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United States Department of the InteriorBureau of Land Management

Environmental Assessment UT-W010-2009-0009-EA

North Tintic Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project

Location: Township Range Sections7 S 3 W 3, 10, 22, 27, 33, 358 S 2 W 35-368 S 3 W 16, 21, 22, 339 S 2 W 3, 9-10, 15-16, 21-23, 28-359 S 3 W 2, 4-8, 10, 12-14, 16-18, 21-22, 25-26, 29-31, 33-36

10 S 2 W 2-5, 7, 10-1110 S 3 W 1-3, 5, 11-1210 S 4 W 11

Salt Lake Meridian

Applicant/Address: Abandoned Mine Reclamation ProgramUtah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining1594 West North TemplePO Box 145801Salt Lake City UT 84114-5801

U.S. Department of the InteriorBureau of Land Management

Salt Lake Field Office2370 South 2300 WestSalt Lake City, 84119Phone: (801) 977-4300FAX: (801) 977-4397

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

North Tintic Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project

Utah Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program

AMR/049/903

Utah, Tooele, and Juab Counties, Utah

Prepared by

Utah Abandoned Mine Reclamation Programand

Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake Field Office

on behalf of the

USDOI Office of Surface Mining

June 10, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTSEA UT-W010-2009-0009-EA

1.0 PURPOSE & NEED....................................................................................................11.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................11.2 Background................................................................................................................11.3 Need for the Proposed Action....................................................................................31.4 Purpose(s) of the Proposed Action............................................................................31.5 Conformance with BLM Land Use Plan(s):..............................................................31.6 Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, or other Plans:...............................................41.7 Identification of Issues...............................................................................................41.8 Summary....................................................................................................................5

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING PROPOSED ACTION. . .72.1 Introduction:...............................................................................................................72.2 Alternative A – Proposed Action:..............................................................................72.3 Alternative B – No Action.......................................................................................102.4 Alternatives Considered, but Eliminated from Further Analysis.............................11

3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT................................................................................173.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................173.2 General Setting.........................................................................................................173.3 Elements of the Human Environment and Other Resources Brought Forward for Analysis..........................................................................................................................18

3.3.1 Cultural Resources............................................................................................183.3.2 Invasive Species................................................................................................193.3.3 Migratory Birds.................................................................................................193.3.4 Lands/Access....................................................................................................193.3.5 Recreation.........................................................................................................193.3.6 Special Status Animal Species other than FWS Candidate or Listed Species..203.3.7 Public Safety.....................................................................................................22

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS..............................................................................234.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................234.2 Direct/Indirect Impacts of Alternative A – Proposed Action..................................23

4.2.1 Cultural Resources............................................................................................234.2.2 Invasive Species................................................................................................234.2.3 Migratory Birds.................................................................................................234.2.4 Lands/Access....................................................................................................244.2.5 Recreation.........................................................................................................244.2.6 Special Status Animal Species other than FWS Candidate or Listed Species..244.2.7 Public Safety.....................................................................................................26

4.3 Mitigation Measures................................................................................................264.4 Monitoring and/or Compliance................................................................................264.5 Direct/Indirect Impacts of Alternative B – No Action.............................................264.6 Cumulative Impacts Analysis..................................................................................27

4.6.1 Past and Present Actions...................................................................................274.6.2 Reasonably Foreseeable Action Scenario (RFAS)...........................................27

4.6.3 Cumulative Impacts..........................................................................................275.0 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION:.........................................................29

5.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................295.2 Persons, Groups, and Agencies Consulted..............................................................295.3 Summary of Public Participation.............................................................................305.4 List of Preparers.......................................................................................................30

5.4.1 BLM Preparers..................................................................................................305.4.2 Non-BLM Preparers..........................................................................................31

6.0 REFERENCES, GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS................................................326.1 References Cited......................................................................................................326.2 Glossary of Terms and Acronyms...........................................................................34

APPENDIX A: Interdisciplinary Team Analysis Record Checklist..........................36APPENDIX B: Map........................................................................................................39APPENDIX C: Mine Closure Schedule........................................................................41

North Tintic West Construction Project....................................................................41North Tintic East Construction Project......................................................................50

APPENDIX D: Mine Closure And Construction Methods.........................................60APPENDIX E: Reclamation Seed Mix.........................................................................65APPENDIX F: Construction Specifications (Section 0300)........................................66APPENDIX G: Standard Operating Procedures And Stipulations...........................77

Environmental AssessmentNorth Tintic ProjectJune 8, 2009Page 1

North Tintic Abandoned Mine Reclamation ProjectEnvironmental Assessment UT-020-2009-000

1.0 PURPOSE & NEED

1.1 IntroductionThis Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to disclose and analyze the environmental consequences of the North Tintic Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project as proposed by the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM). The EA is a site-specific analysis of potential impacts that could result with the implementation of a proposed action or alternatives to the proposed action. The EA assists the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) in project planning and ensuring compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and in making a determination as to whether any “significant” impacts could result from the analyzed actions. “Significance” is defined by NEPA and is found in regulation 40 CFR 1508.27. An EA provides evidence for determining whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a statement of “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI).

There are two different federal actions analyzed by this EA, one by the BLM and one by OSM. If the BLM decision maker determines that this project has “significant” impacts following the analysis in the EA, then a Notice of Intent (NOI) to write an EIS would be prepared for the project. If not, a Decision Record may be signed for the EA approving the selected alternative, whether it is the proposed action or another alternative. For the BLM, the Decision Record, including a FONSI statement, documents the reasons why implementation of the selected alternative would not result in “significant” environmental impacts (effects) beyond those already addressed in the Pony Express Resources Management Plan, signed 1990. Likewise, OSM will issue either a NOI or a FONSI for its action. If OSM issues a FONSI, it will also issue an Authorization to Proceed, authorizing expenditure of federal funds.

1.2 BackgroundThe project would be carried out by the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining’s (DOGM) Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program (AMRP) under the authority of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (PL 95-87, SMCRA) and would be conducted in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Utah AMRP has primacy in the state to conduct SMCRA-authorized abandoned mine reclamation. The Western Regional Coordinating Center, Denver Field Division, Office of Surface Mining, U.S. Department of Interior, is the Federal agency which funds and oversees this program. OSM has written a programmatic environmental impact statement that discusses the impacts of abandoned mine reclamation in general (US Office of Surface Mining, 1983).


The purpose of the AMRP is to abate physical safety hazards associated with abandoned mines under the authority of Title IV of SMCRA. Only mines that meet the definition of “abandoned” as defined in SMCRA are eligible for funding. Funding comes from a tax on current coal production. A percentage of this tax is returned to the state of origin by the U.S. Congress through the Office of Surface Mining specifically for use in the reclamation of abandoned mines. Section 409 of SMCRA provides for reclamation of noncoal mines. Mines within the EA analysis area meet the Priority 1 safety hazard requirement in SMCRA.

The proposed project would address hazardous abandoned mine openings on private and public lands in the East Tintic Mountains of northeastern Juab County, southeastern Tooele County, and southwestern Utah County, Utah (Figure 1). Access to the project area is via existing graded roads, unimproved dirt roads, trails, and footpaths. The proposed construction work is estimated to require approximately six months in two summers to complete. Reclamation construction could commence as early as July 27, 2009 and end as late as October 30, 2011.

Figure 1. Project Area Detail

Visitors to these mines are exposed to a wide variety of physical safety hazards and potential health hazards. Old mine access roads lead directly to the mine sites making them a destination for hikers and mining history enthusiasts. This current ease of access increases the risk to the public. This project proposes to close mine portals and eliminate


hazards in such a way as to preserve the historic values and provide visitors a safer recreational experience.

1.3 Need for the Proposed ActionThe DOGM/AMRP proposes, in cooperation with the BLM, to close hazardous abandoned mine openings in the North Tintic Mining District north of Eureka, Utah in northeastern Juab County, southeastern Tooele County, and southwestern Utah County. Two hundred twenty eight openings are proposed for closure. Of these, 125 (55%) are on lands managed by the West Desert District of the BLM. The proposed action is needed because these open abandoned mines pose physical safety hazards to the public. Abandoned mines are hazardous because they are no longer maintained, lack ventilation, and may collapse. People who enter mines intentionally may become lost, be injured or killed by falls or cave-ins, or succumb to oxygen-deficient atmospheres. Surface users risk accidental injury or death from falls into mines. Nationwide an average of 29 deaths per year occur at abandoned mine sites (U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, 2009).

The potential for injury or deaths at abandoned mines is borne out by actual experience in the East Tintic Range. There have already been a fatality and a documented serious “near miss” incident at mines inside the project area (Salt Lake Tribune, 1999; Mulder, 1992). While these two particular mines were safeguarded in response to the accidents, they demonstrate the real hazards posed by the scores of unsecured mines still remaining in the area. The designated ATV recreation area at Fivemile Pass draws offroad recreationists to the north end of the project area; spillover ATV activity to the south into the project area can be expected. The expanding residential developments at Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs put the project area in the back yard of an increasing number of people. Recreational use of the area, and attendant risks of abandoned mine accidents, will increase accordingly.

1.4 Purpose(s) of the Proposed ActionThe purpose of the proposed action is to eliminate the hazards present at abandoned mines and thereby assist DOGM in meeting its legislatively mandated mission to safeguard abandoned mines and protect public safety, improve environmental conditions at abandoned mines, and fulfill its objectives for safe mining and mineral-related activities within the State of Utah. The proposed action will reduce the risk of injury or death from abandoned mine hazards to users of public land administered by the BLM. In addition, this project supports BLM Utah’s abandoned mine reclamation program.

1.5 Conformance with BLM Land Use Plan(s):The proposed action and alternative described below are in conformance with the Pony Express Area Resource Management Plan approved in 1990 (U.S. BLM, 1990). Although the proposed action and alternative are not specifically mentioned in the plan, they are


consistent with the objectives, goals, and decisions of the approved plan. It has been determined that the proposed action and alternative would not conflict with other decisions throughout the plan.

1.6 Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, or other Plans:The proposed action and alternative are consistent with federal, state and local laws, regulations, and plans to the maximum extent possible, including the following:

Taylor Grazing Act (TGA) of 1934Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976

(43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)Public Rangelands Improvement Act (PRIA) of 1978Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (as amended)Standards of Quality for Waters of the State, R317-2-6, Utah Administrative Code,

Dec. 1997BLM Utah Riparian Management Policy, UT-93-93, March 1993.Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended).National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as amended)Executive Orders 11988 (floodplains), 11990 (wetlands), 12898 (environmental

justice), 13186 (Migratory Bird Treaty Act)Clean Air Act of 1970 (As Amended)American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1979Archaeological Resource Protection Act of 1980Rangeland Health Standard and Guideline Assessments (2002)Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1981 (as amended)SLDO Weed EA UT-020-96-24Utah’s Non-Point Source Pollution Management Plan (2000) Bonneville Cooperative Weed Management Area Plan (2005)

These resources managed by these plans are either analyzed later in this document or, if not impacted, are listed in the attached Interdisciplinary Team Analysis Record Checklist (Appendix A).

1.7 Identification of IssuesThis proposal was posted on the BLM’s Electronic Notification Bulletin Board on March 13, 2009. Public comments have not been received by the SLFO. Issues were identified through public involvement and input from the SLFO resource specialists. Resources are either analyzed later in this document or, if not impacted, are listed in the attached Interdisciplinary Team Analysis Record Checklist (Appendix A).

An open house was held for the public on March 19, 2009, in Provo, Utah. Issues raised at the open house included landowner rights, cultural/historic values, continued use of


historic mine access roads, continued use of mine portals for recreational access to natural caves. These issues are addressed briefly below:

Landowner RightsConcern: Landowners would not be allowed control over their properties.Response: Mine closures and reclamation would not occur on private land without the claim-landowner’s permission in the form of a signed Right of Entry (ROE) agreement.

Cultural/Historic ArtifactsConcern: The funding planned for this project would be better spent in preserving historic underground artifacts through the installation of gates on mine portals, rather than destroying them by forever removing them from public view by backfilling the mine portal.Response: The limited public funding available for mine hazard abatement is most efficiently spent on vandal-proof closures. Gates and grates require much more effort and funding for maintenance. Backfill allows the job to be done only once. According to SHPO, the underground historical artifacts are preserved by backfill, which prevents vandalism and theft.

Historic Mine Access RoadsConcern: Existing roads in the project area should not be removed.Response: Road removal is not included in the proposed action for this project.

Access to Natural CavesConcern: Mine portals that are currently used to access natural caves need to remain accessible through the installation of a locked gate or grate.Response: Through consultation with the National Speleological Society, the mines used for access will be gated and access provided by key. Two of the three existing caves in the project area are currently under study by the BLM for Significant Cave status.

In addition, potential impacts to cultural resources, invasive species, migratory birds, lands/access, recreation, special status animal species other than FWS candidate or listed species, and public safety were identified by the AMRP and by the BLM resource specialists during an internal scoping process. These issues will be discussed further in chapters 3 and 4 of this EA.

1.8 SummaryThis chapter has presented the purpose and need of the proposed project, as well as the relevant issues, i.e., those elements of the human environment that could be affected by the implementation of the proposed project. In order to meet the purpose and need of the proposed project in a way that resolves the issues, the BLM has developed a range of action alternatives. These alternatives, as well as a no action alternative, are presented in Chapter 2. The potential environmental impacts or consequences resulting from the


implementation of each alternative are then analyzed in Chapter 4 for each of the identified issues.


2.0 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING PROPOSED ACTION

2.1 Introduction:The proposed action and the No Action Alternative are considered the only reasonable alternatives. No issues were raised during the scoping process that would suggest or identify other alternatives. The No Action Alternative is considered and analyzed to provide a baseline for comparison of the impacts of the proposed action.

2.2 Alternative A – Proposed Action:Under this proposal, the Western Regional Coordinating Center, Denver Field Division, OSM would authorize the expenditure of approximately $700,000 for abandoned mine reclamation project activities by DOGM/AMRP as authorized under Title IV of the SMCRA and as described below. The BLM would authorize DOGM/AMRP to enter public lands for the purpose of implementing abandoned mine land reclamation.

The proposed action would consist of closing 228 mine openings and returning the disturbed areas to as close to the pre-project conditions as feasible. During inventory, 377 other mine features were identified, but are not proposed for closure. Of the 228 mine openings in the proposal, 122 are adits or horizontal openings, 14 are inclined, and 92 are shafts or vertical openings. The mine openings would be closed by hand- or machine-placed backfill, bat gates, rebar shaft grates, native stone or concrete block walls, or polyurethane foam (PUF). One hundred seventeen (117) of these mine openings (or 51%) are located on public lands managed by the BLM-SLFO; eight (8) mine openings (or 4%) are located on public lands managed by the BLM-Fillmore FO; ten (10) (or 4%) are located on lands managed by the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) lands, and the other ninety-three (93) mine openings (or 41%) are privately owned. A summary list of the mine openings and the recommended closures for each site can be found in Appendix C (Mine Closure Schedule). The proposed access routes to the mine sites are the mapped roads and ATV trails shown in Appendix B, and dry wash bottoms.

The table below shows the breakdown of the project proposal by closure method and land status:

Type of Closure Number proposed

Number on BLM-administered land

Number on SITLA land

Number onprivate land

Backfill (Hand) 125 68 7 50Backfill (Equipment) 48 25 1 22Wall (Stone or Block) 14 12 0 2Bat Gate 14 5 1 8Rebar Shaft Grate 22 11 1 10PUF Shaft Plug 5 3 0 2TOTAL Mine Closures 228 125 10 93


The project would be bid by the State of Utah Division of Purchasing and would be conducted by a qualified contractor and managed by the DOGM/AMRP. Closure designs would utilize methods that have been used by the Utah DOGM/AMRP for over twenty years. Specific methods are discussed in detail in Appendix D (Mine Closure and Construction Methods).

Backfilling mine openings would be accomplished by placing fill material taken from the mine waste dumps and placing it inside the mine openings by hand or with the use of equipment. Wall closures would be accomplished by constructing cement block or native stone walls. Block walls would have a stucco facing placed on the outer surface to blend the closure with surrounding rock surfaces. Pits and trenches would be filled with backfill material to a height of 24 inches or more above the collar of the opening in order to direct drainage away from the backfilled mine feature and allow the material to settle without leaving a recess. Surface disturbance necessary for closure of mine openings would be limited to the existing area of disturbance caused by previous mining activities and is estimated to be less than 0.1 acre per feature plus some access related disturbance for an estimated total of less than twenty-five acres for closure of all the mine features. Trash and refuse from the construction would be removed and disposed of in a landfill in accordance with state and local regulations.

Polyurethane foam (PUF) would be used in cases where no fill is available, no equipment access exists or where other closure methods are not feasible. The PUF closure of adits consists of installing a bulkhead form, installing PUF to specifications, and backfilling over the PUF with random fill. In shafts, the closure work consists of installing a bottom form, installing PUF to specifications, installing drainage material, topping the PUF with a layer of concrete, and backfilling over the PUF to the specified level with random fill. For shafts, a ventilation/drainage pipe would be required.

Construction would be performed in a way that minimizes disturbance to the ground and vegetation. Truck and equipment access to mine sites would utilize existing access with limited improvements. Staging areas would be limited to previously disturbed areas. Backfill sources would normally be the mine waste dump adjacent to the mine opening, the brow and slope above the opening, and nearby surface rock. All backfill material would be obtained in a manner designed to preserve the visual appearance/contour of the site. Access improvement would be removed at the completion of the work. All areas disturbed by construction activities would be seeded by hand broadcast using a seed mix specified by the BLM (see Appendix E).

The proposed closure method for each mine opening would be determined based on safety, inventory data (threatened and endangered plant or animal species, bat surveys, cultural surveys, paleontological surveys, etc.) and the weighing of these resource concerns at each opening to select the closure method with the fewest resource conflicts. Some closure methods may be altered from their description in the contract specifications at the actual time of construction due to re-analysis or changes in conditions since the inventory was


completed. Such changes cannot be predicted, but are expected to be relatively minor (less than 5% of the total). Any changes or additions would be based on the same criteria used to develop the proposed action.

If any previously unrecorded prehistoric or historic cultural sites or paleontological sites are encountered, work would stop and a BLM archaeologist or paleontologist would be contacted. Newly discovered cultural or paleontological sites would be recorded, evaluated, and proper treatment determined in compliance with 36 CFR Part 800.11 in consultation with the BLM archaeologist, the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and BLM paleontologist.

To prevent the spread of invasive, non-native species, all equipment used in the proposed project would be power washed before being brought into the project area. All seed used for revegetation would be certified as weed and noxious seed free. No invasive, non-native species would be knowingly introduced in the area.

DOGM/AMRP will perform surveys around work locations for raptor nests. Surveys would be performed in advance of mobilization during the spring territory and nest establishment period and in the fall (after fledging dates). If active nests are found, DOGM/AMRP would follow the time and distance buffer recommendations in the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) raptor protection guidelines (Romin and Muck, 1999) for that species. Construction work within buffer zones would be rescheduled until after fledging. If observation of nests shows that young have fledged in advance of the dates in the guidelines, DOGM/AMRP may request a variance from USFWS to allow earlier work. This would only be done in consultation with UDWR and USFWS.

Mines with bat use would be sealed with bat-compatible closures or would receive measures to prevent entombing bats. Wherever geotechnical conditions allow, steel grates that allow bat use and maintain ventilation would be used as mine closures at mines used by bats. Where bat-compatible closures are not possible, methods would be used to exclude bats prior to closure to avoid entombing bats.

The mine closure work would be accomplished in two phases. The first is called North Tintic West, located on the west slope of the mountain range in Tooele and Juab Counties. Work would take place in the summer of 2009 at an estimated total cost of approximately $300,000. Work would start as soon as July 27, 2009 and would be completed by October 31, 2009 unless weather or other unanticipated events caused delays. The estimated time required for North Tintic West is around twelve weeks.

The second phase is called North Tintic East, located on the east slope of the mountain range in Utah County. For this phase, work would take place in 2010 with a possible completion in the spring of 2011 if needed. The estimated cost for North Tintic East is approximately $400,000. Work would start as soon as March 1st, weather permitting, and continue through the summer to be completed by May 31st unless weather or other


unanticipated events caused delays. The estimated time required for North Tintic East is around twelve weeks.

Work at each mine site would take from one to four days to complete. Work will be monitored by an onsite construction inspector. Details of the proposed reclamation work are contained in the contract specifications entitled Section 0300 North Tintic West Project Reclamation Construction Contract Specifications (Appendix F), Section 0300 North Tintic East Project Reclamation Construction Contract Specifications (Appendix F), and Standard Operating Procedures and Stipulations (Appendix G).

Post Project MonitoringMonitoring would be performed by the BLM within the first year of completion of construction to evaluate closure effectiveness, stability, revegetation success, and presence of noxious weeds at sites. The BLM would continue monitoring annually or as needed thereafter until successful revegetation is achieved.

Revegetation would be considered successful if cover equals or surpasses 90% of the cover found in the surrounding area, invasive plant species account for no more than 10% of the total herbaceous cover, and no noxious weeds are present. If noxious weeds were observed, appropriate control measures would be used, such as hand grubbing or herbicide treatment. Herbaceous vegetation would have five years to meet success criteria and woody vegetation would have ten years. If reclamation fails for any of the above criteria, an assessment of the reasons for failure would be made and appropriate contingency measures taken, such as soil testing, reseeding, or modifying the seed mix. The BLM would be responsible for any contingency measures and monitoring of vegetation. Monitoring is further discussed in Appendix D (Mine Closure and Construction Methods).

2.3 Alternative B – No ActionUnder this alternative, the Western Regional Coordinating Center, Denver Field Division, OSM would not authorize the expenditure of approximately $700,000 for abandoned mine reclamation project activities by DOGM/AMRP as described in part 2.2 “Alternative A – Proposed Action” above. The BLM would not authorize DOGM/AMRP to enter public lands for the purpose of implementing abandoned mine land reclamation. As a result, the abandoned mine reclamation construction activities would not be undertaken. The existing environment would remain in its current condition and there would be no additional environmental consequences as a result of this alternative. Situations that could cause serious injury or death because of conditions at abandoned mine sites would remain unabated.


2.4 Alternatives Considered, but Eliminated from Further AnalysisThe “authorize/do not authorize” alternatives are essentially the only two options available to the OSM Denver Field Division and BLM-West Desert District for the proposed reclamation project. Therefore, no other alternatives were considered or eliminated.

The individual mine closures in the proposal could be considered as separate independent actions, each with its own “authorize/do not authorize” option for the federal agency. Many alternative project configurations consisting of fewer mine closures (i.e. partial projects) could be analyzed. The environmental analysis and impacts of any subset of the whole project would generally be the same as the analysis for the whole project as described in this EA.

Funding restrictions in SMCRA limit reclamation of noncoal mines to abatement of Priority 1 safety hazards only. Accordingly, land rehabilitation, restoration of pre-mining conditions, or treatment of chemical and radiological contamination at noncoal mines are not proposed or considered as an alternative in this environmental assessment.

Summary Table of Proposed ActionSee the map in Appendix B for locations. See Appendix C and Appendix F for construction details. This table is sorted by tag number to list all features in a section together. The table in Appendix C is separated by construction project, North Tintic West and then North Tintic East, to show the scheduling of the work.

AMRP Site ID(Tag No.) TownshipRangeSectionUSGS Quad Land StatusProposed Closure3070303IO001 7S 3W 3 Fivemile Pass US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3070310HO001 7S 3W 10 Fivemile Pass US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3070322HO001 7S 3W 22 Fivemile Pass US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3070327HO001 7S 3W 27 Fivemile Pass US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3070333IO001 7S 3W 33 Fivemile Pass Private Backfill (Equipment)3070335HO001 7S 3W 35 Fivemile Pass US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3080235VO001 8S 2W 35 Allens Ranch SITLA Backfill (Hand)3080236VO001 8S 2W 36 Allens Ranch Private Rebar Shaft Grate3080316HO001 8S 3W 16 Fivemile Pass SITLA Backfill (Hand)3080316HO002 8S 3W 16 Boulter Peak SITLA Bat Gate3080316HO003 8S 3W 16 Boulter Peak SITLA Backfill (Hand)3080316IO001 8S 3W 16 Boulter Peak SITLA Backfill (Hand)3080321VO001 8S 3W 21 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3080322HO001 8S 3W 22 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3080333HO001 8S 3W 33 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3080333HO002 8S 3W 33 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090203HO001 9S 2W 3 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090203VO001 9S 2W 3 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090209VO001 9S 2W 9 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)


AMRP Site ID(Tag No.) TownshipRangeSectionUSGS Quad Land StatusProposed Closure3090210HO001 9S 2W 10 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090210HO002 9S 2W 10 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090215HO001 9S 2W 15 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090215HO002 9S 2W 15 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090215HO003 9S 2W 15 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090215HO004 9S 2W 15 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090215HO005 9S 2W 15 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090215HO007 9S 2W 15 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090216VO001 9S 2W 16 Allens Ranch SITLA Backfill (Equipment)3090221HO001 9S 2W 21 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090221VO001 9S 2W 21 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Equipment)3090222HO001 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222HO002 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222HO003 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222HO004 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222HO005 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222HO006 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Equipment)3090222HO007 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Equipment)3090222HO008 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Bat Gate3090222HO009 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222HO010 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222HO011 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090222HO012 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090222IO001 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222IO002 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090222IO003 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222VO001 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222VO002 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222VO003 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090222VO004 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090222VO005 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Rebar Shaft Grate3090222VO006 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090222VO007 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch US-BLM Rebar Shaft Grate3090222VO008 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090222VO009 9S 2W 22 Allens Ranch Private Rebar Shaft Grate3090223VO001 9S 2W 23 Allens Ranch US-BLM Rebar Shaft Grate3090228HO001 9S 2W 28 Allens Ranch US-BLM Bat Gate3090228HO002 9S 2W 28 Allens Ranch US-BLM Bat Gate3090228HO003 9S 2W 28 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090228HO004 9S 2W 28 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090228VO001 9S 2W 28 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090228VO002 9S 2W 28 Allens Ranch US-BLM Rebar Shaft Grate3090228VO003 9S 2W 28 Allens Ranch US-BLM Grade-Beam Grate3090228VO004 9S 2W 28 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Equipment)3090229HO001 9S 2W 29 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090229HO002 9S 2W 29 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)


AMRP Site ID(Tag No.) TownshipRangeSectionUSGS Quad Land StatusProposed Closure3090229HO003 9S 2W 29 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090229VO001 9S 2W 29 Allens Ranch US-BLM PUF3090229VO002 9S 2W 29 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090230HO001 9S 2W 30 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090230HO002 9S 2W 30 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090231HO001 9S 2W 31 Eureka US-BLM Bat Gate3090232VO001 9S 2W 32 Eureka US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090233HO001 9S 2W 33 Eureka Private Backfill (Hand)3090233HO002 9S 2W 33 Eureka Private Backfill (Hand)3090234VO001 9S 2W 34 Eureka US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090234VO002 9S 2W 34 Eureka Private Backfill (Equipment)3090234VO003 9S 2W 34 Eureka Private Grade-Beam Grate3090235HO001 9S 2W 35 Eureka Private Bat Gate3090235VO001 9S 2W 35 Eureka US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090235VO002 9S 2W 35 Eureka US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090302HO001 9S 3W 2 Boulter Peak SITLA Backfill (Hand)3090302IO001 9S 3W 2 Boulter Peak SITLA Backfill (Hand)3090304HO001 9S 3W 4 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090304HO002 9S 3W 4 Boulter Peak US-BLM Stone Wall3090304HO003 9S 3W 4 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090304VO001 9S 3W 4 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090304VO002 9S 3W 4 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090304VO003 9S 3W 4 Boulter Peak US-BLM Rebar Shaft Grate3090304VO004 9S 3W 4 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090305HC001 9S 3W 5 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090305HC004 9S 3W 5 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090305HO001 9S 3W 5 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090305HO002 9S 3W 5 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090305HO003 9S 3W 5 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090305VO001 9S 3W 6 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090306HO001 9S 3W 6 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090307VO001 9S 3W 7 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090307VO002 9S 3W 7 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090308HC001 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090308HO001 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Bat Gate3090308HO002 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Block Wall3090308HO003 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090308HO004 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090308HO005 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090308HO006 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090308HO007 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090308HO008 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090308HO009 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Block Wall3090308HO010 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090308HO011 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090308HO012 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)


AMRP Site ID(Tag No.) TownshipRangeSectionUSGS Quad Land StatusProposed Closure3090308HO013 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Block Wall3090308HO014 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090308HO015 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Block Wall3090308HO016 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Block Wall3090308HO017 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Block Wall3090308VO001 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Grade-Beam Grate3090308VO002 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090308VO003 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM PUF3090308VO004 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Block Wall3090308VO005 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM PUF3090308VO006 9S 3W 8 Boulter Peak US-BLM Rebar Shaft Grate3090310HO001 9S 3W 10 Boulter Peak Private Backfill (Hand)3090310HO002 9S 3W 10 Boulter Peak Private Backfill (Hand)3090310IO001 9S 3W 10 Boulter Peak Private Bat Gate3090310IO002 9S 3W 10 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090310IO003 9S 3W 10 Boulter Peak Private Backfill (Hand)3090310VO001 9S 3W 10 Boulter Peak Private Rebar Shaft Grate3090312VO001 9S 3W 12 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090312VO002 9S 3W 12 Boulter Peak Private Rebar Shaft Grate3090313HO001 9S 3W 13 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090313HO002 9S 3W 13 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090313VO001 9S 3W 13 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Equipment)3090314HO001 9S 3W 14 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090314VO001 9S 3W 14 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090314VO002 9S 3W 14 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090314VO003 9S 3W 14 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3090316VO001 9S 3W 16 Boulter Peak SITLA Backfill (Hand)3090317HO001 9S 3W 17 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090317HO002 9S 3W 17 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090317HO003 9S 3W 17 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090317VO001 9S 3W 17 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090317VO002 9S 3W 17 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090317VO003 9S 3W 17 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090318HO001 9S 3W 18 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090321HO001 9S 3W 21 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090321VO001 9S 3W 21 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090321VO002 9S 3W 21 Boulter Peak US-BLM Grade-Beam Grate3090322HO001 9S 3W 22 Boulter Peak US-BLM Stone Wall3090322HO002 9S 3W 22 Boulter Peak US-BLM Stone Wall3090322HO003 9S 3W 22 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090322HO004 9S 3W 22 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090322VO001 9S 3W 22 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090325HO001 9S 3W 25 Allens Ranch Private Bat Gate3090325HO002 9S 3W 25 Boulter Peak US-BLM Block Wall3090325IO001 9S 3W 25 Allens Ranch Private Backfill (Hand)3090325VO001 9S 3W 25 Allens Ranch US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)


AMRP Site ID(Tag No.) TownshipRangeSectionUSGS Quad Land StatusProposed Closure3090325VO002 9S 3W 25 Boulter Peak Private Backfill (Equipment)3090325VO003 9S 3W 25 Boulter Peak US-BLM Grade-Beam Grate3090325VO004 9S 3W 25 Boulter Peak Private Backfill (Equipment)3090326VO001 9S 3W 26 Boulter Peak US-BLM Rebar Shaft Grate3090329HO001 9S 3W 29 Boulter Peak Private Backfill (Hand)3090329VO001 9S 3W 29 Boulter Peak Private Backfill (Hand)3090329VO002 9S 3W 29 Boulter Peak Private Backfill (Hand)3090330HO001 9S 3W 30 Boulter Peak Private Block Wall3090330HO002 9S 3W 30 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090330HO003 9S 3W 30 Boulter Peak US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090330HO004 9S 3W 30 Boulter Peak US-BLM Bat Gate3090330VO001 9S 3W 30 Boulter Peak Private Backfill (Equipment)3090330VO002 9S 3W 30 Boulter Peak Private Backfill (Equipment)3090330VO003 9S 3W 30 Boulter Peak Private Backfill (Hand)3090331VO001 9S 3W 31 Tintic Junction US-BLM Rebar Shaft Grate3090333HO001 9S 3W 33 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3090333HO002 9S 3W 33 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3090333HO003 9S 3W 33 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3090333VO001 9S 3W 33 Tintic Junction US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090334HO001 9S 3W 34 Tintic Junction US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090335HO001 9S 3W 35 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3090335HO002 9S 3W 35 Tintic Junction US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090335VO001 9S 3W 35 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3090336HO001 9S 3W 36 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3090336HO002 9S 3W 36 Eureka Private Backfill (Equipment)3090336HO003 9S 3W 36 Tintic Junction US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3090336VO001 9S 3W 36 Eureka Private Backfill (Equipment)3100202HO001 10S 2W 2 Eureka US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3100202VO001 10S 2W 2 Eureka SITLA Grade-Beam Grate3100202VO002 10S 2W 2 Eureka Private Rebar Shaft Grate3100203HO001 10S 2W 3 Eureka US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3100203IO001 10S 2W 3 Eureka Private Custom PUF/Backfill (Equipment)3100203VO002 10S 2W 3 Eureka Private Backfill (Equipment)3100204HO001 10S 2W 4 Eureka Private Backfill (Hand)3100204HO002 10S 2W 4 Eureka Private Bat Gate3100204HO003 10S 2W 4 Eureka Private Stone Wall3100204IO001 10S 2W 4 Eureka Private Bat Gate3100204VO001 10S 2W 4 Eureka Private Backfill (Equipment)3100204VO002 10S 2W 4 Eureka Private Backfill (Hand)3100204VO003 10S 2W 4 Eureka Private Backfill (Hand)3100205HO001 10S 2W 5 Eureka Private Bat Gate3100205HO002 10S 2W 5 Eureka Private Backfill (Hand)3100205HO003 10S 2W 5 Eureka Private Backfill (Hand)3100205VO001 10S 2W 5 Eureka Private PUF3100207HO001 10S 2W 7 Eureka Private Backfill (Hand)3100210VO002 10S 2W 10 Eureka Private Backfill (Equipment)


AMRP Site ID(Tag No.) TownshipRangeSectionUSGS Quad Land StatusProposed Closure3100211HO001 10S 2W 11 Eureka Private Bat Gate3100301HO001 10S 3W 1 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Equipment)3100301HO002 10S 3W 1 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3100301HO003 10S 3W 1 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Equipment)3100302HO001 10S 3W 2 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3100302VO001 10S 3W 2 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3100302VO002 10S 3W 2 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Equipment)3100302VO003 10S 3W 2 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Equipment)3100302VO004 10S 3W 2 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3100302VO005 10S 3W 2 Tintic Junction Private Grade-Beam Grate3100303VO001 10S 3W 3 Tintic Junction US-BLM Backfill (Hand)3100305HO001 10S 3W 5 Tintic Junction US-BLM Block Wall3100305HO002 10S 3W 5 Tintic Junction US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3100305VO001 10S 3W 5 Tintic Junction US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3100305VO002 10S 3W 5 Tintic Junction US-BLM Backfill (Equipment)3100311HO001 10S 3W 11 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3100311IO001 10S 3W 11 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3100311VO002 10S 3W 11 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3100311VO003 10S 3W 11 Tintic Junction Private Grade-Beam Grate3100311VO004 10S 3W 11 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3100311VO005 10S 3W 11 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Equipment)3100312HO003 10S 3W 12 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Hand)3100312VO010 10S 3W 12 Tintic Junction Private Backfill (Equipment)3100312VO011 10S 3W 12 Tintic Junction Private Rebar Shaft Grate3100411HO001 10S 4W 11 Sabie MountainPrivate Backfill (Hand)


3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.1 IntroductionThis chapter presents the potentially affected existing environment (i.e., the physical, biological, social, and economic values and resources) of the impact area as identified in the Interdisciplinary Team Analysis Record Checklist found in Appendix A. This chapter provides the baseline for comparison of impacts/consequences described in Chapter 4. The affected environment of the Proposed Action and No Action alternatives were considered and analyzed by an interdisciplinary team as documented in Appendix A. The checklist indicates which resources of concern are either not present in the project area or would not be impacted to a degree that requires detailed analysis. Resource Elements which could be impacted to a level requiring further analysis are described in this chapter and impacts on these resources are analyzed in Chapter 4.

3.2 General Setting The proposed project area is located in portions of Juab, Tooele, and Utah Counties to the north of the town of Eureka in the East Tintic Mountains (Appendix B Map). The elevations of the mine openings range from 4800 to 8000 feet above sea level. The annual precipitation in the area averages 16.31 inches and mostly falls from December through May. The mean annual maximum temperature is 59.3°F and the mean annual minimum temperature is 33.7°F (WRCC, 2009). Vegetation is mixed sagebrush and pinyon-juniper communities. The area has been impacted previously by grazing, the development of roads for mineral exploration development, and mining activity.

The photo below shows typical terrain and vegetation of the project area.


3.3 Elements of the Human Environment and Other Resources Brought Forward for AnalysisThree of the sixteen “Elements of the Environment Covered by Supplemental Authorities” on the BLM Interdisciplinary Team Analysis Record Checklist (ID Team Checklist) could be impacted by the proposed action and are described and discussed in detail below. They are: Cultural Resources, Invasive Species, and Migratory Birds. Three of the seventeen “Other Resource Elements” on the ID Team Checklist could be impacted by the proposed action and are described and discussed in detail below. They are: Lands/Access, Recreation, and Special Status Plant Species other than FWS candidate or listed species. Finally, one other issue not on the ID Team Checklist, Public Safety, was considered worthy of analysis.

Thirteen of the sixteen “Elements of the Environment Covered by Supplemental Authorities” listed on the ID Team Checklist are either not present in the project area or would not be impacted by the proposed action or alternative. They are: Air Quality; Environmental Justice; Fish Habitat; Floodplains; Forest & Rangelands; Native American Religious Concerns; Threatened, Endangered or Candidate Plant Species; Threatened, Endangered or Candidate Animal Species; Wastes Hazardous or Solid; Water Quality Drinking-Ground; Wetlands/Riparian Zones; Wild and Scenic Rivers; and Wilderness & WSA’s. They will not be addressed further in this document.

Fourteen of the seventeen “Other Resource Elements” listed on the ID Team Checklist are either not present in the project area or would not be impacted by the proposed action or alternative. They are: Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC); Fish & Wildlife; Fuels/Fire Management; Geology/Mineral Resources/Energy Production; Livestock Grazing; Paleontology; Socio-economics; Soils; Special Status Plant Species other than FWS Candidate or Listed Species; Vegetation; Visual Resource Management; Wild Horses and Burros; Wilderness Characteristics; and Woodland/Forestry. These resources are addressed in the BLM Interdisciplinary Team Analysis Record Checklist (Appendix A).

3.3.1 Cultural ResourcesThe Tintic Mining District was organized in 1869. Because of its large area and varying geology and terrain, it is generally broken into four segments: the Main Tintic, East Tintic, Southwest Tintic, and North Tintic. These are unofficial designations. The North Tintic area was the last one to be developed, beginning in the 1880s, and was less rich and productive than the other areas to the south. The early period of activity continued through the 1880s. High-grade zinc was the primary ore extracted, with some gold, silver, copper and lead. Mining picked up again during World War I and the following decade. Most mine work appears to have ended by 1930, although lessees worked some small mines during the Great Depression. None of the mines appear to have been worked since the late 1930s (Bassett, 2009). Since then, the mines have deteriorated or been scavenged, and little of the mine surface facilities remains intact.


Transcon Environmental conducted a cultural resources inventory in the proposed North Tintic Project area for the AMRP in 2005, 2006, and 2007 (Bassett, 2009). The Transcon report grouped mine features into defined sites and isolated finds on the basis of their geographic locations and related claims and workings. The cultural survey of the area resulted in the identification and recording of 59 cultural sites, of which 17 were identified as eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under criteria A and D. In all, 27 sites are located on BLM managed lands, 4 are on SITLA lands, 25 are on private land, and 3 sites contain both BLM managed lands and private land.

3.3.2 Invasive SpeciesVegetation within the project area is dominated by pinyon-juniper woodlands at mid-elevations, grading into stands of pure pinyon and serviceberry at higher elevations. Firs are present on north-facing slopes above 6,800 feet. Lower elevation areas and exposed southern slopes are mainly dominated by sagebrush and sporadic junipers. Steep canyons are dominated by canyon maple and serviceberry and some of the washes include riparian vegetation, such as currants. The area is classified as a middle latitude continental desert and steppe climate with cold winters and hot summers (Bassett, 2009).

The mining activity that created the abandoned mine features addressed by the proposed action disturbed the native vegetation. In the years since abandonment, some recolonization or natural restoration of the disturbed vegetation has occurred, although the sites are still partially barren, especially on the mine dumps.

Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens) is widespread in the project area.

3.3.3 Migratory BirdsThrough consultation with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), two species of raptors were found to occur within a one-mile buffer of the mine sites. These species are bald eagle and ferruginous hawk (UDWR, 2009b).

3.3.4 Lands/AccessNumerous roads provide access to the area.

3.3.5 RecreationNo developed recreation facilities or activities exist within the proposed project area. There are three caves in the project area. One cave has been gated in the past and is maintained by the local caving grottoes. The other two caves have open access points.

Other dispersed recreation use in the area includes sightseeing, off-road-vehicle use, cross country skiing, hiking, mountain biking, camping, hunting, and exploration of old mine sites. Specific visitation numbers for the area are not available, but residents of Juab, Tooele, and Utah Counties including, Eureka, Lehi, Eagle Mountain, Fairview, and Saratoga Springs regularly use the area for recreating.


3.3.6 Special Status Animal Species other than FWS Candidate or Listed SpeciesUDWR has identified 38 state sensitive animal species with historical records in Juab, Tooele, or Utah Counties or with known occurrences in the general vicinity of project sites and thus potentially affected by the project (UDWR, 2009a).

Common Name Scientific Name Status

MammalsDark Kangaroo Mouse Microdipodops megacephalus SPCFringed Myotis Myotis thysanodes SPCKit Fox Vulpes macrotis SPCPreble's Shrew Sorex preblei SPCPygmy Rabbit Brachylagus idahoensis SPCSpotted Bat Euderma maculatum SPCTownsend's Big-Eared Bat Corynorhinus townsendii SPCWestern Red Bat Lasiurus blossevillii SPCWhite-Tailed Prairie-Dog Cynomys leucurus SPC

BirdsAmerican White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos SPCBald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus SPCBlack Swift Cypseloides niger SPCBobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus SPCBurrowing Owl Athene cunicularia SPCFerruginous Hawk Buteo regalis SPC Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum SPCGreater Sage-Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus SPCLewis's Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis SPCLong-Billed Curlew Numenius americanus SPCNorthern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis CSShort-Eared Owl Asio flammeus SPCThree-Toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus SPC

HerptilesColumbia Spotted Frog Rana luteiventris CSSmooth Greensnake Opheodrys vernalis SPCWestern Toad Bufo boreas SPC

FishBluehead Sucker Catostomus discobolus CSBonneville Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii utah CS Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus CSLeast Chub Iotichthys phlegethontis CSRoundtail Chub Gila robusta CSSouthern Leatherside Chub Lepidomeda aliciae SPC

Invertebrates (Molluscs)California Floater Anodonta californiensis SPCEureka Mountainsnail Oreohelix eurekensis SPCLyrate Mountainsnail Oreohelix haydeni SPCNorthwest Bonneville Pyrg Pyrgulopsis variegata SPC


Southern Bonneville Springsnail Pyrgulopsis transversa SPCSouthern Tightcoil Ogaridiscus subrupicola SPCUtah Physa Physella utahensis SPC

Status:CS: Species receiving special management under a Conservation Agreement in order to preclude the need for Federal listing.SPC: Wildlife species of concern.

Consultation with UDWR through the Utah Natural Heritage Program (UNHP) was carried out through electronic communications and transfers of GIS shapefiles of the project area and mine sites (UDWR 2009a). UNHP queried their program’s database for species occurrences within one mile of the mine sites where work would occur, and also within the inventory area but farther than one mile from mine sites.

Of the 38 state status species identified by UDWR as potentially occurring in Tooele, Utah, and Juab Counties, only five species have a reasonable likelihood of actually occurring near the proposed work sites, based on UDWR occurrence records, habitat affinities, and species ranges. These are the bald eagle, ferruginous hawk, Townsend’s big-eared bat, Eureka mountainsnail, and kit fox. UDWR has no occurrence records in the project area for any of the other state status species listed above. The project area lacks the perennial streams, springs, or seeps required by the all of the herptiles, all of the fish, and all of the invertebrates listed except the Eureka mountainsnail.

The two migratory bird species, bald eagle and ferruginous hawk, are discussed in section 3.3.3 above.

The AMRP has completed warm and cold season underground surveys of North Tintic Project mines considered suitable habitat for bat use (Diamond & Diamond, 2007, 2008; Gryniewicz, 2007). Internal and external bat surveys were conducted during the summer peak activity period and during the winter hibernation. Several adits and shafts provide habitat for Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), Western small-footed myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum), and Long-legged myotis (Myotis volans) as a day or night roost or hibernaculum. The presence of bats, guano, flying insect parts, and/or roosting potential were the criteria used to determine likely roosts. In addition, the presence of guano suggests use by the Big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), and presence of ground-dwelling arthropod parts indicates use by the Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus).

UDWR lists a kit fox occurrence within one mile of a mine opening, so kit foxes could be present in the project area.

UDWR lists one recent occurrence of the Eureka mountainsnail on Lime Peak. A single dead shell was found in 1992. This location is within one mile of 13 mine openings proposed for work. This species could be present in the project area.


3.3.7 Public SafetyMines in the proposed action have a history of public visitation as evidenced by litter, vehicle tracks, vandalism, etc. Websites catering to ghost town and mining history buffs promote visitation to abandoned mines statewide; some encourage exploration underground. Visitors to these mines are exposed to a wide variety of physical safety hazards and potential health hazards, as noted in Part 1.3 above.


4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

4.1 Introduction This section describes the changes that could occur to the existing environment if the proposed action or alternatives are implemented. It is assumed for this analysis that funding would be available for the proposed action and that the actions would be implemented as proposed.

4.2 Direct/Indirect Impacts of Alternative A – Proposed Action

4.2.1 Cultural ResourcesClosure methods at all sites have been designed to protect all cultural and paleontological features. Archeological inventories have been conducted at all openings. Closure methods at sites determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places have been designed so that there would be no adverse impact on historic resources. The Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has concurred with the DOGM/AMRP’s determination that the proposed action, if these design considerations are used, would have no adverse effect on cultural properties and that the project is in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (UDSH, 2009).

4.2.2 Invasive SpeciesAll vehicles and equipment used in the proposed project would be power washed before being brought into the project area. All seed used for revegetation would be required to be certified as weed and noxious seed free. No Invasive Non-Native Species would be knowingly introduced as a result of the proposed action. These species could increase in the short term in areas improved to gain access to mines due to subsequent germination of dormant weed seed in the seed bank.

4.2.3 Migratory BirdsNo site-specific raptor surveys have been conducted in or around the project area. However, UDWR has historic occurrence records for bald eagle and recent occurrence records for ferruginous hawk within one mile of 13 mine sites. Work occurring in the late summer and fall, as is planned for the first phase of construction, should avoid the nesting/fledging season for raptor species. The AMRP will perform line-of-sight surveys around work locations at the time of construction as an additional check. If nesting raptors are observed, we will notify UDWR and BLM and follow the USFWS raptor protection guidelines (Romin and Muck, 1999) for time and space buffers. If the construction schedule runs over to the spring, the AMRP will perform nest surveys during the spring territory and nest establishment period and again at the time of construction. Construction work within buffer zones will be rescheduled until after fledging. Any variance from this protocol would only be done in consultation with UDWR, USFWS, and BLM.


4.2.4 Lands/AccessConstruction access would be on existing roads. No new road construction would be required. There would be some single-pass cross-country traverses to access mines.

Construction crews typically field only a few vehicles at any particular worksite and there is adequate space to pull off for parking. There is little likelihood of construction vehicles blocking public traffic.

4.2.5 RecreationThe construction work, with its noise, traffic, and human presence, would have a slight impact on recreational activity for a very limited time period. Construction work would take a few hours to a few days at any given site. The public recreating in the area could encounter construction activities at isolated sites but could easily travel to adjacent areas with no activity. The effect of the actual construction activity itself would be short term and negligible.

The local caving grottoes have consulted with the AMRP to plan closures for the two ungated caves that will allow future controlled access. These two caves do not yet appear on the list of significant caves maintained by the BLM, but are being considered for listing.

Opportunities for exploring old mine workings would be permanently reduced by the mine closures. However, this is a type of public recreation that the BLM and AMRP do not endorse for numerous safety reasons and preventing this activity is the purpose of the proposed action. The proposed mine closures would prevent public exposure to hazards found underground in abandoned mines such as falls, cave-ins, and bad air, making recreational activities safer. The danger of off-highway vehicles accidentally driving into open mine shafts would be greatly reduced. Overall, the elimination of physical safety hazards would provide a social benefit or advantage to the recreating public.

4.2.6 Special Status Animal Species other than FWS Candidate or Listed Species

Bats (All Species)Closing mine openings could reduce bat habitat by sealing off roost sites. Effects of the proposed action on bats would be managed through the selection of closure types that minimize losses to roosting habitat and the use of techniques to avoid entombing bats. Bat survey recommendations were incorporated into the Mine Closure Specification designs and will be followed when geotechnically possible.

Bats are extremely aware of their environment and often use a number of different roost sites concurrently. Abandoned mines spread over a project area provide habitat as a landscape rather than on an individual basis, and bat affinity to a particular mine opening is not necessarily high. Absence of use by bats at the time of surveys does not necessarily


indicate unsuitability as bat habitat. The evidence of bat use found during surveys indicates use of the mines as bat habitat in the area as a whole. Thus, engineering designs can prescribe installation of bat-compatible closures in the most geotechnically stable mine openings (Sherwin and Agee, 2008).

A number of mines would be sealed with bat-compatible closures. Wherever geotechnical conditions allow, steel grates that allow bat use and maintain ventilation would be used as mine closures at mines used by bats. This would preserve habitat while also reducing human disturbance to bats. Where bat-compatible closures are not possible, methods would be used to exclude bats prior to closure to avoid entombing bats. This is done by sealing the mine opening with chicken wire for several days. The wire acts as a one-way gate; bats leave but do not return – they find other suitable habitat without barriers. Visual inspection can be done in shallow mines as an alternative to exclusion. To avoid entombing hibernating bats, mines would not be closed during the winter months.

Because of these protective measures, the proposed project work would not adversely affect bats.

Kit FoxUDWR lists a kit fox occurrence within one mile of the project boundary, so kit foxes could be present in the project area. Pups are born in February or March and attain adult weight by July or August. Kit foxes make frequent den changes during the summer. Kit foxes have been known to use artificial dens, such as culverts or well casing pipe (McGrew, 1979). Kit foxes might be disturbed by construction activity, but they would be directly affected only if they were opportunistically using a mine for a den, which is unlikely, since mines have different characteristics from natural or observed artificial dens. In any case, if the animals were disturbed by the proposed work it is likely that the animals would move to a new den. Any den changes made in response to human activity would fit into a pattern of natural den-shifting behavior.

Eureka MountainsnailThe Eureka mountainsnail has one occurrence record in recent time, consisting of a single dead shell. Very little is known about their population size and habitat preference. The localized, short-term nature of the work will minimize potential disturbance. Individual species of snail are difficult to identify, but snails as a group are easy to recognize, even for laypeople. If there is confusion or doubt as to identification the inspector will err on the side of protecting all specimens of the group observed. He/she will contact the Utah Heritage Program Biologist and develop a plan to avoid impacts.

Wildlife in GeneralIn general, for all animal species that might be present, whether special status or not, the localized, short-term nature of the work will minimize potential disturbance. Mine closure work typically directly affects only a few hundred square feet of ground per closure, usually within the footprint of existing mine disturbance. Relatively little vegetation is


disturbed because the usual source of backfill material is barren mine dumps. Little or no habitat is lost and disturbance is reseeded. Bats using the mines being closed are the only animals facing meaningful habitat loss, and they are being accommodated as discussed above. Otherwise, the primary effect of the project on wildlife is the animals’ behavioral/physiological response to human presence and noise, which is mitigated by timing. Site occupancy times by construction crews may be a few hours to a few days. The late season scheduling of the work avoids sensitive reproductive events for most species. The proposed project work should not likely affect any special status wildlife species.

4.2.7 Public SafetyThe greatest impact from the proposed action would be to public safety. Injuries resulting from falling into workings, being hit by falling debris within workings, poor ventilation, getting lost, or other mine hazards would be prevented. Unauthorized recreational use of mines would be curtailed. Those who wished to enter the mines would be prevented from doing so, which could be frustrating to a few mine-exploration enthusiasts accustomed to doing so.

4.3 Mitigation MeasuresNo mitigation measures would be required beyond those included in the proposed action.

4.4 Monitoring and/or ComplianceConstruction would be monitored by a DOGM/AMRP representative to ensure that the specifications are met and adverse effects are avoided or minimized.

Long-term monitoring activities are described in the proposed action and in Appendix D.

4.5 Direct/Indirect Impacts of Alternative B – No ActionThere would be no environmental consequences associated with the no action alternative, except for the continued public safety hazards.

Conditions would remain the same for all eleven resource elements discussed in parts 3.3.1 through 3.3.7 above. Cultural resources would remain as they are. There would be no construction-related disturbance, displacement, or intentional mortality of fish, wildlife, or plant species, whether the species were federally protected, had special state status, or had no special legal status. Access would be unchanged. Invasive species would remain unaffected by construction activity.


Open abandoned mines would remain a hazard to the recreating public's health and safety. Those wishing to explore the mines would not be prevented from doing so and would continue to be exposed to hazards in the mines.

4.6 Cumulative Impacts AnalysisCumulative impacts are those impacts resulting from the incremental impact of an action when added to other past, present, or reasonably foreseeable actions regardless of what agency or person undertakes such other actions.

4.6.1 Past and Present ActionsThe proposed project area has been previously impacted by hard rock-metal mining activity for over one hundred years. Mining activity has involved road development, exploration, creation of open and hazardous mine features, mine waste dumps, structures, buildings, and debris. Although exploration activities have continued, mining activity has decreased dramatically in the last sixty years. The only other frequent land use in the area has been livestock grazing.

4.6.2 Reasonably Foreseeable Action Scenario (RFAS)The potential for future mining activity in the East Tintic Range exists. Exploration will likely continue, predominately by drilling the subsurface. It is unknown if large-scale operations would be initiated in the future. The DOGM/AMRP inventory of the East Tintic Mountain range is believed to be complete. However, if additional abandoned mines are discovered, they would be closed similarly to the current proposal. The scope of future projects would be similar to the present one. Further, damage to mine closures due to vandalism or natural processes is likely to necessitate returning to the mines in the future to perform maintenance work.

4.6.3 Cumulative ImpactsThe current project proposal, together with past DOGM/AMRP and other some future projects now in planning, should address all abandoned mine hazards in the East Tintic/Oquirrh mountain chain from the town of Mammoth north to Interstate 80 by 2012.

The proposed action and past and future DOGM/AMRP projects would help to mitigate public safety concerns left from past mining and exploration activities. As analyzed in the EA’s for each increment, most of the effects of DOGM/AMRP project construction are very localized and transient. The lasting cumulative effects would be the complete elimination of hazardous conditions and unauthorized recreational access to underground mines and the loss of some cultural information through site disturbing activities. The former is the desired policy objective of the proposal as mandated by law; the latter is mitigated by the pre-project surveys and site recordation.


For all resource elements, adverse effects of each project proposal or phase are avoided, minimized, or mitigated in project design to the point where impacts are not significant. Since impacts from the proposed action and past and future actions are expected to be negligible to other resources, no cumulative impacts would be anticipated.


5.0 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION:

5.1 IntroductionThe issue identification section of Chapter 1 identifies those issues analyzed in detail in Chapter 4. Appendix A provides the rationale for issues that were considered but not analyzed further. The issues were identified through the public and agency involvement process described in sections 5.2 and 5.3 below.

5.2 Persons, Groups, and Agencies Consulted

Table 5-2: List of Persons, Agencies and Organizations Consulted for this EA.

Name Purpose & Authorities for Consultation or Coordination Findings & Conclusions

Larry CristField SupervisorEndangered Species OfficeU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (16 USC 1531)

DOGM determined that the proposed project would have No Effect on species listed as threatened or endangered by the USFWS. This determination was submitted to the USFWS on April 9, 2009. Written concurrence was received from USFWS on May 20, 2009. Correspondence is on file at the DOGM/AMRP office.

Lori HunsakerUtah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

Consultation for undertakings, as required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 USC 470)

DOGM/AMRP determined that the North Tintic Project would have No Adverse Effect on historic properties. The Utah SHPO concurred with this determination in a letter to DOGM/AMRP dated May ***, 2009. Correspondence is on file at the DOGM/AMRP office.

Goshute, Paiute, Ute, and Northwest Shoshone tribes

Consultation as required by the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (42 USC 1531) and NHPA (16 USC 1531)

***The Tribes have been consulted and do not have any concerns regarding the project. Documentation of consultation is available in the project case file in the BLM SLFO office.

Sarah LindseyUNHP coordinatorUtah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR)

Consult with UDWR as the agency with expertise on impacts on game and nongame species.

Data and analysis regarding special status and game species incorporated into Chapters 3 and 4. UDWR provided presence and location data for special status species.

George OliverUNHP BiologistUtah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR)

Consult with UDWR as the agency with expertise on impacts on game and nongame species.

Consultation regarding the nature of the Eureka mountainsnail and its potential to be impacted by the work.


Name Purpose & Authorities for Consultation or Coordination Findings & Conclusions

Martha HaydenPaleontological AssistantUtah Geological Survey

Consult with UGS regarding paleontological resources in the project area requiring preservation.

UGS determined that a paleontological survey of proposed project area is not warranted. Correspondence on file at the DOGM/AMRP office.

Everett BassettArcheologistTranscon Environmental, Inc.

Cultural survey subcontract for DOGM

Provided cultural interpretation assistance and management recommendations.

Gabrielle and Joel Diamond, Greg GryniewiczBat Biologists

Subcontract biologists for DOGM

Provided bat surveys.

James FultonRon SassamanOffice of Surface MiningDenver Field Office

Federal agency under which DOGM has primacy for SMCRA Title IV Program in Utah

Will issue FONSI and issue Authorization to Proceed

5.3 Summary of Public ParticipationDuring preparation of the EA, the public was notified of the proposed action by posting on the DOGM/AMRP website in March 2009. The BLM posted the proposal on the ENBB on March 13, 2009. DOGM/AMRP distributed a statewide media release publicizing the project and the public meeting on March 2, 2009. Notice was provided to the Utah Resource Development Coordination Committee (RDCC) in the Governor’s office of Public Lands Policy Coordination Office, and a copy sent to the Six County Association of Governments including Juab County, the Wasatch Front Regional Council including Tooele County, and the Mountainland Association of Government including Utah County. The AMRP held a public meeting in an open house format, with maps of the project and charts of the proposed closure types displayed on easels, a laptop computer running a slideshow about the project, and all of the paper inventory forms with photographs available for inspection. Visitors looked at the posted information and talked with the 6 AMRP staff members and 1 BLM official in attendance. The AMRP provided forms for written comments, but none were used.

The Utah County Commission requested a presentation from AMRP because they were not able to attend the public open house. Steve Fluke, Project Manager gave the presentation at the commission meeting on Tuesday, April 14th.

A summary of issued raised through public interaction is in Section 1.7 of this EA.

5.4 List of Preparers

5.4.1 BLM PreparersName Title Responsible for the Following Section(s) of this Document

Larry Garahana Geologist Technical input


Name Title Responsible for the Following Section(s) of this DocumentCindy Ledbetter NEPA Coordinator NEPA review and technical editingPeter Ainsworth Archaeologist Technical inputTraci Allen Wildlife Biologist Technical input***Rodd Hardy Rangeland Management Technical input

5.4.2 Non-BLM PreparersName Title Responsible for the Following Section(s) of this Document

Jan MorseAMRP/DOGM

Senior Reclamation Specialist

Text preparation.

Chris RohrerAMRP/DOGM

Senior Reclamation Engineer

Text preparation.

Steve FlukeAMRP/DOGM

Project Manager Technical input.


6.0 REFERENCES, GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS

6.1 References Cited

Bassett, Everett J. 2009. Cultural Resources Inventory Report, North Tintic Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project, Juab, Tooele, and Utah Counties, Utah. May 2009. Unpublished report prepared for the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining by Transcon Environmental, Inc.

Diamond, G.F. and J.M. Diamond. 2007. An evaluation of abandoned underground mines as bat roosting habitat in the North Tintic Phase 1 abandoned mine project area, Tooele, Utah, and Juab Counties, Utah. August 2007. Unpublished report prepared for the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining.

Diamond, G.F. and J.M. Diamond. 2008. An evaluation of abandoned underground mines as bat roosting habitat in the North Tintic Phase 2 abandoned mine project area, Tooele, Utah, and Juab Counties, Utah. February 2008. Unpublished report prepared for the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining.

Gryniewicz, Greg. 2007. Evaluation of abandoned underground mines as bat roosting habitat, North Tintic Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project (Phase III), Tooele and Utah Counties, Utah. December 2007.

McGrew, J.C. 1979. Vulpes macrotis. Mammalian Species. No. 123:1-6. Available online at: http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/default.html. Accessed on February 7, 2006.

Mulder, R. 1992. Accident at Candlelight Cave. Article reprinted from The Utah Caver, vol. 4, no. 2, April 1992, and posted online at the Timpanogos Grotto website at http://www.caves.org/grotto/timpgrotto/caves/candlelight_history.html. Accessed on April 23, 2009.

Romin, L.A. and J.A. Muck. 1999. Utah Field Office guidelines for raptor protection from human and land use disturbances. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unpublished report.

Salt Lake Tribune. 1999. Death in Mine Shaft. January 24, 1999, page C2.

Sherwin, Richard E. and J. Agee. 2008. Bats and abandoned mines: determining the significance of individual abandoned mines within a landscape of complexity. in Abstracts, Presentations, and Program of the 30th Annual Conference of the National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs, October 26-29, 2008 [CD-ROM]. Durango, Colorado.

http://www.caves.org/grotto/timpgrotto/caves/candlelight_history.html

http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/default.html


U.S. Bureau of Land Management. 1990. Pony Express Resource Management Plan. January 1990.

U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration. 2009. Fatal Accident Summaries for 1999-2008. Available online at: http://www.msha.gov/SOSA/previousfatalstats.asp. Accessed April 8, 2009.

U.S. Office of Surface Mining. 1983. Final Environmental Impact Statement: Approval of State and Indian Reclamation of Program Grants Under Title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. OSM-EIS-11

***Utah Division of State History. 2009. Personal communications. Letter exchange between Jan Morse, UDOGM, and Lori Hunsaker, Utah State Historic Preservation Office. May ** and May **, 2009.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 2006. Utah’s State Listed Species by County (Updated on October 20, 2006). Electronic file “sscounty_20061020.pdf” available online and downloaded from the Utah Conservation Data Center website at: http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/ucdc/ViewReports/sscounty.htm. Accessed on January 14, 2008.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 2009a. County Lists of Utah's Federally Listed Threatened (T), Endangered (E), and Candidate (C) Species (Created February 10, 2009). Electronic file “te_cnty.pdf” available online and downloaded from the Utah Conservation Data Center website at: http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/ucdc/ViewReports/te_cnty.htm. Accessed on Feb. 25, 2009.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 2009b. Personal communications. E-mail exchange between Jan Morse, UDOGM, and Sarah Lindsey, Information Manager, Utah Natural Heritage Program, UDWR. March 5, 2009.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 2009c. Utah’s State Listed Species by County (Updated on February 10, 2009). Electronic file “sscounty.pdf” available online and downloaded from the Utah Conservation Data Center website at: http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/ucdc/ViewReports/sscounty.htm. Accessed on Feb. 25, 2009.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 2009d. Utah Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species Occurrences (Created February 23, 2009). Electronic file (compressed ArcView GIS shapefile) "tes_20090223.zip" available online and downloaded from the Utah Conservation Data Center website at: http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/ucdc/DownloadGIS/disclaim.htm. Accessed on Feb. 25, 2009.

Welsh, S.L., et al. 1987. A Utah Flora. Great Basin Naturalist Memoir No. 9.

http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/ucdc/DownloadGIS/disclaim.htm

http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/ucdc/ViewReports/sscounty.htm

http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/ucdc/ViewReports/te_cnty.htm

http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/ucdc/ViewReports/sscounty.htm

http://www.msha.gov/SOSA/previousfatalstats.asp


Western Regional Climate Center. 2009. Climate data for Eureka, Utah. Available online at: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ut2625. Accessed on April 15, 2009.

6.2 Glossary of Terms and Acronyms ACEC Area of Critical Environmental ConcernAML Abandoned Mine LandsAMRP Utah Abandoned Mine Reclamation ProgramBLM United States Bureau of Land ManagementCMP Corrugated Metal PipeDOGM Utah Division of Oil Gas and MiningDOI United States Department of the InteriorEA Environmental AssessmentEIS Environmental Impact StatementENBB Environmental Notification Bulletin BoardFO Field OfficeFONSI Finding of No Significant ImpactNEPA National Environmental Policy Act (Public Law 91-190)NOI Notice of IntentNRHP National Register of Historic PlacesOSM United States Office of Surface MiningPLS Pure Live SeedPUF Polyurethane FoamRFAS Reasonably Foreseeable Action ScenarioRMP Resource Management PlanROE Right of EntrySHPO Utah State Historic Preservation OfficeSLFO U.S. Bureau of Land Management Salt Lake Field OfficeSMCRA Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-87)UDSH Utah Division of State HistoryUDWR Utah Division of Wildlife ResourcesUNHP Utah Natural Heritage ProgramUSFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

APPENDICESAppendix A: Interdisciplinary Team Analysis Record ChecklistAppendix B: MapAppendix C: Mine Closure ScheduleAppendix D: Mine Closure and Construction MethodsAppendix E: Reclamation Seed MixAppendix F: Construction Specifications Section 0300Appendix G: Standard Operating Procedures and Stipulations

http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ut2625


ELECTRONIC FILESThis version of the EA was completed June 9, 2009 by UDOGM/AMRP.This version of the EA as submitted by UDOGM/AMRP to the BLM-SLFO consists of the following electronic files:

NorthTintic_EA_complete_20090609.pdf (complete EA text with collated map in Adobe Acrobat pdf format)

NorthTintic_EA_text_20090609.doc (document text in MS Word doc format)NorthTintic_EA_AppxB-Map.pdf (Appendix B map in Adobe Acrobat pdf

format)

Environmental Assessment Appendix A – Page 2North Tintic ProjectJune 8, 2009Page 36

APPENDIX A: Interdisciplinary Team Analysis Record Checklist

Note: Comments by the BLM resource specialists are in normal font. Additional comments/responses by the DOGM/AMRP are in italics in the “Rationale for Determination” column.

Interdisciplinary Team Analysis Record Checklist

Project Title: North Tintic Abandoned Mine Reclamation ProjectNEPA Log Number: DOI-BLM-UT-W010-2009-0009-EAFile/Serial Number: U-72326Project Leader: Larry Garahana

DETERMINATION OF STAFF: (Choose one of the following abbreviated options for the left column)*NP = not present in the area impacted by the proposed or alternative actions *NI = present, but not affected to a degree that detailed analysis is required *PI = present with potential for significant impact analyzed in detail in the EA; or identified in a DNA as requiring further analysisNC = (DNAs only) actions and impacts not changed from those disclosed in the existing NEPA documents cited in Section C of the DNA form.

Determi-nation Element Rationale for Determination Signature Date

Elements of the Environment Covered by Supplemental Authorities

NI Air Quality

Portions of the project is in a non-attainment area (Utah County PM10). Project will not conflict with Utah’s DAQ SIP and NAAQs will not be exceeded. Any P..M. will disperse quickly.Concur- Air impacts limited to short term, localized dust from excavation of dry soils and diesel equipment exhaust.

Brook Chadwick 4/13/09

NI Cultural Resources

UDOGM is Lead agency for NHPA.Based on the above statement, the “NI” determination in the first column appears to be an error. Effects on cultural resources are analyzed in this EA. See parts 3.3.1 and 4.2.1.

Peter Ainsworth 3/30/09

NI Environmental Justice Low Income/minority populations would not be disproportionately affected. Cindy Ledbetter 3/31/09

NI Fish Habitat No significant impacts anticipated by project activities Traci Allen 4/6/09

NI Floodplains Soil units designated floodplain may be present. Proposed action would not limit access to flood insurance. Michael Gates 3/30/09

NI Forest & Rangelands No impact expected to overall rangeland health. Alan Bass 4/6/09

PI Invasive Species

There is the threat of knapweed spread. Much of this area is infested. Need to stipulate wash vehicles & equip.See parts 3.3.2 and 4.2.2 of this EA and the weed stipulations incorporated into the construction specifications (Section 0300, Part 3.01.A.3) and in the SOP and Stipulations (included in Appendix F and Appendix G of this EA .

G. Kidd 3/30/09

PI Migratory Birds Several nesting raptors are in the project area.See parts 3.3.3 and 4.2.3 of this EA. T. Allen 4/6/09



NI Native American Religious Concerns BLM will conduct Native American consultation in lieu of UDOGM Peter Ainsworth 3/30/09

NPThreatened, Endangered

or Candidate Plant Species

None of the protected plants are known for this area. Rodd Hardy 3/30/09

NPThreatened, Endangered

or Candidate Animal Species

None are known to exist at this time. Traci Allen 4/6/09

NI Wastes Hazardous or Solid

Potential exists for hazardous substance related to historic mining activities. If discovery made, BLM should be notified for further analysis.

Tim Ingwell 3/31/09

NI Water Quality Drinking-Ground Water quality/drinking ground water is not expected to be impacted. Tyler Staggs 4/6/09

NI Wetlands/Riparian Zones

No impact expected if stipulations are followed. Riparian areas not typically found in mines. Alan Bass 4/6/09

NP Wild and Scenic Rivers Not present. Ray W. Kelsey 3/30/09

NP Wilderness & WSA’s Not present. Ray W. Kelsey 3/31/09

Other Resource Elements

NP ACEC No ACEC’s present in this area Cindy Ledbetter 3/31/09

NI Fish & Wildlife General fish & wildlife would not be significantly impacted. Traci Allen 4/6/09

NI Fuels / Fire Management

Follow standard fire prevention permit stipulations.See the fire stipulations incorporated into the construction specifications (Section 0300, Part 2.06) and in the SOP and Stipulations (included in Appendix F and Appendix G of this EA).

Teresa Rigby 3/31/09

NIGeology / Mineral-Resources / Energy-

Production

The mineral resources that may be in the project area will not be affected by the proposed action. Any mineral resource in the project area will remain there after the project is complete.

Larry Garahana 4/2/09

PI Lands / AccessThere should be an evaluation of access as part of this action.Use of existing roads will be specified.See parts 3.3.4 and 4.2.4 of this EA.

M. Nelson 4/2/09

NI Livestock Grazing Livestock grazing occurs but will not be impacted. Alan Bass 4/6/09

NP Paleontology

There are no known significant paleontological resource in the project area. If any are located, the AO needs to be contacted.AMRP consultation with the Utah Geological Survey corroborates the absence of paleo resources.

Larry Garahana 4/2/09

PI RecreationPotential impacts to access to significant caves. Consistency with proposed Fivemile Pass RAMP needed.See parts 3.3.5 and 4.2.5 of this EA.

Ray W. Kelsey 3/30/09

NI Socio-economics LUP allocations do not change. Cindy Ledbetter 3/31/09

NI Soils No soil disturbance expected due to site already being disturbed. Alan Bass 4/6/09

PI

Special Status Animal Species other than FWS

Candidate or Listed Species

BLM SSS exist in project area and need to be evaluated.See parts 3.3.6 and 4.2.6 of this EA. Traci Allen 4/6/09



NP

Special Status Plant Species other than FWS

Candidate or Listed Species

None of these plants are known for that area Rodd Hardy 3/30/09

NI Vegetation No impact on vegetation is expected. Disturbance already for mine. Alan Bass 4/6/09

NI Visual Resource Management No impact to VRM Class 4 resources Ray W. Kelsey 3/30/09

NP Wild Horses and Burros Project is not within Wild Horse & Burro HMA Michael Gates 4/2/09

NP Wilderness Characteristics Not present Ray W. Kelsey 3/30/09

NI Woodland / Forestry Woodland/forestry resources will not be impacted to the extent that requires detailed analysis. Tyler Staggs 4/6/09

Signature / Date CommentsEnvironmental Coordinator

Authorized Officer

Environmental Assessment Appendix B – Page 2North Tintic ProjectJune 8, 2009Page 39

APPENDIX B: Map

Note: The map is not included in the electronic word processing version (MS Word *.doc file) of this EA. The map is collated into the printed and portable electronic versions (Adobe Acrobat *.pdf file). It is formatted on a 24-inch x 36-inch sheet.

Environmental Assessment Appendix B – Page 2North Tintic ProjectJune 8, 2009Page 40

*******************Collation Instructions:Replace this page with map sheet from file “NorthTintic_EA_AppxB-Map.pdf”.*******************

Environmental Assessment Appendix C – Page 20North Tintic ProjectJune 8, 2009Page 41

APPENDIX C: Mine Closure Schedule

See the construction specifications in Appendix F of this EA for a description of the site identification system and a detailed description of the proposed reclamation work. See the notes at the end of the table for explanations of terms, etc.

[Revision date: 04/20/09]

Site ID/Tag No. Map(s) Description of Mine OpeningDimensions/Key Features

SpecialConditions Closure Method/Comment Est.

Quantity

North Tintic West Construction Project

3070322HO001 151E2’w x 1.5’h caved adit w/ timbers; 6’w x 4’h inside, unknown depth and some collapse

BACKFILL (HAND)Set timbers aside and dig out to access and fill 8 cy

3070327HO001 153E2’w x 0.5’h caved adit; unknown dimensions inside

BACKFILL (HAND)Dig out to access and fill 5 cy

3070333IO001 153E 4’w x 3.5’h entrance; 4’w x 4’h x 20+’d inside; BACKFILL (MACHINE)Fill to 20’d unless chinked @ 8’ in 12 cy

3070335HO001 152E3’w x 2’h entrance; 5’w x 2.5+’h x 25+’d inside; incline to 13’d w/ wood cap BACKFILL (MACHINE) 7 cy

3080316HO001157E164E

3’w x 2.5’h entrance; 9’w x 5’h inside to 7’d; incline continues 15+’ on left side NR Eligible

BACKFILL (HAND)Fill from 6’ in 12 cy

3080316HO002157E164E

3.5’w x 5.5’h entrance; 4’w x 6’h x 85+’d inside NR Eligible

BAT GATEConstruct ~3’ in; 4’w x 6’h 24 sf

3080316HO003157E164E

2’w x 3’h entrance; 8’w x 5’h x 14’d inside NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 12 cy

3080316IO001157E164E

5’w x 4’h entrance; 4.5’w x 4’h x 24’d inside NR Eligible

BACKFILL (HAND)Fill to 24’d unless chinked @ 8’ in 16 cy




Quantity

3080321VO001 157E 7’ x 8’ x 10.5’deep; shallow shaft BACKFILL (HAND)Leave 3’ recess 16 cy

3080322HO001 157E14’w x 6’h entrance; 9’w x 3’h at 5’ in; opens up to 14’w x 5’h x 25’d

BACKFILL (MACHINE)Begin fill just before adit opens up at ~8’ in 30 sf

3080333HO001 153E3’w x 1’h caved entrance; 4.5’w x 5’h x 400+’d Bat Exclusion


3080333HO002 153E3’w x 3’h entrance; 4’w x 4’h x 16’d inside BACKFILL (HAND) 7 cy

3090304HO001162E165E

2’w x 0.5’h caved entrance; unknown dimensions inside Bat Exclusion


3090304HO002162E165E

5’w x 5’h entrance; 7’w x 6’h x 19.5’d inside; 04VO003 and hoist block in front of entrance Bat Exclusion

STONE WALLClose 04VO003 first to safely access; construct wall ~4’ in; 6’w x 6’h

36 sf

3090304HO003162E165E

4.5’w x 5’h entrance; 4’w x 7’h x 300’d inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 24 cy

3090304VO001162E165E

16.5’ x 9’ at collar; 6’ x 5’ after 7’ down; 90’ deep BACKFILL (HAND) 105 cy

3090304VO002162E165E 8’ x 6.5’ x 8’ deep; shallow shaft

BACKFILL (HAND)Leave 3’ recess; inadequate dump, scale

10 cy

3090304VO003162E165E

7’ x 5’ x 300+’ deep; in front of 04HO002 w/ hoist block

PINNED REBAR GRATE7’ x 5’ 35 sf

3090304VO004162E165E

8’ x 6’ x 13’ deep as measured on downhill side; uphill side is 16’ deep

BACKFILL (HAND)Leave 1’ recess on downhill side, 4’ on uphill side

22 cy

3090305HO001 163E 4.5’w x 3’h entrance; BACKFILL (HAND) 12 cy




Quantity166E 5.5’w x 5’h x 10’d Inadequate dump, scale

3090305HO002163E166E

2.5’w x 1.5’h entrance; 3.5’w x 4’h x 300’d Bat Exclusion


3090305HO003163E166E

5’w x 4’h entrance; 4’w x 5’h x 300’ deep Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 11 cy

3090305VO001163E166E 6’ x 5’ x 15’ deep

BACKFILL (HAND)Leave 3’ recess; inadequate dump, scale

14 cy

3090306HO001 163E 4’w x 2’h x 15’d caved adit BACKFILL (MACHINE)Dig out to access and fill 5 cy

3090307VO001163E107E

9.5’ x 9’ at collar; 9’ x 6’ after 5’ down; 9’ deep; shallow shaft

BACKFILL (HAND)Leave 3’ recess 15 cy

3090307VO002163E107E 9’ x 8’ x 18’ deep BACKFILL (MACHINE) 50 cy

3090308HC001108E109E Vandalized closure; not yet inventoried Bat Exclusion Undetermined

3090308HO001108E109E

6.5’w x 9’h entrance; opens to large room on right (08HO017) and shaft on left (08VO006) at 8’ in; adit is behind shaft w/ 5’w x 7’h entrance; 4’w x 6’h x 250+’d

BAT GATEConstruct ~4’ in; 4’w x 6’h; construct 08VO006 grate first

24 sf

3090308HO002108E109E

6’w x 6’h entrance; widens to 12’w x 15’h near entrance; adit continues 75+’; contains collapsed timbers and 3 winzes Bat Exclusion

BLOCK WALLConstruct ~4’ in; 7’w x 11’h

77 sf

3090308HO003108E109E

4’w x 1.5’h entrance; 5’w x 5’h x 25’d inside


3090308HO004108E109E

5.5’w x 2.5’h entrance; 6’w x 6’h x 175+’d Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 18 cy

3090308HO005 167E 3.5’w x 1.5’h entrance; 4.5’w x 4.5’h x 40’d BACKFILL (HAND) 8 cy




Quantity168E inside; dump shared w/ 08HO006 Inadequate dump, scale

3090308HO006167E168E

3.5’w x 2.5’h entrance; 4’w x 4.5’h x 15’d inside; dump shared w/ 08HO005

BACKFILL (HAND)Inadequate dump, scale 8 cy

3090308HO007167E168E

5.5’w x 2.5’h entrance; 8’w x 4’h x 1000+’d; caved opening w/timbers; large dump and nearby loadout

Bat Exclusion NR Eligible BACKFILL (MACHINE)

15 cy

3090308HO008167E168E

45’w x 5’h entrance w/ irregular shaped, cavernous opening 3.5’ to 6’ high, 30’ deep; wire fence in front NR Eligible

BACKFILL (MACHINE)Set fence aside

94 cy

3090308HO009167E168E

3.5’w x 2’h entrance; 3.5’w x 4.5’h x 100’d inside; wire fencing in front; wood door 6’ in

Bat Exclusion NR Eligible

BLOCK WALLConstruct 7’ in, inby the wood door; 5’w x 6’h; set fence aside

30 sf

3090308HO010167E168E

11’w x 4’h entrance; 15’w x 6’h x 75+’d inside; timbers across floor over winze


BACKFILL (MACHINE)Do not backfill prospect to left (08HP002)

46 cy

3090308HO011167E168E

14’w x 3.5’h entrance; 14’w x 4.5’h x 50+’d inside; next to and shares dump w/ 08HO012; trench and fence in front



35 cy

3090308HO012167E168E

9’w x 4.5’h entrance; 9’w x 5.5’h x 20’d inside; next to and shares dump w/ 08HO011; fence in front



31 cy

3090308HO013167E168E

3’w x 2’h entrance; 5’w x 5’h x 250+’d inside; wire fence in front


BLOCK WALLConstruct 5’ in; 4.5’w x 4.5’h; set aside fence

20 sf

3090308HO014167E168E

3’w x 2.5’h entrance; 3.5’w x 4.5’h x 25+’d inside

Bat Exclusion NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 8 cy

3090308HO015167E168E

5’w x 4’h entrance; 7’w x 5’h x 35’d inside NR Eligible

BLOCK WALLConstruct 5’ in; 4’w x 5’h 20 sf




Quantity

3090308HO016167E168E

4’w x 3’h entrance; 6’w x 5’h x 22’d inside w/ winze at end; covered winze at 6’ in; 08VO003 11’ in front


BLOCK WALLConstruct 2.5’ in; 3.5’w x 5’h;Close 08VO003 first

18 sf

3090308HO017 NA

6.5’w x 9’h entrance; opens to large room on right (08HO017) and shaft on left (08VO006) at 8’ in w/ adit behind (08HO001); large room has 14’w x 8’h entrance; 35’w x 8’h x 30’d

BLOCK WALLConstruct 1’ in ; 14’w x 8’h

112 sf

3090308VO001167E168E

12’ x 9’ at collar, 8’ x 6’ after 4’, 400+’ deep; box cribbing, massive gray dump w/ collapsed headframe and wire fence NR Eligible

GRADE-BEAM GRATE15’ x 13’; move headframe 10’ to south with trackhoe, set fence aside

270 sf

3090308VO002167E168E 9’ x 9’ collar; 5’ x 5’ after 8’; 40’ deep NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 43 cy

3090308VO003167E168E

14’ x 10’ collar; 5’ x 5’ after 7’; 85’ deep; in front of 08HO016 NR Eligible

PUF250 cf PUF with 36 cf concrete cap; close before 08HO016

250 cf36 cf

3090308VO004 NA

8’ x 8’ collar; 5’ x 5’ after 2’ from low side; opens to a drift 6’w x 10’h; 30’ uphill from 08HO002, likely connects Bat Exclusion

BLOCK WALL w/ BACKFILLUse wall to chink drift, then backfill in front leaving ~4’ recess from high side; no dump, scale

60 sf4cy

3090308VO005 NA

5’ x 3’ collar; 5’ x 5’ after 3’; 20` deep; drift at bottom, likely connects to 08HO002; located in stream channel Bat Exclusion

PUF250 cf PUF with 25 cf concrete cap

250 cf25 cf

3090308VO006 NA

6.5’w x 9’h entrance; opens to large room on right (08HO017) and shaft on left (08VO006) at 8’ in w/ adit behind (08HO001); shaft is 6’ x ’6 x 35’d

PINNED REBAR GRATE6’ x 6’; construct before 08HO001

36 sf

3090316VO001 117E 5’ x 5’ x 11+’ deep; has drift at 11’ Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND)May need to chink drift 11 cy

3090317HO001 118E 5’w x 6’h entrance; BACKFILL (HAND) 21 cy




Quantity119E 3.5’w x 6.5’h x 78’d inside

3090317HO002118E119E

6.5’w x 2’h entrance; 6.5’w x 5’h x 47’d inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 10 cy

3090317HO003118E119E

3’w x 1’h caved entrance; 5’w x 2’h at 5’ in; unknown dimensions beyond; 100+’ deep Bat Exclusion


3090317VO001118E119E

11’ x 6’ x 7.5’ deep; shallow shaft w/ collapsed hoist and timbers

BACKFILL (HAND)Leave 3’ recess; set hoist and timbers aside

8 cy

3090317VO002118E119E 13’ x 12’ collar; 10’ x 8’ after 8’; 24’ deep


3090317VO003 Not available Found during bat survey; not yet inventoried Bat Exclusion Undetermined

3090318HO001 Not available Found during bat survey; not yet inventoried Bat Exclusion Undetermined

3090329HO001126E127E

4.5’w x 4.5’h entrance; 5.5’w x 6.5’h x 195’d inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 16 cy

3090329VO001126E127E 8’ x 4’ x 44’ deep; Bat Exclusion


3090329VO002126E127E 10’ x 3.5’ collar; 9’ x 3.5’ after 2’; 17’ deep

BACKFILL (HAND)Leave 3’ recess as measured from low side

11 cy

3090330HO001128E129E

6.5’w x 10’h entrance; 7’w x 12’h x 16+’d inside w/ winze at back; trench w/ 30VO002 in front Bat Exclusion

BLOCK WALLConstruct at 5’ in; 7’w x 12’h

84 sf

3090330HO002128E129E 4.5’w x 6’h entrance and inside to 28’ deep BACKFILL (HAND) 19 cy

3090330HO003128E129E

4’w x 1’h entrance; 5’w x 4.5’h x 210+’d inside; Bat Exclusion





Quantity

3090330HO004 128E3’w x 3’h entrance; 4’w x 6’h x 137’d inside

BAT GATEConstruct ~6’ in; 4’w x 6’h 24 sf

3090330VO001128E129E 8’ x 3’ at collar and inside to 35’ deep Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (MACHINE) 32 cy

3090330VO002128E129E

74’ x 9’ to 40’ collar narrows to 50’ x 20’ at total depth of 21’; large trench w/ drift at bottom possibly connecting to 30HO001

Bat Exclusion (of drift)

BACKFILL (MACHINE)Fill drift and partially fill trench w/ dump and scaling leaving a large swale

400 cy

3090330VO003128E129E 8.5’ x 5’ at collar and inside to 6’ deep


3090331VO001 67E7’ x 5’ at collar and inside to 55’ deep; above cliff w/ dump at base


3090333HO00169E70E

1’w x 1’h entrance; unknown dimensions and depth inside; massive dump at end of road



3090333HO00269E70E

1.5’w x 0.5’h caved entrance; 8’w x 3’h at 5’ in; unknown dimensions beyond


3090333HO00369E70E 17’w x 5’h at entrance and inside to 10’ deep NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 47 cy

3090333VO00169E70E

14’ x 10’ at collar and inside to 9’deep; pit w/ timbers inside

BACKFILL (HAND)Leave 3’ recess; set timbers aside 30 cy

3090334HO001 71E2’w x 1’h entrance; 4’w x 4’h x 15’d inside;trench and hoist block in front


3090335HO00172E73E

2.5’w x 0.5’h caved entrance; 4’w x 1’h at 5’ in; unknown dimensions beyond



3090335HO00272E73E

3’w x 2’h entrance; 4.5’w x 3.5’h at 10’ in, 170’ deep; contains winze and timbers



3090335VO001 72E73E

11’ x 10’ collar and inside to 9’ deep, 13’ deep on uphill side; incline at bottom

exclude?(incline)

BACKFILL (HAND)May need to chink incline; leave 2’

29 cy




Quantityrecess from downhill side

3100302HO001 41E4’w x 2.5’h entrance; 5’w x 5’h at 5’ in; 40+’ deep Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 16 cy

3100302VO001 41E17’ x 14’ at collar and inside to 8’ deep, 12’ deep on uphill side

BACKFILL (HAND)Inadequate dump, bar down edges and leave 3’ recess from downhill side

44 cy

3100302VO002 41E9’ x 7’ at collar and inside to 10’ deep; shallow shaft BACKFILL (MACHINE) 23 cy

3100302VO003 41E 10’ x 6’ at collar and inside to 23’ deep BACKFILL (MACHINE)Inadequate dump, scale 53 cy

3100302VO004 41E60’ x 42’ at collar; 40’ x 16’ after 30’; 40’ deep; large pit NR Eligible

BACKFILL (HAND)Bar down edges and leave as pit that can be easily walked out of

100 cy

3100302VO005 41E9’ x 6’ collar and inside to 170’; standing water at 145’ NR Eligible

GRADE-BEAM GRATE16’ x 13’ 208 cf

3100303VO001 42E

16’ x 13’ at collar; 11’ x 11’ after 5’; 14’ deep; timber spanning shaft just below collar

BACKFILL (HAND)Leave 4’ recess w/ barred edges for swale

38 cy

3100305HO00144E45E

3’w x 4.5’h entrance and inside to 50+’d; 05VO002 in front; possibly connected to 05HO002

BLOCK WALLClose 05VO002 first

15 sf

3100305HO00244E45E

2.5’w x 2’h entrance; 3w’ x 3’h x 35+’d inside; possibly connected to 05HO001 BACKFILL (MACHINE) 4 cy

3100305VO00144E45E 7’ x 5’ inside wood support collar to 8’ deep

BACKFILL (MACHINE)Take care not to damage wood frame 6 cy

3100305VO00244E45E

6’ x 5’ at collar and inside to 12’ deep; crosscuts at bottom

BACKFILL (MACHINE)No dump, scale; close before 05HO001

14 cy




Quantity

3100311HO00151E52E 5’w x 2.5’h entrance; 9w’ x 3’h x 9’d inside BACKFILL (HAND) 9 cy

3100311IO00151E54E

4’w x 1.5’h entrance and inside to 9’ deep;next to 11VO002 BACKFILL (HAND) 2 cy

3100311VO00251E54E

7’ x 5’ at collar and inside to 7.5’ deep; timbers in shaft; next to 11IO001

BACKFILL (HAND)Set timbers aside; leave 3’ recess 7 cy

3100311VO00351E52E

17’ x 15’ at collar; 8’ x 6’ after 13’; 130+’ deep; collapsed headframe at collar, hoist blocks and building remains NR Eligible

GRADE-BEAM GRATE w/ I-Beam23’ x 21’; move collapsed headframe aside

483 sf

3100311VO00451E53E 8’ x 6’ at collar and inside to 7’ deep



BACKFILL (MACHINE)Tricky access, may need improvements

50 cy

3100312HO00355E56E

4’w x 2.5’h entrance; 5’w x 3’h x 95’d inside; ponded water at ~20’ Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 6 cy

3100312VO01055E56E

35’ x 26’ at collar; 12’ x 8’ after 18’; 18’ deep

BACKFILL (MACHINE)Inadequate dump, scale and leave recessed as swale

200 cy



3100411HO001 77E5’w x 1.5’h entrance; 8’w x 2.5’h at 5’ in; unknown dimensions and depth; trench in front BACKFILL (HAND) 7 cy




Quantity.North Tintic East Construction Project

3070303IO001 149E 2.5'w x 1.5'h x 11'd entrance; unknown dimensions inside BACKFILL (HAND) 4

3070310HO001 149E 1'w x 1.5'h entrance; 4'w x 2.5'h x 11'd inside BACKFILL (HAND) 3

3080235VO001 142E 12'w x 6'h x 10.5'd BACKFILL (HAND) 31

3080236VO001 143E 6'w x 8'h x 300'd PIN GRATE 536

3090203HO001 88E 3'w x 2'h entrance; 4'w x 1'h x 25+'d inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 3

3090203VO001 88E 6'w x 7'h x 13'd BACKFILL (HAND) 17

3090209VO001 89E 10.5'w x 11.5'h x 31'd NR Eligible BACKFILL (MACHINE) 142

3090210HO001 92E 4'w x 3'h entrance; 5'w x 4'h x 25+'d inside BACKFILL (HAND) 9

3090210HO002 92E 3'w x 2.5'h entrance; 3'w x 3'h x 10.5'd inside BACKFILL (HAND) 5

3090215HO001 94E 6'w x 2.5'h entrance; 5'w x 3'h x 40+'d inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 8

3090215HO002 94E 2.5'w x 1.5'h entrance; 4'w x 2.5'h x 25+'d inside BACKFILL (HAND) 3

3090215HO003 94E 4.5'w x 4'h entrance; 5'w x 4'h x 30'd inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 12

3090215HO004 94E 1.5'w x 0.5'h x 6'd; unknown dimensions inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 3

3090215HO005 94E 1'w x 0.75'h x 9'd; unknown dimensions inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 6

3090215HO007 94E 1.5'w x 1.5'h x 15'd; unknown dimensions inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 6




Quantity.

3090216VO001 96E 10.5'w x 13'h x 13'd BACKFILL (MACHINE) 70


3090221VO001 98E 10'w x 6'h x 11'd BACKFILL (MACHINE) 132

3090222HO001 99E 3.5'w x 3'h entrance; 3.5'w x 3'h x 10'd inside BACKFILL (HAND) 6

3090222HO002 99E 4.5'w x 2'h entrance; 1'w x 0.5'h x 14+'d inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 3

3090222HO003 99E 3'w x 3.5'h entrance; 3'w x 5'h x 8.5'd inside BACKFILL (HAND) 8


3090222HO005 99E 3.5'w x 2'h entrance; 5'w x 3.5'h x 25+'d inside BACKFILL (HAND) 7

3090222HO006 99E 4'w x 1.5'h entrance; 5'w x 2.5'h x 100+'d inside Bat Exclusion, NR Eligible BACKFILL (MACHINE) 5

3090222HO007 99E 4'w x 3'h entrance; 5'w x 5'h x 500+'d inside Bat Exclusion, NR Eligible BACKFILL (MACHINE) 12

3090222HO008 99E 4'w x 5'h entrance; 5'w x 6'h x 100+'d inside NR Eligible BAT GATE 18

3090222HO009 99E 2'w x 1.5'h entrance; 8'w x 4'h x 20'd inside NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 10

3090222HO010 99E 3'w x 1'h entrance; 4'w x 1.5'h x 100+'d inside Bat Exclusion, NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 3

3090222HO011 99E 6'w x 3'h entrance; 6'w x 3.5'h x 35+'d inside NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 11

3090222HO012 99E 6.5'w x 3'h entrance; 6'w x 4'h x 25+'d inside BACKFILL (HAND) 13




Quantity.

3090222IO001 98E 10'w x 5'h entrance; 5'w x 5'h x 35'd inside BACKFILL (HAND) 32

3090222IO002 99E 4.5'w x 3.5'h entrance; 5.5'w x 5'h x 12'd inside NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 15

3090222IO003 99E 4'w x 3.5'h entrance; 5'w x 4.5'h x 55'd inside NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 48



3090222VO003 99E 5.5'w x 5.5'h x 100'd Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (MACHINE) 133

3090222VO004 99E 4'w x 4'h x 23'd NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 38

3090222VO005 99E 8'w x 7'h x 35'd NR Eligible PIN GRATE 74





3090223VO001 93E 7'w x 4'h x 30+'d PIN GRATE 32

3090228HO001 103E 3.5'w x 3'h entrance; 5'w x 4.5'h x 60+'d inside NR Eligible BAT GATE 10

3090228HO002 103E 3.5'w x 3.5'h entrance; 4'w x 4'h x 40+'d inside NR Eligible BAT GATE 9




Quantity.

3090228HO003 103E 1.5'w x 0.5'h x 6+'d; unknown dimensions inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 3

3090228HO004 103E 4'w x 3'h entrance; 4'w x 3'h x 16'd inside BACKFILL (HAND) 7



3090228VO003 103E 8'w x 8'h x 860+'d NR Eligible GRADE-BEAM GRATE 2096

3090228VO004 103E 5.5'w x 15'h x 32+'d NR Eligible BACKFILL (MACHINE) 101


3090229HO002 30E 7'w x 4'h entrance; 5'w x 2'h x 15+'d inside BACKFILL (MACHINE) 12


3090229VO001 30E 5'w x 8'h x 800+'d Bat Exclusion, NR Eligible PUF 1192


3090230HO001 33E 1'w x 0.25'h x 10.5+'d; Unknown dimensions inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 2

3090230HO002 33E 2.5'w x 2.5'h entrance; 4'w x 5'h x 20+'d inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 8

3090231HO001 35E 4.5'w x 2.5'h entrance; 5'w x 3'h x 50+'d inside BAT GATE 7

3090232VO001 36E 11'w x 8'h x 80'd Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (MACHINE) 283




Quantity.

3090233HO001 37E 2'w x 1'h entrance; 4'w x 3'h x 7'd inside BACKFILL (HAND) 2

3090233HO002 37E 2'w x 0.5'h entrance; 2'w x 2'h x 10+'d inside BACKFILL (HAND) 1


3090234VO002 38E 20'w x 24'h x 115+'d Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (MACHINE) 537


3090235HO001 39E 3.5'w x 3.5'h entrance; 4'w x 5'h x 100+'d inside BAT GATE 10

3090235VO001 39E 4.5'w x 4.5'h x 19'd BACKFILL (MACHINE) 15


3090302HO001 162E 7.5'w x 1.5'h entrance; 8'w x 2'h x 16'd inside BACKFILL (HAND) 7


3090310HO001 111E 3'w x 2.5'h entrance; 5'w x 3'h x 25+'d inside Bat Exclusion, NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 6

3090310HO002 111E 5'w x 4'h entrance; 5.5'w x 5.5'h x 40+'d inside Bat Exclusion, NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 17

3090310IO001 111E 5.5'w x 4'h entrance; 6'w x 4.5'h x 50+'d inside NR Eligible BAT GATE 54

3090310IO002 111E 6'w x 3'h entrance; 4'w x 3.5'h x 25+'d inside Bat Exclusion, NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 16

3090310IO003 111E 6'w x 4.5'h entrance; 5.5'w x 4'h x 30'd inside NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 29




Quantity.

3090310VO001 111E 4'w x 4'h x 63+'d NR Eligible PIN GRATE 43



3090313HO001 113E 5'w x 5'h entrance; 6'w x 5.5'h x 32'd inside BACKFILL (HAND) 20


3090313VO001 113E 6'w x 6'h x 300+'d Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (MACHINE) 516

3090314HO001 114E 3'w x 3'h entrance; 3'w x 4'h x 25+'d inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (MACHINE) 6

3090314VO001 114E 10.5'w x 7'h x21+'d BACKFILL (MACHINE) 108


3090314VO003 114E 5'w x 12'h x 13.5'd BACKFILL (MACHINE) 125

3090321HO001 121E 4.5'w x 2.5'h entrance; 4'w x 3'h x 30+'d inside BACKFILL (HAND) 6

3090321VO001 121E 4'w x 3.5'h x 14'd BACKFILL (HAND) 8

3090321VO002 121E 10'w x 10'h x 25+'d GRADE-BEAM GRATE 82

3090322HO001 122E 6'w x 7.5'h entrance; 6'w x 8'h x 41+'d inside NR Eligible STONE WALL 40

3090322HO002 122E 17'w x 4'h entrance; 16'w x 5'h x 40+'d inside NR Eligible STONE WALL 49




Quantity.

3090322HO003 122E 3.5'w x 1.5'h entrance; 4'w x 3'h x 15+'d inside Bat Exclusion, NR Eligible BACKFILL (HAND) 4

3090322HO004 122E 1.5'w x 0.5'h x 13+'d; Unknown dimensions inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 4

3090322VO001 122E 15'w x 10'h x 7'd No Action 44

3090325HO001 61E 4'w x 5'h entrance; 4.5'w x 5.5'h x 100+'d inside BAT GATE 16

3090325HO002 61E 5'w x 3'h entrance; 4.5'w x 5'h x 50+'d inside Bat Exclusion BLOCK WALL 8




3090325VO003 61E 9'w x 9'h x 80'd GRADE-BEAM GRATE 243


3090326VO001 65E 17'w x 22'h x 100+'d PIN GRATE 1398

3090336HO001 74E 7.5'w x 1.5'h entrance; 9'w x 2'h x 5'd inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 3

3090336HO002 74E 3'w x 0.5'h entrance; 4'w x 2'h x 11'd inside BACKFILL (MACHINE) 2

3090336HO003 74E 5.5'w x 4'h entrance; 6'w x 4.5'h x 20'd inside BACKFILL (HAND) 16

3090336VO001 74E 7'w x 9'h x 305+'d BACKFILL (MACHINE) 720




Quantity.

3100202HO001 8E 2'w x 1'h entrance; 4.5'w x 2.5'h x 20+'d inside BACKFILL (MACHINE) 3


3100202VO002 8E 12'w x 10'h x 1350+'d NR Eligible PIN GRATE 6004

3100203HO001 9E 4'w x 1'h entrance; 5'w x 3'h x 25'd inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 5

3100203IO001 9E 22'w x 10'h entrance; 20'w x 9'h x 80+'d inside Bat Exclusion PUF w/ BACKFILL (MACHINE) 364

3100203VO002 9E 11'w x 17.5'h x 17'd BACKFILL (MACHINE) 127


3100204HO002 13E 5'w x 5'h entrance; 4'w x 6'h x 100+'d inside BAT GATE 18

3100204HO003 13E 4.5'w x 6.5'h entrance; 5'w x 8'h x 30+'d inside Bat Exclusion, NR Eligible STONE WALL 29

3100204IO001 13E 4'w x 1.5'h entrance; 5'w x 2'h x 26'd inside BAT GATE 10




3100205HO001 18E 4'w x 5'h entrance; 5'w x 5.5'h x 60+'d inside BAT GATE 17





Quantity.

3100205HO003 18E 2.5'w x 2'h entrance; 5'w x 4'h x 30+'d inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (HAND) 7

3100205VO001 18E 3'w x 3'h x 20'd Bat Exclusion PUF 7

3100207HO001 22E 4'w x 5.5'h entrance; 4'w x 4.5'h x 10.5'd inside BACKFILL (HAND) 14


3100211HO001 17E 6'w x 2'h entrance; 5.5'w x 4'h x 50+'d inside BAT GATE 10

3100301HO001 40E 4'w x 2'h entrance; 5'w x 5'h x 30+'d inside Bat Exclusion BACKFILL (MACHINE) 14


3100301HO003 40E 3'w x 2'h entrance; 4'w x 3.5'h x 20+'d inside BACKFILL (MACHINE) 6

Table Notes:Locations and dimensions are approximate and have not been field verified. Construction quantities are estimated and will be confirmed at time of construction. Construction quantities are stated in square feet (sf) for walls, gates, and grates; cubic yards (cy) for backfills; and cubic feet (cf) for PUF and concrete. UTM coordinates are all in Zone 12, NAD27. Dimensions are in feet. h=high/height, w=wide/width, l=long/length, d=deep/depth, diam=diameter, unk=unknown, x=by, est=estimated, w/=with, ~ or approx=approximately, deg=degree, na=not applicable. Compass directions=N, NW, E, SE, S, etc. Special conditions: Bat Exclusion=Bat exclusion required, NR Eligible=National Register eligible site (protect cultural features).

Environmental Assessment Appendix D – Page 6North Tintic ProjectJune 8, 2009Page 59

APPENDIX D: Mine Closure And Construction Methods

AccessAccess routes to mines are typically the original mining roads. In the years since abandonment, these roads usually have become overgrown with vegetation, narrowed by failure of the cut bank, blocked by rock falls, and gullied by erosion. These old roads may be generally passable, but locally impassable. Minor improvements may be required to allow vehicles and equipment to reach the mine openings. Access improvements would be limited to short distances over previously impacted areas, and could involve moving boulders, spot grading, or moving waste dump materials needed to achieve the access required by the appropriate closure method for the site. All improvements would be removed when the heavy equipment exits the site. The disturbances would be raked and seeded if the use were to result in a change from current conditions.

Equipment and WorkersBased on previous AMRP projects of similar scope, the contractor is likely to use all or part of the following equipment: trackhoe (Cat 312 or 325 or equivalent), rubber-tired backhoe/loader (Cat 416 or equivalent), small dozer (Cat D6 or equivalent), 1- or 2-ton flatbed truck, 4WD pickup trucks, 10-wheel dump truck, water tank truck or trailer, equipment transport trailer, trailer-mounted and/or hand-carried portable gasoline-powered arc welder/generator, air compressor, ATVs, and hand tools (shovels, picks, pry bars, rakes, cutting torches, carpentry and masonry tools, etc.). Other equipment may be added or substituted, as circumstances require. The contractor would likely field crews of 8-12 people. A typical allocation of labor would be: one supervisor, one backhoe/trackhoe operator performing backfills, one or two crews of 2-4 manual laborers performing backfills and/or wall construction, and 2 welders/laborers building gates. In order to make the most efficient use of the field crews and equipment, the crews may be working at different openings in separate parts of the proposed project area at any given time. Normally, the workers would travel into the site they were working in the morning and travel out at the end of the day or completion of construction activities at the site. Additional trips may be made to bring construction materials to the site.

Construction would be performed in a way that minimizes disturbance to the ground and vegetation. Truck and equipment access to mine sites would utilize existing roads and trails with limited improvements. Areas that have been previously disturbed, such as wide sections of roadways, mine dumps, or rancher campsites, would be used as staging sites to park vehicles or store materials. All access improvement would be removed at the completion of the work.

Many of the mine sites in the project area would be reclaimed by hand. However, if equipment is used the trackhoe is the preferred implement for backfilling mine openings, prospects, pits, and trenches. It is capable of traversing terrain that rubber-tired vehicles cannot and has superior excavating power. Its boom reach and pivoting capability allow it


to pull material from a mine dump and place it in the opening without repositioning, with a consequent reduction in ground disturbance. The large footprint of the track distributes the machine’s weight and imparts less pressure on the ground and vegetation than tires do. Where waste dump or rock/soil materials are not located close enough to the location, a rubber-tired loader or dozer may be used to transport material to feed the trackhoe. The trackhoe is also preferred for regrading waste dump material and mine access roads, but alternatively a rubber-tired loader or dozer could be used.

Pickups or flatbed trucks would be used for the transport of personnel and hauling construction materials and trash to and from the site. Rubber-tired backhoes or loaders are sometimes used to transport construction materials (particularly for handling palletized materials in staging areas, but also in other situations). ATVs are used to transport materials on narrow roads and cross-country traverses offroad.

Mine Closures1. Backfill ClosuresBackfill closures are used for both shafts and adits. Shafts are filled completely. Adits are filled to a depth of at least twice the portal height (typically between 10 and 15 feet) to form a substantial access barrier. Backfilling is done either by hand (manual labor with picks and shovels) or using heavy machinery, depending on the accessibility of the site. Backfilling with heavy equipment entails constructing a work pad in front of the opening in order to place backfill material into the opening. The bucket of the backhoe is used to push backfill material into adits. Backfill sources would normally be the mine waste dump adjacent to the mine opening, the brow and slope above the opening, and nearby surface rock. The backfill material would be obtained in a manner designed to preserve the visual appearance/contour of the site. The material is placed either by hand or machine in such a manner as to minimize voids and compacted to prevent the reopening of the portal due to settling of the fill material. The fill is mounded over the opening and blended into the surrounding contours as much as practical for visual compatibility and to divert runoff and snowmelt away from the fill. If the mine opening is considered historically important, the fill can be recessed inside the mine to maintain the original appearance of the opening.

2. Masonry Wall ClosuresMasonry walls or bulkheads would be an alternative method of adit, incline, or prospect closure where backfilling is not feasible. This type of closure is a wall located as far into the adit or incline (maximum of 10 feet) as is safe and reasonable to reduce visibility of the wall from outside the opening. The wall would be constructed of solid concrete block or native stone. Concrete block walls would be 16 inches (two courses) thick. Native stone would be constructed to a minimum thickness of 2 feet at the base and 18 inches at the top. Any loose rock above the area in which the wall is to be constructed would be removed. The wall would be keyed into the rock to provide more strength and integrity to the wall. Large walls,


greater than 12 ft x 15 ft, would require construction of support pilasters. When necessary, drain pipes would be located near the base of the wall in the approximate center of the wall or near a low spot along the base. The drain pipe would protrude a minimum of 12 inches on either side of the wall.

All of the masonry walls would be constructed by hand. Mine closure materials (block, concrete and mortar mix, water) and supplies would be moved as close as possible to the site by pickup trucks or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the rest of the way on foot. Post-closure site restoration consists of removal of tools, leftover materials, and empty mortar mix sacks and removal of vehicle tracks as needed.

3. Bat Gate ClosuresBat gates are fabricated steel panels that are designed to let bats fly through while keeping people out of the mine. Each bat gate is custom-fitted to its opening. Gates are made of vandal-resistant manganese alloy steel. They can be equipped with a removable, lockable section that permits authorized human re-entry into the mine. Bat gate construction methods would be as follows: The opening is prepared by scaling loose rock from the area in which the bat gate closure is to be constructed and excavating a trench into the floor. The location is measured, the steel components are cut to the appropriate lengths, and the gate panel is assembled and set into place. Anchor pins are doweled into the adit walls and bars are welded to the gate perimeter to provide a continuous steel lining on the adit ribs. The perimeter bars are bent or cut into segments to conform closely to irregular surfaces, with a maximum gap of 6 inches between the rib and the bar. Vertical bars extend into the footer and are positioned with a maximum spacing of 24 inches. Horizontal crossbars below 48 inches high are spaced on 5-inch centers for a maximum gap between bars of 4 inches (to prevent human entry), and above 48 inches on 6.5-inch centers for a maximum gap of 5.5 inches (recommended flyway for bats). All steel intersections and joints are welded. A lock box is mounted onto the vertical support to serve the removable section. The footer trench is filled with concrete to anchor the gate and prevent vandals from digging under it. Post-closure site restoration consists of removal of tools and leftover materials and removal of vehicle tracks as needed.

4. Rebar Shaft Grate ClosuresRebar shaft grates are barriers made of 1-inch diameter rebar on 8-inch centers placed within or over a shaft opening. Each grate is custom-fitted to its opening. The rebar shaft grate is a versatile design that can be custom-fitted around historic structural members or built in multiple planes to fit unusual mine geometry. Although the 7-inch square openings are not the optimal size for bats, bats have been observed flying through them. Shaft grate construction methods would be as follows: At shafts with a competent rock collar, the grate can be installed inside the shaft opening anchored directly to the rock. Two bars are placed along opposite side of the shaft, supported by steel pins drilled into the collar, to form the initial


support. The first layer of crossbars is cut to length and welded to these bars on 8-inch centers. Then the second layer of crossbars is set in place at right angles to the first. Anchor pins are doweled into the shaft collar and supplemental bars added as needed to fit irregularities. All steel intersections and joints are welded. At shafts with an unconsolidated collar of soil or mine dump material, the grate is contained in an above-grade concrete frame around the shaft, with a 3-foot minimum buffer beyond the collar edge to allow for future sloughing of the collar. Grates larger than 15 feet across are supported by a supplemental I-beam. Post-closure site restoration consists of removal of tools and leftover materials and removal of vehicle tracks as needed.

5. Polyurethane Foam (PUF) Shaft Plug ClosuresPUF shaft plug closures consist of a thick layer of PUF installed in a mine shaft to form a permanent plug. The plug thickness is 2-3 times the short dimension of the shaft. Closure installation begins with construction of a bottom form at the appropriate depth within the shaft to support the PUF until it sets and placement of a drain pipe that will run through the PUF. The PUF is sprayed into the shaft as a liquid that expands into a foam that conforms to the shape of the shaft and hardens to a rigid solid. The PUF is topped with a layer of concrete to protect the PUF from vandalism and sunlight (ultraviolet light deteriorates the foam) and then a layer of backfill material to the surface. A pipe through the PUF allows for ventilation and drainage.

PUF shaft plugs can be installed with minimal disturbance to the mine. Structural elements can be left in place, since the foam can flow around them, as long as there is sufficient access to place the bottom form. If the mine opening is considered historically important, the PUF plug can be recessed inside the shaft a few feet to maintain the original appearance of the opening. PUF shaft plug installation requires transporting the PUF materials to the site. Packaging ranges from plastic bags in cardboard cartons to five gallon buckets to 55-gallon drums, depending on the vendor and quantity required; packaging can be tailored to the transportation available (foot, ATV, truck) for the site conditions. Post-closure site restoration consists of removal and disposal of packaging and removal of vehicle tracks as needed.

Other Reclamation Activities

RevegetationSeedbeds would be prepared in areas where surface disturbance has occurred in the closure process, by roughening the cover material using mechanical equipment. Seedbeds would be hand raked on sites too small, remote, or steep for the use of conventional machinery. The roughening process would leave the seed bed in a fluffy condition.


All disturbed areas would be seeded with native plant species during the fall months. The species composition and planting rates of the seed mixtures are found in Appendix E. Disturbed areas would be seeded by hand broadcast seeding. Broadcast seeding would be accomplished using hand-operated “cyclone-type” seeders. Two passes would be made over the seeded area to evenly distribute seed. Broadcast seeding would take place immediately following the completion of the roughening process. Seeding would not be conducted under extremely windy conditions.

Determining Revegetative SuccessRevegetation would be considered successful if cover equals or surpasses 90% of the cover found in the surrounding area, invasive plant species account for no more than 10% of the total herbaceous cover, and no noxious weeds are present. If noxious weeds are observed, appropriate control measures would be used. Herbaceous vegetation would have five years to meet success criteria and woody vegetation would have ten years to meet success criteria.

Revegetation success would be determined by establishing three reference sites in the area that best represent site potential. Herbaceous vegetation cover would be measured using modified Daubenmire sample frames (0.5 x 0.25 meters) or a similar method to measure cover. A minimum of three transects would be placed in the reclamation area and in the reference area and 20 frames would be read on each transect. Transect length would be modified to match the impacted area. Woody vegetation cover would be measured using the line intercept method along the Daubenmire transects. The line intercept would run for 50 meters. The beginning and end points of the transects would be permanently marked with rebar covered with PVC pipe, recorded on a GPS and labeled. Visual surveys would be made for any noxious or weed species in the reclamation area and any evidence of soil instability would be noted. A species list of all species present in the reclamation area would be compiled.

If reclamation fails for any of the above criteria, an assessment of the reasons for failure will be made and appropriate contingency measures taken. Soils may need to be tested for suitability or contamination if rainfall is adequate but overall germination is poor. Reseeding will take place in areas that fail to meet criteria and the species list may need to be modified as a result of success observed with the original seed mix. The BLM will be responsible for any contingency measures and annual monitoring of vegetation.

Environmental Assessment Appendix E – Page 2North Tintic ProjectJune 8, 2009Page 64

APPENDIX E: Reclamation Seed Mix

North Tintic Project Seed Mix

Common Name Scientific name Preferred Variety

Pounds PLS/Acre

GRASSESCrested wheatgrass Agropyron cristatum 4.0Russian wildrye Elymus junceus 4.0

Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides(Oryzopsis or Stipa hymenoides) 4.0

Sand dropseed Sporobolus cyptandrus Bromar 0.1

Needle and thread Hesperostipa comata spp. comata (Stipa comata) 1.0

FORBSPalmer penstemon Penstemon palmeri 2.0Blue flax Linum lewisii 2.0Alfalfa Medicago sativa 1.0SHRUBSSagebrush Artemisia tridentata tridentata 0.5Four-wing saltbush Atriplex canescens 2.0

Rubber rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa(Chrysothamnus nauseosus) 0.5

Forage kochia Kochia prostrata 1.0TOTAL 22.1

The planting rate indicated (pounds PLS/acre) is for broadcast seeding.

PLS= Pure Live Seed

[revision date: 8/11/2008]

Environmental Assessment Appendix F – Page 12North Tintic ProjectJune 8, 2009Page 65

APPENDIX F: Construction Specifications (Section 0300)

The Proposed Action for the North Tintic Project calls for sealing mine openings to enhance public safety.

The following is an excerpt from the draft construction specifications for the North Tintic West construction project. Where differences exist between this document and the specifications for the North Tintic East project, the altered information appears in italics. The complete standard AMRP specification document contains instructions to bidders, bid sheets, administrative documents, sample forms, and other material irrelevant to NEPA review. Generic technical specifications for mine closures and other construction tasks are contained in Sections 0200 through 0290 of the contract specifications. These boilerplate sections are not reproduced here, but are available for review from the AMRP. The excerpt quoted below is “Section 0300: Site Specific Requirements” in the standard AMRP specification document.

North Tintic Project mine closure recommendations and site-specific project specifications are presented in Section 0300 and Appendix A of the contract specifications. Besides defining the proposed construction action, this section also defines the project area and explains the site identification system and closure methods.

Because final design is not completed, there are still gaps in this draft, primarily dates, dimensions, quantities, and formatting references that need to be determined, but the nature of the proposed work is apparent. Incomplete or uncertain items are marked by asterisk or pound sign strings (*****, #####); these gaps will be fixed before going to bid.

The specifications make several references to a mine closure schedule in Appendix A of the specifications. An equivalent table to this is included as Appendix C of this environmental assessment. The specifications refer to maps in Appendix G of the specifications. Equivalent maps are included as Appendix B of this environmental assessment.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[***revision date: 04/20/2009]

0300 Specific Site Requirements

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.01 WORK INCLUDED

A. This section describes the location, the features present, and the WORK to be performed at the North Tintic West Project located in Tooele and Juab Counties, Utah. The items of


the WORK shall be performed according to the appropriate sections of these specifications.

B. It is the intent of these Specifications that the site-specific scope of WORK is as described in this Section. The General Technical Specifications, Sections 0200 through 0290, outline WORK broadly applicable to all abandoned mine reclamation situations and that may not be required at each mine site in this project. Where there is a conflict between Section 0300 and the General Technical Specifications (0200's), Section 0300 shall govern.

C. The access, site description and specific requirements for each closure method are described in this Section. Details and dimensions are shown on the Drawings in Chapter 6. CONTRACTOR shall be aware that the dimensions on the Drawings are shown as typical. CONTRACTOR shall also be aware that minimum or maximum dimensions on the Drawings or given in the Specifications are specific and are to be adhered to unless the OWNER approves changes in writing. The quantities presented in the specific site sections should be considered an estimate with a tolerance of plus or minus 15 percent. CONTRACTOR shall visit each site and determine the quantities and amounts required in performing the WORK as intended in these Specifications and on the Drawings.

1.02 PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

A. The North Tintic West Project area consists of approximately 234 identified abandoned mine openings or other mining features. The mine openings consist of adits, inclines, vertical shafts, exposed stopes, prospect pits, trenches, and subsidence holes. The openings occur in a wide range of sizes, configurations, and conditions. Of the 234 inventoried features, 93 are classified as open sites and 94 are scheduled for closure. (One site was inventoried as a closed site that was subsequently vandalized and reopened.)

The North Tintic East Project area consists of approximately 367 identified abandoned mine openings or other mining features. The mine openings consist of adits, inclines, vertical shafts, exposed stopes, prospect pits, trenches, and subsidence holes. The openings occur in a wide range of sizes, configurations, and conditions. Of the 367 inventoried features, 128 are classified as open sites and are scheduled for closure.

B. The North Tintic West Project area is located in Tooele and Juab Counties within the East Tintic Mountains northwest of Eureka, Utah.

The North Tintic East Project area is located in Utah County within the East Tintic Mountains northwest of Eureka, Utah.

C. The closest town with reasonable access to most of the project sites is Eureka, Utah located in northeast Juab County. To get to Eureka, take the Santaquin exit 248 off of Interstate 15 in central Utah, Utah County. Turn right onto US-6/E. Main Street in Santaquin and continue west on Highway US-6. You will pass through Genola 2.5 miles from Santaquin, followed by Goshen 5.1 miles later, followed by Elberta 3 miles later, and then reach Eureka 9.7 miles later (a total of 20.3 miles from Santaquin).

D. The formal project boundary takes in the following sections, although mines occur in only a portion of this area:

T7S, R3W, Sections 22, 27, 33, & 35


T8S, R3W, Sections 16, 21, 22, & 33T9S, R3W. Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 18, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, & 35T10S, R3W, Sections 2, 3, 5, 11, & 12T10S, R4W, Section 11

T7S, R3W, Section 3 & 10T8S, R2W, Sections 35 & 36T9S, R2W, Sections 3, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, & 35T9S, R3W. Sections 2, 10, 12, 13, 14, 22, 25, 26, & 36T10S, R2W, Section 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, & 21T10S, R3W, Section 1

E. The North Tintic West Project is mapped on the Fivemile Pass, Boulter Peak, Tintic Junction, and Sabie Mountain USGS 7.5 minute quadrangles and on the Rush Valley and Lynndyl USGS 30’x60’ (1:100k) quadrangles.

USGS Quad Index:

- Fivemile Pass

- Boulter Peak

Sabie Mountain Tintic Junction

The North Tintic East Project is mapped on the Fivemile Pass, Boulter Peak, Tintic Junction, and Sabie Mountain USGS 7.5 minute quadrangles and on the Rush Valley and Lynndyl USGS 30’x60’ (1:100k) quadrangles.

USGS Quad Index:

Fivemile Pass -

Boulter Peak Allens Ranch

Tintic Junction Eureka

1.03 MINE OPENING LOCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

A. The North Tintic West Project area consists of 100 sites scheduled for closure. The mine openings consist of adits, inclines, vertical shafts, exposed stopes, prospect pits, trenches, and subsidence holes. The openings occur in a wide range of sizes, configurations, and conditions.

The North Tintic East Project area consists of 129 sites scheduled for closure. The mine openings consist of adits, inclines, and vertical shafts. The openings occur in a wide range of sizes, configurations, and conditions.

B. Locations, descriptions, approximate dimensions, UTM coordinates, closure methods, and map references of each mine opening (site) are provided in the table in Appendix A. Detailed locations of the sites are presented on the maps in Chapter 7. Note that mine symbols may be plotted on the maps offset slightly from their true locations due to terrain interference with GPS surveys and the way the mapping software treats adit symbols.


C. Site ID Numbers (Tag Numbers): Each mine opening or feature is identified by a unique site identification number such as 3090332HO002. The ID number consists of seven digits, two letters, and three digits. The first digit indicates the quadrant around the Salt Lake baseline and meridian (or the Uinta special meridian). Townships south and west of the SLBM are coded "3." The second and third digits indicate the township, the fourth and fifth digits indicate the range, and the sixth and seventh digits indicate the section. These numbers are followed by letters indicating the type of mine opening or feature (H = horizontal adit, I = inclined adit, V = vertical shaft, SH = subsidence hole, PR = prospect, TR = trench, PT = open pit,) and, in the case of shafts and adits, letters indicating whether the mine is open (O) or closed (C). These letters are followed by numbers that are sequential numbers assigned as the openings were encountered during the field inventory. Thus, site number 3090332HO002 is the second horizontal opening (HO) inventoried in Township 9 South, Range 3 West, Section 32. The leading zeros in the sequential number part of the ID number are frequently omitted (i.e. HO2 instead of HO002).

D. Identifying Sites: Sites in the field are marked two ways, with wooden stakes and steel washers. The 1"x2" wooden stakes have the full ID number written in ink. The washers are 1½" diameter and are bolted to rock with masonry anchors. They are stamped with only the opening ID, without the numbers for quadrant, township, range, and section (e.g. just "HO3"). Because of vandalism or weather, many mine ID markers are illegible or are missing altogether. Some mine features, particularly small prospects, are not marked. In a very few cases, sites have been renumbered, and ID numbers on tags may not match the ID number in these Specifications. CONTRACTOR will have to rely on the site location maps and the descriptions in Appendix A to identify mine sites. OWNER's Contract Representative will provide assistance in identifying the mine openings.

E. There are 140 small, shallow prospects and caved or previously closed mine features in the project area that have been inventoried and assigned tag numbers with opening types HC, VC, PR, PT, PH, PV, or TR. These “closed” mine features are not scheduled for closure. They are not included in the descriptions of the mine openings in Appendix A. They have been plotted and labeled on some maps as navigational aids.

There are 239 small, shallow prospects and caved or previously closed mine features in the project area that have been inventoried and assigned tag numbers.

F. There may be additional hazardous mines in the area that were missed by the inventory and are not tagged. CONTRACTOR shall notify OWNER if new mines are discovered.

1.04 PROJECT SITE GROUPINGS

A. The mine sites in the North Tintic West Project are located within 28 sections within five townships that are the basis for the area detail maps in Chapter 7. The mine sites in the North Tintic East Project are located within 39 sections within six townships that are the basis for the area detail maps in Chapter 7. The sites are also organized by township and section through their tag numbers in the Bid Schedule and Appendix A. The maps in Chapter 7 should be adequate to get to each section and locate each individual mine site.

1.05 PROJECT AREA ACCESS


A. The project area is served with dirt roads and foot trails. The dirt roads have varying degrees of passability and upkeep. Most are not maintained. High clearance and/or four-wheel-drive vehicles are mandatory for travel in most of the project area, particularly in wet weather. Many of the mine sites are accessible only by ATVs or by foot.

B. Roads on the maps in Chapter 7 are symbolized as Paved, 2WD, 4WD, ATV, and Foot. Roads symbolized as Paved or 2WD are maintained and should be passable to all types of vehicles in all weather. Roads symbolized as 4WD are wide enough for a standard truck or SUV, but may have ruts, gully crossings, or other obstacles requiring high clearance and/or four-wheel-drive. Roads symbolized as ATV are either too narrow, too steep, or too rocky for full sized vehicles but are suitable for ATV's. Some ATV roads may be also suitable for tracked equipment. Roads symbolized as Foot are too steep, narrow, washed out, or boulder strewn for vehicles, although some may be passable to single-track vehicles (dirt bikes).

C. Vehicle travel on some roads is subject to restrictions (see Part 2.07 below).

1.06 LAND STATUS

A. The North Tintic West Project area contains land owned or controlled by several parties. OWNER is responsible for obtaining the necessary rights of entry to perform the reclamation work. OWNER will have maps showing boundaries of property tracts available during construction for consultation.

B. Approximately 59 of the 94 features scheduled for closure occur on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These include sites on unpatented mining claims and sites on other public land. For more information, contact:

Larry Garahana, GeologistSalt Lake Field OfficeBureau of Land Management2370 South 2300 WestSalt Lake City, Utah 84119(801) 977-4371

C. Approximately five (5) of the 94 features scheduled for closure occur on state land administered by the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA).

D. The remaining 30 features scheduled for closure are on private land held by a number of different interests.

E. At time of project bidding, OWNER has secured written landowner consent for right of entry for ### of the 228 openings on private land scheduled for closure. Owners of most of the remaining sites have indicated their intent but have not provided written consent. OWNER anticipates having all private land written rights of entry in place by the time the Notice to Proceed is issued.

F. CONTRACTOR shall not perform WORK on any site until OWNER has obtained landowner consent for that site.

G. CONTRACTOR shall not perform WORK on sites on BLM administered land until OWNER has obtained authorization from BLM (expected prior to Notice to Proceed).


PART 2 - SPECIAL CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS

2.01 CULTURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION

A. The North Tintic West Project area has 25 mine openings determined to be on significant historical sites eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. All reclamation activities shall be conducted in a manner sensitive to the historic values and resources found in the area. CONTRACTOR shall ensure that all construction crew members are aware of the cultural sensitivity of the area and the cultural resource protection requirements.

B. While features such as cabins, headframes, and ore chutes are obviously important, many of the historically important features present in the project area are not readily apparent. For example, ore sorting areas may appear simply as a patch of differently colored rock on a dump. Much of what is significant at a mine site might typically be dismissed as "trash" somewhere else. Often, the mine opening itself, or cribbing within an opening, is important and needs to be treated appropriately.

C. Access improvement, excavation, and other ground disturbing activities shall be limited to the minimum necessary to achieve the goals of the WORK. Alteration or removal of structures or structural elements of mine openings, such as props, lagging, cribbing, retaining walls, foundations, and doorways shall be limited to the minimum necessary to safely and effectively install the closure. Any such alteration shall be planned in consultation with and executed as directed by the OWNER.

D. One of the key features of the project area that makes the North Tintic mining district historically important is its surviving "historic landscape", the overall appearance of the terrain dotted with mine dumps and workings offering a glimpse of the past. To preserve this historic appearance, when possible mine dumps used as a source of backfill shall be excavated in a way that maintains the outer lines and grades of the dump. This can be done by uniformly removing material from all surfaces, by removing material from the top down, by slightly "hollowing out" the dump, or by removing one lobe of a multi-lobed dump. The idea is to avoid leaving the dump with an uneven, gouged look.

E. Removal of historic or prehistoric artifacts or rock specimens is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, bottles, bottle fragments, china and glass fragments, tools, tin cans, buckets, pipe, wire, nails, spikes, bolts, track, machinery, ore cars, vehicles, lumber and other wood, arrowheads and other stone tools, ore samples, petrified wood, and fossils.

F. CONTRACTOR shall stop work and notify OWNER immediately if human burial remains are discovered.

2.02 BAT CONSERVATION

A. OWNER has performed surveys to determine which mines are used for bat habitat. Where bats are present in a mine, they will be excluded from the mine prior to installing airtight closures (see Section 0250, Part 3.01). Sites requiring exclusion prior to closure are indicated in Appendix A.

B. The exclusion process is effective only in warm seasons when bats are active. To prevent entombing hibernating bats, sites indicated in Appendix A as requiring exclusion prior to closure shall not be closed during the cold season. For the purposes of


hibernating bats, the cold season is considered to be when the daily minimum temperature is consistently below 40 oF. On average based on 1971 through 2000 data, the cold season for Eureka is from late September through mid May. (http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?uteure) Closure of these sites shall be postponed to the following warm season.

C. Direct visual inspection of the mine interior by the OWNER or the “slow fill” method of shaft backfilling may be used with OWNER’s approval as an alternative to the chicken wire exclusion process.

2.03 BIRD CONSERVATION

A. A number of state and federal laws or policies protect several bird species. CONTRACTOR shall avoid or minimize disturbance to protected birds as outlined in this section. Generally this is done by scheduling work to avoid sensitive breeding activity and by minimizing habitat disturbance.

B. During spring nesting and fledging (January 15 to August 31) OWNER will perform line-of-site visual surveys for raptor nests in the vicinity of the mine sites. If nests are found, CONTRACTOR shall reschedule work at those sites until after August 31.

2.04 RARE PLANT CONSERVATION

A. No plant species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act are known to occur in the project area. No special plant precautions are required.

2.05 LAND PROTECTION

A. Trash, containers, wrappings, empty mortar and concrete mix bags, concrete block fragments, rebar cuttings, welding rod scraps, waste PUF, pallets, water jugs, buckets, broken tools, discarded materials, food wrappers, beverage containers, paper towels, and other such litter generated by the reclamation activities shall be kept contained during construction and shall be cleaned up and removed from the site upon completion.

B. Fuel, lubricants, hydraulic fluid, PUF components, and similar products shall be properly contained and handled to prevent spills.

C. CONTRACTOR shall be responsible to reimburse landowners or lease holders for livestock or other property lost, injured, or damaged by CONTRACTOR's operations on access roads.

2.06 FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL

A. CONTRACTOR shall submit a written range fire prevention and fire response plan to OWNER at the start of construction.

B. CONTRACTOR shall exercise care with open flames and sparks when welding or cutting to avoid starting range fires or igniting mine timbers or wooden mine structures (shaft collar cribbing, headframes, etc.). Lifts of PUF shall be given adequate time for the reaction heat to dissipate to avoid excessive heat build-up within the foam.

http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?uteure


C. CONTRACTOR shall call 911 or notify the Northern Utah Interagency Fire Center (801-908-1901) immediately in the event of a fire. Callers should be able to relay the location and status of the fire.

D. In the event of a fire, personal safety is the first priority. CONTRACTOR shall initiate fire suppression to the extent that it can be done safely. If a fire spreads beyond the capability of the workers and available tools, crews shall cease suppression and evacuate the area on previously identified routes.

E. CONTRACTOR shall comply with all federal, state, or local rules and regulations regarding the use, prevention, and suppression of fires, including any fire prevention orders that may be in effect. CONTRACTOR may be held liable for the costs of fire suppression, stabilization, and rehabilitation.

F. Vehicles and equipment shall be equipped with shovels, water, and fire extinguishers with a minimum rating of ABC –10 pounds. Internal and external combustion engines shall be equipped with properly maintained, unmodified spark arresters (see 36 CFR 261.52).

2.07 ACCESS RESTRICTIONS

A. Vehicles shall stay on existing roadways as much as possible and avoid cross-country trips across undisturbed areas except where necessary.

B. CONTRACTOR shall secure all necessary permits, including camping permits, from the applicable land management agency.

2.08 WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY

A. CONTRACTOR is required to hold regular safety meetings and is encouraged to have a response plan in place in the event of accidents, personal injury, animal bites, or other medical emergency.

B. All of Juab, Tooele, and Utah Counties are covered by 911 emergency telephone service, but the project area has limited or no reliable cell phone coverage.

C. The heavy reliance on manual labor for this project and the steep, rugged terrain increase the risk of orthopedic and trauma injuries. Standard safety gear (hard hat, steel-toed shoes) are required for all personnel. Fatigue, heat stress, and dehydration are inherent medical risks of heavy manual labor in desert environments. Frostbite and hypothermia are risks of winter work. Workers should take appropriate precautions for the site conditions.

D. Rodents often nest in abandoned mines and leave accumulations of droppings and nest debris. In theory, these nests and droppings could host the potentially lethal hantavirus, although no mine closure work has ever been linked to a case of hantavirus. As a precaution, workers should avoid stirring up dust or rodent droppings in mines and use standard hygiene and sanitation practices (washing before eating, etc.). Workers are encouraged to learn to recognize the symptoms of hantavirus infection and seek proper medical attention if indicated.


PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.01 THE WORK

The WORK at the North Tintic West Project area shall include closure of approximately 94 mine openings and revegetation of areas disturbed by reclamation work. Additional mine closures may be added to the WORK as the project progresses if new mine openings are found or sites are re-evaluated.

A. Mobilization/Demobilization. Mobilize labor, equipment, and supplies to the site in accordance with Section 0220: Mobilization/Demobilization, and as follows:

1. Previously disturbed areas should be selected for staging and activity areas as much as possible. Road shoulders or wide spots (outside traffic lanes), mine dumps, established campsites, and similar disturbed areas should be used for offloading and temporary storage of equipment and materials and for camping. Vegetation grubbing and topsoil stripping and stockpiling shall not be done in staging areas.

2. Camping onsite is permitted to maintain security or reduce commuting time. Landowner consent is required. Camping on BLM-administered land is limited to 14 consecutive days in any one location.

3. Vehicles and heavy equipment shall be thoroughly washed with a high pressure sprayer prior to entering the project area to prevent the introduction and spread of noxious weeds.

4. There are minimal services available in the project area. Eureka town has limited commercial services and operating hours.

C. Access Improvement. Improve access for labor, equipment, and supplies to the individual mine sites in accordance with Section 0230: Access Improvements, and as follows:

1. Access to the project area is possible on the existing dirt roads and requires little or no additional improvement. The secondary dirt roads inside the project area are subject to washouts, ruts, and rockfalls. Modest access improvement is anticipated to be needed in some localized areas. This would likely be limited to rolling rockfalls aside and spot grading of short segments of eroded roads.

2. No new access road construction will be allowed. Improve access to the individual mine openings by upgrading the existing dirt roads, ATV trails, and footpaths to the minimum degree required to conduct the WORK. Site access should require no or minimal improvement work in most areas. CONTRACTOR should generally expect to select the mode of transportation to fit the existing ground conditions rather than changing the ground to accommodate a vehicle. Access to many sites will require cross-country traverses. Access routes should be selected to avoid or minimize disturbance to vegetation and cultural resources. Access routes and improvements are subject to approval by OWNER. Except on main roads, work should be organized to minimize the number of repeat trips on a particular route to reduce trail wear and tear (this applies to foot traffic as well as to vehicles and equipment). Where possible, "one trip in, one trip out" is the goal.

3. CONTRACTOR shall obliterate footprints, truck and ATV tire tracks, and crawler tracks by raking or similar means as directed by OWNER in areas where access routes


deviate from existing established open roads. Severe trail wear or compaction may require mechanical scarification and reseeding.

4. CONTRACTOR shall remove access improvements and return roads to their pre-construction condition upon completion of work.

D. Mine Closure. Close all identified mine openings, subsidence holes, and pits in accordance with the technical specifications in Sections 0250 through 0254, and as follows:

1. Use the closure method specified for each site in the "Closure Method" column of the table in Appendix A. Estimated closure dimensions and/or construction quantities (cubic yards of backfill; square feet of masonry wall, bat gate, or rebar grate) for each closure are provided in Appendix A. Use the technical specification section and standard drawing referenced in Appendix A for each closure.

2. Backfill closures specified in Appendix A are noted as either hand work or equipment work. These designations reflect OWNER’s expectation for the backfill method, but are not binding. Mine openings scheduled for equipment backfill may be backfilled by hand and mine openings scheduled for hand backfill may be closed by equipment depending on circumstances on the ground. The choice of hand or machine backfill methods shall be determined in consultation with OWNER and is subject to OWNER's approval. Cost adjustments to the Bid Price may be made when backfill methods are changed. Cost adjustments will be negotiated based on the Variation in Quantity Unit Prices in the bid schedule for comparable work.

3. Wall closures specified in Appendix A are noted as either stone or concrete block. These designations reflect OWNER’s expectation for the wall material, but are not binding. The designations are based on assessments of the onsite availability of suitable stone and the difficulty of transporting block to remote locations. Mine openings scheduled for stone walls may be closed with block walls, and vice versa. The choice of wall material shall be determined in consultation with OWNER and is subject to OWNER's approval. Cost adjustments to the Bid Price will not be made when a wall material is changed.

4. Concrete block walls shall be treated on the outer surface to blend with the adjacent native rock. Suitable treatments include facing the block wall with a layer of rock or plastering or stucco-ing with mortar mixed with local sand or soil. The intent is to camouflage the wall by matching the color and texture of the native rock. Camouflage treatments may be omitted at some sites at OWNER's direction depending on the visibility of the wall.

5. Several adits or inclines are specified to be closed with rebar grates. Use the pinned rebar shaft grate design (see Section 0253, Part 3.03.G) with the grate installed in a vertical or angled plane across the opening. Concrete footers may be required in some locations lacking a competent rock sill. Rebar grates (mild steel rebar, 8"x8" grid) installed in adits should not be confused with bat gates (Manganal steel, 6"x24" grid).

6. Shafts to be backfilled with wood cribbing or other structural elements shall be protected from damage. CONTRACTOR shall rig a temporary chute or funnel of plywood or sheet metal or otherwise protect the top few feet of the wood structures at these sites from damage from rock impact and abrasion while the shaft is being filled.


7. Site specific variations to the generic closure methods are required at some mine openings. Many of these special requirements or customized details are noted in Appendix A. Not all such special requirements are so noted in Appendix A. Sites without such notes may still require site-specific variations to be determined during construction.

8. Where present in a mine, bats will be excluded from the mine prior to installing the closure (see Section 0250, Part 3.01 and Section 0300, Part 2.02). Mine sites requiring exclusion prior to closure are indicated in the “Special Conditions” column in the table in Appendix A.

9. New sites not on the inventory are commonly found during the course of reclamation. OWNER anticipates adding closures at newly discovered sites to the contract by means of contract change orders as engineering is completed. Costs for additional work will be negotiated based on the Variation in Quantity Unit Prices in the bid schedule for comparable work. In addition, some sites currently specified for closure may be dropped from the WORK if re-evaluation shows that they do not warrant closure.

E. Revegetation Revegetate all areas disturbed by reclamation activities in accordance with Section 0290: Revegetation, and as follows.

1. Disturbed areas include staging areas, access routes, backfilled portals and shafts, regraded areas, and backfill borrow areas. Areas of bare rock, rock ledges, and rocky outslopes of mine dumps do not need to be revegetated.

2. Use the North Tintic West seed mixture (Appendix B). A total area estimated at six (6) acres will need to be revegetated. The actual revegetation area will vary depending on the CONTRACTOR's diligence in executing the work and limiting disturbance. The North Tintic East project includes 8.5 acres to be revegetated.

3. Revegetation shall be considered incidental to access improvement and installation of the mine closures. Revegetation costs shall be incorporated into the costs for Access Improvement and Mine Closure. Revegetation is not included as a separate bid or pay item, but is considered subsidiary to the other items of WORK. No separate payment shall be made for Revegetation.

4. Mulch and fertilizer shall not be required.

3.02 CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULING

A. Notice to proceed with construction is contingent upon OWNER receiving authorizations from the BLM and from the U.S. Office of Surface Mining. ***OWNER expects both authorizations to be in place by the *** bid date. However, if either is lacking, WORK will be postponed accordingly.

B. The start-up date for resumption of WORK suspended due to adverse weather or other conditions will be determined by OWNER in consultation with CONTRACTOR and will depend upon the nature of the uncompleted WORK.

END OF SECTION 0300

Environmental Assessment Appendix G – Page 3North Tintic ProjectJune 8, 2009Page 76

APPENDIX G: Standard Operating Procedures And Stipulations

The following standard operating procedures would be utilized to minimize the risk to human health and safety and to minimize the impacts to resources potentially affected by the project. All stipulations listed in the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining contract specifications under “General Conditions” would be adhered to.

Health and Safety

The mine reclamation work can present short-term risks to workers. The Agencies have identified a number of work conditions designed to reduce the risk of injury during reclamation. Some of the applicable work stipulations would include:

1. A Safety Plan and Job Hazard Analysis would be developed and become part of the project record.

2. No person would be permitted to enter a mine opening without being under direction of the Certified Person who is trained in health and safety and response procedures and only after explosive and toxic gas levels have been checked.

3. Rapid communication procedures would be established for immediate contact with the closest available medical response facilities. Reclamation supervisors would be trained in emergency response procedures.

4. Temporary barriers, signs, and security devices would be erected to ensure the safety of contract personnel, and other persons at the work sites.

5. An adequate water supply system would be in place for dust suppression.

6. Work would occur only during daylight hours.

7. Work would stop and appropriate personnel immediately notified if an accident occurs or a hazard is discovered that threatens the safety of workers or the public.

Air Quality

1. Operations that would produce dust would be conducted in accordance with a Utah Division of Air Quality approved dust control plan. This plan at a minimum would require watering of exposed areas and roads.

2. Low travel speeds would be enforced during operations to limit the amount of particulate matter that becomes airborne.


3. Workers would be required to use OSHA-approved dust respirators in areas where dust would be generated by operations.

Cultural Resources

Operations would be conducted in accordance with the Construction Specifications developed based on the survey results. Any cultural and/or paleontological resource (historic or prehistoric site or object) discovered by the holder, or any person working on his behalf, on public or Federal land shall be immediately reported to the authorized officer. Holder shall suspend all operations in the immediate area of such discovery until written authorization to proceed is issued by the authorized officer. An evaluation of the discovery will be made by the authorized officer to determine appropriate actions to prevent the loss of significant cultural or scientific values. The holder will be responsible for the cost of evaluation and any decision as to proper mitigation measures will be made by the authorized officer after consulting with the holder.

Biological Resources

1. To prevent the spread of noxious weeds, earth-moving equipment would be washed thoroughly with a high-pressure sprayer prior to entering the project area. Noxious weed populations that could be the result of mine reclamation activities would be eradicated by BLM immediately upon discovery.

2. Native plant species would be used in the reclamation and revegetation of disturbed areas.

3. Snags (standing dead trees) would be maintained where possible.

4. Bats will be excluded from mine openings where they are present and it is determined that bat gates are inappropriate due to geotechnical instability of the opening or radiation levels. Exclusion is conducted during the warm season by covering the mine opening with chicken wire for 7 days immediately prior to closure. The wire allows bats to exit the mine but the bats do not return to the mine through the wire.

5. Species-specific stipulations that may be affected by the proposed action.

Visual Resources

1. Rocks and trees would be retained within reclaimed areas.

2. Native plant species would be utilized in revegetation.

3. The edges of reclaimed areas would be feathered and thinned.


4. Reclaimed slopes would be rounded and/or warped or bent to match existing land forms and furrowed within limits specified for protecting cultural resources.

5. Recontoured mine waste dumps would be roughened using the extreme roughening technique if appropriate. If hand backfill is the method of closure, roughening would be accomplished by hand raking.

6. Brush, rock, and vegetative debris would be scattered by hand or machine over reclaimed areas where available without additional surface disturbance.

7. Concrete block wall closures, when visible aboveground, would be plastered with a layer of mortar colored with local soil or faced with rock for a better color and textural blend with surrounding ground.

Hazardous Materials and/or Waste

Equipment, fuels, and other chemicals would be properly stored to minimize the potential for spills to enter surface waters. Secondary containment would be provided for all containers stored on site.

Fire

1. Work will be conducted such to prevent ignition of wild fires. All equipment will be equipped with spark arresters.

2. In the case of a fire, suppression will be initiated if it can be safely performed. Contractor will have on site sufficient fire fighting resources including excess water available, fire extinguishers, and hand tools in order to be able to immediately respond to wild fires.

3. All fires will be immediately reported to the Northern Utah Interagency Fire Center (801-908-1900), Tooele County Fire Dispatch (435-882-5600) ***(other counties) or by dialing 911.

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