Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Phoenix Copper Leach Project, Lander County, NV, 26039-26040 [2012-10565]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 2, 2012 / Notices ACTION: Notice of decision approving lands for conveyance. will reply during normal business hours. As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will issue an appealable decision to Chinuruk Incorporated, Successor in Interest to Umkumiute, Limited. The decision approves the surface estate in the lands described below for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq). The subsurface estate in these lands will be conveyed to Calista Corporation when the surface estate is conveyed to Chinuruk Incorporated, Successor in Interest to Umkumiute, Limited. The lands are in the vicinity of Umkumiute, Alaska, and are located in: Jason Robinson, Land Law Examiner, Land Transfer Adjudication II Branch. SUMMARY: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Seward Meridian T. 6 N., R. 90 W., Sec. 35. Containing approximately 40 acres. 16:55 May 01, 2012 Jkt 226001 BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNVB00000 L51100000.GN0000 LVEMF09CF200 241A; 12–08807; MO# 4500032952; TAS: 14X5017] Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Phoenix Copper Leach Project, Lander County, NV Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. AGENCY: Notice of the decision will also be published four times in the Anchorage Daily News. DATES: Any party claiming a property interest in the lands affected by the decision may appeal the decision within the following time limits: 1. Unknown parties, parties unable to be located after reasonable efforts have been expended to locate, parties who fail or refuse to sign their return receipt, and parties who receive a copy of the decision by regular mail which is not certified, return receipt requested, shall have until June 1, 2012 to file an appeal. 2. Parties receiving service of the decision by certified mail shall have 30 days from the date of receipt to file an appeal. 3. Notices of appeal transmitted by electronic means, such as facsimile or email, will not be accepted as timely filed. Parties who do not file an appeal in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4, subpart E, shall be deemed to have waived their rights. ADDRESSES: A copy of the decision may be obtained from: Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, 222 West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513–7504. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The BLM by phone at 907–271–5960 or by email at ak.blm.conveyance@blm.gov. Persons who use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the BLM during normal business hours. In addition, the FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the BLM. The BLM VerDate Mar<15>2010 [FR Doc. 2012–10551 Filed 5–1–12; 8:45 am] In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Phoenix Copper Leach Project and by this notice is announcing its availability. DATES: The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for a minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes its notice in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIS for the Phoenix Copper Leach Project are available for public inspection at the BLM, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, Nevada. Interested persons may also review the FEIS at the Web site: https:// www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_ mountain_field.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dave Davis, Phoenix Project Manager, telephone: 775–635–4150; address: BLM, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820, Attn.: Dave Davis; or by email at: CU_Leach@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Newmont Mining Corporation (Newmont) has submitted a proposed Amendment to SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 26039 the Plan of Operations for a new copper processing plant and appurtenant facilities to the BLM. The proposed project would be located in northcentral Nevada approximately 12 miles southwest of Battle Mountain on both public and private lands in Lander County, Nevada. The project, as proposed, will disturb a total of 902 acres: 708 acres of private land owned by Newmont and 194 acres of public land. These lands are located in an already heavily mined area and the copper ore was previously being mined and placed on existing waste-rock facilities. The proposed project would involve the expansion and operation of the existing Phoenix Mine to include copper leaching/beneficiation of copper oxide rock material that previously has been permitted for disposal on currently permitted waste rock facilities. Active mining and processing for the proposed project would last approximately 24 years; overall closure and reclamation activities are anticipated to extend approximately 25 years beyond the operational phase. A minimum of 13 years of re-vegetation, and reclamation monitoring would be required following mine closure. The BLM is also reviewing Newmont’s application under the Mining Law of 1872; the BLM Code of Federal Regulations, Surface Management Regulations at 43 CFR 3809; and the Use and Occupancy Regulations at 43 CFR 3715, in response to Newmont’s application for mining and processing of copper ore while preventing undue or unnecessary degradation of public lands. The BLM will decide whether to grant an approval of the Amendment to the Plan of Operations as submitted or to modify it based on mitigation developed through this NEPA analysis. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Phoenix Copper Leach Project described and analyzed the proposed project’s sitespecific impacts for all affected resources. Two action alternatives, the Proposed Action and the Reona Copper Heap Leach Facility Elimination Alternative, were analyzed in detail, in addition to the No Action Alternative. Eleven additional alternatives presented in the DEIS were considered but eliminated from further analysis. The Notice of Availability of the DEIS was published in the Federal Register on October 28, 2011, starting a 45-day public comment period that ended on December 12, 2011. The BLM mailed 160 letters to individuals, non-government organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies who had stated an E:\FR\FM\02MYN1.SGM 02MYN1 26040 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 2, 2012 / Notices interest during the 2006 scoping period for the proposal. In addition, 11 copies of the DEIS were sent to local tribal councils who had stated an interest in the DEIS. On November 30, 2010, eight individuals from the Battle Mountain and Elko Bands of the Te-Moak Shoshone Tribe, the Duckwater and the Yomba Shoshone Tribes were handdelivered copies of the DEIS after a site visit to the proposed project site. The attending tribal members did not provide any specific individual or collective concerns related to the proposal. A news release in the local papers announcing the availability of the DEIS was published and the DEIS was posted on the BLM Nevada Web site. All comments received on the DEIS and internal BLM review were considered and incorporated as appropriate in the FEIS. Based on the proposed mitigation in the DEIS as well as applicant committed environmental protection measures, the BLM’s preferred alternative is the proposed action. The mitigation measures and the applicant committed environmental protection measures will become conditions of approval of the Project. This FEIS is abbreviated. The FEIS document includes the changes made to the DEIS, as well as copies of the comments provided during the DEIS comment period and BLM responses to those comments. To understand the FEIS one must have to have both the DEIS and the FEIS and then compare the changes. Douglas W. Furtado, District Manager, Battle Mountain. [FR Doc. 2012–10565 Filed 4–27–12; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029–0061 Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing its intention to request renewed approval for the collection of information for the Permanent Regulatory Program—Small Operator Assistance Program (SOAP). This mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:55 May 01, 2012 Jkt 226001 collection request has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information collection request describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden and cost. DATES: OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collections but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, public comments should be submitted to OMB by June 1, 2012, in order to be assured of consideration. Submit comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Department of the Interior Desk Officer, by telefax to (202) 395–5806 or by email to OIRA_Docket@omb.eop.gov. Also, please send a copy of your comments to John Trelease, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 1951 Constitution Ave, NW., Room 203–SIB, Washington, DC 20240, by telefax to (202) 219–3276, or by email to jtrelease@osmre.gov. ADDRESSES: To receive a copy of the information collection request, contact John Trelease at (202) 208–2783, or via email at jtrelease@osmre.gov. You may also review this information collection request by going to https:// www.reginfo.gov (Information Collection Review, Currently Under Review, Agency is Department of the Interior, DOI–OSMRE). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB regulations at 5 CFR 1320, which implement provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13), require that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities [see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)]. OSM has submitted a request to OMB to renew its approval of the collection of information contained in 30 CFR part 795— Permanent Regulatory Program—Small Operator Assistance Program. OSM is requesting a 3-year term of approval for the information collection activity. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this collection of information is 1029–0061. Responses are required to obtain a benefit. As required under 5 CFR 1320.8(d), a Federal Register notice soliciting comments on these collections of information was published on February 7, 2012 (77 FR 6141). No comments FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 were received. This notice provides the public with an additional 30 days in which to comment on the following information collection activities: Title: 30 CFR Part 795—Permanent Regulatory Program—Small Operator Assistance Program. OMB Control Number: 1029–0061. This information collection requirement is needed to provide assistance to qualified small mine operators under section 507(c) of Public Law 95–87. The information requested will provide the regulatory authority with data to determine the eligibility of the applicant and the capability and expertise of laboratories to perform required tasks. Bureau Form Number: FS–6. Frequency of Collection: Once per application. Description of Respondents: Small operators, laboratories, and State regulatory authorities (SRAs). Total Annual Responses: 4. Total Annual Burden Hours: 93 hours. This includes 18 hours per operator to complete form, 1 hour for laboratory to request contract, 70 hours for SRAs to award laboratory contract, and 4 hours for SRAs to review application and prepare response letter. Send comments on the need for the collection of information for the performance of the functions of the agency; the accuracy of the agency’s burden estimates; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and ways to minimize the information collection burden on respondents, such as use of automated means of collection of the information, to the places listed under Addresses. Please refer to control number 1029–0061 in your correspondence. 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. SUMMARY: Dated: April 25, 2012. Andrew F. DeVito, Chief Division of Regulatory Support. [FR Doc. 2012–10457 Filed 5–1–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–05–M E:\FR\FM\02MYN1.SGM 02MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26039-26040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10565]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVB00000 L51100000.GN0000 LVEMF09CF200 241A; 12-08807; MO 
4500032952; TAS: 14X5017]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Phoenix Copper Leach Project, Lander County, NV

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has 
prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Phoenix 
Copper Leach Project and by this notice is announcing its availability.

DATES: The BLM will not issue a final decision on the proposal for a 
minimum of 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) publishes its notice in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIS for the Phoenix Copper Leach Project are 
available for public inspection at the BLM, 50 Bastian Road, Battle 
Mountain, Nevada. Interested persons may also review the FEIS at the 
Web site: https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_mountain_field.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dave Davis, Phoenix Project 
Manager, telephone: 775-635-4150; address: BLM, 50 Bastian Road, Battle 
Mountain, NV 89820, Attn.: Dave Davis; or by email at: CU_Leach@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-
877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. 
The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message 
or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during 
normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Newmont Mining Corporation (Newmont) has 
submitted a proposed Amendment to the Plan of Operations for a new 
copper processing plant and appurtenant facilities to the BLM. The 
proposed project would be located in north-central Nevada approximately 
12 miles southwest of Battle Mountain on both public and private lands 
in Lander County, Nevada. The project, as proposed, will disturb a 
total of 902 acres: 708 acres of private land owned by Newmont and 194 
acres of public land. These lands are located in an already heavily 
mined area and the copper ore was previously being mined and placed on 
existing waste-rock facilities. The proposed project would involve the 
expansion and operation of the existing Phoenix Mine to include copper 
leaching/beneficiation of copper oxide rock material that previously 
has been permitted for disposal on currently permitted waste rock 
facilities. Active mining and processing for the proposed project would 
last approximately 24 years; overall closure and reclamation activities 
are anticipated to extend approximately 25 years beyond the operational 
phase. A minimum of 13 years of re-vegetation, and reclamation 
monitoring would be required following mine closure.
    The BLM is also reviewing Newmont's application under the Mining 
Law of 1872; the BLM Code of Federal Regulations, Surface Management 
Regulations at 43 CFR 3809; and the Use and Occupancy Regulations at 43 
CFR 3715, in response to Newmont's application for mining and 
processing of copper ore while preventing undue or unnecessary 
degradation of public lands.
    The BLM will decide whether to grant an approval of the Amendment 
to the Plan of Operations as submitted or to modify it based on 
mitigation developed through this NEPA analysis.
    The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Phoenix 
Copper Leach Project described and analyzed the proposed project's 
site-specific impacts for all affected resources. Two action 
alternatives, the Proposed Action and the Reona Copper Heap Leach 
Facility Elimination Alternative, were analyzed in detail, in addition 
to the No Action Alternative. Eleven additional alternatives presented 
in the DEIS were considered but eliminated from further analysis.
    The Notice of Availability of the DEIS was published in the Federal 
Register on October 28, 2011, starting a 45-day public comment period 
that ended on December 12, 2011.
    The BLM mailed 160 letters to individuals, non-government 
organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies who had stated an

[[Page 26040]]

interest during the 2006 scoping period for the proposal. In addition, 
11 copies of the DEIS were sent to local tribal councils who had stated 
an interest in the DEIS.
    On November 30, 2010, eight individuals from the Battle Mountain 
and Elko Bands of the Te-Moak Shoshone Tribe, the Duckwater and the 
Yomba Shoshone Tribes were hand-delivered copies of the DEIS after a 
site visit to the proposed project site. The attending tribal members 
did not provide any specific individual or collective concerns related 
to the proposal.
    A news release in the local papers announcing the availability of 
the DEIS was published and the DEIS was posted on the BLM Nevada Web 
site.
    All comments received on the DEIS and internal BLM review were 
considered and incorporated as appropriate in the FEIS. Based on the 
proposed mitigation in the DEIS as well as applicant committed 
environmental protection measures, the BLM's preferred alternative is 
the proposed action. The mitigation measures and the applicant 
committed environmental protection measures will become conditions of 
approval of the Project. This FEIS is abbreviated. The FEIS document 
includes the changes made to the DEIS, as well as copies of the 
comments provided during the DEIS comment period and BLM responses to 
those comments. To understand the FEIS one must have to have both the 
DEIS and the FEIS and then compare the changes.

Douglas W. Furtado,
District Manager, Battle Mountain.
[FR Doc. 2012-10565 Filed 4-27-12; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P

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