Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed North Bullfrog Mine Project, Nye County, Nevada, 24854-24857 [2024-07423]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 9, 2024 / Notices
and activities on land leased pursuant to
Tribal leasing regulations approved
under the HEARTH Act. Congress’s
overarching intent was to ‘‘allow Tribes
to exercise greater control over their
own land, support self-determination,
and eliminate bureaucratic delays that
stand in the way of homeownership and
economic development in Tribal
communities.’’ 158 Cong. Rec. H. 2682
(May 15, 2012). The HEARTH Act was
intended to afford Tribes ‘‘flexibility to
adapt lease terms to suit [their] business
and cultural needs’’ and to ‘‘enable
[Tribes] to approve leases quickly and
efficiently.’’ H. Rep. 112–427 at 6
(2012).
Assessment of State and local taxes
would obstruct these express Federal
policies supporting Tribal economic
development and self-determination,
and also threaten substantial Tribal
interests in effective Tribal government,
economic self-sufficiency, and territorial
autonomy. See Michigan v. Bay Mills
Indian Community, 572 U.S. 782, 810
(2014) (Sotomayor, J., concurring)
(determining that ‘‘[a] key goal of the
Federal Government is to render Tribes
more self-sufficient, and better
positioned to fund their own sovereign
functions, rather than relying on Federal
funding’’). The additional costs of State
and local taxation have a chilling effect
on potential lessees, as well as on a
Tribe that, as a result, might refrain from
exercising its own sovereign right to
impose a Tribal tax to support its
infrastructure needs. See id. at 810–11
(finding that State and local taxes
greatly discourage Tribes from raising
tax revenue from the same sources
because the imposition of double
taxation would impede Tribal economic
growth).
Similar to BIA’s surface leasing
regulations, Tribal regulations under the
HEARTH Act pervasively cover all
aspects of leasing. See 25 U.S.C.
415(h)(3)(B)(i) (requiring Tribal
regulations be consistent with BIA
surface leasing regulations).
Furthermore, the Federal government
remains involved in the Tribal land
leasing process by approving the Tribal
leasing regulations in the first instance
and providing technical assistance,
upon request by a Tribe, for the
development of an environmental
review process. The Secretary also
retains authority to take any necessary
actions to remedy violations of a lease
or of the Tribal regulations, including
terminating the lease or rescinding
approval of the Tribal regulations and
reassuming lease approval
responsibilities. Moreover, the Secretary
continues to review, approve, and
monitor individual Indian land leases
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and other types of leases not covered
under the Tribal regulations according
to 25 CFR part 162.
Accordingly, the Federal and Tribal
interests weigh heavily in favor of
preemption of State and local taxes on
lease-related activities and interests,
regardless of whether the lease is
governed by Tribal leasing regulations
or 25 CFR part 162. Improvements,
activities, and leasehold or possessory
interests may be subject to taxation by
the Ione Band of Miwok Indians of
California.
Wizipan Garriott,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary—Indian
Affairs, Exercising by delegation the authority
of the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2024–07509 Filed 4–8–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_NV_FRN_MO4500177954]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed North Bullfrog Mine
Project, Nye County, Nevada
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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 (FLPMA), the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Tonopah Field Office, Battle Mountain,
Nevada intends to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
to consider the effects of Corvus Gold
Nevada, Inc.’s (Corvus) North Bullfrog
Mine Project (Project) in Nye County,
Nevada. This notice announces the
beginning of the scoping process to
solicit public comments and identify
issues and alternatives; it also serves to
initiate public consultation, as required,
under the National Historic Preservation
Act (NHPA).
DATES: This notice initiates the public
scoping process for the EIS. The BLM
requests that the public submit
comments concerning the scope of the
analysis, potential alternatives, and
identification of relevant information
and studies, no later than 30 days after
the date of publication in the Federal
Register. To afford the BLM the
opportunity to consider comments in
the Draft EIS, please ensure your
comments are received prior to the close
of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days
SUMMARY:
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after the last public meeting, whichever
is later. In-person public scoping
meetings will be held during the public
scoping period, the dates of which are
to be determined.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
related to the North Bullfrog Mine
Project by any of the following methods:
• Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/
eplanning-ui/admin/project/2031869/
510
• Email: blm_nv_bmdo_p&ec_nepa@
blm.gov
• Fax: (775) 635–4034
• Mail: BLM Battle Mountain District
Office, Attn: North Bullfrog Mine
Project, 50 Bastian Road, Battle
Mountain, NV 89820
Documents pertinent to this proposal
may be examined online at https://
eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/admin/
project/2031869/510 and at the
Tonopah Field Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gene Gilseth, Project Manager,
telephone: (775) 635–4020; address:
BLM Battle Mountain District Office,
Attn: North Bullfrog Mine Project, 50
Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV
89820; email: egilseth@blm.gov. Contact
Mr. Gilseth to have your name added to
our mailing list. Individuals in the
United States who are deaf, deafblind,
hard of hearing, or have a speech
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or
TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services for
contacting Mr. Gilseth. Individuals
outside the United States should use the
relay services offered within their
country to make international calls to
the point-of-contact in the United
States.
Based on
the submitted proposed plan of
operations (Plan), Corvus is proposing
to construct, operate, close, and reclaim
a new surface mine at the northern end
of the Bullfrog Hills, south of Sarcobatus
Flat, in Nye County, Nevada,
approximately nine miles north of the
Town of Beatty.
The proposed North Bullfrog Mine
Plan boundary would encompass 6,298
acres, including approximately 5,402
acres of public lands and 896 acres of
private land. The total disturbance
associated with the proposed action
would be 3,518.4 acres, including
3,436.4 acres of new surface disturbance
and 82 acres of existing exploration
disturbance. Of the new surface
disturbance, approximately 3,077.2
acres would occur on BLMadministered public lands, and 359.2
acres would occur on private lands. Of
the existing exploration surface
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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disturbance, 61.2 acres is on BLMadministered public lands, and 20.8
acres is on private lands. The proposed
surface mining activities for the North
Bullfrog Mine would include:
• Three open pits: the Sierra Blanca
Open Pit (which would include the
Sierra Blanca pit area, Yellow Jacket pit
area, and Savage Valley pit area); the
Jolly Jane Open Pit; and the Mayflower
Open Pit;
• Four overburden storage areas
(OSAs);
• An ore crushing and conveying
system;
• A gravity mill circuit with cyanide
tank leaching;
• Carbon-in-columns;
• Ore stockpiles;
• Growth media stockpiles;
• A power sub-station, solar field
(located within the yard area), and
associated distribution system;
• A heap leach facility (HLF)
including the heap leach pad (HLP)
with solution channels, associated
process solution tanks, and ponds;
• A water supply well field and open
pit dewatering system (wells, pipelines,
and pipeline corridor);
• Stormwater diversion channels and
stormwater sediment basins;
• An adsorption desorption and
recovery plan, refinery, and an assay
laboratory;
• Access and haul roads;
• Ancillary facilities including a
septic and potable water supply system,
and associated maintenance area;
reagent and fuel storage; stormwater
controls; parking areas; lighting; growth
media stockpile; water truck refill
stations; emergency helipads; fencing;
communication trailers; storage and
laydown yards; a meteorological station;
a warehouse; a truck maintenance shop;
a truck wash; offices; a metallurgical
laboratory; change/lunch facilities; an
administration/security building; and
solid and hazardous waste management
facilities;
• Continued surface exploration; and
• Reclamation and closure, including
the development of evapotranspiration
cells.
The Project would contract a shortterm maximum of 530 employees during
the 12- to 18-month construction period,
and approximately 230 employees
during active mining and processing.
As proposed, the project would
operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per
year. The total life of the project would
be up to 20 years, including 1 year of
pre-mining and construction, 12 years of
mining, 2 to 3 additional years of active
gold recovery on the HLP, mine
reclamation activities, and 3 to 4
additional years of heap rinsing,
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reclamation, and closure activities.
Reclamation of disturbed areas resulting
from mining operations would be
completed in accordance with BLM and
Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection regulations. Concurrent
reclamation would take place where
practicable and safe.
Purpose and Need for the Proposed
Action
The BLM’s purpose is to respond to
Corvus’s proposal as described in the
Plan and to analyze the environmental
effects associated with the proposed
action and alternatives. NEPA mandates
that the BLM evaluate the effects of the
proposed action and develop
alternatives.
The need for action is established by
the BLM’s responsibilities, under
section 302 of FLPMA and the BLM
Surface Management Regulations at 43
CFR 3809, to respond to a Plan
submitted by an applicant to exercise
their rights under the General Mining
Law of 1872, and to prevent
unnecessary or undue degradation of
public lands as a result of the actions
taken to prospect, explore, assess,
develop, and process locatable minerals
resources on public lands.
Preliminary Proposed Action and
Alternatives
The proposed action consists of the
Plan as submitted by Corvus. Additional
alternatives to be considered at this time
include the No Action Alternative and
a Revised Mill Location Alternative.
Under the No Action Alternative, the
development of the North Bullfrog Mine
Project would not be authorized, and
Corvus would not construct, operate,
and close a new surface mine. Existing
exploration activities would continue
per previous authorizations.
The Revised Mill Location Alternative
would include consolidation of
processing facilities to a central
location, a revised HLF design requiring
only one single process pond, and
elimination of the need for a large
hillside cut for the proposed run-ofmine (ROM) stockpile, resulting in
reduced air emissions by eliminating
the mining activity required to build the
ROM stockpile and reducing travel
distance to the mill site. Additionally,
the footprint of the Jolly Jane OSA
would be reduced by 22.8 acres due to
a proposed redesign for avoidance of
cultural resources. Overall, surface
disturbance under this alternative
would be 130 acres less than the
proposed action.
The BLM welcomes comments on all
preliminary options as well as
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suggestions for additional alternatives to
be considered.
Summary of Expected Impacts
Primary impacts from the North
Bullfrog Mine Project that will be
analyzed in the EIS include potential
impacts to cultural resources and Native
American traditional values; wildlife
resources, including threatened and
endangered and special status species;
aesthetics (visual and noise); air quality,
including climate change and
greenhouse gases; water resources
(surface and groundwater); traffic
generation; livestock grazing; and
vegetation and soil resources. A
summary of potential impacts include:
• Cultural Resources and Native
American Traditional Values: There are
34 historic properties that may
potentially be affected by the proposed
action within the physical and/or
vibrational, auditory, and visual areas of
potential effects. There are an additional
eight sites that are currently identified
as unevaluated that may be affected by
the Project. Of these 42 cultural
resources, it was determined that 22
currently unevaluated or National
Register of Historic Places (NRHP)eligible and the NRHP-eligible Wild
Burro Archaeological District would be
adversely impacted from physical,
vibrational, and/or visual effects
resulting from the Project.
• Water Resources (Surface and
Groundwater): The Project involves
groundwater pumping to allow mining
below the water table at the Sierra
Blanca and Jolly Jane Open Pits. No
dewatering requirements are anticipated
at the Mayflower Open Pit. Dewatering
operations would result in a lowering of
the local groundwater table, with
estimated recovery of the groundwater
table to pre-mining conditions being
approximately 85 to 200 years from the
end of pit dewatering, depending on the
location of the drawdown. Mining in the
Mayflower Pit would occur entirely
above the natural water table and as a
result a pit lake is not expected to form
at closure. The Sierra Blanca Pit and
Jolly Jane Pit would be backfilled up to
approximately 3,970 feet above mean
sea level to eliminate the formation of
a pit lake. Potential impacts to seep,
spring, and stream flow may occur
within the maximum extent of the 10foot drawdown from proposed
dewatering operations if the source of
the water is connected to the regional
aquifer feeding these surface water
features. A monitoring and mitigation
plan is currently being developed to
address these potential impacts.
Sedimentation and erosion may also
occur due to Project-related disturbance,
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but this would be addressed through
appropriate mine design requirements.
• Wildlife Resources: Potential
impacts include habitat modifications,
habitat loss, potential impacts to water
sources from dewatering induced
drawdown from the Project, fatalities as
a result of collisions with vehicles,
displacement due to human activity and
disturbance, and fragmentation from
impediments to movement through the
project area.
• Threatened and Endangered
Species: Federally listed species that
have been documented or may be
present in the project area include the
southwestern willow flycatcher
(Empidonax traillii extimus), yellowbilled cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus),
and the Mojave Desert tortoise
(Gopherus agassizii). No direct impacts
to the yellow-billed cuckoo or
southwest willow flycatcher would be
anticipated from the proposed action,
though indirect impacts may occur from
potential dewatering induced
drawdown at spring sites and riparian
areas where these species potentially
occur. The proposed action is
anticipated to disturb certain vegetation
communities that support Mojave Desert
tortoise, and Mojave Desert tortoise have
been documented within the Project
Area. Compliance with section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act (16 United
States Code 1536) will be required to
address potential impacts to the Mojave
Desert tortoise.
• BLM Special Status Species: Special
status species that have been
documented in the vicinity of the
project area include the Amargosa toad
(Anaxyrus nelson), Oasis Valley
speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus),
Oasis Valley springsnail (Pyrgulopsis
micrococcus), brewer’s sparrow
(Spizella breweri), loggerhead shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus), burrowing owl
(Athene cunicularia), ferruginous hawk
(Buteo regalis), golden eagle (Aquila
chrysaetos), pallid bat (Antrozous
pallidus), Brazilian free-tailed bat
(Tadarida brasiliensis), California
myotis (Myotis californicus), canyon bat
(Parastrellus Hesperus), fringed myotis
(Myotis thysanodes), desert bighorn
sheep (Ovis canadensis nelson), desert
horned lizard (Phrynosoma
platyrhinos), Great Basin collared lizard
(Crotaphytus bicinctores), and longnosed leopard lizard (Gambelia
wislizenii). Potential impacts include
habitat modifications, habitat loss,
potential impacts to water sources from
dewatering induced drawdown from the
Project, displacement due to human
activity and disturbance, and
fragmentation from impediments to
movement through the project area.
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Impacts to special status aquatic species
may include potential impacts from
dewatering induced drawdown at spring
sites and riparian areas where these
species are known to occur. A
monitoring and mitigation plan is
currently being developed to address
potential impacts to special status
aquatic species.
• Aesthetics (visual and noise):
Potential impacts to visual resources
include the addition of form, line,
texture, and color to the existing
landscape from proposed Project
features. Potential noise impacts include
an increase in noise generation in the
vicinity of the Project.
• Air Quality: Air quality modeling
has determined that impacts from the
proposed action would not exceed
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
for particulate matter 10 microns in
diameter or less (PM10), particulate
matter 2.5 microns in diameter or less
(PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen
oxide (NOX), and sulfur oxide (SO2).
Total facility-wide Hazardous Air
Pollutants (HAP) are estimated to be
7.28 tons per year (tpy), with 5.07 tpy
of the highest single HAP, hydrogen
cyanide. Greenhouse gas emissions
(measured in carbon dioxide equivalent
(CO2e)) from operations are estimated at
a maximum of 102,692 tpy CO2e, which
includes process sources, fugitive
sources, and mobile mining equipment.
Potential ozone (O3) impacts are
estimated at 0.75 parts per billion (ppb),
which is below the O3 Significant
Impact Level of 1 ppb and therefore
considered insignificant. Mercury
emissions are estimated to be 16.7
pounds per year, which would be less
than 0.44 percent contribution to the
global background deposition within the
two adjacent hydrographic basins.
• Traffic: Traffic on transportation
routes within the area of analysis would
potentially increase by up to 120
Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)
during construction, and 88 AADT
during operations. The addition of
project traffic is not anticipated to lower
the level of service of the roadways and
intersections, which are all currently at
an acceptable level of service. Corvus is
proposing to coordinate with the
Nevada Department of Transportation to
add turn lane improvements at the
intersection of Strozzi Ranch Road and
US 95 to further reduce any potential
impacts from heavy vehicle traffic
entering and exiting the Project.
• Livestock Grazing: The proposed
action would impact forage utilized by
livestock as a result of new surface
disturbance of up to 3,436.4 acres.
Approximately two Animal Unit
Months (268.3 acres) would be impacted
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in the Razorback Allotment, South
Montezuma Pasture. This would
represent less than 0.1 percent of the
overall permitted use in the allotment.
• Vegetation and Soils: The proposed
action would result in new disturbance
to soil and removal of vegetation on
3,436.4 acres, in additional to 82 acres
of existing or acknowledged exploration
for a total disturbance of 3,518.4 acres.
Schedule for the Decision-Making
Process
The BLM will provide additional
opportunities for public participation
consistent with the NEPA process,
including a 45-day comment period on
the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS is
anticipated to be available for public
review in Summer 2024 and the Final
EIS is anticipated to be released in
Winter 2025 with a Record of Decision
in Winter 2025.
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping period. The BLM will hold two
virtual public scoping meetings. The
specific dates and times of these scoping
meetings will be announced in advance
through local newspaper publications
and the BLM National NEPA Register
Project page at https://
eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/admin/
project/2031869/510.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The BLM Tonopah Field Office is
serving as the lead federal agency for
preparing the EIS. Cooperating agencies
for this analysis include the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada
Department of Wildlife, Nye County,
and Town of Beatty.
Responsible Official
Douglas W. Furtado, District Manager,
Battle Mountain District Office
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The BLM’s decision for the North
Bullfrog Mine Project will consider the
following: (1) whether to approve the
proposed Project Plan to authorize the
proposed activities without
modifications or additional mitigation
measures; (2) whether to approve the
proposed Project Plan with additional
mitigation measures that the BLM
deems necessary to prevent unnecessary
or undue degradation of public lands;
(3) whether to approve an alternative
analyzed in the EIS for the North
Bullfrog Mine Project; or (4) denial of
the proposed Project Plan and
associated activities.
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Additional Information
The BLM will identify, analyze, and
consider mitigation to address the
reasonably foreseeable impacts to
resources from the proposed action and
all analyzed reasonable alternatives and,
in accordance with 40 CFR 1502.14(e),
include appropriate mitigation measures
not already included in the proposed
action or alternatives. Mitigation may
include avoidance, minimization,
rectification, reduction or elimination
over time, and compensation, and may
be considered at multiple scales,
including the landscape scale.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate
the NEPA process to help support
compliance with applicable procedural
requirements under the Endangered
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1536) and section
106 of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 306108) as
provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3),
including public involvement
requirements of section 106.
Information about historic and cultural
resources and threatened and
endangered species within the area
potentially affected by the proposed
plan will assist the BLM in identifying
and evaluating impacts to such
resources.
The BLM will consult with Indian
Tribal Nations on a government-togovernment basis in accordance with
Executive Order 13175, BLM MS 1780,
and other Departmental 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 Indian Tribal
Nations and other stakeholders that may
be interested in or affected by the
proposed North Bullfrog Mine Project,
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.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_HQ_FRN_MO4500177637]
[BLM_WY_FRN_MO4500176205; WYW–
34993, WYW–87111]
Public Land Order No. 7936; Partial
Revocation of Four Secretarial Orders
for the Grand Valley Reclamation
Project and Opening Order; Colorado;
Correction
Notice of Proposed Withdrawal
Extensions and Opportunity for Public
Meeting for the Castle Gardens
Recreation Area and White Mountain
Petroglyphs Site, Wyoming
AGENCY:
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION:
Notice; correction.
The Bureau of Land
Management published a document in
the Federal Register on January 9, 2024,
concerning a Public Land Order that
partially revokes four withdrawals
created by Secretarial Orders dated July
2, 1902, August 26, 1902, February 28,
1908, and July 25, 1908, issued pursuant
to the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902,
section 3, to support the Bureau of
Reclamation’s Grand Valley
Reclamation Project. The document’s
subject heading incorrectly stated the
new PLO number.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Jardine, BLM, Colorado State
Office, at 970–385–1224, email at
jjardine@blm.gov, or write to Branch of
Lands and Realty, P.O. Box 151029,
Lakewood, Colorado 80215–7093.
Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have
a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY,
TDD, or Tele Braille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside the United States
should use the relay services offered
within their country to make
international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States.
Correction
In the Federal Register of January 9,
2024, in FR Doc. 2024–00266, on page
1126, in the third column, correct the
subject heading to read: Public Land
Order No. 7936; Partial Revocation of
Four Secretarial Orders for the Grand
Valley Reclamation Project and Opening
Order; Colorado.
Robert T. Anderson,
Solicitor.
[FR Doc. 2024–07469 Filed 4–8–24; 8:45 am]
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9)
BILLING CODE 4331–29–P
Douglas W. Furtado,
District Manager, Battle Mountain District.
[FR Doc. 2024–07423 Filed 4–8–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of proposed withdrawal
extension.
AGENCY:
The Secretary of the Interior
proposes to extend Public Land Order
(PLO) No. 6578 and PLO No. 6597, each
for an additional 20-year term, as
requested by the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM). PLO No. 6578, as
extended by PLO No. 7612, withdrew
110 acres of BLM land from settlement,
sale, location, or entry under the general
land laws, including the United States
mining laws, but not from leasing under
the mineral leasing laws, to protect the
recreational and aesthetic values of and
the capital investments made in the
Castle Garden Recreation Site in
Washakie County, Wyoming. PLO No.
6597, as extended by PLO No. 7621,
withdrew 20 acres of BLM land from
settlement, sale, location, or entry under
the general land laws, including the
United States mining laws, but not from
leasing under the mineral leasing laws,
to protect the scientific, artistic, and
educational values of the White
Mountain Petroglyphs site in
Sweetwater County, Wyoming. This
Notice advises the public of an
opportunity to comment on the two
proposed withdrawal extensions and to
request a public meeting for either of the
proposals.
DATES: Comments and requests for a
public meeting regarding the
withdrawal applications must be
received on or before July 8, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments and meeting
requests should be sent to the BLM
Wyoming State Director, 5353
Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming
82009.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jackie Madson, Land Law Examiner,
Wyoming State Office by phone at 307–
775–6040 or at the address noted above.
Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have
a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY,
TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside the United States
should use the relay services offered
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 9, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24854-24857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07423]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_NV_FRN_MO4500177954]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed North Bullfrog Mine Project, Nye County, Nevada
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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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 (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Tonopah Field Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada intends to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider the effects of Corvus
Gold Nevada, Inc.'s (Corvus) North Bullfrog Mine Project (Project) in
Nye County, Nevada. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping
process to solicit public comments and identify issues and
alternatives; it also serves to initiate public consultation, as
required, under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS.
The BLM requests that the public submit comments concerning the scope
of the analysis, potential alternatives, and identification of relevant
information and studies, no later than 30 days after the date of
publication in the Federal Register. To afford the BLM the opportunity
to consider comments in the Draft EIS, please ensure your comments are
received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days
after the last public meeting, whichever is later. In-person public
scoping meetings will be held during the public scoping period, the
dates of which are to be determined.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the North Bullfrog Mine
Project by any of the following methods:
Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/admin/project/2031869/510
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (775) 635-4034
Mail: BLM Battle Mountain District Office, Attn: North
Bullfrog Mine Project, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/admin/project/2031869/510 and at
the Tonopah Field Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene Gilseth, Project Manager,
telephone: (775) 635-4020; address: BLM Battle Mountain District
Office, Attn: North Bullfrog Mine Project, 50 Bastian Road, Battle
Mountain, NV 89820; email: [email protected]. Contact Mr. Gilseth to
have your name added to our mailing list. Individuals in the United
States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services for contacting Mr. Gilseth.
Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services
offered within their country to make international calls to the point-
of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Based on the submitted proposed plan of
operations (Plan), Corvus is proposing to construct, operate, close,
and reclaim a new surface mine at the northern end of the Bullfrog
Hills, south of Sarcobatus Flat, in Nye County, Nevada, approximately
nine miles north of the Town of Beatty.
The proposed North Bullfrog Mine Plan boundary would encompass
6,298 acres, including approximately 5,402 acres of public lands and
896 acres of private land. The total disturbance associated with the
proposed action would be 3,518.4 acres, including 3,436.4 acres of new
surface disturbance and 82 acres of existing exploration disturbance.
Of the new surface disturbance, approximately 3,077.2 acres would occur
on BLM-administered public lands, and 359.2 acres would occur on
private lands. Of the existing exploration surface
[[Page 24855]]
disturbance, 61.2 acres is on BLM-administered public lands, and 20.8
acres is on private lands. The proposed surface mining activities for
the North Bullfrog Mine would include:
Three open pits: the Sierra Blanca Open Pit (which would
include the Sierra Blanca pit area, Yellow Jacket pit area, and Savage
Valley pit area); the Jolly Jane Open Pit; and the Mayflower Open Pit;
Four overburden storage areas (OSAs);
An ore crushing and conveying system;
A gravity mill circuit with cyanide tank leaching;
Carbon-in-columns;
Ore stockpiles;
Growth media stockpiles;
A power sub-station, solar field (located within the yard
area), and associated distribution system;
A heap leach facility (HLF) including the heap leach pad
(HLP) with solution channels, associated process solution tanks, and
ponds;
A water supply well field and open pit dewatering system
(wells, pipelines, and pipeline corridor);
Stormwater diversion channels and stormwater sediment
basins;
An adsorption desorption and recovery plan, refinery, and
an assay laboratory;
Access and haul roads;
Ancillary facilities including a septic and potable water
supply system, and associated maintenance area; reagent and fuel
storage; stormwater controls; parking areas; lighting; growth media
stockpile; water truck refill stations; emergency helipads; fencing;
communication trailers; storage and laydown yards; a meteorological
station; a warehouse; a truck maintenance shop; a truck wash; offices;
a metallurgical laboratory; change/lunch facilities; an administration/
security building; and solid and hazardous waste management facilities;
Continued surface exploration; and
Reclamation and closure, including the development of
evapotranspiration cells.
The Project would contract a short-term maximum of 530 employees
during the 12- to 18-month construction period, and approximately 230
employees during active mining and processing.
As proposed, the project would operate 24 hours per day, 365 days
per year. The total life of the project would be up to 20 years,
including 1 year of pre-mining and construction, 12 years of mining, 2
to 3 additional years of active gold recovery on the HLP, mine
reclamation activities, and 3 to 4 additional years of heap rinsing,
reclamation, and closure activities. Reclamation of disturbed areas
resulting from mining operations would be completed in accordance with
BLM and Nevada Division of Environmental Protection regulations.
Concurrent reclamation would take place where practicable and safe.
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The BLM's purpose is to respond to Corvus's proposal as described
in the Plan and to analyze the environmental effects associated with
the proposed action and alternatives. NEPA mandates that the BLM
evaluate the effects of the proposed action and develop alternatives.
The need for action is established by the BLM's responsibilities,
under section 302 of FLPMA and the BLM Surface Management Regulations
at 43 CFR 3809, to respond to a Plan submitted by an applicant to
exercise their rights under the General Mining Law of 1872, and to
prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of public lands as a result of
the actions taken to prospect, explore, assess, develop, and process
locatable minerals resources on public lands.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
The proposed action consists of the Plan as submitted by Corvus.
Additional alternatives to be considered at this time include the No
Action Alternative and a Revised Mill Location Alternative.
Under the No Action Alternative, the development of the North
Bullfrog Mine Project would not be authorized, and Corvus would not
construct, operate, and close a new surface mine. Existing exploration
activities would continue per previous authorizations.
The Revised Mill Location Alternative would include consolidation
of processing facilities to a central location, a revised HLF design
requiring only one single process pond, and elimination of the need for
a large hillside cut for the proposed run-of-mine (ROM) stockpile,
resulting in reduced air emissions by eliminating the mining activity
required to build the ROM stockpile and reducing travel distance to the
mill site. Additionally, the footprint of the Jolly Jane OSA would be
reduced by 22.8 acres due to a proposed redesign for avoidance of
cultural resources. Overall, surface disturbance under this alternative
would be 130 acres less than the proposed action.
The BLM welcomes comments on all preliminary options as well as
suggestions for additional alternatives to be considered.
Summary of Expected Impacts
Primary impacts from the North Bullfrog Mine Project that will be
analyzed in the EIS include potential impacts to cultural resources and
Native American traditional values; wildlife resources, including
threatened and endangered and special status species; aesthetics
(visual and noise); air quality, including climate change and
greenhouse gases; water resources (surface and groundwater); traffic
generation; livestock grazing; and vegetation and soil resources. A
summary of potential impacts include:
Cultural Resources and Native American Traditional Values:
There are 34 historic properties that may potentially be affected by
the proposed action within the physical and/or vibrational, auditory,
and visual areas of potential effects. There are an additional eight
sites that are currently identified as unevaluated that may be affected
by the Project. Of these 42 cultural resources, it was determined that
22 currently unevaluated or National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP)-eligible and the NRHP-eligible Wild Burro Archaeological
District would be adversely impacted from physical, vibrational, and/or
visual effects resulting from the Project.
Water Resources (Surface and Groundwater): The Project
involves groundwater pumping to allow mining below the water table at
the Sierra Blanca and Jolly Jane Open Pits. No dewatering requirements
are anticipated at the Mayflower Open Pit. Dewatering operations would
result in a lowering of the local groundwater table, with estimated
recovery of the groundwater table to pre-mining conditions being
approximately 85 to 200 years from the end of pit dewatering, depending
on the location of the drawdown. Mining in the Mayflower Pit would
occur entirely above the natural water table and as a result a pit lake
is not expected to form at closure. The Sierra Blanca Pit and Jolly
Jane Pit would be backfilled up to approximately 3,970 feet above mean
sea level to eliminate the formation of a pit lake. Potential impacts
to seep, spring, and stream flow may occur within the maximum extent of
the 10-foot drawdown from proposed dewatering operations if the source
of the water is connected to the regional aquifer feeding these surface
water features. A monitoring and mitigation plan is currently being
developed to address these potential impacts. Sedimentation and erosion
may also occur due to Project-related disturbance,
[[Page 24856]]
but this would be addressed through appropriate mine design
requirements.
Wildlife Resources: Potential impacts include habitat
modifications, habitat loss, potential impacts to water sources from
dewatering induced drawdown from the Project, fatalities as a result of
collisions with vehicles, displacement due to human activity and
disturbance, and fragmentation from impediments to movement through the
project area.
Threatened and Endangered Species: Federally listed
species that have been documented or may be present in the project area
include the southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii
extimus), yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), and the Mojave
Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). No direct impacts to the yellow-
billed cuckoo or southwest willow flycatcher would be anticipated from
the proposed action, though indirect impacts may occur from potential
dewatering induced drawdown at spring sites and riparian areas where
these species potentially occur. The proposed action is anticipated to
disturb certain vegetation communities that support Mojave Desert
tortoise, and Mojave Desert tortoise have been documented within the
Project Area. Compliance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act
(16 United States Code 1536) will be required to address potential
impacts to the Mojave Desert tortoise.
BLM Special Status Species: Special status species that
have been documented in the vicinity of the project area include the
Amargosa toad (Anaxyrus nelson), Oasis Valley speckled dace
(Rhinichthys osculus), Oasis Valley springsnail (Pyrgulopsis
micrococcus), brewer's sparrow (Spizella breweri), loggerhead shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus), burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), ferruginous
hawk (Buteo regalis), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), pallid bat
(Antrozous pallidus), Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida
brasiliensis), California myotis (Myotis californicus), canyon bat
(Parastrellus Hesperus), fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes), desert
bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelson), desert horned lizard
(Phrynosoma platyrhinos), Great Basin collared lizard (Crotaphytus
bicinctores), and long-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia wislizenii).
Potential impacts include habitat modifications, habitat loss,
potential impacts to water sources from dewatering induced drawdown
from the Project, displacement due to human activity and disturbance,
and fragmentation from impediments to movement through the project
area. Impacts to special status aquatic species may include potential
impacts from dewatering induced drawdown at spring sites and riparian
areas where these species are known to occur. A monitoring and
mitigation plan is currently being developed to address potential
impacts to special status aquatic species.
Aesthetics (visual and noise): Potential impacts to visual
resources include the addition of form, line, texture, and color to the
existing landscape from proposed Project features. Potential noise
impacts include an increase in noise generation in the vicinity of the
Project.
Air Quality: Air quality modeling has determined that
impacts from the proposed action would not exceed National Ambient Air
Quality Standards for particulate matter 10 microns in diameter or less
(PM10), particulate matter 2.5 microns in diameter or less
(PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide
(NOX), and sulfur oxide (SO2). Total facility-
wide Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) are estimated to be 7.28 tons per
year (tpy), with 5.07 tpy of the highest single HAP, hydrogen cyanide.
Greenhouse gas emissions (measured in carbon dioxide equivalent
(CO2e)) from operations are estimated at a maximum of
102,692 tpy CO2e, which includes process sources, fugitive
sources, and mobile mining equipment. Potential ozone (O3)
impacts are estimated at 0.75 parts per billion (ppb), which is below
the O3 Significant Impact Level of 1 ppb and therefore
considered insignificant. Mercury emissions are estimated to be 16.7
pounds per year, which would be less than 0.44 percent contribution to
the global background deposition within the two adjacent hydrographic
basins.
Traffic: Traffic on transportation routes within the area
of analysis would potentially increase by up to 120 Annual Average
Daily Traffic (AADT) during construction, and 88 AADT during
operations. The addition of project traffic is not anticipated to lower
the level of service of the roadways and intersections, which are all
currently at an acceptable level of service. Corvus is proposing to
coordinate with the Nevada Department of Transportation to add turn
lane improvements at the intersection of Strozzi Ranch Road and US 95
to further reduce any potential impacts from heavy vehicle traffic
entering and exiting the Project.
Livestock Grazing: The proposed action would impact forage
utilized by livestock as a result of new surface disturbance of up to
3,436.4 acres. Approximately two Animal Unit Months (268.3 acres) would
be impacted in the Razorback Allotment, South Montezuma Pasture. This
would represent less than 0.1 percent of the overall permitted use in
the allotment.
Vegetation and Soils: The proposed action would result in
new disturbance to soil and removal of vegetation on 3,436.4 acres, in
additional to 82 acres of existing or acknowledged exploration for a
total disturbance of 3,518.4 acres.
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public
participation consistent with the NEPA process, including a 45-day
comment period on the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS is anticipated to be
available for public review in Summer 2024 and the Final EIS is
anticipated to be released in Winter 2025 with a Record of Decision in
Winter 2025.
Public Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping period. The BLM will
hold two virtual public scoping meetings. The specific dates and times
of these scoping meetings will be announced in advance through local
newspaper publications and the BLM National NEPA Register Project page
at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/admin/project/2031869/510.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The BLM Tonopah Field Office is serving as the lead federal agency
for preparing the EIS. Cooperating agencies for this analysis include
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Nye County, and Town of Beatty.
Responsible Official
Douglas W. Furtado, District Manager, Battle Mountain District
Office
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The BLM's decision for the North Bullfrog Mine Project will
consider the following: (1) whether to approve the proposed Project
Plan to authorize the proposed activities without modifications or
additional mitigation measures; (2) whether to approve the proposed
Project Plan with additional mitigation measures that the BLM deems
necessary to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of public lands;
(3) whether to approve an alternative analyzed in the EIS for the North
Bullfrog Mine Project; or (4) denial of the proposed Project Plan and
associated activities.
[[Page 24857]]
Additional Information
The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address
the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the proposed
action and all analyzed reasonable alternatives and, in accordance with
40 CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate mitigation measures not already
included in the proposed action or alternatives. Mitigation may include
avoidance, minimization, rectification, reduction or elimination over
time, and compensation, and may be considered at multiple scales,
including the landscape scale.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA process to help
support compliance with applicable procedural requirements under the
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1536) and section 106 of the NHPA (54
U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), including public
involvement requirements of section 106. Information about historic and
cultural resources and threatened and endangered species within the
area potentially affected by the proposed plan will assist the BLM in
identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
The BLM will consult with Indian Tribal Nations on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175, BLM MS 1780,
and other Departmental 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 Indian Tribal Nations and other stakeholders that may be
interested in or affected by the proposed North Bullfrog Mine Project,
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 1501.9)
Douglas W. Furtado,
District Manager, Battle Mountain District.
[FR Doc. 2024-07423 Filed 4-8-24; 8:45 am]
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