Hycroft Mine Expansion Project B
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BLM Black Rock FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Field Office/Winnemucca, Nevada DOI-BLM-NV-W030-2011-0001-EIS Hycroft Mine Expansion Project July 2012 Ne / Office District Winnemucca U.S. Bureau of Land Management Winnemucca District Office Black Rock Field Office 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd. Winnemucca NV 89445-2921 vada 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. BLM/NV/WN/ES/12-2+1793 DOI-BLM-NV-W030-2011-0001-EIS HYCROFT MINE EXPANSION PROJECT FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS................................................................................XIII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................... ES1 1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................ 11 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 11 1.2 Organization of Document ....................................................................................... 12 1.3 Purpose of and Need for Action ............................................................................... 17 1.4 Land Use Plan Conformance.................................................................................... 18 1.4.1 Sonoma Gerlach Management Framework Plan....................................... 18 1.4.2 Paradise Denio Management Framework Plan.......................................... 18 1.5 BLM and NonBLM Policies, Plans, and Programs .............................................. 18 1.6 Authorizing Actions .................................................................................................. 18 1.7 Scoping ....................................................................................................................... 19 1.8 Issues......................................................................................................................... 110 1.9 Mine History and Existing and Approved Facilities............................................ 110 1.9.1 Mine History ................................................................................................ 110 1.9.2 Existing and Approved Facilities ............................................................... 111 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES.................. 21 2.1 Proposed Action......................................................................................................... 21 2.1.1 Open Pit Mining Methods ............................................................................ 23 2.1.2 Equipment...................................................................................................... 27 2.1.3 Waste Rock Facilities .................................................................................... 27 2.1.4 Heap Leach Facilities .................................................................................. 210 2.1.5 Storm Water Management ......................................................................... 220 2.1.6 Support Facilities......................................................................................... 221 2.1.7 RightsofWay and Leases .......................................................................... 222 2.1.8 Haul and Access Roads ............................................................................... 222 2.1.9 Transportation............................................................................................. 225 2.1.10 Employment ................................................................................................. 225 2.1.11 Public Safety ................................................................................................ 226 2.1.12 Chemical Use and Management................................................................. 226 2.1.13 Sustainability ............................................................................................... 227 2.1.14 Exploration................................................................................................... 227 2.1.15 ApplicantCommitted Environmental Protection Measures .................. 228 2.1.16 Growth Media.............................................................................................. 231 2.1.17 Reclamation of Open Pits ........................................................................... 241 2.1.18 Reclamation of Waste and Development Rock Piles................................ 241 2.1.19 Reclamation of Heap Leach Facilities ....................................................... 249 2.1.20 Reclamation of Solution Ponds .................................................................. 252 2.1.21 Road Reclamation ....................................................................................... 253 2.1.22 Measures to Minimize Loading of Sediment to Drainage Channels ...... 253 2.1.23 Disposition of Buildings and Ancillary Facilities...................................... 254 2.1.24 Surface Facilities or Roads Not Subject to Reclamation ......................... 254 2.1.25 PostReclamation Monitoring and Maintenance...................................... 254 2.1.26 Drill Hole Plugging Procedures.................................................................. 255 2.1.27 Concurrent Reclamation ............................................................................ 255 2.2 Alternatives to the Proposed Action ...................................................................... 255 iii 2489U.HycroftEIS.FEIS.FINAL.docx HYCROFT RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT INC. HYCROFT MINE EXPANSION PROJECT FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 2.2.1 No Action Alternative ................................................................................. 256 � 2.2.2 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis........... 257 � 2.2.3 The BLM Preferred Alternative ................................................................ 260 � 2.3 Summary of Effects................................................................................................. 260 � 3 � AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES (DIRECT AND INDIRECT)............................................................................................... 31 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 31 � 3.1.1 General Project Setting................................................................................. 31 � 3.1.2 Supplemental Authorities ............................................................................. 31 � 3.1.3 Additional Affected Resources ..................................................................... 33 � SUPPLEMENTAL AUTHORITIES ....................................................................................... 36 � 3.2 Air and Atmospheric Resources .............................................................................. 36 � 3.2.1 Regulatory Framework................................................................................. 36 � 3.2.2 Affected Environment................................................................................... 36 � 3.2.3 Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Measures ........................ 310 � 3.3 Cultural Resources .................................................................................................. 327 � 3.3.1 Regulatory Framework............................................................................... 327 � 3.3.2 Affected Environment................................................................................. 327 � 3.3.3 Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Measures ........................ 334 � 3.4 Migratory Birds....................................................................................................... 341 � 3.4.1 Regulatory Framework............................................................................... 341 � 3.4.2 Affected Environment................................................................................. 341 � 3.4.3 Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Measures ........................ 344 � 3.5 Native American Religious Concerns.................................................................... 346 � 3.5.1 Regulatory Framework............................................................................... 346 � 3.5.2 Affected Environment................................................................................. 346 � 3.5.3 Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Measures ........................ 347 � 3.6 Wastes and Materials (Hazardous and Solid) ...................................................... 349 � 3.6.1 Regulatory Framework............................................................................... 349 � 3.6.2 Affected Environment................................................................................. 349 � 3.6.3 Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Measures ........................ 350 � 3.7 Water Quality (Surface and Ground) ................................................................... 354 � 3.7.1 Regulatory Framework............................................................................... 354 � 3.7.2 Affected Environment................................................................................