Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Rossi Mine Expansion Project, Elko County, NV, 27798-27799 [2019-12628]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 115 / Friday, June 14, 2019 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNVW03500.L51050000.
EA0000.LVRCF1705210.
17XMO#4500134682]
Notice of Availability of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Black Rock City LLC’s Burning
Man Special Recreation Permit
Renewal in Pershing County, Nevada
Bureau of Land Management,
Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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) Black Rock
Field Office, Winnemucca, Nevada has
prepared a Final Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) and by this notice is
announcing its availability. The BLM is
the lead agency in development of the
Final EIS and will be evaluating Black
Rock City LLC’s (BRC) request for a 10year Special Recreation Permit (SRP) for
the Burning Man Event in Pershing
County, Nevada.
DATES: The BLM will not issue its
Record of Decision for a minimum of 30
days after the date that the
Environmental Protection Agency
publishes its Notice of Availability in
the Federal Register. The Final EIS can
be downloaded from the BLM website
at: https://go.usa.gov/xEmSY.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
questions about the proposed SRP
renewal, contact Chelsea McKinney,
Burning Man Project Manager,
telephone: (775) 623–1500, address:
5100 East Winnemucca Boulevard,
Winnemucca, Nevada 89445.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
applicant, BRC, has applied for a 10year SRP under 43 CFR 2930 et seq. and
has submitted a proposal to conduct the
Burning Man event on public lands
administered by the BLM Black Rock
Field Office. BRC’s proposal includes
the following:
• Population increase to permit up to
100,000 total persons at the event;
• Expansion of the BLM Closure
Order boundary by 561 acres, to a total
of 14,714 acres;
• Creation of alternative
transportation (Burner Express Bus/
Burner Express Air);
• Expansion of the perimeter fence to
10.4 miles total length;
• Arrival of as many as 30,000 staff
and builders one week prior to opening;
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SUMMARY:
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• Expansion of Black Rock City to
1,250 acres;
• Installation of additional interactive
camps;
• Installation of additional large scale
art pieces;
• BRC licensing of art cars and ADA
compliant vehicles to drive on the playa
during event week;
• Use of approximately 16.5 million
gallons of water per year would be
obtained from private groundwater
wells, located at Fly Ranch owned by
BRC, for dust abatement and in support
of event activities; and
• BRC management of vendor and
compliance monitoring.
The Final EIS describes and analyzes
the proposed Project’s direct, indirect,
and cumulative impacts on all affected
resources. In addition to the Proposed
Action (Alternative A), the following
alternatives are also analyzed in the
document: The Reduced Population
Alternative with a population of 50,000
participants (Alternative B); the
Alternate Site Alternative that moves
the Event northeast of the current
location (Alternative C); the No
Population Change Alternative
(Alternative D) would keep the
population as it was in 2017 and 2018
at 80,000 participants; and the No
Permit Alternative (Alternative E).
In December 2017, pre-scoping
meetings were held in northern Nevada
in Gerlach, Lovelock, and Reno. During
those meetings the public was invited to
submit comments regarding BRC’s SRP
renewal. During the pre-scoping
comment period, the BLM received 77
comment letters.
On June 20, 2018, an initial Notice of
Intent (NOI) was published in the
Federal Register inviting scoping
comments on the Proposed Action. The
BLM received 327 scoping comment
letters during the 45-day public scoping
period. Concerns raised included
impacts to air quality, cultural
resources, environmental justice,
transportation, Native American
religious concerns, recreation, visual
resources including Night Skies, wastes
and materials (hazardous and solid),
water resources, vegetation, wildlife,
and Public Health and Safety.
On March 15, 2019, a Notice of
Availability (NOA) was published in the
Federal Register inviting comments on
the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS). The BLM received
2,016 submissions during the 45-day
public comment period, with a total of
1,736 substantive comments. The Final
EIS was edited in response to some of
these substantive comments. Responses
to all comments are located in
Appendix K of the Final EIS.
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The BLM has utilized and
coordinated the NEPA scoping and
comment process to help fulfill the
public involvement requirements under
the National Historic Preservation Act
(NHPA) (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided
in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3)—and continues to
do so.
The information about historic and
cultural resources within the area
potentially affected by the proposed
Project has assisted the BLM in
identifying and evaluating impacts to
such resources in the context of both
NEPA and the NHPA.
The BLM has consulted and will
continue to consult with Indian tribes
on a government-to-government basis in
accordance with Executive Order 13175
and other policies. Tribal concerns,
including impacts to Indian trust assets
and potential impacts to cultural
resources have been analyzed in the
Final EIS.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7
Mark E. Hall,
Field Manager, Black Rock Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2019–12629 Filed 6–13–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNVE02000–L5110.0000–GN.0000–
LV.EM.F1503680–15X; MO# 4500133725]
Notice of Availability of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Rossi Mine Expansion Project,
Elko County, NV
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA), 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 Rossi Mine Expansion
Project and by this notice is announcing
its availability.
DATES: The Final EIS will be available
for a 30-day review period following the
date the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) publishes its Notice of
Availability in the Federal Register. The
BLM will not issue a final decision on
the proposal for a minimum of 30 days
from the date that the EPA publishes its
notice in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS for
the Rossi Mine Expansion Project are
available for public review and can be
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\14JNN1.SGM
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jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 115 / Friday, June 14, 2019 / Notices
obtained at the BLM Elko District Office,
located at 3900 East Idaho Street, Elko
Nevada 89801, and at the BLM’s NEPA
eplanning website at https://go.usa.gov/
xnRCr or through eplanning on the
BLM’s website at https://www.blm.gov/
nv.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Janice Stadelman, Project Manager, at
telephone 775–753–0346; address 3900
East Idaho Street, Elko, Nevada 89801;
email: blm_nv_eldo_rossimine_project_
eis@blm.gov.
Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to
contact Ms. Stadelman during normal
business hours. FRS is available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a
message or question. You will receive a
reply during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final
EIS is an abbreviated document that
presents updates to the Draft EIS
resulting from public and cooperating
agency comments received during the
45-day public comment period. Public
comments resulted in the addition of
clarifying text, but did not significantly
change the analysis. None of the public
comments received resulted in major
changes or revisions to the Draft EIS.
Therefore, this abbreviated Final EIS
must be read in conjunction with the
Draft EIS (September 2018), which is
also located on BLM’s eplanning site at
https://go.usa.gov/xnRCr.
The EIS analyzed the proposed
modification submitted by Halliburton
Energy Services to their plan of
operations for the Rossi Mine Project.
The proposal includes the continuation
of the existing mine infrastructure, but
would expand the existing facilities and
operation to support the continuation of
the open pit mining operation and
surface exploration activities for barite.
The proposed action would increase the
disturbance to approximately a total
acreage of 2,063 acres of public and
private land, including 896 acres of
previously approved or existing
disturbance and 1,167 acres of new land
disturbance. Of the 2,063 acres of
surface disturbance, approximately 209
acres consist of private land and the
remaining 1,854 acres are public land
administered by the BLM. The proposed
expansion would provide up to an
estimated 433 jobs, some of which could
be filled by returning and new
employees.
The proposed action includes the
expansion of the existing plan of
operations boundary, the expansion of
the existing open pits, the development
of new open pits, expansion of the
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17:04 Jun 13, 2019
Jkt 247001
existing waste rock disposal facilities,
construction of new waste rock disposal
facilities, expansion or modification of
ancillary facilities, expansion and
development of new roads, re-alignment
of segments of the Boulder Valley Road
and Antelope-Boulder Connector Road,
installation of new power distribution
lines, the continuation of surface
exploration, and reclamation activities.
The proposed expansion is projected to
add 8 years to the mine’s life. The
Project is located on the northern end of
the Carlin Trend in Elko County,
approximately 25 miles north of the
community of Dunphy and 28 aerial
miles northwest of the town of Carlin,
Nevada.
The Notice of Availability of the Draft
EIS for the Rossi Mine Expansion
Project published on September 14,
2018 (83 FR 46753), with a 45-day
comment period. The BLM issued a
news release and held two public
meetings during the comment period. A
total of nine people signed the
attendance sheets available at the
meetings. Those attending the public
meetings consisted of representatives
from the BLM, Halliburton, and the
Nevada Department of Wildlife, and
four members from the general public.
The BLM received a total of eight
comment submittals (e.g. letter,
comment form, email) during the
comment period. Key issues identified
by individuals, groups, and government
entities include potential impacts and
mitigation for sage-grouse and mule
deer habitat; impacts, mitigation and
monitoring related to groundwater;
direct, cumulative and socioeconomic
impacts to livestock grazing
management; maintenance of the access
road; minimizing night lighting impacts;
complying with State regulations and
permitting with the State agencies
regarding air and water; and support for
the project.
The BLM is the lead Federal agency
for this EIS. Cooperating agencies
included the Nevada Department of
Wildlife, the Nevada Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources
Sagebrush Ecosystem Technical Team,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the
Elko County Board of Commissioners,
and the EPA. The agency-preferred
alternative is the Reconfiguration
Alternative, which consists of the
Proposed Action and the
reconfiguration of the waste rock
disposal facilities.
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
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27799
Appeals. The 30-day appeal period
begins with the issuance of the ROD.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10)
Jill C. Silvey,
District Manager, Elko District Office.
[FR Doc. 2019–12628 Filed 6–13–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–NPS0027980,
PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S.
Department of the Interior, National
Park Service, Effigy Mounds National
Monument, Harpers Ferry, IA
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The U.S. Department of the
Interior, National Park Service, Effigy
Mounds National Monument has
completed an inventory of human
remains and associated funerary objects,
in consultation with the appropriate
Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian
organizations, and has determined that
there is a cultural affiliation between the
human remains and associated funerary
objects and present-day Indian Tribes or
Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal
descendants or representatives of any
Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization not identified in this notice
that wish to request transfer of control
of these human remains and associated
funerary objects should submit a written
request to Effigy Mounds National
Monument. If no additional requestors
come forward, transfer of control of the
human remains and associated funerary
objects to the lineal descendants, Indian
Tribes, or Native Hawaiian
organizations stated in this notice may
proceed.
DATES: Lineal descendants or
representatives of any Indian Tribe or
Native Hawaiian organization not
identified in this notice that wish to
request transfer of control of these
human remains and associated funerary
objects should submit a written request
with information in support of the
request to Effigy Mounds National
Monument at the address in this notice
by July 15, 2019.
ADDRESSES: Jim Nepstad,
Superintendent, Effigy Mounds National
Monument, 151 Hwy. 76, Harpers Ferry,
IA 52146, telephone (563) 873–3491 Ext.
101, email jim_nepstad@nps.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is
here given in accordance with the
Native American Graves Protection and
SUMMARY:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 115 (Friday, June 14, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27798-27799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-12628]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNVE02000-L5110.0000-GN.0000-LV.EM.F1503680-15X; MO# 4500133725]
Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact
Statement for the Rossi Mine Expansion 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 (NEPA), 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 Rossi Mine Expansion
Project and by this notice is announcing its availability.
DATES: The Final EIS will be available for a 30-day review period
following the date the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes
its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will not
issue a final decision on the proposal for a minimum of 30 days from
the date that the EPA publishes its notice in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS for the Rossi Mine Expansion Project
are available for public review and can be
[[Page 27799]]
obtained at the BLM Elko District Office, located at 3900 East Idaho
Street, Elko Nevada 89801, and at the BLM's NEPA eplanning website at
https://go.usa.gov/xnRCr or through eplanning on the BLM's website at
https://www.blm.gov/nv.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janice Stadelman, Project Manager, at
telephone 775-753-0346; address 3900 East Idaho Street, Elko, Nevada
89801; email: [email protected].
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may
call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact Ms.
Stadelman during normal business hours. FRS is available 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question. You will receive a
reply during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS is an abbreviated document
that presents updates to the Draft EIS resulting from public and
cooperating agency comments received during the 45-day public comment
period. Public comments resulted in the addition of clarifying text,
but did not significantly change the analysis. None of the public
comments received resulted in major changes or revisions to the Draft
EIS. Therefore, this abbreviated Final EIS must be read in conjunction
with the Draft EIS (September 2018), which is also located on BLM's
eplanning site at https://go.usa.gov/xnRCr.
The EIS analyzed the proposed modification submitted by Halliburton
Energy Services to their plan of operations for the Rossi Mine Project.
The proposal includes the continuation of the existing mine
infrastructure, but would expand the existing facilities and operation
to support the continuation of the open pit mining operation and
surface exploration activities for barite. The proposed action would
increase the disturbance to approximately a total acreage of 2,063
acres of public and private land, including 896 acres of previously
approved or existing disturbance and 1,167 acres of new land
disturbance. Of the 2,063 acres of surface disturbance, approximately
209 acres consist of private land and the remaining 1,854 acres are
public land administered by the BLM. The proposed expansion would
provide up to an estimated 433 jobs, some of which could be filled by
returning and new employees.
The proposed action includes the expansion of the existing plan of
operations boundary, the expansion of the existing open pits, the
development of new open pits, expansion of the existing waste rock
disposal facilities, construction of new waste rock disposal
facilities, expansion or modification of ancillary facilities,
expansion and development of new roads, re-alignment of segments of the
Boulder Valley Road and Antelope-Boulder Connector Road, installation
of new power distribution lines, the continuation of surface
exploration, and reclamation activities. The proposed expansion is
projected to add 8 years to the mine's life. The Project is located on
the northern end of the Carlin Trend in Elko County, approximately 25
miles north of the community of Dunphy and 28 aerial miles northwest of
the town of Carlin, Nevada.
The Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS for the Rossi Mine
Expansion Project published on September 14, 2018 (83 FR 46753), with a
45-day comment period. The BLM issued a news release and held two
public meetings during the comment period. A total of nine people
signed the attendance sheets available at the meetings. Those attending
the public meetings consisted of representatives from the BLM,
Halliburton, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife, and four members
from the general public. The BLM received a total of eight comment
submittals (e.g. letter, comment form, email) during the comment
period. Key issues identified by individuals, groups, and government
entities include potential impacts and mitigation for sage-grouse and
mule deer habitat; impacts, mitigation and monitoring related to
groundwater; direct, cumulative and socioeconomic impacts to livestock
grazing management; maintenance of the access road; minimizing night
lighting impacts; complying with State regulations and permitting with
the State agencies regarding air and water; and support for the
project.
The BLM is the lead Federal agency for this EIS. Cooperating
agencies included the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Nevada
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Sagebrush Ecosystem
Technical Team, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Elko County
Board of Commissioners, and the EPA. The agency-preferred alternative
is the Reconfiguration Alternative, which consists of the Proposed
Action and the reconfiguration of the waste rock disposal facilities.
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)
Jill C. Silvey,
District Manager, Elko District Office.
[FR Doc. 2019-12628 Filed 6-13-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P