BLM seeks public comment on Skull Valley mining operation in Yavapai County
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PHOENIX – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Hassayampa Field Office invites the public’s comments on a Draft Mining and Reclamation Plan of Operations submitted by Kirkland Mining Company (Kirkland) to develop a high quality pozzolan mine on approximately 76 acres of public lands.
A public open house-style meeting will be held July 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Skull Valley Community Center located at 3150 Old Skull Valley Rd., in Skull Valley.
“The BLM strives to be a good neighbor in the communities we serve, where we provide opportunities for economic growth and embrace the public’s input in helping us frame the decisions we make on the landscape,” said BLM Phoenix District Manager Leon Thomas.
Kirkland began mineral exploration in the area in 2016. The company now proposes to develop the pozzolan deposit on its unpatented 160-acre Capital association placer mining claim in Section 28, Township 13 North, Range 4 west, Gila and Salt River Meridian, Yavapai County, Arizona (east of Iron Springs Road, south of Skull Valley and one mile north of Kirkland, Arizona). The variety of pozzolan in the area is valued as a cost-effective replacement for a portion of Portland cement and for formulating concrete.
During this open house-style meeting, staff from the BLM, Kirkland, and consultants will be available, along with maps of the proposed facilities for review. The BLM will “kick-off” the open house with a presentation at 6:15 p.m.
The 30-day public scoping period is from June 26 until July 25, 2017.
Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments for the record through the BLM online land use planning tool, ePlanning, at the following Internet address: http://bit.ly/2rRYTII. Written comments may be mailed to Geologist Shelby Cave at the Hassayampa Field Office, 21605 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85027, faxed to (623) 580-5580, or emailed to KIRKMPO@blm.gov.
The BLM is committed to keeping lands healthy as well as productive. In order for the BLM to process the Mining and Reclamation Plan of Operations, the BLM will need to complete an environmental assessment (EA). The upcoming EA will consider public comments received during this scoping period in the analysis of the direct, indirect and cumulative effects from the mine.
The BLM will analyze this plan and its considerations in accordance with its multiple-use mission which supports working landscapes that promote economic growth and create jobs while managing for sustainable lands.
More detail on the proposed mine operations is included in the Draft Mining and Reclamation Plan of Operations and will be available on-line at: http://bit.ly/2rRYTII.
If you have questions, please contact Shelby Cave at (623) 580-5500 or KIRKMPO@blm.gov.
If you plan on attending the open house, you are encouraged to review the information on-line and identify relevant issues and the means to minimize their potential effects.
Before including any personal identifying information in any comments, be aware that this information may be made publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question with the above individual. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Replies are provided 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.