BLM Nevada News
ELY DISTRICT OFFICE NO. 2009-015
FOR RELEASE:  Friday, Dec. 19, 2008
CONTACT:  Chris Hanefeld, (775) 289-1842; chris_hanefeld@nv.blm.gov

BLM Seeks Public Comment on North Operations Area Draft EIS

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District Office has released the North Operations Area Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for public comment.

The BLM has scheduled three public comment meetings in Nevada from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Dates and locations are:
• Tuesday, Jan. 6, BLM Ely District Office, 702 N. Industrial Way, Ely
• Wednesday, Jan. 7, BLM Elko District Office, 3900 East Idaho St., Elko
• Thursday, Jan. 8, Eureka Opera House, 31 South Main, Eureka

The 45-day formal public comment process concludes at 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 2, 2009.  Interested individuals should addresses all written comments to the BLM Ely District Office, HC 33 Box 33500, Ely, NV  89301, attn: Lynn Bjorklund.

The DEIS analyzes potential impacts that expanding the Bald Mountain and Mooney Basin mines, located in White Pine County, Nev., would have on human, natural and cultural resources, as well as to determine what measures would be necessary to mitigate or reduce said impacts.   The proposal calls for the two mines to be combined under one new plan of operation and project boundary entitled the North Operations Area.  Under the proposal, the total disturbance area would increase from 4,160 acres to 8,080 acres.  Existing facilities, including pits, rock disposal area, heap leach pads, processing facilities and inter-pit areas would be expanded.  New facilities would include a pit, four rock disposal areas, haul roads, topsoil stockpiles and remote truck shop facility.

The 30-day public scoping period for the North Operations Area Project was completed in May 2007.  The BLM prepared the DEIS with assistance from JBR Environmental Consultants.

For more information, contact Lynn Bjorklund, at the BLM Ely District, at (775) 289-1893 or email at Lynn_Bjorklund@nv.blm.gov.

-BLM-