Information from the Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District is asking for public comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed open-pit gold mine expansion approximately 65 miles Northwest of Ely.Â
The BLM has scheduled four public comment meetings during the 45-day public comment period ending Monday, September 28, 2015. The dates and locations are as follows:Â
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, Elko Convention Center, 700 Moran Way, Elko
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, Best Western Airport Plaza, 1981 Terminal Way, Reno
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, Eureka County Opera House, 31 S. Main St., Eureka
Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, BLM Ely District Office, 702 N. Industrial Way, Ely
The project would be located on BLM-administered lands and include the expansion of the Bald Mountain Mine North and South Operations areas for an additional 6,903 acres of disturbance.Â
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement evaluates the potential impacts on human, natural, and cultural resources, as well as determine what measures would be necessary to reduce or mitigate the impacts. Issues identified include:Â
• Potential for degradation of surface water or groundwater quality;
• Potential depletions to groundwater from pit lakes and/or water withdrawals for mine operations;
• Potential impacts to mule deer habitat and migration corridors;
• Potential impacts to greater-sage grouse habitat and strutting grounds;Â
• Potential impacts to Wild Horse Herd Management Areas (HMAs), including herd access to surface water sources;
• Potential air quality impacts from fugitive dust containing mercury, arsenic, or other contaminants; and
• Potential impacts to visual resources, including the visual setting of the Pony Express Trail (Visual Resource Management [VRM] Class II) and the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).
The Draft EIS is available online at http://on.doi.gov/14R9rZ8 and additional information is available at http://on.doi.gov/14vXckC.
Anyone who wishes to comment may attend one of the workshops listed above, email blm_nv_eydo_barrick_bald_EIS@blm.gov, fax Stephanie Trujillo at (775) 289-1910, or mail their comments to:
BLM Ely District
Attn: Stephanie TrujilloÂ
HC 33 Box 33500
Ely, NV 89301
Before submitting your comment, the BLM says you should be aware that your entire comment including your personal identifying informationmay be made publicly available at any time. You may ask in your comment that they withhold your personal identifying information from public review but they cannot guarantee that they will be able to do so.Â
Information from the Bureau of Land Management
