Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Nevada Gold Mines LLC's Goldrush Mine Project, Lander and Eureka Counties, Nevada, 43674-43677 [2021-17040]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
43674
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 151 / Tuesday, August 10, 2021 / Notices
• U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Teri
Barnett, Departmental Privacy Officer,
U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C
Street NW, Room 7112, Washington, DC
20240.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name and
docket number [DOI–2020–0017]. All
comments received will be posted
without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov.
You should be aware your entire
comment including your personally
identifiable information, such as your
address, phone number, email address,
or any other personal information in
your comment, may be made publicly
available at any time. While you may
request to withhold your personally
identifiable information from public
review, we cannot guarantee we will be
able to do so.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cozenja Berry, Associate Privacy
Officer, Office of Enterprise Information,
U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise
Valley Drive, Room 4A209, Mail Stop
159, Reston, VA 20192, privacy@
usgs.gov or (703) 648–7062.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
to the provisions of the Privacy Act of
1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552a, DOI is
rescinding the INTERIOR/USGS–01,
National Water Information System:
NWIS, SORN as this system of records
no longer meets the statutory definition
under the Privacy Act. This rescindment
complies with the Privacy Act of 1974,
and the Office of Management and
Budget Circular A–108, Federal Agency
Responsibilities for Review, Reporting,
and Publication under the Privacy Act.
An assessment of NWIS records by
the USGS Associate Privacy Officer
revealed that the records contained
therein are not stored, maintained or
retrieved by use of an individual’s
personal identifier. The USGS Water
Mission Area utilizes NWIS to preserve
a repository of hydrologic data that is
collected as part of cooperative
hydrologic studies nation-wide. The
records include contact information for
individuals or groups that own or have
physical control of access sites (site
owners) where USGS collects
groundwater data. Site owner contact
information stored in NWIS includes
name, address, phone number, and
when provided an email address. The
records in NWIS are saved and retrieved
by use of the site identification data;
records cannot be retrieved by use of the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:05 Aug 09, 2021
Jkt 253001
site owner’s personal information.
Indexing in NWIS is by the site name
and number, with the site name being
the name given to the body of water and
the number a unique identifier assigned
to that specific location (example
Mississippi River near Bemidji, MN,
05200430). To narrow searches, other
site identification data or attributes may
be used to retrieve records (state/
territory, regional water center,
geographic coordinates, water body
type, altitude, drainage zone, depth, or
aquifer code/name). Controls are in
place to ensure contact information is
only accessible to authorized USGS
personnel; it is not published or
released to the public. Rescindment of
this notice has no adverse impact on
individual privacy of the site owners.
The affected records will continue to be
maintained under their disposition
schedules as approved by the National
Archives and Records Administration.
This rescindment will promote the
overall streamlining and management of
DOI Privacy Act systems of records.
Members of the public can access
hydrological historical data via the
NWIS web page (https://
help.waterdata.usgs.gov/) or may
request NWIS records under the
provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act (https://www.usgs.gov/
about/organization/science-support/
foia). This notice hereby rescinds
INTERIOR/USGS–01, National Water
Information System: NWIS.
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
INTERIOR/USGS–01, National Water
Information System: NWIS.
HISTORY:
73 FR 54425 (September 19, 2008);
modification published at 74 FR 23430
(May 19, 2009).
Teri Barnett,
Departmental Privacy Officer,Department of
the Interior.
[FR Doc. 2021–16978 Filed 8–9–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4338–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNVB01000.L19900000.EX0000.21X.MO:
4500152487]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
Nevada Gold Mines LLC’s Goldrush
Mine Project, Lander and Eureka
Counties, Nevada
AGENCY:
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
ACTION:
The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) will consider
authorizing the proposed Nevada Gold
Mines LLC (NGM) Goldrush Mine
Project in Lander and Eureka Counties,
Nevada.
DATES: The BLM requests comments
concerning the scope of the analysis and
identification of relevant information,
studies, and analyses. All comments
must be received by September 9, 2021.
The Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) is scheduled for
publication in December 2021, and the
Final EIS is scheduled for publication in
April 2022, with a Record of Decision in
May 2022. The BLM will announce
dates of scoping meetings at least 15
days in advance of the meeting on the
BLM National ePlanning website,
https://go.usa.gov/xsVs8. Scoping
meetings will be held online.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Goldrush Mine EIS c/o BLM Mount
Lewis Field Office, 50 Bastian Road,
Battle Mountain, NV 89820. Comments
may also be sent via email to sdistel@
blm.gov. Submit comments online at the
website https://go.usa.gov/xsVs8.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Scott Distel, Project Manager, telephone:
(775) 635–4093; address: 50 Bastian
Road, Battle Mountain, Nevada 89820;
email: sdistel@blm.gov. Individuals who
use telecommunication devices for the
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Purpose and Need for the Proposed
Action
The BLM’s purpose for the action is
to respond to NGM’s proposal as
described in the proposed Plan of
Operations and to analyze the
environmental effects associated with
the proponent’s Proposed Action and
alternatives to the Proposed Action. The
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) mandates that the BLM evaluate
the effects of the Proposed Action and
develop alternatives when necessary to
lessen any effects to environmental
resources. The BLM’s need for the
action is established by its
responsibilities under Section 302 of the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act and the BLM Surface Management
Regulations at 43 CFR 3809 to respond
to a proposed Plan of Operations and
ensure that operations prevent
unnecessary or undue degradation of
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
10AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 151 / Tuesday, August 10, 2021 / Notices
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
public lands. NGM’s purpose and need
is to develop the mineral resource.
Preliminary Proposed Action and
Alternatives
NGM is proposing to construct,
operate, close, and reclaim a new
underground mining project in the
Cortez Mining District. The proposed
Goldrush Mine is located approximately
30 miles south of Beowawe, Nevada, in
Lander and Eureka Counties, Nevada.
The proposed Goldrush Mine Plan of
Operations boundary would encompass
approximately 19,895 acres, of which
772 acres would be on private land
controlled by NGM and 19,123 acres on
public lands administered by the BLM
Battle Mountain District, Mount Lewis
Field Office and BLM Elko District,
Tuscarora Field Office. The proposed
Goldrush Mine would include
approximately 1,717 acres of new
proposed disturbance and
approximately 1,037 acres of existing/
authorized and reclassified disturbance,
for a total disturbance of approximately
2,754 acres.
The proposed underground mining
and surface support activities for the
Goldrush Mine would include: (1) A
materials handling system for
transporting ore and waste rock from the
underground workings to the surface
and transporting aggregate and supplies
to the underground workings and
surface backfill plant; (2) a dewatering
system, including wells, pipelines and
pipeline corridors, a water treatment
plant (WTP), rapid infiltration basins
(RIBs), and a multi-use shop; (3) a
contact water pipeline; (4) ventilation
raises; (5) a backfill aggregate paste
plant and crusher; (6) a shotcrete/
cemented rock fill (CRF) plant; (7) two
new power lines, including a 120kilovolt (kV) power line with two
switching stations, and a 13.8-kV power
line; (8) new ancillary surface facilities,
including bulk material storage, access
roads, power supply, stormwater
controls, laydown and parking areas,
lighting, growth media stockpiles,
dewatering and monitoring wells, gravel
pit expansion, potable water and septic
systems, dry facilities (change rooms),
service boreholes for electrical and fuel
delivery, fire suppression system, water
truck refill stations, emergency
helipads, fencing, and modular
information technology (IT) and
communications buildings; (9) dual use
of existing facilities within the nearby
Cortez Mine Plan boundary; and (10)
continued surface and underground
exploration activities.
A fleet of over-the-road haul truck and
trailer units would be used for ore
transportation to either the NGM-
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:05 Aug 09, 2021
Jkt 253001
operated Goldstrike or Gold Quarry offsite processing facilities. The Proposed
Action would result in changes to the
Horse Canyon Mine Plan (NVN–
066896), Horse Canyon/Cortez Unified
Exploration Project (HC/CUEP) Plan
(NVN–066621), West Pine Valley
Exploration Plan (NVN–077213), and
Cortez Mine Plan (NVN–067575).
The Goldrush Mine would operate 24
hours per day, 365 days per year for
approximately 24 years. The work force
would be approximately 570 persons,
which includes both NGM employees
and contractors. The construction work
force would be approximately 495
workers.
Reclamation of disturbed areas
resulting from mining operations would
be completed in accordance with BLM
and Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection (NDEP) regulations.
Concurrent reclamation would take
place where practicable and safe and
when an area is no longer needed.
Reclamation activities at the end of
mining are anticipated to take
approximately 36 months.
In addition to the No Action and the
Proposed Action, other alternatives may
be identified through scoping comments
or through analysis.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The BLM has identified the following
preliminary resource concerns
associated with the Project: (1)
Properties of Cultural and Religious
Importance (PCRI) and Native American
concerns. Up to 50 National Register of
Historic Places-eligible or unevaluated
cultural properties would be physically
altered, resulting in an adverse effect to
these cultural sites. Adverse impacts
would occur to approximately 392 acres
of the Horse Canyon PCRI. Vegetation
communities important to Native
American traditional values may be
impacted by the Proposed Action. (2)
Impacts to wildlife resources. Potential
impacts include habitat change, habitat
loss, alterations to water sources,
fatalities as a result of collisions with
vehicles, displacement due to human
activity and disturbance, and
impediments to movement through
corridors. (3) Potential impacts to BLM
sensitive species including greater sagegrouse and golden eagles. For greater
sage-grouse, the Proposed Action would
disturb approximately 805 acres of
Priority Habitat Management Areas, 14
acres of General Habitat Management
Areas, 618 acres of Other Habitat
Management Areas, and 79 acres of
Non-Habitat Management Areas.
Exploration activities could result in up
to 210 acres of additional disturbance to
any of the greater sage-grouse habitat
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
43675
types. For golden eagles, the Proposed
Action would result in the removal of
1,094 acres of foraging habitat.
Additionally, eight golden eagle
territories occur within one mile of the
proposed Project disturbance area. (4)
Potential impacts to visual resources.
The Proposed Action would add form,
line, texture, and color to the existing
landscape. (5) Potential impacts to air
quality. Modeling has determined that
impacts from the Proposed Action
would not exceed National Ambient Air
Quality Standards for PM10, PM2.5, CO,
NOX, and SO2. Total facility-wide
Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) are
estimated to be 1.8 tons per year (tpy),
with 0.5 tpy of the highest single HAP,
arsenic. The facility-wide HAP
emissions are within U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA) thresholds. Greenhouse gas
emissions, including off-site ore
transport, are estimated to be 96,624 tpy
CO2e. Mercury emissions are estimated
to be 0.014 tpy. (6) Potential impacts to
surface and groundwater resources.
Potential impacts to seep, spring, and
stream flow may occur from proposed
dewatering operations if the source of
the water is connected to the regional
aquifer. Dewatering operations would
also result in a lowering of the local
groundwater table. Sedimentation and
erosion may also occur due to Projectrelated surface disturbance. (7) Potential
impacts to traffic. The Proposed Action
would result in two ore hauling trucks
per hour on the transportation route, as
well as 89 trips each shift for employees
and contractors during construction and
up to 71 trips during operations along
the transportation route. Changes in the
level of service at some locations along
the transportation route may occur, but
there would be no degrading of the level
of service below acceptable levels. (8)
Potential impacts to livestock grazing.
The Proposed Action would result in
new surface disturbance of 1,717 acres,
which would impact forage utilized by
livestock. Approximately 119 Animal
Unit Months (AUMs) would be
impacted in the Carico Lake, Grass
Valley, JD, and South Buckhorn
allotments. The 210 acres of proposed
exploration disturbance may result in an
impact ranging from 9 to 19 AUMs,
depending on the allotment in which
the activities occur. (9) Potential
impacts on vegetation communities and
soil productivity. The Proposed Action
would result in disturbance to soil and
removal of vegetation on 1,717 acres.
(10) Potential for subsidence. In the
post-closure period, underground mine
induced rock collapse may occur over
open workings and result in the
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
10AUN1
43676
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 151 / Tuesday, August 10, 2021 / Notices
development of localized ground
deformation/subsidence type features,
which are unlikely to impact surface
features due to the strength and
thickness of the overlying rock, and any
surface expression is anticipated to be
local to the immediate mining area and
not propagate extensively. Additionally,
at the end of mining, model-predicted
subsidence from dewatering may cause
a four-inch contour of land with the
potential for development of fissures.
(11) Reclamation to reduce permanent
disturbance. Approximately 2,232 acres
of total surface disturbance would be
reclaimed and would return to postreclamation land uses, including open
space, grazing, dispersed recreation, and
wildlife habitat, while 523 acres would
remain permanently altered.
The proposed project has the
potential to affect golden eagle nests and
territories; therefore, NGM has prepared
an Eagle Conservation Plan (ECP) and
has requested an incidental take permit
for golden eagles in the area in which
NGM proposes to conduct mining
operations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) is considering the
applicant’s request for incidental take,
as allowed under the Bald and Golden
Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act) for the
purpose of resource development and
recovery operations. The USFWS will
evaluate the applicant’s ECP, which
describes NGM’s request for incidental
take authorization for impacts resulting
from their proposed mining operations.
The DEIS will analyze any potential
effects and impacts of the proposed
project on golden eagles and may also
analyze impacts and develop
alternatives associated with the USFWS
eagle take permit decision under the
Eagle Act.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
The BLM anticipates that the
following permits and authorizations
will be required for the mine:
• Air Quality Operating Permit: NDEP
(Bureau of Air Pollution Control)
• Eagle Take Permit: USFWS
• Explosives Permit: U.S. Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and
Explosives
• General Stormwater Discharge Permit:
NDEP (Bureau of Water Pollution
Control)
• Hazardous Materials Storage Permit:
Nevada Department of Public
Safety, State Fire Marshall, and
State Emergency Response
Commission
• Industrial Artificial Pond Permit:
Nevada Department of Wildlife
(Habitat Division)
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:05 Aug 09, 2021
Jkt 253001
• Jurisdictional Delineation Report
Concurrence: U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas License:
Nevada Board of the Regulation of
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Notification of Commencement of
Operations MSHA
• Permit to Appropriate Water: Nevada
Division of Water Resources
• Permit to Operate: Nevada Division of
Minerals
• Plan of Operations/Record of
Decision: BLM
• Potable Water System Permit: Nevada
Bureau of Safe Drinking Water
• Radioactive Materials License:
Nevada Division of Public and
Behavioral Health
• Reclamation Permit and Reclamation
Cost Determination: NDEP (Bureau
of Mining Regulation and
Reclamation)
• Section 401 Certification: NDEP
(Bureau of Water Pollution Control)
• Septic Treatment Permit, Holding
Tank Permit, Sewage Disposal
System Permit: NDEP (Bureau of
Water Pollution Control)
• Water Pollution Control Permit: NDEP
(Bureau of Mining Regulation and
Reclamation)
Schedule for the Decision-Making
Process
The BLM anticipates a decision in
May of 2022.
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement. Scoping meetings will
be virtual. An announcement about
when and how to access the virtual
meetings online will be posted on the
BLM’s project website.
The purpose of public scoping is to
identify relevant issues that will
influence the scope of the
environmental analysis, including
alternatives, and guide the process for
developing the environmental impact
statement. The BLM will use and
coordinate the NEPA public scoping to
help fulfill the public involvement
requirements under the National
Historic Preservation Act (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 action will assist the BLM in
identifying and evaluating impacts to
such resources.
The BLM will conduct government-togovernment consultation with Indian
Tribes in accordance with Executive
Order 13175 and other policies.
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Agencies will give due consideration to
Tribal concerns, including impacts on
Indian trust assets and treaty rights and
potential impacts to cultural resources.
The BLM invites Federal, State, and
local agencies, along with Tribes and
other stakeholders that may be
interested in or affected by the proposed
Goldrush Mine to participate in scoping.
Agencies with regulatory authority or
special expertise, if eligible, may request
or be requested by the BLM to
participate in the development of the
environmental analysis as a cooperating
agency.
Request for Identification of Potential
Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed
Action
The BLM requests assistance with
identifying potential alternatives to the
Proposed Action to be considered. As
alternatives should resolve a problem
with the Proposed Action, please
indicate the purpose of the suggested
alternative. The BLM also requests that
potential impacts that should be
analyzed be identified. Impacts should
be a result of the action; therefore,
please identify the activity and the
potential impact that should be
analyzed. Information that reviewers
have that would assist in the
development of alternatives or analysis
of resources issues is also helpful.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The BLM is the lead agency.
Cooperating agencies include the
USFWS, the USEPA, the Nevada
Department of Wildlife, the Nevada
Department of Transportation, and
Eureka County.
Decision Maker
The BLM Battle Mountain District
Manager, Doug Furtado, is the
responsible official.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The BLM will issue a decision on the
proposed Plan of Operations for the
Goldrush mine project.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such manner that they are useful to the
agency’s preparation of the
environmental impact statement.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions.
Comments received in response to
this solicitation, including names and
addresses of those who comment, will
be part of the public record for this
proposed action. Comments submitted
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
10AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 151 / Tuesday, August 10, 2021 / Notices
[FR Doc. 2021–17040 Filed 8–9–21; 8:45 am]
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.
Nominations submitted by State or
Tribal Historic Preservation Officers:
BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
ILLINOIS
anonymously will also be accepted and
considered.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7.
Bradlee A. Matthews,
Acting Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field
Office, Battle Mountain District.
Bureau County
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Oakland Cemetery Historic District, 1013
Park Ave. West, Princeton, SG100006864
National Park Service
Cook County
[NPS–WASO–NRNHL–DTS#–32381;
PPWOCRADI0, PCU00RP14.R50000]
Ravisloe Country Club, 18231 Park Ave.,
Homewood, SG100006865
National Register of Historic Places;
Notification of Pending Nominations
and Related Actions
Kankakee County
Pope Brace Company Building, 197 South
West Ave., Kankakee, SG100006866
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The National Park Service is
soliciting electronic comments on the
significance of properties nominated
before July 24, 2021, for listing or
related actions in the National Register
of Historic Places.
DATES: Comments should be submitted
electronically by August 25, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Comments are encouraged
to be submitted electronically to
National_Register_Submissions@
nps.gov with the subject line ‘‘Public
Comment on <property or proposed
district name, (County) State>.’’ If you
have no access to email you may send
them via U.S. Postal Service and all
other carriers to the National Register of
Historic Places, National Park Service,
1849 C Street NW, MS 7228,
Washington, DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sherry A. Frear, Chief, National Register
of Historic Places/National Historic
Landmarks Program, 1849 C Street NW,
MS 7228, Washington, DC 20240,
sherry_frear@nps.gov, 202–913–3763.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
properties listed in this notice are being
considered for listing or related actions
in the National Register of Historic
Places. Nominations for their
consideration were received by the
National Park Service before July 24,
2021. Pursuant to Section 60.13 of 36
CFR part 60, comments are being
accepted concerning the significance of
the nominated properties under the
National Register criteria for evaluation.
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.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:05 Aug 09, 2021
Jkt 253001
McLean County
Fairview Sanatorium, 905 North Main St.,
Normal, SG100006867
Winnebago County
Witwer House, 504 North 1st St., Rockford,
SG100006872
MASSACHUSETTS
Worcester County
W.S. Reed Toy Company-Wachusett Shirt
Company Historic District 41–45, Summer
St., Leominster, SG100006863
43677
VIRGINIA
Brunswick County
Lawrenceville Historic District (Additional
Documentation) Roughly bounded by West
6th Ave., Maria St., Lawrenceville
townline, Rose Cr., and Thomas St.,
Lawrenceville vicinity, AD00000313
Nominations submitted by Federal
Preservation Officers:
The State Historic Preservation Officer
reviewed the following nominations and
responded to the Federal Preservation Officer
within 45 days of receipt of the nominations
and supports listing the properties in the
National Register of Historic Places.
GUAM
Guam County
Da˚di Beach Japanese Bunker, Address
Restricted, Santa Rita vicinity,
SG100006869
Dobo Spring Latte Set Complex, Address
Restricted, Santa Rita vicinity,
SG100006870
Maulap River Complex Site, Address
Restricted, Santa Rita vicinity,
SG100006871
Authority: Section 60.13 of 36 CFR
part 60.
Dated: July 27, 2021.
Sherry A. Frear,
Chief, National Register of Historic Places/
National Historic Landmarks Program.
[FR Doc. 2021–17010 Filed 8–9–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–52–P
MICHIGAN
Leelanau County
South Fox Island Light Station, South Fox
Island, Leelanau Township vicinity,
SG100006861
Wayne County
Alpha House, (The Civil Rights Movement
and the African American Experience in
20th Century Detroit MPS), 293 Eliot St.,
Detroit, MP100006860
OHIO
Lucas County
Madison Avenue Historic District Superior
Street (Boundary Increase), 311, 315–317,
319–323, 325–327, 329, 331–333, 335
North Superior St., Toledo, BC100006862
Walla Walla County
Walla Walla Downtown Historic District,
Roughly bounded by Rose St., Palouse St.,
alley between Alder and Popular Sts., and
3rd Ave., Walla Walla, SG100006868
Additional documentation has been
received for the following resources:
MINNESOTA
Yellow Medicine County
Canby Commercial Historic District
(Additional Documentation), Roughly 1st
and 2nd Sts. and St. Olaf Ave., Canby,
AD80002189
Frm 00054
Fmt 4703
[Investigation No. 337–TA–1082
(Modification)]
Certain Gas Spring Nailer Products
and Components Thereof; Notice of a
Commission Determination To Adopt a
Recommended Determination;
Termination of the Modification
Proceeding
U.S. International Trade
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. International Trade
Commission (‘‘the Commission’’) has
determined to adopt a recommended
determination (‘‘RD’’) of the presiding
chief administrative law judge (‘‘CALJ’’)
finding that redesigned products of
respondent Koki Holdings America Ltd.
(‘‘Koki’’) of Braselton, Georgia are not
covered by the limited exclusion order
(‘‘LEO’’) and cease and desist order
(‘‘CDO’’) issued in the underlying
investigation. The Commission has
terminated the modification proceeding.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clint Gerdine, Esq., Office of the
SUMMARY:
WASHINGTON
PO 00000
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM
10AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 10, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43674-43677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17040]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNVB01000.L19900000.EX0000.21X.MO:4500152487]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
Nevada Gold Mines LLC's Goldrush Mine Project, Lander and Eureka
Counties, Nevada
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will consider authorizing
the proposed Nevada Gold Mines LLC (NGM) Goldrush Mine Project in
Lander and Eureka Counties, Nevada.
DATES: The BLM requests comments concerning the scope of the analysis
and identification of relevant information, studies, and analyses. All
comments must be received by September 9, 2021. The Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) is scheduled for publication in December 2021,
and the Final EIS is scheduled for publication in April 2022, with a
Record of Decision in May 2022. The BLM will announce dates of scoping
meetings at least 15 days in advance of the meeting on the BLM National
ePlanning website, https://go.usa.gov/xsVs8. Scoping meetings will be
held online.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Goldrush Mine EIS c/o BLM Mount
Lewis Field Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820.
Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected]. Submit comments
online at the website https://go.usa.gov/xsVs8.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Distel, Project Manager,
telephone: (775) 635-4093; address: 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain,
Nevada 89820; email: [email protected]. Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The BLM's purpose for the action is to respond to NGM's proposal as
described in the proposed Plan of Operations and to analyze the
environmental effects associated with the proponent's Proposed Action
and alternatives to the Proposed Action. The National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) mandates that the BLM evaluate the effects of the
Proposed Action and develop alternatives when necessary to lessen any
effects to environmental resources. The BLM's need for the action is
established by its responsibilities under Section 302 of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act and the BLM Surface Management
Regulations at 43 CFR 3809 to respond to a proposed Plan of Operations
and ensure that operations prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of
[[Page 43675]]
public lands. NGM's purpose and need is to develop the mineral
resource.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
NGM is proposing to construct, operate, close, and reclaim a new
underground mining project in the Cortez Mining District. The proposed
Goldrush Mine is located approximately 30 miles south of Beowawe,
Nevada, in Lander and Eureka Counties, Nevada.
The proposed Goldrush Mine Plan of Operations boundary would
encompass approximately 19,895 acres, of which 772 acres would be on
private land controlled by NGM and 19,123 acres on public lands
administered by the BLM Battle Mountain District, Mount Lewis Field
Office and BLM Elko District, Tuscarora Field Office. The proposed
Goldrush Mine would include approximately 1,717 acres of new proposed
disturbance and approximately 1,037 acres of existing/authorized and
reclassified disturbance, for a total disturbance of approximately
2,754 acres.
The proposed underground mining and surface support activities for
the Goldrush Mine would include: (1) A materials handling system for
transporting ore and waste rock from the underground workings to the
surface and transporting aggregate and supplies to the underground
workings and surface backfill plant; (2) a dewatering system, including
wells, pipelines and pipeline corridors, a water treatment plant (WTP),
rapid infiltration basins (RIBs), and a multi-use shop; (3) a contact
water pipeline; (4) ventilation raises; (5) a backfill aggregate paste
plant and crusher; (6) a shotcrete/cemented rock fill (CRF) plant; (7)
two new power lines, including a 120-kilovolt (kV) power line with two
switching stations, and a 13.8-kV power line; (8) new ancillary surface
facilities, including bulk material storage, access roads, power
supply, stormwater controls, laydown and parking areas, lighting,
growth media stockpiles, dewatering and monitoring wells, gravel pit
expansion, potable water and septic systems, dry facilities (change
rooms), service boreholes for electrical and fuel delivery, fire
suppression system, water truck refill stations, emergency helipads,
fencing, and modular information technology (IT) and communications
buildings; (9) dual use of existing facilities within the nearby Cortez
Mine Plan boundary; and (10) continued surface and underground
exploration activities.
A fleet of over-the-road haul truck and trailer units would be used
for ore transportation to either the NGM-operated Goldstrike or Gold
Quarry off-site processing facilities. The Proposed Action would result
in changes to the Horse Canyon Mine Plan (NVN-066896), Horse Canyon/
Cortez Unified Exploration Project (HC/CUEP) Plan (NVN-066621), West
Pine Valley Exploration Plan (NVN-077213), and Cortez Mine Plan (NVN-
067575).
The Goldrush Mine would operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year
for approximately 24 years. The work force would be approximately 570
persons, which includes both NGM employees and contractors. The
construction work force would be approximately 495 workers.
Reclamation of disturbed areas resulting from mining operations
would be completed in accordance with BLM and Nevada Division of
Environmental Protection (NDEP) regulations. Concurrent reclamation
would take place where practicable and safe and when an area is no
longer needed. Reclamation activities at the end of mining are
anticipated to take approximately 36 months.
In addition to the No Action and the Proposed Action, other
alternatives may be identified through scoping comments or through
analysis.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The BLM has identified the following preliminary resource concerns
associated with the Project: (1) Properties of Cultural and Religious
Importance (PCRI) and Native American concerns. Up to 50 National
Register of Historic Places-eligible or unevaluated cultural properties
would be physically altered, resulting in an adverse effect to these
cultural sites. Adverse impacts would occur to approximately 392 acres
of the Horse Canyon PCRI. Vegetation communities important to Native
American traditional values may be impacted by the Proposed Action. (2)
Impacts to wildlife resources. Potential impacts include habitat
change, habitat loss, alterations to water sources, fatalities as a
result of collisions with vehicles, displacement due to human activity
and disturbance, and impediments to movement through corridors. (3)
Potential impacts to BLM sensitive species including greater sage-
grouse and golden eagles. For greater sage-grouse, the Proposed Action
would disturb approximately 805 acres of Priority Habitat Management
Areas, 14 acres of General Habitat Management Areas, 618 acres of Other
Habitat Management Areas, and 79 acres of Non-Habitat Management Areas.
Exploration activities could result in up to 210 acres of additional
disturbance to any of the greater sage-grouse habitat types. For golden
eagles, the Proposed Action would result in the removal of 1,094 acres
of foraging habitat. Additionally, eight golden eagle territories occur
within one mile of the proposed Project disturbance area. (4) Potential
impacts to visual resources. The Proposed Action would add form, line,
texture, and color to the existing landscape. (5) Potential impacts to
air quality. Modeling has determined that impacts from the Proposed
Action would not exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards for
PM10, PM2.5, CO, NOX, and
SO2. Total facility-wide Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) are
estimated to be 1.8 tons per year (tpy), with 0.5 tpy of the highest
single HAP, arsenic. The facility-wide HAP emissions are within U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) thresholds. Greenhouse gas
emissions, including off-site ore transport, are estimated to be 96,624
tpy CO2e. Mercury emissions are estimated to be 0.014 tpy.
(6) Potential impacts to surface and groundwater resources. Potential
impacts to seep, spring, and stream flow may occur from proposed
dewatering operations if the source of the water is connected to the
regional aquifer. Dewatering operations would also result in a lowering
of the local groundwater table. Sedimentation and erosion may also
occur due to Project-related surface disturbance. (7) Potential impacts
to traffic. The Proposed Action would result in two ore hauling trucks
per hour on the transportation route, as well as 89 trips each shift
for employees and contractors during construction and up to 71 trips
during operations along the transportation route. Changes in the level
of service at some locations along the transportation route may occur,
but there would be no degrading of the level of service below
acceptable levels. (8) Potential impacts to livestock grazing. The
Proposed Action would result in new surface disturbance of 1,717 acres,
which would impact forage utilized by livestock. Approximately 119
Animal Unit Months (AUMs) would be impacted in the Carico Lake, Grass
Valley, JD, and South Buckhorn allotments. The 210 acres of proposed
exploration disturbance may result in an impact ranging from 9 to 19
AUMs, depending on the allotment in which the activities occur. (9)
Potential impacts on vegetation communities and soil productivity. The
Proposed Action would result in disturbance to soil and removal of
vegetation on 1,717 acres. (10) Potential for subsidence. In the post-
closure period, underground mine induced rock collapse may occur over
open workings and result in the
[[Page 43676]]
development of localized ground deformation/subsidence type features,
which are unlikely to impact surface features due to the strength and
thickness of the overlying rock, and any surface expression is
anticipated to be local to the immediate mining area and not propagate
extensively. Additionally, at the end of mining, model-predicted
subsidence from dewatering may cause a four-inch contour of land with
the potential for development of fissures. (11) Reclamation to reduce
permanent disturbance. Approximately 2,232 acres of total surface
disturbance would be reclaimed and would return to post-reclamation
land uses, including open space, grazing, dispersed recreation, and
wildlife habitat, while 523 acres would remain permanently altered.
The proposed project has the potential to affect golden eagle nests
and territories; therefore, NGM has prepared an Eagle Conservation Plan
(ECP) and has requested an incidental take permit for golden eagles in
the area in which NGM proposes to conduct mining operations. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is considering the applicant's
request for incidental take, as allowed under the Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act (Eagle Act) for the purpose of resource development and
recovery operations. The USFWS will evaluate the applicant's ECP, which
describes NGM's request for incidental take authorization for impacts
resulting from their proposed mining operations. The DEIS will analyze
any potential effects and impacts of the proposed project on golden
eagles and may also analyze impacts and develop alternatives associated
with the USFWS eagle take permit decision under the Eagle Act.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
The BLM anticipates that the following permits and authorizations
will be required for the mine:
Air Quality Operating Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Air Pollution
Control)
Eagle Take Permit: USFWS
Explosives Permit: U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms,
and Explosives
General Stormwater Discharge Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Water
Pollution Control)
Hazardous Materials Storage Permit: Nevada Department of
Public Safety, State Fire Marshall, and State Emergency Response
Commission
Industrial Artificial Pond Permit: Nevada Department of
Wildlife (Habitat Division)
Jurisdictional Delineation Report Concurrence: U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers
Liquefied Petroleum Gas License: Nevada Board of the
Regulation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Notification of Commencement of
Operations MSHA
Permit to Appropriate Water: Nevada Division of Water
Resources
Permit to Operate: Nevada Division of Minerals
Plan of Operations/Record of Decision: BLM
Potable Water System Permit: Nevada Bureau of Safe Drinking
Water
Radioactive Materials License: Nevada Division of Public and
Behavioral Health
Reclamation Permit and Reclamation Cost Determination: NDEP
(Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation)
Section 401 Certification: NDEP (Bureau of Water Pollution
Control)
Septic Treatment Permit, Holding Tank Permit, Sewage Disposal
System Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Water Pollution Control)
Water Pollution Control Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Mining
Regulation and Reclamation)
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
The BLM anticipates a decision in May of 2022.
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. Scoping meetings
will be virtual. An announcement about when and how to access the
virtual meetings online will be posted on the BLM's project website.
The purpose of public scoping is to identify relevant issues that
will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including
alternatives, and guide the process for developing the environmental
impact statement. The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA public
scoping to help fulfill the public involvement requirements under the
National Historic Preservation Act (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 action will assist
the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
The BLM will conduct government-to-government consultation with
Indian Tribes in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other
policies. Agencies will give due consideration to Tribal concerns,
including impacts on Indian trust assets and treaty rights and
potential impacts to cultural resources.
The BLM invites Federal, State, and local agencies, along with
Tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by
the proposed Goldrush Mine to participate in scoping. Agencies with
regulatory authority or special expertise, if eligible, may request or
be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the
environmental analysis as a cooperating agency.
Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action
The BLM requests assistance with identifying potential alternatives
to the Proposed Action to be considered. As alternatives should resolve
a problem with the Proposed Action, please indicate the purpose of the
suggested alternative. The BLM also requests that potential impacts
that should be analyzed be identified. Impacts should be a result of
the action; therefore, please identify the activity and the potential
impact that should be analyzed. Information that reviewers have that
would assist in the development of alternatives or analysis of
resources issues is also helpful.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The BLM is the lead agency. Cooperating agencies include the USFWS,
the USEPA, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Nevada Department of
Transportation, and Eureka County.
Decision Maker
The BLM Battle Mountain District Manager, Doug Furtado, is the
responsible official.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The BLM will issue a decision on the proposed Plan of Operations
for the Goldrush mine project.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record
for this proposed action. Comments submitted
[[Page 43677]]
anonymously will also be accepted and considered.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7.
Bradlee A. Matthews,
Acting Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field Office, Battle Mountain
District.
[FR Doc. 2021-17040 Filed 8-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P
