BLM Seeking Comments on Proposed Mount Hope Project Amendment EA

Battle Mountain, NV – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Mount Lewis Field Office is seeking public comments on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Mount Hope Project Amendment that would be located approximately 23 miles northwest of Eureka, Nevada.

Eureka Moly LLC (EML) has submitted an Amendment to Plan of Operations NVN-082096 to increase the surface disturbance by approximately 365 acres to facilitate the development of the previously authorized Mount Hope Project operations. This additional disturbance proposed under this Plan Amendment is primarily attributable to cut and fill grading that is required for construction but was not anticipated during the development of the approved 2012 Mount Hope Project Plan. The proposed activities consist of the following: a modified alignment and disturbance amounts for the 230 kilovolt (kV) power transmission line, the 24.9 kV power distribution lines, the fresh water supply corridor, the tailing and reclaim pipeline corridor, and several access roads, including the use, and subsequent reclamation of existing roads; a modified design and additional disturbance for the permanent diversion channel for the South Tailings Storage Facility (TSF); a modified footprint for the Low Grade Ore Stockpile and potentially acid generating Waste Rock Disposal Facility and a modified design for the associated storm water diversion and collection facilities; modified haul road alignments; modified storm water controls within the mill facilities; removal of two construction water wells and their associated access road, pipeline, and power line; additional communication equipment and facilities; a modified design for the components of the South TSF, including the booster pumps, tailing distribution pipeline, and underdrain collection pond; a modified design for the tailing corridor emergency catchment ponds and associated pumps and pipelines; a reconfigured and additional mill and ancillary buildings and facilities; a hazardous waste storage area; an additional booster station for the fresh water pipeline; five construction water ponds; and the relocation of the meteorological monitoring station.

The comment period begins March 5, 2015, and ends April 3, 2015. Written comments received during this 30-day period will be considered during the decision-making process. The EA may be viewed at: http://on.doi.gov/1Ku8JUW or a printed copy can be picked up at the Battle Mountain District Office at 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV. Comments may also be submitted using the ePlanning comments submission or emailed to: blm_nv_bmdo_mt_hope_project_amendment_ea@blm.gov.

Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised, that your entire comment -- including your personal identifying information -- may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Questions and written comments should be mailed to Chris Worthington, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820 or emailed to cworthin@blm.gov.