Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Panels F and G Lease and Mine Plan Modification Project at Smoky Canyon Mine, Caribou County, ID, 37843-37845 [2013-14983]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 121 / Monday, June 24, 2013 / Notices
distance of 431.44 feet to a stake.
Thence N 81°46′41″ W a distance of
209.69 feet to a cross on a rock. Thence
N 60°52′22″ W a distance of 411.96′ to
a stake. Thence N 78°41′51″ W a
distance of 280.93 feet to the point of
beginning. Being the western portion of
the United States Forestry Service Tract
No. 3094Bd, and being the remainder of
land not included in the Caywood
Branch Coal Lease, TVA Tract No.
XEKCR–39 L (Parcel NO. 1) and having
an area containing 174.36 acres, more or
less.
Bledsoe Coal Corporation requested
the Bledsoe/Beechfork Mine LBA Tract
to mine the underground coal reserves
as an extension from their existing
Beechfork Mine. The tract has one
minable coal bed, the Fire Clay bed. The
minable portions of the coal bed in this
area are around 2.5–3.0 feet in
thickness. The tract contains more than
400,000 tons of recoverable high-volatile
‘A’ bituminous coal. The coal quality in
the Fire Clay coal bed on an ‘‘as
received basis’’ is as follows: 12,900
Btu/lb., 6.5 percent moisture, 7.2
percent ash, 34.6 percent volatile
matter, 51.5 percent fixed carbon and
1.02 percent sulfur. The public is
invited to the meeting to make public
and/or written comments on the
environmental implications of leasing
the proposed tract, the FMV, and MER
of the tract.
Proprietary data marked as
confidential may be submitted to the
BLM in response to the solicitation of
public comments. Data so marked shall
be treated in accordance with the laws
and regulations governing
confidentiality of such information.
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. A copy of the comments
submitted by the public on the EA, FMV
and MER, except those portions
identified as proprietary by the author
and meeting exemptions stated in the
Freedom of Information Act, will be
available for review at the BLM Eastern
States, 7450 Boston Blvd., Springfield,
Virginia.
Comments should address, but need
not be limited to the following:
1. The quality of the coal resource;
2. The mining methods or methods
which would achieve MER of the coal,
including specifications of seams to be
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:13 Jun 21, 2013
Jkt 229001
mined and the most desirable timing
and rate of production;
3. Whether this tract is likely to be
mined as part of an existing mine and
therefore should be evaluated on a
realistic incremental basis, in relation to
the existing mine to which it has the
greatest value;
4. Whether the tract should be
evaluated as part of a potential larger
mining unit and re-evaluated as a
portion of a new potential mine (i.e., a
tract which does not in itself form a
logical mining unit);
5. Restrictions to mining that may
affect coal recovery;
6. The price that the mined coal
would bring when sold;
7. Costs, including mining and
reclamation, of producing the coal;
8. The timing and annual production
tonnage;
9. The percentage rate at which
anticipated income streams should be
discounted, either with inflation or in
the absence of inflation, in which case
the anticipated rate of inflation should
be given;
10. Depreciation, depletion,
amortization and other tax accounting
factors;
11. The value of any surface estate
where held privately;
12. Documented information on the
terms and conditions of recent and
similar coal land transactions in the
lease sale area; and
13. Any comparable sales data of
similar coal lands; mining conditions,
and coal quantities.
Substantive comments, whether
written or oral, will receive equal
consideration prior to any lease offering.
The foregoing is published in the
Federal Register pursuant to 43 CFR
Subparts 3422 and 3425.
Bruce Dawson,
BLM Southeastern States Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2013–14981 Filed 6–21–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–GJ–P
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
37843
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLIDI002000.13300000.EO0000]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Panels F and G Lease
and Mine Plan Modification Project at
Smoky Canyon Mine, Caribou County,
ID
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior; United States Forest Service,
Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
AGENCIES:
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969, the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976,
and the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as
amended, notice is hereby given that the
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau
of Land Management (BLM), Pocatello
Field Office, and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS),
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
(CTNF), will jointly prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) to
determine and analyze the effects of
approving a proposed phosphate mine
lease and mine plan modifications (the
Proposed Action) on Federal mineral
leases held by the J.R. Simplot Company
(Simplot), in southeastern Idaho. The
EIS will tier to the Final EIS prepared
by the BLM and USFS for Panels F and
G at Smoky Canyon Mine in 2007 and
will consider the effects of the proposed
lease and mine plan modifications.
DATES: To ensure that comments will be
considered, the BLM must receive
written comments on the scope of the
analysis described in this notice by July
24, 2013. The BLM will announce future
meetings and any other public
involvement activities at least 15 days
in advance through public notices,
media news releases, and/or mailings.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be
submitted to: Panels F and G Lease and
Mine Plan Modification Project EIS,
C/O JBR Environmental, 8160 South
Highland Drive, Sandy, Utah 84093, or
via email at:
blm_id_scm_panelsfg@blm.gov. Please
reference ‘‘Panels F and G Lease and
MinePlan Modification Project EIS’’ on
all correspondence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Diane Wheeler, Bureau of Land
Management, Pocatello Field Office,
4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, Idaho
E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM
24JNN1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
37844
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 121 / Monday, June 24, 2013 / Notices
83204, phone 208–557–5839. Scoping
information will also be available at the
BLM’s Web site at: https://
www.blm.gov/epl-front-office/
eplanning/nepa/nepa_register.do, or the
USFS Web site at: https://
www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ctnf/
landmanagement/projects. 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 BLM,
as the Federal lease administrator, will
serve as the lead agency and the USFS
as the co-lead agency. The Idaho
Department of Environmental Quality is
a cooperating agency. Simplot has
submitted lease and mine plan
modifications for agency review for the
existing Panel F (lease IDI–27512) and
Panel G (lease IDI–01441) leases at the
Smoky Canyon Phosphate Mine within
the CTNF, in Caribou County, Idaho.
The proposed project that the agencies
are considering approving includes: (1)
Construction of an ore conveyor system
from Panel F to the existing mill to
allow for more economic and efficient
ore transport; and (2) expansion of a
previously approved overburden
disposal area (ODA) in order to
accommodate the overburden generated
from mining Panel G.
The Smoky Canyon Mine, operated by
Simplot, is located approximately 10 air
miles west of Afton, Wyoming, and
approximately 8 miles west of the
Idaho/Wyoming border. The existing
Smoky Canyon mining and milling
operations were authorized in 1982 by
a mine plan approval issued by the BLM
and special use authorizations issued by
the USFS for off-lease activities,
supported by the Smoky Canyon Mine
Final EIS and Record of Decision (ROD).
Mining operations began in Panel A in
1984 and have been continuing ever
since with the mining of Panels A–E. In
2007, the BLM published a Final EIS
and in 2008 RODs were issued
approving the original mining and
reclamation plan for Panels F and G
(Final EIS and RODs available at:
https://www.fs.fed.us/outernet/r4/
caribou-targhee/phosphate/). Panel F is
contiguous with the south end of the
existing mine and Panel G is located
approximately 1 mile southwest of
Panel F. Mining activities associated
with Panel F were initiated in 2008 and
are ongoing. Mining activities associated
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:13 Jun 21, 2013
Jkt 229001
with Panel G have been initiated
through the early stages of haul road
construction.
The proposed lease and mine plan
modifications at Panels F and G of the
Smoky Canyon Mine area would occur
on Federal phosphate leases
administered by the BLM situated on
National Forest System (NFS) lands and
on unleased parcels of NFS lands. The
NFS lands involved lie within the
Montpelier and Soda Springs Ranger
Districts of the CTNF. The existing
leases grant the lessee, Simplot in this
case, exclusive rights to mine and
otherwise dispose of the federallyowned phosphate deposit at the site.
Through development of this EIS, the
BLM and the USFS will analyze
environmental impacts of approving the
proposed lease and mine plan
modifications. Appropriate mitigation
measures will also be formulated.
Agency Decisions: The BLM Idaho
State Director or delegated official will
approve, approve with modifications, or
deny the proposed lease and mine plan
modifications. The decision will be
based on the EIS and any
recommendations the USFS may have
regarding surface management of leased
NFS lands.
The USFS CTNF Supervisor will
make recommendations to the BLM
concerning surface management and
mitigation on leased lands within the
CTNF, and decisions on mine-related
activities that occur off-lease within the
CTNF. Special use authorizations from
the USFS would be necessary for any
off-lease structures located within the
CTNF and associated with approval of
the proposed lease and mine plan
modifications by the BLM (e.g., portions
of the ore conveyor system).
The applicable land use plans have
been reviewed relative to the Proposed
Action and at this time it is not
anticipated that any amendments would
be needed.
Background: Simplot submitted a
proposal for lease and mine plan
modifications for Panels F and G at the
Smoky Canyon Mine in February 2013.
The proposed modifications to Panel F
are related to the construction and use
of an ore conveyance system between
Panel F and the existing mill. The
proposed conveyance system would
generally follow the existing haul road
and would deviate only where
engineering constraints dictate (i.e., too
tight a corner on the road to construct
the conveyor due to vertical and/or
horizontal design limitations), such as at
the north end of Panel F where Simplot
is requesting a special use authorization
to construct a portion of the ore
conveyor off lease. Construction of the
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
conveyor would eliminate the need to
haul ore to the mill via haul trucks,
although the haul road would remain
open so that equipment can be
transported to the shop for maintenance.
The proposed 4.5-mile conveyor system
would include a crusher and stockpile
location on lease in Panel F.
There are three components to the
proposed modification of Panel G: (1)
Modification of lease IDI–01441 by 280
acres to accommodate the expansion of
the previously approved east ODA; (2)
increase in the on-lease disturbance area
of the previously approved south ODA
by 20 acres for the temporary storage of
chert to be used for reclamation; and (3)
utilization of a geo-synthetic clay
laminate liner (GCLL) instead of the
currently approved geologic cover over
the in-pit backfill and the east external
ODA. The current lease area for Panel G
is not large enough to allow for
maximum ore recovery and the
necessary overburden disposal. The
lease modification is necessary to
accommodate all of the overburden
generated from mining Panel G as
analyzed in the Final EIS. At the time
the RODs for the 2007 FEIS were issued,
neither the BLM nor the USFS had the
regulatory authority to approve
Simplot’s original plan for overburden
storage. This is detailed in the RODs,
which are available at https://
www.fs.fed.us/outernet/r4/cariboutarghee/phosphate/. In 2009, the rules
were modified giving the BLM authority
to approve a lease modification for the
purpose of overburden storage.
In an effort to mitigate for the
increased footprint of the seleniferous
ODA, Simplot is proposing to cover all
seleniferous overburden in Panel G with
a GCLL. They feel it is in the best
interest of increased long-term
environmental protection and may lend
itself to a more expeditious review of
the proposed modifications to the leases
and mine plan. In addition, Simplot is
proposing stormwater control features to
address run-off from the proposed
GCLL. It is estimated that up to 17 acres
of new disturbance may be necessary for
these stormwater features. Portions of
these features could be situated on
lease, within the proposed lease
modification area, or off lease. Off-lease
disturbance would require USFS special
use authorization.
In total, approximately 160 acres are
proposed for new disturbance.
Compared to what was analyzed in the
2007 Final EIS, there would be an
additional 10 acres disturbed for the ore
conveyor system (mostly at the north
end of Panel F); 20 acres for the Panel
G south ODA expansion of temporary
chert storage; up to 17 acres for storm
E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM
24JNN1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 121 / Monday, June 24, 2013 / Notices
water control features to address run-off
from the GCLL at Panel G; and 113 acres
for the Panel G east seleniferous ODA
expansion.
The EIS will tier to the 2007 Final EIS
previously prepared for mining at
Panels F and G and approved in 2008
by BLM and USFS RODs. Preliminary
issues related to the proposed project
that have already been identified and
will be addressed in the EIS include: (1)
An increase in the amount of
disturbance of approximately 160 acres,
or approximately 12 percent over what
was analyzed in the 2007 Final EIS; (2)
potential impacts to groundwater
quantity because of a decrease in
recharge area to the Wells Formation
due to the GCLL; (3) potential impacts
to surface water quality after
reclamation due to the reduced
infiltration of the GCLL, potentially
increasing peak streamflows which have
the potential to increase channel
instability and cause stream bank and
stream bed erosion; and (4) an increase
in the amount of disturbance of
approximately 70 acres within the Sage
Creek Inventoried Roadless Area
(General Forest Theme), which is 6
percent over what was analyzed in the
2007 Final EIS.
The BLM and USFS will use the
NEPA public participation requirements
to assist the agency in satisfying public
involvement under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act
(NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 470(f)) pursuant to
36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information
about historic and cultural resources
within the area potentially affected by
the Proposed Action will assist in
identifying and evaluating impacts to
such resources in the context of both
NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA.
The BLM and USFS will consult with
Indian tribes on a government-togovernment basis in accordance with
Executive Order 13175 and other
policies. Tribal concerns, including
impacts to treaty rights 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
project that is being evaluated, are
invited to participate in the scoping
process and, if eligible, may request or
be requested by the BLM or USFS to
participate in the development of the
environmental analysis as a cooperating
agency.
Alternatives and Schedule: At a
minimum, the EIS will analyze the
Proposed Action and the No Action
Alternative. Under the No Action
Alternative, the proposed modifications
to the leases, operating plan, and special
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:13 Jun 21, 2013
Jkt 229001
use authorizations will not be approved,
and mining will continue under the
currently authorized mine plan as
approved by the 2008 RODs. Under the
No Action Alternative, Simplot
estimates that approximately 50 percent
of the phosphate ore in Panel G,
previously considered economically
recoverable, would not be mined but the
overall disturbance would remain the
same. In addition, the proposed
conveyor system would not be
approved, thus no new disturbance
associated with the conveyor would
occur. The previously approved
geologic cover would be used to limit or
prevent the potential release of
contaminants to the environment. Other
alternatives may be considered that
could provide mitigation of potential
impacts.
The tentative EIS project schedule is
as follows:
• Begin public scoping period and
meetings: Spring/Summer 2013.
• Release draft EIS and associated
comment period: Fall/Winter 2013.
• Final EIS publication: Summer
2014.
• Record of Decision: Summer/Fall
2014.
Scoping Procedure: The scoping
procedure to be used for this EIS will
involve notification in the Federal
Register; a mailing to interested and
potentially affected individuals, groups,
Federal, State, and local government
entities requesting input by way of
comments, issues and concerns; news
releases or legal notices; and public
scoping meetings.
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. Comments will be available for
public review at the BLM address listed
above during regular business hours (8
a.m. to 4 p.m.), Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
The BLM and the USFS are seeking
information and written comments
concerning the Proposed Action from
Federal, State, Tribal, and local
agencies, individuals, and organizations
interested in, or affected by the
Proposed Action or the No Action
Alternative. To assist the BLM and the
USFS in identifying issues and concerns
related to the Proposed Action, scoping
comments should be as specific as
possible. This proposed project is
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
37845
subject to the objection process
pursuant to 36 CFR part 218 subparts A
and B. Only those who provide
comment or otherwise express interest
in the Proposed Action either during
scoping or other designated opportunity
for public comment will be eligible as
objectors (36 CFR 218.5).
At least three ‘‘open-house’’ style
public scoping meetings will be held
which will include displays explaining
the project and a forum for asking
questions and commenting on the
project. Meetings are planned to be held
in Pocatello and Fort Hall, Idaho, and
Afton, Wyoming. The dates, times, and
locations of the public scoping meetings
will be announced in mailings and
public notices issued by the BLM.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 40 CFR
Parts 1500–1508; 43 CFR Part 46; 43 U.S.C.
1701; and 43 CFR Part 3590.
Dated: April 30, 2013.
Joe Kraayenbrink,
District Manager, Idaho Falls District, Bureau
of Land Management.
Brent Larson,
Forest Supervisor, Caribou-Targhee National
Forest.
[FR Doc. 2013–14983 Filed 6–21–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCAD01000 L12200000.AL 0000]
Meeting of the Imperial Sand Dunes
Recreation Area (ISDRA) Subgroup of
the California Desert District Advisory
Council
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, in
accordance with Public Laws 92–463
and 94–579, that the Imperial Sand
Dunes Recreation Area Subgroup of the
California Desert District Advisory
Council (DAC) to the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), U.S. Department of
the Interior, will meet on Thursday,
June 27, 2013, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) El
Centro Field Office, 1661 S. 4th St., El
Centro, CA 92243.
The meeting will provide the public
an opportunity to discuss the final
ISDRA business plan. The subgroup will
also formulate recommendations for
presentation to the DAC in July. Public
safety will also be discussed. The
ISDRA Subgroup discussions and public
involvement assists the BLM in
managing the ISDRA.
The ISDRA Subgroup operates under
the authority of the DAC and provides
input to the BLM regarding issues
pertinent to the ISDRA.
E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM
24JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37843-37845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14983]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLIDI002000.13300000.EO0000]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Panels F and G Lease and Mine Plan Modification Project at
Smoky Canyon Mine, Caribou County, ID
AGENCIES: Bureau of Land Management, Interior; United States Forest
Service, Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of
1976, and the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, notice is hereby
given that the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), Pocatello Field Office, and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS), Caribou-Targhee National Forest
(CTNF), will jointly prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to
determine and analyze the effects of approving a proposed phosphate
mine lease and mine plan modifications (the Proposed Action) on Federal
mineral leases held by the J.R. Simplot Company (Simplot), in
southeastern Idaho. The EIS will tier to the Final EIS prepared by the
BLM and USFS for Panels F and G at Smoky Canyon Mine in 2007 and will
consider the effects of the proposed lease and mine plan modifications.
DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive
written comments on the scope of the analysis described in this notice
by July 24, 2013. The BLM will announce future meetings and any other
public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through
public notices, media news releases, and/or mailings.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted to: Panels F and G Lease
and Mine Plan Modification Project EIS, C/O JBR Environmental, 8160
South Highland Drive, Sandy, Utah 84093, or via email at: blm_id_scm_panelsfg@blm.gov. Please reference ``Panels F and G Lease and
MinePlan Modification Project EIS'' on all correspondence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Wheeler, Bureau of Land
Management, Pocatello Field Office, 4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, Idaho
[[Page 37844]]
83204, phone 208-557-5839. Scoping information will also be available
at the BLM's Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/nepa/nepa_register.do, or the USFS Web site at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ctnf/landmanagement/projects. 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 BLM, as the Federal lease administrator,
will serve as the lead agency and the USFS as the co-lead agency. The
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is a cooperating agency.
Simplot has submitted lease and mine plan modifications for agency
review for the existing Panel F (lease IDI-27512) and Panel G (lease
IDI-01441) leases at the Smoky Canyon Phosphate Mine within the CTNF,
in Caribou County, Idaho. The proposed project that the agencies are
considering approving includes: (1) Construction of an ore conveyor
system from Panel F to the existing mill to allow for more economic and
efficient ore transport; and (2) expansion of a previously approved
overburden disposal area (ODA) in order to accommodate the overburden
generated from mining Panel G.
The Smoky Canyon Mine, operated by Simplot, is located
approximately 10 air miles west of Afton, Wyoming, and approximately 8
miles west of the Idaho/Wyoming border. The existing Smoky Canyon
mining and milling operations were authorized in 1982 by a mine plan
approval issued by the BLM and special use authorizations issued by the
USFS for off-lease activities, supported by the Smoky Canyon Mine Final
EIS and Record of Decision (ROD). Mining operations began in Panel A in
1984 and have been continuing ever since with the mining of Panels A-E.
In 2007, the BLM published a Final EIS and in 2008 RODs were issued
approving the original mining and reclamation plan for Panels F and G
(Final EIS and RODs available at: https://www.fs.fed.us/outernet/r4/caribou-targhee/phosphate/). Panel F is contiguous with the south end
of the existing mine and Panel G is located approximately 1 mile
southwest of Panel F. Mining activities associated with Panel F were
initiated in 2008 and are ongoing. Mining activities associated with
Panel G have been initiated through the early stages of haul road
construction.
The proposed lease and mine plan modifications at Panels F and G of
the Smoky Canyon Mine area would occur on Federal phosphate leases
administered by the BLM situated on National Forest System (NFS) lands
and on unleased parcels of NFS lands. The NFS lands involved lie within
the Montpelier and Soda Springs Ranger Districts of the CTNF. The
existing leases grant the lessee, Simplot in this case, exclusive
rights to mine and otherwise dispose of the federally-owned phosphate
deposit at the site.
Through development of this EIS, the BLM and the USFS will analyze
environmental impacts of approving the proposed lease and mine plan
modifications. Appropriate mitigation measures will also be formulated.
Agency Decisions: The BLM Idaho State Director or delegated
official will approve, approve with modifications, or deny the proposed
lease and mine plan modifications. The decision will be based on the
EIS and any recommendations the USFS may have regarding surface
management of leased NFS lands.
The USFS CTNF Supervisor will make recommendations to the BLM
concerning surface management and mitigation on leased lands within the
CTNF, and decisions on mine-related activities that occur off-lease
within the CTNF. Special use authorizations from the USFS would be
necessary for any off-lease structures located within the CTNF and
associated with approval of the proposed lease and mine plan
modifications by the BLM (e.g., portions of the ore conveyor system).
The applicable land use plans have been reviewed relative to the
Proposed Action and at this time it is not anticipated that any
amendments would be needed.
Background: Simplot submitted a proposal for lease and mine plan
modifications for Panels F and G at the Smoky Canyon Mine in February
2013. The proposed modifications to Panel F are related to the
construction and use of an ore conveyance system between Panel F and
the existing mill. The proposed conveyance system would generally
follow the existing haul road and would deviate only where engineering
constraints dictate (i.e., too tight a corner on the road to construct
the conveyor due to vertical and/or horizontal design limitations),
such as at the north end of Panel F where Simplot is requesting a
special use authorization to construct a portion of the ore conveyor
off lease. Construction of the conveyor would eliminate the need to
haul ore to the mill via haul trucks, although the haul road would
remain open so that equipment can be transported to the shop for
maintenance. The proposed 4.5-mile conveyor system would include a
crusher and stockpile location on lease in Panel F.
There are three components to the proposed modification of Panel G:
(1) Modification of lease IDI-01441 by 280 acres to accommodate the
expansion of the previously approved east ODA; (2) increase in the on-
lease disturbance area of the previously approved south ODA by 20 acres
for the temporary storage of chert to be used for reclamation; and (3)
utilization of a geo-synthetic clay laminate liner (GCLL) instead of
the currently approved geologic cover over the in-pit backfill and the
east external ODA. The current lease area for Panel G is not large
enough to allow for maximum ore recovery and the necessary overburden
disposal. The lease modification is necessary to accommodate all of the
overburden generated from mining Panel G as analyzed in the Final EIS.
At the time the RODs for the 2007 FEIS were issued, neither the BLM nor
the USFS had the regulatory authority to approve Simplot's original
plan for overburden storage. This is detailed in the RODs, which are
available at https://www.fs.fed.us/outernet/r4/caribou-targhee/phosphate/. In 2009, the rules were modified giving the BLM authority
to approve a lease modification for the purpose of overburden storage.
In an effort to mitigate for the increased footprint of the
seleniferous ODA, Simplot is proposing to cover all seleniferous
overburden in Panel G with a GCLL. They feel it is in the best interest
of increased long-term environmental protection and may lend itself to
a more expeditious review of the proposed modifications to the leases
and mine plan. In addition, Simplot is proposing stormwater control
features to address run-off from the proposed GCLL. It is estimated
that up to 17 acres of new disturbance may be necessary for these
stormwater features. Portions of these features could be situated on
lease, within the proposed lease modification area, or off lease. Off-
lease disturbance would require USFS special use authorization.
In total, approximately 160 acres are proposed for new disturbance.
Compared to what was analyzed in the 2007 Final EIS, there would be an
additional 10 acres disturbed for the ore conveyor system (mostly at
the north end of Panel F); 20 acres for the Panel G south ODA expansion
of temporary chert storage; up to 17 acres for storm
[[Page 37845]]
water control features to address run-off from the GCLL at Panel G; and
113 acres for the Panel G east seleniferous ODA expansion.
The EIS will tier to the 2007 Final EIS previously prepared for
mining at Panels F and G and approved in 2008 by BLM and USFS RODs.
Preliminary issues related to the proposed project that have already
been identified and will be addressed in the EIS include: (1) An
increase in the amount of disturbance of approximately 160 acres, or
approximately 12 percent over what was analyzed in the 2007 Final EIS;
(2) potential impacts to groundwater quantity because of a decrease in
recharge area to the Wells Formation due to the GCLL; (3) potential
impacts to surface water quality after reclamation due to the reduced
infiltration of the GCLL, potentially increasing peak streamflows which
have the potential to increase channel instability and cause stream
bank and stream bed erosion; and (4) an increase in the amount of
disturbance of approximately 70 acres within the Sage Creek Inventoried
Roadless Area (General Forest Theme), which is 6 percent over what was
analyzed in the 2007 Final EIS.
The BLM and USFS will use the NEPA public participation
requirements to assist the agency in satisfying public involvement
under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16
U.S.C. 470(f)) pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about
historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by
the Proposed Action will assist in identifying and evaluating impacts
to such resources in the context of both NEPA and Section 106 of the
NHPA.
The BLM and USFS will consult with Indian tribes on a government-
to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other
policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts to treaty rights 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 project that is being evaluated, are invited to participate in
the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by
the BLM or USFS to participate in the development of the environmental
analysis as a cooperating agency.
Alternatives and Schedule: At a minimum, the EIS will analyze the
Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Under the No Action
Alternative, the proposed modifications to the leases, operating plan,
and special use authorizations will not be approved, and mining will
continue under the currently authorized mine plan as approved by the
2008 RODs. Under the No Action Alternative, Simplot estimates that
approximately 50 percent of the phosphate ore in Panel G, previously
considered economically recoverable, would not be mined but the overall
disturbance would remain the same. In addition, the proposed conveyor
system would not be approved, thus no new disturbance associated with
the conveyor would occur. The previously approved geologic cover would
be used to limit or prevent the potential release of contaminants to
the environment. Other alternatives may be considered that could
provide mitigation of potential impacts.
The tentative EIS project schedule is as follows:
Begin public scoping period and meetings: Spring/Summer
2013.
Release draft EIS and associated comment period: Fall/
Winter 2013.
Final EIS publication: Summer 2014.
Record of Decision: Summer/Fall 2014.
Scoping Procedure: The scoping procedure to be used for this EIS
will involve notification in the Federal Register; a mailing to
interested and potentially affected individuals, groups, Federal,
State, and local government entities requesting input by way of
comments, issues and concerns; news releases or legal notices; and
public scoping meetings.
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. Comments will be available for public review at the BLM
address listed above during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.),
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The BLM and the USFS are seeking information and written comments
concerning the Proposed Action from Federal, State, Tribal, and local
agencies, individuals, and organizations interested in, or affected by
the Proposed Action or the No Action Alternative. To assist the BLM and
the USFS in identifying issues and concerns related to the Proposed
Action, scoping comments should be as specific as possible. This
proposed project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR
part 218 subparts A and B. Only those who provide comment or otherwise
express interest in the Proposed Action either during scoping or other
designated opportunity for public comment will be eligible as objectors
(36 CFR 218.5).
At least three ``open-house'' style public scoping meetings will be
held which will include displays explaining the project and a forum for
asking questions and commenting on the project. Meetings are planned to
be held in Pocatello and Fort Hall, Idaho, and Afton, Wyoming. The
dates, times, and locations of the public scoping meetings will be
announced in mailings and public notices issued by the BLM.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508; 43
CFR Part 46; 43 U.S.C. 1701; and 43 CFR Part 3590.
Dated: April 30, 2013.
Joe Kraayenbrink,
District Manager, Idaho Falls District, Bureau of Land Management.
Brent Larson,
Forest Supervisor, Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2013-14983 Filed 6-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P
