[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43034-43035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17574]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NV-920-00-1990-HP]


Abandoned Mined Lands Physical Safety Hazard Abatement; Nevada

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Nevada State Office of the Bureau of Land Management gives 
notice of its intent to initiate a scoping period and conduct public 
meetings to identify issues and formulate alternatives for a 
programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) for the abatement of safety 
hazards associated with Abandoned Mined Lands (AMLs) on Nevada public 
lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

DATES: Public comments on the preliminary issues and planning criteria 
will be accepted until August 11, 2000.
    In addition, two informal public meetings are scheduled for 
Thursday, July 27, 2000, at the BLM Las Vegas Field Office, 4765 West 
Vegas Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Tuesday, August 1, 2000, at the BLM 
Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, Nevada. Both 
meetings will begin at 7 p.m. each evening.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Christopher Ross, 
BLM Nevada State Office, PO Box 12000, Reno, Nevada 89520-0006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Ross, BLM Nevada State 
Office, PO Box 12000, Reno, Nevada 89520-0006.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed EA will result in the 
development of alternatives for the selection and remediation of AML 
features on Nevada public lands which represent physical safety hazards 
to humans. The anticipated issues for this proposed EA include:
    (1) Determination of criteria for the prioritization of selection 
of sites for hazard abatement.
    (2) Determination of what stipulations or conditions are necessary 
for remediation activities to protect, maintain, and enhance other 
resources, including protection of critical wildlife habitat; 
protection of threatened and endangered plant and animal species; 
recreational, cultural, and archeological resources.
    (3) Identification of alternatives for securing hazardous sites.
    (4) Determination of what impacts to the minerals industry may 
result from the securing of hazardous AML sites. Preliminary planning 
criteria for the AML Environmental Assessment call for the following:
    (A) Sites which include chemical or water quality issues will not 
be considered in this EA.
    (B) Existing studies, the most current available inventories, and 
ongoing investigation will be used to determine potential sites for 
remediation consideration.

[[Page 43035]]

    (C) Reasonable scenarios based on available data and technology 
will be developed for remediation alternatives.
    (D) An interdisciplinary approach will be used to develop 
reasonable alternatives; analyze impacts, including cumulative impacts 
to natural and cultural resources and the physical, social, and 
economic environment; identify alternatives; and make determinations.
    (E) Impacts of use on adjacent or nearby non-Federal lands and non-
public land surface over Federally owned minerals will be considered.
    (F) Impacts from energy and mineral development on public lands 
will be considered. Alternatives proposed for consideration at a 
minimum include:
    (1) No action--defined as continuation of current management.
    (2) Preferred Alternative--to be defined by BLM management 
following consultation with staff and input from the public. An 
interdisciplinary team representing the following disciplines will be 
assigned to this planning effort: Minerals, wildlife, lands, 
recreation, wilderness, cultural resources, and hydrology. All 
documentation will be reviewed by the interdisciplinary team.
    Public participation is an integral part of the planning process. 
It begins with this scoping period and public meetings and will 
continue through the development of the EA. The next major opportunity 
for public review and comment will be offered with the publication of 
the preliminary EA; however, the public is invited to comment or to 
become involved at any time during the planning process.

    Dated: July 6, 2000.
Robert V. Abbey,
State Director, Nevada.
[FR Doc. 00-17574 Filed 7-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P