[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 52 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13438-13439]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6554]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[ID-040-1610-00]


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the 
Thompson Creek Mine Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 
(Final SEIS)

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management is a cooperating agency with the 
USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region (lead agency) in considering 
the Thompson Creek Mining Company's proposed Supplemental Plan of 
Operations to address concerns about potential acid rock drainage from 
the Thompson Creek Mine.
    Since 1983 the Thompson Creek Mine (Mine) has produced molybdenum 
from its operation on public and private lands in Custer County, about 
30 miles southwest of Challis, Idaho. The Mine employs about 200 people 
and has proven ore reserves for an estimated 15 more years of 
molybdenum production. The Mine is administered by an Interagency Task 
Force consisting of State and Federal permitting agencies.
    The Bureau of Land Management's Acting Idaho State Director, Elena 
Daly, and the Forest Service's Regional Forester, Jack A. Blackwell, 
have issued a Record of Decision (ROD) to approve operations of the 
Thompson Creek Mine for the 1999 operating season in accordance with 
Alternative 2 of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 
(Final SEIS). Alternative 2 allows operation of a pyrite reduction 
circuit and modifications to the treatment of tailings and waste rock.
    This decision is an interim measure to minimize adverse 
environmental impacts which could result from the potential for acid 
rock drainage from the Mine's tailings facility and waste rock dumps. 
This interim decision will ensure that the tailings embankment can be 
built with non-pyritic sands in 1999, to minimize the potential for 
acid rock drainage. This decision will allow the pyrite reduction 
circuit to continue without interruption or shutdown, and provide time 
needed to complete consultation under the Endangered Species Act before 
a long term decision is made. This decision is based on the current 
determination that short term operation of the pyrite reduction circuit 
and modifications to the treatment of tailings and waste rock are not 
an irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources that have the 
effect of foreclosing the formulation or implementation of any 
reasonable and prudent alternative measures which may be included in 
the final biological opinions that result from consultation. This 
interim decision will remain in effect in 1999 until a long term 
decision can be implemented. The BLM and USES anticipate making the 
long term decision by the fall of 1999.
    Formal consultation with the National Fisheries Service (NMFS) and 
US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has been initiated. Discussion 
with these agencies and other State and Federal agencies with authority 
over the Mine's operation has taken place, and all agree that 
implementation of Alternative 2 during the 1999 construction season 
(estimated to start as early as May 1) is desirable to prevent 
potential adverse impacts resulting from acid rock drainage potential 
in the tailings and waste rock facilities.

DATES: Those actions pertaining to the public lands administered by the 
BLM may be appealed under BLM administrative appeal rights (43 CFR part 
4). If an appeal is taken, the notice of appeal (and, if also 
submitted, the petition for stay) must be postmarked or received at the 
address stated below within 30 days of publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Record of Decision for the Thompson Creek Mine 
Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement may be obtained by 
contacting Wallace Evans at BLM--Idaho State Office, 1387 South Vinnell 
Way, Boise, ID 83709-1657, (208) 373-3803, or Tom Buchta at the USDA 
Forest Service Intermountain Region, Federal Building, 324 
25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401, (801) 625-5663. Written appeal 
of actions pertaining to

[[Page 13439]]

the public lands administered by the BLM must conform to the procedures 
described on page 16 of the Record of Decision, and be filed with the 
Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, 
Boise, Idaho 83709-1657, with copies submitted to each party named in 
the decision, to the Interior Board of Land Appeals, and to the 
appropriate Office of the Solicitor.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Renee Snyder, Area Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Challis Resource 
Area, Route 2, Box 610, Salmon, Idaho 83467 (208) 756-5400, or Leon 
Jadlowski, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Challis Ranger District, HC 
63, Box 1669, Challis, Idaho 83226 (208) 879-4400.

    Dated: March 11, 1999.
Jenifer Arnold,
Acting District Manager, Upper Columbia Salmon-Clearwater Districts, 
Bureau of Land Management.
[FR Doc. 99-6554 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am]
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