Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit Application by Crandon Mining Company To Construct and Operate the Crandon Mine in Forest County, Wisconsin

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Corps of Engineers

Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

for Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit Application by Crandon Mining

Company To Construct and Operate the Crandon Mine in Forest County,

Wisconsin

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The St. Paul District, Corp of Engineers, has received a

Section 404 permit application from Crandon Mining Company to develop

and operate the Crandon Mine which would include the discharge of fill

material in isolated wetlands and wetlands adjacent to Swamp Creek in

Forest County, Wisconsin. Zinc and copper would be the primary

materials mined. Nationally significant natural, cultural, and Native

American resources exist in the project area. Construction and

operation of the mine could result in significant impacts to these

resources. In order to thoroughly evaluate the permit action, an

Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, St. Paul District, 190 5th

Street, East, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1638.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. David Allman, (612) 290-5373.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS will evaluate the environmental,

social and economic effects of mining the zinc and copper orebody known

as the Crandon deposit. Alternatives, including project alternatives

and mitigation measures to reduce anticipated adverse effects, as well

as the no action alternative (permit denial) will be considered.

Significant issues and resources to be analyzed in the DEIS will be

identified through coordination and responsible Federal, State, and

local agencies; the general public, interested private organizations

and parties; and affected Native Americans. Anyone who has an interest

in participating in the Department of the DEIS is invited to contact

the St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers.

Significant issues identified to date for discussion in the DEIS

are as follows:

1. Impacts of mine dewatering on lakes and wetlands.

2. Impacts on water quality, including the Wold River, a Federally-

designated Wild and Scenic River.

3. Impacts on Native Americans, including Tribal Trust resources

and responsibilities:

4. Impacts on social and economic resources.

5. Impacts on cultural resources.

Additional issues of significance will be identified through public

and agency meetings. An initial public scoping meeting will be held at

an as yet undetermined date, place, and time. A notice will be

published or aired in local media once this meeting has been scheduled.

Additional meetings will be held as deemed necessary.

Our environmental review and consultation will be conducted

according to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act

of 1969, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Council on

Environmental Quality Regulations, Endangered Species Act of 1973,

Clean Water Act, Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, and applicable Corps

of Engineers regulations and guidance.

We anticipate that the DEIS will be available to the public in June

of 1966.

Kenneth L. Denton,

Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 94-30820 Filed 12-14-94; 8:45 am]

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