Table Of Content| 88076881
DRAFT
SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LEEVILLE PROJECT
AUGUST 2007
TN
413
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1 125 BLM Library
-2 007 Denver Federal Center
| Bldg. 50, OC-521
P.O. Box 25047
Denver, CO 80225
It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the health,
diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of
present and future generations.
BLM/EK/PL-07/11+1793
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Elko Field Office oN ‘
3900 East Idaho Street TAKE PRIDE*
Elko, Nevada 89801 INAMERICA
http://www.nv.blm.gov
In Reply Refer To:
1793.7/3809
August 31, 2007
Dear Reader:
Enclosed for your review and comment is the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (DSEIS) for Newmont Mining Corporation’s Leeville Project. This DSEIS
supplements the cumulative effects analysis originally presented in the Leevile Project 2002
Environmental Impact Statement by providing expanded and updated analyses of cumulative
effects consistent with the recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit:
Great Basin Mine Watch v. Hankins, 456 F.3d 955, 9" Circuit 2006.
The Record of Decision for the Leeville Project was signed September 25, 2002, and the mine
has been in development and operation since that time. The Leeville Project consists of the West
Leeville, Four Corners, and Turf ore bodies which will be accessed by five shafts, a waste rock
disposal facility, and other ancillary facilities, including dewatering facilities. The Leeville Mine
is located approximately 20 miles northwestof Carlin, Nevada.
The cumulative effects analyses in this DSEIS incorporate qualitative and quantitative data
collected since 2002; expand the analysis of cumulative effects of mining and other land uses
where appropriate; and add additional detail with respect to the analytical processes used in the
original EIS.
Public comments on the DSEIS will be accepted during a 60-day comment period ending
October 31, 2007, Comments on the DEIS shouldbe submitted to: Bureau of Land
ManagementEl,ko Field Office, Attention: Leeville Project SEIS Coordinator, 3900 Idaho St.,
Elko, NV 89801.
The Final SEIS may be published in an abbreviated format so please retain this draft document
for future reference. Your interest in the management of public lands is appreciated. If you have
any questions, please contact Deb McFarlane, Leeville SEIS Project Manager at (775) 753-0200.
Uti fff
Kenneth E. Miller,
Field Manager
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DRAFT
SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
FOR
LEEVILLE PROJECT
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
LEAD AGENCY: U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Elko Field Office
Elko, Nevada
PROJECT LOCATION: Elko and Eureka Counties, Nevada
COMMENTS ON THIS DRAFT SEIS "Ms. Deb McFarlane
SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: SEIS Project Manager
Elko Field Office
3900 East Idaho Street
Elko, NV 89801
DATE DRAFT SEIS FILED WITH EPA: August 31, 2007
DATE BY WHICH COMMENTS MUST
BE POSTMARKED TO BLM: October 31, 2007
ABSTRACT
This Draft Supplemental EIS (Draft SEIS) provides additional information regarding cumulative effects associated
with gold mining projects located in the central portion of the Carlin Trend, northwest of Carlin, Nevada. This
document focuses on the cumulative effects of the Leeville Project combined with other mining and land use
activities within the Carlin Trend area. The Leeville was authorized in 2002, has been constructed and is currently
being operated by Newmont Mining Corporation.
This Draft SEIS supplements: the cumulative effects analyses originally presented in the Leeville EIS by providing
expanded and updated analyses of cumulative effects consistent with the recent decision by the United States
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Great Basin Mine Watch v. Hankins, 456 F.3d 955 (9° Cir, 2006).
This analysis tiers to and incorporates by reference the information and analyses contained in the Leeville EIS. The
cumulative elects analyses in ts Draft SEIS Cidade SuAnEATIVe &an d qaantitative data. that has been collected
Responsible Official for EIS: id A
Kenneth E. Miller
Manager, Elko Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
BLM Library
Denver Federal Center
Bidg. 50, OC-521
P.O. Box 25047
Denver, CO 80225
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DRAFT
SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
STATEMENT
FOR
LEEVILLE PROJECT
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
Elko and Eureka Counties, Nevada
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Elko Field Office
Elko, Nevada
August 2007
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DRAFT
SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
FOR
LEEVILLE PROJECT
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEAR READER LETTER
ABSTRACT
CHAPTER | LIN TRO DIC CT ION 5.o csscecasccchenhbavees Piveteisrdesocscsecstapeh waa vertuesatoesdoadestestastene I
OS SS FAUNA NTS 2D AIM IY LI 58 eR eS ALLEN Serer tee we et ee a BESS |
PROMEEC AIST APIS cutest, Pitas 1. tS A scx REDGATE GTR ECE yan ncdboats. tsa |
SMOLIN R BLS LUE Sema SLE ae SF Nie NEE SO SE A io hn oe epi cee ae ic OE NO ad OL 7
CHAPTER2 #£=PAST, PRESENT, AND REASONABLY FORESEEABLE FUTURE
. BCTAV UTES RIG ci ccstcsceestecttcncttadessactacdsscsesensscdhsscdeocerpocetttitesesestaaesitactetts I
CR PZ GAM D-AGRICUIUTR Es esas. at ues onal eine tees Me pescado eich Noch sat Maes sch oe ohewsnseastecttonanceeseconties |
ENERGY PR@DUC TIONCAND:DISTRIBUTIO NMG aA se ea al IRE Ld Leh oleae ees 9
PVA ETE EES PASI REEG SUN Gracin ce ctcsas st arcuw e erate rote aire tak teow s eee Seats lestesbolotewoesassonepsnsensseperoren 10
SHABILIZA TION ANDIREHABILITATION PROGRAMS aoa see fon cate Ncsahehacapncacerettecusonseedonts 10
AEE CSLNE ABG 1S GIN cet pPtse do, TAS oro Rae oy DA en Oe ey nee ae, Aa eR OD ORO B ee 19
PAID OEVIELIIOER Ib ptern etait res ae eta aed eeetreee eee Cd tte wes Bob see et tet ales eae t ti tenssdeleatnsctincestocs i
Ra AM DIMER ALO EVELO© EIEN iie ts Mee ley 22 oo tt eee ST eee Te, feed diese tctadonat tie vooade Mee dastesadeoneees 19
HAZARDOUS /SOLID WASTE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ..0..ccoecececesesececnecececsescseeeneseaeeeeseees a
CO tig)o te sled osC OTESIAAA cs es it comet ree ob dea PRAM pane ccadtassacttsccscsnetiactheeet claceestasenactucctocdbeceatens® 34
CHAPTER 3 CU MUEAIDIV BiB RFE GitiS wisiectars sete tersec-sccescenscscncescesssssnccecnssnsesscassovesses I
BAe a Ny eer Sy rr ere ie lye acetate eeaeen eirpnarenscricanipansndoabetisagsasacestercsdvesummengradeonstiuenre s |
aa RDS DN SE ac etre et rate Oot es anc gononteoetcesedosn te vousersnesereegsncdcestecnpsaggeaerasdettshacy |
MR Es te rE aes ee eee cea ca areca rane nce nxsvato ak onsanea nteedagsaacresesnsgeencdessaveseeasgeceresesite 29
ByR ecast eee Sieroter etree tN e irncncctccec Par sd testi cesaydarnescdareinsescwoseschontweasishicoynsegeeebsieonteeieontysaazontes 33
TERRESTRIAL WILDLIFE, T&E, CANDIDATE, AND SENSITIVE SPECIES .000....ceeeeceseceeeetesesesesseneeeene 38
BeL eeA RP RED RCPS PAL NOVY ol ALeP NE ate eset tua aloe anSo e cueteast cl ey shoes sstuinde-quosckcadetaravabuentondsontaesenssiegdanresusirebedenens 53
FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES (INCLUDING THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND
PAD Ps aee s pr ace ee ean eae 2 ata date Late cdawens tate pseaceats cani~snsvnnnavrdorwcnchqedseunanestenstenansessendbedbyes 60
BSEVI N CaeL AAty L ei TPN ACUCE U e aad sacs letcgpceeseneatnesanesgneoyesacenencsencainestnesedrasensos 67
ETREGd he Ma he clea hes ecto t apg catenins soghe gazes nansevasonenrhanaeuntopokeas ttaseiaqatdvcnedennbyece 68
Pe hh ERNE aC RVC EN Ugo te cs a8 acon ea etre aes favre sins jndacavendedankssdeesed nenseoasbecasaaatunscarsedeavhins 69
RSOe P ee SN oe ee ee Bree toe Sees en ce ea lG Nirea cas dyesdavnsneanesasaza coach\mpeesosavorsaystannenvise Wiestsanayte 70
Ba estE as Cd ud AINSI EaNt ZPNU)A COU ) Sete tens ceepdare gious oan sec gavh cease sae secosevane snes abl oxépisunnshvoedeeat dhonpacneaiigabeNotevedss fn
eee ee oe a er raat great c a tcc cena Rs fae tcrd tt daa ast sede tk iu ustsplenlbdskcacantnensapbancechenndyenannese F2
BeetA U ATM Ute Rete T EOe CISE SS rota yse tesa en ctchs A eap eee aus sfcrutiakan ta nasvorkdtavdsysadesaricavegoneceneitvetesnntsesdhcabinn e 73
Be ENC eeE NN Me pes st bm oe eee eee nees canta Uc HO AO cased esedachend Sounvec ocdaoageadeccatwrasenagvenseesd secaresyepsoacoserenenes 82
DIPAY EXPERa an tee tes)L s KSOOIN ERIN 22 osecrte sescosnciastht sedustvsnsiseenqsuonstssusooesnnsnaceoncnenshasdenenseneenvegnoas 87
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
CHAPTER 4 CONSULTATION, COORDINATION, AND PARTICIPATION ... I
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SUMMARY cnccc..cecceccssecceccsnssssncssssscssecsessrossscteceesssscsvsessassssnenssnssnssssonashossssosanenenasueneeneners |
IMPLEMENTTIOAN ..0-ccasecsoscecoeonsoondes cdevcsl cletvaeols eundhs Robe SPDsadbiWie ve oBelte ter oeavevsnesozevenenercena ass eabrassasenanstoseneozensentarss#ae |
CRITERIA AND METHODS BY WHICH PUBLIC INPUT IS EVALUATED........:s-ssssesssssseeceesnsteesssssenseness 2
LIST OF PREPARERS AND REVIEWERG...........:s:ccsssssscsssssneosssscnsssesecsecssesseoescensnenenacnecnensrsssesaseceverecasecsncanenasaseaes 3
MAILING LAST. scsccsscheccesovsessoccecessedst seven sahdecstesen tues setsneevesectscsadsths da svokansasnestsvsdresedsacthsns thentrad vheetanecg< (shh snexsnarageesesteacaiieticy -
CHAPTER 5 REFERENCE ..........cccccsscsscssccccscccccccccrsscnsscesccscccscccscnesssssascscsossccnscesaconees j
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE I-I General Location — SOAPA Project .........ecessesscsssessessseessnsssenensenenensncnnsnerenecssssasanenenscasenensnnsnezes 1-3
FIGURE 1-2 Project Location — SOAPA Project........sssssesssecsssssnsesnssscnnecsnsecsnssssssnssssnscnnscnnsscnnscqnssecessectsssezsses 1-5
FIGURE 2-I Mine Disturbance — Carlin Trend in Nevada..........sssssssssssssesssensensensnsencescescensrssasennsasenscnsees 2-3
FIGURE 2-2 General Cumulative Effects Study Area — SOAPA Project .......sessessssesenseenneenecsnesrssennesenees 2-5
FIGURE 2-3 Grazing Allotments — Cumulative Effects Study Area ......ssssssssssecsnssscsssssesssssnnnssenscesnnnsssacnn 2-7
FIGURE 2-4 Historical Fires 1999-2007 — Cumulative Effects Study Area .......ssssssssssessnssernnseesnneessseses 2-11
FIGURE 2-5 Reseeded Areas 1999-2006 — Cumulative Effects Study Area .......sssssssssssssssesnesecnneesentes 2-13
FIGURE 2-6 Recreation Areas — SOAPA Project ........:.ssecsessssestesesnenessnsesessnensnsnenenensensescscssssnsneresacnsnensensees 2-21
FIGURE 2-7 Past, Present, Reasonably Foreseeable Future
Mining Activities — Carlin Trend .......ssssccssscsssesssesssssssssnsecsesnnseccnnsessnneccnssenssnsssnanscssnnsssonnansegnnsas 2-25
FIGURE 2-8 Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Lease Areas — Cumulative Effects Study Area... 2-35
FIGURE 3-I Air Resources — Cumulative Effects Study Area ........secscsessssssssesssssnsssenensnsenenensensnsensncensscertees 3-9
FIGURE 3-2 Water Quantity and Quality — Cumulative Effects Study Area. 0... 220i. e.cccsttecteetacnaratee 3-19
FIGURE 3-3 Soil Resources — Cumulative Effects Study Area.......sscscsesssessssessesnesssssssneeneencsnseneennsenecnsens 3-3 |
FIGURE 3-4 Vegetation Resources — Cumulative Effects Study Area.......sssscsssssssseccesesssnnneesseesesseseesee 3-35
FIGURE 3-5 Terrestrial Wildlife — Mule Deer Habitat — Cumulative Effects Study Area .........-.:000 3-39
FIGURE 3-6 Terrestrial Wildlife — Pronghorn Antelope — Cumulative
Effects Study Area......csssssssssssssssssssssesssssseesscssnsenecssccnsconscsncssnssssnscnecsaesssessucsaneeacnsccnsecanecencescessessess 3-41
FIGURE 3-7 Riparian Areas and Wetlands — Cumulative Effects Study Area .....sssssscsssssseseeeesenssssee 3-55
FIGURE 3-8 Socio Economics Resources — Cumulative Effects Study Area .......s.sssssssscssssssssssssesssnsesnees 3-75
FIGURE 3-9 Cultural Resources and Area of Potential
Effect — Cumulative Effects Study Area .........::ssessssesessessesecssssesnsssscnssessenssesenensensnsrnenennsecnseness 3-85
