Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Greater Phoenix Mine Project, Lander County, NV, 58501-58502 [2015-24432]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 2015 / Notices C010–2012–0058–EA. The lands have no known mineral value, no recognized environmental conditions, and no existing encumbrances of record. Conveyance of the parcel would be subject to valid existing rights and the following terms, conditions, and reservations: 1. A right-of-way thereon for ditches and canals constructed by authority of the United States, Act of August 30, 1890 (43 U.S.C. 945). 2. An appropriate indemnification clause protecting the United States from claims arising out of the patentee’s use occupancy or occupations on the patented lands. On August 20, 2014, the lands were segregated from the public land laws, including the mining laws, except for the sale provisions of FLPMA (79 FR 49336). Detailed information concerning the land sale including the EA, appraisal report, environmental site assessment, and mineral report are available for review at the BLM Cedar City Field Office. Any comments regarding the sale will be reviewed by the BLM State Director or other authorized official of the Department of the Interior, who may sustain, vacate, or modify this realty action in whole or in part. In the absence of timely filed objections, this realty action will become the final determination of the Department of the Interior. Before including your address, telephone 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 in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: 43 CFR 2710, 2711, and 2720 Jenna Whitlock, Acting State Director. [FR Doc. 2015–24695 Filed 9–28–15; 8:45 am] asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Sep 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNVB01000.L71220000. EX0000.LVTFF15F6810 MO# 4500081505] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Greater Phoenix Mine Project, Lander County, NV Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mount Lewis Field Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until October 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/battle_ mountain_field.html. In order to be considered during the preparation of the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the proposed Greater Phoenix Mine Project by any of the following methods: • Email: BLM_NV_BMDO_ GreaterPhoenixProject@blm.gov • Fax: 775–635–4034 • Mail: Mount Lewis Field Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Mount Lewis Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Worthington, Project Manager, telephone: 775–635–4144; address: 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820; email: BLM_NV_BMDO_ GreaterPhoenixProejct@blm.gov. Contact Mr. Worthington if you wish to add your name to our mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 58501 Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Newmont Mining Corporation, Inc. (NMC) proposes to amend the existing Phoenix Mine Plan of Operations to construct, operate, reclaim, and close an open pit, heap leach, gold and copper mining operation known as the Greater Phoenix Mine Project (Project) located 14 miles south of Battle Mountain, Nevada, in Lander County. The proposed Project would be located within all or portions of the following Townships, Ranges, and Sections relative to the Mount Diablo Baseline and Meridian: Township 30 North, Range 43 East, Sections 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 08, 09, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, and 22; and Township 31 North, Range 43 East, Sections 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36. The proposed Plan of Operations amendment would include increasing the existing Phoenix Mine plan boundary by 10,429 acres to 18,657 acres, of which approximately 9,950 acres is public land managed by the Mount Lewis Field Office. New surface disturbance would include approximately 3,245 acres, which includes approximately 2,285 acres of surface disturbance on public land administered by the BLM, and approximately 960 acres of surface disturbance on private land controlled by NMC. The proposed Project consists of a modification to an existing mining Plan of Operations and a new right-of-way (ROW) grant authorization to be analyzed in a single NEPA analysis document. The proposed Project would create one large pit encompassing the footprint of the existing Bonanza and Fortitude pit areas into one large Phoenix Pit, of approximately 1,912 acres, of which approximately 568 acres is public land administered by the BLM. The proposed pit depths would intercept groundwater and pit dewatering would be necessary. Following mine closure, pit water would be managed and treated to meet water quality standards and subsequently put to beneficial use. The primary components associated with the proposed Project would include the open pit, two new waste rock dump facilities (WRDF), an expansion of an existing WRDF, expansion of an existing heap leach pad, an expansion of an E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 58502 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 2015 / Notices existing tailings storage facility, and a new borrow area. NMC would continue to employ the existing workforce of approximately 500 employees for the construction, operation, reclamation, and closure of the proposed project expansion, which is anticipated to extend the mine life by approximately another 23 years from 2040 to 2063. The proposed Project surface disturbance affecting Greater SageGrouse habitat on BLM administered land is 7 acres of Preliminary Priority Habitat (PPH) and 108 acres of Preliminary General Habitat (PGH). Since 2013, BLM biologists at the Mount Lewis Field Office have coordinated with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) and the BLM State Office regarding NMC’s disturbance to Greater Sage-Grouse habitat. Collectively, the organizations will formulate best management practices for Greater SageGrouse and other wildlife species and will agree on measures to mitigate the disturbance to Greater Sage-Grouse habitat through the EIS development. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including potential alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: Closure of the cyanide heap leach pad (s), water management, air quality impacts, wildlife (including migratory birds), special status species, noise and visual issues, soils, recreation, cultural resources, Native American cultural concerns, and grazing management. The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill the public involvement process under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed Project will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources in the context of both NEPA and the NHPA. The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed Project that the BLM is evaluating, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:54 Sep 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 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. Jon D. Sherve, Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field Office. [FR Doc. 2015–24432 Filed 9–28–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLAK930000.L13100000.EI0000.241A] Notice of National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Oil and Gas Lease Sale 2015 and Notice of Availability of the Detailed Statement of Sale for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 2015 in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Alaska State Office hereby notifies the public it will hold a National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska oil and gas lease sale bid opening for tracts in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The United States reserves the right to withdraw any tract from this sale prior to issuance of a written acceptance of a bid. DATES: The oil and gas lease sale bid opening will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2015. Sealed bids must be received by 4 p.m., Monday, November 16, 2015. ADDRESSES: The oil and gas lease sale bids will be opened at the Anchorage Federal Building, Denali Room (fourth floor), 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK. Sealed bids must be sent to Carol Taylor (AK932), BLM-Alaska State Office; 222 West 7th Avenue, #13; Anchorage, AK 99513–7504. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Svejnoha, 907–271–4407. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (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 Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Alaska State Office, under the authority of 43 CFR 3131.4–1(a), hereby notifies the public it will hold a National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska oil and gas lease sale bid opening for tracts in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. All bids must be submitted by sealed bid in accordance with the provisions identified in the Detailed Statement of Sale. They must be received at the BLM Alaska State Office, ATTN: Carol Taylor (AK932); 222 West 7th Avenue, #13; Anchorage, AK 99513–7504; no later than 4:00 p.m., Monday, November 16, 2015. The Detailed Statement of Sale for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Oil and Gas Lease Sale 2015 will be available to the public immediately after publication of this Notice in the Federal Register. The Detailed Statement may be obtained from the BLM Alaska Web site at www.blm.gov/ak, or by request from the Public Information Center, BLM Alaska State Office; 222 West 7th Avenue, #13; Anchorage, AK 99513– 7504; telephone 907–271–5960. The Detailed Statement of Sale will include a description of the areas to be offered for lease, the lease terms, conditions, special stipulations, required operating procedures, and how and where to submit bids. Authority: 43 CFR 3131.4–1 and 43 U.S.C. 1733 and 1740. Bud C. Cribley, State Director. [FR Doc. 2015–24671 Filed 9–28–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [BOEM–2015–0016] Revised Environmental Assessment for Virginia Offshore Wind Technology Advancement Project on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Virginia; MMAA104000 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Revised Environmental Assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58501-58502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24432]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVB01000.L71220000.EX0000.LVTFF15F6810 MO# 4500081505]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Greater Phoenix Mine Project, Lander County, NV

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mount Lewis 
Field Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada, intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing 
the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and 
identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. 
Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until October 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/battle_mountain_field.html. 
In order to be considered during the preparation of the Draft EIS, all 
comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping 
period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. 
The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation 
upon publication of the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the proposed Greater 
Phoenix Mine Project by any of the following methods:
     Email: BLM_NV_BMDO_GreaterPhoenixProject@blm.gov
     Fax: 775-635-4034
     Mail: Mount Lewis Field Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle 
Mountain, NV 89820.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Mount 
Lewis Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Worthington, Project Manager, 
telephone: 775-635-4144; address: 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 
89820; email: BLM_NV_BMDO_GreaterPhoenixProejct@blm.gov. Contact Mr. 
Worthington if you wish to add your name 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: Newmont Mining Corporation, Inc. (NMC) 
proposes to amend the existing Phoenix Mine Plan of Operations to 
construct, operate, reclaim, and close an open pit, heap leach, gold 
and copper mining operation known as the Greater Phoenix Mine Project 
(Project) located 14 miles south of Battle Mountain, Nevada, in Lander 
County. The proposed Project would be located within all or portions of 
the following Townships, Ranges, and Sections relative to the Mount 
Diablo Baseline and Meridian: Township 30 North, Range 43 East, 
Sections 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 08, 09, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 
and 22; and Township 31 North, Range 43 East, Sections 15, 16, 20, 21, 
22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36. The proposed Plan of 
Operations amendment would include increasing the existing Phoenix Mine 
plan boundary by 10,429 acres to 18,657 acres, of which approximately 
9,950 acres is public land managed by the Mount Lewis Field Office. New 
surface disturbance would include approximately 3,245 acres, which 
includes approximately 2,285 acres of surface disturbance on public 
land administered by the BLM, and approximately 960 acres of surface 
disturbance on private land controlled by NMC.
    The proposed Project consists of a modification to an existing 
mining Plan of Operations and a new right-of-way (ROW) grant 
authorization to be analyzed in a single NEPA analysis document. The 
proposed Project would create one large pit encompassing the footprint 
of the existing Bonanza and Fortitude pit areas into one large Phoenix 
Pit, of approximately 1,912 acres, of which approximately 568 acres is 
public land administered by the BLM. The proposed pit depths would 
intercept groundwater and pit dewatering would be necessary. Following 
mine closure, pit water would be managed and treated to meet water 
quality standards and subsequently put to beneficial use. The primary 
components associated with the proposed Project would include the open 
pit, two new waste rock dump facilities (WRDF), an expansion of an 
existing WRDF, expansion of an existing heap leach pad, an expansion of 
an

[[Page 58502]]

existing tailings storage facility, and a new borrow area.
    NMC would continue to employ the existing workforce of 
approximately 500 employees for the construction, operation, 
reclamation, and closure of the proposed project expansion, which is 
anticipated to extend the mine life by approximately another 23 years 
from 2040 to 2063.
    The proposed Project surface disturbance affecting Greater Sage-
Grouse habitat on BLM administered land is 7 acres of Preliminary 
Priority Habitat (PPH) and 108 acres of Preliminary General Habitat 
(PGH). Since 2013, BLM biologists at the Mount Lewis Field Office have 
coordinated with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) and the BLM 
State Office regarding NMC's disturbance to Greater Sage-Grouse 
habitat. Collectively, the organizations will formulate best management 
practices for Greater Sage-Grouse and other wildlife species and will 
agree on measures to mitigate the disturbance to Greater Sage-Grouse 
habitat through the EIS development.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including potential alternatives, and guide the process for developing 
the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary 
issues: Closure of the cyanide heap leach pad (s), water management, 
air quality impacts, wildlife (including migratory birds), special 
status species, noise and visual issues, soils, recreation, cultural 
resources, Native American cultural concerns, and grazing management.
    The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to 
help fulfill the public involvement process under the National Historic 
Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3). The information about historic and cultural resources 
within the area potentially affected by the proposed Project will 
assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources 
in the context of both NEPA and the NHPA.
    The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other 
policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and 
potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due 
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes 
and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the 
proposed Project 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.

Jon D. Sherve,
Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2015-24432 Filed 9-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P

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