[Federal Register: March 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 52)] [Notices] [Page 13438-13439] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr18mr99-101] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [ID-040-1610-00] Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Thompson Creek Mine Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Final SEIS) AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management is a cooperating agency with the USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region (lead agency) in considering the Thompson Creek Mining Company's proposed Supplemental Plan of Operations to address concerns about potential acid rock drainage from the Thompson Creek Mine. Since 1983 the Thompson Creek Mine (Mine) has produced molybdenum from its operation on public and private lands in Custer County, about 30 miles southwest of Challis, Idaho. The Mine employs about 200 people and has proven ore reserves for an estimated 15 more years of molybdenum production. The Mine is administered by an Interagency Task Force consisting of State and Federal permitting agencies. The Bureau of Land Management's Acting Idaho State Director, Elena Daly, and the Forest Service's Regional Forester, Jack A. Blackwell, have issued a Record of Decision (ROD) to approve operations of the Thompson Creek Mine for the 1999 operating season in accordance with Alternative 2 of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Final SEIS). Alternative 2 allows operation of a pyrite reduction circuit and modifications to the treatment of tailings and waste rock. This decision is an interim measure to minimize adverse environmental impacts which could result from the potential for acid rock drainage from the Mine's tailings facility and waste rock dumps. This interim decision will ensure that the tailings embankment can be built with non-pyritic sands in 1999, to minimize the potential for acid rock drainage. This decision will allow the pyrite reduction circuit to continue without interruption or shutdown, and provide time needed to complete consultation under the Endangered Species Act before a long term decision is made. This decision is based on the current determination that short term operation of the pyrite reduction circuit and modifications to the treatment of tailings and waste rock are not an irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources that have the effect of foreclosing the formulation or implementation of any reasonable and prudent alternative measures which may be included in the final biological opinions that result from consultation. This interim decision will remain in effect in 1999 until a long term decision can be implemented. The BLM and USES anticipate making the long term decision by the fall of 1999. Formal consultation with the National Fisheries Service (NMFS) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has been initiated. Discussion with these agencies and other State and Federal agencies with authority over the Mine's operation has taken place, and all agree that implementation of Alternative 2 during the 1999 construction season (estimated to start as early as May 1) is desirable to prevent potential adverse impacts resulting from acid rock drainage potential in the tailings and waste rock facilities. DATES: Those actions pertaining to the public lands administered by the BLM may be appealed under BLM administrative appeal rights (43 CFR part 4). If an appeal is taken, the notice of appeal (and, if also submitted, the petition for stay) must be postmarked or received at the address stated below within 30 days of publication of this notice. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Record of Decision for the Thompson Creek Mine Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement may be obtained by contacting Wallace Evans at BLM--Idaho State Office, 1387 South Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709-1657, (208) 373-3803, or Tom Buchta at the USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region, Federal Building, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401, (801) 625-5663. Written appeal of actions pertaining to [[Page 13439]] the public lands administered by the BLM must conform to the procedures described on page 16 of the Record of Decision, and be filed with the Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, Idaho 83709-1657, with copies submitted to each party named in the decision, to the Interior Board of Land Appeals, and to the appropriate Office of the Solicitor. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Renee Snyder, Area Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Challis Resource Area, Route 2, Box 610, Salmon, Idaho 83467 (208) 756-5400, or Leon Jadlowski, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Challis Ranger District, HC 63, Box 1669, Challis, Idaho 83226 (208) 879-4400. Dated: March 11, 1999. Jenifer Arnold, Acting District Manager, Upper Columbia Salmon-Clearwater Districts, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. 99-6554 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-GG-M