SAGE CREEK BULK SAMPLING PROPOSED ACTION

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Jocelyn Pope
5 years ago
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1 BACKGROUND SAGE CREEK BULK SAMPLING PROPOSED ACTION On October 7, 2015, the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest received a Plan of Operations (Plan) from James Ebisch (Operator) to conduct exploration excavation to determine mineral potential in the Sage Creek area of the North Fork Ranger District, on National Forest System (NFS) lands open to mineral entry under the 1872 Mining Law, as amended. The maximum potential area of actual surface disturbance is approximately 1 acre at the project location, located on the ridge between the West Fork of Sage Creek and the East Fork of Sage Creek. in T.24N, R.20E, Section 3, Boise Prime Meridian, Lemhi County, Idaho (see Figures 1 & 2). Access to the site would be via open Forest Service Route (FSR) The Operator proposes to remove between 100 and 520 tons of rock for bulk sampling with no more than 1000 tons of total material to be disturbed over an approximately 1 acre area. The Operator proposes an operating season from May 15 Nov 1 and estimates the total active operating time needed for the operation would be 30 days per operating season with completion of reclamation in October Test drilling of the area took place in 2012 and approximately years prior to that, the project area was excavated extensively, leaving a multitude of trenches and pits. The Ulysses and Kitty Burton mines are located in the general vicinity and historically produced gold. The proponent previously collected a 200 pound sample of mineralized rock which was processed for gold content. Results from processing the 200 pound sample indicate that it may be economically viable for the proponent to collect larger samples for analysis. The larger bulk samples are proposed to further determine the economic viability of mining in the project area. It appears timber was historically harvested in the area though no current or planned vegetation management projects are known to overlap in time or space within the project area. The proposed project is not located in Idaho Roadless, Research Natural Areas (RNA) Designated Old Growth stands (DOG) or Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCA). The project area is located within HUC ; Indian Creek Salmon River (HUC 10) of the East Boulder Creek Salmon River (HUC 12). 1

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4 PLAN OF OPERATIONS Project Description: The Operator s plan, as submitted, entails the following: 1. The site is located on a ridge with gently sloping topography (<20%) surrounded by mixed conifer forest consisting primarily of Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine. 2. The proposed exploration area is located in the west fork drainage of Sage Creek. In order to reach the test area the Operator has proposed using FSR that traverses from Hull Creek into the West Fork of Sage Ck. 3. Approximately 1 acre of land would be disturbed for excavation activities to remove bulk samples. Not more than approximately 0.5 acre would be excavated, while excavated materials would be stockpiled on the other 0.5 acre. One trench (~20 x30 ) would also be excavated for sampling. At this time depth of excavation is unknown but the excavation is expected to be a gentle depression because it would be located on a gentle slope (<20%) along a flat ridge-top. All excavated materials not shipped to the mill would be used for reclamation. 4. Proposed operating period would be from May 15 Nov 1 each year, dependent on favorable weather conditions. Proposed duration of operations would be 30 days per operating season. 5. The Operator has proposed removal of a minimum of 100 tons of rock, not to exceed 520 tons to be shipped to a mill for further processing and analysis. Bulk samples would be transported by 1-2 dump trucks with a maximum carrying capacity of 30 tons, not to exceed 15 truck trips in any one year, limited to 4 round trips/day. Dump trucks would access the site via FSR from the Hull Creek drainage. 6. No more than a total of approximately 1000 tons of material would be disturbed during the life of the operation, including bulk samples and overburden. No more than 520 tons of bulk samples would be stockpiled, to be shipped to the mill. 7. In order to accomplish the proposed excavation, a mid-sized excavator (CAT 320D, Komatsu 160/240, or equivalent) would be utilized. The excavator would be mobilized and remain on site as needed during active operations until 520 tons of bulk sampling material is stocked, at which point the excavator would be removed. The bucket of the excavator would be used to scrape up rock for bulk sampling. If the bucket is unable to scrape the rock, a pneumatic drill would be attached to the boom of the excavator to break the rock. 8. One front end loader (Hough H60 or equivalent size) would be mobilized and remain on site as needed during active operations and then removed. 9. One Dozer (D6 or equivalent size) would be used to move disturbed and stockpiled material back to original contour of the land during reclamation. 10. One to three ½ to ¾ ton pick-up trucks would be used to transport operations crew and fuel and limited to 6 round trips per day. Pick-up trucks would access the site via FSR from either the Sage Creek or Hull Creek drainages. 11. The Operator has proposed periodic camping on site. The Operator would be the only individual to camp on site. The campsite would be a primitive camp with a tent, a few basic supplies and possibly a pit privy. There would be no additional structures or portable toilets on site. 12. No water would be used on site. No materials would be added to the site. No blasting would be required. 4

5 13. There would be no new road construction; however trees would be removed to create an access for the excavation area and equipment. 14. Total disturbance is expected to be approximately 1.0 acre. All proposed exploration activities are outside Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCA). The claimant has proposed a project start-up of May 15, 2016 with completion of excavation, transportation and associated reclamation by the end of October The Operator would be required to post a bond to ensure the reclamation of all disturbances. 15. All disturbed areas would be re-contoured to their original contours and topsoil would be segregated, stockpiled and replaced last during reclamation. Following re-contouring, an appropriate seed mix and certified weed-free mulch would be applied to disturbed areas. 16. Interim reclamation of stockpiled material would be covered with protective layer for the winter and utilize any necessary erosional or potential acid generation (PAG) prevention measures required by the FS Administrator. The bulk sample source rock is not anticipated to contain PAG mineral materials but the overburden will be tested as required by the FS Administrator. 17. Equipment not in use would be parked on site or demobilized from the site if no longer needed. 18. Traffic on FSR would be limited to business only. The following equipment may be used: 1-3 pickup trucks for exploration crew and fuel transport 1 excavator (CAT 320D, Komatsu 160/240, or equivalent) 1 front-end loader (Hough H60 or equivalent size) 1 dozer (D6 or equivalent size) 1-2 dump trucks (30 ton maximium capacity 19. Diesel and hydraulic fluid would be used in the operation for the heavy equipment. No more than 150 gallons of diesel would be transported or kept on site at one time. Diesel would be transported in a slip tank in the bed of pick-up trucks. Diesel would be kept in secondary containment vessels capable of containing their entire contents in the event of a leak or spill. Absorbent pads would be placed at fuel transfer sites. All containers would be labeled as to their contents. No more than 15 gallons of hydraulic fluid would be transported or kept on site at any one time. Hydraulic fluid would be transported in 5 gallon buckets in the bed of pick-up trucks. 20. There are no known hazardous substances. If a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance is released, it would be reported to the Forest Service immediately. Any contaminated soils would be removed to an approved disposal/treatment facility. 21. All National Forest lands would be maintained in a safe, neat, and workmanlike manner. All solid wastes (trash, garbage, refuse, etc.) would be contained and removed periodically for proper off-site disposal. No burning of refuse or waste would be permitted. 22. Access routes (used for exploration operations) in areas closed to motorized travel would be closed, re-seeded, and re-contoured to the original contour. Weed treatment would be conducted the following spring, if necessary. 23. If cultural artifacts are found, excavations would cease and the Forest Service would be notified immediately. 24. Motorized equipment will be operated only during daylight hours. 5

6 The Operator must formally agree to implement any reasonable measures required by the District Ranger that are necessary to avoid any unreasonable and avoidable adverse environmental effects (36 CFR 228.5). The Operator must also provide a bond to insure the costs calculated by the Forest Service to complete site reclamation before the final Plan would be approved (36 CFR ). TERMS AND CONDITIONS The Forest Service will develop standard and site-specific terms and conditions to address resource concerns. These are deemed reasonable and necessary additions to minimize the potential for adverse environmental impacts from the planned operations, per regulations at 36 CFR Further, these are primarily general USFS requirements for ground-disturbing activities and/or approved mining operations or are mining-industry standard practices. Formal incorporation of these additions to the Plan of Operations will be a condition for Forest Service approval. Below are pre-identified terms and conditions to consider during analysis of the proposed action. These may be edited or added to throughout the analysis. 1. The operator shall furnish an acceptable bond in the amount calculated to ensure the costs of reclamation, prior to receiving approval to commence operations. 2. The operator shall furnish proof of compliance with any applicable regulations administered by other State, Federal or local jurisdictions. 3. The operator will notify the Forest Service (FS) a minimum of three days in advance prior to commencing ground disturbing activities. Prior to commencing activities, the FS Administrator, the operator and the construction supervisor shall review the road location and discuss which BMPs are necessary. 4. The normal operating season will be June 15 through October 31. Operations outside of this time period will require authorization by the Forest Service after consideration of site and weather conditions and any proposed mitigation. 5. All surface-disturbing activities and operations will be supervised by a company representative in possession of, and familiar with the terms and conditions of the Plan. In addition, a Forest Service minerals administrator will provide oversight to ensure compliance with the plan. 6. The operator will be required to remove all mud, dirt, and organic materials from all vehicles and equipment (with particular attention to undercarriages) and make all equipment available for inspection by Forest Service personnel prior to mobilizing onto National Forest System lands. 7. Adequate fire protection required will include at least one handheld implement (shovels and axes) per person and one fire extinguisher per vehicle or piece of motorized equipment. 8. All motorized equipment will have working mufflers and spark arrestors. Electrical equipment must be properly insulated. Vehicles with catalytic converters will be parked in clear areas to avoid igniting potential ground fuels. 9. Should a Threatened, Endangered or Sensitive wildlife or plant species, including dens and nests, be found in or near the project area, appropriate mitigation measures determined by the USFS, or USFWS as needed, will be implemented to avoid disturbance to that species. 10. The Operator shall post signs near the project area along FSR 60005, notifying area visitors that exploration is occurring in the area. 11. The Operator will need to clear trees and/or brush, and if so, will follow the Forest s standards for trimming and removal of vegetation. Where possible, the Operator will avoid cutting large diameter trees (both live and dead) around areas of access. Slash will be piled separately and used during reclamation. 6

7 12. A fifty foot buffer along FSR will be reserved for leave trees that are not to be cut during operations. An FS administrator will designate trees to leave prior to commencement of operations. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION The Purpose of the Forest Service in proposing this action is to minimize environmental impacts to surface resources by regulating the functions, work, and activities connected with the proponent s plan to remove locatable minerals from National Forest System lands. The Need for the Forest Service to take this action is to comply with the legal requirements to respond to the proponent s reasonable Plan of Operations (36 CFR 228.4), and to ensure that operations are conducted so as, where feasible, to minimize adverse environmental impacts on National Forest surface resources (36 CFR 228.8). The United States mining laws confer a statutory right to the public for entry upon the public lands to search for minerals. In accordance with these laws and regulations, the Forest Service needs to conduct the appropriate level of NEPA analysis in order to provide for approval of the Operator s Plan. The duration of the operation alone excludes it from analysis under a Categorical Exclusion (CE) which is limits operations to 1 year or less. At this time, it is anticipated that the NEPA analysis would be an Environmental Assessment (EA) to determine if there would be significant effects, if the project would be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and with the Salmon Forest Land Resource Management Plan (FLRMP) and whether or not an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) needs to be conducted. Forest Service Minerals Laws and Regulations Forest Service policy in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 228 (36 CFR 228.1) states that use of the surface of National Forest System lands in connection with operations authorized by the United States mining laws (30 U.S.C ), which confer a statutory right to enter upon the public lands to search for minerals, shall be conducted to minimize adverse environmental impacts on National Forest System surface resources. While Federal law permits mining operations on National Forest lands; it also charges the agency with the prevention of unnecessary destruction of Forest lands and regulation of occupancy and use of the surface for purposes reasonably incident to prospecting, mining, or processing, primarily under the Organic Act of 1897 and the Surface Resources Act of Forest Plan Management Direction The project area is covered by a 5A management prescription. This prescription places high emphasis on commercial sawtimber output and high investments in timber management (FLRMP IV-129), although mineral and energy resource activities are considered compatible with the goals of this management prescription. While each prescription places an emphasis on management of one or several Forest resources they also promote other activities that are designed to achieve the goals and objectives established by the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (FLRMP). Forest goals encourage the legitimate exploration and extraction of locatable minerals from NF lands while maintaining or improving other resource values (FLRMP IV-3). 7

Proposed Action. Musgrove Exploration Drilling Project

Proposed Action. Musgrove Exploration Drilling Project United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Proposed Action Project Intermountain Region March 2017 Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest Lemhi County, Idaho Township