Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Hycroft Mine Expansion Phase II, Humboldt and Pershing Counties, NV, 78469-78470 [2014-30517]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 249 / Tuesday, December 30, 2014 / Notices notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on September 2, 2014. We received one comment. The comment was directed to the subject matter, validity, and necessity of the training and not to the information collection requirements. The commenter believes that employees should obtain training prior to employment and that further training is unnecessary. We have not made any changes to the collection in response to this comment. Request for Public Comments We again invite comments concerning this information collection on: • Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; • The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information; • Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. 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 OMB in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it will be done. Dated: December 23, 2014. Tina A. Campbell, Chief, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2014–30480 Filed 12–29–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES [LLNVW0300.L5110000.GN0000. LVEMF1402860.14X MO 4500073913] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Hycroft Mine Expansion Phase II, Humboldt and Pershing Counties, NV Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:42 Dec 29, 2014 Jkt 235001 (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Black Rock Field Office in Winnemucca, Nevada, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential impacts of approving an expansion of the Hycroft Mine in Humboldt and Pershing Counties, Nevada. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues to be considered in the EIS, and serves to initiate consultation, as required, under the National Historic Preservation Act. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments may be submitted in writing until January 29, 2015. 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/ wfo.html. In order to be included in 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. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Hycroft Mine Phase II Expansion Project EIS/land use plan amendment by any of the following methods: • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/ en/fo/wfo.html • Email: wfoweb@blm.gov • Fax: 775–623–1503 • Mail: BLM Winnemucca District, Black Rock Field Office 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445 Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Black Rock Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Loda, Project Lead, telephone 775–623– 1500; address BLM Winnemucca District, Black Rock Field Office, 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445; email wfoweb@blm.gov. Contact Mr. Loda to have your name added to our mailing list. 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. PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 78469 The applicant, Hycroft Resources and Development, Inc, (HRDI) has proposed an expansion of their operations at the existing Hycroft Mine, which is located approximately 55 miles west of Winnemucca, Nevada, in Humboldt and Pershing Counties. The mine is currently authorized to disturb 6,144 acres (approximately 1,784 acres of private land and 4,360 acres of public land), and the BLM analyzed the impacts of that disturbance in an EIS in 2012, and an Environmental Assessment for the mine plan modification in 2014. The expansion to HRDI’s operations presented would include: • Expanding the Plan boundary to the east; • Extending mining and processing activities until 2034; • Increasing the rate of process water pumping until 2034; • Constructing and operating the Northeast Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) and associated pipeline corridor and haul road; • Constructing and operating the North Heap Leach Facility (HLF) East expansion and associated solution ponds; • Constructing a new 65 to 80 mile 345 kV power-line to the mine site; • Expanding the existing Brimstone pit and mine below the measured groundwater table, between 4,210 to 2,860 feet above mean sea level; • Conducting active dewatering of the Brimstone pit through installation and operation of dewatering wells; • Conducting passive dewatering within the expanded pit footprint; • Expanding the South Waste Rock Facility (WRF); • Modifying the approved land use in the South Processing Complex area to allow the option of constructing the Southwest WRF in place of the complex if desired; • Modifying waste backfill plans with respect to the proposed mining plan; • Expanding haul and secondary roads around the pits, WRFs, HLFs, and TSF; • Constructing storm water diversion, installing culverts, and other storm water controls; • Constructing growth media stockpiles; and • Possible construction of a solar energy installation after closure and reclamation. Total surface disturbance related directly to the modified plan of operations would be 14,909 acres on public and private lands. Disturbance on public land will increase by 8,796 acres, from 4,360 acres to 13,156 acres. Disturbance on private land would SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\30DEN1.SGM 30DEN1 78470 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 249 / Tuesday, December 30, 2014 / Notices decrease by 31 acres, from 1,784 acres to 1,753 acres. The BLM’s approval of the proposed plan of operations modification would extend the mining and processing until 2034. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: (a) Potential to create acid rock or heavy metals drainage from mining activities, and ensuring that there is no degradation of waters of the state or unnecessary or undue degradation of public lands; (b) Potential for an acidic pit lake to form after mining activities cease; (c) Potential impacts to Golden Eagle habitat and wildlife habitat; and (d) Potential impacts to cultural sites. The BLM will analyze a combination of proposed environmental measures and possible mitigation to reduce or eliminate any impacts associated with the proposed action. The BLM will use NEPA public participation requirements to assist the agency in satisfying 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). The information about historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed plan of operations modification will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts of approving the mine expansion to such resources in the context of both NEPA and section 106 of the NHPA. The BLM will consult with Native American tribes on a government-togovernment 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 plan of operations modification that the BLM is evaluating, 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. William Mack, Jr., Black Rock Field Manager. [FR Doc. 2014–30517 Filed 12–29–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES CONCID National Park Tours and Transport, Inc ............................... Oli’s Trolley ........................................................................... Fire Island Concessions, LLC .............................................. JEN Marine Development, LLC ............................................ Global Golf Services, Inc ...................................................... Eastern National ................................................................... The Theodore Roosevelt Association .................................. The View ............................................................................... Parkway Inn, Inc ................................................................... Lang Seafood Company, Inc ................................................ Elizabeth Burns Cook ........................................................... Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission .......... Royale Air Service, Inc ......................................................... Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc ............................................. George Eugene and Eleanor Maggard ................................ George Eugene and Eleanor Maggard ................................ Joe and Darlene Devall ........................................................ George Eugene and Eleanor Maggard ................................ River Run Canoe & Tube Rental ......................................... Yellow Paddle Adventures, LLC ........................................... C & R Boating Company, Inc ............................................... Darrel Blackwell .................................................................... The Landing Canoe Rental .................................................. Tom and Della Bedell ........................................................... The Landing and Rosecliff Lodge ........................................ Jack and Lois Peters ............................................................ George Eugene and Eleanor Maggard ................................ National Park Service [NPS–WASO–CONC–16844; PPWOBSADC0, PPMVSCS1Y.Y00000] Notice of Extension of Concession Contracts VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:42 Dec 29, 2014 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00090 National Park Service, Interior. Public Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Park Service hereby gives public notice that it proposes to extend the following expiring concession contracts for a period of up to one (1) year, or until the effective date of a new contract, whichever occurs sooner. DATES: Effective January 1, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jo A. Pendry, Acting Chief, Commercial Services Program, National Park Service, 1201 Eye Street NW., 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20005, Telephone: 202–513–7156. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All of the listed concession authorizations will expire by their terms on or before December 31, 2014. Pursuant to 36 CFR 51.23, the National Park Service has determined the proposed short-term extensions are necessary to avoid interruption of visitor services and has taken all reasonable and appropriate steps to consider alternatives to avoid such interruption. The publication of this notice merely reflects the intent of the National Park Service but does not bind the National Park Service to extend any of the contracts listed below. SUMMARY: Concessioner ACAD010–04 ............ ACAD011–04 ............ FIIS007–05 ................ GATE017–03 ............. GATE020–04 ............. NERO001–05 ............ SAHI001–05 .............. BISO005–10 .............. BLRI003–04 .............. CUIS001–04 .............. GRSM007–08 ............ HOSP001–04 ............ ISRO006–04 .............. MORU001–05 ........... OZAR002–05 ............ OZAR005–05 ............ OZAR007–05 ............ OZAR008–05 ............ OZAR010–05 ............ OZAR013–05 ............ OZAR014–05 ............ OZAR020–05 ............ OZAR023–05 ............ OZAR024–05 ............ OZAR025–05 ............ OZAR028–05 ............ OZAR036–05 ............ DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Park unit Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Acadia National Park. Acadia National Park. Fire Island National Seashore. Gateway National Recreation Area. Gateway National Recreation Area. Northeast Region, National Park Service. Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. Blue Ridge Parkway. Cumberland Island National Seashore. Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hot Springs National Park. Isle Royale National Park. Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Ozark National Scenic Riverways. E:\FR\FM\30DEN1.SGM 30DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78469-78470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30517]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVW0300.L5110000.GN0000.LVEMF1402860.14X MO 4500073913]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Hycroft Mine Expansion Phase II, Humboldt and Pershing 
Counties, NV

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance 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), Black 
Rock Field Office in Winnemucca, Nevada, intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential impacts 
of approving an expansion of the Hycroft Mine in Humboldt and Pershing 
Counties, Nevada. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping 
process to solicit public comments and identify issues to be considered 
in the EIS, and serves to initiate consultation, as required, under the 
National Historic Preservation Act.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. 
Comments may be submitted in writing until January 29, 2015. 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/wfo.html. In order to be 
included in 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. We will provide additional opportunities 
for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Hycroft Mine Phase II 
Expansion Project EIS/land use plan amendment by any of the following 
methods:
     Web site: https://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/wfo.html
     Email: wfoweb@blm.gov
     Fax: 775-623-1503
     Mail: BLM Winnemucca District, Black Rock Field Office 
5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Black 
Rock Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Loda, Project Lead, telephone 775-
623-1500; address BLM Winnemucca District, Black Rock Field Office, 
5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445; email wfoweb@blm.gov. 
Contact Mr. Loda to have your name added to our mailing list. 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 applicant, Hycroft Resources and 
Development, Inc, (HRDI) has proposed an expansion of their operations 
at the existing Hycroft Mine, which is located approximately 55 miles 
west of Winnemucca, Nevada, in Humboldt and Pershing Counties. The mine 
is currently authorized to disturb 6,144 acres (approximately 1,784 
acres of private land and 4,360 acres of public land), and the BLM 
analyzed the impacts of that disturbance in an EIS in 2012, and an 
Environmental Assessment for the mine plan modification in 2014. The 
expansion to HRDI's operations presented would include:
     Expanding the Plan boundary to the east;
     Extending mining and processing activities until 2034;
     Increasing the rate of process water pumping until 2034;
     Constructing and operating the Northeast Tailings Storage 
Facility (TSF) and associated pipeline corridor and haul road;
     Constructing and operating the North Heap Leach Facility 
(HLF) East expansion and associated solution ponds;
     Constructing a new 65 to 80 mile 345 kV power-line to the 
mine site;
     Expanding the existing Brimstone pit and mine below the 
measured groundwater table, between 4,210 to 2,860 feet above mean sea 
level;
     Conducting active dewatering of the Brimstone pit through 
installation and operation of dewatering wells;
     Conducting passive dewatering within the expanded pit 
footprint;
     Expanding the South Waste Rock Facility (WRF);
     Modifying the approved land use in the South Processing 
Complex area to allow the option of constructing the Southwest WRF in 
place of the complex if desired;
     Modifying waste backfill plans with respect to the 
proposed mining plan;
     Expanding haul and secondary roads around the pits, WRFs, 
HLFs, and TSF;
     Constructing storm water diversion, installing culverts, 
and other storm water controls;
     Constructing growth media stockpiles; and
     Possible construction of a solar energy installation after 
closure and reclamation.
    Total surface disturbance related directly to the modified plan of 
operations would be 14,909 acres on public and private lands. 
Disturbance on public land will increase by 8,796 acres, from 4,360 
acres to 13,156 acres. Disturbance on private land would

[[Page 78470]]

decrease by 31 acres, from 1,784 acres to 1,753 acres. The BLM's 
approval of the proposed plan of operations modification would extend 
the mining and processing until 2034.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. 
At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: 
(a) Potential to create acid rock or heavy metals drainage from mining 
activities, and ensuring that there is no degradation of waters of the 
state or unnecessary or undue degradation of public lands; (b) 
Potential for an acidic pit lake to form after mining activities cease; 
(c) Potential impacts to Golden Eagle habitat and wildlife habitat; and 
(d) Potential impacts to cultural sites. The BLM will analyze a 
combination of proposed environmental measures and possible mitigation 
to reduce or eliminate any impacts associated with the proposed action.
    The BLM will use NEPA public participation requirements to assist 
the agency in satisfying 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). The information about historic 
and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the 
proposed plan of operations modification will assist the BLM in 
identifying and evaluating impacts of approving the mine expansion to 
such resources in the context of both NEPA and section 106 of the NHPA.
    The BLM will consult with Native American 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 plan of operations modification that the BLM is evaluating, 
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.

William Mack, Jr.,
Black Rock Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 2014-30517 Filed 12-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P

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