Impact Statement for proposed Caldwell Canyon phosphate mine available for review
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SODA SPRINGS, Idaho – Today the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho Falls District released a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) analyzing a mine and reclamation plan (M&RP) submitted by P4 Production, LLC for the proposed Caldwell Canyon Mine. P4 Production, a subsidiary of Bayer, would like to develop several phosphate leases they hold located on Schmidt Ridge about 13 miles east northeast of Soda Springs, Idaho. The BLM seeks public review prior to releasing a Record of Decision on the proposal later this summer. BLM has identified its preferred alternative as Alternative 1 in the FEIS.
In keeping with the Administration’s priorities, the preferred alternative would find a balance between responsible resource extraction and conservation, while providing opportunities for high paying jobs in the local community. If approved, the Caldwell Canyon Mine would sustain approximately 185 mining jobs and support 585 plant jobs for an additional 40 years, and would aid the region by providing $122 million annually for payroll, taxes, royalties, purchases, as well as sustaining support and service jobs.
Mining methods at the Caldwell Canyon Mine would be similar to those at P4 Production’s Blackfoot Bridge Mine, and would begin in time to allow a transition from the Blackfoot Bridge Mine when it is depleted. The preferred alternative includes use of a combination of earthen cover and selected areas of geo-synthetic cover over the mine waste rock to meet water quality standards.
The BLM will issue a Record of Decision approving or not approving the Mine and Reclamation Plan and/or Alternatives; enlarging the existing leases; and issuing authorizations for infrastructure early this summer.
An electronic copy of the Final EIS is available on the BLM Land Use Planning and NEPA Register website at https://bit.ly/2SaxWcO. To ensure comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Caldwell Canyon Mine Final EIS by June 17, 2019. Comments can be submitted through the following methods:
- on the BLM Land Use Planning and NEPA Register website at https://bit.ly/2SaxWcO,
- by e-mail at blm_id_caldwell_canyon_mine_eis@blm.gov, or
- by mail sent to Caldwell Canyon Mine EIS, C/O Tetra Tech, 2525 Palmer Street, Suite 2, Missoula, MT 59808.
Before including your 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 further information contact Bill Volk, Bureau of Land Management, Pocatello Field Office, by phone at (208) 236-7503 or by email at wvolk@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.