).
It is important that interested members of the public provide their
comments at such times and in such manner that they are useful to the
agency's preparation of the EIS; therefore, comments should be provided
prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate
the commenter'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 anonymously will be accepted and
[[Page 16897]]
considered; however, they will not be used to establish eligibility for
the objection process.
Objections will be accepted only from those who have previously
submitted timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed
project during a public comment period. Issues raised in objections
must be based on previously submitted, timely, and specific written
comments regarding the proposed project unless based on new information
arising after designated public comment opportunities.
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.
Cooperating and Participating Agencies
The Forest Service is the lead federal agency, and the BLM is a
cooperating federal agency in the preparation of the EIS. Based on
specialized expertise and jurisdiction by law, Idaho Department of
Lands, and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality are cooperating
agencies.
Responsible Official
The responsible official for the Forest Service is the Sawtooth
National Forest Supervisor. The scope of the Forest Supervisor's
decision is to ensure the MPO is modified as necessary to comply with
applicable laws and regulations and whether environmental mitigations
are necessary under Forest Service jurisdiction. The responsible
official for the BLM is the Field Manager for the Pocatello Field
Office. The scope of the Field Manager's decision is limited to
approval or denial of the MPO, including the proposed support
facilities and infrastructure for lands under its jurisdiction.
Substantive Provisions of Forest Service 2012 Planning Rule Directly
Related to Potential Plan Amendment
The proposed action is expected to require a project-specific plan
amendment to make the project consistent with the Sawtooth Forest Plan.
The combination of the existing site conditions and proposed impacts
from new mine development collectively will not achieve mapped and
adopted Visual Quality Objectives (VQOs). As such, implementation of
the proposed action would continue to be inconsistent with Forest Plan
Standard SCST01.
The 2012 Planning Rule, as amended, requires identification in the
initial notice of the amendment of the substantive provisions that are
likely to be directly related to the amendment. Based on the proposed
Forest Plan amendment for the Black Pine Mine and requirements of the
Planning Rule, the following substantive requirements of the 36 CFR 219
planning regulations would likely be directly related to the proposed
amendment: Sec. 219.10 (a), Integrated resource management for
multiple use, specifically (2): Renewable and nonrenewable energy and
mineral resources, based on purpose of the project for which the
amendment is needed, and (1) ``aesthetic value,'' ``scenery,'' and
``viewsheds,'' based on the purpose of the amendment to exempt the
project from the Forest Plan visual quality standard.
Lisa Northrop,
Associate Deputy Chief State, Private, and Tribal Forestry, National
Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2026-06547 Filed 4-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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