Draft Subsequent Mitigated Negative Declaration
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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