Finding of no significant impact (FONSI) : programmatic environmental assessment for selected actions taken for mining claim and millsite use and occupancy in Arizona

140 Pages·1997·26.8 MB·English

wii
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Arizona State Office November 1997
Finding of No Significant Impact and
U.SS. DEPARTMpENT OF TH E INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Br Programmatic Environmental Assessment
for:
Selected Actions for Mining Claim and
Millsite Use and Occupancy in Arizona
HD
243
.A7
M565
1997
The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the balanced management of the public lands and
resources and their various values so that they are considered in a combination that will best serve the needs of the
American people. Management is based upon the principles of multiple use and sustained yield; a combination of
uses that take into account the long term needs of future generations for renewable and nonrenewable resources.
These resources include recreation, range, timber, minerals, watershed, fish and wildlife, wilderness and natural,
scenic, scientific and cultural values.
BLM/AZ/PL-98/002
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Arizona State Office
222 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2203
In reply refer to:
November 18, 1997
Dear Reader:
Enclosed is a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI and the supporting Programmatic
Environmental Assessment for Selected Actions for Mining Claim Use and Occupancy in Arizona
(EA).
The Proposed Action (PA), consisting of seven “generic occupancy proposals” was analyzed in
the EA to assess the direct, indirect and cumulative environmental effects of occupancies
associated with existing and future casual use and notice level operations. It also assesses the
environmental effects of occupancies associated with previously approved plans of operation.
A Decision Record does not accompany these documents. Decisions will be made on a case-by-
case basis by the responsible official working directly with mining claimants. In this way, the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) can maintain the flexibility required to respond to site
specific environmental conditions and needs. Qualified individuals may appeal decisions based
upon this FONSI and supporting EA on a site- and case-specific basis. Appeals must be filed
pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations, 43 CFR Part 4.
BLM Field Offices will perform the appropriate level of site-specific National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) analysis and documentation (including the application of categorical
exclusions and administrative determinations) for all proposed occupancies under the subject
regulations.
If analysis finds that the proposed occupancy would significantly differ from the proposed
occupancies listed in the proposed action or that the proposed occupancy might result in impacts
not previously addressed, a site-specific EA-level analysis or environmental impact statement-level
analysis may be required.
Thank you for participating in this EA. You are encouraged to continue your involvement.
Si$ncer elay, rs d\ ef
eD enise P. Meridith
State Director
Enclosure
bie fea pie tande 5 Pi gins saeet
; EQ URAF ert spatP ashW hile SPADE it ats
é
J
« \ a ts ‘ @ f 2? gv
Dg evel ieee Lue. tales e iS AG ans
hed ee yeT ~a5that RIS wet yaa A ite .*“ dias, oc
an 1, AEE ats veoh AGH Bred PGEe pee Sethe Leh Qedi spnhl | re La
bd ONS RESORT FINO bar aot Lea ie ad ae bia
“ihe srk oy Bie MEO aiktata: Aree ree ae fat poedeiad, ae
ae rte ap erent Bremen: sa ns aa il #
bi geets or lov ge yi ghtkey Rian aie AU eda era Fite
ts pie j gael ES le) ; tS porta te! Vabe. sf ‘ shor bat rt (Auth;a f) mse eae
. f ‘ P i . Lis F 7 eG 4 j «ij id > 9<¢ a Eris ‘Le a4 Aa ca etter hygii sh
RR NY atc oPW a ib“ 6 She
rh
; ; 1h ia ts T F or
nue vest Daw sscibeetae oy, Upengaremlaich a habec stg eue e ares
tad : Aosprs siete Sine pall car
Lm. gar esoni) ot heats 16- DaGo era eedaratints rib 1 RE
CU pOChii, wee tad SoA . Peandt iena h a< e id aon a $Ce RO; RE ( site 5b0'4sK e,. te- ; 2a : . .
bi Cre ACSIA Vp, paths2 0 Sesh terme 6a rgs bh Saletan esiar gyb esi e
staph MMR RS Ie,s ett aieg-lpC AS whys 2a éh eap
: } ' ‘ ° i : ia e:. » . ‘ Se4a s ae sa ~F wz s any or’ ¥° 2o e: 4 i: :
e’ ar shay’.e " e we ay pi‘i _e ™ 7 ' 7 7
| ee Oe
' . oe Fah Be i. 4
9 Foi
oiF r, id —. ;
ru
wt
5
sa
¢
'
as fi *
»
vr
, —<—
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is required by regulations at 43 CFR 3715 to give
formal written concurrence to requests made to occupy mining claims and millsites on public
lands where BLM administers both the mineral and surface estates. The proposed action would
allow the BLM to give concurrence to seven “typical” occupancy scenarios that involve 5 acres of
surface disturbance or less.
Rationale for a Finding of No Significant Impact
This FONSI is supported by the attached Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Selected
Actions for Mining Claim Use and Occupancy in Arizona (EA). The rationale for this
determination is as follows:
The proposed action ...
* requires the operator or claimant to comply with the 43 CFR 3715 regulations. These
regulations provide greater management control over mining claim use and occupancy than
previous management practices and regulations.
¢ does not have adverse effects to public health and safety or highly controversial environmental
effects since major aspects of mining claim use and occupancy would require either permits or
approvals from Federal, State, or County agencies. Decisions based on this FONSI would not
violate Federal, State, Local, or Tribal law. The operator/claimant would be required to have
all necessary permits and approvals before beginning any use or occupancy and all subsequent
activities must be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
¢ does not have significant impacts on unique geographic characteristics. The proposed action
specifically excludes requests to occupy mining claims or millsites on areas of critical
environmental concern, special recreation management areas, wilderness study areas or
designated wilderness areas, Indian Trust lands and wild and scenic river corridors (designated
or determined suitable).
¢ does not have an adverse effect on significant cultural resources and no effect on Threatened
and Endangered species (T&E) or their critical habitat. Decisions based on this FONSI
require BLM to conduct site-specific and case-specific cultural resource evaluations and
wildlife/T&E clearances.
¢ does not have significant effects on minority or low-income groups. Decisions based on this
FONSI would not have disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority and low-income populations.
Determination
On the basis of analysis of potential environmental impacts contained in the attached EA and all
other information available to me, it is my determination that the proposed action will not have
any significant impacts on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact
Statement is not required.
Diss \\ au)
Denise P. Meridith Date
State Director
sviof gIT E FED
bdluow noitos hecogeedt & sienna tone bi
lo enon 2 svlovni Int aonsngse ome A
ioequnt
beiseh2.wit siti sisininkons eteyee a
eit vot skucolteradt l (AS) anutcA nev
need] eroitaiugen RITE HAD Ep ontedtiis ylgeigo of Inatatalo 10 sctnaita
hel? voreqasoo bas sau iist gainkia ive foxdos ihemagenswn teiseTy math a
enotnslages bon easirasng Insmoganam a
smnotives lainevoudco yidgil 16 yssise brn silpod oildtng ona iodites eravbe oval|t on2
10 BHinnlisg Tete siivoss Diow gs agua Digg ont sttlels gion lo etoeger OTgeM ‘sonia emnaite
ror bivow FEV ai no Geged choked: estroge yisuc) to,r ere ott andd eat
svat of bering sd bkow inamislavotsiedo: ont wiaiieiel io jecot gee imebats
insupordue ls heh yoragua90 To Seu we giiiitiged sidied elevorqqa base oringweasoon I
ataitzlugar bas evel ltteaiaga Ie tii sanebroson ni batsubaoe 3d'ta urvik
- oHas beac ory ooh 2alansipet dy diriqutgoon aupinw ooa rangqued esata al So
aultiqy ft esutemo eatiallion ee eee Msottionge
19 enate vbule edomisbleg7' dOere ThemaysiAm mooetIet Inineye ss i
netanglesb) grobinigu wit shee bite bi‘ iw Sag aboysl taut? astdel teots ezemebliw Ba
bansiss rit fie) fogkke on bar eaymioes? iswilue ingont
24107 sid) nd baeed enoieisetl teiidad tesa ioe opet
bn novtealave pdriaeer Laisine oilioage-2a89 batts
snitin B. Hitblivy
Sy ot i ah aw ‘ 7 mn
t , 7 soib is - = = Ge oo sie
ash. 0sb enng weielse. segmental ‘ a Ronn Lo sigsily Inagei foi 2908
iuitace « Sp sarm ace eles * eh
lermanotivns 1 ddleod sinmurt seats bridaa lt e eb areal fekeiny
Selected Actions
for Mining Claim and Millsite
Use and Occupancy
in Arizona
PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Arizona State Office
November 1997
TVaMeese2A JATVEIMMOSIVME OFPAR ‘
¥
Table of Contents
a
Weed dome Proposal menety cce ee ne ee tne eae 1
AlternativesiincludinesthetProposed ActionGrs. . naar Wiete PER GhOns, APY, OST ALS. 1
Definitions ht eae ae ate ee B. PINS SORUIDS TY, CE 1
(CastialNSCcONCASUGIISCIOCLIVILICS Fo ee ee tr ne ce ee ee als l
INOliCe OF NOLICCHCVELaClIVIty MPO oe ok es ee ae te le es a 1
OCCHparicy fey aie mM tr ete ee ects, WTPAC REET ITED, ESE TS ore we one oe es 1
Plan of operations or plan level activity ...... 0.0.00ee .ee ees Z
SubstantiallysRequlam Works er: tet eee ty. Ws lg. Gi rale e S ee gh 2
Reasonably incidene ame ene etn Wie me eee ee Ne ee DPR RES ae ae a 2
Wnnecessary On Undue Degradation Were PMeR ET rire ones iw. Py aes 2
AltemativeOnes he Proposed Actionae em. Fee". a re ee Pre ee. 3
Piice tiativcelWOMNOTACHONe mee Ee te ne ee ee eh re eae hee 5
Information and Processing Procedures Under the Proposed Action ................---5: 5)
RiirOnmatiOnrandit Neng Selling et ee tee eg a ctw dee re: Sage ss el >
Deco dircs ee ers = ee AER REE oe eet ee ee 6
SiCONR CaSOnaD ValI CICQUe mms cle ret ie Mer es ts eke ig ee oe ie ess 6
Siepe me DA€AmalySi sm mr eater Cee Rte sane cae 6
Step 3, Development of Performance Measures. ........2-.000. e.ee .eee. ee- ee ee 8
Step 4, Required Permits and Financial Guarantees ............-..-+.0-0.000 10
Siena Once Occpancies of Uses Bese eg ete ie Be ce en 14
Requirements for Further Environmental Analysis ........05.50.s .ee.e e-ee. e.en s ihe
Fivterre ELOISE NS oo eect ne neem nomination ee 15
[rat EGG TULANE. 2-19 cu cae Babes Cle t eee et cp areas tice ao ee 1
SEARO yCMCLANITICIIES Botts er re Pa ee a ee ae oa adi a sss aa, oe 16
POCA IG OVCTNINGIS Perrin tet ee eR Weene s en ats 17
Description of the Affected Environment ... 22.0... 0.00.1 eee ee eee 18
PPC TS ee ee ali gt LE Rea, 9 Ss ikea re ee ora BS,
CGe B lo oy ranieNiinitie mets Sree ea ewe Meee re Me wee Sas en 19
VON I Cece DR Ry ciety Sethe ean ames SiR alam an omen 20
NV STECUIRESGULCCS ©G ee an asc cee ee St er Rees gt htt sya uts® T 20
STEEN ie i ES Re ee ne ee ge ee 20
Figliresleesultace WalciaMaplOl ALIZONA oeie ins + ee de on
Groundwater he SRS OR ORG ee a eee ee ee er eee 22
WTI Ge RR Sea ea ie ie ee eer eee 22
VEE” ci oc aa) Risuy uabee MyS ANE Necenticn #a Gk Nar Sr eee a 23
Wild Horses and Burros... . ... See 9 SE... co ee eee 23
Cultural Resources 5.5.5 645 ee ae eee ee a row... 23
Visual Resources and Recreation’. ) 5.2.) ce coe. - cae = ee ce eo eee 24
Economic Conditions «4... sic0 woes ade oe «cle ene 2 oe ie ee el ae 24
Social Environment o:c2555.5 5. Sc Te as eg ee cr 25
Environmental:Consequences .....< sig c se 5c odin oe eee os oes oan 25
Impacts on Climate and’Air Quality..<.... 2). .. patedeee meee bees aay es cee 26
Impacts on Geology and Topography ......): Gta.tenw .Eas.el a.oe .on .See. o e 26
Impacts om: Soils. i... 2h Ym ag Shade im scieon Sane ke eee aoa eee Be ae a 27
Impacts on Water-Resources: 010... ie + +1> <geieeee eee -sele peie k teeie Oe eee ee vl
Impacts‘on Vegetation 6... 06 5 ese es ns ee a oe = 2 gee ee 28
Impacts on Wildlife... Macha ca cath ceo tess > otek oly oe eee eee 28
Impacts.on Wild:Horses:and: Burros 2... 242. poe ee ee 29
Impacts on Cultural Resources’... .. 52. so. peta Menrieee g e e pa)
Impacts on Visual Resources and Recreation) 9.00). 2.2. wae tee ee 30
Impacts'on Eeonomic: Conditions 209 42. ie ee eee 31
Impacts on the Social Environment, 49.4% a) sabed? vexuheeel tl ada fey A eee eal
Cumulative: Lmpacts: i. cc oe se. cc whan eer tee toe 32
Environmental Justice. . <b db aos ees ee ed ne ee 32
Public Comment Summary and Responsecacas ey tetement fine staal bea oe eee 33
Agencies'and Individuals ConsultGd ss 3/2203 eee ci 40
References Gitedy.... smn,a cs ov aqatcreen Qe 200 ame a ORL ees esse ck ere 40
Appendix 1 - 43 CFR 3715 Regulations
Appendix 2 - 43 CFR 3809 Bonding Regulations
Appendix 3 - Sample 3715 Filing and Claimant Instructions
Appendix 4 - Standard Operating Procedures, Special Stipulations, and Actions and Activities
Not Allowed
Appendix 5 - Average Daily Sewage Flows
Appendix 6 - Threatened and Endangered Species
Appendix 7 - MSHA and OSHA Interagency Agreement