[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 32119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11470]



[[Page 32119]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Custer Gallatin National Forest--Yellowstone Ranger District--
Stillwater Mining Company, East Boulder Mine Amendment 004 Expansion 
EIS

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 
Custer Gallatin National Forest has received a proposal from Stillwater 
Mining Company to amend the East Boulder Plan of Operations. Stillwater 
Mining Company proposes to expand the currently approved plan of 
operations boundary to provide their East Boulder Mine with additional 
storage for tailings and waste rock disposal and operational changes 
for continued operations. This notice informs the public that the 
Custer Gallatin National Forest intends to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement to assess the Plan of Operations Amendment and 
provides supporting information to the public on the purpose and need 
for Forest Service Action, a brief summary of the proposed action, 
preliminary impacts, and upcoming public scoping and comment 
opportunities.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by June 27, 2022. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
January 2023 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
October 2023.

ADDRESSES: Comments may also be sent electronically to https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61385.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Grosvenor, CGNF Minerals 
Administrator, (406) 848-7375 ext. 28, or at: 
[email protected].
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a 
day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    The Forest Service's purpose for action is to consider approval of 
Stillwater Mining Company's East Boulder Plan of Operations Amendment 
004 to expand operations on National Forest System lands in order to 
continue to develop and mine platinum and palladium deposits from the 
J-M Reef. The Forest Service purpose and need for action are 
established by the agency's responsibilities under the Organic 
Administration Act of 1897 (16 United States Code 478, 482, and 551) 
and the locatable minerals regulations at 36 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) 228, subpart A, which set forth rules and procedures 
through which use of the surface of NFS lands in connection with 
operations authorized by the United States Mining Laws (30 United 
States Code 21-54), which confer a statutory right to enter upon the 
public lands to search for minerals, shall be conducted so as to 
minimize adverse environmental impacts on National Forest System lands 
surface.

Proposed Action

    The East Boulder Mine Amendment 004 project proposes continuation 
of mining operations by constructing a new tailings storage facility, 
waste rock storage area, and constructing supporting infrastructure or 
relocating existing infrastructure to support the expansion activities 
in the vicinity of the existing East Boulder Mine on National Forest 
System and private lands. The Plan of Operations incorporates closure 
and reclamation, monitoring, and mitigation activities throughout the 
life of the mine. Under the plan of operations, construction, 
operation, closure, and reclamation phases of the Amendment 004 project 
would take place over a period of approximately 20 years. Environmental 
monitoring and maintenance would continue for as long as needed to 
demonstrate that the site has been fully reclaimed.

Expected Impacts

    Preliminary impacts were identified based on regulatory 
requirements, input from Forest Service Interdisciplinary Team and 
previous public involvement and collaboration related to mineral 
development projects. Preliminary impacts include:
    Surface Water and Groundwater--Construction and operation of mine 
infrastructure may inpact water quality and quantity.
    Public Health and Safety--Public health and safety could 
potentially be impacted throughout the life of the mine.
    Wildlife--Construction activities and operations could affect 
wildlife species and habitats including fish such as Yellowstone 
cutthroat trout.

Joint Lead Agencies

    USDA Forest Service--Custer Gallatin National Forest and Montana 
Department of Environmental Quality.

Responsible Official

    Mary C. Erickson, Forest Supervisor, Custer Gallatin National 
Forest.

Scoping Comments and the Objection Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. In this process 
the Agency is requesting comments on potential alternatives and 
impacts, and identification of any relevant information, studies or 
analyses of any kind concerning impacts affecting the quality of the 
human environment.
    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. Commenting during 
scoping and any other designated opportunity to comment provided by the 
Responsible Official will also establish standing to object once the 
final EIS and Draft Record of Decision has been published. 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 anonymously will be accepted 
and considered, however, they will not be used to establish standing 
for the objection process.

Permits, Licenses or Other Authorizations Required

    Department of Environmental Quality--Mine Operations and 
Reclamations Permit Amendment.

    Dated: April 28, 2022.
Barnie Gyant,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2022-11470 Filed 5-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P