kapacke mining inc, hogum placer mining projects, blm, “preliminary environmental assessment”,...

7/31/2019 Kapacke Mining Inc, Hogum Placer Mining Projects, BLM, Preliminary Environmental Assessment, U.S. Departme

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U.S.Department of the Interior BureauofLandManagement

PreliminaryEnvironmentalAssessmentHOGUMPLACERMININGPROJECTS

June9,2011

PREPARINGOFFICEU.S.DepartmentoftheInterior

BureauofLandManagementSchellFieldOffice

720N.IndustrialWayEly,Nevada89301

Phone: 7752891800


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PreliminaryEnvironmentalAssessment

:

HOGUM

PLACER MININGPROJECTS

BureauofLandManagementJune9,2011


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iiPreliminaryEnvironmentalAssessment

Table of Contents1.Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

1.1.IdentifyingInformation: ................................................................................................... 11.1.1.Title,EAnumber,andtypeofproject.................................................................... 11.1.2.LocationofProposedAction ................................................................................. 11.1.3.NameandLocationofPreparingOffice ................................................................ 11.1.4.ApplicantsName.................................................................................................... 11.1.5.BackgroundInformation ........................................................................................ 2

1.2.PurposeandNeed: ............................................................................................................ 21.3.ConformancewithBLMLandUsePlan(s): ..................................................................... 31.4.RelationshiptoStatutes,Regulations,orotherPlans: ...................................................... 31.5.IdentificationofIssues: ..................................................................................................... 3

2.ProposedActionandAlternatives ............................................................................................ 52.1.Introduction: ..................................................................................................................... 62.2.AlternativeA(ProposedAction): ..................................................................................... 6

2.2.1.Overview................................................................................................................ 62.2.2.SurfaceDisturbances ............................................................................................. 62.2.3.CurrentandProposedDisturbances....................................................................... 7

2.2.3.1.SalisburyMining......................................................................................... 82.2.3.2.DigMExcavationMining .......................................................................... 92.2.3.3.TJLMining ................................................................................................. 92.2.3.4.KapackeMining........................................................................................ 10

2.2.4.Open-PitMining .................................................................................................. 102.2.5.OreProcessing ..................................................................................................... 112.2.6.WaterUsage ......................................................................................................... 12

2.2.6.1.SalisburyOperation .................................................................................. 132.2.6.2.DigMExcavationOperation .................................................................... 132.2.6.3.TJLMiningOperation .............................................................................. 132.2.6.4.KapackeMiningOperation....................................................................... 13

2.2.7.PowerSource ....................................................................................................... 132.2.8.WasteRock .......................................................................................................... 132.2.9.TopsoilManagement............................................................................................ 142.2.10.Occupation ......................................................................................................... 142.2.11.SeasonalWork.................................................................................................... 142.2.12.HazardousMaterials .......................................................................................... 142.2.13.Reclamation ....................................................................................................... 152.2.14.Monitoring ......................................................................................................... 152.2.15.Weeds ................................................................................................................. 15

2.3.NoActionAlternative: ................................................................................................... 163.AffectedEnvironment ............................................................................................................. 17

3.1.Introduction: ................................................................................................................... 183.2.GeneralSetting: .............................................................................................................. 18

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iiiPreliminaryEnvironmentalAssessment

3.3.Resources/ConcernsAnalyzed: ...................................................................................... 183.4.AirQualityAffectedEnvironment: ................................................................................ 203.5.SoilsAffectedEnvironment: .......................................................................................... 203.6.VegetationAffectedEnvironment: ................................................................................. 213.7.RangelandHealthEnvironment: .................................................................................... 213.8.WildlifeResourcesAffectedEnvironment: .................................................................... 21

3.8.1. SpecialStatusanimalspeciesotherthanthoselistedasThreatenedorEndangeredAffectedEnvironment .................................................................... 21

3.9.CulturalResourcesAffectedEnvironment: .................................................................... 213.9.1.ArchaeologicalResources.................................................................................... 223.9.2.HistoricResources ............................................................................................... 22

3.10.MineralResourcesAffectedEnvironment: .................................................................. 234.EnvironmentalEffects ............................................................................................................. 24

4.1.Introduction: ................................................................................................................... 254.2.AirQualityEnvironmentalEffects: ................................................................................ 25

4.2.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonAirQuality ....................................... 254.2.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonAirQuality ..................................................... 254.3.SoilEnvironmentalEffects: ............................................................................................ 25

4.3.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonSoils.................................................. 254.3.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonSoils ............................................................... 26

4.4.VegetationEnvironmentalEffects: ................................................................................. 264.4.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonVegetation ........................................ 264.4.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonVegetation ...................................................... 26

4.5.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonRangelandHealth ........................................ 264.6.WildlifeResourcesEnvironmentalEffects: ................................................................... 26

4.6.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonWildlife ............................................ 264.6.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonWildlife .......................................................... 274.6.3.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonSpecialStatusanimalspeciesother

thanthoselistedasThreatenedorEndangeredAffectedEnvironment ............. 274.6.4.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonSpecialStatusanimalspeciesotherthan

thoselistedasThreatenedorEndangeredAffectedEnvironment ..................... 274.7.CulturalResourcesEnvironmentalEffects: ................................................................... 27

4.7.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonCulturalResources ........................... 274.7.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonCulturalResources ......................................... 28

4.8.MineralResourcesEnvironmentalEffects: .................................................................... 284.8.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonMineralResources............................ 284.8.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonMineralResources ......................................... 28

5.Cumulative

Impacts

.................................................................................................................

29

5.1.Introduction: ................................................................................................................... 305.2.PastPresentandReasonablyForeseeableFutureActions(RFFAs): ............................. 30

5.2.1.PastActivities ...................................................................................................... 305.2.2.PresentActivities ................................................................................................. 305.2.3.ReasonablyForeseeableFutureActions(RFFAs) .............................................. 31

5.3.CumulativeEffectsConclusion: ..................................................................................... 315.3.1.AlternativeAProposedActionCumulativeEffects ............................................ 31



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ivPreliminaryEnvironmentalAssessment

5.3.2.NoActionAlternativeCumulativeEffects .......................................................... 326.Tribes,Individuals,Organizations,orAgenciesConsulted ................................................. 337.ListofPreparers....................................................................................................................... 358.References ................................................................................................................................. 37

8.1.Bibliography ................................................................................................................... 38



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vPreliminaryEnvironmentalAssessment

ListofFiguresFigure2.1.AreaofAnalysisfortheHogumMiningEA ................................................................ 8Figure2.2.Photoofatypicalwashprocessingplantforgoldconsistingofagrizzly,trommel,

andsluicerecoverysystem(e-goldprospecting.com). ....................................................... 11Figure2.3.Diagramofatypicalwashprocessingplant(e-goldprospecting.com). ...................... 12

June9,2011 ListofFigures


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viPreliminaryEnvironmentalAssessment

ListofTablesTable2.1.SummaryofHogumsPlacerMiningActivities ............................................................. 6Table3.1.MandatoryElementsoftheHumanEnvironment ........................................................ 18Table6.1.ListofPersons,AgenciesandOrganizationsConsulted .............................................. 34Table7.1.ListofPrepares ............................................................................................................. 36

June9,2011 List ofTables


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Chapter1.Introduction


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Thispage intentionallyleftblank


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1PreliminaryEnvironmentalAssessment

1.1.IdentifyingInformation:1.1.1.Title,EAnumber,andtypeofprojectHOGUM

PLACER

MINING

PROJECTS

PreliminaryEnvironmentalAssessment,DOI-BLM-NV-L20020110004EA1.1.2.LocationofProposedActionAreaofAnalysisisApproximately2,500acresofHOGUM,NEVADATownship14N,Range67E,Sections21,22,23,24,25,26,and27.1.1.3.NameandLocationofPreparingOfficeSchellFieldOffice- numberLLNVL002000WhitePineCounty,Nevada1.1.4.ApplicantsNameKapackeMining,LLC9123PlacerBullionLasVegas,NV89178FredR.Salisbury925South1775EastWashington,UT84780DigMExcavationServices,Inc.HC64Box64540Ely,NV89301JTLMining8253South3200WestWestJordan,UT84088

Chapter1IntroductionJune9,2011 IdentifyingInformation:


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1.1.5.BackgroundInformationLocatedineasternNevada,inthesouthwestpartoftheHistoricOsceolaMiningDistrict,intheareaknownlocallyasHogum(Figure2.1),placergolddepositsoccurinintermittentchannels

buriedunderalluvialfanmaterialbelowthemouthofMaryAnnCanyon. Historically,thechannelswereworkedbysinkingshaftstowherethechannelswereanddriftingalongtheirmargins. Thematerialwouldbethenraisedbyawhim,shoveledintosluiceboxes,andwashedwithasmallquantityofwaterthatcamefromman-madeditches.TodaysHogumprospectorsandminersuseheavyequipmenttoremovetheoverburdentoexposethechannelsandthenexcavatethepaygraveldepositsforprocessingonplacerclaims. Therecoveredgoldislow-grade,normallyfineandnuggetsareseldomfound. Frequently,small

potholesareencounteredinthefalsebedrock,wheregoldcanbefoundconcentratedalongtheiredges.Hogumsapproximate2,500acresismadeupof42activeplacermineclaimsand40lodeminingclaims.Therearenumerousabandonedminefeaturessuchas;shafts,adits,haulroads,openpits,tailings,wasterockdumpsandstockpilesscatteredacrosstheHogumarea. Duringthe1980s,AltaGoldCorpminedtheseslopes. However,theywentbankruptbeforereclamationcouldbecompleted. TheBureauofLandManagement(BLM)hasconductedlimitedreclamationoftheseabandonedmineworkingsandhasbeenworkingwithlocalminerstoreclaimadditionaldisturbances. TheStateofNevadasAbandonedMineLands(AML)ProgramisalsoactivelyclosingminehazardsatHogum.Currently,therearethreeauthorizedplan-leveloperations,oneproposedplan-leveloperation,andoneexpirednotice-leveloperationbelowMaryAnnCanyon,totaling8.7acresofauthorizedsurfacedisturbance.Bywritingacomprehensiveanalysisoftheminingoperationspast,present,andfuture,itistheBLMintentiontobettermanageanypotentialimpactsfromminororsmallminingactivities.Thisenvironmentalassessment(EA)shallprovideanalysisforallplacermineclaimsontheHogumalluvialfanasagrouptobetteridentifyanycumulativeimpactsfromminingoperationsasawhole,aswellas,individually.TheEAassiststheBLMinprojectplanningandensuringcompliancewiththeNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA),andinmakingadeterminationastowhetheranysignificantimpactscouldresultfromtheanalyzedactions.SignificanceisdefinedbyNEPAandisfoundinChapter40oftheCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR)1508.27. AnEAprovidesevidencefordeterminingwhethertoprepareanEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)oraFindingof

NoSignificantImpact(FONSI).1.2.PurposeandNeed:TheBLMspurposeinconsideringapprovaloftheapplicationstoallowminingontheslopesofHogum,Nevadaistoprovidelegitimateuseofthepubliclandstotheproponent. LegitimateusesarethosethatareauthorizedundertheFederalLandsManagementPolicy(FLPMA)of1976orotherPublicLandActsandmeettheproponentsobjectivewhilepreventingundueandunnecessarydegradation.TheproponentsobjectiveistominegoldonpubliclandforpersonalgainandtoassisttheBLMinreclaimingabandonedminefeatures,suchastailings,highwalls,andpits.

Chapter1IntroductionJune9,2011 BackgroundInformation


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Thejustificationfortheprojectistheproponentshavecertainrightsunder43CFR3809tomineontheirvalidminingclaims.TheBLMneedstoconsiderapprovaloftheapplicationstoallowminingontheslopesofHogum,

NevadatorespondtoitsmandateundertheFLPMAtomanagethepubliclandsformultipleuseinamannerwhichrecognizestheNationsneedforgold.Inaddition,operatorsmayparticipateinthereclamationeffortsoftheBLMtoachieveoverallhealthofpubliclandbyreclaimingsomeabandonedminefeaturesintheHogumMiningDistrict.1.3.ConformancewithBLMLandUsePlan(s):TheProposedActionandNoActionAlternativecomplieswithfederal,stateandlocallaws,andregulations,andisconsistentwithfederal,state,andlocalpolicies,andplans.TheproposalisinconformancewiththeElyDistrictApprovedResourceManagementPlan(August20,2008),whichstates,Toprovidefortheresponsibledevelopmentofmineralresourcestomeetlocal,regional,andnationalneeds,whileprovidingfortheprotectionofotherresourcesanduses.1.4.RelationshiptoStatutes,Regulations,orotherPlans:ThisdocumentistieredtotheElyProposedResourceManagementPlan/FinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement(RMP/FEIS)releasedinNovember2007. ShouldadeterminationbemadethatimplementationoftheproposedoralternativeactionswouldnotresultinsignificantenvironmentalimpactsorsignificantenvironmentalimpactsbeyondthosealreadyaddressedintheRMP/EIS,aFONSIwillbepreparedtodocumentthatdetermination,andaDecisionRecordissuedprovidingtherationaleforapprovingthechosenalternative.TheproposalisconsistentwiththeWhitePineCountyPublicLandsPolicyPlan(2007),whichstates(p.23)EncouragethecarefuldevelopmentandproductionofWhitePineCountysmineralresourceswhilerecognizingtheneedtoconserveotherenvironmentalresources.Thisactionisconsistentwithfederal,stateandlocalregulations,policies,andprogramstothemaximumextentpossible. ThisincludesfederalpoliciesfortheGeneralMiningActof1872,FederalLandPolicyandManagementAct,NationalHistoricPreservationAct,EndangeredSpeciesAct,andCleanWaterAct,andstateplansandpoliciesforthemanagementofmineralandwaterresources,conservationofsensitivewildlifespeciesandmanagementofgame.AllminingoperationsmustadheretotheBLMsBestManagementPractices(BMPs)asdiscussedintheElyRMP(AppendixB).1.5. IdentificationofIssues:Whilemanyissuesmayariseduringscoping,notalloftheissuesraisedwarrantanalysis. Issuesraisedthroughscopingareanalyzedif: Analysisoftheissueisnecessarytomakeareasonedchoicebetweenalternatives. Theissueissignificant(anissueassociatedwithasignificantdirect,indirect,orcumulative

impact,orwhereanalysisisnecessarytodeterminethesignificanceofimpacts).Chapter1Introduction

June9,2011 ConformancewithBLMLandUsePlan(s):


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Thereisadisagreementaboutthebestwaytousearesource,orresolveanunwantedresourcecondition,orpotentiallysignificanteffectsofaproposaloralternative.

Aninterdisciplinary(ID)teamanalyzedthepotentialconsequencesoftheproposalduringinternalscopingheldonNovember1,2010. ThefollowingissueswereanalyzedwithinthisEAasaresultofscoping: AirQuality Soils Vegetation RangelandHealth Wildlife CulturalResources MineralResources

AprojectnoticewassenttotheNevadaStateClearinghouseonFebruary28,2011. SeveralcommentswerereceivedandhavebeenincludedaspartoftheEA.

June9,2011 Chapter1Introduction


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Chapter2.ProposedActionandAlternatives


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2.1.Introduction:ThepreviouschapterpresentedthePurposeandNeedfortheproposedprojectalongwiththeidentifiedrelevantissues. Inordertomeetthepurposeandneedoftheproposalinawaythatresolvestheissues,theBLMshoulddevelopedarangeofactionalternatives. However,only

aproposed

action

alternative

and

no

action

alternative

seem

feasible

and

are

presented

below.Nootheralternativestotheproposalwereapparentwhichwouldmeetthepurposeandneedoftheproposal. ThepotentialenvironmentalimpactsorconsequencesresultingfromtheimplementationofeachalternativearethenanalyzedinChapter4foreachoftheidentifiedissues.2.2.AlternativeA(ProposedAction):2.2.1.OverviewAtypicalsmallminingoperationinHogumconsistsofgrounddisturbingactivitiesof10acresorlessassociatedwithopenpitmining. TheBLMauthorizesoperatorstouseheavyequipment,suchasfront-endloaders,backhoes,trackexcavators,bulldozers,anddumptruckstoremovetheoverburdenalluvialmaterialtoexposethegoldbearingchannelsthroughoutMaryAnnCanyonsalluvialfan. Insomeareas,upto70feetofoverburdenmayoverlaytheplacergolddeposits. Theoverburdenisstockpiledneartheexcavationuntilthechannelalluviumisminedout. Thewasterockishauledbacktotheexcavatedpittobeusedasbackfill,alongwiththestockpiledoverburden. Oncetheearthworkiscompleted,theoperatorwillseedthedisturbedareawithanapprovedseed-mixbetweenOctoberandMarch.TheBLMwillinspectandmonitortheearthworkandrevegetationprocesstoensureitissuccessful. Mostoperatorsrequest

permissiontooccupypubliclandswhileworkingtheirclaims,duetoHogumsremoteness.Trailers,campers,andotherpersonalequipmentlocatedonsitemustbeincidentaltominingandapprovedbytheBLMfieldmanager.2.2.2.SurfaceDisturbancesCurrently,theHogumslopehasapproximately170acresofpriorminingsurfacedisturbancemeasuredfromaerialphotographs(Table2.1below). Thereareapproximately25milesofexistingroadsontheHogumslopecreatedoverthepast125yearsbywagonsandminingequipment. Todaysoperatorsareonlyresponsibleforbondingandreclaimingnewaccessroadsandminesites. However,operatorsareencouragedtoworkwiththeBLMinpartnershiptoreclaimolduselessroadsandabandonedminefeaturesontheirclaims.Table2.1.SummaryofHogumsPlacerMiningActivitiesOperator Prior

DisturbanceReclaimed

Distur-bance

AuthorizedDisturbance

AccessRoads

ProposedDisturbance

Current:FredSalisbury 5acres 2.5acres 4.2acres 0 miles 25acresDigMExcavation 7.8acres 5.5acres 4.0acres 0 miles 12acresTJLMining 4.5acres 5.5acres 0.5acres 0 miles 5acresKapackeMining 3acres 1acre 0acres 0 miles 100acresTotals: 20.3acres 14.5acres 8.7acres 0miles 142acresPast:

Chapter2ProposedActionandAlternativesJune9,2011 Introduction:


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JohnUrses 2.17acres 2.17acres 0acres 0 miles 0acresMotherLode,Inc. Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown 0acresAltaGold* 15acres Unknown 15acres Unknown 0acresGoldenEagleMining* >15acres 2acres 13acres Unknown 0acresTerraMining* Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown 0acresGalleria

Mining

Corp*

15

acres

5

acres

10

acres

Unknown

0

acres

Totals: >47.2acres >9.2acres > 38 acres unknown 0acresPre- 1970: ~101.5acres Unknown Unknown ~25milesGrandTotals: 169acres ~24acres 47acres 25miles 142acres*Priorminingoperationnowabandonedandunreclaimed2.2.3.CurrentandProposedDisturbancesThecurrentminingoperatorsproposetodisturbupto142acresofpreviouslydisturbedland(Table2.1)intheirPlansandPlanAmendments. However,noneoftheoperatorsarefinanciallycapableofbondingforalloftheproposedacreagesatonce. Hogumgoldminingissmallscaleanddoneinsmallincrementswithconcurrentreclamationtohelpcontrolrisingreclamationbondcosts.TheBLMhasinthepastandwillcontinuetoonlyauthorizeminingactivitiesinpreviouslydisturbedareaswithoutacomprehensiveculturalsurveyofHogum.Althoughtherearecurrently40activelodeminingclaimsatHogum,thisEAwillonlyanalyzethe42activeplacerminingclaims.ThisisduetodifferencesinlodeminingtechniquesthatmayrequireblastinghardrockorotherminingpracticesnotusedingenericplacerminingdiscussedinthisEA.

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Figure2.1.AreaofAnalysisfortheHogumMiningEA2.2.3.1.SalisburyMiningGoldWheelEnterprises,ownedbyFredSalisbury,acquiredmostoftheirminingclaimsfromGalleriaMiningCorp.backinthe1970sandcurrentlyownsatotalof22miningclaims



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locatedinT.14N,R.67EatHogum. IncooperationwiththeBLM,Salisburyhasbeensteadilyreclaimingtheirabandonedoperationaldisturbances,whileminingforgold. SalisburyhasbeenminingunderanapprovedPlanofOperation(PoO),since1986. Heisauthorizedtooccupyhisclaimonaseasonalbasiswhileconductingminingoperations. SalisburysubmittedaPlanAmendmentinMay2011tominepreviouslydisturbedareasonseveralofhisclaims. HisPlanwaspreviouslyanalyzedina1988EA.ThePlanAmendmentproposesopenpitminingontwoacresofpriordisturbedminesiteswithintwosetsofclaims: theGoldwheelsandMaryAnns. Salisburyproposesupto25acresofdisturbanceunderhisPlanAmendmentoverthenext10yearsthatcouldbeonhistoricminesitesornotpreviouslydisturbedsitesthatwouldrequireculturalclearanceandSHPOconsultation..OverburdenfromtheGoldwheel#3wouldbeusedtobackfillandreclaimanoldexcavationonhisGoldwheel#1claimsincooperationwiththeBLM.Atemporarynew500ftaccessroadwouldbebuiltandbondedforbySalisburytotransporttheoverburdentotheabandonedGoldwheelpit.TheroadwouldbereclaimedoncethepithasbeenreclaimedandseededtoBLMstandards. Allotherminingactivitieswilloccuroffofexistingroads.Salisburyalsoplanstore-enterthreepreviouslyworkedpitsontheMaryAnnPlacer#1,#2,and#3claimswithinthenearfuture.SalisburywouldberequiredtoinformtheBLMofhisintenttomovefromlocationtolocationandprovideadequatebondingbeforeanycommencinggrounddisturbingactivities. Aculturalclearancewouldberequire,aswell.Currently,Salisburyisapprovedandbondedforjustoverfouracresofdisturbance.Hecompletedreclaiming2.5acresofdisturbancein2010.2.2.3.2.DigMExcavationMiningDigMExcavationServices,Inc.,ownedbyMichaelPasek,hasminedthe20-acreStormyClaimonpreviouslydisturbedland,locatedinSection23,T.14N,R.67E,since1997underanapprovedmineplanandisamendingtheircurrentPoO.Approximatelyeightacreshavebeenminedonthisclaimsofar. Pasekproposestominetheremainder12acresoftheStormyclaim,althoughhismobilitytomoveaboutislimitedbynumerousabandonedshaftsandpotentiallyhistoricalsites.Avoidanceofculturalsitesishisonlyoptionatthistime.DigMisauthorizedandbondedforlessthanfouracresofdisturbance.Reclamationof2.5acreswasjustcompletedin2010andplansto

beginanother2.5acresin2011underhisproposedPlanAmendmentonpreviouslydisturbedlandthathasbeenclearedforculturalresources.Nonewroadsareneeded.DigMisauthorizedtooccupyhisclaimonaseasonalbasisandhasaprocessingplantontheStormyclaim.DigMalsohastwo40acreclaims,theChristmasandDiscoverytotheeastoftheprojectboundaryinMaryAnnCanyon. TheoperatorhasconductedsomeexplorationontheseclaimsunderaNoticethatexpiredin2007,buthasnocurrentplanstominetheseclaimsinthenearfuture.2.2.3.3.TJLMiningTJLMiningisasmallplacermineratHogumandhashadanapprovedPoOtominetheMAV-5BandMAV-5CclaimslocatedinSection23,T.14N,R.67E,ownedbyGEM,Inc. since2008.



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AnEAwaswrittenin2008toanalyzeanypotentialimpactsfromtheir1acrelimitedminingoperation. ThisEAisanalyzinguptofiveacresofsurfacedisturbanceproposedbyTJLoverthenext10years. TJLMiningiscurrentlylimitedfinanciallytobondingforlessthanoneacreofdisturbanceatatime. TJLMiningcompletedpartialreclamationandalsoreclaimedapproximately1.5acresofunreclaimedpubliclandincooperationwiththeBLM.Theysubmittedanamendmenttotheirplantomineanother1/4acreofpreviouslydisturbedlandapproximately100feeteastwardonMAV-5Candwassurveyedforculturalresourcesin2008. TheirPlanAmendmentiscurrentlyunderreviewbytheBLM.Theirprocessingplantissetuponprivatelandjustwestoftheirminingarea. Oreisexcavatedfromthepitandtransporteddownhillbydumptruck,wherethegoldisseparatedfromthegravelsandsands. Thespoilmaterialistransportedbackuphillandusedforreclamationpurposes. TJLoccupiesprivatelandwhilemining.2.2.3.4.KapackeMiningKapackeMining,LLCsubmittedaPoOtotheBLMSchellFieldOfficeonOctober1,2010toconductopenpitplacerminingon13miningclaims,totalling780acresatHogum,ownedbyG.E.M.Inc. KapackeMiningdisturbedthreeacresofpubliclandunderanotice-leveloperationfrom2009to2010.Theyexceededthelimitsofanotice-leveloperationandsubmittedaPoOinaccordancewith43CFR3809.11(b)miningregulations. Kapackeproposestodisturbupto100acresofpreviouslydisturbedpubliclandonthesevenMAV-5claims(A-G)andfourSolomonclaims(#1,#2,#3,and#7)tominegoldoverthenext10years. However,sinceKapackeisunabletopostareclamationbondforall100acresatthistime,miningwillbeconductedin5to10acreincrements. Aplanamendment,bondreview,andaculturalclearancewouldberequiredeachtimeanewareaistobemined.Kapackeplansoncontinuingtheexcavationofanexistingpitduginthe1980sand1990sontheMAV-5GandsetuptheprocessingplantontheMAV-5FclaimlocatedinSection23,T.14N,R.67E.Kapackehasrequestedoccupancyona1/2acreoftheSolomon#7claimtosetuptemporarylivingquartersforthecrewandstoreequipmentinanexistingmetalshedbuilding. Alldisturbanceswouldbeadequatelybondedforreclamationpurposesincludingthemetalshedsremoval.2.2.4.Open-PitMiningAllcurrentandfutureoperatorswilleithercontinuemininginexistingopenpits,orbeginexcavatingnewtrencheswithintheirclaimboundaries.Newpitsrequirebladingoffallavailabletopsoilandgrowthmediumandstoringitinsegregatedstockpilesuntilitisreplacedduringreclamation. TheBLMrequiresthattheoperatorsuseaninterimseedmixture,ifthetopsoilstockpilesaretobeleftformorethanonegrowseason(MarchSeptember).Inordertoaccesstheoreorgold-bearingchannelalluvium,theoverburdenmustberemovedwithadozer,excavator,orbackhoe. Theoverburdenisstockpiledaroundthepitperimeter,whichalsoservesasasafetyberm. Theoreistypicallyloadedintodumptruckswithanexcavatoror

backhoeandhauledtoaprocessingarealocatedonoradjacenttotheworkingclaims. Thesesmalloperationsareonlyminingthefreegoldandnotthemicroscopicordisseminatedgold,likeinlargeminingoperations,whichmayrequirechemicalleaching.NochemicalheapleachingisusedorauthorizedwiththesesmallminingoperationsinHogum.

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AllminingactivitiesaremonitoredandregulatedbyMiningSafetyandHealthAdministration(MSHA).ThepurposeofMSHAistopreventdeath,disease,andinjuryfromminingandto

promotesafeandhealthfulworkplacesfortheNationsminers(MHSAmissionstatement).NevadaStateAirQualitystandardswouldapplytotheseoperations,andoperatorswouldberequired

to

apply

water

for

dust

abatement

if

the

problem

was

above

athreshold

level

as

stated

inthestandards. Followingreclamationofthesitesandsuccessfulrevegetation,thelocalairqualitywouldreturntopre-operationconditions.AClassIIIculturalinventoryisrequiredbeforeanygrounddisturbingactivitiescanoccur. Allculturalresourceswillbeavoided. AnyalterationstohistoricalminingfeaturesorsiteswillrequireBLMandtheStateHistoricalPreservationOffice(SHPO)consultation,andmitigation.2.2.5.OreProcessing

Normallyoperatorswanttoprocesstheirorewithinacloseproximitytothepittobeasefficientaspossible. Figures2.2and2.3belowshowatypicalprocessingplantsetupforsmallmines.Operatorsmayconcentratethegoldfromtheorebyusingacombinationofseveralwashmethods. Awashplantmayimplementgrizzlies,crushersormills,trommels,sluiceboxes,classifiers,centrifugebowls,dryshakers,shakertables,orsimpleprospectingpans. Waterandgravityisessentialinseparatingthegoldfromthegravelsandfines.Dumpingtheoreontoagrizzlyorscreenremovesoversizerock. Theorethenpassesthrougharevolvingtrommelwithflowingwatertowashthefinesoutanddropthemdownontosluice

boxesorshakertables.Thefinesarethenconcentratedbypanning,centrifuge,orothermethods.

Figure2.2.Photoofatypicalem(e-goldprospecting.com).wash processing plant forgoldconsistingofagrizzly,trommel,andsluicerecoverysyst

Chapter2ProposedActionandAlternativesJune9,2011 OreProcessing
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Figure2.3.Diagramofatypicalwashprocessingplant(e-goldprospecting.com).

2.2.6.WaterUsageWateruseforprocessingthegoldmaycomefromexistingwaterwells,drainageditches,orfromupperspringspipeddownslope. Thereisanexistingburiedplasticwaterpipelineindisrepair,runninguphillthroughsections22and23ofTownship14N,Range67E.Itoncesuppliedwaterto

pastminingoperationsforAltaGoldontheSolomonclaims.Therearenosurfacewatersourceswithintheanalysisarea. Twospringslocatedinandneartheeasternportionoftheanalysisarea,WhiteFireandViolet,havethreewaterrights(twocertificatedandonevested)forminingandmillingwateruse. WhiteFireSpringislocatedon

publiclandabovetheprivatelandoutsidetheanalysisarea. VioletSpringisonpubliclandjustbelowtheprivatelandandinsidetheanalysisarea.Onewellatthelowerendoftheanalysisareapossessesacertificatedwaterrightforminingandmillinguse.Nootherverifiedwatersourcesorapprovedwaterusesexistintheanalysisarea.ThetwospringsarelocatedtotheeastoftheHogumareaandarefullyutilizedforminingandmillingoperations.Onewellatthelowerendoftheplanningareatothewestwasusedforminingandmilling.Neitherthespringsnorthewellareapprovedfordomesticordrinkingwateruses.TheNevadaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(NDEP)requiresPlanoperatorstoobtainWaterPollutionControlPermitsforregulatingtheiroperationswastewaterdischarge.

Chapter2ProposedActionandAlternativesJune9,2011 WaterUsage
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2.2.6.1.SalisburyOperationFredR.SalisburyhasbeenminingMaryAnnCanyonanditsalluvialfansincethelate1970s.SalisburyinstalledaburiedwaterpipelinethatrunsfromHorseCanyon,OhioCanyon,andColdSpringstoHogumin1986.Hecontrolsthewaterrightsandmaintainsthepipeline.2.2.6.2.DigMExcavationOperationDigMExcavationcapturestheexcesswaterdrainingdownhillfromSalisburysoperationbydivertingitintoalinedpondlocatedontheStormyclaim. Anexclusionfencesurroundsthe

pondtohelpkeeplargeanimalsandhumansout.AfterDigMusesthewaterforhisoperations,hedivertstheexcesswaterbackintothenaturaldrainage,whereitcontinuesdownhillontothenextclaim.2.2.6.3.TJLMiningOperationJTLMiningprocessestheiroreonprivatelandusingwaterfromtheirprivatewaterwell.2.2.6.4.KapackeMiningOperationKapackeMiningproposestorevamptheAltaGold6,000-ftpipelineanduseittopumpwateruphillintostorageponds. Waterusedintheirprocessingwouldberecycledbyreturningittoasecondholdingpond,whereitcanbereusedtominimizewaterandelectricityconsumption.However,untiltheoperationcangrowinsizetowarrantthecostassociatedwithrepairingthe

pipeline,KapackeproposestousetheexcesswaterdrainingdownfromtheDigMExcavationoperation

on

to

the

MAV

5-G

claim.

Two

holding

ponds

would

be

built

in

cut

material

within

a

previouslydisturbedareaminedbyAltaGoldandpossiblypriorminingoperations.2.2.7.PowerSourceAnexistingpowerline,ownedbyMountWheelerPower(MWP),runsuphillfromsection23tosection26alongtheAltaGoldwaterpipeline. ItcontinuesuphilltosupplypowertoDigMExcavationsandSalisburysoperations. KapackeMiningwouldeventuallymakeuseofthe

powerlinefortheiroperation,aswell. However,duringtheirnotice-levelexplorationphase,theyusedadiesel-poweredgeneratorfortheirpowerneeds. Ageneratorwouldbeusedinthe

beginningstagesoftheirmineplan,untilproductionreachestheneedforamoreeconomicalpowersource.2.2.8.WasteRockThespoilsorwasterockarereturnedtotheopenpitsbydumptruckandusedasbackfillforreclamation. Allcurrentoperatorshaveadoptedareclaimasyougoapproachtotheirminingactivitiestoreducebondingcostsandpotentialimpacts.Thismethodreducestheoverallareaofsurfacedisturbance.

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2.2.9.TopsoilManagementAllavailabletopsoilorgrowthmediumissalvagedfromthepitareasandprocessingareasandsavedforreclamation.Thetopsoilisstoredinbermsontheuphillsideofthedisturbancetohelpcontrolrunoffandtrapprecipitation. Topsoilstockpilesareseededwithaninterimseedmixifleftinplaceformorethanonegrowseason. Onceearthworkiscomplete,thetopsoilisspread

backoverthedisturbanceandseededwitharecommendedfinalseedmix. TherevegetationismonitoredbytheBLMtoensureitissuccessful. Intheeventthatrevegetationisnotsuccessful,asecondseedingmayberequired.2.2.10.OccupationMost,ifnotallHogumoperatorshaveaneedtoliveonsitetemporarilyduringminingactivities,duetotheremotelocationandtoprotecttheirequipmentfromtheft.Ely,NevadaisapproximatelyanhourdrivewestfromHogum,whileBaker,Nevadaismaybea45minutedrivetotheeast.Trailersandcampersarecommonlyusedandmaybeleftonsiteyearround. AllstructuresandequipmentmustbeincidentaltominingandbeapprovedmytheBLM.AnnualinspectionsconductedataminimumbytheBLMensurecompliancetothe43CFR3715regulations.Campsitesaretoremainclutter-freeandadheretoStatesanitationregulations.Currently,Salisburyhastwotrailers,awarehouse,processingplant,andseveralstoragecontainershousingequipmentandtoolsonhisclaimsthatareallincidentaltomining.DigMhastwosmallcampers,astoragecontainerhousingequipmentandtools,andaprocessingplantonhisclaim.Kapackeproposestohousehisworkersin23campersandtrailersdownthehillonpubliclandandoccupyanexistingmetalshedconstructedbythepreviousoperator. Theywillassumetheresponsibilityoftheshedandbondfortheremoval. TJLhastwotrailersandnumerouspiecesofequipmentonprivatelanddownthehillwheretheyprocesstheirore.NoTJLequipmentisstoredonpubliclands.2.2.11.SeasonalWorkAllcurrentoperatorsworkonaseasonalschedule,duetothelowwintertemperaturesanddeepsnowaccumulation.OperatorsconductminingactivitiesontheHogumslopetypicallybetweenMarchandNovember. Whenoperatorsabandontheiroperationsforwinter,allequipmentmust

besecuredinawaynottocauseunduedegradationtopubliclandsorbearisktowildlifeandhumanhealth.2.2.12.HazardousMaterialsTheseminingoperationswillnotuseorstoreanychemicalsonsiteatanytimewithoutBLMapproval. OperatorswillhandlehazardousmaterialsaccordingtostateandfederalregulationsandStandardOperatingProcedures(SOP).Anyspillsofpetroleumproductswillbecleanedupandreported(25gallonsormore)accordingtoNevadaDivisionofEnvironmentalProtection(NRS445A)andBMPs.Solidwastewillbedisposedoffsiteatanapprovedfacility.

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2.2.13.ReclamationReclamationgoalsforminingdisturbancesare1)stabilizethesite,and2)establishaproductive

plantcommunitybasedontheapplicablelanduseplananddesignatedpost-mininglanduses.Eachindividualminingoperationisreviewedandbondedforthecostsassociatedwithreclaiming

publiclandsbyathirdpartycontractor. TheBLMStateOfficeinReno,NVholdsthebonduntilreclamationiscompletelysatisfactory.Miningproponentswilladhereto the BMPs for Mining in the Ely District in AppendixB, in ordernottocauseanyundueorunnecessarydegradationtopubliclands.2.2.14.MonitoringTheBLMisrequiredtoconductinspectionsforallactiveminingoperationsatleastonceperyear.Inspectorscheckforsurfacecompliancebytheoperatorstoensuretheyarefollowingtheirmining

plantotheletter.AnymodificationstotheirplanrequirethesubmittalofaPlanAmendmentandapprovalbytheBLMFieldManager. TheBLMmonitorsthesitesforatleastthreeyearsafterearthworkiscompletetoensureadequaterevegetationoccurs.Itmaytakeseveralyearsforthenativevegetationtore-establish. Theperformancegoalforsuccessfulrevegetationisthatthereclaimedareaswouldhave100%ofthenativeperennialcanopycoveroftheexistingadjacentplantcover. ThesitesareevaluatedbytheBLMforvegetativeprogressduringeachgrowseason. Anyareasthatarenotsuccessfulinrevegetationwillhaveasecondseeding. Ifnotsuccessful,theBLMreclamationspecialistwouldreviewthereclamationprocedureswiththeoperatorstodecideonthebestcourseofaction.Asapprovedbytheagencies,theselectedplantcommunitiesorreferenceareasmusthaveareasonablechanceforsuccessontheminesite. Eachplanofoperationshallidentifythesite-specificreleasecriteriainthereclamationplanorpermit. Thedeterminationofsuccessfulrevegetationofminingdisturbanceswillrequireanevaluationofthedatabytheagenciesonasite-specificbasis(NevadaStateClearinghouse1998).Thesuccessofthevegetativegrowthonareclaimedsitemaybeevaluatedforreleasenosoonerthanduringthesecondgrowingseasonafterearthwork,plantingandirrigation(ifused)hasbeencompleted. Finalbondreleasemaybeconsideredatthattime. Interimprogressofreclamationwillbemonitoredasappropriatebytheagencyandoperator. Whereithasbeendeterminedthatrevegetationsuccesshasnotbeenmet,theagenciesandtheoperatorwillmeettodecideonthe

bestcourseofactionsnecessarytomeetthereclamationgoal.2.2.15.WeedsOperatorsareresponsibleforcontrollinganynoxiousorinvasive,non-nativeweedinfestationsthatmaybecomeestablishedwithintheirprojectareasduringthelifeoftheirprojectsandfinalreclamation.Thiswouldincludetheresponsibilityforcontrolofnoxiousorinvasive,non-nativeweedsalongtheaccessroads.Noxiousorinvasive,non-nativeweeds,whichmaybeintroducedduetosoildisturbanceandreclamation,willbetreatedbymethodstobeapprovedbytheBLM.Bondreleaseiscontingentupontheabsenceofnoxiousorinvasive,non-nativeweeds.

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Theoperatorsareresponsiblefortakingstepstomitigatethespreadorincreaseddensitiesofnoxiousorinvasive,non-nativeweedsthatresultfromimplementationoftheproposal. Theuseofcertifiedweed-freeseedforreclamationandcontinuationofnoxiousorinvasive,non-nativeweedcontroleffortsbytheoperators,suchasvehiclewashingandtheuseofherbicidesshouldreducetheriskofintroducingnoxiousandnon-native,invasiveweedstotheprojectarea. TheoperatorswouldimplementtheSchellFieldOfficeNoxiousWeedPreventionScheduleandfollowtheSOPsforweedtreatments,foundintheWeedRiskAssessment(AppendixA).2.3.NoActionAlternative:InaccordancewithBLMNEPAguidelinesH-1790-1,ChapterV(BLM2008),thisEAevaluatestheNoActionAlternative. TheobjectiveoftheNoActionAlternativeistodescribetheenvironmentalconsequencesthatwouldresultiftheproposalwerenotimplemented. TheNoActionAlternativeformsthebaselinefromwhichtheimpactsofallotheralternativescanbemeasured.UndertheNoActionAlternative,theproposalwouldnotbeapprovedbytheBLMandtheoperatorwouldnotbeauthorizedtoconductgoldminingoperations(i.e.,mining,processing,andreclamation). Theareawouldremainavailableforfuturegoldmining,orprocessing,orforotherpurposes,asapprovedbytheBLM.Inaddition,aNoActionAlternativewouldallowmanyoftheexistingdisturbancestogounreclaimedandpresenttheBLMwiththeburdenofreclamation.

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Chapter3.AffectedEnvironment


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3.1.Introduction:Thischapterdescribestheexistingenvironmentintheprojectareaincludingphysical,biological,social,andeconomicresources,potentialdirectandindirectimpactstotheseresources.3.2.GeneralSetting:TheminingclaimsinquestionarelocatedinthehistoricalOsceolaMiningDistrict,perchedalongthewesternflankoftheGreatBasinNationalPark,atthewest-northwestendofthemouthofMaryAnnCanyon,atapproximately6,400feetabovemeansealevelonanalluvialfaninanareaknownasHogum.Thisbenchreceivesapproximately9-12inchesofprecipitationayearfallsonthisslopemostlyintheformofsnow.Allcurrentminingoperationsceaseforthewinterfromlate

NovembertoMarchduetotheamountofsnowandbelowfreezingtemperatures.3.3.Resources/ConcernsAnalyzed:Thefollowingsectionsevaluateresourcesforthepotentialforsignificantimpactstooccur,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,duetoimplementationoftheproposal.Potentialimpactswereevaluatedinaccordancewithcriterialistedinsection1.5ofthispapertodetermineifdetailedanalysiswasrequired. Considerationofsomeoftheseitemsistoensurecompliancewithlaws,statutesorExecutiveOrdersthatimposecertainrequirementsuponallFederalactions. Otheritemsarerelevanttothemanagementofpubliclandsingeneral,andtotheElyDistrictBLMinparticular.TheMandatoryElementsoftheHumanEnvironmentarelistedinTable3.1below.ElementsthatmaybeaffectedwouldbefurtherdescribedinthisEA.RationalefortheseelementsthatmayormaynotbeadverselyaffectedisalsoincludedinTable3.1below.Table3.1.MandatoryElementsoftheHumanEnvironmentResource/Concern Analyzed

(Y/N)RationaleforDismissalfromDetailedAnalysisorIssue(s)RequiringDetailedAnalysis

AirQuality Y ThisresourceisanalyzedinthisEA.CulturalResources Y ThisresourceisanalyzedinthisEA.ForestHealth

N Noforestsorwoodlandsarepresentintheprojectarea.

WaterResourcesN

Waterusedforminingoperationsoriginatesfromoutsidetheanalysisareaandusepermittedby

NevadaStateEngineer.Nootherwaterresourcesinanalysisarea.

MigratoryBirdsN Anynewdisturbanceduringthemigratorybirdnesting season (May 1 July 15) will need a

nestclearancesurveyoneweekpriortogrounddisturbance.Adetailedanalysisisnotrequired.

RangelandHealth Y ThisresourceisanalyzedinthisEA.NativeAmericanReligiousandotherConcerns

NNoissuesorconcernswereexpressedfromtheConfederatedTribesoftheGoshuteReservation,ElyShoshoneTribeandtheDuckwaterTribefollowingconsultation.

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FWSListedorproposedforlistingThreatenedorEndangeredSpecies orcriticalhabitat.

NResourceisnotknowntobepresentintheprojectarea.

Wastes,HazardousorSolidN Appropriatedesignfeaturesareincorporatedintothe

proposaltoeliminateimpacts.Water Quality,Drinking/Groundwater

NWaterforminingusepermittedbyNevadaStateEngineerandmustcomplywithStateofNevadalawspertainingtouse,disposal,andwaterqualityregulations.

EnvironmentalJusticeN Nominorityor low-incomegroupswouldbedisproportionatelyaffectedbyhealthor

environmentaleffects.Socioeconomics

N Continuedminingofthisareawillnotlikelyprovideanyadditionalrevenueforthelocaleconomy.

Floodplains N Thisresourceisnotpresentintheanalysisarea.Farmlands,PrimeandUnique N Thisresourceisnotpresentintheanalysisarea.Wetlands/RiparianZones N Thisresourceisnotpresentintheanalysisarea.Invasive non-native or

NoxiousSpecies N AWeedRiskAssessmentisattached(SeeAppendixA).Weedshavebeenaddressedintheproposal.Nofurtheranalysisisrequired.

Wilderness/WSA N Resourceisnotpresentintheanalysisarea.Lands withWildernessCharacteristics(LWC) N Thelandswithintheprojectareawereeliminatedfromfurtherwildernesscharacteristicsstudy.Heritage SpecialDesignations (HistoricTrails,ACECsdesignatedforCulturalResources) N

Resourcenotpresent.

HumanHealthandSafetyN

Resourcewouldnotbeaffectedbyproposal.OperationswouldbeconductedunderMSHAandOSHAregulationswiththeimplementationofaHealthandSafetyPlan.

WildandScenicRivers N ResourceisnotPresentSpecial Status AnimalSpecies,otherthanthoselistedorproposedbytheFWSas ThreatenedorEndangered.

YThisresourceisanalyzedinthisEA.

SpecialStatusPlantSpecies,otherthanthoselistedorproposedbytheFWSasThreatenedorEndangered.

NNoneareknowntobepresentwithinprojectarea.

FishandWildlife Y ThisresourceisanalyzedinthisEA.WildHorses

N TheprojectareaisnotwithinaHorseManagementAreaandnowildhorsesareknowntobepresentwithinprojectarea.

SoilResources Y ThisresourceisanalyzedinthisEA.Chapter3AffectedEnvironment

June9,2011 Resources/ConcernsAnalyzed:


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GrazingUses/ForageN

ThisprojectareaoccurscompletelywithintheMajorsAllotment. Duetothehistoryofpastminingactivitiesandrelativesizeofthisprojectintheoverallgrazingallotmentandnecessaryrehabilitation,theproposalwouldhavenoadditionaleffectongrazingusesandforageresources.

LandUsesN Projectareaisnotidentifiedforsale/disposal. Allnewdisturbanceswouldbewithintheproponents

miningclaims.Norightsof-wayarerequired.RecreationUsesincludingBack country Byways,Caves,RockhoundingAreas N

Recreationactivities,noraccesswillbeimpactedfromtheproposal.

PaleontologicalResources

N

Therearenoknownresourcesidentifiedintheprojectarea. Ifanyarediscoveredduringimplementationofthisproject,allworkinthevicinitywillceaseandtheBLMArcheologist/Paleontologistwillbecontactedimmediately.

VegetativeResources Y ThisresourceisanalyzedinthisEA.MineralResources Y ThisresourceisanalyzedinthisEA.FireManagement N Noexplosiveswillbeallowedtobestoredonsite.

3.4.AirQualityAffectedEnvironment:Airqualityintheanalysisareaisunknownduetothelackofmonitoringsitesinornearthearea.ThenearestStateofNevadaambientairqualitymonitoringsiteisseveralhundredmilesawayinElkoCounty. AgeneralideaofambientairqualityinthispartofSpringValleycanbededucedfromtheparentmaterialthatthesoilsintheprojectarederivedfromandthetexturalclassofthesurfacesoilsthemselves. Thesoilsfoundintheanalysisareaindicatethattheaveragesoilsizeclassissand-sizedmaterialandassuchisnottypicallysusceptibletomobilizationbyslightdisturbancebywindorotheraction.3.5.SoilsAffectedEnvironment:ThesoilsintheHogumanalysisareaareaby-productoftheparentmaterialtheyareformedfromandtheweatheringagentswhichhaveacteduponthemformanyyears. Thesoilsinthesteeperportionsoftheanalysisareaaretypicallyresiduumweatheredfromigneous,limestone,sandstone,andshaleandweatheredtoformsoilswithsurfacehorizontexturalclassesintheverygravellyloamsizeclass.Themid-slopeandlowerportionsoftheanalysisareasoilsaremadeupofalluviumorvalleyfillmaterialderivedfromacombinationofigneousandlimestoneparentmaterialsandhavetexturesintheverygravellyloam,verygravellysandyloam,andverygravellysandyloamclasses. Themid-slopeandlower-slopesoilsformeduponoutwashoralluvialfanformations. Allsoilsintheanalysisaregenerallymoderatelytowelldrained.

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3.6.VegetationAffectedEnvironment:TheslopesofHogumarecomprisedmostlyofmountainbigsagebrush,rabbitbrush,someforbandgrasses,andsparsepinyon/junipertrees. Thefollowingnoxiousweedsarefoundwithintheprojectarea;Spottedknapweed(Centaureabiebersteinii)andSaltcedar(Tamarixspp). TheSaltcedarisfoundintwoisolatedlocations,butarenotspreadingatthistime. TheSpottedknapweedcontinuestobetreatedtokeepitfromspreading. Otherinvasive,non-native

plantsfoundwithintheprojectareaareRussianthistle(Salsolatragus),halogeton(Halogetonglomeratus),tumblemustard(Sisymbriumaltissimum),burbuttercup(Ranunculustesticulatus),redstemstorksbill(Erodiumcicutarium),andcheatgrass(Bromustectorum).3.7.RangelandHealthEnvironment:TheanalysisareaiscompletelywithintheMajorsallotment.DuetohistoricminingandgrazingthevegetativestructureandcompositiondiffersfromtheEcologicalSiteDescriptions(ESDs),generallywithpercentcompositionbyweightshowingshrubsarehigherthanisexpectedwhilegrasses

and

forbs

are

lower

when

compared

to

the

Potential

Native

Vegetation

(PNV)

in

the

ESD.

3.8.WildlifeResourcesAffectedEnvironment:Theprojectareaprovideshabitatforbiggamespeciessuchasdeerandpossiblyelk,othermammalssuchasbadgers,coyotesandfoxes,smallmammalssuchasrabbitsandgroundsquirrels,andreptilessuchaslizardsandsnakes.3.8.1.SpecialStatusanimalspeciesotherthanthoselistedasThreatenedorEndangeredAffectedEnvironmentThereisahistoricsagegrouseleknorthoftheprojectareaandoneactiveleksouthoftheprojectarea. Theactivelekiswithintwomilesoftheprojectboundary. Aportionoftheprojectareaisheavilydisturbedfrompastminingactivitiesandnumerousaccessroads,howeverthereissomepotentialsagegrousenesting,brood-rearing,andwinterhabitatsurroundingthepreviouslydisturbedarea.3.9.CulturalResourcesAffectedEnvironment:TheculturallandscapeinSpringValleyhasevidenceofalonghistoryofhumanoccupation.TheearliestcommonlyaccepteddateforhumanpresenceintheEasternGreatBasinisapproximately10,000to11,000yearsbeforepresentandhasbeenconsistently,thoughnotdenselypopulateduptothepresentday(AikensandMadsen1986). Prehistoricresourcesarelocatedneartheprojectareaandmaystillbeintheprojectareainthefewplaceswherethesurfaceisstillintact(NVCRIS2011).MuchofthesurfacewithintheprojectareaismodifiedbymodernminingactivitiesandbytheculturalresourcesofmostconcernatHogum,historicminingsites,asitispartoftheOsceolaHistoricMiningDistrictestablishedin1872(White2010).In1872,prospectorsJamesMattesonandFrankHeckdiscoveredgoldthreemileswestofwhatisnowGreatBasinNationalPark.Overthenextsixyearssome100claimswerestakedinthequartzveinsofthenewOsceolaminingdistrict. Theproductionoflodes,however,wasnotenoughto

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operatetheminesataprofit. In1877placergoldwasdiscoveredbyJohnVersan. TheplacerswerelocatedbetweenWetGulchandDryGulch.Threehundredclaimswereplacedandmining

begantoflourish.By1882thetownofOsceolagrewtoapopulationofmorethan1500people.Thecommunityincludedseveralstores,abutcherandblacksmithshop,aChineserestaurantandtwostagesrunningregularlytoWard. Uncoveredherewasalmosttwomilliondollarsworthofgold,includinganuggetweighing24poundswhichwouldbeworthalmostaquartermilliondollarsattodaysprices(http://www.nps.gov/grba/historyculture/the-osceola-ditch.htm).3.9.1.ArchaeologicalResourcesTheHogumprojectareahasbeenperiodicallyminedsincethelate1880saspartofthehistoricOsceolaMiningDistrictandlikelycomprisesthemajorityofarchaeologicalremainsintheprojectarea,yettheprojectareahasneverbeenintensivelyinventoriedforarchaeologicalresources,soitisunclearwhetherprehistoricarchaeologicalresourcesarepresent.Withintheprojectareatwoarchaeologicalsites,26WP6565and26WP1647,havebeenpreviouslydefinedaspartoftheOsceolaDistrict. 26WP6565isthecomplexofminingfeatures,structures,andartifactsrelatedtothehistoricHogumMine. 26WP1647isathesouthernportionoftheOsceoladitch,ahand-entrenchedwaterlinetosupplytheHogumMine.EachsitehasonlybeenpartiallyrecordedinconjunctionwithculturalresourceinventoriesconductedforcompliancewithSection106oftheNationalHistoricPreservationAct(NHPA).ThelateststudywasconductedbyStatisticalResearch,Inc. fortheWhitePineCountyAbandonedMineLandsInventory(White2010).WithintheHogumprojectarea,64abandonedminefeaturesareproposedforclosure-allhistoricfeatures. Duringthatinventory,thefieldcrewalsorecordednumerousartifactsandstructuralremainsimmediatelysurroundingtheaditsandshaftsproposedforclosureandcreatedanewsite

boundarybasedontheextentofaditandshaftfeaturestotalingabout485acres.Atthattime,theHogumsite,26WP6565,wasrecommendedeligiblefortheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces(NRHP)undercriterionabecauseofitsconnectiontotheOsceolaHistoricMiningDistrict,adistrictimportanttothehistoryofmininginNevada;however,itwasfurtherrecommendedthatstudiesbeconductedintothehistoryofHogumtofindconnectionstopeopleimportanttoNevadahistoryaswellasthesitesabilitytocontributedatatoresearchaboutmininginWhitePineCounty(White2010),NRHPcriteriacanddrespectively. Site26WP1647hasneverbeenevaluatedfortheNationalRegister,butislikelyeligibleundermultiplecriteria.3.9.2.HistoricResourcesHistoricpropertiesmaybesignificantbecauseofattributesotherthanorinadditiontotheirabilitytoyielddatatothearchaeologicalrecord. Thesepropertiesorobjectsmayrepresentevents,

people,ordesignfeaturesimportantinAmericanhistory. Asstatedintheprevioussection,theHogumminesiteisrecommendedeligibleundercriterionabecauseofitsimportanceto

American

history.

Anothersuchresource,theWestOsceolaDitchreferredtoassite26WP1647,isalsopresentintheprojectarea.TheWestOsceolaDitchwashanddugditchtoconductwatertomineoperations.Thisuniqueengineeringfeaturemayhavebeenexclusivelybuiltbyimmigrantlabor(Henderson1995).In1884-85theOsceolaGravelMiningCompanyconstructeda16mileditch,knownastheWestDitch,tocarrythewaterfromsixcreeksonthewestsideoftheSnakeRangetotheirplaceroperations. Itdidnotmeetthecompanysneeds,however,andonSeptember

Chapter3AffectedEnvironmentJune9,2011 ArchaeologicalResources
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12,1885theWhitePineNewsreportedthatthehydraulicmineswere"runningveryslowatpresentonaccountofthescarcityofwater,onlyaveragingabout2hoursaday."(http://www.nps.gov/grba/historyculture/the-osceola-ditch.htm).ThelackofwaterpromptedtheconstructionoftheEastDitch. Thishistoricengineeringfeatureiscurrentlylistedonthe

NationalRegister.AlthoughtheWestDitchhasneverbeenassessedforeligibilitytotheNRHP,itislikelyalsoeligibleundermultiplecriteria.3.10.MineralResourcesAffectedEnvironment:OsceolaMiningDistrictisamineralrichareacontainingPlacerGold,Gold,Silver,Lead,Tungsten,andPhosphateRock. JosephWatsonandFrankHicksdiscoveredtheOsceolaDistrictinAugust1872(Frederick1998). TheslopesofHogum,Nevadahavebeenminedforgoldonandoffsincethe1880s.ThegolddepositsinHogumareassociatedwithepithermaldepositsofquartzitethathavebeenerodedawayfromtheparentveinmaterial. Thegoldoreistrappedinchannelswithinthealluviumonpediment.

Chapter3AffectedEnvironmentJune9,2011 MineralResourcesAffectedEnvironment:
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Chapter4.EnvironmentalEffects


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4.1.Introduction:Thischapterdescribestheeffectsontheexistingenvironmentintheprojectareaincluding

physical,biological,social,andeconomicresources,resultingfromtheproposedactionandalternative.4.2.AirQualityEnvironmentalEffects:4.2.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonAirQualityActivitiesexpectedtoaffectlocalizedairqualitybymobilizingdust-sizedmaterialsincludethe

preparationstepspriortoopen-pitoperations(clearingofgroundsurface,removaloftopsoil,removalofoverburden),theopen-pitoperationsthemselves(removalofalluvium),andtheore

processingsteps(machineseparationandwashing).Eachofthesestepsisexpectedtoliberateacertainamountofdustintotheairwhileoperationsproceed. Asoperationsceaseitisexpectedthat

acertain

amount

of

fine

silt

material

may

linger

in

the

air

or

be

transported

by

prevailing

winds,butforthemostparttheexpectationisfordusttobeanephemeraleffectandsettle-outinashorttimeanddistance. Apossiblelonger-livedproblemwithdustareareasofbaregroundleftexposedandsusceptibletomoderateorgreaterwindvelocitieswhichcouldmobilizesiltandlargercomponentsoftheloamysoilsandleadtolocalizeddustyairqualitydays.Dustsuppressionmeasuresareintegratedintotheproposalandaredesignedtoalleviatemostofthepotentialproblemslistedabove.TheproponentsareresponsibleforanyStateofNevadalimitsonpointsourceairqualityconcerns.4.2.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonAirQualityTherewouldbenoeffectstoairqualityfromtheNoActionAlternativeandwouldremainasitiscurrently.4.3.SoilEnvironmentalEffects:4.3.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonSoilsLossofsoilproductivityandthephysicalalterationofsoilhorizonationwouldresultfromminingactivityandreclamationactivities. Removaloftopsoil,themostnutrientrichsoilhorizon,stockpilingofsaidsoil,andreuseofsoilatsomelaterdatetendstoshuffletheoriginalorderofthesoilwhichmayendupreducingthesoilsproductivitywhencomparedtotheundisturbedstate. Stockpiledsoilmayalsobecomeintegratedintothesurroundinglandscapeandlostoverextendedtimesleavinginadequatetopsoilforreclamation.Alteringthelayeringofsoilsmayalterthestructure,nutrientavailability,andabilityforplantrootstopenetratethesoil.Soilexposedduringtheminingactivitiesismoresusceptibletowindandwatererosion. Soilloss,erosion,wouldleadtoareductioninsoilproductivityduetotheuppermostnutrientladen

portionsofthesoilbeingmostlikelytowinnowawayduringhighwindsorsnowmeltorrainChapter4EnvironmentalEffects

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events. BestManagementPracticesdesignedandimplementedtoavoidsoillossandlossofproductivityarenot100%effectiveandsomeminimalsitelossisexpected.Compactionofsoilsduetoexcavationandroaduseisexpectedandtoadegreewouldbereclaimedasroadsarerehabilitatedatthecessationofactions. Displacementofsoilsmayoccurduringroadconstructionormaintenanceactionsespeciallyifactionsoccuronexisting. Lowstandardroads. Older,unusedroadsmayberehabilitatedandclosedthatexistintheprojectanalysisarearesultinginanetreductioninroaddensity.4.3.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonSoilsTherewouldbenoeffectsonsoilsfromtheNoActionAlternativeandwouldremainasitiscurrently.4.4.VegetationEnvironmentalEffects:4.4.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonVegetationApproximately170acresofgrounddisturbancehasoccurredoverthelast100yearsatHogum.Itisreasonabletobelievethatminingwillcontinueanddisturbanother75+acresofpubliclands.Theexistingvegetationwouldbescrapedwithtrackhoes,backhoes,ordozersandusedasoverlay

brushonthereclaimedsurfacedisturbance.Salvagedtopsoilwouldbeseededwithanapprovedinterimseedmix,ifleftlongerthanonegrowseason(March-November). Afinalseedmix,consistingofnativeplantsandgrasseswouldbeusedduringfinalreclamation(AppendixC).Asuccessfulrevegetationwouldrestorethenative

plantcommunityintheareaoverperiodofseveralyears.4.4.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonVegetationTherewouldbenoeffectstovegetationunderthenoactionalternative,otherthanwhatiscurrentlypermittedatHogum.4.5.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonRangelandHealthTherecommendedseedmixandsuccessfulreclamationofpast,present,andfutureminingfeaturesmayimprovetheoverallhabitatandrangelandhealth.4.6.WildlifeResourcesEnvironmentalEffects:4.6.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonWildlifeDuringminingoperationstherecouldbedisturbancetolocalpopulationsofwildlifeaslargeranimalsarelikelytobedisplacedintoadjoininghabitatwheretheymaybesubjecttocompetitionwithotheranimalspresent. Thereisalowpotentialforsomesmaller,lessmobilespeciestobeinjuredorkilledduringminingoperations. Indirectly,long-termeffectstowildlifewouldbeminimizedthroughreclamationandrehabilitationofhabitataspartoftheproposal.

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4.6.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonWildlifeUndertheNoActionAlternativetherewouldbenoneweffectstowildlife.4.6.3.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonSpecialStatusanimalspeciesotherthanthoselistedasThreatenedorEndangeredAffectedEnvironmentTherewillbealossofsomesagegrousehabitatasminingoperationsexpandwithintheprojectarea.Accessroadstotheprojectareapassthroughtheouterperimeterofthetwo-mileactivelek

buffertothesouth. Whiletravelontheseroadsmaydisruptnestingsagegrouse,therewouldbenodisruptiontobreedingbirdsatthelekitself. TheseroadswillbeavoidedfromMarch1throughMay15whenotherroadsareavailabletoperformminingoperations.Additionally,moresuitableandunfragmentedhabitatexistswithinthesurroundingareaandbirdsaremorelikelytousethishabitatversusthedisturbedprojectarea. Indirectly,long-termeffectstosagegrousewouldbeminimizedthroughreclamationandrehabilitationofhabitataspartoftheproposal.Therewouldbeminimalimpactstosagegrouseduetoimplementationoftheproposal.4.6.4.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonSpecialStatusanimalspeciesotherthanthoselistedasThreatenedorEndangeredAffectedEnvironmentUnderthenoactionalternative,therewouldbenoneweffectstosagegrouseandtheirhabitat.4.7.CulturalResourcesEnvironmentalEffects:4.7.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonCulturalResourcesAllcurrentlyproposedandfuturePoOsshallbesubjecttotheregulationsofSection106ofthe

NHPAandtheBLMStatewideProtocolwiththeNevadaStateHistoricPreservationOffice.AllculturalresourcesdeterminedeligiblefortheNRHPshallbecompletelyavoidedbytheproponent.

Noindirectimpactstohistoricpropertiesareforeseeninrelationshiptotheproposedaction.Visualimpactstohistoricpropertieswillnotbenoticedbymostobserversbecausetheactions

proposedaresmallinscalecomparedtothesurroundinglandscapeandwillusemethodsthatwillresultindisturbancesthatresemblethedisturbancecausedbyhistoricmining. Otherexistingindirectimpactstohistoricpropertieserosionmayevenbeimprovedthroughreclamationefforts.IffutureminingoperationsintheprojectareaexpandintotheHogumhistoricminingcomplexthatarecurrentlyundisturbedbymodernminingactivity(post-1960),thereisapotentialtodirectlyimpactsites26WP6565and26WP1647. Althoughhistoricmineresourceshaveonly

beenpartiallyrecordedintheprojectarea,itisknownthathistoricremainsarecloselysurroundedbyworkingandrecentlyabandonedminingoperations(Humphrey2010). Therefore,nonewgrounddisturbanceshallbeauthorizedwithoutacompleterecordationofthesitesintheidentified

projectareaandasubsequentassessmentofeachsiteseligibilitytotheNRHP.AfteranChapter4EnvironmentalEffects

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evaluationtotheNRHPismade,siteelementsthatcontributetoitseligibilityshallbeidentified.Theproponentshallthenavoidalleligibleelementsofthesite.Therefore,allcurrentlyproposedandfutureplacerminingoperationsshouldhavelittleornoadverseimpactstohistoricpropertieslistedonoreligiblefortheNRHP.

4.7.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonCulturalResourcesNofurthereffectstoculturalresourceswouldoccurunderthenoactionalternative.4.8.MineralResourcesEnvironmentalEffects:4.8.1.AlternativeAProposedActionEffectsonMineralResourcesMininghasbeenconductedforover125yearsinHogumandmostlikelywillcontinueforanother100years.TheBLMhasseenanincreaseinmininginterestintheHogumarea,duetothecurrent

priceofgold($1,500perounce).Afairamountofquartziteisremovedfromthealluviumandsometimescrushedtoextractthegoldduringtheminingprocess.QuartzitespropertiesmakesitanexcellentaggregateandcanbesoldbytheBLMfornon-miningpurposes.Severalabandonedstockpilesofcrushedquartziteandlimestonemaybesoldtotheadjacentwindfarmforconcreteaggregate,thusallowinganotherfewacresofpubliclandtobeproperlyreclaimed.4.8.2.NoActionAlternativeEffectsonMineralResourcesTheNoActionAlternativewouldhavenoeffectonmineralresourcesintheanalysisarea.

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Chapter5.CumulativeImpacts


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5.1.Introduction:AsrequiredunderNEPAandtheregulationsimplementingNEPA,thissectionanalyzespotentialcumulativeimpactsfrompast,present,andreasonablyforeseeablefutureactionscombinedwiththeproposalwithintheareaanalyzed. Acumulativeimpactisdefinedastheimpactwhichresultsfromtheincrementalimpactoftheaction,decision,orprojectwhenaddedtootherpast,present,andreasonablyforeseeablefutureactions,regardlessofwhatagency(federalornon-federal)orpersonundertakessuchotheractions. Cumulativeimpactscanresultfromindividuallyminorbutcollectivelysignificantactionstakingplaceoveraperiodoftime(40CodeofFederalRegulations1508.7).TheCumulativeEffectsStudyArea(CESA)forthisprojectisdefinedbyapproximately2,500acresofthealluvialfanofMaryAnnCanyonknownas,Hogum,southofHighway50(Figure2.1).5.2.PastPresentandReasonablyForeseeableFutureActions(RFFAs):5.2.1.PastActivitiesIntheOsceolaMiningDistrict,theareaknownlocallyasHogum,hasbeencontinuouslyminedforitsplacergolddepositscontainedinthealluvialfanmaterialbelowthemouthofMaryAnnCanyon,sincethe1880s. Atonepointduringtheearly1900s,Hogumhadapopulationof50peopleworkingthearea. Inthemid1980s,AltaGoldbeganminingtheslopes,butwent

bankrupt. Asmuchas170acresofpubliclandmayhavebeendisturbedandunreclaimedfrompastminingactivities. Thelandscaperemainsscarredfrompastminingactivitieswithexposedpits,oredumps,tailingpiles,shaftsandadits,andnumeroustwo-trackroadswindingupanddowntheslope(Table2.1).CattlegrazingandhuntingmayhavealsooccurredinHogumduringthepast.5.2.2.PresentActivitiesThereare42activeplacerclaimsand40lodeclaimsonpubliclandwithintheareaofanalysis.Thereisalsoan80acrepatchofpatentedlandwithintheCESAatthemouthofMaryAnnCanyon. Currently,therearethreeplacerminingoperationsworkingtheslopesofMaryAnnCanyonauthorizedtodisturbuptonineacresofpubliclandandareamendingtheirplanstodisturbanother10acrescollectivelyoverthenextonetotwoyears. Therearenoplansforconductinganylodeclaimminingatthistime.RecentlytheFederalGovernmentreclaimedapproximately13acresofpreviouslydisturbedland.CurrentoperatorsareworkingwiththeBLMtoreclaimoldunreclaimedminingdisturbancesatnocosttothegovernment. Therearenoknowngrazing,hunting,orrecreationalactivitiestakingplaceonthisslope.

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5.2.3.ReasonablyForeseeableFutureActions(RFFAs)Mininghasoccurredalmostcontinuouslyforthepast125yearsanditwouldbereasonableto

believeminingwillcontinueformanymoregenerationstocome. ThisEAproposesthatupto142acresofnewminingdisturbancemayoccuroverthenext10years. KapackeMiningplanstodisturbupto100acreswithinthe+2,500acresofanalysisareaoverthenext10years,iftheirmineplanisapproved.AcomprehensiveanalysisofcumulativeimpactsareanalyzedintheElyProposedResourceManagementPlan/FinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement(November2007)onp.4.28-1to4.28-88. Typicalsmallminingoperationsconsistingofsmallpits,wasterockpiles,processingfacilities,roads,explorationdrillpads,andoperationfacilitiesaredescribedinthereasonablyforeseeabledevelopmentscenarioofthatdocumentandareincorporatedbyreferenceintothisenvironmentalassessment. Thereasonablyforeseeabledevelopmentscenariosanticipate7,500acresofdisturbanceandasmanyassixsmallmineswouldbedeveloped,(p. 4.18-8). SinceapprovaloftheElyDistrictRMPinAugust2008,nonewmineshavebeendeveloped.However,duetocurrentgoldpricesinexcessof$1,500anounce,thereareplansforatleasttwonewmediumtolargesizemineintheplanningstagewithintheDistrict.Theproposalisfarlessthan640acresofsurfacedisturbance,wellwithinthescopeofthedocument.TheBLMandtheStateofNevadawillcontinuetocloseabandonedminefeaturesinHogum,suchas:shaftsandadits.Over60featuresinHogumhavebeenidentifiedforclosure.A65-turbinewindfarmprojectmaybedevelopedonthevalleyfloorlessthanthreemilestothenorthwest.CattlegrazingandhuntingmaycontinueintheHogumarea.5.3.CumulativeEffectsConclusion:5.3.1.AlternativeAProposedActionCumulativeEffectsCumulativeEffectsoftheAlternativeAproposalincombinationwiththepast,present,andRFFAsmayinvolveshort-termeffectstoairquality,soils,vegetationcover,andwildlife,throughhabitatloss. Successfulrevegetationasproposedshouldoffsettheshort-termdisplacementtowildlife,andnon-listedspecialstatusspeciesinthelong-term.Airqualitywouldreturntonormal,oncethesoilisstabilizedwithvegetativecover.MiningtheslopesofHogumcontinuetothreatenculturalresourcesinthearea. Therearenomitigationmeasuresprovidedintheproposaltoprotecttheculturalresourcesotherthanavoidance. Eventually,operatorswillrunoutofpreviouslydisturbedareastomine. Acomprehensiveculturalsurveyandinventorywouldberequiredtomineareasnotpreviouslydisturbedorareasthatmayhavehistoricalsignificance. Ifalarge-scaleminingoperationwouldeveroccurinHogum,anEISwithculturalmitigationmeasureswouldberequired.TheeffectsonmininggoldontheslopesofHogumtotheareasmineralresourcesisnegligible.

NevadaisrankedsecondintheUnitedStatesforgoldproduction. Gravelsproducedfromcrushingore-bearingquartzitesisanexcellentsourcematerialforaggregate. CurrentstockpilesofcrushedquartziteandlimestoneabandonedfrompriorminingactivitiesinHogummaybesold

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asaggregatetoanadjacentwindenergyproject.Thiswouldbeconsideredabenefitbyreclaimingoldabandonedminefeaturesandrestoringthehealthofpubliclands.5.3.2.NoActionAlternativeCumulativeEffectsTheNoActionAlternativewouldnotallowanymoreminingtooccurontheslopesofHogum,otherthanminingactivitiesallowedundercasualuse(43CFR3809.5(1)). Surfacedisturbancescreatedbefore1986mightnotbereclaimedforyearsandcontinuetoposerisktohumansandanimals.Theselandshavebeenusedforminingforover125years,thereforeotherlandusesmaynotbefeasibleatthistime.

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Chapter 6. Tribes, Individuals,Organizations,orAgenciesConsulted


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Table6.1.ListofPersons,AgenciesandOrganizationsConsultedName Purpose & Authorities for

ConsultationorCoordination Findings&ConclusionsDuckwaterTribe NativeAmericanConsultation NocommentsreceivedonproposalElyShoshoneTribeNativeAmericanConsultation NocommentsreceivedonproposalGoshuteTribe NativeAmericanConsultation Nocommentsreceivedonproposal

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Chapter 7. List of Preparers


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Table7.1.ListofPreparesName Title ResponsiblefortheFollowing

Section(s)ofthisDocumentDaveDavis Author,ProjectLead MineralResources,Proposed

ActionMarkDAversa Hydrologist Soil,AirQuality,WaterResourcesandWaterQualityScottStandfill RangeManagementSpecialist InvasiveNon-NativeorNoxious

Species,Range,andVegetativeResources

KenHumphrey Archeologist CulturalResourcesBenNoyes WildHorseSpecialist WildHorsesandBurros

NancyWilliams WildlifeBiologist Wildlife,MigratoryBirds,andSpecialStatusSpecies

DaveJacobson WildernessProgramLead Wilderness,LWCJohnMiller RecreationPlanner VisualResourcesandRecreationElvisWall NativeAmericanCoordinator NativeAmericanReligiousand

otherConcernsMattRajala FireManagementSpecialist FireManagementBrendaLinnell RealtySpecialist LandsZachPeterson Forester ForestHealthMelaniePeterson EnvironmentalProtectionSpecialist HazardousMaterialGloriaTibbetts Planning & Environmental

Coordinator Environmental Justice andSocioeconomicsMaryDAversa SchellFieldManager ApprovingOfficial

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Chapter8.References


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8.1.BibliographyBibliography

43CFR3809. 2009,Title43CodeofFederalRegulations,Part1000toEnd.AikensandMadsen1986. Aikens,MelvinC.andMadsen,DavidB.,1986PrehistoryoftheWesternArea. HandbookofNorthAmericanIndiansVol. 11,GreatBasin,SmithsonianInstitution,WashingtonDC.BLM.2007. ElyProposedResourceManagementPlan/FinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement

November2007. USDIBLM.ElyDistrictOffice.BLM.2008. ElyDistrictRecordofDecisionandApprovedResourceManagementPlanAugust2008. USDIBLM.ElyDistrictOffice.BLM2008.BureauofLandManagementNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActHandbook(BLM

NEPAHandbookH-1790-1).e-goldprospecting.com. Goldscreenwashplants,http://www.e-goldprospecting.com/html/gold_screen_wash_plants.html,WebsiteaccessedMay3,2011.Frederick1998. Frederick,Donna, September1998. BriefHistoryofOsceola,http://whitepinecountygenhelp.accessgenealogy.com/Osceola.html,WebsiteaccessedMay3,2011.Ghosttowns.com. HBC,Ghosttowns.com-thebestsourceofinformationonghosttownsintheU.S.Ghosttowns,http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nv/hogum.htm. WebsiteaccessedMay3,2011.Henderson1995.Henderson,Mark1995,PersonalnotesabouttheSouthOsceolaDitchlocatedattheElyDistrictBLMOffice,Ely,Nevada.Humphrey2010. Humphrey,Kenneth2010Personalobservationduringfieldvisitdated11/05/2010MSHAmissionstatement,http://www.msha.gov/MSHAINFO/MISSION.HTM.

NVCRIS.2011NevadaCulturalResourcesInventorySystem.Websiteaccessed1/03/2011.Nevada State Clearinghouse. 1998. Nevada Guidelines for Revegetation.DepartmentofAdministration,BudgetandPlanningDivision. CarsonCity. July1.http://www.state.nv.us/nvhp/reveg.htm.
http:///reader/full/e-goldprospecting.comhttp://www.e-goldprospecting.com/htmlhttp://whitepinecountygenhelp.accessgenealogy.com/Osceola.htmlhttp:///reader/full/Ghosttowns.comhttp://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nv/hogum.htmhttp://www.msha.gov/MSHAINFO/MISSION.HTMhttp://www.state.nv.us/nvhp/reveg.htmhttp:///reader/full/e-goldprospecting.comhttp://www.e-goldprospecting.com/htmlhttp://whitepinecountygenhelp.accessgenealogy.com/Osceola.htmlhttp:///reader/full/Ghosttowns.comhttp://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nv/hogum.htmhttp://www.msha.gov/MSHAINFO/MISSION.HTMhttp://www.state.nv.us/nvhp/reveg.htm

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