Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed East Smoky Panel Mine Project at Smoky Canyon Mine, Caribou County, ID, 18250-18253 [2015-07587]
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order to ensure a competitive
marketplace in the provision of Internet
services that leads to more affordable
and higher quality services for
households.
The criteria are meant to create
optimal conditions to accelerate the
adoption and use of broadband
technology. However, the criteria may
be applied with reasonable flexibility to
ensure that a diverse set of communities
are considered for participation in this
demonstration. As the demonstration
proceeds, HUD will assess expressions
of interest from communities and the
availability of HUD staffing resources to
support participation by more than the
communities identified at the start of
the demonstration. Additionally, as the
demonstration proceeds, HUD will
assess the effectiveness of the selection
criteria on an ongoing basis. As a result
of these assessments, HUD may expand
the number of participating
communities, revise the selection
criteria, or both to reflect HUD’s
experience in implementing the
demonstration.
3. Stakeholder Meetings
In advance of commencement of the
demonstration, HUD will sponsor or cosponsor one or more meetings of
communities, cross-sector entities, and
other stakeholders to facilitate the
sharing of information and identifying
communities interested in participation
in the demonstration. HUD will reach
out to communities that have formally
declared a commitment to close the
digital divide and otherwise meet the
criteria described above to participate in
those meetings. HUD therefore
encourages interested communities to
take the necessary steps to meet the
criteria as quickly as possible in order
to be best positioned to realize the
benefits of these discussions.
HUD may partner with an existing
entity that has a national organizational
presence sufficient to provide a strong
coordinating function across
communities, government, and the
private and nonprofit sectors. The entity
should have significant expertise in
next-generation wireline and wireless
networks. It should possess strong
existing relationships with industry,
foundations, universities, and nonprofit
and non-governmental agencies. And,
finally, it should have community
project experience, including
educational and outreach activities in
underserved populations.
III. Evaluating the Demonstration
HUD intends to build on the
outcomes of the demonstration, with the
goal of extending the demonstration on
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a nationwide basis. HUD will work with
entities across the government and the
broader research community to
rigorously measure outcomes associated
with work to narrow the broadband
digital divide. The participating
communities and cross-sector entities
are expected to participate in any efforts
designed to identify and share best
practices from the demonstration with
other HUD-assisted communities. In
addition, participating communities and
entities will be required to
collaboratively develop and
subsequently measure and report
outputs and outcomes.
IV. Solicitation of Public Comment
In accordance with section 470 of the
Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act
of 1983 (42 U.S.C. 3542), HUD is
seeking comment on the demonstration.
Section 470 provides that HUD may not
begin a demonstration program not
expressly authorized by statute until a
description of the demonstration
program is published in the Federal
Register and a 60-day period expires
following the date of publication, during
which time HUD solicits public
comment and considers the comments
submitted. The public comment period
provided allows HUD the opportunity to
consider those comments during the 60day period, and be in a position to
commence implementation of the
demonstration following the conclusion
of the 60-day period.
Dated: March 30, 2015.
´
Julian Castro,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–07719 Filed 4–2–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[14X LLIDI02000.13300000.EO0000 241A;
4500070627]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed East Smoky Panel Mine
Project at Smoky Canyon Mine,
Caribou County, ID
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior; United States Forest Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
SUMMARY:
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(NEPA) of 1969, the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976,
the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as
amended, and the National Forest
Management Act of 1976, notice is
hereby given that the Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Land Management
(BLM), Pocatello Field Office, Pocatello,
Idaho, and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS),
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
(CTNF), Idaho Falls, Idaho, will jointly
prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS). The purpose of this EIS
is to analyze the potential effects of
approving a proposed lease
modification and phosphate mine and
reclamation plan (M&RP) (the Proposed
Action) on Federal mineral leases held
by the J.R. Simplot Company (Simplot),
in southeastern Idaho; and to amend the
CTNF Revised Forest Plan (2003) in
conjunction with the project. In
connection with its review of the
Proposed Action, the EIS will also
consider potential amendments to the
CTNF Revised Forest Plan (2003). 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
and the Idaho Department of Lands are
cooperating agencies. This notice is
announcing the beginning of the
scoping process to solicit public
comments and identify issues for
analysis.
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 May
4, 2015. The BLM will announce
meetings and any other public
involvement activities at least 15 days
in advance through public notices,
media news releases, and/or mailings.
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, to be considered in
the draft EIS. We will provide
additional opportunities for public
participation upon publication of the
draft EIS.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
comments to: East Smoky Panel Mine
EIS, C/O Stantec, formerly JBR
Environmental Consultants, Inc., 8160
South Highland Drive, Sandy, Utah
84093, or via email at: blm_id_espm_
eis@blm.gov. Please reference ‘‘East
Smoky Panel Mine EIS’’ on all
correspondence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Opp, Bureau of Land
Management, Pocatello Field Office,
4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204,
phone 208–478–6382. Scoping
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information will also be available at the
BLM’s website at: https://www.blm.gov/
id/st/en/get_involved/nepa.html, or the
USFS Web site at: https://www.fs.fed.us/
nepa/nepa_project_
exp.php?project=44748. 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 Mr. Opp. You will
receive a reply during normal business
hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Simplot
has submitted a proposed lease
modification and M&RP for agency
review for the East Smoky Panel leases
(IDI–015259, IDI–026843, and IDI–
012890) at the Smoky Canyon
phosphate mine in Caribou County,
Idaho. The Smoky Canyon mine, which
Simplot operates, is located
approximately 10 miles southwest of
Afton, Wyoming, and approximately 5
miles west of the Idaho/Wyoming
border. The proposed lease modification
and M&RP for the East Smoky Panel of
the Smoky Canyon mine would affect
Federal phosphate leases administered
by the BLM situated on National Forest
System (NFS) lands, on unleased
parcels of NFS lands (where a Special
Use Authorization would be required),
and on split estate land, where the
surface estate is in private ownership
and the subsurface estate (including
rights to develop the mineral resources)
is held by the Federal government under
BLM management. The NFS lands
involved lie within the Soda Springs
Ranger District of the CTNF. The
existing leases grant Simplot exclusive
rights to mine and otherwise dispose of
the federally owned phosphate deposit
at the site. The M&RP submitted for
approval details the manner in which
Simplot proposes to exercise its mine
development rights and constitutes the
Proposed Action for purposes of the EIS.
The Proposed Action includes: (1)
Development and reclamation of an
open pit phosphate mine; (2)
development and reclamation of mine
infrastructure such as transmission
lines, access roads, and other
miscellaneous disturbances; (3) projectrelated lease modifications, such as the
proposed modification of Lease IDI–
015259 by adding 120 acres along the
southwest side of the existing lease for
mining-related disturbance; and (4)
amendment of the CTNF Revised Forest
Plan (2003) to address changes in the
surface land management within the
CTNF. In the proposed EIS, the BLM
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and the USFS will analyze the
environmental impacts of approving
potential lease modifications, the
M&RP, and the Forest Plan Amendment.
The EIS will also analyze the
environmental impacts of reasonable
alternatives to the Proposed Action.
Additionally, the EIS will consider
regional mitigation strategies for
addressing the effects to wildlife habitat
from phosphate mining. The Pocatello
Field Office is currently developing
these strategies.
Agency Decisions: The BLM Idaho
State Director or delegated official will
approve, approve with modifications, or
deny the proposed lease modification
and M&RP. The Director will base his
decision on the EIS and any
recommendations the USFS may have
regarding surface management of leased
NFS lands.
The USFS CTNF Supervisor will
decide whether to amend the CTNF
Revised Forest Plan. In addition, the
CTNF Supervisor will make decisions
on mine-related activities occurring offlease within the CTNF. Special Use
Authorizations from the USFS would be
necessary for any off-lease structures
located within the CTNF (e.g., relocated
transmission lines, mine access roads,
and miscellaneous disturbances). The
USFS CTNF Supervisor will also make
recommendations to the BLM
concerning surface management and
mitigation on leased lands within the
CTNF.
The Army Corps of Engineers may
also make decisions related to permits
under Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act.
Background: The BLM and the USFS
authorized existing Smoky Canyon
mining and milling operations in 1982,
when the BLM issued a mine plan
approval and the USFS issued Special
Use Authorizations for off-lease
activities. The agencies supported these
decisions in the Smoky Canyon Mine
Final EIS and Record of Decision (ROD).
Mining operations began in Panel A in
1984 and have continued ever since
with the mining of Panels A through G.
Simplot submitted a proposed lease
modification and M&RP for the East
Smoky Panel in November 2013. The
proposed East Smoky Project Area is
located approximately one-half mile
directly east of Panel A and, in the
northern portion, adjacent to Panel B. A
supplemental EIS for mining of Panels
B and C, which addressed selenium
issues and additional endangered
species, was prepared in 2002; a
subsequent ROD approved mining of
Panels B and C. The BLM and USFS
approved the mining of Panels F and G
in 2008 and are in the process of
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publishing a Final EIS for the Panels F
and G Lease and Mine Plan
Modification Project.
The proposed M&RP provides for
mining to occur over 12 years, with
concurrent reclamation on both USFS
and split estate lands to be completed in
2 to 3 years after cessation of mining.
Development of the East Smoky Panel
would consist of a single north-south
linear open pit that would be mined
sequentially in six distinguishable
phases, beginning at the north end and
ending at the south end of the pit on
split estate land where Simplot owns
the surface estate.
During mining in the northern portion
of the East Smoky pit, overburden
would be placed directly on the existing
reclaimed Panel B pit, elevating
contours to be closer to pre-mining
topography than the currently approved
final pit contours for Panel B.
Overburden from the middle and
southern portions of the East Smoky pit
would be backfilled in the pit for
concurrent reclamation. The East Smoky
in-pit backfill would be maximized and
there would be no external overburden
placement, with the exception of some
low-seleniferous overburden, which
would be used in haul road and ramp
construction. The proposal includes
construction of an external haul road,
which would run along the length of the
ultimate East Smoky Panel. Chert and
limestone from pit overburden
operations would be used for coarse and
durable armor in haul roads, water
control ditches, culverts, and pond
designs. All seleniferous overburden
would receive a geologic store-andrelease cover system consisting of chert,
overlain by Dinwoody and/or Salt Lake
Formation, and a topsoil layer.
Under the proposed M&RP,
approximately 37 acres of the proposed
pit would be constructed on presently
unleased NFS land and backfilled with
selenium-bearing waste rock. This
would require modification (expansion)
of Lease IDI–015259 by 120 acres. In
addition to the pit and haul roads, new
disturbance associated with
development of the East Smoky Panel
would include creation of topsoil
stockpiles, reclamation material borrow
areas, storm water ponds and ditches,
and a possible dewatering pipeline. Two
existing transmission lines that cross the
proposed East Smoky Panel Project Area
would have to be rerouted around the
proposed open pit area. The 25-kilovolt
(kV) transmission line crossing the
northern portion of the Project Area
would be relocated to the eastern edge
of the existing Panel B disturbance. The
115-kV transmission line crosses the
southern portion of the Project Area in
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 64 / Friday, April 3, 2015 / Notices
an existing utility corridor, as required
by the CTNF Revised Forest Plan, and
would be relocated around the southern
end of the proposed open pit. Relocating
the utility corridor associated with the
transmission line would require
amending the CTNF Revised Forest
Plan. Mining-related developments on
unleased NFS land would require USFS
Special Use Authorizations.
Total disturbance associated with the
East Smoky Panel development would
be approximately 847 acres, of which
approximately 837 acres (nearly 99
percent) would be reclaimed, consistent
with applicable Federal, State and local
laws. Approximately 10 acres of pit
disturbance on split estate land where
Simplot owns the surface estate would
not be reclaimed. The total new
disturbance would be 699.9 acres, and
147.1 acres would be re-disturbance of
the Smoky Canyon Mine at Panel B. Onlease disturbance of NFS land would be
438.7 acres with an additional 91.9
acres of NFS land disturbed off lease,
which would require Special Use
Authorizations from the USFS.
Disturbance on split estate land on lease
would be 217 acres and split estate land
off-lease disturbance would be 99.4
acres. Total disturbance from external
pit roads would be approximately 74
acres.
Simplot proposes reclamation
activities that include backfilling mine
pits, placing a store- and-release cover
over waste rock, grading to return
disturbed areas to more natural
contours, re-establishing drainage
patterns, and revegetation. Rocky pit
walls comprise the unreclaimed two
percent of the disturbance. The EIS will
assess Simplot’s proposed reclamation
activities for compliance with the
mandates and objectives in applicable
Federal land use plans, including the
CTNF Revised Forest Plan and the BLM
Pocatello Resource Management Plan.
Ore from the new East Smoky Panel
would be trucked to the existing Smoky
Canyon mill facilities over new and
existing haul roads to be concentrated.
The existing slurry pipeline system
would transport ore concentrate from
the mill to the Simplot fertilizer plant in
Pocatello, Idaho. Mill tailings would
continue to be deposited in the
currently approved and permitted
tailings disposal facilities located on
Simplot property east of the mine. The
existing Smoky Canyon Mine facilities
are adequate for use in the East Smoky
Panel operations. These facilities
include the main office, security
building, septic system and parking; ore
stockpile; mill and shop complex;
tailings pond, slurry pipeline; culinary
and production wells; water storage
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tanks, substation, and blasting supply
storage.
The BLM and USFS will use NEPA
public participation requirements to
assist the agency in satisfying public
involvement under the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C.
306108) 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 the
NHPA.
The BLM and the 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
Action are invited to participate in the
scoping process and, if eligible, may
request or be requested by the BLM or
the 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 M&RP for
development of the East Smoky Panel
and Special Use Authorizations would
not be approved, existing Federal
mineral leases would not be modified,
the CTNF Revised Forest Plan would
not be amended. Mining pursuant to
existing authorizations at other panels
of the Smoky Canyon Mine would
continue as currently authorized. In this
case, Simplot would retain and be
eligible to invoke the mining rights
granted in their existing Federal leases
at another time, with a revised M&RP
that meets all regulatory and other
established requirements. 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 2015.
• Release draft EIS and associated
comment period: Summer 2016.
• Final EIS publication: Spring 2017.
• Record of Decision: Spring/Summer
2017.
Scoping Procedure: The scoping
procedure for this EIS will involve
notification in the Federal Register; a
mailing to interested and potentially
affected individuals, groups, and
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Federal, State, and local government
entities requesting input; 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 office listed
above during regular business hours
(8:00 a.m. to 4:30 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. The portion of the proposed
project related to USFS special use
authorizations for off-lease activities is
subject to the objection process
pursuant to 36 CFR part 218 Subparts A
and B. Only those who submit specific
written comments on the Proposed
Action, either during scoping or other
designated opportunity for public
comment, will be eligible as objectors
(36 CFR 218.5). BLM appeal procedures
found in 43 CFR part 4 apply to the
portion of the project related to the
development of Federal mineral estate
including the Federal lease(s).
At least three ‘‘open-house’’ style
public scoping meetings will be held
during which the public may view
displays explaining the project and ask
questions and comment 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, public
notices and news releases issued by the
BLM and on the BLM Web site.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.; 42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.; 40 CFR 1500–1508; 43 CFR 46;
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30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.; 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.;
AND 43 CFR 3590.
Karen Rice,
Acting District Manager, Idaho Falls District,
Bureau of Land Management.
Garth Smelser,
Forest Supervisor, Caribou-Targhee National
Forest.
[FR Doc. 2015–07587 Filed 4–2–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Geological Survey
[GX15LC00BM3FD00]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Request for Comments
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS),
Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of a revision of a
currently approved information
collection (1028–0079).
We (the U.S. Geological
Survey) will ask the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) to
approve the information collection (IC)
described below. As required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
1995, and as part of our continuing
efforts to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, we invite the
general public and other Federal
agencies to take this opportunity to
comment on this IC. This collection is
scheduled to expire on September 30,
2015.
SUMMARY:
To ensure that your comments
are considered, we must receive them
on or before June 2, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this information collection to the
Information Collection Clearance
Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201
Sunrise Valley Drive MS 807, Reston,
VA 20192 (mail); (703) 648–7197 (fax);
or gs-info_collections@usgs.gov (email).
Please reference ‘Information Collection
1028–0079, North American Breeding
Bird Survey’ in all correspondence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Keith Pardieck, USGS Patuxent Wildlife
Research Center, 12100 Beech Forest
Road, Laurel, MD 20708–4038 (mail);
301–497–5843 (phone); or kpardieck@
usgs.gov (email). You may also find
information about this ICR at
www.reginfo.gov.
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DATES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
Respondents supply the U.S.
Geological Survey with avian
population data for more than 600 North
17:49 Apr 02, 2015
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including your personal mailing
address, phone number, email address,
or other personally identifiable
information in your comment, you
should be aware that your entire
comment, including your personally
identifiable information, may be made
publicly available at any time. While
you can ask us in your comment to
withhold your personally identifiable
information from public view, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Mark Wimer,
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Director
(Acting).
[FR Doc. 2015–07704 Filed 4–2–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4311–AM–P
AGENCY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
American bird species. The raw survey
data, resulting population trend
estimates, and relative abundance
estimates will be made available via the
Internet and through special
publications, for use by Government
agencies, industry, education programs,
and the general public. We will protect
information from respondents
considered proprietary under the
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C.
552) and its implementing regulations
(43 CFR part 2), and under regulations
at 30 CFR 250.197, ‘‘Data and
information to be made available to the
public or for limited inspection.’’
Responses are voluntary. No questions
of a ‘‘sensitive’’ nature are asked.
18253
II. Data
OMB Control Number: 1028–0079.
Form Number: NA.
Title: North American Breeding Bird
Survey.
Type of Request: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Affected Public: General public
skilled in bird identification.
Respondent’s Obligation: None.
Participation is voluntary.
Frequency of Collection: Annually.
Estimated Total Number of Annual
Responses: 2,600.
Estimated Time per Response: 11
hours.
Estimated Annual Burden Hours:
28,600.
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-Hour Cost’’
Burden: Mileage costs are on average
$57.50 per response. This includes an
approximate 100-mile round trip for
data collection.
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA
(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) provides that an
agency may not conduct or sponsor and
you are not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number and current expiration date.
III. Request for Comments
We are soliciting comments as to: (a)
Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the agency
to perform its duties, including whether
the information is useful; (b) the
accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, usefulness, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) how
to minimize the burden on the
respondents, including the use of
automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Please note that the comments
submitted in response to this notice are
a matter of public record. Before
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCAD01000 L12100000.MD0000
15XL1109AF]
Meeting of the California Desert
District Advisory Council
Notice is hereby given, in
accordance with Public Law 92–463 and
94–579, that the California Desert
District Advisory Council (DAC) to the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM),
U.S. Department of the Interior, will
participate in a field tour of BLMadministered public lands on Friday,
April 10, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. and will meet in formal session on
Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 8:00 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. in Ridgecrest, CA. Exact
meeting location is yet to be
determined. Agenda for the Saturday
meeting will include updates by council
members, the BLM California Desert
District Manager, five Field Managers,
and council subgroups. The focus topic
for the meeting will be the BLM’s
ongoing planning efforts in the West
Mojave planning area. Final agenda
items for the field trip, public meeting,
and the meeting location will be posted
on the DAC Web page at https://
www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/rac/
dac.html when finalized.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All DAC
meetings are open to the public. Public
comment for items not on the agenda
will be scheduled at the beginning of
the meeting Saturday morning. Time for
public comment is made available by
the council chairman during the
presentation of various agenda items,
and is scheduled at the end of the
meeting for topics not on the agenda.
While the Saturday meeting is
tentatively scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., the meeting could conclude
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 64 (Friday, April 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18250-18253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07587]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[14X LLIDI02000.13300000.EO0000 241A; 4500070627]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed East Smoky Panel Mine Project at Smoky Canyon Mine,
Caribou County, ID
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior; United States Forest
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of
1976, the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, and the National
Forest Management Act of 1976, notice is hereby given that the
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Pocatello
Field Office, Pocatello, Idaho, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service (USFS), Caribou-Targhee National Forest (CTNF), Idaho
Falls, Idaho, will jointly prepare an environmental impact statement
(EIS). The purpose of this EIS is to analyze the potential effects of
approving a proposed lease modification and phosphate mine and
reclamation plan (M&RP) (the Proposed Action) on Federal mineral leases
held by the J.R. Simplot Company (Simplot), in southeastern Idaho; and
to amend the CTNF Revised Forest Plan (2003) in conjunction with the
project. In connection with its review of the Proposed Action, the EIS
will also consider potential amendments to the CTNF Revised Forest Plan
(2003). 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 and the Idaho Department of Lands are cooperating
agencies. This notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping
process to solicit public comments and identify issues for analysis.
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 May 4, 2015. The BLM will announce meetings and any other public
involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public
notices, media news releases, and/or mailings. 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, to be considered in
the draft EIS. We will provide additional opportunities for public
participation upon publication of the draft EIS.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments to: East Smoky Panel Mine
EIS, C/O Stantec, formerly JBR Environmental Consultants, Inc., 8160
South Highland Drive, Sandy, Utah 84093, or via email at:
blm_id_espm_eis@blm.gov. Please reference ``East Smoky Panel Mine EIS''
on all correspondence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Opp, Bureau of Land Management,
Pocatello Field Office, 4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204, phone
208-478-6382. Scoping
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information will also be available at the BLM's website at: https://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/get_involved/nepa.html, or the USFS Web site at:
https://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=44748. 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 Mr. Opp. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Simplot has submitted a proposed lease
modification and M&RP for agency review for the East Smoky Panel leases
(IDI-015259, IDI-026843, and IDI-012890) at the Smoky Canyon phosphate
mine in Caribou County, Idaho. The Smoky Canyon mine, which Simplot
operates, is located approximately 10 miles southwest of Afton,
Wyoming, and approximately 5 miles west of the Idaho/Wyoming border.
The proposed lease modification and M&RP for the East Smoky Panel of
the Smoky Canyon mine would affect Federal phosphate leases
administered by the BLM situated on National Forest System (NFS) lands,
on unleased parcels of NFS lands (where a Special Use Authorization
would be required), and on split estate land, where the surface estate
is in private ownership and the subsurface estate (including rights to
develop the mineral resources) is held by the Federal government under
BLM management. The NFS lands involved lie within the Soda Springs
Ranger District of the CTNF. The existing leases grant Simplot
exclusive rights to mine and otherwise dispose of the federally owned
phosphate deposit at the site. The M&RP submitted for approval details
the manner in which Simplot proposes to exercise its mine development
rights and constitutes the Proposed Action for purposes of the EIS.
The Proposed Action includes: (1) Development and reclamation of an
open pit phosphate mine; (2) development and reclamation of mine
infrastructure such as transmission lines, access roads, and other
miscellaneous disturbances; (3) project-related lease modifications,
such as the proposed modification of Lease IDI-015259 by adding 120
acres along the southwest side of the existing lease for mining-related
disturbance; and (4) amendment of the CTNF Revised Forest Plan (2003)
to address changes in the surface land management within the CTNF. In
the proposed EIS, the BLM and the USFS will analyze the environmental
impacts of approving potential lease modifications, the M&RP, and the
Forest Plan Amendment. The EIS will also analyze the environmental
impacts of reasonable alternatives to the Proposed Action.
Additionally, the EIS will consider regional mitigation strategies for
addressing the effects to wildlife habitat from phosphate mining. The
Pocatello Field Office is currently developing these strategies.
Agency Decisions: The BLM Idaho State Director or delegated
official will approve, approve with modifications, or deny the proposed
lease modification and M&RP. The Director will base his decision on the
EIS and any recommendations the USFS may have regarding surface
management of leased NFS lands.
The USFS CTNF Supervisor will decide whether to amend the CTNF
Revised Forest Plan. In addition, the CTNF Supervisor will make
decisions on mine-related activities occurring off-lease within the
CTNF. Special Use Authorizations from the USFS would be necessary for
any off-lease structures located within the CTNF (e.g., relocated
transmission lines, mine access roads, and miscellaneous disturbances).
The USFS CTNF Supervisor will also make recommendations to the BLM
concerning surface management and mitigation on leased lands within the
CTNF.
The Army Corps of Engineers may also make decisions related to
permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
Background: The BLM and the USFS authorized existing Smoky Canyon
mining and milling operations in 1982, when the BLM issued a mine plan
approval and the USFS issued Special Use Authorizations for off-lease
activities. The agencies supported these decisions in the Smoky Canyon
Mine Final EIS and Record of Decision (ROD). Mining operations began in
Panel A in 1984 and have continued ever since with the mining of Panels
A through G. Simplot submitted a proposed lease modification and M&RP
for the East Smoky Panel in November 2013. The proposed East Smoky
Project Area is located approximately one-half mile directly east of
Panel A and, in the northern portion, adjacent to Panel B. A
supplemental EIS for mining of Panels B and C, which addressed selenium
issues and additional endangered species, was prepared in 2002; a
subsequent ROD approved mining of Panels B and C. The BLM and USFS
approved the mining of Panels F and G in 2008 and are in the process of
publishing a Final EIS for the Panels F and G Lease and Mine Plan
Modification Project.
The proposed M&RP provides for mining to occur over 12 years, with
concurrent reclamation on both USFS and split estate lands to be
completed in 2 to 3 years after cessation of mining. Development of the
East Smoky Panel would consist of a single north-south linear open pit
that would be mined sequentially in six distinguishable phases,
beginning at the north end and ending at the south end of the pit on
split estate land where Simplot owns the surface estate.
During mining in the northern portion of the East Smoky pit,
overburden would be placed directly on the existing reclaimed Panel B
pit, elevating contours to be closer to pre-mining topography than the
currently approved final pit contours for Panel B. Overburden from the
middle and southern portions of the East Smoky pit would be backfilled
in the pit for concurrent reclamation. The East Smoky in-pit backfill
would be maximized and there would be no external overburden placement,
with the exception of some low-seleniferous overburden, which would be
used in haul road and ramp construction. The proposal includes
construction of an external haul road, which would run along the length
of the ultimate East Smoky Panel. Chert and limestone from pit
overburden operations would be used for coarse and durable armor in
haul roads, water control ditches, culverts, and pond designs. All
seleniferous overburden would receive a geologic store-and-release
cover system consisting of chert, overlain by Dinwoody and/or Salt Lake
Formation, and a topsoil layer.
Under the proposed M&RP, approximately 37 acres of the proposed pit
would be constructed on presently unleased NFS land and backfilled with
selenium-bearing waste rock. This would require modification
(expansion) of Lease IDI-015259 by 120 acres. In addition to the pit
and haul roads, new disturbance associated with development of the East
Smoky Panel would include creation of topsoil stockpiles, reclamation
material borrow areas, storm water ponds and ditches, and a possible
dewatering pipeline. Two existing transmission lines that cross the
proposed East Smoky Panel Project Area would have to be rerouted around
the proposed open pit area. The 25-kilovolt (kV) transmission line
crossing the northern portion of the Project Area would be relocated to
the eastern edge of the existing Panel B disturbance. The 115-kV
transmission line crosses the southern portion of the Project Area in
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an existing utility corridor, as required by the CTNF Revised Forest
Plan, and would be relocated around the southern end of the proposed
open pit. Relocating the utility corridor associated with the
transmission line would require amending the CTNF Revised Forest Plan.
Mining-related developments on unleased NFS land would require USFS
Special Use Authorizations.
Total disturbance associated with the East Smoky Panel development
would be approximately 847 acres, of which approximately 837 acres
(nearly 99 percent) would be reclaimed, consistent with applicable
Federal, State and local laws. Approximately 10 acres of pit
disturbance on split estate land where Simplot owns the surface estate
would not be reclaimed. The total new disturbance would be 699.9 acres,
and 147.1 acres would be re-disturbance of the Smoky Canyon Mine at
Panel B. On-lease disturbance of NFS land would be 438.7 acres with an
additional 91.9 acres of NFS land disturbed off lease, which would
require Special Use Authorizations from the USFS. Disturbance on split
estate land on lease would be 217 acres and split estate land off-lease
disturbance would be 99.4 acres. Total disturbance from external pit
roads would be approximately 74 acres.
Simplot proposes reclamation activities that include backfilling
mine pits, placing a store- and-release cover over waste rock, grading
to return disturbed areas to more natural contours, re-establishing
drainage patterns, and revegetation. Rocky pit walls comprise the
unreclaimed two percent of the disturbance. The EIS will assess
Simplot's proposed reclamation activities for compliance with the
mandates and objectives in applicable Federal land use plans, including
the CTNF Revised Forest Plan and the BLM Pocatello Resource Management
Plan.
Ore from the new East Smoky Panel would be trucked to the existing
Smoky Canyon mill facilities over new and existing haul roads to be
concentrated. The existing slurry pipeline system would transport ore
concentrate from the mill to the Simplot fertilizer plant in Pocatello,
Idaho. Mill tailings would continue to be deposited in the currently
approved and permitted tailings disposal facilities located on Simplot
property east of the mine. The existing Smoky Canyon Mine facilities
are adequate for use in the East Smoky Panel operations. These
facilities include the main office, security building, septic system
and parking; ore stockpile; mill and shop complex; tailings pond,
slurry pipeline; culinary and production wells; water storage tanks,
substation, and blasting supply storage.
The BLM and USFS will use NEPA public participation requirements to
assist the agency in satisfying public involvement under the National
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108) 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 the NHPA.
The BLM and the 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 Action are invited to participate in the scoping process and,
if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM or the 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 M&RP for development of the East Smoky Panel
and Special Use Authorizations would not be approved, existing Federal
mineral leases would not be modified, the CTNF Revised Forest Plan
would not be amended. Mining pursuant to existing authorizations at
other panels of the Smoky Canyon Mine would continue as currently
authorized. In this case, Simplot would retain and be eligible to
invoke the mining rights granted in their existing Federal leases at
another time, with a revised M&RP that meets all regulatory and other
established requirements. 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 2015.
Release draft EIS and associated comment period: Summer
2016.
Final EIS publication: Spring 2017.
Record of Decision: Spring/Summer 2017.
Scoping Procedure: The scoping procedure for this EIS will involve
notification in the Federal Register; a mailing to interested and
potentially affected individuals, groups, and Federal, State, and local
government entities requesting input; 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
office listed above during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30
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. The portion
of the proposed project related to USFS special use authorizations for
off-lease activities is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36
CFR part 218 Subparts A and B. Only those who submit specific written
comments on the Proposed Action, either during scoping or other
designated opportunity for public comment, will be eligible as
objectors (36 CFR 218.5). BLM appeal procedures found in 43 CFR part 4
apply to the portion of the project related to the development of
Federal mineral estate including the Federal lease(s).
At least three ``open-house'' style public scoping meetings will be
held during which the public may view displays explaining the project
and ask questions and comment 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, public notices and news releases issued by the
BLM and on the BLM Web site.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 40
CFR 1500-1508; 43 CFR 46;
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30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.; 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; AND 43 CFR 3590.
Karen Rice,
Acting District Manager, Idaho Falls District, Bureau of Land
Management.
Garth Smelser,
Forest Supervisor, Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2015-07587 Filed 4-2-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P
