[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5567-5568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3091]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[NV-060-1990-01]


Notice of Availability for the Round Mountain Mill and Tailings 
Facility Final Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability for the Round Mountain Mill and Tailings 
Facility final environmental impact statement (EIS), for the Smoky 
Valley Common Operation, Nye County, Nevada.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102 (2) (C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act, 40 CFR 1500-1508, and 43 CFR 3809, notice is given that the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared and made available a Final 
EIS on the proposed Round Mountain Mill and Tailings Facility.

DATES: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will publish a Notice 
of Availability for this project in the Federal Register on February 
16, 1996. That publication begins the official 30-day availability 
period for a Final EIS as required by 40 CFR 1506.10.

ADDRESSES: Correspondence may be addressed to: Bureau of Land 
Management, Battle Mountain District, Post Office Box 1420, Battle 
Mountain, Nevada 89820, Attn.: Christopher J. Stubbs, Round Mountain 
EIS Project Manager. A limited number of copies of the Final EIS may be 
obtained at the same address or by calling Christopher J. Stubbs at 
(702) 635-4000. In addition, the Final EIS and supporting documentation 
are available for review at the following locations: BLM, Battle 
Mountain District Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada; BLM, Nevada State 
Office, Reno, Nevada; and the Getchell Library, University of Nevada, 
Reno, Nevada.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher J. Stubbs, Round Mountain 
EIS Project Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Post Office Box 1420, 
Battle Mountain, Nevada 89820, (702) 635-4000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Smoky Valley Common Operation has 
submitted a Plan of Operations Amendment for the construction, 
operation, and reclamation of a mill and tailings facility at the Round 
Mountain Mine. The mine currently consists of 4,767 acres of surface 
disturbance: 3,659 acres of land administered by the BLM, 515 acres of 
land administered by the Toiyabe National Forest, and 593 acres 

[[Page 5568]]
of patented land owned by the Smoky Valley Common Operation. The 
proposed facilities would comprise an expansion of the existing 
operation at the Round Mountain Mine to improve the recovery of gold 
from ore that is being mined from the existing open pit. Ancillary 
facilities would include a new primary crusher; a power line; fresh 
water, reclaim water, and tailings pipelines; and a septic system. The 
proposed facilities would be located on approximately 757 acres of 
public land administered by the BLM, Battle Mountain District Office, 
Tonopah Resource Area. Construction is scheduled to begin in 1996; 
operation of the mill and tailings facility would begin in 1997 and 
continue until 2008.
    This full-text Final EIS analyzes the environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed mill and tailings facility and ancillary 
facilities, a range management alternative, an alternative tailings 
impoundment site, and the no action alternative. In addition, the Final 
EIS analyzes potential impacts associated with pit dewatering and pit 
water quality, and the leach offload piles. Issues analyzed in the 
Final EIS include geology and minerals, water resources, soils and 
watershed, vegetation, wildlife and fisheries, range resources, 
paleontological resources, cultural resources and Native American 
traditional and religious values, air quality, access and land use, 
recreation and wilderness, social and economic values, visual 
resources, noise, and hazardous materials.
    Public participation has occurred throughout the EIS process. A 
Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal 
Register in August 1993, and an open scoping period was held for 120 
days. Two public scoping meetings to solicit comments and ideas were 
held in November 1993, and a newsletter was issued to keep the public 
informed of the progress of the EIS. A Notice of Availability for the 
Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register in September 1995. The 
Draft EIS was issued to the public and agencies in September 1995, and 
comments on the document were accepted during a 60-day comment period. 
Comments were also accepted during two public comment meetings on the 
Draft EIS, held in October 1995.
    The Final EIS contains in its entirety the analyses originally 
published in the Draft EIS as well as responses to public comments 
received during the public comment period. The comments received 
include 15 letters and 2 public meeting transcripts, which are 
reproduced in the Final EIS. These comments have been responded to by 
clarifying or updating the analyses, making factual revisions, or 
explaining why a comment does not warrant further response.
    Comments on the Final EIS, if any, will be reviewed to determine if 
they have merit (i.e., if they identify significant issues not 
previously addressed or introduce new significant information). If so, 
the official responsible for preparing the EIS will determine whether 
additional analysis is warranted. If not, a Record of Decision will be 
issued following the 30-day availability period for this Final EIS.
    A copy of the Final EIS will be sent to all individuals, agencies, 
and groups who have expressed interest in the project or as mandated by 
regulation or policy.

    Dated: February 5, 1996.
Thomas H. Jury,
Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-3091 Filed 2-12-96; 8:45 am]
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