United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-UT-C030-2016-0049-EA May 2017 Bull Valley Exploration Project Washington County, Utah Pilot Goldstrike Inc. 1031 Railroad Street, Suite 110 Elko, Nevada 89801 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management St. George Field Office 345 East Riverside Drive St. George, UT 84790 Phone: 435-688-3200 FAX: 435-688-3252 MISSION STATEMENT 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. BULL VALLEY EXPLORATION EA (DOI-BLM-UT-C030-2016-0049-EA) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED .....................................................................................................1 1.1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 1.2 BACKGROUND ...........................................................................................................1 1.3 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION .....................................................2 1.4 DECISION TO BE MADE .............................................................................................3 1.5 CONFORMANCE WITH BLM LAND USE PLAN(S) .......................................................3 1.6 RELATIONSHIP TO STATUES, REGULATIONS, AND OTHER PLANS ..............................3 1.7 IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES .......................................................................................4 1.7.1 Water Resources/Quality .............................................................................5 1.7.2 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern....................................................5 1.7.3 Cultural Resources .......................................................................................5 1.7.4 Paleontology ................................................................................................5 1.7.5 Cave and Karst .............................................................................................6 1.7.6 Socio-Economics .........................................................................................6 1.7.7 Soils..............................................................................................................6 1.7.8 Fish and Wildlife..........................................................................................6 1.7.9 Migratory Birds ............................................................................................6 1.7.10 Vegetation ....................................................................................................6 1.7.11 Recreation ....................................................................................................6 1.7.12 Visual Resources ..........................................................................................6 1.7.13 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics. .......................................................6 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING PROPOSED ACTION ..............................................................................................................................................8 2.1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................8 2.2 ALTERNATIVE A – PROPOSED ACTION ......................................................................8 2.2.1 Drill Sites and Drilling Procedures ..............................................................9 2.2.2 Road Construction and Access ..................................................................10 2.2.3 Equipment ..................................................................................................11 2.2.4 Water Needs and Use .................................................................................12 2.2.5 Work Force ................................................................................................12 2.2.6 Surface Water and Groundwater Control ..................................................12 2.2.7 Ancillary Facilities and Surface Occupancy ..............................................13 2.2.8 Solid and Hazardous Materials Management ............................................13 2.2.9 Reclamation ...............................................................................................14 2.2.9.1 Schedule of Reclamation ...............................................................15 2.2.9.2 Drill Hole Plugging ........................................................................15 2.2.9.3 Regrading and Reshaping ..............................................................16 2.2.9.4 Revegetation ..................................................................................16 2.2.9.5 Handling and Application of Topsoil ............................................17 2.2.9.6 Removal or Stabilization of Building, Structures, and Support Facilities .........................................................................17 BULL VALLEY EXPLORATION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT MAY 2017 PILOT GOLDSTRIKE INC. i 2.2.9.7 Previous Reclamation ....................................................................17 2.2.10 Environmental Protection Measures ..........................................................18 2.3 ALTERNATIVE B – NO ACTION ...............................................................................21 2.4 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM DETAILED ANALYSIS ..........21 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................................22 3.1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................22 3.2 RESOURCES/ISSUES BROUGHT FORWARD FOR ANALYSIS .......................................23 3.2.1 Water Resources ........................................................................................24 3.2.2 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern..................................................26 3.2.3 Cultural Resources .....................................................................................26 3.2.4 Paleontology ..............................................................................................27 3.2.5 Cave and Karst ...........................................................................................27 3.2.6 Socio-Economics .......................................................................................28 3.2.7 Soils............................................................................................................29 3.2.8 Fish and Wildlife........................................................................................31 3.2.9 Migratory Birds ..........................................................................................31 3.2.10 Vegetation ..................................................................................................34 3.2.11 Recreation ..................................................................................................36 3.2.12 Visual Resources ........................................................................................37 3.2.13 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics ......................................................38 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .....................................................................40 4.1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................40 4.2 GENERAL ANALYSIS ASSUMPTIONS AND GUIDELINES ............................................40 4.3 DIRECT AND INDIRECT IMPACTS .............................................................................40 4.3.1 Alternative A – Proposed Action ...............................................................40 4.3.1.1 Water Resources ............................................................................40 4.3.1.2 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern......................................41 4.3.1.3 Cultural Resources .........................................................................41 4.3.1.4 Paleontology ..................................................................................42 4.3.1.5 Cave and Karst ...............................................................................42 4.3.1.6 Socio-Economics ...........................................................................42 4.3.1.7 Soils................................................................................................43 4.3.1.8 Fish and Wildlife............................................................................44 4.3.1.9 Migratory Birds ..............................................................................44 4.3.1.10 Vegetation ....................................................................................44 4.3.1.11 Recreation ....................................................................................45 4.3.1.12 Visual Resources .........................................................................46 4.3.1.13 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics .......................................46 4.3.2 Alternative B – No Action .........................................................................47 4.3.2.1 Water Resources ............................................................................47 4.3.2.2 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern......................................47 4.3.2.3 Cultural Resources