[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 174 (Wednesday, September 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54319-54320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22655]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVE02000.L51100000.GN0000.LVEMF1503680; MO # 4500080339]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Rossi Mine Expansion Project, Elko County, 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 (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
Tuscarora Field Office, Elko, Nevada, intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing 
the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and 
identify issues. The BLM is also soliciting public comments regarding 
archaeological resources and Native American traditional and cultural 
values under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

DATES: Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until October 9, 
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/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. Additional 
opportunities for public participation will be available upon the 
publication of the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Rossi Mine Expansion 
Project by any of the following methods:
     Web site: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/elko_field_office.html.
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 775-753-0255.
     Mail: BLM Tuscarora Field Office, Attn. Janice Stadelman, 
3900 Idaho Street, Elko, NV 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 Janice Stadelman, Project 
Lead, telephone: 775-753-0346; address: 3900 Idaho Street, Elko, NV 
89801; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. 
(Halliburton) submitted a plan of operations amendment, titled Rossi 
Mine Expansion Project, to the BLM to approve as proposed the expansion 
of the existing Rossi Mine. The Rossi Mine Expansion Project is an 
amendment to the existing Plan of Operations. The proposed action 
consists of the expansion of the project boundary area; expansion of 
the existing open pits and development of new open pits; expansion of 
existing waste rock disposal facilities and construction of new waste 
rock disposal facilities; expansion of the tailing ponds; expansion and 
development of haul roads, exploration roads, and access roads, 
including a public access road; additional exploration; and ancillary 
facilities. The Rossi Mine is a barite mine that has been in operation 
since 1947. Currently, the Rossi Mine disturbs

[[Page 54320]]

approximately 912 acres, of which 201 acres are on private and 711 
acres are on public land. The proposed disturbance acreage would be an 
additional 1,211 acres (7 private; 1,204 public) for a total 
disturbance of 2,123 acres (208 private; 1,915 public). The proposed 
action would expand the mine life for 8 years. The proposed project is 
located approximately 50 miles northeast of Battle Mountain, Nevada, in 
Elko County. Employment at the Rossi Mine fluctuates based on the 
demand for barite. Halliburton employs 24 to 60 people at the jig 
plant. The mining contractor employs an additional 60 to 300 people.
    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: 
Archaeological resources, grazing, Native American traditional and 
cultural values, potential pit lakes and the benefits of backfilling 
open pits, and wildlife, including mule deer migration corridors and 
sage-grouse habitat.
    The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to 
help fulfill the public involvement process under the National Historic 
Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). 
The information about historic and cultural resources within the area 
potentially affected by the proposed action will assist the BLM in 
identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
    The BLM will consult with Indian 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 project 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.

Deborah N. McFarlane,
Acting Field Manager, Tuscarora Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2015-22655 Filed 9-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P