[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 10, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43674-43677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17040]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVB01000.L19900000.EX0000.21X.MO:4500152487]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Nevada Gold Mines LLC's Goldrush Mine Project, Lander and Eureka 
Counties, Nevada

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will consider authorizing 
the proposed Nevada Gold Mines LLC (NGM) Goldrush Mine Project in 
Lander and Eureka Counties, Nevada.

DATES: The BLM requests comments concerning the scope of the analysis 
and identification of relevant information, studies, and analyses. All 
comments must be received by September 9, 2021. The Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) is scheduled for publication in December 2021, 
and the Final EIS is scheduled for publication in April 2022, with a 
Record of Decision in May 2022. The BLM will announce dates of scoping 
meetings at least 15 days in advance of the meeting on the BLM National 
ePlanning website, https://go.usa.gov/xsVs8. Scoping meetings will be 
held online.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Goldrush Mine EIS c/o BLM Mount 
Lewis Field Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820. 
Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected]. Submit comments 
online at the website https://go.usa.gov/xsVs8.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Distel, Project Manager, 
telephone: (775) 635-4093; address: 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, 
Nevada 89820; email: [email protected]. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern 
Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action

    The BLM's purpose for the action is to respond to NGM's proposal as 
described in the proposed Plan of Operations and to analyze the 
environmental effects associated with the proponent's Proposed Action 
and alternatives to the Proposed Action. The National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) mandates that the BLM evaluate the effects of the 
Proposed Action and develop alternatives when necessary to lessen any 
effects to environmental resources. The BLM's need for the action is 
established by its responsibilities under Section 302 of the Federal 
Land Policy and Management Act and the BLM Surface Management 
Regulations at 43 CFR 3809 to respond to a proposed Plan of Operations 
and ensure that operations prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of

[[Page 43675]]

public lands. NGM's purpose and need is to develop the mineral 
resource.

Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives

    NGM is proposing to construct, operate, close, and reclaim a new 
underground mining project in the Cortez Mining District. The proposed 
Goldrush Mine is located approximately 30 miles south of Beowawe, 
Nevada, in Lander and Eureka Counties, Nevada.
    The proposed Goldrush Mine Plan of Operations boundary would 
encompass approximately 19,895 acres, of which 772 acres would be on 
private land controlled by NGM and 19,123 acres on public lands 
administered by the BLM Battle Mountain District, Mount Lewis Field 
Office and BLM Elko District, Tuscarora Field Office. The proposed 
Goldrush Mine would include approximately 1,717 acres of new proposed 
disturbance and approximately 1,037 acres of existing/authorized and 
reclassified disturbance, for a total disturbance of approximately 
2,754 acres.
    The proposed underground mining and surface support activities for 
the Goldrush Mine would include: (1) A materials handling system for 
transporting ore and waste rock from the underground workings to the 
surface and transporting aggregate and supplies to the underground 
workings and surface backfill plant; (2) a dewatering system, including 
wells, pipelines and pipeline corridors, a water treatment plant (WTP), 
rapid infiltration basins (RIBs), and a multi-use shop; (3) a contact 
water pipeline; (4) ventilation raises; (5) a backfill aggregate paste 
plant and crusher; (6) a shotcrete/cemented rock fill (CRF) plant; (7) 
two new power lines, including a 120-kilovolt (kV) power line with two 
switching stations, and a 13.8-kV power line; (8) new ancillary surface 
facilities, including bulk material storage, access roads, power 
supply, stormwater controls, laydown and parking areas, lighting, 
growth media stockpiles, dewatering and monitoring wells, gravel pit 
expansion, potable water and septic systems, dry facilities (change 
rooms), service boreholes for electrical and fuel delivery, fire 
suppression system, water truck refill stations, emergency helipads, 
fencing, and modular information technology (IT) and communications 
buildings; (9) dual use of existing facilities within the nearby Cortez 
Mine Plan boundary; and (10) continued surface and underground 
exploration activities.
    A fleet of over-the-road haul truck and trailer units would be used 
for ore transportation to either the NGM-operated Goldstrike or Gold 
Quarry off-site processing facilities. The Proposed Action would result 
in changes to the Horse Canyon Mine Plan (NVN-066896), Horse Canyon/
Cortez Unified Exploration Project (HC/CUEP) Plan (NVN-066621), West 
Pine Valley Exploration Plan (NVN-077213), and Cortez Mine Plan (NVN-
067575).
    The Goldrush Mine would operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year 
for approximately 24 years. The work force would be approximately 570 
persons, which includes both NGM employees and contractors. The 
construction work force would be approximately 495 workers.
    Reclamation of disturbed areas resulting from mining operations 
would be completed in accordance with BLM and Nevada Division of 
Environmental Protection (NDEP) regulations. Concurrent reclamation 
would take place where practicable and safe and when an area is no 
longer needed. Reclamation activities at the end of mining are 
anticipated to take approximately 36 months.
    In addition to the No Action and the Proposed Action, other 
alternatives may be identified through scoping comments or through 
analysis.

Summary of Expected Impacts

    The BLM has identified the following preliminary resource concerns 
associated with the Project: (1) Properties of Cultural and Religious 
Importance (PCRI) and Native American concerns. Up to 50 National 
Register of Historic Places-eligible or unevaluated cultural properties 
would be physically altered, resulting in an adverse effect to these 
cultural sites. Adverse impacts would occur to approximately 392 acres 
of the Horse Canyon PCRI. Vegetation communities important to Native 
American traditional values may be impacted by the Proposed Action. (2) 
Impacts to wildlife resources. Potential impacts include habitat 
change, habitat loss, alterations to water sources, fatalities as a 
result of collisions with vehicles, displacement due to human activity 
and disturbance, and impediments to movement through corridors. (3) 
Potential impacts to BLM sensitive species including greater sage-
grouse and golden eagles. For greater sage-grouse, the Proposed Action 
would disturb approximately 805 acres of Priority Habitat Management 
Areas, 14 acres of General Habitat Management Areas, 618 acres of Other 
Habitat Management Areas, and 79 acres of Non-Habitat Management Areas. 
Exploration activities could result in up to 210 acres of additional 
disturbance to any of the greater sage-grouse habitat types. For golden 
eagles, the Proposed Action would result in the removal of 1,094 acres 
of foraging habitat. Additionally, eight golden eagle territories occur 
within one mile of the proposed Project disturbance area. (4) Potential 
impacts to visual resources. The Proposed Action would add form, line, 
texture, and color to the existing landscape. (5) Potential impacts to 
air quality. Modeling has determined that impacts from the Proposed 
Action would not exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards for 
PM10, PM2.5, CO, NOX, and 
SO2. Total facility-wide Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) are 
estimated to be 1.8 tons per year (tpy), with 0.5 tpy of the highest 
single HAP, arsenic. The facility-wide HAP emissions are within U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) thresholds. Greenhouse gas 
emissions, including off-site ore transport, are estimated to be 96,624 
tpy CO2e. Mercury emissions are estimated to be 0.014 tpy. 
(6) Potential impacts to surface and groundwater resources. Potential 
impacts to seep, spring, and stream flow may occur from proposed 
dewatering operations if the source of the water is connected to the 
regional aquifer. Dewatering operations would also result in a lowering 
of the local groundwater table. Sedimentation and erosion may also 
occur due to Project-related surface disturbance. (7) Potential impacts 
to traffic. The Proposed Action would result in two ore hauling trucks 
per hour on the transportation route, as well as 89 trips each shift 
for employees and contractors during construction and up to 71 trips 
during operations along the transportation route. Changes in the level 
of service at some locations along the transportation route may occur, 
but there would be no degrading of the level of service below 
acceptable levels. (8) Potential impacts to livestock grazing. The 
Proposed Action would result in new surface disturbance of 1,717 acres, 
which would impact forage utilized by livestock. Approximately 119 
Animal Unit Months (AUMs) would be impacted in the Carico Lake, Grass 
Valley, JD, and South Buckhorn allotments. The 210 acres of proposed 
exploration disturbance may result in an impact ranging from 9 to 19 
AUMs, depending on the allotment in which the activities occur. (9) 
Potential impacts on vegetation communities and soil productivity. The 
Proposed Action would result in disturbance to soil and removal of 
vegetation on 1,717 acres. (10) Potential for subsidence. In the post-
closure period, underground mine induced rock collapse may occur over 
open workings and result in the

[[Page 43676]]

development of localized ground deformation/subsidence type features, 
which are unlikely to impact surface features due to the strength and 
thickness of the overlying rock, and any surface expression is 
anticipated to be local to the immediate mining area and not propagate 
extensively. Additionally, at the end of mining, model-predicted 
subsidence from dewatering may cause a four-inch contour of land with 
the potential for development of fissures. (11) Reclamation to reduce 
permanent disturbance. Approximately 2,232 acres of total surface 
disturbance would be reclaimed and would return to post-reclamation 
land uses, including open space, grazing, dispersed recreation, and 
wildlife habitat, while 523 acres would remain permanently altered.
    The proposed project has the potential to affect golden eagle nests 
and territories; therefore, NGM has prepared an Eagle Conservation Plan 
(ECP) and has requested an incidental take permit for golden eagles in 
the area in which NGM proposes to conduct mining operations. The U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is considering the applicant's 
request for incidental take, as allowed under the Bald and Golden Eagle 
Protection Act (Eagle Act) for the purpose of resource development and 
recovery operations. The USFWS will evaluate the applicant's ECP, which 
describes NGM's request for incidental take authorization for impacts 
resulting from their proposed mining operations. The DEIS will analyze 
any potential effects and impacts of the proposed project on golden 
eagles and may also analyze impacts and develop alternatives associated 
with the USFWS eagle take permit decision under the Eagle Act.

Anticipated Permits and Authorizations

    The BLM anticipates that the following permits and authorizations 
will be required for the mine:

 Air Quality Operating Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Air Pollution 
Control)
 Eagle Take Permit: USFWS
 Explosives Permit: U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, 
and Explosives
 General Stormwater Discharge Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Water 
Pollution Control)
 Hazardous Materials Storage Permit: Nevada Department of 
Public Safety, State Fire Marshall, and State Emergency Response 
Commission
 Industrial Artificial Pond Permit: Nevada Department of 
Wildlife (Habitat Division)
 Jurisdictional Delineation Report Concurrence: U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers
 Liquefied Petroleum Gas License: Nevada Board of the 
Regulation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Notification of Commencement of 
Operations MSHA
 Permit to Appropriate Water: Nevada Division of Water 
Resources
 Permit to Operate: Nevada Division of Minerals
 Plan of Operations/Record of Decision: BLM
 Potable Water System Permit: Nevada Bureau of Safe Drinking 
Water
 Radioactive Materials License: Nevada Division of Public and 
Behavioral Health
 Reclamation Permit and Reclamation Cost Determination: NDEP 
(Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation)
 Section 401 Certification: NDEP (Bureau of Water Pollution 
Control)
 Septic Treatment Permit, Holding Tank Permit, Sewage Disposal 
System Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Water Pollution Control)
 Water Pollution Control Permit: NDEP (Bureau of Mining 
Regulation and Reclamation)

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

    The BLM anticipates a decision in May of 2022.

Public Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. Scoping meetings 
will be virtual. An announcement about when and how to access the 
virtual meetings online will be posted on the BLM's project website.
    The purpose of public scoping is to identify relevant issues that 
will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including 
alternatives, and guide the process for developing the environmental 
impact statement. The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA public 
scoping to help fulfill the public involvement requirements 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 conduct government-to-government consultation with 
Indian Tribes in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other 
policies. Agencies will give due consideration to Tribal concerns, 
including impacts on Indian trust assets and treaty rights and 
potential impacts to cultural resources.
    The BLM invites Federal, State, and local agencies, along with 
Tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by 
the proposed Goldrush Mine to participate in scoping. Agencies with 
regulatory authority or special expertise, if eligible, may request or 
be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the 
environmental analysis as a cooperating agency.

Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and 
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action

    The BLM requests assistance with identifying potential alternatives 
to the Proposed Action to be considered. As alternatives should resolve 
a problem with the Proposed Action, please indicate the purpose of the 
suggested alternative. The BLM also requests that potential impacts 
that should be analyzed be identified. Impacts should be a result of 
the action; therefore, please identify the activity and the potential 
impact that should be analyzed. Information that reviewers have that 
would assist in the development of alternatives or analysis of 
resources issues is also helpful.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The BLM is the lead agency. Cooperating agencies include the USFWS, 
the USEPA, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Nevada Department of 
Transportation, and Eureka County.

Decision Maker

    The BLM Battle Mountain District Manager, Doug Furtado, is the 
responsible official.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The BLM will issue a decision on the proposed Plan of Operations 
for the Goldrush mine project.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of 
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted

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anonymously will also be accepted and considered.
    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7.

Bradlee A. Matthews,
Acting Field Manager, Mount Lewis Field Office, Battle Mountain 
District.
[FR Doc. 2021-17040 Filed 8-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P