Cornerstone Industrial Minerals, Inc. Tucker Hill perlite mine expansion project plan of operations amendment no. 7 : environmental impact statement

2018·9.1 MB·English

by  United States. Bureau of Land Management. Lakeview District

BLM LIBRARY
88075010
CORNERSTONE INDUSTRIAL MINERALS, INC.
TUCKER HILL PERLITE
MINE EXPANSION PROJECT
PLAN OF OPERATIONS AMENDMENT No. 7
Environmental Impact Statement
DOI-BLM-ORWA-L050-2016-0001-EIS
August 2018
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Lake view Resource Area
Lakeview District
Lakeview, Oregon
Estimated Costs Associated
with Developing and
Producing this DEIS:
$499,000
HD
243
.07
C676
2018

United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Lakeview District Office
1301 South G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630
www.blm.gov/lakcvicw
In Reply Refer To:
3809 (L050)
Dear Reader:
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) has prepared the attached draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposal to
expand existing perlite mining operations at Tucker Hill. The Draft EIS analyzes the potential
environmental impacts of the proposed mine expansion and three other alternatives on
approximately 340 acres of BLM-administered lands in central Lake County, Oregon. This
analysis will be used as the basis for approving, modifying, or denying the claimant’s proposed
amendment to their existing mining plan of operation.
I would appreciate your comments on the adequacy of this analysis. The following types of
comments would be the most helpful in the decision-making process; comments that:
1. Are as specific as possible,
2. Address the appropriateness of the range of alternatives,
3. Identify unaddressed issues,
4. Provide new information or data,
5. Identify errors in the data or analysis.
Comments on the draft EIS must be submitted to me in writing within 45 days from the date that the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability of the EIS in the Federal
Register or by UL1 2 ^ ZOio ; whichever is later. Comments must be submitted to the
following address:
Lakeview District
Bureau of Land Management
1301 South G Street
Lakeview, OR 97630
At this time, no public meeting/hearing is planned. However, a public meeting/hearing meeting
may be held if there is sufficient interest. Any person desiring a public meeting/hearing must request
one in writing and provide sufficient reason(s) for the need for such a meeting/hearing.
Comments on the draft EIS, including names and street addresses, will be made available for public
review at the Lakeview District office during regular business hours (7:45 am to 4:30 pm; Monday
through Friday, except holidays). Comment letters may also be published in the final EIS.
Respondents may request confidentiality. However, if you wish to withhold your name or address
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from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent
allowed by law. All submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made
available for public inspection in their entirety.
Questions or comments concerning the proposal may be directed to Mr. Phil D’Amo or Mr. Paul
Whitman at the address above, or by telephoning [phone]. Additional copies of the draft
EIS may also be obtained by contacting the Lakeview District office.
Thank you for your interest in the management of these public lands.
Sincerely,
District Manager
Enclosure
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CORNERSTONE INDUSTRIAL MINERALS, INC. TUCKERHlLL PERLITE MINE EXPANSION PROJECT
PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 7 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
CORNERSTONE INDUSTRIAL MINERALS, INC.
TUCKER HILL PERLITE
MINE EXPANSION PROJECT
PLAN OF OPERATIONS AMENDMENT No. 7
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 9
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 11
ES. 1 Introduction 11
ES.2 Purpose and Need 11
ES.2.1 Need 11
ES.2.2 Purpose 11
ES.3 Public Involvement 12
ES.4 Planning Issues 12
ES.5 Alternatives 15
ES.5.1 Alternative 1 -No Action 15
ES.5.2 Alternative 2 - Proposed Plan of Operations (Proposed Action) 15
ES.5.3 Alternative 3 - Decreased Disturbance Area Alternative, with Mine Management
Area 16
ES.5.4 Alternative 4 - BLM Preferred Alternative 16
ES.6 Affected Environme nt 17
ES.7 Environmental Consequences 17
ES.8 Next Steps 18
1 INTRODUCTION / PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION 19
1.1 Introduction 19
1.2 Purpose and Need for Action 20
1.3 BLM and Non-BLM Policies, Plans, and Programs 21
1.4 Land Use Plan Conformance 22
1.4.1 LakeviewResource Management Plan 22
1.4.2 Oregon Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan
Amendment 23
1.5 Authorizing Actions 23
1.6 Scoping and Issues 23
1.7 Mine History and Existing and Approved Facilities 26
2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES 29
2.1 Alternative 1 - No Action 29
2.2 Alternative 2 - Plan of Operations Proposal (Proposed Action) 29
2.2.1 Growth Media Management 30
2.2.2 Quarry Development 30
2.2.3 Off-Specification Rock Management 31
2.2.4 Mining Scenario and Cross Sections 31
2.2.5 Equipment 31
2.2.6 Work Force 32
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Cornerstone industrial minerals, Inc. tuckerHill perlite mine expansion project
plan amendment no. 7 environmental impact statement
2.2.7 Haul Road Access 32
2.2.8 Access Control 32
2.2.9 General Schedule of Operations 33
2.2.10 Surface Occupancy 33
2.2.11 Water Management Plan 33
2.2.12 Drainage and Sediment Control Plan 34
2.2.13 Waste Management 34
2.2.14 Reclamation Plan 34
2.2.14.2 Revegetation 35
2.2.14.3 Quarry Reclamation 36
2.2.14.4 Monitoring and Maintenance of Reclaimed Areas 36
2.2.14.5 Isolation, Removal, and/or Control of Acid-Forming, Toxic or Deleterious
Materials 37
2.2.14.6 Removal or Stabilization of Building, Structures, and Support Facilities37
2.2.14.7 Drill Hole Plugging 37
2.3 Alternative 3 - Decreased Disturbance Area Alternative, with Mine Management
Area 37
2.4 Alternative 4 - BLM Preferred Alternative 37
2.4.1 Alternative 4 Reclamation Plan with Additional Mitigation Measures 38
2.4.1.1 Overview 38
2.4.1.2 Revegetation 38
2.4.1.3 Additional Monitoring 39
2.4.1.4 Prevention of Unnecessary or Undue Degradation 39
2.4.1.5 Drvn 4 un> 4i/\ 1 T n *«/1 TTo ac
a uai v/ptiaiiuuai uauu uacc
2.4.1.6 Haul Road Reclamation 39
2.4.1.7 Quarry Reclamation 40
2.4.1.8 Isolation, Removal, and/or Control of Acid-Forming, Toxic or Deleterious
Materials 40
2.4.1.9 Removal or Stabilization of Building, Structures, and Support Facilities41
2.4.1.10 Drill Hole Plugging 41
2.5 Applicable Oregon Greater Sage-Grouse RMPA Requirements (Tucker Hill
Quarry Reclamation Area - Alternatives 3 and 4 Only) 41
2.6 Alternatives Considered but not Analyzed in Detail 42
2.6.1 Limited Scale Mining Expansion 42
2.6.2 Seed Collection from Poachers Ridge Expansion Quarry 42
3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 43
3.1 Introduction 43
3.2 Air Quality/Climate Change 45
3.3 Cultural Resources and Native American Concerns 48
3.4 Rangeland Management 51
3.5 Recreation/Access 52
3.6 Socioeconomics 52
3.7 Soils 53
3.8 Vegetation 54
3.9 Noxious Weeds, Invasive and Non-native Species 56
3.10 Visual Resources 57
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CORNERSTONE INDUSTRIAL MINERALS, INC. TUCKER HILL PERLITE MINE EXPANSION PROJECT
PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 7 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
3.11 Water Quality 58
3.12 Wildlife 58
3.13 Special Status Wildlife Species 59
4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 62
4.1 Introduction 62
4.2 Air Quality/Climate Change 62
4.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) 62
4.2.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations), Alternative 3 (Decreased Area
with Mine Management Area) and Alternative 4 (BLM Preferred Alternative) 63
4.3 Cultural Resources and Native American Concerns 65
4.3.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) 65
4.3.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations) 65
4.3.3 Alternative 3 (Decreased Area with Mine Management Area) 66
4.3.4 Alternative 4 (BLM Preferred Alternative) 66
4.4 Rangeland Management 70
4.4.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) 70
4.4.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations), Alternative 3 (Decreased Area
with Mine Management Area) and Alternative 4 (BLM Preferred Alternative) 70
4.5 Re creation/Access 70
4.5.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) 70
4.5.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations), Alternative 3 (Decreased Area
with Mine Management Area) and Alternative 4 (BLM Preferred Alternative) 71
4.6 Socioeconomics 71
4.6.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) 71
4.6.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations), Alternative 3 (Decreased Area
with Mine Management Area) and Alternative 4 (BLM Preferred Alternative) 71
4.7 Soils 72
4.7.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) 72
4.7.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations), Alternative 3 (Decreased Area
with Mine Management Area) and Alternative 4 (BLM Preferred Alternative) 72
4.8 Vegetation 72
4.8.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) 72
4.8.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations), Alternative 3 (Decreased Area
with Mine Management Area) and Alternative 4 (BLM Preferred Alternative) 73
4.9 Noxious Weeds, Invasive Nonnative Species 73
4.9.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) 73
4.9.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations), Alternative 3 (Decreased Area
with Mine Management Area), Alternative 4 (BLM Preferred Alternative) 74
4.10 Visual Resources Management 74
4.10.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) 75
4.10.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations) 75
4.10.3 Alternative 3 (Decreased Area with Mine Management Area) 75
4.10.4 Alternative 4 (BLM Preferred Alternative) 76
4.11 Water Quality 76
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Cornerstone industrial minerals, Inc. tucker Hill perlite mine Expansion project
Plan amendment no. 7 environmental impact statement
4.11.1 Alternative 1 (No Action), Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations),
Alternative 3 (Decreased Area with Mine Management Area) and Alternative 4 (BLM
Preferred Alternative) 76
4.12 Wildlife 76
4.12.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) 77
4.12.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations) 77
4.12.3 Alternative 3 (Decreased Area with Mine Management Area) 77
4.12.4 Alternative 4 (BLM Preferred Alternative) 78
4.13 Special Status Wildlife Species 78
4.13.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) 78
4.13.2 Alternative 2 (Proposed Plan of Operations) 79
4.13.3 Alternative 3 (Decreased Area with Mine Management Area) 80
4.13.4 Alternative 4 (BLM Preferred Alternative) 80
4.14 Cumulative Impacts 81
4.15 Irreversible/Irretrievable Impacts 86
5 CONSULTATION AND PUBLIC INPUT 87
5.1 List of Preparers 87
5.2 Persons, Groups and Agencies Contacted 87
6 LITERATURE CITED 89
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.5-1 Major Permits and Authorizations Required for Project Development
Table 1.7-1 Mining History for the Tucker Hill Project
Table 2.2-1 Monitoring Program and Schedule
Table 2.4-1 Estimated Area of Disturbance by Alternative
Table 3.1-1 Elements Associated with Supplemental Authorities and Rationale for Detailed
Analysis for the Proposed Action
Table 3.1-2 Other Resource Values or Uses
Table 3.11-1 Plant Species in the Project Area
Table 3.12-1 BLM Visual Resource Management Class Objectives
Table 4.4-1 Mitigation Measures for Cultural Resources within APE
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A: Maps
Map 1.1.1 Project Location and Access
Map 1.1.2 Land Status and Claims
Map 1.2.1 Existing/Authorized and Proposed Facilities
Map 1.3.1 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat
Map 2.1.1 Alternative 1 - No Action
Map 2.1.2 Alternative 2
Map 2.1.3 Alternative 3
Map 2.1.4 Alternative 4
Map 2.2.1 Cross Section Locations
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Cornerstone industrial minerals, inc. tucker hill perlite mine exp ansi on project
Plan amendment No. 7 environmental Impact Statement
Map 2.2.2 Cross Section A-A’
Map 2.2.3 Cross Section B-B’
Appendix B: Project Design Elements
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CORNERSTONE INDUSTRIAL MINERALS, INC. TUCKERHlLL PERLITE MINE EXPANSION PROJECT
Plan amendment no. 7 environmental impact Statement
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
AC EC
Area of Critical Environmental Concern
AKWA
Area of Known Wolf Activity
ANFO
Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil
APE
Area of Potential Effect
AUM Animal Unit Month
BATF
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
BLM
Bureau of Land Management
BMP
Best Management Practice
CCAA
Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances
CEQ
Council on Environmental Quality
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations
Cornerstone Cornerstone Industrial Minerals, Inc.
DEQ
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
DOGAMI
State of Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries
EA
Environmental Assessment
EIS
Environmental Impact Statement
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
FLPMA
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
GHG greenhouse gas
GHMA General Habitat Management Area
GRSG Greater Sage-Grouse
HPTP Historic Properties Treatment Plan
ID Interdisciplinary
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
KOP Key Observation Point
LRA Lakeview Resource Area
MDs Management Decisions
MLRR Mineral Land Regulation & Reclamation
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
M S HA Mine Safety and Health Administration
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
NGB Northern Great Basin
NLAA Not Likely to Adversely Affect
NRCS Natural Resource Conservation Service
NRHP National Register of Historic Places
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
ODA Oregon Department of Agriculture
ODFW Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
OHV Off-Highway Vehicle
OR-GAP • Oregon GAP Analysis Program
ORS Oregon Revised Statutes
OWRD Oregon Water Resources Department
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