BLM seeks public comment on OMYA’s proposed Plan of Operation to use mill site mining claims
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Barstow, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the applicant’s use of mill site mining claims for rock and soil placement as a result of mining operations at the White Knob-White Ridge Limestone Quarries south of Lucerne Valley.
The 30-day public comment period on the EA ends on July 6. OMYA Inc., a global producer of calcium carbonate, distributor of specialty chemicals and operator of the quarries, proposed a Plan of Operation to use 14 mill site claims under the 1872 Mining Law.
In 2015, San Bernardino County approved an Amended Mine and Reclamation Plan (AMRP) for the existing quarries and permitted OMYA to mine high-calcium limestone deposits in the area through 2055. The AMRP assumed that portions of public lands would be used for placement of rock and soil by-products of mining operations. In 2018, BLM issued a draft EA considering a 70-acre direct land sale.
Last month, OMYA notified the BLM of its intent to discontinue the pursuit of the land sale and then submitted a Plan of Operation, requesting authorization to utilize the mill site claims for rock and soil placement from mining operations.
The EA for the OMYA Plan of Operation project is available for review on https://go.usa.gov/xwBvW.
The public is encouraged to provide substantive written comments by mail to: OMYA Plan of Operation project, BLM, Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311. Comments may also be submitted using the comment function on the BLM’s ePlanning site at the link provided above. All comments received will be considered and evaluated, prior to issuing a final decision.
Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personal information in a comment, please be aware the entire comment, including the personally identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may request personal information be withheld from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee the information will not be released.
For further information, contact BLM Geologist, Jamie Livingood, at 760-252-6029.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.