Draft Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Draft Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration September 2010 SCH No. 1999121073 MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC. REVISED MINE AND RECLAMATION PLAN FOR THE MOUNTAIN PASS MINE DRAFT SUBSEQUENT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION Submitted to: COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO 385 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0182 Prepared by: ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT, INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC REVISED MINING AND RECLAMATION PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Agency Authority..................................................................................................... 1-1 1.3 Project Objectives..................................................................................................... 1-2 1.4 Background CEQA Documents ............................................................................... 1-2 1.5 Justification for Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration.................................. 1-4 1.6 Project Background.................................................................................................. 1-5 1.7 Project Location....................................................................................................... 1-6 1.8 Project Description................................................................................................... 1-6 1.8.1 Proposed Project Identified in the 2004 Final EIR.................................... 1-6 1.8.2 Currently Proposed Modifications ............................................................ 1-9 CHAPTER 2 – ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST Introduction...................................................................................................................... 2-1 General Information......................................................................................................... 2-1 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected.................................................................... 2-2 Determination ..................................................................................................................2-3 Evaluation of Environmental Impacts ............................................................................. 2-4 Aesthetics................................................................................................................ 2-6 Agriculture and Forest Resources......................................................................... 2-10 Air Quality............................................................................................................ 2-13 Biological Resources............................................................................................ 2-20 Cultural Resources................................................................................................ 2-24 Geology and Soils................................................................................................. 2-26 Greenhouse Gas Emissions................................................................................... 2-30 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ........................................................................ 2-33 Hydrology and Water Quality............................................................................... 2-39 Land Use and Planning ......................................................................................... 2-44 Mineral Resources................................................................................................ 2-46 Noise..................................................................................................................... 2-48 Population and Housing........................................................................................ 2-51 Public Services...................................................................................................... 2-53 Recreation............................................................................................................. 2-55 Transportation/Traffic........................................................................................... 2-57 Utilities/Service Systems...................................................................................... 2-61 Mandatory Findings of Significance..................................................................... 2-65 References...................................................................................................................... 2-71 i TABLE OF CONTENTS FIGURES: Figure 1 Regional Map....................................................................................................... 1-7 Figure 2 Existing and Approved Operations.................................................................... 1-10 Figure 3 Process Flow Diagram ....................................................................................... 1-11 Figure 4 Proposed Project ................................................................................................ 1-14 TABLES: Table 1-1: Existing Mineral Recovery Facilities................................................................... 1-8 Table 1-2: Project Summary................................................................................................ 1-15 Table 1-3: Comparison of Land Disturbance ...................................................................... 1-16 Table 2-1: Areas of Disturbance............................................................................................ 2-8 Table 2-2: Air Quality Significance Thresholds ................................................................. 2-14 Table 2-3: Peak Construction Emissions............................................................................. 2-17 Table 2-4: Baseline Operational Emissions ........................................................................ 2-16 Table 2-5: Project Operational Emissions........................................................................... 2-17 Table 2-6: Baseline GHG Emissions................................................................................... 2-31 Table 2-7: Post-Modification GHG Emissions ................................................................... 2-32 Table 2-8: Hazard Modeling Dispersion Results ................................................................ 2-36 Table 2-9: Trips Associated with Molycorp Operations ..................................................... 2-59 APPENDIX: Appendix A: 2004 Final EIR Imposed Mitigation and Conditions of Approval Appendix B: Emission Calculations Appendix C: Biological Resources Assessment Appendix D: Hazards Assessment M:\DBS\2682\Negative Declaration\2682Chap1.doc ii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION Introduction Agency Authority Project Objectives Background CEQA Documents Justification for Subsequent Negative Declaration Project Background Project Location Project Description CHAPTER 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 INTRODUCTION Molycorp Minerals, LLC is proposing modifications to improve the efficiency of its rare-earth mining operations located at Mountain Pass, California. These proposed modifications include the replacement of older, previously permitted equipment with newer, more efficient equipment which must meet more stringent requirements. In addition, Molycorp is proposing modifications to improve the efficiency of minerals recovery while minimizing project impacts at the Mountain Pass facility through the relocation of the crusher plant and stockpiles; the addition of a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant; the installation of Salt Recovery and Recycling Facilities; the modification of existing mineral recovery facilities; the construction of an addition to the central shop, a warehouse, and truck shop; and the improvement and extension of the access road to the new warehouse and Salt Recovery And Recycling Facilities. Molycorp is proposing to continue mining operations under current production rates at its Mountain Pass Mine facility in California as has been approved for the next 30 years. To continue this operation, Molycorp will continue to exercise its vested right to conduct mining activities in various locations throughout the site, in accordance with an approved Reclamation Plan. Molycorp will also shift the approved 30-year operational time span to cover 2012 through 2042. Potential impacts from the operation of the Reclamation Plan were analyzed in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the project (SCH No. 1999121073), which was certified on July 8, 2004 (referred to herein as the 2004 Final EIR). This document, prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Public Resources Code 21000 et seq., constitutes a Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Revisions to the Mine and Reclamation Plan for the Mountain Pass Mine to evaluate proposed changes to the existing Molycorp, Minerals, LLC project. The rare earth minerals mined at Mountain Pass are essential ingredients in the production of many Green Technologies, including wind turbines, hybrid automobiles and fluorescent lighting. Without these rare earth minerals these technologies cannot be realized. Mountain Pass is the largest producer of these minerals outside of China, and the only one in the United States. Since the certification of the 2004 Final EIR, the ownership of the Mountain Pass facility has changed and a new vision for the
Recommended publications
  • Transmittal of Draft EIR for Molycorp Mountain Pass Mine Expansion, for Review and Comment
    COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO PLANNING DEPARTMENT I,regular-! I PUBLIC WORKS GROUP -- W&- Sw1. NENNO lorth Arrowhead Avenue * San Bernardino, CA 924154182 * (909) 3874131 VALERY PILMER Director of Planning December 9, 1996No. 909) 3873223 IY RESPONSIBLE AND TRUSTEE AGENCIES INTERESTED ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS RE: NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY FOR THE DRAFT EIR ON THE MOLYCORP MOUNTAIN PASS MINE EXPANSION Dear Reader/Reviewer: Enclosed for your review and comment is the Draft EIR for the Molycorp Mountain Pass Mine Expansion. The purpose of the document is to identify and describe the probable environmental impacts that would result from the proposed expansion of Molycorp's existing mine and processing plant complex located at Mountain Pass, California. Mountain Pass is within the unincorporated portion San Bernardino County along Interstate 15 approximately 30 miles northeast of Baker and approximately 14 miles southwest of the Nevada stateline. The proposed quarry and waste rock areas would add 696 acres of disturbance to the existing mine site, resulting in a total disturbed area of approximately 1,044 acres. sag_> This document has been prepared to meet the State requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. The Draft EIR has been prepared under the supervision of the County of San Bernardino Planning Department. The public comment period will end on January 27, 1997. Written comments should be addressed to: County of San Bemnardino- Planning Dgparnn 385 N. Arrowhead Avenue, Third Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415-0182 Attn: Randy Scott Sincerely, Randy Scottjlanning Manager, San Berardo County Planning Department ~-! - nLA ,;;K Scr.'Eperviscs .,* 1:,. 3 - -, I- . 1 12 4~ ..!A','V34-' TUrCCI Vi~i D;s~ri:n, BARBA~RA CPANM FURtOPAN .
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Goals and Objectives
    Appendix C Biological Goals and Objectives Draft DRECP and EIR/EIS APPENDIX C. BIOLOGICAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES C BIOLOGICAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES C.1 Process for Developing the Biological Goals and Objectives This section outlines the process for drafting the Biological Goals and Objectives (BGOs) and describes how they inform the conservation strategy for the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP or Plan). The conceptual model shown in Exhibit C-1 illustrates the structure of the BGOs used during the planning process. This conceptual model articulates how Plan-wide BGOs and other information (e.g., stressors) contribute to the development of Conservation and Management Actions (CMAs) associated with Covered Activities, which are monitored for effectiveness and adapted as necessary to meet the DRECP Step-Down Biological Objectives. Terms used in Exhibit C-1 are defined in Section C.1.1. Exhibit C-1 Conceptual Model for BGOs Development Appendix C C-1 August 2014 Draft DRECP and EIR/EIS APPENDIX C. BIOLOGICAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The BGOs follow the three-tiered approach based on the concepts of scale: landscape, natural community, and species. The following broad biological goals established in the DRECP Planning Agreement guided the development of the BGOs: Provide for the long-term conservation and management of Covered Species within the Plan Area. Preserve, restore, and enhance natural communities and ecosystems that support Covered Species within the Plan Area. The following provides the approach to developing the BGOs. Section C.2 provides the landscape, natural community, and Covered Species BGOs. Specific mapping information used to develop the BGOs is provided in Section C.3.
    [Show full text]
  • Airborne Radiometric Maps of Mountain Pass, California Purposes Only and Does Not Imply Endorsement by the U.S
    U.S. Department of the Interior Scientific Investigations Map 3412–C U.S. Geological Survey 115°35’ 115°30’ 115°25’ 115°35’ 115°30’ 115°25’ INTRODUCTION percent; for eTh, from −0.74 to 180.20 ppm, with a mean of 8.16 ppm; and for eU, from REFERENCES CITED −0.22 to 17.03 ppm, with a mean of 2.03 ppm. Negative concentrations were obtained Geophysical investigations of Mountain Pass, California, were conducted as part of DeWitt, E., Kwak, L.M., and Zartman, R.E., 1987, U-Th-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar dating of the 35°35’ EXPLANATION 35°35’ over water or some alluvial deposits. Verplanck and others (2014) provided a deposit an effort to study regional crustal structures as an aid to understanding the geologic Mountain Pass carbonatite and alkalic igneous rocks, southeastern California: 6a Quaternary alluvium model for carbonatite- and alkaline-intrusion-related REE mineralization, and they framework and mineral resources of the eastern Mojave Desert. The study area encom- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs, v. 19, no. 7, p. 642. Quaternary gravel described some of the geophysical tools used to assess these deposits. These radiogenic 5b passes Mountain Pass, which is host to one of the world’s largest rare earth element International Atomic Energy Agency, 2003, Guidelines for radioelement mapping using Granitic rocks, undivided features are briefly discussed below (from northwest to southeast), and their locations are 5a (REE) carbonatite deposits. The deposit is found along a north-northwest-trending, gamma-ray spectrometry data: International Atomic Energy Agency, Technical Ivanpah Valley labeled on the maps and figure 1 (for example, locs.
    [Show full text]
  • BLM Worksheets
    Clark Mountain Description/Location: The Clark Mountain Range is located in northeastern San Bernardino County, 60 miles south/southwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, and 75 miles northwest of Needles, California. Clark Mountain is a prominent local landmark. The ACEC consists currently of two segmented parts separated by the creation of the Mojave National Preserve, Clark Mountain unit. Clark Mountain is an “island” mountain in the central portion of the Clark Mountain Range. The ACEC is located in the central portion of the Clark Mountain Range. Nationally Significant Values: Cultural: Clark Mountain ACEC contains extensive evidence of prehistoric aboriginal occupation spanning over a period of 4000 years. Today, Clark Mountain is also of special importance to Native Americans due to its spiritual significance. Clark Mountain houses the oldest town site in the eastern Mojave Desert is located in the Clark Range at Ivanpah Springs. Mgmt. Plan/Date of Designation – ACEC #19/ 1986 Relevance and Importance Criteria: The area has some of the richest flora and fauna in the California Desert, including 11 plant communities and the largest relic stand of white fir in the CDCA. The Clark Mountains are the highest mountains in the CDCA, resulting in the unique “island” qualities and isolated ecosystems. The area is also significant to Native Americans for spiritual values and as an area important for past habitation and use. Goals: Provide protection and special management attention for sensitive natural and cultural resources that will enhance their
    [Show full text]
  • Mojave Preserve Herps Final Report April 2007
    Inventory of Amphibians and Reptiles at Mojave National Preserve Final Report Study # MOJA-00129; Permit # MOJA-2003-SCI-0071 and MOJA-2005-SCI-0013; Accession # MOJA-32 Trevor B. Persons and Erika M. Nowak Sidewinder on Kelso Dunes, Mojave National Preserve (TBP photo). USGS Southwest Biological Science Center Colorado Plateau Research Station Box 5614, Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona 86011 April 2007 Mojave National Preserve Amphibians and Reptiles___________________________________________ ABSTRACT As part of the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program in the Mojave Network, we conducted an inventory of amphibians and reptiles at Mojave National Preserve in 2004- 2005. Objectives for this inventory were to use fieldwork, museum collections, and literature review to document the occurrence of reptile and amphibian species occurring at MOJA. Our goals were to document at least 90% of the species present, provide one voucher specimen for each species identified, provide GIS-referenced distribution information for sensitive species, and provide all deliverables, including NPSpecies entries, as outlined in the Mojave Network Biological Inventory Study Plan. Methods included daytime and nighttime visual encounter surveys and nighttime road driving. Survey effort was concentrated in predetermined priority sampling areas, as well as in areas with a high potential for detecting undocumented species. We recorded 31 species during our surveys. During literature review and museum specimen database searches, we found records for seven additional species from MOJA, elevating the documented species list to 38 (two amphibians and 36 reptiles). Based on our surveys, as well as literature and museum specimen review, we estimate an overall inventory completeness of 95% for Mojave National Preserve herpetofauna; 67% for amphibians and 97% for reptiles.
    [Show full text]
  • Petrochronological Constraints on the Origin of the Mountain Pass Ultrapotassic and Carbonatite Intrusive Suite, California
    J OURNAL OF Journal of Petrology, 2016, Vol. 57, No. 8, 1555–1598 doi: 10.1093/petrology/egw050 P ETROLOGY Original Article Petrochronological Constraints on the Origin of the Mountain Pass Ultrapotassic and Carbonatite Intrusive Suite, California Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/petrology/article-abstract/57/8/1555/2413438 by guest on 31 March 2020 Jacob E. Poletti1*, John M. Cottle1, Graham A. Hagen-Peter1 and Jade Star Lackey2 1Department of Earth Science, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9630, USA and 2Geology Department, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA *Corresponding author. Telephone: 805-748-2549. Department telephone: 805-893-4688. Department fax: 805-893-2314. E-mail: [email protected] Received October 21, 2015; Accepted August 3, 2016 ABSTRACT Rare earth element (REE) ore-bearing carbonatite dikes and a stock at Mountain Pass, California, are spatially associated with a suite of ultrapotassic plutonic rocks, and it has been proposed that the two are genetically related. This hypothesis is problematic, given that existing geochronolo- gical constraints indicate that the carbonatite is 15–25 Myr younger than the ultrapotassic rocks, requiring alternative models for the formation of the REE ore-bearing carbonatite during a separate event and/or via a different mechanism. New laser ablation split-stream inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LASS-ICP-MS) petrochronological data from ultrapotassic intrusive rocks from Mountain Pass yield titanite and zircon U–Pb dates from 1429 6 10 to 1385 6 18 Ma, ex- panding the age range of the ultrapotassic rocks in the complex by 20 Myr. The ages of the youngest ultrapotassic rocks overlap monazite Th–Pb ages from a carbonatite dike and the main carbonatite ore body (1396 6 16 and 1371 6 10 Ma, respectively).
    [Show full text]
  • Aliso, 34(2), Online Supplement ISSN 0065-6275 (Print), ISSN 2327-2929 (Online)
    Aliso, 34(2), Online Supplement ISSN 0065-6275 (print), ISSN 2327-2929 (online) Online Supplement for “Tomus Nominum Eriastri: The Nomenclature and Taxonomy of Eriastrum (Polemoniaceae: Loeselieae)”, Sarah J. De Groot (2016) Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany 34 (2): 25–152. EXSICCATAE Representative specimens studied. Not all associate collectors are listed. Eriastrum abramsii JEPS116786. Along Vineyard Canyon Road just over 14 miles north U.S.A. CALIFORNIA: Lake County: Kelseyville, 15 May 1924, J.W. of Monterey-San Luis Obispo county line, 31 May 2008, S.J. De Groot Blankinship s.n., CAS165485. Mt. Konocti [near Kelseyville], 4 Jun 5879, RSA (Pop 260). San Benito County: West of Coalinga, dry 1929, J.W. Blankinship s.n., POM279114. Ridge between Burns hillside, 13 Jun 1910, I.J. Condit s.n., UC455635. Coalinga Road near Valley and Borax Lake, 12 May 1945, H.L. Mason 12585, DS342729. mile post 9.82 from its junction with Highway 25 and east of 2.5 miles south of Kelseyville, 28 Jun 1945, H.L. Mason 12606, Bitterwater, 15 Jun 2004, D. Gowen 117, JEPS105711, JEPS105712. DS342491. 2.5 miles south of Kelseyville on road to Lower Lake, 28 Coalinga Road east of Highway 25 and Bitterwater, near milepost Jun 1945, M.S. Baker 11081, CAS326268. S-facing slope ca. 1 mile 9.82, 1 Jun 2006, D. Gowen 597, JEPS116802. Along Coalinga Road WSW of Glenbrook, upper High Valley Cr. drainage, SE/4 of SW/4 at mile marker 9.82 from Highway 25, 1 Jun 2008, S.J. De Groot S32 T12N R8W, 1 Jun 1983, R.D.
    [Show full text]
  • Inventory of Vascular Plants at Mojave National Preserve & Manzanar Historic Site
    Inventory of Vascular Plants at Mojave National Preserve & Manzanar Historic Site For U.S. National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program Camissonia boothii ssp. boothii Prepared by James M. André University of California Riverside, Granite Mountains Desert Research Center November 15, 2006 Contract Number: P2128020178 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 National Inventory and Monitoring Program and Mojave Network 1 1.2 Program Overview 1 1.3 Regional Context and Significance 2 1.3.1 Mojave National Preserve 2 1.3.2 Manzanar Historic Site 4 1.4 Objectives 5 2.0 METHODS 2.1 Herbarium Surveys 7 2.1.1 Database and Bibliographic Query 7 2.2 Field Surveys 7 2.2.1 Mojave National Preserve 7 2.2.2 Manzanar Historic Site 8 2.3 Voucher Specimens 8 2.4 Survey Timing 9 2.5 Field Investigators 9 3.0 RESULTS 3.1 Level of Effort 10 3.2 Summary of Findings - Manzanar Historic Site 10 3.3 Summary of Findings - Mojave National Preserve 14 3.3.1 Field Surveys 14 3.3.2 New Vascular Plant Taxa for MOJA 14 3.3.3 Special-Status Plants 33 3.3.4 Non-Native Alien Plants 40 4.0 DISCUSSION 4.1 Summary 41 4.2 Recommendations 41 Acknowledgements 43 5.0 REFERENCES 44 i List of Maps, Tables and Appendices Map 1. Distribution of all Area Searches in Priority Locations, Targeted Surveys, and Opportunistic Surveys conducted in the Mojave National Preserve, 2002 – 2005. 15 Table 1. Checklist of vascular plant taxa known to occur in the Manzanar Historic Site.
    [Show full text]
  • Geophysical Characterization of a Proterozoic REE Terrane at Mountain Pass, Eastern Mojave Desert, California, USA
    Research Paper GEOSPHERE Geophysical characterization of a Proterozoic REE terrane at Mountain Pass, eastern Mojave Desert, California, USA GEOSPHERE, v. 16, no. 1 Kevin M. Denton, David A. Ponce, Jared R. Peacock, and David M. Miller Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02066.1 5 figures; 1 table; 1 supplemental file ABSTRACT late 1980s, the Mountain Pass REE deposit in California, United States (Fig. 1), supplied much of the world’s demand for industrial-grade REEs (Haxel et al., CORRESPONDENCE: [email protected] Mountain Pass, California (USA), located in the eastern Mojave Desert, hosts 2002; Castor, 2008). one of the world’s richest rare earth element (REE) deposits. The REE-rich ter- A Proterozoic carbonatite terrane at Mountain Pass hosts the largest CITATION: Denton, K.M., Ponce, D.A., Peacock, J.R, and Miller, D.M., 2020, Geophysical characterization rane occurs in a 2.5-km-wide, northwest-trending belt of Mesoproterozoic (1.4 resource of light REEs in North America with proven reserves of ~16 million met- of a Proterozoic REE terrane at Mountain Pass, east- Ga) stocks and dikes, which intrude a larger Paleoproterozoic (1.7 Ga) metamor- ric tons at an ore grade of ~8 wt% rare earth oxide (Castor, 2008; Mariano and ern Mojave Desert, California, USA: Geosphere, v. 16, phic block that extends ~10 km southward from Clark Mountain to the eastern Mariano, 2012). Since the discovery of the REE-bearing mineral bastnäsite in the no. 1, p. 456–471, https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02066.1.
    [Show full text]
  • Mineral Impact Study of a 2,000 Square Mile Area of the East Mojave
    MINERAL IMPACT STUDY OF A 2000 SQUARE MILE AREA OF THE EAST MOJAVE DESERT SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY CALIFORNIA By J.R. Evans, Senior Technical Minerals Specialist Prepared in cooperation with the California Division of Mines and Geology and the California State Mining and Geology Board Old Sulfide Queen Mill at Mountain Pass ^ United States i Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Division of Mineral Resources California State Office Sacramento, California ? QE 90 .S36 E92 1986 C.2 May 1986 ' BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT SPECIAL MINERAL REPORT .--^ C> MINERAL IMPACT STUDY OF A 2,000 SQUARE MILE AREA OF THE EAST MOJAVE DESERT SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY CALIFORNIA By J.R. Evans, Senior Technical Mineral Specialist Bureau of Land Management, California State Office Division of Mineral Resources Branch of Mining Law and Solid Minerals Sacramento, California Prepared in cooperation with the California Division of Mines and Geology, and the California State Mining and Geology Board TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 2 INTRODUCTION 3 Purpose of Study 3 Background 3 Location and Accessibility 4 Physiography and Climate 4 LAND AND MINERAL STATUS 7 GEOLOGIC FRAMEWORK 9 Introduction 9 Lithology and Structural Framework 11 Precambrian Rocks 11 Upper Precambrian - Paleozoic Rocks 11 Upper Precambrian - Middle Cambrian Rocks 11 Upper Cambrian - Permian Rocks 13 Mesozoic Sedimentary and Volcanic Rocks 13 Mesozoic Plutonic Rocks and the Laramide Orogeny 14 Laramide Orogeny 14 Cenozoic Rocks 14 Quaternary Rocks and Alluvial Deposits 15 RELATIONSHIP OF MINERAL RESOURCES TO THE GEOLOGIC FRAMEWORK .... 16 MINERAL LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM 17 METALLIC AND NONMETALLIC MINERAL RESOURCES 18 Introduction 18 Northern Providence Mountains 23 Old Dad Mountain Area 23 New York Mountains 24 Halloran Summit Area 24 Cima Volcanic Field 25 Mescal Range 25 Clark Mountain Area 26 Kingston Wash 27 Perspective View 27 FLUID MINERAL RESOURCES 27 SELECTED REFERENCES 28 11 .
    [Show full text]
  • 18 May 2018 Mr. Todd Suess, Superintendent Mojave National Preserve 2701 Barstow Road Barstow, California 92311 RE
    18 May 2018 Mr. Todd Suess, Superintendent Mojave National Preserve 2701 Barstow Road Barstow, California 92311 RE: Mojave National Preserve (MNP) Management Plan for Developed Water Sources and Environmental Assessment, February 2018 Dear Superintendent Suess: The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) and the undersigned WSF Chapters & Affiliates (C&As) submit these comments on behalf of thousands of hunters and other conservationists dedicated to wild sheep. We have over 40 years’ experience and over $120 million invested in restoration of wild sheep (primarily by trap and transplant work) to expand wild sheep herds. Our privately-funded foundation has long endowed the Rocky Crate/Wild Sheep Foundation Endowed Chair for Wild Sheep Disease Research at Washington State University. WSF annually generates approximately 40% of ALL wild sheep license and tag revenue to state wildlife agencies for their wild sheep management programs. We see the proposed MNP plan for developed water sources as an affront to our efforts on behalf of wild sheep. We recommend abandoning this plan altogether and instead engaging with sportsmen and other conservationists to determine where water devices are most necessary and how they will be maintained, added to, or removed, accordingly. The only option for salvaging this plan is to conduct a regional analysis of the many factors, including wildlife movements and hydrology at a landscape-scale, that operate both on and around the Preserve, with effects running both ways, inside and outside MNP. Aside from issues analyzed erroneously and incompletely, the plan is completely blind to the effects that removing water devices will have on conservation stewardship and recreation opportunities, including hunting.
    [Show full text]
  • Gravity and Magnetic Studies of the Eastern Mojave Desert, California and Nevada
    Gravity and Magnetic Studies of the Eastern Mojave Desert, California and Nevada Open-File Report 2016–1070 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Cover: Photograph of Clark Mountain Range, California. View northwestward. Photograph by K.M. Denton, U.S. Geological Survey. Gravity and Magnetic Studies of the Eastern Mojave Desert, California and Nevada By Kevin M. Denton and David A. Ponce Open-File Report 2016-1070 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior SALLY JEWELL, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Suzette M. Kimball, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2016 For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit http://www.usgs.gov/ or call 1–888–ASK–USGS (1–888–275–8747). For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. Suggested citation: Denton, K.M., and Ponce, D.A., 2016, Gravity and magnetic studies of the eastern Mojave Desert, California and Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016-1070, 20 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161070.
    [Show full text]