U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management

Salome Marble Competitive Mineral Material Sale ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

DOI-BLM-AZ-C030-2020-0088-EA

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Colorado River District Lake Havasu Field Office 1785 Kiowa Ave. Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406

(928) 505-1200

January 2021

Confidentiality Policy Any comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, you submit may be made available for public review. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name or street address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety.

DOI-BLM-AZ-C030-2020-0088-EA

It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Background ...... 1 1.1.1 Location of Proposed Action: ...... 1 1.1.2 Preparing Office: ...... 1 1.1.3 Applicant Name: ...... 1 1.2 Purpose and Need for Action ...... 1 1.3 Decision to be Made ...... 1 1.4 Conformance with Applicable Land Use Plans ...... 2 1.5 Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, Other Plans and Environmental Analysis Documents 2 CHAPTER 2 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ...... 2 2.1 No Action Alternative ...... 2 2.2 Proposed Action ...... 2 CHAPTER 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .. 3 3.1 Scoping and Issue Identification ...... 3 CHAPTER 4 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ...... 6 CHAPTER 5 LIST OF PREPARERS ...... 8

Page i CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background There is an existing stone quarry along Hovater Road near Salome, Arizona, which hosts a Proterozoic banded marble that outcrops throughout the Little Harquahala Mountains. The site has been mined over two decades, and the earliest mineral material contract on record is from April 2003 for 100,000 tons of crushed, decorative issued to Evan and Stacey White. A subsequent contract for 50,000 tons was issued to the same operators in July 2009. Over the life of these two contracts, approximately 8 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Lake Havasu Field Office (LHFO) was excavated and mined to produce the existing footprint of the quarry seen at the site today. The site has sat idle with some leftover equipment (scale and water tank) and stockpiles since 2015 when the contract expired. No new has taken place since then. In 2019, a contract for the removal of the remaining stockpiles of 1-2-inch crushed marble and fines was issued to Glenn Webster, the current operator. Mr. Webster has submitted a request to crush new material from this site in order to provide for the growing demand of in the area.

1.1.1 Location of Proposed Action: The Salome marble quarry is situated in the Little Harquahala Mountains in southcentral Arizona within the Basin and Range physiographic province (refer to maps 1 and 2 in Appendix C). The existing quarry footprint and proposed expansion area encompasses approximately 15 acres within T. 4 N., R. 13 W., Section 28, Gila & Salt River Meridian. The site is approximately eight miles south of Salome Arizona, and 8 miles north of Interstate 10. Hovater Road connects the town of Salome and Interstate 10 to the quarry site. The nearest major city to the Project is Phoenix Arizona, which is approximately 85 miles east.

1.1.2 Preparing Office: BLM, Colorado River District, LHFO

1.1.3 Applicant Name: Glenn Webster

1.2 Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of the BLM action is to respond to Glenn Webster’s request for mineral material disposal at the Salome Marble Quarry and expand the current pit boundaries to allow for expansion to meet local demands for marble used to make in the area. The need for the action is established by the BLM’s responsibility under the Materials Act of 1947, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, and Title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Subpart 3600.

1.3 Decision to be Made The decision to be made by the BLM authorized officer would be to either: (A) approve of the disposal of mineral materials and host a competitive sale for the material to be mined, or (B) deny the disposal of mineral materials located at the Salome marble quarry. If the disposal is approved, BLM would determine what terms and conditions would apply to contract.

Page 1 1.4 Conformance with Applicable Land Use Plans Lake Havasu Field Office Resource Management Plan, Date Approved: May 2007

The proposed action and alternatives described below are in conformance with the Lake Havasu Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP) (BLM 2007), page(s) #43, Management Action/Decision #MI-9: The total area open to mineral material disposal is 1,044,027 acres, and 299,297 acres are restricted from mineral development as shown in Map 16.

1.5 Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, Other Plans and Environmental Analysis Documents The Proposed Action and Alternatives are consistent with Federal laws and regulations, plans, programs and policies of affiliated tribes, other Federal agencies, State and local governments including, but not limited to, the following: CFR parts 3600, the Materials Act of 1947, and Code 601-604.

CHAPTER 2 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES

2.1 No Action Alternative Under the no action alternative, the BLM would deny the disposal of any additional mineral materials at the Salome Marble Quarry. The LHFO would not conduct a competitive bid sale of the material, and there would be no further expansion at the project site. The current contract issued to the current operator for removal of the existing crushed stockpiles would be the last mineral material contract at the Salome Marble Quarry. Once the stockpiles are removed, the site would be reclaimed. Leftover infrastructure from previous contracts including a water tank, scale, entrance gate, and sign would need to be removed and the water well onsite would need to be capped and abandoned in accordance with state regulations.

2.2 Proposed Action Due to the local demand from agriculture and solar field construction, the current proponent has submitted a request to remove additional materials from the Salome Marble Quarry. Based on this request the BLM is proposing to dispose of an additional 8 acres of mineral material adjacent to the existing quarry to allow for future mining and concrete operations in this area to meet these local demands (refer to maps 3 and 4 in Appendix C). The contract would be advertised as a competitive sale for 50,000 tons of marble and could be renewed on an as-needed basis. To authorize a competitive sale of mineral materials to interested parties in La Paz County, Arizona, an advertisement would be posted in the local newspaper pursuant to 43 CFR 3602.42. The material of interest is marble that could be mined onsite at the existing quarry on public lands. Some infrastructure is already in place from a previous operation including an entrance gate, scale, 8,000-gallon water tank, and water well that could be adopted by a future operator (refer to photographs in Appendix D). Water for processing, washing material, and dust abatement would be drawn from the existing well onsite. Other equipment for crushing, sorting, and hauling material would be brought in from applicants bidding on the material.

A valuation of the material would be conducted to establish a Fair Market Value royalty, and a minimum bid necessary to hold a competitive sale. The Arizona Mineral Materials Commodity Study and Analysis (December 2018) would be used to calculate the Fair Market Price for a new competitive BLM production contract (AZA38155). Since the valuation study is from December 2018 the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index (PPI) should be used to extend the life of the mineral

Page 2 material appraisal. Material would be sold at fair market value, and the winning bidder would submit a mining and reclamation plan specific to their operation after the winning bid is accepted.

CHAPTER 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES This chapter describes the existing conditions relevant to the issues identified during internal scoping of the project.

3.1 Scoping and Issue Identification The project was presented to the BLM Interdisciplinary (ID) Team on 9/14/2020. A subsequent ID Team discussion occurred at internal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) meetings on 11/2/2020 and 11/16/2020.

The BLM considered scoping comments and specialist input to determine issues in accordance with the guidelines found in the BLM NEPA Handbook H-1790-1 (BLM 2008). The following resources and issues were evaluated by the ID Team and a brief analysis provided in this . The issues considered whether there were other actions that overlap geographically and temporally with the proposed project and those impacts to the existing environment as well.

Table 1: Issues Analyzed in Brief Issue Issue Statement Analysis in Brief ELM- How would the increased vehicle The Clean Air Act established the Prevention of Significant 1 traffic along Hovater Road and the Deterioration Program which divides attainment areas into three use of heavy equipment impact classes of air quality. The Classes include minimal (Class I), particulate matter in the project moderate (Class II), and extensive development (Class III) which area? are proportional to air quality and visibility. The impact area of Class II and III is 50 kilometers.

The winning bidder of the mineral material sale would be required to produce an Arizona Air Quality Permit before beginning operations. Water would be used for dust abatement on an as needed basis. The access road and quarry could be sprayed with a water tender. The water could be brought in from another site or drawn from the well that is onsite, and stored in tanks at the site, if the capacity was sufficient. ELM- How would hazardous materials The only foreseeable use of hazardous materials at the quarry 2 stored at the quarry impact human would be fuel for vehicles and machinery (gasoline or diesel). health and the environment? Since hazardous materials are permitted at the state level, the operator shall produce any state permits related to the operations. Any hazardous materials used on site would have to be outlined in the mining and reclamation plan and be stored in accordance with state regulations (i.e. secondary containment). Additional stipulations would be added to the contract at the time of sale. ELM- How would the increased demand There is expected to be less than ten workers at the quarry, and 3 on local businesses and services the number of outside workers is expected to be less than that on due to workers at the quarry affect an as needed basis. According to a socioeconomics report socioeconomics in Salome and La produced by using the Headwaters Economics report generator Paz County Arizona? (https://headwaterseconomics.org/tools/blmprofiles/) for the

Page 3 Issue Issue Statement Analysis in Brief project area, the population of La Paz County in 2018 was reported at 21,098. Of that total there are approximately 7,881 jobs throughout the county, 91 of them reported in mining (and fossil fuels) related fields, which account for about 1.15% of the workforce in the county. Based on that percentage of jobs, and the number of workers that could be employed from the proposed action, the amount of increased employment is minimal to the local economy. ELM- How would the expansion and This project falls within Visual Resource Management Class III. 4 development of a working stone The objective of this class is to “partially retain the existing quarry impact the view from character of the landscape. The level of change to the Hovater Road? characteristic landscape should be moderate.” Topography shields the project from most areas of the casual observer as shown on the photographs provided in appendix D. The level of change would comply with the Class III objectives of the area. ELM- How would the removal of marble The 15-acre proposed project area in this environmental 5 and the expansion of the Salome assessment (EA) represents 0.0014% of the total acreage in the quarry impact mineral materials LHFO RMP open to Saleable Minerals. Nearby mining claimants open for disposal in the Field would be able to comment on the EA during the public comment Office and mineral estate of period and have the opportunity to bid on the material pursuant to claimants in the area? 43 CFR 3602.44 in order to avoid any concerns or conflicts with other mining activity. ELM- How would the removal of marble There are no farmlands, floodplains, riparian areas, or wetlands 6 and the expansion of the Salome within the project area. One unnamed ephemeral wash is located quarry impact farmlands, adjacent to the quarry site, which would not be disturbed as a part floodplains, riparian areas, or of the proposed action. Therefore, this issue is not being carried wetlands? forward for further analysis as there would be no impacts. ELM- How would the removal of marble Though the operational footprint of the marble quarry is within 7 and the expansion of the Salome Category 2 SDT habitat, the existing quarry footprint is already quarry impact Category 2 Sonoran disturbed and is not suitable for SDT inhabitation for more than Desert tortoise (SDT) habitat? travel purposes. Stipulations for the protection of SDT within the quarry will be in place to protect any SDT passing through the area. Any disturbance or expansion in the southwest end of the quarry could result in additional stipulations or surveys by a BLM wildlife biologist to protect the SDT. Therefore, this issue is not being carried forward for further analysis. ELM- How would the removal of marble The habitat of the quarry is of low quality for wildlife due to its 8 and the expansion of the Salome highly disturbed nature. Wildlife habitat in the adjacent areas is quarry impact wildlife species in of higher quality and is sufficient to provide resource for the the area? continued survival of individuals displaced by the quarry expansion. ELM- How would the expansion of the Livestock operation in the area has not occurred for several years 9 Salome quarry impact livestock partly due to a lack of rangeland improvements (water management and grazing developments and facilities). The Salome Allotment has no opportunities in the area? livestock waters in or near the area of the proposed action boundary, therefore, the potential for livestock in the area is slim to none. The expansion of the Salome quarry would not affect desired grazing areas for livestock given the physiographic

Page 4 Issue Issue Statement Analysis in Brief features of the area and lack of nutritional value because of missing vegetation composition desired by livestock. ELM- How would the expansion of the According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Web 10 Salome quarry impact vegetation Soil Survey available at communities in the area? https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx the greater area that surrounds the Salome quarry has not been defined but may be described as Granitic Upland 7”-10” p.z or possibly Schist Hills 7”-10” p.z. Both of these Ecological Site Descriptions describe the area surrounding the Salome quarry.

The potential vegetation communities consist a mixture of desert trees, shrubs, cacti, and perennial forbs and grasses, however their presence is sparse to nonexistent (for example, forbs and grasses). By weight, the vegetation in the area does not produce much annual production per acre. Drought for several consecutive years has contributed to a lack of population sizes. There are approximately 12 saguaro cacti that could be removed by the expansion of the quarry. Any removal of native cacti requires a permit from the state and would need to be obtained by the operator prior to removal.

As a result of the potential expansion of the quarry, any existing vegetation would be removed, however, this loss of vegetation would not affect the overall existing vegetation found beyond the potentially expanding quarry. This loss would negligibly impact the surrounding plant community and its current potential of reproduction capabilities and annual production. ELM- How would the removal of marble A Class I literature review was conducted for the proposed 11 and the expansion of the Salome project area. A Class III cultural resources survey was also quarry impact cultural resources in conducted by LHFO archaeologist on November 10th and 17th, the area? 2020 resulting in thirteen ceramic fragments that were identified 15 meters outside of the proposed project expansion boundary. Should future expansions occur, the identified resources would be avoided. Stipulations attached to the contract would include information on inadvertent discovery of cultural resources as well to avoid any impacts to them. ELM- How would the removal of marble Tribal consultation was initiated on December 21st and 22nd, 12 and the expansion of the Salome 2020. Twelve Tribes were sent an electronic copy of the quarry affect tribal religious consultation letter and Class III cultural resource report, as well concerns? as a hard copy of the consultation letter and survey report as part of Section 106 Consultation. To date no concerns with the project have been raised. ELM- How would the drawdown of Groundwater usage in the quarry would be minimal and on an as- 13 groundwater from the well in the needed basis. Water would mainly be used for dust abatement quarry impact groundwater and mixing concrete at the batch plant. There is an 8,000-gallon availability in the hydrologic water tank onsite from a previous operation as well as a well basin? head that has not been used in years. The water tank could be used by the future operator as it appears to be in working condition. Depth to the water table in that well is around 400 feet

Page 5 Issue Issue Statement Analysis in Brief based on field estimates and discussions with the current operator. However, well testing and drilling by the Bonanza Mining Company Harquahala Mine project have produced very little (~2 gallons per minute) in that part of the hydrologic basin. Testing the existing water well in the quarry could be done based on the proposed action, however it is likely that water would ultimately be trucked into the site. In this case the existing water tank and an additional 10,000-gallon tank would accommodate the water needs of an operation this size. All water storage equipment could fit in the existing footprint of the pit floor. *Supporting documentation for these statements are included in the project record. Based on the analysis provided in the above table, none of the issues identified warranted further or more detailed analysis. The proposed action includes incorporation of best management practices, design features (including avoidance and boundary modifications to avoid sensitive resources), and stipulations that would be put into the mineral materials contracts thus minimizing or avoiding impacts to sensitive resources. No additional mitigation measures were identified that would reduce or lessen impacts than what is already provided for in the proposed action.

Under the no action alternative, there would be no new impacts. Existing stockpiles would be removed under the current contract. Once that is completed, no additional sales would occur, nor any expansion of the pit boundary. The site would be reclaimed and leftover infrastructure from previous contracts including a water tank, scale, entrance gate, and sign would be removed. The water well would be capped and abandoned in accordance with guidance provided by the state.

CHAPTER 4 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

Table 2: Persons, Groups, or Agencies Consulted AGENCY/GROUP PERSON(S) CONTACTED Operator/Claimant Glenn Webster Ak-Chin Indian Community Chairman Robert Miguel; Ms. Carmen Narcia Chairman Charles F. ; Ms. June Leivas; and Chemehuevi Indian Tribe Ms. Bridget Sandate Cocopah Indian Tribe Chairwoman Sherry Cordova; Mr. Justin Brundin Colorado River Indian Tribes Chairman Dennis Patch; Mr. Bryan Etsitty President Bernadine Burnette; Mr. Albert Nelson; Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Mr. Mark Frank; and Ms. Erika McCalvin Fort Mojave Indian Tribe Chairman Timothy Williams; Ms. Linda Otero Governor Stephen Roe Lewis; Barnaby V. Lewis; Gila River Indian Community Larry Benallie Jr. Chairman Timothy L. Nuvangyaoma; and Mr. Hopi Tribe Stewart Koyiyumptewa Pueblo of Zuni Governor Val R. Panteah; and Mr. Kurt Dongoske President Martin Harvier; Ms. Martha Martinez; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and Ms. Angela D. Garcia-Lewis Tohono O’odham Nation Mr. Jefford Francisco; and Mr. Peter Steere President Robert Ogo; Ms. Linda Ogo; and Mr. Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe Greg Glassco

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CHAPTER 5 LIST OF PREPARERS

Table 3: BLM Resource Specialists NAME TITLE Vincent Beresford Geologist Ford Mauney Wildlife Biologist Eric Duarte Rangeland Specialist Collin Price Archaeologist Sheri Ahrens Realty Specialist Tanner Browne GIS Specialist Angelica Rose Planning & Environmental Coordinator Adam Cochran Assistant Field Manager Jason West Field Manager

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A – Acronyms and Abbreviations Appendix B – List of References Appendix C – Maps and Figures Appendix D – Site Photos

Page 8 APPENDIX A – ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

BLM Bureau of Land Management CFR Code of Federal Regulations EA Environmental Assessment ID Team Interdisciplinary Team LHFO Lake Havasu Field Office NAGPRA Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act NEPA National Environmental Policy Act RMP Resource Management Plan SDT Sonoran Desert Tortoise

Page 9 APPENDIX B - LIST OF REFERENCES

43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3600.

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Water Resources. Arizona Water Atlas, Volume 7. 2009/2010. Accessed August 2019 online at: https://repository.asu.edu/items/14157.

____. Fact Sheet Ambient Groundwater Quality of the Ranegras Plain Basin: A 2008-2011 Baseline Study – June 2012 Publication Number FS 12-04. 2012.

____. Summary of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) Spring 2016 Water Level Sweep of the Ranegras Plain Groundwater Basin. 2016.

____. Water Quality Data for Exempt Wells in Arizona. 2020.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Executive Order 12898 Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations. 1994.

____. 2008a. H-1790-1 National Environmental Policy Act Handbook. Washington D.C.; US Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, 2008.

Environmental Protection Agency. Industrial Stormwater Fact Sheet Series Sector J: Mineral Mining and Processing Facilities. 2006. Accessed November 2020 Online at: www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/msgp.

Langer, William H. Potential Environmental Impacts of Quarrying Stone in Karst – A Literature Review. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. 2001.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2015. Web Soil Survey. Online at: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm.

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Environmental Fact Sheet “Water Efficiency: and and Gravel Operations” WD-DWGB-26-8. 2019. Accessed November 2020 Online at: www.des.nh.gov.

The University of , Center for Clean Products. Best Practices of the Natural Stone Solid Waste Management at the Quarry and Fabrication Facility. Natural Stone Council. rev2018.

____. Best Practices of the Natural Quarry Site Management and Closure. Natural Stone Council. rev2018.

____. Best Practices of the Natural Stone Industry Water Consumption, Treatment, & Reuse. Natural Stone Council. Rev2011.

Page 10 APPENDIX C – MAPS AND FIGURES

Figure 1. An overview land status map of the Salome marble quarry site (highlighted in blue) along Hovater Road between the town of Salome and Interstate 10.

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Figure 2. An overview land status map of the Salome marble quarry site (highlighted in blue) in relation to Interstate 10 and the surrounding BLM routes.

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Figure 3. A satellite imagery map of the existing footprint at the Salome marble quarry. The existing access road can also be seen connecting the quarry to Hovater Road.

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Figure 4. A satellite image showing a closeup of the existing quarry boundary with the proposed disposal boundary outlined around it. New material would be mined from the north and east sides of the quarry. The existing 8-acre footprint and access road could accommodate any equipment necessary for a future mining operation.

Page 16 APPENDIX D – SITE PHOTOS

Photo 1. View of the quarry from Hovater Road with the entrance gate and access road. Photo taken on 11/17/2020 by LHFO Geologist Vincent Beresford.

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Photo 2. An overview of the quarry site from Hovater Road. Photo taken on 11/17/2020 by LHFO Geologist Vincent Beresford.

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Photo 3. View of the cut face and area proposed for disposal in the Northeast end of the quarry. Photo taken on 11/17/2020 by LHFO Geologist Vincent Beresford.

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Photo 4. Overview of the quarry from the north end looking Southwest showing the entire disturbed area (approximately 8 acres). Photo taken on 11/17/2020 by LHFO Geologist Vincent Beresford.

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