[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 7191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3690]



[[Page 7191]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MT-090-1990EX-02]


Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability 
of a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 
Reclamation of the Zortman and Landusky Mines in Phillips County, 
Montana. This is a supplement to the 1996 Final EIS on Reclamation Plan 
Modifications and Mine Life Extensions at the Zortman and Landusky 
Mines. The Final Supplemental EIS addresses 12 reclamation 
alternatives, six for the Zortman Mine and six for the Landusky Mine. 
The BLM and Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are co-
lead agencies for the preparation of the Supplemental EIS. The 
Environmental Protection Agency and the Fort Belknap Indian Community 
Council are participating agencies.

DATES: A record of decision will be prepared no earlier than 30 days 
after the Notice of Receipt for the Final Supplemental EIS is published 
in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final Supplemental EIS are available from the 
Bureau of Land Management, Malta Field Office, HC 65 Box 5000, Malta, 
Montana, 59538.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Haight, 406-538-1930.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This EIS is a final supplement to the March 
1996 Final EIS Zortman and Landusky Mines Reclamation Plan 
Modifications and Mine Life Extensions. With the bankruptcy of the 
mines' operator, Zortman Mining, Inc., the BLM and DEQ are overseeing 
reclamation at the mines. The Final Supplemental EIS has been prepared 
to analyze additional reclamation alternatives developed by the 
agencies that may constitute a substantial change from those presented 
in the 1996 Final EIS. The Final Supplemental EIS presents 12 
reclamation plans, six for reclamation of the Zortman Mine and six for 
reclamation of the Landusky Mine. The reclamation plans were developed 
based upon public comments and through consultation with the Fort 
Belknap government and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Final 
Supplemental EIS discloses the environmental consequences of each 
alternative. Alternative Z6 is identified in the Final Supplemental EIS 
as the DEQ and BLM preferred reclamation alternative for the Zortman 
Mine, and Alternative L4 is identified as the preferred reclamation 
alternative for the Landusky Mine. Implementation of the preferred 
reclamation alternatives would cost approximately $22.5 million more 
than is available under the reclamation bonds and would require 
additional funding. Alternatives Z3 and L3 have also been identified as 
``preferred,'' in the event funding to implement Alternatives Z6 and L4 
is not forthcoming. Also, an additional $11 million is needed to fund 
long-term water treatment regardless of which reclamation alternative 
is selected.

(Authority: Sec. 102, Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 853 (42 U.S.C. 4332))

    Dated: January 4, 2002.
Bruce W. Reed,
Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management.
[FR Doc. 02-3690 Filed 2-14-02; 8:45 am]
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