[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 118 (Monday, June 21, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35079-35080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-14931]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVE00000 L51100000.GN0000 LVEMF1000580 241A; 10-08807; 
MO4500012658; TAS: 14X1109]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Arturo Mine Project, Elko County, NV

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, (NEPA) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tuscarora 
Field Office, Elko, Nevada intends to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the proposed Arturo Mine Project (Project) and by 
this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to 
solicit public comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. 
Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until July 21, 2010. The 
date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at 
least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers and the 
following BLM Web site: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/elko_field_office.html. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments 
must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days 
after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide 
additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of 
the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Arturo Mine Project 
by any of the following methods:
     Web site: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/elko_field_office.html
     E-mail: [email protected]
     Fax: (775) 753-0255.
     Mail: BLM Tuscarora Field Office, Attn. John Daniel, 3900 
Idaho Street, Elko, Nevada 89801.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the 
Tuscarora Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact John Daniel, Project Lead, 
telephone: (775) 753-0277; address: 3900 Idaho St, Elko, Nevada 89801; 
E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Barrick Gold Exploration, Inc. (Barrick) 
proposes to develop and expand the Dee Gold Mine, which is an existing 
open pit gold mine currently in a closure and reclamation status. 
Included in the proposal is the expansion of the existing open pit, 
construction of two new waste rock disposal storage facilities, 
construction of a new heap leach facility, construction of new support 
facilities (office, substation and associated power transmission lines, 
water wells, water distribution and sewer systems, landfill, mined 
material stockpile, communications site,

[[Page 35080]]

stormwater control features, haul roads, and an access road), and 
continued surface exploration. Mill grade mined material will be 
processed at Barrick's Betze Mine Project located 8 miles south-
southeast of the Project. Mined material will be transported using 
highway approved haul trucks. Dewatering is not proposed for this 
project. The Project would create approximately 2,347 acres of surface 
disturbance on public lands administered by the BLM. The project life 
is approximately 11 years. The Project is located approximately 45 
miles northwest of Elko, Nevada in Elko County.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. 
The Draft EIS will address impacts to transportation, public safety, 
cultural resources, recreational opportunities, wildlife, threatened 
and endangered species, visual resources, air quality, wilderness 
characteristics, and other relevant issues. At present, the BLM has 
identified the following preliminary issues: grazing, wildlife, Native 
American concerns, cultural resources, and water resources.
    The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA comment process to satisfy 
the requirements for public involvement under Section 106 of the 
National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f)) as provided for 
in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be 
conducted in accordance with policy, and tribal concerns will be given 
due consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal, 
state, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be 
interested or affected by the BLM's decision on this project are 
invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may 
request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating 
agency. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1501.7.

Kenneth E. Miller,
Manager, Elko District Office.
[FR Doc. 2010-14931 Filed 6-18-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P