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Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. USDA Kensington Gold Project United States Department of Agriculture DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL Forest Service ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Tongass National STATEMENT Forest R10-MB-343 Cooperating Agencies *>EPA United States Forest Alaska Region Juneau Ranger District ’^Department of Service Tongass National Forest 8465 Old Dairy Road l^Bjgriculture Fax (907) 586-8808 Juneau, Alaska 99801 907 586-8800 Date: February 18, 1997 Dear Reviewer Enclosed for your review and comment is the Kensington Gold Project Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Coeur Alaska, Inc.'s proposed gold mine north of Juneau, Alaska. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are cooperating agencies which have participated in this process. This document was prepared by SAIC, a third party contractor, under the direction of the Forest Service, EPA, and Corps of Engineers. The DSEIS presents the alternatives that have been developed to resolve the issues identified during scoping, the environment potentially impacted by the development, and the environmental consequences of each alternative. The preferred alternative, as identified by the Forest Service, EPA, and Corps of Engineers is Alternative D - Modified Dry Tailings Facility. Comments are due by April 7, 1997, and should be sent to: Roger Birk EIS Team Leader Juneau Ranger District 8465 Old Dairy Road Juneau, AK 99801 Public Information meetings are scheduled for March 25, 1997, at Centennial Hall in Juneau and for March 26, at the Chilkat Center in Haines. These meetings will combine a question and answer format with a public hearing. In addition, on March 6, from 1 to 5 p.m., the Forest Service and SAIC Interdisciplinary Team members will be available at the Juneau Ranger District office to meet with interested persons individually to answer questions about the analysis in the Draft SEIS. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with the IDT for March 6, please contact Roger Birk at 907-586-8800. Thank you. Sincerely USDA National Agricultural Library NAL Building 10301 Baltimore Blvd. Bellsville, MD 20705-2351 Deputy District Ranger Caringforthe Land and Serving People FS-6200-28W4/88) *v Kensington Gold Project Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Tongass National Forest February 1997 o This document is printed on recycled paper. COVER SHEET Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Tongass National Forest Chatham Area Responsible Officer: Gary Morrison Forest Supervisor Cooperating Agencies: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Point of Contact: Roger Birk Juneau Ranger District 8465 Old Dairy Road Juneau, Alaska 98101 (907) 586-8800 Document Designation: Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Abstract: This document evaluates the potential environmental consequences associated with proposed modifications to the 1992 Plan of Operations for the Kensington Gold Project. The Kensington Gold Project is a proposed gold mine located 45 miles north of Juneau, Alaska. If the Proposed Action were implemented, it would include use of dry tailings management, offsite processing of flotation concentrate, and use of diesel fuel for power generation. Evaluation factors for the proposed modifications primarily include effects on marine and fresh water resources, air quality, wetlands, transportation, and visual resources. Alternatives addressed include the No Action Alternative, the Proposed Action, and two other alternatives developed based on scoping issues. Comments Should Be Roger Birk Addressed To: Juneau Ranger District 8465 Old Dairy Road Juneau, Alaska 98101 Review Comment April 7, 1997 Deadline: . '