Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Arturo Mine Project, Elko County, NV, 14530 [2014-05483]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Land Management

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 50 (Friday, March 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 14530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05483]



[[Page 14530]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVE0000 L51100000.GN0000 LVEMF1200580; 14-08807; MO 
4500054727; TAS: 14X5017]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Arturo Mine Project, Elko County, NV

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 amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Arturo Mine Project 
and by this notice is announcing its release for public review.

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

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS for the Arturo Mine Project are 
available for public inspection at the BLM Elko District Office. 
Interested persons may also review the Final EIS on the Internet at 
https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/elko_field_office/blm_information/nepa/nepa_archives/NEPA_Front.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Daniel, Project Manager, 
telephone: 775-753-0277; address: 3900 Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801; 
email: BLM_NV_ELDOArturoEIS_Comments@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: Barrick-Dee Mining Venture, Inc., proposes 
to develop the Arturo Mine Project by expansion of the existing open-
pit Dee Gold Mine, which is currently in closure and reclamation, and 
create approximately 240 jobs. The Dee Gold Mine is 45 miles northwest 
of Elko in Elko County, Nevada. The proposed project would create 
approximately 2,774 acres of new surface disturbance on public lands 
administered by the BLM. While dewatering is not proposed for this 
project, pit lakes would form as a result of cessation of dewatering at 
the Goldstrike Mine, located approximately 8 miles to the southeast.
    The project proposal would include the expansion of the existing 
open pit from one to three lobes, construction of two new waste-rock 
disposal storage facilities, a new heap leach facility, new support 
facilities to include an office, substation and associated power 
transmission lines, water wells, water distribution and sewer systems, 
landfill, mined material stockpile, communications site, stormwater 
control features, haul roads and an access road, and continued surface 
exploration.
    Mill-grade ore would be transported to the Barrick Gold Mining, 
Inc.'s Goldstrike Mine using the Bootstrap Mine Haul Road and would be 
processed at the existing mill facilities located approximately 8 miles 
to the southeast of the proposed project. Low-grade ore would be 
processed on-site at the proposed heap leach pad and associated 
processing facilities. Mine operations and processing would continue 
for approximately 10 years, followed by an estimated 3 years of site 
closure and reclamation. Reclamation would occur concurrently with 
mining to the extent possible.
    Cooperating agencies in the development of the EIS include the 
Nevada Department of Wildlife and the Elko County Board of 
Commissioners. The Nevada Department of Wildlife is concerned about the 
loss of habitat for mule-deer and Greater Sage-Grouse associated with 
mine disturbance. The Elko County Board of Commissioners has raised 
concerns about economic impacts to local communities, including impacts 
to livestock grazing.
    The Draft EIS for the Arturo Mine Project was published and 
available for review on January 18, 2013. A 45-day comment period 
occurred. The BLM received a total of six written comment submissions 
containing 140 individual items during the public comment period. Key 
issues identified by tribal members, groups or organizations, and 
governmental entities include: Potential impacts to cultural resources, 
discharge to surface water, seeps and springs, post-closure groundwater 
contamination, air quality, and loss of wildlife habitat including 
Greater Sage-Grouse Preliminary Priority Habitat. These issues are 
addressed in the Final EIS and impacts associated with active 
production were found to be not significant.
    The Final EIS is an abbreviated final, correcting errors in the 
draft and adding a small amount of new information due to some changes 
in equipment at the existing exploration facilities.
    Comments on the Draft EIS received from the public and internal BLM 
review were considered and incorporated as appropriate into the Final 
EIS. Public comments resulted in the addition of clarifying text, but 
did not significantly change the analysis.
    Following a 30-day Final EIS availability and review period, a 
Record of Decision (ROD) will be issued. The decision reached in the 
ROD is subject to appeal to the Interior Board of Land Appeals. The 30-
day appeal period begins with the issuance of the ROD.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.

Richard E. Adams,
Field Manager, Tuscarora Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2014-05483 Filed 3-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P