BLM Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Uranium Mine Plan Modification
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Monticello, Utah—The Bureau of Land Management Monticello Field Office is seeking public comment on an environmental assessment for a proposal to modify a mine plan for the Daneros Uranium Mine in San Juan County.
The environmental assessment analyzes potential impacts of proposed changes to Energy Fuels’ operating plan. The proposed modification would allow the company to continue mining a uranium deposit while ensuring that operations are conducted in an environmentally sound manner and with a focus on human health and safety.
The proposed modifications include expanding facilities at two mine portals, adding ventilation holes and expanding the mine surface area from 4.5 acres to 46 acres. Under the modified plan, total production of uranium ore is expected to increase from 100,000 tons over seven years to 500,000 tons over 20 years.
To minimize the amount of surface disturbance at any one time, much of the construction and mining would be completed in phases. Concurrent reclamation would be completed on areas no longer needed for operations. At the end of the project, all disturbed acres would be reclaimed.
The environmental assessment provides in-depth analysis of several issues identified during scoping including air quality, water quality and human health and safety. The EA and specific project information, including maps, are available at the BLM ePlanning website,http://go.usa.gov/cuMrG.
Comments will be accepted through a 30-day public comment period ending July 18, 2016. Comments may be submitted electronically through the ePlanning website or submitted by mail to: “Attn: Daneros EA Comment”, BLM Monticello Field Office, PO Box 7, Monticello, UT 84535.
Commenters should be aware that their entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While commenters can ask the BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. The BLM will not consider anonymous comments. All submissions from organizations and businesses and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses will be available for public inspection in their entirety.
For further information, contact Ted McDougall at (435)587-1500. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact McDougall during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The BLM will reply during normal business hours.
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.