[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3655]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 17, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[NV-020-4191-03]

 

Intent To Prepare Environmental Impact Statement

agency: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

action: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for a mining Plan of Operations (POO) for the Lone Tree Mine 
project, Humboldt County, Nevada; and notice of scoping period and 
public meetings.

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summary: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, and 43 CFR part 3809, the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) will be directing the preparation of an EIS for the proposed 
expansion of a gold mine in Humboldt County, Nevada. This EIS will be 
prepared by contract and funded by the proponent, Santa Fe Pacific Gold 
Corporation. Public meetings will be held to identify issues to be 
addressed in the EIS, and to encourage public participation in the 
review process. Representatives of the BLM and Santa Fe Pacific Gold 
Corporation will be summarizing the POO and accepting comments from the 
audience. The BLM invites comments and suggestions on the scope of the 
analysis.

dates: Scoping meetings will be held March 8, 1994, at the Humboldt 
County Library in Winnemucca, Nevada; and on March 9, 1994, at the 
Airport Plaza Hotel on 1981 Terminal Way, Reno, Nevada. Both meetings 
will be held from 7-9 p.m. each night. Written comments on the Plan of 
Operations and the scope of the EIS will be accepted until April 30, 
1994. The Draft EIS is expected to be completed by September of 1994, 
at which time the document will be made available for public review and 
comment.

addresses: Scoping comments may be sent to: District Manager, 705 E. 
4th Street, Winnemucca, NV 89445, ATTN: Gerald Mortiz, Project 
Coordinator.

for further information contact: Gerald Moritz, 705 E. 4th Street, 
Winnemucca, NV 89445, (702) 623-1500.

supplementary information: Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corporation of 
Albuquerque, New Mexico has submitted to the Winnemucca District Office 
of the BLM, a POO for expansion of their existing gold mine, the Lone 
Tree Mine (LTM). The POO describes proposed expansion of LTM mining 
operations in Humboldt County, approximately 34 miles east of 
Winnemucca, Nevada. A total of approximately 55 million tons of ore and 
370 million tons of barren (nongold-bearing) rock may be excavated 
during the 15 year mine life. Total surface disturbance for all mine 
facilities would be about 2251 acres. Existing key production 
facilities would include the mine pits, barren rock piles, ore 
crushing, conveying, grinding, and oxidation circuits, heap leach pads 
and solution ponds, gold extraction and refining equipment, and 
tailings disposal facilities. Nonprocessing ancillary facilities to 
support the mining activities include administration, laboratory, 
warehouse, maintenance shop buildings, fuel, oil, reagent and water 
storage facilities and other small structures required for operations.
    This EIS will address the issues of geology, minerals, soils, water 
resources, vegetation, wildlife, grazing management, air quality, 
aesthetic resources, cultural resources, paleontological resources, 
land use, access, recreation, social and economic values related to 
expansion.
    Federal, state, and local agencies and other individuals or 
organizations who may be interested in or affected by the BLM's 
decision on the POO are invited to participate in the scoping process. 
The Authorized Officer will respond to public input and comment as part 
of the final EIS. The decision regarding the proposal will be recorded 
as a Record of Decision, which is subject to appeal under 43 CFR part 
4.

    Dated: February 7, 1994.
Ron Wenker,
District Manager, Winnemucca.
[FR Doc. 94-3655 Filed 2-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-M