Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement Analyzing the Impacts of the Proposed Yarnell Mine Project, Yarnell, AZ

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AZ-024-05-3809-00; AZA-29237]

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

Analyzing the Impacts of the Proposed Yarnell Mine Project, Yarnell, AZ

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement

for a proposed gold mine near Yarnell, Arizona.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Land

Management, Phoenix District Office, intends to prepare an

environmental impact statement on the impacts of a proposed gold mining

and processing project near the town of Yarnell, in Yavapai County,

Arizona. Yarnell Mining Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bema Gold

(U.S.) Incorporated, has submitted a proposed mining plan of operations

to the Bureau of Land Management, as required under the Code of Federal

Regulations and Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act

of 1976. The Bureau of Land Management has responsibility for review,

analysis, and approval of the mining plan. Preparation of the

environmental impact statement will follow the Code of Federal

Regulations, title 40, subpart 1500.

The mining plan proposes conventional open-pit excavation, waste

rock dumps, and cyanide heap leach processes to mine the Yarnell gold

deposit over a period of approximately six years, with an additional

two years for reclamation. The proposed project area includes 160

acres, located 1.5 miles south of Yarnell and 70 miles northwest of

Phoenix.

The no action alternative and alternatives that consider various

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engineering designs and impact mitigating measures will be analyzed.

Anticipated issues include surface and groundwater quality, groundwater

depletion, visual impacts, public safety, noise, air quality, effects

of blasting, mine reclamation, impacts on socioeconomic values, and

impacts on riparian, wildlife, and cultural resources.

DATES: Public scoping meetings will be held to determine issues of

concern. Public meetings will be held at the following locations and

times:

(1) Wickenburg meeting: October 17, 1995, 6:00-9:00 p.m., at the

Wickenburg Community Center, 160 North Valentine Street, Wickenburg,

Arizona (520) 684-7656.

(2) Yarnell meeting: October 18, 1995, 6:00-9:00 p.m., at the

Yarnell Senior Citizens Center, 136 Broadway, Yarnell, Arizona (520)

427-6401.

(3) Prescott meeting: October 19, 1995, 6:00-9:00 p.m., at the

Prescott Resort Conference Center, Cottonwood Room, 1500 Highway 69,

Prescott, Arizona (520) 776-1666.

Public input may be submitted during the public meetings or in

writing to the address given in the section below. Public comments

relating to the identification of issues will be accepted until 60 days

from this publication date. There will be additional opportunities for

public comment on completion of the draft environmental impact

statement.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning the environmental impact

statement should be submitted to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn:

Gail Acheson, Area Manager, Phoenix Resource Area, 2015 West Deer

Valley Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85027.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connie Stone, EIS Project Manager,

Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix Resource Area, 2015 West Deer Valley

Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85027, telephone (602) 780-8090.

Dated: September 15, 1995.

David J. Miller,

Associate District Manager.

[FR Doc. 95-23456 Filed 9-20-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-32-P