BLM seeks public input on proposed Bald Mountain Mine Plan of Operations Amendment
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
ELY, Nev. –The Bureau of Land Management Ely District, Bristlecone Field Office is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) analyzing a proposal to expand the Bald Mountain Mine (BMM) North Operations Area located on private and public lands, about 60 miles southeast of Elko and 60 miles northwest of Ely, Nevada. The publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register today initiates a 30-day public scoping period that concludes Monday, May 2, 2022.
The BLM received a proposal from KG Mining (Bald Mountain) Inc. (KG-BM) to amend the North Operations Area (NOA) Plan of Operations to extend the mine life by 11 years through authorization of the following actions: extending the NOA Plan boundary in five areas from 31,572 acres to 34,997 acres, expanding and/or deepening six authorized open pits and developing two new pits, re-establishing the Top underground mine, developing three and modifying six authorized rock disposal areas, adding inter-pit disturbance to two mine areas and modifying inter-pit disturbance in seven mine areas, adding ancillary disturbance to three mine areas and modifying disturbance in five areas, adding process disturbance to the Mooney Mine Area, and developing and modifying haul roads within the NOA. The proposed amendment, known as the Juniper Project, would result in a net addition of approximately 3,969 acres of surface disturbance within the extended NOA Plan boundary for a new total life-of-mine surface disturbance of 14,752 acres.
Because the Juniper Project may affect golden eagle nests and territories, KG-BM prepared an Eagle Conservation Plan (ECP) and applied for two eagle take permits associated with KG-BM’s mining operations at the Bald Mountain Mine: one permit for take of golden eagle nests during resource development or recovery and another permit for eagle take associated with, but not the purpose of, an activity (i.e., incidental take). The Draft EIS will analyze any potential effects and impacts of the Juniper Project on golden eagles. It will also address the potential issuance of take permits for golden eagles by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Additionally, the BLM and USFWS will work cooperatively to analyze both agency’s actions and develop alternatives in the EIS.
To maximize the opportunity for public input on this project while prioritizing the health and safety of BLM employees and the interested public, the BLM will host on-line virtual public scoping meetings to provide information and gather input on the Bald Mountain Mine Juniper project. The date(s) and information on how to login and participate in these virtual scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media and on the BLM website at https://go.usa.gov/xAm2g. Specific technical or schedule questions related to the on-line virtual public meetings can also be directed to the BLM Project Manager, Concetta Brown, at (775) 289-1885 or ccbrown@blm.gov.
The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant resource concerns that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. Maps and other planning documents are available online at https://go.usa.gov/xAm2g. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit comments electronically at BLM_nv_eydo_juniper_eis@blm.gov. Written comments may be submitted to the BLM Ely District Office, 702 North Industrial Way, Ely, NV 89301, Attn: Project Manager Concetta Brown. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
For more information, contact BLM Project Manager Concetta Brown at 775-289-1885 or ccbrown@blm.gov.
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.