[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 13, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22511-22512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11223]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Cibola National Forest, Mount Taylor Ranger District, NM, La Jara
Mesa Mine
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: Laramide Resources (USA) Inc. has submitted a Plan of
Operations (the Plan) proposing to develop and conduct underground
uranium mining operations on their mining claims on La Jara Mesa on the
Mount Taylor Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest. La Jara
Mesa is located approximately 10 miles northeast of the town of Grants
in Cibola County, New Mexico. The mine portal facilities would be
located on claims controlled by the applicant on national forest lands
at the base of the La Jara Mesa at an elevation of 7,300 feet in the
NE\1/4\, Section 15, T12N, R9W, NMPM. The mineralized zones that would
be accessed from the portal are located in portions of Sections 1, 2,
11, 12, 13, and 14, T12N, R9W, NMPM. The escape shaft would be located
on Forest Service administered lands on top of La Jara Mesa in Section
11, T12N, R9W, NMPM. The Cibola National Forest will prepare an
environmental impact statement to assess the development of a uranium
exploration and mining operation on the Mount Taylor Ranger District.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by 30 days after the publication of the NOI. Public scoping open houses
will be held during the scoping period in Grants and Gallup New Mexico.
The schedule for the open houses is as follows: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
in Grants, New Mexico, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cibola County
Convention Center and Thursday, May 21, 2009 in Gallup, New Mexico from
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gallup Community Service Center. Times and
locations of these meetings will be announced by public notice and will
be available on the Cibola National Forest Web site. The draft
environmental impact statement is expected before the end of 2009 and
the final environmental impact statement and Record of Decision (ROD)
is expected in spring/summer, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Rodney Byers, Minerals Program
Manager, Cibola National Forest, 2113 Osuna Road, NE., Albuquerque, NM
87113.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, mail
correspondence to Rodney Byers, Minerals Program Manager, Cibola
National Forest, 2113 Osuna Road, NE., Albuquerque, NM 87113.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
Laramide Resources (USA), Inc. has submitted a Plan of Operations
for development of a uranium mine at the La Jara Mesa property. The
purpose of the EIS is to evaluate the environmental impacts of the
proposed Plan of Operations and determine whether to approve the Plan
as proposed or to require additional mitigation measures to protect the
environment (in accordance with Forest Service regulations for
locatable minerals).
The need for action is to allow Laramide Resources (USA), Inc. to
exercise their rights under U.S. mining laws. Laramide Resources (USA),
Inc. has a right to develop and remove the mineral resources as set
forth by the General Mining Law of 1872 as amended. These laws provide
that the public has a statutory right to conduct prospecting,
exploration, development and production activities (1872 Mining Law and
1897 Organic Act), provided they are reasonably incident (1955 Multiple
Use Mining Act and case law) to mining and comply with other Federal
laws.
The Forest Service has the responsibility to protect surface
resources. Mining regulations state that ``operations shall be
conducted so as, where feasible, to minimize adverse environmental
effects on National Forest System surface resources (36 CFR 228.8)''
provided such regulation does not endanger or materially interfere with
prospecting, mining, or processing operations or reasonably incidental
uses (1955 Multiple Use Mining Act and case law).
Laramide Resources (USA), Inc.'s need is to provide uranium ore for
processing to meet national and international market demands for
uranium on the open market. Such demand is created by a current need
for uranium for nuclear power plant fuel to generate electricity or for
commercial and other uses. The Forest Service has concluded that the
underlying need for this mining activity is to provide uranium for U.S.
and world markets.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is an underground uranium mine consisting of a
15-16 acre footprint on the surface which will be comprised of waste
rock, temporary ore storage, a new water line and electrical
transmission line following the existing private and Forest roads to
the site. The mine will include two audit portals and, after active
mining is initiated, a vertical escape shaft to the top of the mesa to
provide air circulation and an escape route in the event of an
accident. The shaft opening and supporting power and equipment will lie
inside a fenced area of approximately 0.1 acre. Additional
[[Page 22512]]
facilities at the mine include a locked explosives storage shed,
lighting, ventilation fans, one or more stormwater ponds, and a field
office. The proposed Federal action is to approve Laramide Resources
(USA), Inc.'s Plan of Operations with mitigations needed to protect
other non-mineral surface resources consistent with Forest Plan,
regulations, and other applicable laws.
Possible Alternatives
1. No Action. 2. Approve the Plan as presented. 3. Approve the Plan
as presented by Laramide Resources (USA), Inc., with stipulations
necessary to protect the non-mineral resources of the area.
Responsible Official
Nancy Rose, Forest Supervisor, Cibola National Forest. 2113 Osuna
Road, NE., Albuquerque, NM 87113.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Forest Supervisor will use the EIS process to develop the
necessary information to make an informed decision on whether or not to
approve the proposed Plan as submitted, or to decide what additional
mitigations are needed to protect other resources as provided for in 36
CFR 228.8.
Scoping Process
Scoping will include this NOI, listing in the Quarterly Schedule of
Proposed Actions, letters to interested and affected individuals,
agencies, and organizations, and legal notices, and the open houses in
Grants and Gallup, New Mexico. Additional information about the
project, schedule, permits and approvals, and opportunities for public
involvement will be available at the open houses. The intent of scoping
is to solicit comments on issues and alternatives that agencies and the
public feel should be addressed in the EIS.
Preliminary Issues
One preliminary issue has been identified: the development of the
La Jara Mesa Mine may affect the characteristics that make the Mount
Taylor Traditional Cultural Property eligible for the National Register
of Historic Places. Other issues may include groundwater contamination,
natural resources, economics and health and safety issues.
Permits or Licenses Required
The approved Plan of Operations authorizes mining. Operations must
be consistent with Forest Service Conditions of Approval, and other
applicable laws and regulations, including state permits for mining in
New Mexico.
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. Comments are
solicited and are welcome for the 30-day comment period initiating on
the publication date of this notice.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency's preparation of
the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of
the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's
concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific
comments can affect a reviewer's ability to participate in subsequent
administrative review or judicial review. 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, anonymous comments will not provide the respondent with
standing to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial
review.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; 36 CFR 220.4.
Dated: April 30, 2009.
Nancy Rose,
Forest Supervisor, Cibola National Forest.
[FR Doc. E9-11223 Filed 5-12-09; 8:45 am]
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