buckhorn mountain eis project august 2013. 2 buckhorn mountain exploration project echo bay...
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Buckhorn Mountain EIS ProjectAugust 2013
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Buckhorn Mountain Exploration Project
• Echo Bay Exploration is seeking federal and state authorization for exploration near the Buckhorn mine.
• In accordance with NEPA and SEPA requirements, the company provided a plan of operation to agencies and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process was initiated.
• The EIS process provides for a science-based evaluation of the potential impacts of the proposed program and for public review.
Studies include analysis of air quality, water resources, soils, wildlife, botany, timber resources, climatology, aesthetics, public safety and cultural resources.• Approximately $3 million to prepare the EIS, and • Invest over $5 million in environmental studies required by the EIS process
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Who is preparing the Buckhorn Exploration EIS?
• NEPA Lead Agency: o US Forest Service (USFS) o Assisted by third-party contractor: URS Corporation
• Cooperating Agencies: o Bureau of Land Management (BLM) o Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)
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Coordination with Multiple Agencies/Entities
Fed
eral
Stat
eLo
cal
US Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
US Fish & Wildlife
Corp of Engineers
US EPA
State Historical Preservation Office
Department of Ecology
Department of Natural Resources
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Okanogan County
Community and Special Interest Groups
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Why does this process seem to take so long?
• Extremely comprehensive• Multiple entities involved• Changes in team members
• Average time for EIS process is highly dependent on many factorso Between January 1998, and December
2006, 53 federal executive branch entities made available to the public 2,236 final environmental impact statements (EISs). The time to prepare an EIS ranged from 51 days to 6,708 days (18.4 years). The average time for all federal entities was 3.4 years. (Journal of the National Association of Environmental Professionals)
• Recent large mining EISs Average: 4 to 5 years from scoping to ROD (TetraTech)
Pogo Mine EIS and supporting information, AK
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Major Resource Studies Undertaken
• Air Quality• Water Quality & Quantity• Hydrology• Water Rights/Source Options• Aquatic Resources• Wetlands• Wildlife• Geochemical Assessments• Cultural Resources• Visual Resources• Traffic Use• Noise• Socioeconomic• Landslides & Slope Stability
• Erosion• Vegetation• Land Management• Recreation• Common Stand Exams• Soils• Grazing• Geologic and Paleontological• Old Growth• Great Grey Owl Surveys• Northern Goshawk Surveys• Endangered Species Surveys• Stream Flow & Sediment Surveys• Drilling Best Practices
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EIS is Only One Part of the Entire Process(it is not “permitting” but is done in conjunction with permitting efforts)
EIS Process
Federal Process
Local Process
State Process
Notice of Intent
Scoping
Draft EIS
Final EIS
Plan of Operations Approval
National Historic Preservation Act
Endangered Species Act
Army Corps of Engineers CWA 404
Permit
DNR Reclamation Permit
WA State 401 Certification
DOE Clean Water Act Authorizations (NPDES,
Wetlands/Shorelands, Water Rights)
State Historic Preservation Act
County Comprehensive
Planning
Critical Areas Ordinance
Mitigation Plans/Properties
Land Use/Special Use Permits
Record of Decision (ROD)
Federal permit, certification, approval
State permit, certification, approval
Local consistency, permits
Mitigation Plans
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Where is the Buckhorn Exploration Project at in the EIS Process?
Public Scoping DEIS Public Comments
Exploration Drilling
Draft EIS Preparation
Final EIS and Record of Decision
Possible Future Permitting for Mining Activities
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Looking Forward…
• Baseline coverage for entire project area is complete
• Baseline reports are in review process by agencies
• Work toward maintaining current schedule as proposed by USFS
• Anticipate Record of Decision in May 2015
• Continue working collaboratively with agencies and Office of Regulatory Assistance (ORA)
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Contact:
Gina Myers
Environmental Manager
Kettle River—Buckhorn
(509) 775-3157 ext. 175
Deana Zakar
Community & Gov’t Relations
Kettle River—Buckhorn
(509) 775-3157 ext. 125
Mark Ioli
Vice President & General Manager
Kettle River—Buckhorn
(509) 775-3157 ext. 134
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Thank you!
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