[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78469-78470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30517]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVW0300.L5110000.GN0000.LVEMF1402860.14X MO 4500073913]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Hycroft Mine Expansion Phase II, Humboldt and Pershing 
Counties, NV

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Black 
Rock Field Office in Winnemucca, Nevada, intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential impacts 
of approving an expansion of the Hycroft Mine in Humboldt and Pershing 
Counties, Nevada. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping 
process to solicit public comments and identify issues to be considered 
in the EIS, and serves to initiate consultation, as required, under the 
National Historic Preservation Act.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. 
Comments may be submitted in writing until January 29, 2015. 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 BLM 
Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/wfo.html. In order to be 
included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the 
close of the 30-day 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 Hycroft Mine Phase II 
Expansion Project EIS/land use plan amendment by any of the following 
methods:
     Web site: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/wfo.html
     Email: [email protected]
     Fax: 775-623-1503
     Mail: BLM Winnemucca District, Black Rock Field Office 
5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Black 
Rock Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Loda, Project Lead, telephone 775-
623-1500; address BLM Winnemucca District, Black Rock Field Office, 
5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445; email [email protected]. 
Contact Mr. Loda to have your name added to our mailing list. Persons 
who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the 
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact 
the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is 
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question 
with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal 
business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant, Hycroft Resources and 
Development, Inc, (HRDI) has proposed an expansion of their operations 
at the existing Hycroft Mine, which is located approximately 55 miles 
west of Winnemucca, Nevada, in Humboldt and Pershing Counties. The mine 
is currently authorized to disturb 6,144 acres (approximately 1,784 
acres of private land and 4,360 acres of public land), and the BLM 
analyzed the impacts of that disturbance in an EIS in 2012, and an 
Environmental Assessment for the mine plan modification in 2014. The 
expansion to HRDI's operations presented would include:
     Expanding the Plan boundary to the east;
     Extending mining and processing activities until 2034;
     Increasing the rate of process water pumping until 2034;
     Constructing and operating the Northeast Tailings Storage 
Facility (TSF) and associated pipeline corridor and haul road;
     Constructing and operating the North Heap Leach Facility 
(HLF) East expansion and associated solution ponds;
     Constructing a new 65 to 80 mile 345 kV power-line to the 
mine site;
     Expanding the existing Brimstone pit and mine below the 
measured groundwater table, between 4,210 to 2,860 feet above mean sea 
level;
     Conducting active dewatering of the Brimstone pit through 
installation and operation of dewatering wells;
     Conducting passive dewatering within the expanded pit 
footprint;
     Expanding the South Waste Rock Facility (WRF);
     Modifying the approved land use in the South Processing 
Complex area to allow the option of constructing the Southwest WRF in 
place of the complex if desired;
     Modifying waste backfill plans with respect to the 
proposed mining plan;
     Expanding haul and secondary roads around the pits, WRFs, 
HLFs, and TSF;
     Constructing storm water diversion, installing culverts, 
and other storm water controls;
     Constructing growth media stockpiles; and
     Possible construction of a solar energy installation after 
closure and reclamation.
    Total surface disturbance related directly to the modified plan of 
operations would be 14,909 acres on public and private lands. 
Disturbance on public land will increase by 8,796 acres, from 4,360 
acres to 13,156 acres. Disturbance on private land would

[[Page 78470]]

decrease by 31 acres, from 1,784 acres to 1,753 acres. The BLM's 
approval of the proposed plan of operations modification would extend 
the mining and processing until 2034.
    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. 
At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: 
(a) Potential to create acid rock or heavy metals drainage from mining 
activities, and ensuring that there is no degradation of waters of the 
state or unnecessary or undue degradation of public lands; (b) 
Potential for an acidic pit lake to form after mining activities cease; 
(c) Potential impacts to Golden Eagle habitat and wildlife habitat; and 
(d) Potential impacts to cultural sites. The BLM will analyze a 
combination of proposed environmental measures and possible mitigation 
to reduce or eliminate any impacts associated with the proposed action.
    The BLM will use NEPA public participation requirements to assist 
the agency in satisfying the public involvement requirements under 
section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 
470(f)) pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about historic 
and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the 
proposed plan of operations modification will assist the BLM in 
identifying and evaluating impacts of approving the mine expansion to 
such resources in the context of both NEPA and section 106 of the NHPA.
    The BLM will consult with Native American tribes on a government-
to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other 
policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and 
potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due 
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes 
and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the 
proposed plan of operations modification that the BLM is evaluating, 
are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may 
request or be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of 
the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency.
    Before including your address, phone number, email 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.

William Mack, Jr.,
Black Rock Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 2014-30517 Filed 12-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P