Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Buffalo Valley Mine Project, Lander and Humboldt Counties, NV, 7808-7809 [2013-02361]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 23 / Monday, February 4, 2013 / Notices
(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
will reply during normal business
hours.
Ralph L. Eluska, Sr.,
Land Transfer Resolution Specialist, Branch
of Alaska Lands.
[FR Doc. 2013–02363 Filed 2–1–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNVB00000 L71220000 EX0000
LVTFF1206210 241A; NVN–090702; 13–
08807; MO# 4500046118; TAS: 14X8069]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Buffalo Valley Mine
Project, Lander and Humboldt
Counties, NV
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
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, the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) Mount Lewis
Field Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada,
intends to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze and
disclose impacts associated with the
Buffalo Valley Mine Project, a proposed
open pit gold mine, mill, and associated
facilities, located on public and private
lands in Lander and Humboldt counties,
Nevada, 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. Comments
on issues may be submitted in writing
until March 6, 2013. The date(s) and
location(s) of any scoping meetings will
be announced at least 15 days in
advance through local media,
newspapers, and the BLM Web site at:
https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_
mountain_field.html. In order to be
considered during the preparation of the
Draft EIS, all comments must be
received prior to the close of the 30 day
scoping period or 15 days after the last
public meeting, whichever is later. The
BLM will provide additional
opportunities for public participation
upon publication of the Draft EIS.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:26 Feb 01, 2013
Jkt 229001
You may submit comments
related to the proposed Buffalo Valley
Mine Project by any of the following
methods:
• Web site: https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/
en/fo/battle_mountain_field.html.
• Email: BLM_NV_BMDO_Buffalo
ValleyMineProject@blm.gov.
• Fax: 775–635–4034.
• Mail: BLM, Mount Lewis Field
Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle
Mountain, NV 89820.
Documents pertinent to this proposal
may be examined at the Mount Lewis
Field Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information and/or to have your
name added to our mailing list, contact
Andrea Dolbear, Environmental
Protection Specialist, telephone 775–
635–4017; address,50 Bastian Road,
Battle Mountain, NV 89820; email
asdolbear@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, in a joint venture
with Fairmile Gold, proposes to
construct, operate, reclaim, and close an
open pit, heap leach, precious-metal,
mining operation known as the Buffalo
Valley Mine Project. The proposed
project would be located 20 miles
southwest of Battle Mountain, Nevada,
and 12 miles northwest of Newmont’s
Phoenix Mine in Lander and Humboldt
counties. The legal land description for
the proposed project area is:
ADDRESSES:
Mount Diablo Meridian
T. 31 N., R. 42 E.,
Secs 3, 4, 5, and 6;
T. 32 N., R. 42 E.,
Secs 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34.
The area described contains 5,968 acres,
more or less, in Lander and Humboldt
counties, Nevada.
The proposed project area would be
comprised of approximately 5,968 acres,
of which 3,662 acres are public land
administered by the BLM.
Approximately 2,274 of the 3,662 acres
are in Lander County and managed by
the BLM Mount Lewis Field Office and
approximately 1,388 acres are in
Humboldt County and managed by the
BLM Winnemucca District, Humboldt
River Field Office. The Battle Mountain
District, Mount Lewis Field Office will
manage all of the public lands on this
proposed project. Approximately 2,306
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
acres within the proposed project area
are private land controlled by Newmont.
The Buffalo Valley Mine Project is in
conformance with the 1986 ShoshoneEureka Resource Area Resource
Management Plan (RMP) and Record of
Decision (ROD). The ROD states that all
public land in the planning areas will be
open for mining and prospecting unless
withdrawn or restricted from mineral
entry. One of the objectives of the RMP
is to make available and encourage
development of mineral resources to
meet the national, regional, and local
needs consistent with national
objectives, for an adequate supply of
minerals. The proposed project also
conforms to the BLM Winnemucca
District, 1982 Sonoma-Gerlach
Management Framework Plan at Section
.42 Minerals, Objective M1 to make all
public lands and other federally owned
minerals available for the exploration
and development of mineral and
material commodities.
The proposed project is estimated to
produce approximately 40 million tons
of ore grade material from an estimated
226 million tons of material to be
extracted using conventional open pit
mining methods of drilling and blasting.
The proposed project would consist of
the following components: 2 open pits;
mine dewatering system; 3 waste rock
storage areas; crushing system; heap
leach pad; process facility; high-grade
ore stockpile; process ponds; borrow pit;
storm water pond and diversion ditches;
small shop/office and maintenance
facility; fuel facility; access and haul
roads; top soil (growth media)
stockpiles; powerline; water supply
well; and exploration.
The Buffalo Valley Mine Road is a
county road located in both Lander and
Humboldt counties on the east side of
Buffalo Valley. It bisects the proposed
project area and would be rerouted to
the west around the proposed project
facilities. The plan of operation is to
haul ore for crushing and leaching with
a dilute cyanide solution. The life of the
mine would be approximately 10 years.
Newmont anticipates a workforce of 120
employees during the production phase
of the mine.
An interdisciplinary approach will be
used to develop the EIS in order to
consider the variety of resource issues
and concerns identified during the
scoping period. Potential direct,
indirect, residual, and cumulative
impacts from the proposed action will
be analyzed in the EIS.
The purpose of the public scoping
process is to determine relevant issues
that will influence the scope of the
environmental analysis, including
potential alternatives, and the extent to
E:\FR\FM\04FEN1.SGM
04FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 23 / Monday, February 4, 2013 / Notices
which those issues and impacts will be
analyzed in the EIS. At present, the
BLM has identified the following
preliminary issues: pit lake formation
post closure, mine dewatering, wildlife,
and socioeconomic concerns.
The BLM will follow the NEPA public
participation requirements to satisfy the
public involvement requirements under
Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C.
470(f)) pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3).
Any information about historic and
cultural resources within the area
potentially affected by the proposed
project will assist the BLM in
identifying and evaluating impacts to
such resources in the context of both
NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA.
The BLM will consult with Indian
tribes on a government-to-government
basis in accordance with Executive
Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal
concerns, including impacts on Indian
trust assets and potential impacts to
cultural resources, will be given due
consideration. Federal, State, and local
agencies, along with tribes and other
stakeholders that may be interested in or
affected by the proposed Buffalo Valley
Mine Project 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.
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 1501.7
Christopher J. Cook,
Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2013–02361 Filed 2–1–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
[LLWYP070000; L14300000.EU0000; WYW–
168374]
Notice of Realty Action: Proposed
(Non-Competitive) Direct Sale of Public
Land in Campbell County, WY
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Realty Action.
AGENCY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:26 Feb 01, 2013
Jkt 229001
The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) is considering the
(non-competitive) direct sale of 4.15
acres of public land in Campbell
County, Wyoming, at not less than the
appraised fair market value to the Craig
G. and Peggy S. Means Revocable Trust.
DATES: In order to ensure consideration
in the environmental analysis of the
proposed sale, comments must be
received by March 21, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Address all written
comments concerning this Notice to
Field Manager, the BLM, Buffalo Field
Office, 1425 Fort Street, Buffalo, WY
82834.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Claire Oliverius, Realty Specialist, at the
above address, 307–684–1178, or email
to doliveri@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. 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
following-described public land in
Campbell County, Wyoming, is
proposed for direct sale, subject to the
applicable provisions of Sections 203
and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and
43 CFR Parts 2711 and 2720:
SUMMARY:
Sixth Principal Meridian, Wyoming
T. 56 N., R. 73 W.,
Sec. 8, lot 17.
The area described contains 4.15 acres,
according to the official plat of the survey of
the said land, on file with the BLM.
The proposed (non-competitive)
direct sale is in conformance with the
BLM Buffalo Resource Management
Plan (RMP) approved on October 4,
1985. The parcel is identified for
disposal in the RMP Record of Decision,
pages 13 and 14 and Map 5 because the
lands are isolated public lands
surrounded by private lands under
single ownership. These isolated lands
are difficult and uneconomic for the
Federal Government to manage.
Additionally, Maintenance Plan Change
#20120720 was added to comply with
guidelines of the Department of the
Interior and the BLM. The Maintenance
Plan Change updated the land disposal
map and included a text version of all
legal descriptions for parcels identified
for consideration for disposal. The land,
if offered, would be through a (noncompetitive) direct sale to the Craig G.
and Peggy S. Means Revocable Trust as
the final resolution to the unauthorized
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
7809
use, pursuant to 43 CFR 2710.0–
6(c)(3)(iii) and 43 CFR 2711.3–3(a)(5). In
addition, the Craig G. and Peggy S.
Means Revocable Trust are the sole
owners of the private lands surrounding
the identified parcel of Federal land and
pursuant to 43 CFR 2710.0–6(c)(3)(iii)
and 43 CFR 2711.3–3(a)(4) a direct sale
is appropriate. Conveyance of the
identified public land would be subject
to valid existing rights and
encumbrances of record. Conveyance of
any mineral interests, pursuant to
Section 209 of the FLPMA, was not
proposed, but would be analyzed during
processing of the proposed sale.
On February 4, 2013, the abovedescribed land will be segregated from
all forms of appropriation under the
public land laws, including the mining
laws and the mineral leasing laws,
except for the sale provisions of the
FLPMA. Until completion of the sale
action, the BLM is no longer accepting
land use applications affecting the
identified public land. The temporary
segregation will terminate upon
issuance of a patent, publication in the
Federal Register of a termination of the
segregation, or February 4, 2015, unless
extended by the BLM Wyoming State
Director in accordance with 43 CFR
2711.1–2(d) prior to the termination
date.
For a period until March 21, 2013,
interested parties and the general public
may submit in writing any comments
concerning the land being considered
for sale, including notification of any
encumbrances or other claims relating
to the identified land, to the Field
Manager, BLM Buffalo Field Office, at
the above address. In order to ensure
consideration in the environmental
analysis of the proposed sale, comments
must be in writing and postmarked or
delivered within 45 days of the initial
date of publication of this Notice.
Electronic mail (email) will also be
accepted and should be sent to
buffalo_wymail@blm.gov with
‘‘Campbell County Land Sale’’ inserted
in the subject line. Comments, including
names and street addresses of
respondents, will be available for public
review at the BLM Buffalo Field Office
during regular business hours, except
holidays.
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, be advised that your entire
comment—including your personal
identifying information—may be made
publicly available at any time. While
you may ask in your comment to
withhold from public review your
personal identifying information, we
E:\FR\FM\04FEN1.SGM
04FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7808-7809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02361]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNVB00000 L71220000 EX0000 LVTFF1206210 241A; NVN-090702; 13-08807;
MO 4500046118; TAS: 14X8069]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Buffalo Valley Mine Project, Lander and Humboldt Counties,
NV
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mount Lewis
Field Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada, intends to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze and disclose impacts
associated with the Buffalo Valley Mine Project, a proposed open pit
gold mine, mill, and associated facilities, located on public and
private lands in Lander and Humboldt counties, Nevada, 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.
Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until March 6, 2013. The
date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at
least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM
Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_mountain_field.html. In order to be considered during the preparation of the
Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30
day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever
is later. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public
participation upon publication of the Draft EIS.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the proposed Buffalo
Valley Mine Project by any of the following methods:
Web site: https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_mountain_field.html.
Email: BLM_NV_BMDO_BuffaloValleyMineProject@blm.gov.
Fax: 775-635-4034.
Mail: BLM, Mount Lewis Field Office, 50 Bastian Road,
Battle Mountain, NV 89820.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Mount
Lewis Field Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have
your name added to our mailing list, contact Andrea Dolbear,
Environmental Protection Specialist, telephone 775-635-4017; address,50
Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820; email asdolbear@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, in a joint
venture with Fairmile Gold, proposes to construct, operate, reclaim,
and close an open pit, heap leach, precious-metal, mining operation
known as the Buffalo Valley Mine Project. The proposed project would be
located 20 miles southwest of Battle Mountain, Nevada, and 12 miles
northwest of Newmont's Phoenix Mine in Lander and Humboldt counties.
The legal land description for the proposed project area is:
Mount Diablo Meridian
T. 31 N., R. 42 E.,
Secs 3, 4, 5, and 6;
T. 32 N., R. 42 E.,
Secs 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34.
The area described contains 5,968 acres, more or less, in Lander and
Humboldt counties, Nevada.
The proposed project area would be comprised of approximately 5,968
acres, of which 3,662 acres are public land administered by the BLM.
Approximately 2,274 of the 3,662 acres are in Lander County and managed
by the BLM Mount Lewis Field Office and approximately 1,388 acres are
in Humboldt County and managed by the BLM Winnemucca District, Humboldt
River Field Office. The Battle Mountain District, Mount Lewis Field
Office will manage all of the public lands on this proposed project.
Approximately 2,306 acres within the proposed project area are private
land controlled by Newmont.
The Buffalo Valley Mine Project is in conformance with the 1986
Shoshone-Eureka Resource Area Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Record
of Decision (ROD). The ROD states that all public land in the planning
areas will be open for mining and prospecting unless withdrawn or
restricted from mineral entry. One of the objectives of the RMP is to
make available and encourage development of mineral resources to meet
the national, regional, and local needs consistent with national
objectives, for an adequate supply of minerals. The proposed project
also conforms to the BLM Winnemucca District, 1982 Sonoma-Gerlach
Management Framework Plan at Section .42 Minerals, Objective M1 to make
all public lands and other federally owned minerals available for the
exploration and development of mineral and material commodities.
The proposed project is estimated to produce approximately 40
million tons of ore grade material from an estimated 226 million tons
of material to be extracted using conventional open pit mining methods
of drilling and blasting. The proposed project would consist of the
following components: 2 open pits; mine dewatering system; 3 waste rock
storage areas; crushing system; heap leach pad; process facility; high-
grade ore stockpile; process ponds; borrow pit; storm water pond and
diversion ditches; small shop/office and maintenance facility; fuel
facility; access and haul roads; top soil (growth media) stockpiles;
powerline; water supply well; and exploration.
The Buffalo Valley Mine Road is a county road located in both
Lander and Humboldt counties on the east side of Buffalo Valley. It
bisects the proposed project area and would be rerouted to the west
around the proposed project facilities. The plan of operation is to
haul ore for crushing and leaching with a dilute cyanide solution. The
life of the mine would be approximately 10 years. Newmont anticipates a
workforce of 120 employees during the production phase of the mine.
An interdisciplinary approach will be used to develop the EIS in
order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns
identified during the scoping period. Potential direct, indirect,
residual, and cumulative impacts from the proposed action will be
analyzed in the EIS.
The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis,
including potential alternatives, and the extent to
[[Page 7809]]
which those issues and impacts will be analyzed in the EIS. At present,
the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: pit lake
formation post closure, mine dewatering, wildlife, and socioeconomic
concerns.
The BLM will follow the NEPA public participation requirements to
satisfy the public involvement requirements under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 470(f)) pursuant
to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Any information about historic and cultural
resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed project
will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such
resources in the context of both NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA.
The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other
policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and
potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes
and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the
proposed Buffalo Valley Mine Project 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.
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 1501.7
Christopher J. Cook,
Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2013-02361 Filed 2-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P
