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Transmittal of Draft EIR for Molycorp Mountain Pass Mine Expansion, for Review and Comment

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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 . Third C.: -, , 3 ist6c. LA';ty '.%ALKE~z. I Four'l C- .)C% N C) "': F :. 3 . ~~~~:'1"~ S ,-Z"-'. 1!-~, V.-~ Molycorp Mountain Pass Mine Expansion Project Mountain Pass, California Draft Environmental Impact Report SCH 92092040 December 1996 Prepared For: County of San Bernardino Proponent: Mo~ycorp, Inc. Mountain Pass, CA Prepared By: CamaR Camarfio, CA Molycorp Mountain Pass Mine Expansion Project Mountain Pass, California Draft Environmental Impact Report SCH 92092040 December 1996 Prepared for County of San Bernardino ENSR Consulting and Engineering 1220 Avenida Acaso Camarfilo, California 93012 CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...................................... 1-1 1.1 Introduction ...................................... 1-1 1.1.1 Purpose and Authority ..................................... 1-1 1.1.2 Historical Background ..................................... 1-2 1.1.3 Scope and Format of the EIR . ............................... 1-2 1.2 Summary - Section 2: Project Description ............................ 1-3 1.3 Summary - Section 3: Affected Environment ........................... 1-3 1.4 Summary - Section 4: Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures 1-4 1.5 Summary - Section 5: Project Alternatives .......... ................. 1-15 1.6 Summary - Section 6: Cumulative Impacts ........................... 1-15 1.7 Summary - Section 7: Other CEQA Topics ........... ................ 1-16 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ..................................... 2-1 2.1 Introduction ........................ ............. 2-1 2.2 Project Location ........................ ............. 2-2 2.3 Mine History ........................ ............. 2-2 2.4 Existing Operations ...................................... 2-7 2.4.1 Mining Activities ...................................... 2-7 2.4.1.1 Drilling . ..................................... 2-7 2.4.1.2 Blasting . ..................................... 2-7 2.4.1.3 Loading/Hauling ..................................... 2-8 2.4.2 Processing Facilities ...................................... 2-8 2.4.2.1 Crushing/Screening Plant ................................ 2-8 2.4.2.2 Mill/Flotation Plant ................................... 2-12 2.4.2.3 Chemical Plant ..................................... 2-12 2A.2.4 Cerium 96 Plant ..................................... 2-14 2.4.2.5 Specialty Plant ..................................... 2-14 2.4.2.6 Pond Product Storage ................................. 2-14 2.4.2.7 North Tailings Pond .................................. 2-15 2.4.2.8 Nipton Road Borrow Site . .............................. 2-15 2.4.2.9 Overburden ..................................... 2-16 2.4.2.10 Concrete Batch Plant ................................. 2-16 2.4.2.11 Wastewater Neutralization Plant .......................... 2-16 2.4.2.12 New Ivanpah Evaporation Pond .......................... 2-16 2.4.3 Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste Generation and Disposal . 2-17 1991-01450 i CONTENTS (Cont'd) 2.4.4 Radiologic Materials and Waste ............................. 2-22 2.4.5 Work Force and Equipment ................................ 2-23 2.5 Proposed Project . ........................... ........ 2-23 2.5.1 Project Phases ......... ........ 2-24 2.5.1.1 Phase I ..... .2-24 2.5.1.2 Phase 2 .................. 2-30 2.5.1.3 Phase 3 .................. 2-30 2.5.1.4 Phase 4 .................. 2-30 2.5.2 Project Components ............... ....... 2-31 2.5.2.1 Open Pit .......................................... 2-31 2.5.2.2 Nipton Road Borrow Site .2-31 2.5.2.3 Overburden Stockpile .2-31 2.5.2.4 Mill Wastes (Tailings Pond) .2-32 2.5.2.5 East Tailings Borrow Site .2-34 2.5.2.6 Landfill . 2-35 2.5.2.7 Hazardous Waste Temporary Holding Area ............ .... 2-35 2.5.3 Proposed Project Operation ................................ 2-36 2.6 Project Termination and Decommissioning ........................... 2-37 2.7 Alternatives to the Proposed Project ......... ....................... 2-37 2.8 Permits and Approvals .......................................... 2-38 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT . .......... 3-1 3.1 Introduction .............................................. 3-1 3.2 Natural Hazards .............................................. 3-1 3.2.1 Geology and Geological Hazards ... .......................... 3-1 3.2.1.1 Physiography and Geologic Setting .......... .............. 3-2 3.2.1.2 Faulting and Seismicity ............... .................. 3-4 3.2.1.3 Landslides ......................................... 3-10 3.2.2 Flood Hazards ......................................... 3-10 3.2.3 Fire Hazards ........................................... 3-10 3.2.4 Erosion .............................................. 3-10 3.3 Natural Resources ............................................. 3-11 3.3.1 Biological Resources ..................................... 3-11 3.3.1.1 Vegetation ......................................... 3-11 3.3.1.2 Wildlife ............................................ 3-20 3.3.2 Cultural/Paleontological Resources .......................... 3-30 ii CONTENTS (Cont'd) 3.3.2.1 Background . 3-30 .................. .. .. ..... 3.3.2.2 Cultural/PaleoiIntological Resources of the1 Area... 3-31 3.3.3 Air Resources ... .................. .. .. ..... 3-34 3.3.3.1 Climate and Meteorology ......... .. .. ..... 3-34 3.3.3.2 Air Quality .................... .. .. ..... 3-36 3.3.4 Water Supply/Water Quality .......... .. .. ..... 3-51 3.3.4.1 Hydrologic Setting .............. .. .. ..... 3-51 3.3.4.2 Water Supply ............... .. .. ..... 3-57 3.3.4.3 Water Quality .................. .. .. ..... 3-61 3.3.5 Open Space/Recreation/Scenic ....... .. .. ..... 3-76 3.3.5.1 Open Space/Recreation .......... .. .. ..... 3-76 3.3.5.2 Scenic Resources ............... .. .. ..... 3-78 3.3.6 Soils/AgricuIture/Mineral Resources .... .. .. ..... 3-80 3.3.6.1 Soils ........................ 3-80 3.3.6.2 Agriculture .................... .3-82 3.3.6.3 Mineral Resources .............. 3-83 3.4 Manmade Hazards ........................ 3-84 3.4.1 Noise ........................... 3-84 3.4.1.1 Descriptors and Regulations ....... 3-84 3.4.1.2 Existing Setting ................ 3-86 3.4.2 Aviation Safety .................... 3-88 3.4.3 Hazardous and Mining Waste/Materials . 3-91 3.4.3.1 Descriptors and Regulations ....... 3-91 3.4.3.2 Existing Setting ................ 3-96 3.5 Manmade Resources ...................... 3-101 3.5.1 Land Use ........................ 3-102 3.5.1.1 Land Use Policies ............... 3-102 3.5.1.2 Mountain Pass Mine ............. 3-104 3.5.1.3 Nipton Road Borrow Site ......... 3-105 3.5.1.4 New Ivanpah Evaporation Pond ..... 3-105 3.5.2 Utilities/Infrastructure ............... 3-106 3.5.2.1 Power Systems ................ 3-106 3.5.2.2 Communication Systems ......... 3-106 3.5.2.3 Sewer Systems ................ 3-106 3.5.2.4 Water Supply Systems ........... 3-107 3.5.2.5 Storm Water Drainage Systems ..... 3-108 iii U91.0014501991401450 iii CONTENTS (Cont'd) 3.5.2.6 Solid Waste Handling ................................ 3-108 3.5.3 Transportation/Circulation ............................. ... 3-109 3.5.4 Energy ............................. ................. 3-109 3.5.5 Housing/Demographics/Socioeconomics .................... 3-112 3.5.6 Public Services ........................................ 3-112 3.5.6.1 Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Response . 3-112 3.5.6.2 Police Protection .3-114 3.5.6.3 Schools .3-115 3.5.6.4 Parks/Recreation .3-115 3.5.6.5 Maintenance of Public Roads .3-115 4.0 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 4-1 4.1 Introduction ........................ ........................... 4-1 4.2 Natural Hazards . .................................... ............ 4-2 4.2.1 Geology and Geologic Hazards .........................
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