Notice of Availability of a Supplement to the Eastern Interior Draft Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Leasing of Hardrock Minerals in the White Mountains National Recreation Area, AK, 2425-2426 [2013-00316]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 8 / Friday, January 11, 2013 / Notices The lease sale will be held in the BLM’s Utah State Office, Monument Conference Room, Fifth Floor, 440 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Sealed bids can be hand delivered to the cashier, Utah State Office, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah, during normal business hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except holidays. Sealed bids may also be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested to the Cashier, BLM Utah State Office, P. O. Box 45155, Salt Lake City, Utah 84145–0155. ADDRESSES: surfaces with federally-administered minerals. They are described as follows: Salt Lake Meridian FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: T. 12 S., R.10 E., Sec. 25, N1⁄2; Sec. 26, N1⁄2; Sec. 27, N1⁄2; Sec. 28, NE1⁄4, E1⁄2NW1⁄4, SW1⁄4NW1⁄4, S1⁄2; Sec. 29, E1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 33, all. T. 13 S., R.10 E., Sec. 3, all; Sec. 4, lots 1–4, S1⁄2N1⁄2, N1⁄2S1⁄2; Sec. 8, lot 4; Sec. 10, N1⁄2, W1⁄2SW1⁄4; Sec. 11, N1⁄2, SE1⁄4. Containing approximately 4,325.01 acres. This coal lease sale is being held in response to a lease by application (LBA) submitted by Wasatch Natural Resources, LLC, to the BLM on April 27, 2012. All coal LBAs submitted to the BLM for processing on or after November 7, 2005, are subject to processing costs on a case by case basis (43 CFR 3000.10(d)(1), (70 FR 58872, October 7, 2005). The processing cost rules implemented for coal LBAs at 43 CFR 3473.2(f) (70 FR 58876, October 7, 2005) require the applicant who nominates a tract for a competitive lease sale to pay the processing fee (43 CFR 3000.11) prior to publication of the sale notice. Wasatch Natural Resources, LLC, paid the BLM a processing fee in the amount of $6,600. The successful bidder must pay to the BLM the cost recovery amount of all costs the BLM incurs processing the coal lease sale and all processing costs that BLM incurs after the date of the sale notice leading to lease issuance (43 CFR 3473.2(f)). If the successful bidder is someone other than the applicant, the BLM will refund to the applicant the processing fee specified in this sale notice. If there is no successful bidder, the applicant remains responsible for all processing fees. The coal resources to be offered consist of all recoverable reserves available in the following described lands located in Carbon County, Utah, approximately 3 miles northeast of Helper, Utah, on both private and BLM Wasatch Natural Resources, LLC, submitted the application for the coal lease. The application indicates that the company plans to mine the coal through new or rehabilitated entries if it obtains the lease. The coal in the Dry Canyon B tract has three minable coal beds; the Aberdeen, the Kenilworth; and, the D seam bed. The minable portions of the coal beds in this area are approximately ten feet in thickness for the Aberdeen; approximately 8 feet in thickness for the Kenilworth and approximately 6 feet in thickness for the D seam. The tract contains approximately 42.2 million tons of recoverable high-volatile A/B bituminous coal. The coal quality in the coal beds on an ‘‘as received basis’’ is as follows: (1) Aberdeen: 13,414 Btu/lb., 2.35 percent moisture, 5.57 percent ash, 41.86 percent volatile matter, 49.83 percent fixed carbon and 0.49 percent sulfur; (2) Kenilworth: 13,287 Btu/lb., 2.06 percent moisture, 6.91 percent ash, 42.88 percent volatile matter, 48.26 percent fixed carbon and 0.72 percent sulfur; and, (3) D: 12,470 Btu/lb., 6.00 percent moisture, 8.00 percent ash, 39.00 percent volatile matter, 47.00 percent fixed carbon and 0.50 percent sulfur. The Dry Canyon B Tract may be leased to the qualified bidder of the highest cash amount, provided that the high bid meets or exceeds the fair market value (FMV) for the tract. The Department of the Interior has established a minimum bid of $100 per acre or fraction thereof. The minimum bid is not intended to represent the FMV. The FMV of the tract will be determined by the Authorized Officer after the sale. The lease that may be issued as a result of this offering will provide for payment of an annual rental of $3 per acre, a royalty rate of 12.5 percent of the value of coal mined by surface methods, and a royalty of 8 percent of the value of the coal produced by underground mining methods. The value of the coal will be Jeff McKenzie, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500 Salt Lake City, Utah 84101–1345 or telephone 801–539–4038. 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. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Jan 10, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2425 determined in accordance with 30 CFR 1206.257. The BLM signed a Determination of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Adequacy (DNA) on February 18, 2009. The DNA was the result of analyzing numerous previously prepared NEPA documents. On February 20, 2009, a Finding of No Significant Impacts (FONSI)/Decision Record (DR) was signed based on the DNA. No appeals of the BLM decision to lease were filed during the appeal period that ended on March 24, 2009. The BLM held a public hearing and requested comments on the NEPA review and the FMV of the Dry Canyon Tract on August 13, 2009. No comments were received and the FONSI/DR remains in effect. The required Detailed Statement for the offered tract, including bidding instructions and sales procedures under 43 CFR 3422.3–2, and the terms and conditions of the proposed coal lease, is available from the BLM, Utah State Office, P.O. Box 45155, Salt Lake City, Utah 84145–0155 or in the Public Room (Room 500), 440 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. All case file documents and written comments submitted by the public on FMV or royalty rates except those portions identified as proprietary by the commentor and meeting exemptions stated in the Freedom of Information Act, are available for public inspection during normal business hours in the BLM Public Room (Suite 500). Approved. Juan Palma, State Director. [FR Doc. 2013–00459 Filed 1–10–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLAKF02000.16100000.DP0000.LXSS09 4L0000] Notice of Availability of a Supplement to the Eastern Interior Draft Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Leasing of Hardrock Minerals in the White Mountains National Recreation Area, AK Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\11JAN1.SGM 11JAN1 2426 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 8 / Friday, January 11, 2013 / Notices amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing the availability of a Supplement to the Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Eastern Interior Planning Area (Alaska) and the extension of the comment period for the Draft RMP/EIS. The purpose of the Supplement is to analyze and obtain public comment on opening part of the White Mountains National Recreation Area to hardrock mineral leasing. DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft RMP/EIS and Supplement thereto within 90 days after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes its notice of availability of the Supplement in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public participation activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS and Supplement by any of the following methods: • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ak/st/ en/prog/planning.html. • Fax: 907–474–2282. • Mail: Eastern Interior Field Office, Attention—Eastern Interior Draft RMP/ EIS, Bureau of Land Management, 1150 University Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709. Copies of the Supplement to the Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS are available at the Fairbanks District Office at the above address; at the Alaska State Office, Public Information Center, Bureau of Land Management, 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99513; and on the following Web site: https:// www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/ planning.html. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanie Cole, 907–474–2340 or j05cole@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: The Supplement to the Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS amends Alternative D to address hardrock mineral leasing in the White Mountains National Recreation Area (NRA). Section 1312 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:38 Jan 10, 2013 Jkt 229001 Act (ANILCA), 16 U.S.C. 460mm–4, withdrew the lands within the White Mountains NRA from location, entry, and patent under the Mining Law of 1872, but allows the Secretary to ‘‘permit the removal of the nonleasable minerals’’ from these lands, provided the Secretary makes a finding that such disposition would not have significant adverse effects on the administration of the NRA. The BLM has interpreted section 1312 as allowing for the disposal of previously locatable minerals within the NRA by lease, as described in its regulations at 43 CFR part 3500 and 3580, subpart 3585. The White Mountains RMP issued in 1986 recommended opening about 44 percent of the NRA to hardrock mineral leasing. This decision was never implemented. The BLM published a Notice of Availability for the Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS in the Federal Register on February 24, 2012 (77 FR 11154). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its Notice of Availability of the Draft RMP/EIS in the Federal Register on March 2, 2012 (77 FR 12835), beginning a 150-day public comment period. This notice announces the extension of the comment period for the Draft RMP/EIS for 90 days after EPA publishes its notice of availability of the Supplement in the Federal Register. The Draft RMP/EIS considered hardrock mineral leasing in the White Mountains NRA as an alternative considered but not analyzed in detail. In the Draft RMP/EIS, the BLM previously described that the provisions under ANILCA for hardrock mineral leasing in the White Mountains NRA (implemented by 43 CFR 3585) applied only to removal of hardrock minerals from unperfected mining claims that existed before November 16, 1978. Since there are no longer any mining claims of record within the NRA, it was thought that no one could meet the requirements to lease hardrock minerals. This understanding was incorrect, as the BLM, through its regulations at 43 CFR part 3500 and subpart 3580, has interpreted Section 1312 of ANILCA as allowing for the disposal of hardrock minerals by lease even in the absence of an underlying unperfected mining claim subject to certain findings by the Secretary. In order to analyze in detail and obtain public comment on an alternative involving hardrock mineral leasing in the White Mountains NRA, the BLM has issued a Supplement to the Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS. The Supplement amends Alternative D to include hardrock mineral leasing. This PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 alternative would recommend making approximately 160,000 acres in the White Mountains NRA available for hardrock mineral leasing. The Supplement describes the additions to Alternative D, assumptions for analysis, and the environmental effects associated with hardrock mineral leasing. A decision on whether or not to recommend opening the NRA to hardrock mineral leasing as a feature of the agency preferred alternative in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS will be made after reviewing and considering public comments on the Draft RMP/EIS and the Supplement. Pursuant to section 810 of ANILCA, the BLM evaluated the effects of the alternative presented in the Supplement on subsistence activities and determined that there may be a significant restriction on subsistence uses. The BLM will hold public hearings related to section 810 of ANILCA in conjunction with public meetings on the Supplement, in the affected region. The BLM will announce notice of specific dates and locations for public meetings and ANILCA hearings, through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings. Public comments and information submitted including names, street addresses, and email addresses of persons who submit comments will be available for public review and disclosure at the above address during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. 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 1506.6, 1506.10, and 43 CFR 1610.2. Ted A. Murphy, Acting State Director. [FR Doc. 2013–00316 Filed 1–10–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P E:\FR\FM\11JAN1.SGM 11JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 8 (Friday, January 11, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2425-2426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00316]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLAKF02000.16100000.DP0000.LXSS094L0000]


Notice of Availability of a Supplement to the Eastern Interior 
Draft Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for 
Leasing of Hardrock Minerals in the White Mountains National Recreation 
Area, AK

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976, as

[[Page 2426]]

amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing the 
availability of a Supplement to the Draft Resource Management Plan 
(RMP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Eastern Interior 
Planning Area (Alaska) and the extension of the comment period for the 
Draft RMP/EIS. The purpose of the Supplement is to analyze and obtain 
public comment on opening part of the White Mountains National 
Recreation Area to hardrock mineral leasing.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft RMP/EIS and Supplement thereto within 90 
days after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes its 
notice of availability of the Supplement in the Federal Register. The 
BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public 
participation activities at least 15 days in advance through public 
notices, media releases, and/or mailings.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Eastern Interior 
Draft RMP/EIS and Supplement by any of the following methods:
     Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/planning.html.
     Fax: 907-474-2282.
     Mail: Eastern Interior Field Office, Attention--Eastern 
Interior Draft RMP/EIS, Bureau of Land Management, 1150 University 
Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709.

Copies of the Supplement to the Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS are 
available at the Fairbanks District Office at the above address; at the 
Alaska State Office, Public Information Center, Bureau of Land 
Management, 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99513; and on the 
following Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/planning.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanie Cole, 907-474-2340 or 
j05cole@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: The Supplement to the Eastern Interior Draft 
RMP/EIS amends Alternative D to address hardrock mineral leasing in the 
White Mountains National Recreation Area (NRA). Section 1312 of the 
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), 16 U.S.C. 
460mm-4, withdrew the lands within the White Mountains NRA from 
location, entry, and patent under the Mining Law of 1872, but allows 
the Secretary to ``permit the removal of the nonleasable minerals'' 
from these lands, provided the Secretary makes a finding that such 
disposition would not have significant adverse effects on the 
administration of the NRA. The BLM has interpreted section 1312 as 
allowing for the disposal of previously locatable minerals within the 
NRA by lease, as described in its regulations at 43 CFR part 3500 and 
3580, subpart 3585.
    The White Mountains RMP issued in 1986 recommended opening about 44 
percent of the NRA to hardrock mineral leasing. This decision was never 
implemented.
    The BLM published a Notice of Availability for the Eastern Interior 
Draft RMP/EIS in the Federal Register on February 24, 2012 (77 FR 
11154). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its Notice 
of Availability of the Draft RMP/EIS in the Federal Register on March 
2, 2012 (77 FR 12835), beginning a 150-day public comment period. This 
notice announces the extension of the comment period for the Draft RMP/
EIS for 90 days after EPA publishes its notice of availability of the 
Supplement in the Federal Register. The Draft RMP/EIS considered 
hardrock mineral leasing in the White Mountains NRA as an alternative 
considered but not analyzed in detail.
    In the Draft RMP/EIS, the BLM previously described that the 
provisions under ANILCA for hardrock mineral leasing in the White 
Mountains NRA (implemented by 43 CFR 3585) applied only to removal of 
hardrock minerals from unperfected mining claims that existed before 
November 16, 1978. Since there are no longer any mining claims of 
record within the NRA, it was thought that no one could meet the 
requirements to lease hardrock minerals. This understanding was 
incorrect, as the BLM, through its regulations at 43 CFR part 3500 and 
subpart 3580, has interpreted Section 1312 of ANILCA as allowing for 
the disposal of hardrock minerals by lease even in the absence of an 
underlying unperfected mining claim subject to certain findings by the 
Secretary.
    In order to analyze in detail and obtain public comment on an 
alternative involving hardrock mineral leasing in the White Mountains 
NRA, the BLM has issued a Supplement to the Eastern Interior Draft RMP/
EIS. The Supplement amends Alternative D to include hardrock mineral 
leasing. This alternative would recommend making approximately 160,000 
acres in the White Mountains NRA available for hardrock mineral 
leasing. The Supplement describes the additions to Alternative D, 
assumptions for analysis, and the environmental effects associated with 
hardrock mineral leasing. A decision on whether or not to recommend 
opening the NRA to hardrock mineral leasing as a feature of the agency 
preferred alternative in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS will be made after 
reviewing and considering public comments on the Draft RMP/EIS and the 
Supplement.
    Pursuant to section 810 of ANILCA, the BLM evaluated the effects of 
the alternative presented in the Supplement on subsistence activities 
and determined that there may be a significant restriction on 
subsistence uses. The BLM will hold public hearings related to section 
810 of ANILCA in conjunction with public meetings on the Supplement, in 
the affected region. The BLM will announce notice of specific dates and 
locations for public meetings and ANILCA hearings, through public 
notices, media releases, and/or mailings.
    Public comments and information submitted including names, street 
addresses, and email addresses of persons who submit comments will be 
available for public review and disclosure at the above address during 
regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Monday through Friday, 
except federal holidays.
    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 1506.6, 1506.10, and 43 CFR 1610.2.

Ted A. Murphy,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-00316 Filed 1-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P
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