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Lisbon Valley Copper Project EIS
Lisbon Valley Copper Project EIS
Lisbon Valley Copper Project EIS
. ENVlRONMENTAL OOACTSTATEMENT
. ··.LISB·ON:VALLEYCOPPER:PROJEC·t··: . ,..
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MayJ996 ...
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
May 1996
~
UTAH STATE 0iRE0R
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
United States Department of the Interior AIWlI::~
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
IN REPLYREF£R TO:
Moab District Office
82 East Dogwood Avenue
Moab, Utah 84532
1790
UTU-72499
MAY 1 6 1996 (U-060)
Dear Reader:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared this Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for your review and comment. The DEIS has been prepared to analyze
impacts from a proposed copper mining and recovery operation in Lisbon Valley, Utah. The
project proponent is Summo USA Corporation. The DEIS has been prepared under third party
contract by Woodward-Clyde Consultants. Under this arrangement the project proponent pays
all costs associated with the EIS effort, and Woodward-Clyde Consultants prepares the EIS
under the supervision of and to standards identified by BLM.
The DEIS analyzes impacts, and identifies alternatives and mitigative measures. You are
invited to review this DEIS and provide comments. The comment period will be 45 days and
all comments must be postmarked by July 8, 1996 in order to be considered. Comments
received will be analyzed and appropriate changes identified in a Final EIS. Written
Gomments will be printed in the FEIS, along with BLM's response.
A public meeting will be held in Moab, Utah on June 12, 1996, at 7:00 PM, in the Moab
District Office conference room.at the above listed address. Please address written
comments to:
Additional copies of this document may be obtained by calling (801) 259-6111. If you have
any questions about the draft, please feel free to contact Lynn Jackson, BLM Project
Coordinator, at the same phone number.
We appreciate your interest in public land management and look forward to hearing from you.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that an environmental analysis be conducted for
projects of this type. In this case, it bas been determined that the approval of the Lisbon Valley project does
constitute a major federal action that could significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Because
of this, an Environmental Impact Statement (ElS), rather than an Environmental Assessment, bas been
prepared to document baseline and impact conditions.
The figure below illustrates in summary fashion the environmental analysis process that the Bureau of Land
Management (ELM) will follow for this project. The figure also shows the sections of the ElS where various
phases of the NEPA process are addressed. As the diagram shows, the affected environment is documented,
impacts are assessed, and the Draft ElS (nElS) and Final ElS (FElS) are prepared. Alternatives development
(described in Section 2.0) has also proceeded with much coordination among Summo, the BLM, and the tbird-
party ElS contractor.
This document is the DElS and will be followed by a FEIS which addresses comments on the DEIS. A Record
of Decision (ROD) will follow no sooner than 30 days after release of the FEIS.
Section
I~
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Section
Section Page
/~
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Section Page
Section
1'/
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Section Page
/
)'J
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Section
Section
{l
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
LIST OF APPENDICES
LIST OF TABLES
If
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
LIST OF FIGURES
-xv-
EXECUTIVE SUM:MARY
Recreational Resources
ES-IO
1.0
INTRODUCTION
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UTAH
JUAN \ i:•
Monticello
ABAJO
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MOUNTAINS
10 Miles
SOURCE: SUMMO.1996
Job No. : 23996
LOCATION MAP
Prepared by : G.J. W. LISBON VALLEY AREA
Date: 1/24/95 SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH
-FENCE
.J.!
I •
Water for the project would be obtained Also, current and future mineral
from groundwater wells. An alternative to development is addressed in the analysis of
using irrigation sprinklers is to re-inject the geologic resources in Lower Lisbon Valley
water to the aquifer. Re-injection is not iIi Section 4.1.
economically feasible and has
environmental disadvantages. For example, Geotechnical issues revolve around the
numerous additional areas would need to potential for failure of structures or
be disturbed to install the pipelines and facilities constructed for mining operations
pumping Stations at a sufficient distance due to seismic events, stonn events, or
away from the site to avoid re-injected improper· engineering design. The
water from being recycled at the project by p~tential for failure of constructed slopes,
the dewatering wells. failure of the leach pad or pond lining
systems, over-topping of the solution
Another water balance alternative would pond, breach of the leach pad liner or
be to construct additional storage ponds settling foundation material that could
and allow for evaporation from these result in environmental impacts are also
ponds without using irrigation sprinklers analyzed in Section 4.1.
on top of the pad. Constructing additional
storage ponds would significantly increase Hydrology
the acreage being disturbed at the Lisbon
Hydrology issues for both surface water
Valley Project. In addition, the ponds
and groundwater focus on three primary
would need to be l41ed to prevent leakage,
categories: quantity of water, water
as outlined in Section 2.2.4.2. The .
quality, and accelerated erosion and
development and maintenance of these
Recreational Resources
t;\
Figure 2-1 depicts the overall layout of the Mining and milling activities previously
proposed facilities. occurred at this site and have resulted in
the disturbance of about 85 acres. These
Mining and heap leaching activities would disturbed areas include open pits, waste
occur on a combination of Federal, State, dumps, and other surface disturbances.
and fee (i.e., private) lands. The Federal These areas are included in the disturbed
lands are administered by BLM and include acreage in Table 2-1 and would be
258 unpatented lode mining claims, as addressed under Summo's proposed
identified in Appendix A The State lands reclamation plan.
are held by Summo under lease from the
State of Utah; the fee lands are controlled Summo would commence development of
and/or owned by Summo. Table 2-1 the Lisbon Valley Project in the first
summarizes land ownership by project quarter of 1997 after all necessary permits
facility. and approvals have been obtained.
Construction of the mine and leach
The Lisbon Valley Project would facilities would take approximately 10
encompass all or parts of the following months, and full scale operations would
sections: commence in about November 1997.
Mining would occur at an average rate of
• Sections 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27, 34, 12,500 tons of ore per day over a projected
35, and 36, T 30 S, R 25 E 10-year mine life. Final closure and
• Section 1, T 31 S, R25 E reclamation would take approximately five
• Sections 30 and 31, T 30 S, R 26 E additional years.
SCALE IN FEET
_ _ _ _ PROJECT BOUNDARY
The typical haul road design would have a Ore bearing rock that is hauled from open
maxim~ grade of 10 percent and a ~dth pits (also known as run-of-mine (ROM)
of approximately 80 feet, inclusive of material) would vary in size. Crushing in
berms, to accommodate haUlage vehicles. multiple stages typically is perfonned to
Haul roads would vary from this design in reduce the ROM material to a consistent
three instances: (1) the haul road accessing size to allow conveyance and enhance
the bottom 120 feet of Sentinel Pit #1 recovery during the leaching process.
would have a 12 percent grade, (2) the Crushing would be used at the Lisbon
haul road accessing Sentinel Pit #2 would Valley Project to reduce the ROM material
be 50 feet wide at 12 percent grade, and to an unifonn size of 1Yz to 2 inches.
(3) the haul road accessing the bottom 60
feet of GTO Pit would have a width of
about 50 feet.
23!196fR3.2 M3:y ]5.1996(4:33 PM)IRPT/3 2-7
TABLE 2-2
Summo identified a material swell factor of 40 percent (i.e., the difference between
naturally occurring rock and broken rock) and a loose density (i.e., volume conversion
factor) of 102 pounds per cubic foot or 0.73 cu. yd. per ton.
Source: Summo 1995b.
SI,nc (lb/llV
01240.
DUSI
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NOTE:
1. OP£'R,'.11i»Q SCIIE()Ul£1 116-11"/0....... 70AYS/l'tEEI(
Ilf>
1<10
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SOURCE: SUMMO 1996.
11.'1-0-1)
TO
Job No. 23996 PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM
~
AREA 02 AND 03
Prepared by CRP CRUSHING AND SCREENING
OJ LISBON VALLEY COPPER PROJECT
m Date: 2/7/96 SAN JUAN CO., UTAH
Lower grade copper ore that is suitable plant growth medium. The
uneconomical for milling now can be facilities would consist of a heap leach pad,
processed by rather recently developed (pad), PLS pond, raffinate pond, one
leaching procedures. The ore-bearing rock stormwater pond, and associated solution
is crushed but not to the small size required collection channel and runoff diversion
for mill processing. The crushed ore is ditches. The facilities would be designed
placed, or heaped, on a synthetically lined to contain all solutions (i.e., process water
pad area (i.e., heap leach pad) where dilute and direct precipitation from a design
solutions of chemicals (i. e., sulfuric acid) storm event) within the system without
are introduced on top of the heap. The discharge to the environment.
solution trickles through the ore and is
collected at the bottom. The collected A conveyor corridor, access road, and
solution is typically referred to as pregnant diversion ditch would be constructed along
leach solution (PLS) because it is the south side of the pad. The conveyor
"pregnant" (or heavily laden) with ,copper. corridor would be installed directly south
The PLS is stored, as necessary, in a pond of the pad and would be about 60 feet
prior to being processed through a Solvent wide. The conveyor corridor and leach pad
ExtractionlElectrowinning (SX!EW) Plant. is then bounded by an approximate 6-foot-
In the SX!EW Plant, the copper is stripped wide berm. The diversion ditch would be
from the leachate, resulting in a solution constructed south of the perimeter berm to
typically barren of copper and referred to the dimensions discussed below.
as raffinate. The raffinate is routed to a
storage pond, enhanced with chemicals, Heap Leach Pad. The pad would
and recycled to the heap to continue the accommodate up to 45 million tons of ore
recovery process. and cover about 11.6 million square feet,
or 266 acres. The ore heaped on the pad
Summo would conduct only heap leaching would be placed in three lifts over four
at the Lisbon Valley Project. The heap different stages to accommodate ore
leaching fitcilities would be designed to production schedules.
process an average of750 tons per hour of
ore to produce 17,000 tons per year of The proposed pad would be graded to
copper cathodes. The system would be follow the natural topography of the valley
designed to produce London Metal to allow for solution flow via gravity
Exchange (LME) Grade A 99.99 percent dramage. Drainage would be to the north
copper cathodes. Each of the major and east. A solution collection channel
processing facilities of the Lisbon Valley would be constructed along the north edge
Project is discussed below. of the pad to route solution to the PLS
pond. The PLS pond would be located at
2.2.4.2 Heap Leach Facility the northeast comer of the pad.
Prepared by : C.H.P
PLANT SITE PLAN
to
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ANCHOR DETAIL'
SCALE IN FEET
1 LEACH PAD LINER SYSTEM DETAIL
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SCALE IN FEET o 2
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GEOGRID BETWEEN
SYNTHETIC LINERS
EXTENDED TO TOP OF
POND OR BERM SLOPE
INNER SYNTHETIC UNER
(80 MIL HOPE)
SOBSOIL .
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Job No. : 23996 PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM
~ AREA 03 HEAP LEACHING
~ Prepared by : CRP LISBON VALLEY COPPER PROJECT
m __________ __________________________
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Date: __ 2/7/96__ ~~ ~~ ______________________
SAN JUAN CO., UTAH •
~
An impervious liner system would be below the ore heap until the ore stack is 10
constructed on the pad prior to placement feet high.
of any crushed ore. The liner system
would consist of, in ascending order, of (a) Finally, the solution collection channel on
one-foot of compacted in-place low the north side of the pad would have a liner
permeability soil, (b) wick ~rain and system consisting of, in ascending order,
geofabric for leak detection purposes, (c) (a) 2- feet of compacted clay material, (b)
,one-foot of clay material that is compacted 40-mil HOPE synthetic liner, (c) geogrid
to obtain a permeability of 1 x 10-7 cm/sec, for leak detection' purposes, and (d) 80-mil
(d) 80-mil thick high density polyethylene HOPE liner. The 80-mil HOPE liner
(fIDPE) synthetic liner, and (e) a 24-inch would be a continuation of the leach pad
thick layer of free-draining crushed ore for liner to provide a liner system to contain all
liner protection (Welsh 1996). The clay solutions. Within the collection channel,
material would be imported from the solution would be routed -from the pad to
Centennial Pit and an existing waste dump the pond system via PVC pipes (Welsh
stockpiled from historical mining of 1996).
Centennial Pit. The 80-mil HOPE sheets
would be welded together to fonn' a Design cross sections views are provided
continuous impermeable synthetic liner. in Figures 2-4 and 2-S.
Solution collection pipes would be placed Ore would be stacked or heaped on the
on the synthetic liner to enhance drainage pad in three lifts, each lift 'being about 36
of the solution from the pad and minimize feet in vertical height. The first lift would
the depth 0f solution (i.e., head) over the be offset from the edge of the pad a
liner. The pipes would be spaced minimum ef ·IS· feet to provide a buffer
approximately SO feet apart to control the zone between the toe of the lift and the
hydraulic head on the liner for, reduced edge of the lined pad. Subsequent lifts
seepage potential and to enhance the would be set back from the crest of the
stability of"the stacked ore. ' previous lift The face of each lift would be
sloped at the angle of repose of the
The conveyor corridor along the south side crushed ore, and result in a lift slope of
of the pad would have a lining system about 1.S:1 and an overall heap slope
comprised of, in ascending order (a) 2-foot (considering the set backs) of2:1.
compacted clay layer, (b) a 40-mil HOPE
synthetic liner, (c) a geogrid drainage layer, The pad would be constructed in four
and (d) an 80-mil HOPE synthetic liner. stages from east to west in an upgradient
The 80-mil HOPE liner would be an direction. Stage 1 would be about 2.S
extension of the 80-mil HOPE liner million square feet and contain up to 22
component of the leach pad. This corridor months of production in two 36-foot lifts.
would be lined because solution would be Stage 2 would be about 2.S million square
applied to the conveyed ore to agglomerate feet and increase the pad capacity to 42
I
I
and wet the ore prior to placement on the
pad. This lining system would extend
months of production in two lifts. Stage 3
would be -about 2.S million square feet and
increase the pad capacity to about 62
r 23996/R3.2 SIJSI96(2:2S P.M)JRPT/3 2-17
I
months of production in two lifts. At this The pond system is laid out such that
point, a third 36-foot lift would be placed stormwater flow is directed to the
over the existing Stages 1-3 pad prior to stonnwater pond and the raffinate pond
constructing Stage 4. Adding the third lift from the PLS pond. Runoff and solution is
would increase the operating time of the transferred via spillways.
first three stages to about 88 months.
Stage 4 would encompass about 4 million A liner system would be installed on the
square feet and provide the required solution ponds consisting of a 80-mil
capacity for the remainder of the project. HOPE liner over a 40-mil HOPE liner with
a leak: detection system between the liners
Solution Ponds. The solution ponds would (Welsh 1996). The lower, or secondary,
separately store the two types of leach liner would be placed over a 2-foot
solutions - PLS and raffinate - plus compacted clay subgrade with a prepared
contain runoff from the lined areas due to surface suitable for liner placement. A
the design stonn event. The ponds would geogrid material would be placed over the
be sized based on the criteria noted in secondary liner to act as a drainage
Table 2-4. pathway for the leak detection system.
The geogrid would be covered by the,
A stormwater pond would be built to upper, or primary, synthetic liner.
collect and store overflow from the
solution ponds. Summo designed the The leak detection system would consist of
stormwater pond to contain 100 percent of a gravel sump installed in the low corner of
the runoff from the lined areas due to a the floor of each pond. The sump would
major design storm event based on a one collect seepage, if any, from the geogrid
month wet cycle of precipitation. material. A riser pipe would extend from
the sump to the crest of each pond to serve
A water balance model was constructed to as a monitoring well. The riser pipe wpuld
simulate several precipitation and runoff be a 6-inch diameter pipe to accommodate
scenarios, ·along with varying degrees of a sump pump for solution removal in the
leach pad development. During these event of leakage in the primary liner.
simulations, it was concluded that a one
month wet cycle of heavy precipitation in A liner system also would be installed in
October was the worst case stormwater the stonnwater pond. An SO-mil HOPE
condition. The return frequency for this synthetic liner (i.e., primary liner) would be
cycle is 100 years. During years 1 through placed over a 2-foot compacted clay
5, the expected runoff from the one month subgrade with a prepared surface suitable
wet cycle is 64.6 acre-feet. Stormwater for liner placement.
storage required for years 6 through 10
was found to be 69.6 acre-feet. Along
with operational storage of 23.2 acre-feet,
the total volume for all three ponds is 88
acre-feet for years. 1 through 5 and 92.7
acre-feet for years 6 through 10.
2-18
7()
TABLE 2-4
The solution ponds would not be covered The diversion ditches around the project
or netted. However, a mitigation plan site would be designed to pass the peak
would be developed by Summo in flow resulting from the 100-year, 24-hour
consultation with Federal and State storm event. Based on the topography and
regulatory officials if problems occur with upgradient .drainage areas, the typical ditch
resident and avian fauna. Experiences at cross section to carry the estimated peak
the Sanchez Copper Project and other flows would be a trapezoidal section with a
copper heap leach projects in Arizona minimum 6-foot bottom width, side slopes
suggest no avian mortalities from open excavated at 2:1, and a depth of 2 feet.
p~nds (BL~ 1992). The slope of the ditch would not exceed 1
percent.
Diversion Ditches. Diversion ditches
would route natural runoff from areas 2.2.4.3 Heap Leaching
upgradient of the Lisbon Valley Project
around the heap leach facility. The primary Solution for the leaching process would be
ditch would be installed along the south stored in the raffinate pond. Sulfuric acid
side of the pad and to the east beyond the and make-up water would be added, as
facilities. This diversion ditch would needed, to this pond to maintain the acid
merge into a natural drainage that exits the strength at a pH 'of about 2.0, and solution
property to the north. Runoff from the volume necessary for leach recovery.
west side of the pad would be diverted into Pumps at the pond would deliver raffinate
a diversion ditch along the north side of the to a main header, which feeds branch lines
pad. This ditch also would intercept runoff at approximately 100 foot spacings. The
from the north side of the valley. No branch lines would connect to a network of
diversion ditch is required on the east side pipes laid out on top of the portion of the
of the pond. heap'to be leached. The branch line would
The solution would be applied primarily SX Circuit. The SX circuit would consist
with drip emitters to minimize evaporation of three mixer/settlers and associated
losses, minimize solution drift from the storage tanks. The function of these
pad, and reduce fresh water maIce-up components .is explained below and
requirements. In order to maintain the detailed on Figure 2-7.
water balance during periods of heavy
precipitation or snow melt, some of the The plant would have two extraction
drip emitters nearer the middle of the pad mixer/settlers (designated EI and E2) and
maybe replaced with spray (e.g., sprinkler) one stripping mixer/settler. Each mixer/
nozzles to increase evaporative losses and settler would consist of a pump mix box,
reduce water volumes in the system. The an auxiliary mix box, and a settler with
spray emitters would not be used in, high covers. The pump mix box would contain
wind situations to reduce the potential for an impeller designed to mix the PLS and
solution drift off of the lined pad area. organic (i.e., extraction) solution, and to
provide hydraulic head. Solution from the
The raffinate solution would be applied at pump mix box would flow through the
an average application rate of 0.004 auxiliary mix box for a total retention time
gallons per minutelfoot2 (gpm/£Y). The of at least two minutes before entering the
solution would percolate through the heap covered settler.
dissolving copper in the ore as a copper
sulfate solution. To maintain the grade of The PLS would be pumped at about 3,000
copper in the PLS pond, an intermediate gpm to'the EI extraction mixer/settler. In
solution sump would collect leach solution the mixer, PLS would contact the organic
from partially leached ore. The solution. The organic solution would
intermediate solution would be pumped to contain an organic chelating agent
fresher ore on the pad to increase the PLS (extractant) dissolved in a high flashpoint
grade. The final PLS, which would contain kerosene (diluent). The chelating agent
about 3.0 grams per liter (gil) of copper, preferentially absorbs copper from the
would be collected by collection pipes and PLS. The partially stripped PLS would
routed to the PLS pond. PLS would be separate from the organic solution in the
pumped from this pond to the SXfEW settler and flow to the E2 extraction
Plant. .Figure 2-6 provides a general mixer/settler. In this second mixer, most
schematic ofthe heap leaching process. of the remaining copper would absorb onto
fresh organic solution. The organic
2.2.4.4 Solvent Extraction/ solution would be separated from the
Electrowinning Plant
~ ~;u';;::nJa;
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1: ~Kp RElURH PU'"
041102
The loaded organic solution containing The strong electrolyte initially would flow
copper would flow to the stripper through scavenger EW cells and then
mixer/settler tank and would be mixed with through commercial EW cells. Both cell
a high strength sulfuric acid solution to types use electrolysis to plate out copper
form the copper-rich aqueous electrolyte. on specifically designed stainless steel
The copper ions would transfer to the cathodes. . The scavenger cells would
aqueous phase and be separated (i. e., protect the majority of the copper in the
stripped) from the organic. The pregnant other cells from impurities, which might
aqueous strip solution (strong acidic pass the electrolyte filter.. In both the
electrolyte) would be filtered before being scavenger and commercial EW cells,
directed to the EW circuit. copper would be deposited onto the
cathodes. During this process, water
The solutions used in the leach and SX would dissociate to generate oxygen at the
circuits would be recycled in a closed loop anodes. Additional sulfuric acid also
system to reduce losses. Losses would would be generated. Solution from the
occur through evaporation, entrainment in scavenger cells would flow to the
the heap, or entrainment in the orgamc electrolyte recirculation tank.
solution to the EW circuit.
Guar and cobalt sulfate solutions would be
IICrud" or impurities would be collected in added to both the strong electrolyte
the SX settlers and from the flotation solution before it enters the scavenger cells
column overflow. The crud would be and the electrolyte recirculation tank.
decanted into a pair of tanks so that the Guar, a plant (i.e., legume) derivative,
organic and aqueous solutions can be would be added to create smoother copper
recovered and recycled. 'cathode plates; cobalt sulfate would be
added to reduce the anode corrosion rate.
EW Circuit. The EW circuit is designed to
plate out the copper from the strong acidic Electrolyte solution from the electrolyte
electrolyte onto cathodes. This circuit is recirculation tank would be pumped
descnoed below and detailed on Figure through the commercial cells, where
2-8. additional copper would be plated out, and
then returned to the electrolyte
The strong electrolyte solution would be recirculation tank. A portion of the
heated in a pair of heat exchangers. The recirculation tanks solution would be
2-22
11
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Date: 2/7/96
(AREA 05) ELECTROWINNING
LISBON VALLEY COPPER PROJECT
SAN JUAN CO., UTAH
FIG. 2-8
~
pumped through the electrolyte building, and would be used to perform
interchanger to recover heat before being various tests to maintain correct ore grade
pumped back to the S 1 stripper mix box as in the mine and enable the process plant to
lean electrolyte. Sulfuric acid and water maintain high copper qUality. The
would be added to the electrolyte laboratory building would include a wet
recirculation tank, as needed for proper bench area; fine bench area; coarse reject
operations. bench area; and bench area for jaw crusher..
Cathode Handling. After the copper is Shop. The truckshop repair building would
plated out, the cathodes would be removed be constructed to the south of the SXlEW
from the EW cells and transferred to the Plant. The building would be a two-story
cathode handling system with a bridge building to accommodate mine equipment
crane, as generally portrayed on Figure and would contain oil storage and
2-9. The cathode handling system would dispensing tanks and equipment, overhead
wash the cathodes with hot water, flex and crane, antifreeze storage tank and
separate the copper plates from the mother dispensing equipment, wash bays, waste oil
blanks, weigh and sample the copper storage tank' and evacuation equipment,
plates. and band the plates for shipping. and drainage sump to contain spills within
The plates would be shipped off site for the truckshop area. The sump would
further fabrication purposes. contain an oil separation tank and storage
tank for collection and proper disposal.
2.2.5 Support Facilities
Warehouse. A warehouse would be housed
Numerous facilities would be constructed within the same building as the truckshop.
and installed to support the Lisbon Valley The warehouse would store the nec~ssary
Project. These various support facilities spare parts and supplies required to
are addressed below and depicted on maintain Summo's operations. The
Figure 2-3: warehouse and truckshop would be
separated by offices to house the
Administration Building. The administra- warehouse personnel, operating personnel,
tion building would be a one-story building and truckshop personnel.
constructed north of the SXlEW Plant.
The building would include offices for all Fuel Storage. A fuel storage and
of the administrative personnel required for dispensing station would be built near the
the project, a separate locker room with truckshop/warehouse building for diesel
showers for both male and female mine fuel and unleaded gasoline. The station
personnel, a first aid room for emergency would be used to operate the mine fleet
medical situations, a lunch room, and a and small vehicle fleet. Diesel fuel would
conference and training room. Sewage be stored in two IS,OOO-gallon above
would be directed to a septic tank and ground storage tanks and unleaded
drain field. gasoline would be stored in a S,OOO-gallon
above ground storage tank. Annual fuel
Laboratory. A' laboratory would be· requirements are summarized in Table 2-S.
constructed south of the administration The fuel storage area would be bermed,
2-24
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FIG. 2-9
TABLE 2-5
lined with a HDPE synthetic liner laid over occasionally in the EW circuit, and for
a minimum 3-inch sand layer underliner, agglomeration of ore on the conveyor.
and sloped to a low point to collect any Sulfuric acid would be added to the
sp~ed mat~rial. raffinate pond, and the raffinate solution
would be applied to the copper ore mass
Chemical Use and Storage. The various on the leach pad as described in Section
chemicals that would be used at the Lisbon 2.2.4.3. After application to the leach pad,
Valley Project and annual quantities are the copper-laden acid solution (PLS)
summarized in Table 2-5. All chemicals would be routed through the SX!EW
would be stored on lined bermed pads circuit and returned to the raffinate pond,
within the fenced, security patrolled area. to be used over and over again. Since the
The bermed areas would be designed to sulfuric acid solution is cycled in a closed
store. at a minimum, 150 perc~nt of the loop process, no waste product or waste
volume of the largest storage tank. Signs solution containing sulfuric acid would be
would be posted around the storage areas generated for disposal. Since acid is
to provide warning of the potential hazards consumed in the leaching process,
associated with the stored materials. additional sulfuric acid would need to be
added to the solution periodically. Annual
Sulfuric acid would be used primarily for consumption of sulfuric acid would be
heap leaching of copper ore, but also about 60,000 tons. Sulfuric acid would be
2399&'R3.2 SIlSJ96{2:2S PM)/RPT13 2-26
shipped to the mine by tanker truck and returned to the SX circuit within the PLS.
stored in a tank that would, be located It is estimated that annual consumption of
within a bermed area to minimize migration diluent would be 30,000 gallons. Diluent
of accidentally spilled material. would be shipped to the mine by tanker
truck and would be stored in a tank in the
Extractant would be used in the SX circuit SX plant area. This tank would be located
for absorption of copper from the PLS. It in a secondary containment vessel within a
would ,be introduced into the circuit in bermed pad area to minimize the migration
mixers within the SXlEW plant. As the of spilled material and contamination of
process solution reaches the end of the soils.
circuit, the organic extractant solution is
separated from the stripped acid solution Ferrous sulfate would be used in
(raffinate) and recirculated in the SX maintaining the chemistry of the process
circuit. Extractant is generally contained solution. Since solution is cycled in a
within this "closed loop" process, with . "closed loop" process, no waste products
minimal losses to the raffinate pond or waste solution containing ferrous sulfate
expected. The modest quantities of would be generated for disposal. Annual
extractant that would escape the SX circuit consumption of ferrous sulfate would be
with the raffinate would be either about 1,500 tons. It would be shipped to
evaporated/volatilized in the raffinate the mine by truck in sacks and stored in
pond, or would be sprayed on the heap those sacks near the raffinate pond in a
leach pad with the raffinate solution and bermed area to minimize migration of
returned to the SX circuit within the PLS. accidentally spilled material.
It is estimated that annual consumption of
extractant would be 4,200 gallons. Cobalt sulfate would be used in the EW
Extractant would be delivered to the mine circuit to control anode corrosion. No
by truck and would be stored in the barrels waste products or waste solution
it is shipped in from the manufacturer. containing cobalt sulfate would be
These barrels would be stored at the generated for disposal. Annual
SXlEW plant within a bermed area to consumption of cobalt sulfate would be
minimize the migration of spilled material about 10 tons. It would be shipped to the
and contamination of soils. mine by truck in sacks and stored in those
sacks near the SXlEW plant in a bermed
Diluent (kerosene) also would be used in area to minimize migration of accidentally
the SX circuit in the extraction solution. As spilled material.
described for extractant, diluent would
generally be contained within the "closed Chlorine would be used at the mine for
loop" SX process, with minimal losses to water treatment purposes. It would be
the raffinate pond expected. The modest shipped in cylinders that would be stored in
quantities of diluent that would escape the a secure area.
SX circuit with the raffinate either would
be evaporated/volatilized in the raffinate Gasoline would be used to power light
pond, or would be sprayed on the heap vehicles . at the mine. It would be
leach pad with the raffinate solution and completely consumed by mine vehicles, so
239961R3.2 5/15196(2:25 PM)lRPTI3 2-27
no waste would be generated for disposal. transported to an appropriate off-site
Annual consumption of gasoline would be facility for recycling or disposal.
about 250,000 gallons. It would be shipped
to the mine by tanker truck and would be Antifreeze is composed primarily of
stored in a 5,000-gallon above ground ethylene glycol and would be used in
storage tank in the fuel storage area near virtually all mine vehicles. Antifreeze
the truck shop. The fuel storage area would be shipped to the mine by truck in
would be constructed within a bermed, drums or tanks and would be stored in the
HDPE-Iined area to minimize the migration truck shop on a concrete floor above a
of spilled material and contamination of drainage sump to prevent spills on the
soils. ground and soil contamination. Routine
maintenance of heavy equipment and other
Diesel fuel would be used in large mine vehicles would generate waste
quantities to fuel heavy equipment at the antifreeze, which also would be stored in a
mine and would be mixed with ammonium tank in the truck shop. This waste
nitrate for blasting (ANFO). Diesel would antifreeze tank would .be periodically
be completely consumed by mine vehicles emptied by a contractor and the waste
and in the blasting process, so no waste antifreeze would be transported to an
would be generated for disposal. Annual appropriate off-site facility for processing
consumption of diesel would be about 2.3 or disposal.
million gallons. It would be shipped to the
mine by tanker truck and would be stored Ammonium nitrate is used for blasting
in wo IS,OOO-gallon above ground storage when combined with fuel oil (Le., diesel)
tanks in the fuel storage area near the truck (ANFO). Since ammonium nitrate would
shop. The fuel storage area would be be completely consumed during blasting
constructed within a bermed, HOPE-lined events, no waste products would be
area to minimize the migration of spilled generated for disposal. Annual
material and contamination of soils. consumption of ammonium nitrate would
be about 2,700 tons. It would be shipped
Oil and lubricants would be used by light to the mine by truck and stored in silos or
and heavy mine equipment and, to some bins in a bermed area to minimize
extent, in drilling and other activities. They migration of accidentally spilled material.
would be shipped to the mine by truck in
drums or tanks and would be stored in the 2.2.6 Water Supply
truck shop on a concrete floor above a
drainage sump to prevent spills on the Water to meet the operational
ground and soil contamination. Routine requirements of the project would come
maintenance of heavy equipment and other from wells developed near the site.
mine vehicles would generate waste oil and (potable water would be provided by
lubricants, which would be stored in waste bottled water.) A number of test holes
oil tanks in the truck shop. These waste oil were drilled at the site and identified an
tanks would be periodically emptied by a aquifer at approximately 250-300 feet
contractor and the waste oil would be . below ground surface. The aquifer would.
provide the process water requirements for
2399&R3.2 Sl151!l6(2:2S PM)/RPT13 2-28
the project of up to 1,000 gpm. Well increasing the moisture content of ore
water would be stored in a fresh water placed on the leach pad.
storage tank located southeast of the ore
crushing , facility. A minimum of a 2.2.7 Work Force
100,000-gallon reserve would be
maintained for fire protection. Personnel requirements for the Lisbon
Valley Project are separated into two
The well water contains chloride salts. A phases: construction and operations. The
reverse osmosis (R.. 0.) desalinization plant construction phase would take
would be constructed to remove approximately 10 months and employ
impurities, including chloride ions, from approximately 80 people.
the well water for water used in the
SX!EW Plant. Chloride would pit cathode A maximum of approximately 143 people
mother blanks if it became too would be employed at anyone time during
concentrated in the electrolyte. A small the operations phase, with a majority of the
electrolyte bleed stream would be routed work force coming from the surrounding
to the raffinate pond to control chloride communities. The operations work force
and iron concentrations which could build would consist of people who have mining
up in the EW circuit. experience from other mining operations.
The anticipated total operations work force
Water from the fresh water storage tank is identified by year in Table 2-7, and by
would be pumped to the RO. plant. Water shift in Table 2-8.
processed through the plant would be
stored in the RO. water storage tank. 2.2.8 Electrical Power
Brine from the R O. plant would be routed
to the raffinate pond. Power requirements for the plant are
approximately eight megawatts. The
The water balance for the Lisbon Valley . existing line to the site does not have the
Project presumes a processing flow rate of capacity required to meet this power
approximately 3,000 gpm. That is, the demand. Power is available from either a
SX!EW Plant would be designed to 69-kV powerline or a 138-kV powerline,
process 3,000 gpm ofPLS. This flow rate both of which are located approximately
would be recovered as PLS from the heap 6.5 miles west of the Lisbon Valley Project
leach pad, stored in the PLS pond, routed (Figure 2-11). A transfonner would. be
through the zero discharging SXfEW required to step down the power from the
Plant, and returned to the raffinate pond 138-kV line to a new 69-kV powerline
for reuse on the heap. Figure 2-10 depicts feeding the plant.
a simplified water balance for the project.
A 69-kV powerline would be built for
Approximately 907 acre-feet per year on approximately 10.8 miles along a 50-fo'ot
average would be consumed by the project right-of-way from the existing Hatch
( for the life of the ~e (Table 2-6). Water substation east to the Lisbon Valley
would be consumed by evaporation and by Project.
IlArrlNAl£ IIIEAP r
IL~J.J~2~4;.'~C~P~M_[=~~=}3,:::,:'517,~t~O:PMi:=]~=j
llEAP 3,000 Q,P'M
t---------..;P;.:.;LS..;;.;;...;;.;..;,;;..-.---4) TO PROCESS
n
ffi
627.2 CPM2
903,206 GPD
316,122,100 G/YR
.----------------------.::::::::::::.....::!.!!!....-......-,-<"
M~~ / PROCESS RETURN
.(33.5 GP"O
<
J
WEll WATER MAKEUP WATER
503.0 GPM 27,566 CPO
PUMPS
9,648,000 O/yR
724,320 GPO
PLANT WATER 253,512,000 GIY
STORACE TANI( 5,472 CPO
\ l 1,915,200 C/YR
RAFFINATE POND
..
<0 LISBON VALLEY COPPER PROJECT
8l Date: 2/7/96 SAN JUAN CO., UTAH
~ --------------------------------------------------------~------------------~-----------------------------------'
FIG. 2-10
TABLE 2-6
(
! 2399600.2 5/15/96(2:25 Plv1)IRPTl3 .2-31
TABLE 2-7
TABLE 2-8
~lhr~·I·f~~~~~~~?\~~'~~EI
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Daily vehicle trips would be higher in year 6 because a contractor would be hired to
conduct pre-stripping activities in the GTO Pit.
1
The rate provided is pure live seed to be applied by drill seeding method. The rate would
be doubled for areas that would be broadcast seeded.
2-38
Open Pits. The closure plan for the open indigenous tree species (e.g., pinyon pine
pits is directed primarily to:ward public and Rocky Mountain juniper). The
safety with some revegetation activities. vegetative material would act to partially
Rock berms or fences would be installed screen the open pits.
to block public access to the pits. The
berms or fences would be marked to No backfilling or other reclamation
provide adequate notice to the public. The activities would be conducted in the four
structures would be designed to satisfy open pits to preserve evidence of copper
BLM and MSHA requirements. mineralization, as allowed under 43 CFR
§ 3809.0-50) (1995). That is, the pits
No revegetation of the bench walls would would remain open and not be backfilled to
occur. After mining activities have been allow for future access to the copper
completed, pit walls and benches would be mineralization that would not be mined
allowed to fill with rubble from natural during Summo's currently planned mining
sloughing activities. Haul roads that operations.
. . accessed the pit bottom would be scarified,
covered with soil, seeded, and, if Waste Rock Dumps. Benches would be
necessary, fertilized to promote healthy installed during development of the waste
vegetation stands. dumps to maintain an overall slope of
2.5: 1. As such, some grading of the waste
Pit dewatering activities would be dumps is required to break up the
discontinued. Based on a study individual bench levels prior to the
commissioned by Summ() (Adrian Brown application of growth medium during final
1996), it is estimated that water would reclamation activities.
collect in each of the pits: (a) a pool of
water about 289 feet in depth in the The surfaces (tops) of the waste ·dumps
Sentinel Pits, (b) a pool about 106 feet in would be ripped to a depth of about 4 feet
depth in the Centennial Pit, and (c) a pool and scarified to form a roughened seedbed
about 247 feet in depth in the GTO pit. surface. The surface would be contoured
to encourage infiltration rather than
In addition to berms or fences, the pit ponding. Undulations would be used to
perimeter would be planted with enhance revegetation efforts.
After site grading, plant growth medium percolation. In addition, heap reclamation
r would be applied to the. entire dump area at would enhance runoff and
the optimum thickness. (OptimUIJ:? evapotranspiration from the heap surface.
[ thickness would be determined from the
revegetation test plots.) The areas would Leaching activities would continue until
be seeded and fertilized, as required by soil the economically recoverable copper ~
tests. been obtained. The leached ore heap on
the pad would be flushed with fresh water
Heap Leach Pad. The leached ore heap on to reduce the chemical characteristic of the
the pad would be reclaimed to minimize effluent to levels deemed acceptable by the
leachate discharge by preventing water BLM and UDOGM. If rinsing with fresh
from entering the heap from surface water does not reduce the effluent to
239961R3.Z 5115/96(2:25 P.M)IRPT13 2-39
~\
acceptable levels, other treatments would growth medium as determined from the
be used (e.g., lime amendment). Pumping revegetation test plot, . seeded, and
activities also would be perfonned to fertilized, as needed.
reduce the solution inventory by the use of
high evaporation sprinklers. Ancillazy Structures. All equipment at the
Lisbon Valley Project would be removed.
After the leached ore heap has been No chemical or electrical hazards would
decontaminated, the heap would be remain after closure. The powerline may
recontoured. The slopes of the heap remain. All buildings and other facilities
would be reduced from the operational would be dismantled and removed from the
slope of 2:1 to an overall slope of 2.5:1. site or buried.
The benches and top of the heap would be
graded to establish positive drainage. The Foundations would be removed and buried
top and sides of the heap would be either elsewhere on the site or buried in place.
covered with compacted soils or treated Facility areas would be contoured to create
with commercially available products if a natural appearance and to prevent
needed. Waste rock would be placed on erosion. Plant growth medium would be
top of this prepared layer at a minimum of applied and the areas seeded. Fertilizer
several feet to provide for an adequate would be applied at a rate that is dependent
rooting zone. Plant growth medium would upon site specific soil conditions.
be spread on top of the waste rock cap to
the depth determined from the test plots, Roads and Other Facilities. Roads and
and the area would be seeded. other facilities not deemed essential by
BLM would be reclaimed. The areas
Other components of the heap leach pad would be ripped, as necessary, to alleviate
closure would include removing all exterior compaction, graded to route runo:tr:
piping and retention of diversion structures covered with plant growth medium,
to route precipitation and runoff away seeded, and fertilized, as indicated by test
from the area. No perforation of the liner results.
is planned.
2.2.12.3 Long-Term Care
Solution and Stormwater Ponds. The
ponds would be retained to allow for Upon completion of reclamation activities,
solution containment while reclamation monitoring would be conducted to ensure
occurs at other facilities (e.g., heap leach compliance with permit standards and to
pad). The ponds would be allowed to dry detennine reclamation success. At a
and, if necessary, the process solutions minimum, the site would be monitored for
would be treated, as dictated by results of at least two years following completion of
laboratory testing of the solution. Once all final site reclamation activities.
the ponds are dry, the liners would be Components of the monitoring plan would
folded into the ponds. Waste rock would be developed, in cooperation with the
"be hauled and placed over the liners. The BLM and DOGM, as the project nears its
areas would be graded to achieve a" identified end-of-life.
positive drainage, covered with plant
~.2 S11S195(2:2SPM)/RPT13 2-40
2.3 ALTERNATIVES on the public (i.e., Federal) lands. The
project could not be developed in a feasible
Various alternatives were identified based manner without use of the State and
on a review of the POO, as supplemented, Federal (BLM) lands shown on Figure 1-2.
agency comments, public comments, .and
experience at other mining and heap The environmental conditions, as described
leaching sites. The alternatives were in Section 3.0, would continue to exist
evaluated based on environmental, unchanged by activities related to this
engineering, and economic factors. Based mining and heap leaching proposal. In
on this evaluation, some alternatives were addition, the approximate 85 acres of
eliminated from further consideration and existing disturbance from past mining and
are addressed in Section 1.3.2 Four milling activities, including open pits,
alternatives are analyzed in detail in this dumps, and other swface disturbances,
EIS: would remain unreclaimed and continue to
pose a public safety concern.
• Alternative 1 - No Action
• Alternative 2 - Open Pit Backfilling 2.3.2 Open Pit Backfilling
• Alternative 3 - Facility Layout Alternative
• Alternative 4 - Waste Rock
Selective Handling An ·alternative identified during the public
scoping process (discussed in Section 1.3)
Each of these four alternatives is discussed was backfilling the open pits. Two
below. scenarios were identified to encompass the
various scoping comments: partial pit
2.3.1 No Action Alternative backfilling and complete pit backfilling.
Each of these scenarios is addressed below.
The No Action Alternative evaluates the
possibility that the Proposed Action of Scenario 1. Under this scenario, the pits
mlning and heap leaching might involve would be partially backfilled. Analyses
undue and unnecessary degradation that is performed by Summo and reviewed as part
prohibited by 43 CFR § 3809 (1995). of the EIS process, revealed that
Acceptable impacts include the reasonable groundwater would be intercepted by open
and necessary degradation associated with pit mining activities. In addition, water is
the disturbance required for the extraction expected to pool in the pits after cessation
and processing of minerals. .of mining. The pits would be partially
backfilled to a depth sufficient to eliminate
Under this alternative, Summo would not the projected pool of water in the pits.
receive approval to develop the Lisbon
Valley Project, copper mining and heap Partial backfilling of the pits would be
leaching activities would not occur, and the comparable to the Proposed Action with
proven ore reserves in the area would the following exceptions. The four waste
I remain undeveloped. As such, the
opportunity to develop mineral resources,
rock dumps, addressed in Section 2.2.2.4,
would exist; however, the height and areal
as authorized by law, would be foregone. extent of the dumps would be decreased.
I 239961R3.2 5115196(2:25 PM)/RPT13 2-41
In additio~ the time required to complete dumps near the GTO Pit would be hauled
final reclamation activities of .the GTO Pit to backfill the GTO Pit. Due to the swell
would be extended to accommodate the factor of the waste rock, dumps would
partial backfilling activities; partial remain northwest of the Sentinel Pit # 1 and
backfilling of the other pits would be near the GTO Pit, as more fully described
conducted while the GTO Pit is mined. in .Section 4.1. Moreover, the time
required to complete final reclamation'
Scenario 2. Under this scenario, the pits activities of the GTO Pit would be
would be completely backfilled. Complete extended to accommodate the final
backfilling would return the pits to the backfilling activities.
approximate original contour that existed
before any mining activities occurred in the 2.3.3 Facility Layout Alternative -
area. BLM Preferred Alternative
Complete pit backfilling would not Some concerns identified during the public
eliminate the disturbance created by or the scoping process were the visual impacts to
need for waste rock dumps. Dumps would the public traveling along the Lower
be needed to store waste rock during pit Lisbon Valley Road and encountering
development and until backfilling activities Summo1s mine and heap leach facilities. A
could commence. In additio~ dumps way to mitigate some of the visual impacts,
would remain after backfilling due to the as voiced during the scoping process,
swell factor of the waste rock (i.e., the could be to modifY the layout of some of
broken waste rock would encompass more the facilities. Relocating facilities was
space than in-place rock). However, the considered during the EIS process, but
size and areal extent of the waste rock rejected. Instead, to potentially reduce
dumps would be reduced. visual impacts, consideration was given to
eliminating Waste Dump D and placing
Complete pit backfilling would be materials from the eliminated dump in an
comparable to the Proposed Action with increased Waste Dump C.
the following exceptions. Waste rock from
the Sentinel and Centennial Pits would be As depicted on Figure 2-1, Waste Dump D
deposited in waste dumps until the Sentinel is proposed to be located directly adjacent
Pits have been mined to their economic to the Lower Lisbon Valley Road
limits. Waste rock from the Centennial Pit northwest of Sentinel Pit #1; Waste Dump
then would be hauled to. backfill the C would be located southeast of Sentinel
Sentinel Pits. Upon backfilling the Sentinel Pit #2. Under this alternative, Waste
Pits, waste rock from the Centennial and Dump D would be eliminated, and the
GTO Pits would be placed in dumps until approximate 5,000,000 tons of waste rock
mining of the Centennial Pit is completed. from Sentinel Pit #1 would be transported
Waste rock from the GTO Pit then would to Waste Dump C. Waste Dump C would
be used to backfill the Centennial Pit. be expanded by approximately 50 acres to
Mining of the GTO Pit would continue the southeast to accommodate the
until the economical ore reserve has been additional volume. In this way, all waste
mined. At this time, waste rock from the disposal activities would be confined to a
239951.R3.2 Mzy ]5. 1996(4:36PM)/RPT/3 2-42
11
single, large dump north of the Lisbon location). The site is directly adjacent to
Valley Road and not be divided into two and would parallel the Lower Lisbon
smaller dump sites. Valley Road for approximately one mile.
As such, visual impacts to the traveling
The various other facilities were not public would be greatly increased by
considered for relocation for the following relocating the leach pad to this site.
reasons. First, the open pits cannot be
. relocated. The grade of ore proposed to Finally, the solution ponds and SXlEW
be mined by Summo exists in certain plant have beeri proposed in the most
locations due to' geologic constraints. appropriate locale given the site for the
Thus, the pits cannot be moved to reduce heap leach pad. Solution ponds should be
visual impacts to the traveling public. constructed on natural grade dOWngradient
of the pad to collect solution by
Second, Waste Dumps A and B are gravitational means. The valley where
proposed for areas that would be only Summo proposes to construct the pad
glimpsed by the traveling public due to generally flows to the east and north.
screening by natural topography; the Thus, the solution ponds and processing
dumps would be viewed for a very limited plant should be sited to the east of the pad.
time by those traveling north on the Lower
Lisbon Valley .Road. No other areas for Based on the foregoing, activities under
relocation of these two dumps were this alternative would be comparable to the
identified that would lessen the visual Proposed Action, except for the
impacts to the traveling public. elimination of Waste Dump D and the
expansion of Waste Dump C.
Third, the heap leach pad is located in an
area that minimizes visual impacts to the 2.3.4 Waste Rock Selective Handling
traveling public. The pad is proposed to be Alternative
constructed in a valley to the west of the
Lower Lisbon Valley Road: This valley is Summo provided data from static test
.naturally blocked from view along most of methods that were performed on 186 rock
this county 'road due to topographic samples. Approximately 21 percent, or 39,
features; only a small portion of the valley, of the samples had the potential to be acid-
and concomitantly the leach pad, can be generating based on the sulfide-sulfur
viewed from the Lower Lisbon Valley content. Moreover, 18 of the 39 samples
Road. No other area in the immediate were coal or coal-bearing, which is
Vicinity of the open pits affords less of. a equivalent to 9.8 percent of the total
visual impact than the current site. The number of samples. The waste rock will
only other relatively flat area in close total about 90,000,000 tons of which
proximity to the open pits with sufficient approximately 10 percent or 9 million tons
area to accommodate the heap leach pad is will be coal or coal-bearing material. The
in portions of Sections 25 and 36, T 30 S, remainder of the waste rock is either non-
R 25 E, and Sections 30 and 31, T 30 S, acid forming or has the ability to neutralize
R 26 E. This area is southeast of the acid. A concern exists about the overall
Centennial Pit. (see ;Figure 2-1 for general acid-generating potential of these materials
The rate and amount of acid formation and 2.4 FEATURES COMMON TO ALL
the concomitant quality of water is a ALTERNATIVES
function of three factors:
Various features or primary facilities would
• Rock material with a net acidlbase exist at the Lisbon Valley Project under the
balance that favors the production Proposed Action or the various alternatives
of acid identified for further consideration, except
• Presence of water the. No Action Alternative. That is, no
• Presence of oxygen facilities would be developed under the No
Action Alternative. The features common
Attempting to avoid mining the rock types to the various alternatives, other than the
that have the potential to generate acid is No Action Alternative, are identified
not feasible at the Lisbon Valley Project below.
because these rock mediums are
interspersed throughout the pits. Thus, the • Four open pits during active mining
goal of a selective handling program would operations
be'to control the presence of oxygen and • Waste rock dumps
water. That is, a selective handling • Ore crushing facilities
program would place the rock types that • Heap (ore) leach pad.
have a potential to produce acid in areas • Various stormwater and solution
void of oxygen or water. storage ponds
• Solution processing by a solvent
Selective handling would require an in-field extraction and electrowinning plant
identification of the acid-generating • Water production wells with
lithologies and disposal of these materials pipeline corridor
in a manner that would prohibit contact • Numerous support facilities (e.g.,
with water and oxygen, such as covering administration building, truck shop,
with non acid-generating waste rock after warehouse)
placement in the waste dumps. As noted, • Runoff diversion structures
the majority of. the potentially acid-
• Various haul or access roads
generating waste rock is coal or coal- .
• 69-kV electric powerline from the
bearing material that can be easily
Hatch substation to the project site
2-44
2.5 SUMMARY OF. Canyon. This alternative may require
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS additional mitigation to cultural resource
FROM EACH ALTERNATIVE sites, dependent on final detailed design
ANALYZED and layout of Waste Dump C. There may
also be a requirement to bring additional
Table 2-11 presents the summary of topsoil into the site for final reclamation.
impacts by alternative, based upon the
analysis in Section 4.0 by resource
discipline. Quantitative comparisons are
given where available and appropriate. In
other cases, qualitative comparisons are
made. This table allows the reader and
decision maker to weigh impacts and
compare and contrast them, by discipline,
across alternatives.
Type ofPotentlAllmpllct by Proposed Attlol' Open Pit DllcldlUlng FllcUlly Ll\yout Allcmllt(ve Selective \Vltate Rock IIlImlllllg
Issue (PA) No Acllon Altemallve Alternative
GEOLOGY AND GEOTECIINICAL ISSUES
• Topography WIlSIe dUmps, leach pads, pits N~ change to cKisling disturbed Reduction in depth of pits lind Minor variations from FA; pits, No change from PA
affect 946 IIC; 1,103 nc planned landscape, pits, dumps heights of dumps compared to FA dUmps, pnds now IIffect 941 110
total disturbance
• Constructed Facilities· Small slope failures easily None; eKisting dumps and pits are Slope failure potential reduced No change from PA No change from FA
Potential Failnres remedied; liner breaching, in stable, angie-or-repose compared to PA; remainder of
foundation sellling, and large condition issnes are no change from PA
slope failures, pond overtopping
considered in leach pad design
HYDROLOGY
• Water Supply Up to 902 811m peak demand for
project needed Yr 5; derived from
No change from existing
condition; no impacts; erosion of
No implications for water supply,
except water in pits covered by
Less impacts 011 surface
drainages ncar Lisbon Canyon
No change from PA
shallow and possibly deep wells, current drainages from periodio backfill and not available for any with one larger dump instead of
and pit dewatering; proper surface stonn flows continues future bcneficial uses two smallcr
engincering of drainage in leach
pad area would eliminate
accelerated chlllmel erosion
downstream between heap leach
pad and Sentinel #1 pit.
• Water Use Water above used in ore As above Complete pit backfilling and
diversion would preserve 177 nco
No change from PA No change frolll PA
processing, dust control for roads,
and for some washdown uses; may ft/year surface flow, and not
litnit potential fhture uses; total intercept groundwater flows
groundwater use by project
operations range from 161·1455
ac-ft/year, and project pits lIlay
intercept up to 177 ac-ft/year of
surface flow
TABLE 2-11
LISBON VALLEY EIS IMPACT SUMMARY
Impacts by Alternatives
Type of Po tenllat Impact by Proposed Action Open Pit Bacldllllng Facility Layout Altemlltlve Selective Waste Rock Handling
Issue (PA) No Action Altematlve Altemotlve
• Water Quality Existing water quality generally
POOfj sulfate releases from
As above Backfilling and double handling
would expose more waste rock to
Better control at one waste
dump versus two intenns of any
Selective layering and covering of conly
waste rock effectively addresses any acid
accidental leach pad failure could both potential acid and alkaline water quality elTects needing drainage concems
alTect quality in minor sellSej as generation (in pockets) in pits and mitigation
would minor acid conditiollS (Fe pile vicinitiesj reduced quantity of
and AI) in pile vicinity caused by waste rock exposed to these effects
leaching of coaly waste rock, on surface would be favorable, as
potential for elevated levels of would covering of potentially acid
sulfates, TDS, and precipitate or alkaline materials exposed in
trace metals due to aging of high pit walls
(8.0-9.0) pH waters.
• Other Project Pits predicted to contain 106-289 As above Double handling of waste rock Sec above See above
Constmction/Oper- feet of standing water post-closurej and water quality implications
ations/Closure ElTects on following closure, breaching of both ways (see above) perhaps
Water Resources surface water diversion around provides little benefit to
Sentinel pit could cause backfilling except topographic
backcutting and topographic restoration
elTects in 3 ephemeral drainages
converging on Lisbon Canyon
GEOCHEMISTRY
• Acid Oeileration Potential Little potential for toxic elTects No change from current conditionj Backfilling would cover some Consolidation of dumps would Selective handling would likely eliminate
from Fe and AI noted in 1312 liIt1e or no acid drainage elTects potential acid- or alkaline· decrease total area of exposed any water quality concems from acid
testing; major volume of rock has currently observe'd on surface from generating lithology, and decrease rock to geochemical proceSseSj drainage
neutralization potential (see Wnter past shallow open pit mining the amount of similar types of see PA discussion
Quality above) waste rock exposed in surface
dumps; however, re-placement of
this rock in pits may cause pockets
of acid or alkaline water quality
there as well
Impacls by Allernallves
Type of Pot enlinI Impact by Proposed Aellon Open Pit Baddllllng FacWty Lnyont AlIernAllve Sclecllvc WlIste Rockllnmlllng
Issue (PA) No Action A1ternatlve A1ternallve
SOILS AND RECLAMATION EFFECTIVENESS
• Disturbance Disturbance lind alteration of
1,103 lie of native soils in project
No new disturbance and no
impacts to soils resources
Initial disturbance II! for PA but,
under the complete backfilling
Disturbance impacts shined Less potential for acid generation from
from Bnmum soils to the rock coaly wasto to affect vegetation, soils, and
area: loss of soil prome scennrio, all 1,103 ae of outcropfRizno comple" Intermittent surface water flows in waste
development; increased exposure disturbance would be reclnimed dumps vicinity
to accelerated erosion and surface
nmom compaction and mlling;
reduced productivity; 872 ae
would be reclaimed and 23 I ae of
pits would be len open.
• Soil Quantity for Approximately 1,462,216 cu yds No impact Less coversoilmaterial required Loss of approximately 18,800 Samens PA
Reclamation of soil material stockpiled and for dumps reclamation, but about eu yds of suitable eoversoil
later used for reclamation 402,494 additional eu yds of material not salvaged in Waste
material required for pils Dnmp D vicinity; more
reclamation, necessitating material needed to meet quantity
additional disturbance to obtain required for PA
this material in project vicinity or
elsewhere
• Erosion Control and Most of disturbed soils moderately Same conditions as present, with Partial pit backfilling would SallleasPA Increased reclamation effectiveness
Recfamation Effectiveness susceptible to water erosion and some erosion occurring, would reduce slope angles and erosion compared to PA in waste dumps vicinity
highly susceptible to wind erosion; persist potential on pit walls
constmction and operations would
increase such effects due to
disturbance and removal of
vegetative cover; potential for
localized areas of acidic soils
resulting in phytotoxic impacts to
vegetation and increased erosion
-
TABLE2-11
LISBON VALLEY EIS IMPACT SUMMARY
Impacts by Altemlltlvcs
Type of Potent hiI Impact by Proposed Action Open Pit Bacldllllng FaclIlty Layout Altcmatlve Selective Waste nock HandUng
Issue (PA) No Adlon Altcmnllve Altemnllve
VEGETATION
• Disturbance of Communities Total of 1,103 IIC disturbed, No additional impacts to existing Same as PA except 1,103 nc Shift impacts from SS ac ofSB SameasPA
PJ.Pinyon.Juniper GR· including powerline: 432 SB, 296 vegelative conullunilies reclaimed. "- 1050 ac ofP!.
Grassland- Rangeland PJ, 290 GR, and 85 in previously
SB-Sagebmsh disturbed areas. Reclamation of
872 acres. Permanent loss of296
ac PJ to be replaced with sa and
GRspecies.
WILDLIFE
• Hnbitat Effects from No habitat for sensitive species No impacts to faunal conulIllllity Similar to PA; sec Vegetation Shift of impacts from SS ac of Same as PA
Dist\lrbance idcntified in I, I03 ac lolal project currently present discussion above for acreage sa habilat to 50 ac orPJ and
disturbance; habitat loss for other rock outcrop habitat compared
conullon species (e.g. deer, prairie toPA
dogs) would occur
• Project Constmction and Leach pad conslmction will Same as above SimiiartoPA Same as above Same as above
Operations Effects to eliminate prairie dog towns and 2
Wildlife slock ponds likely used by
wildlife; leach solution ponds
could attract birds and waterfowl;
night lighting and blasting noise
would lutve effecls; possible raplor
nesting disturbance
• Project Closure Effects Loss of231 ac of habitat Same as above All disturbed areas reclaimed Same as above Same as above
confirmation
Impllcls by AllcrnMlves
Type of Polenllllllmpllct by Proposed Acllon Open Ptf BnckfUllng FncllUy Lnyout Allcrnnllve Selecllve WIlSie Rock HlIl1dllng
Issue (PA) No Acllon Altcrnnllve Allcrnnllve
GRAZING
• Disturbance Of Orazing
Lands:remporary &
720 new ac disturbed by PA no
longer available for grazing
Existing B5 ac disturbance
remains for pits
Comparable to PA-no grazing
assumed on pit floors
No change from PA since site 10
be fellced; net reduction in
Samoas PA
• Final reclamation Reseeding ofwasle dumps and No reclamation specified on See above Asabovc Asnbove
haul roads with plant species current disturbance
compatible to grazing will cause
minimal long·temt impacts
SOCIOECONOMICS
• Economics and Employment 80 construction jobs for 1 yr; up None of the economic or Same as PA; except that final Same as PA Same as PA
to 143 jobs over 10-yr life of employment effects would be backfilling of pits would prolong
mine operations created; $54.5 experienced economic and employment effects
million in payroll over the 10 yrs; for 1 yr
reduced unemployment and
increased economic growth in
Orand and San Juan counties;
influx oflarge amounts of non·
local workers unlikely
TABLE 2·11
LISBON VALLEY EIS IMPACT SUMMARY
Impacts by Alternatives
Type of Potentlnllmpact by Proposed Action Open Pit Backf1lllng Facility Layout Alternative Sclectlve Waste Rock Handling
Issue (PA) No Action Alternative 'Alternntlve
No housing impacts Backfill workers reside in area an Same as PA Sallie as PA
• Housing Constnlction temporary housing
options appear ~ore than adequAte additional I yr
ill Moab and Monticello; during
operations, some strains to
housing in these towns could
occur ifmany in-migrants (see
Employment above)
Type ofPofenllal Ilnpllct by Proposed Action Open Pit Dncldllllng FnclUty Layout Allcl11nllve Seledlve Wade RocklInnllllng
luue (PA) No Action Allemallve Allemflllve
TRANSPORTATION
• L<lcal Mine·lnduced Traffic Worker commuter trips, supplies No effects on current light use of Impacts similar to PA but SnmeasPA Same as PA
delivery, shipment of copper area roads extended for about I yr to local
plntes, nnd heavy equipment rond network due to backfilling
movement would modestly activity
increase traffic in area but not
el<ceed capacity of existing road
network
• Mine Operations Traffic Planned stop signs, waming signs, No effects Similar to PAj no increase in haul No change to PA regarding No change to PA regarding waste rock
lighting, and cnrrent good sight trips anticipated across Lisbon waste rock hnultrips haul trips for selective handling
distance would keep congestion Valley Road intersection
and delays at major mine truck
crossing at Lisbon Valley Road
intersection to a minimum
• Road Maintenance Road wear and maintenance needs No change to present condition Additional wear 011 county roads Same as PA Same as PA
are more extensive due to an for I yr due to backfilling.
increase of traffic in areaj increasing road maintenance costs
increased costs to county road to County
districts likely compeltSated by
increased local tax revenues
TABLE 2·11
LISBON VALLEY EIS IMPACT SUMMARY
Impncts by Alternntlves
Type of PotentiRl Impact by Proposed Acllon Open Pit Dnckflll1ng Fftc111ty Lnyout Altcrnatlve Selcctlve Waste Rock Hnndllng
Issue (PA) No Action AltenlRtlve Altcntntlve
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
• Transportation 10 truck trips estimated per day to No wustcs generated Same us PA SameasPA Same as PA
haul hazardous materials to mine,
resulting in likely maximum of
0.51 accidents over life of mine;
accidental spill could contaminate
soils, plants, and wildlife; operator
will have SPCC Plnns
• Storage and Use Spills from storage and use As above As above As above As above
generally contained ill storage
areaj failure of process piping or
pad or ditch lillers could cause
major spillj SPCC Plalls and
ullderdrains to contain spills; wind
drift ofraffinate solution during
wiudydays
• Generated Wastes during Lab waste, SXlEW crud, sludges, As above As above As above As above
Operations waste oil and solvents generated
during routine operations
CULTURAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES
• Impacts to Culturally 24 potentially significant cultural
resources in project area; all but I
Illegal collection and vandalism
could occur in the undeveloped
Same as PA 4 additional potentially
significant cultural resources (in
SameasPA
.Significant Sites Under
NRHP Criteria (currently within waste dump C project area addition to the 1 affected in the
area) are located outside of areas PA) would need to undergo data
of direct impact; no adverse recovery and mitigation because
effects under 36 CFR 800 arc of direct effects
predicted with implementation of
proper mitigation program
• Impacts to Significant No known significant
paleontological resources in
No effects Sallie us PA Sallie as PA Same ns PA
Paleontological Resources
project area
Type ofPolenllnllmpact fly Proposed Acllon Open Pit DllckfllUng FadUty Layout Allenlllllve Sclccllve WIlSie Rock HRndllng
Issue (PA) No Aclloll Allernnllve A1lernllllve
VISUAL RESOURCES
• Visual Contrasts during Notable visual contrasts will oceur Past, unreclnimed features (smnll Same as PA during operations See residual effects belowj SameasPA
Project Operations Ininullediate project nrelllllong pits with Infrequent p'onded water, similar lessening of visunI
lower Lisbon Valley Road; waste piles, stmctural renulants) effects and disturbance during
impacts to view from Lono Pine would relllnin as visible operations
Peak (SO 1111 distant In Colo) disturbance on existing Inndscnpe
would likely be minil11al;
landscape Is of low scenic quality
and sensitivity, and project
activities would be within
guidelines for Class IV lands
• ResiduRI Visual Effects SOI11O mitigation would have As above Long-term effects less than PA duo Consolidation of Waste Dump Asnbove
aRer Reclamation and occurred by reduction of color and to decreased height and extent of D into Waste Dump C would
Revegetation line contrasts; medium-sized wasle piles, and partially or 11IIIy lessell the overall visual impacts
water-filled pits, reclaimed waste backfilled pits presenting less frol\1 two dumps to one larger
rock piles and heaps will remain, visual impacts one, at the Dump C location,
Intruding onlhe visual condition eKpanded by 50 ac
LAND USE
• Land Use Changes Project will change current uses to
active copper mining and
No change from current passive
grazing use on historically mined
Use changes extended I yr froll1
PA due to backfilling
No change from PA No change from PA
Impacts by A1tenmtlves
Type of Potential Impact by Proposed Action Open Pit Bacldllllng Facility Layout Alternative Selective Waste RockllRlldUng
Issue (PA) No Acllon A1ternallve A1tcl11lltlve
AIR QUALlTY
• Compliance with National PMlo (particulate matter dust) No change to current conditions Not capable of being modeled Similar .to PA; likely no Same as PA
Ambient Air Quality concentrations modeled were with existing methodology; additional notable air quality
Standards (NAAQS) within NAAQS 24·hr and alUllInl additional particulate emissions impacts
standards at southeast and would occur from "double·
norlhwest properly boundaries in handling" of waste rock
years 5 and 9 of operations
(highest activity)
• Increments of Air Background PMlo levels of26 As above As above As above As above
Contaminants Exceeding flg/m' impacted by 7 to 26 Itg/m'
Background Levels from project operations: 33·52
Itg/m' total is well within NAAQS
of50·150 1tg/llIl
NOISE
• . Noise Levels Impacts in No exceedances predicted to No change from current low nlral Noise from project operations No chnnge from PA No chnnge from PA
lnullediate Project Vicinity workers insido properly use levels extends 1 yr due to backfilling
. in View of OSHA, MSHA, boulldaries, and to local residents
and EPA Standards and users of adjoining properly
outside property boundaries frolll "
mining operations; nuisance levels ,
from blasting and traffic
periodically an issue to passersby
Impncls by AllernAllves
Type of Po·tcnUnl InlpRct by Proposed Aelloll Open Pit Dncllf1l11ng FndUly Lnyout Allcmnllvc Sclecllve WAsie Rock IInlllllIng
Issue (PA) No AclloH AJlernnllve Allernllllvc
RECREATIONAL RESOURCES
• Displacement of Displacement of big lind small
gallic hunting IIctlvlties In and
No change from current use No dilferent from PA except
impacts extended aile yr due to
No change from PA No change from PA
Recreational Activities
around the project site backfilling
• Property Access SOllie potential Recess restrictions No change from current As above As above As above
to recreation through life of recreational use for general
project due 10 road closures and purposes
millelraffic
3.0
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
To evaluate the potential impacts resulting which overlay them, have been deformed
from the Proposed Action or the other into northwest trending anticlinal folds
alternatives described in Section 2.0, it is (Cater 1995), one of which is the Lisbon
necessary to understand the current Valley Anticline.. Lisbon VaIley was
environmental condition of the project formed by the dissolution of salt and
study area. The study area for this project subsequent collapse of the crest of this
varies for each environmental resource, but structure (Weir and Puffett 1981).
it is generally the Lisbon Valley area. This
section describes the natural resource and Lisbon Valley is a broad, flat-bottomed
economic and social conditions found in valley approximately one mile wide and
the project study area. four miles long. The valley is bounded in
some areas by steep waIled mesas and
3.1 GEOLOGY AND ridges, which rise 500 to 700 feet above
GEOTECHNICAL ISSUES the valley floor. These mesas are dissected
by canyons that generally drain away ~om
3.1.1 Study Area the Lisbon Valley. Elevations in the area
range from approximately 5,600 to 7,200
The study area for geologic impact analysis ft. above mean sea level (msl).
is bounded on the north by State Highway
46 (Le., southern terminus of the La Sal 3.1.2 Geologic Setting
Mountains), on the south by U.S. Highway
666 (i.e., approximately Monticello), on Lisbon VaIley is near the center of the
the west by U.S. Highway 191, and on the Paradox Basin, an asymmetric sedimentary
east by the border between Utah and basin of Pennsylvanian age. The structure
Colorado.' Lisbon Valley is located and stratigraphy .of the basin are dominated
roughly just to the north and east of the by the thick evaporite deposits of the
center of the rectangle described by the Paradox Formation which were deposited
boundaries defined above (Figure 2-1). . in a restricted seaway that was bounded on
the northeast by the Uncompaghre Uplift.
The study area lies within the Salt It is hypothesized that basement structures
Anticlines physiographic subprovince of Created local lows in the basin aIlowing for
the Colorado Plateau physiographic the accumulation of abnormally thick salt
province. The Southern Rocky Mountains sections (Weir and Puffett 1981). The
and Basin and Range physiographic evaporite (salt) deposits were then buried
provinces flank this province on the east by clastic sediments shed from the rising
and west, respectively (Hunt 1967). The adjacent highlands. Plastic deformation of
Lisbon Valley project is located within the the salt, caused by the weight of the
Paradox Basin, a geological subprovince overlying sediments, started in the middle
which contains thick evaporite deposits. Pennsylvanian and continues to the
These deposits, and the younger rocks present. The lower density of the salt,
239961R33 5/14/96(3:47 PM)/RPT/4 3-1
compared to the younger, overlying, clastic cross section displayed in Figure 3.1-3
rocks, has caused the salt to rise, forming crosses Summds proposed Centennial Pit
northwest trending salt anticlines. Some of and is representative of the structure and
these anticlines have salt exposed at the stratigraphy of the Lisbon Valley Project
surface, as at the Moab Anticline and (Summo 1995d).
Paradox Anticline. In others, like the
Lisbon Valley Anticline, the cover rocks Sedimentary rocks. exposed in Lisbon
over the salt are folded and faultep, but the Valley consiSt mainly of fluvial sandstones
salt is not exposed at the surface. Figure and claystones. These rocks are
3.1-1 displays the geologic map of the interbedded with limestones and
project area located on the southeast end conglomerates that were deposited during
of the Lisb()n Valley Anticlines. . the Cretaceous Era (Craig 1981; and
Woodward-Clyde 1982).
The structure of the project area is
dominat~ by two features: the southeast
3.1.3 Geologic Resources
end of the Lisbon Valley Anticline which is
The Lisbon Valley and surrounding area
shown in Figure 3.1-1, and the Lisbon
have been the site of numerous mineral
Valley fault zone. The Lisbon Valley
exploration and exploitation efforts since
Anticline is approximately 20 miles long
the early 1880s. Resources that have been
and includes the Lisbon Valley topographic explored in the Lisbon Valley area include
feature along its crest at its southeast end. copper, uranium, vanadium, oil, gas, ml:d
potash. Each of these resources IS
The Lisbon Valley fault zone cuts the crest discussed in tum below.
of the anticline along its entire axis, and
extends further north to approximately Copper was first discovered at the head of
Kane Springs, a total distance of about 30 the Big Indian Valley, located north of
miles. Fault planes in the fault zone Lisbon Valley.· Early exploration and
typically . dip to the' northeast at development was mainly centered around
approximately 50 to 60 degrees. Ground- two deposits: the Big Indian Mine and the
water flow along the fault zone caused Blackbird Mine. (Summo's Lisbon Valley
dissolution of the salt core of the anticline Project would be at the same location as
resulting' in partial collapse of the structure
the Blackbird Mine.) The deposits were
(Woodward-Clyde 1982). The Lisbon mined until 1947 and 1958, respectively.
Valley topographic feature is a result of Average ore grades at these mines ranged
that collapse. The Lisbon Valley fault zone from 1.5 to 2 percent copper and were
spreads out into a complex, fan-like splay mainly contained within rocks of the
offaults.
Dakota Sandstone. Ore mineralization is
typically concentrated in rocks surrounding
The stratigraphic section for the area is large fault planes, and malachite and
shown in Figure 3.1-2. Rocks exposed at azurite are the most abundant copper
the surface within and surrounding the minerals. Numerous other prospects were
Lisbon Valley range in age from the
explored in the area, but the larger
Pennsylvanian, represented by the Hermosa commercial operations were limited to
Fonnation, through the Quaternary. The these mines (Weir 1981).
23996IR3.3 Sl14l96(3:47PM)IRPT/4 3-2
/10
/JJ.X FIG. 3.1-1
LEGEND
Contact:
Long dashes where approx1ma1.p]y Id
1nr",rred or ind
u
- 0 - - - -..
Cutler formation
•. Hlgh-anglp. !
Dashed whore app,·oXoi_l.cly 10ca1.o~aon, red, ~ple, ~d mottled gra71~-yellow and grayj.sh-
U up1.hrown sid... D d urple cong.o:nerate, conglomeratic and coarse- to f1oe-
I " • '\rained arkosic sandstone 10terbedCed v.!.th dark: brolil1, red,
---.i Uld pur~!.e s1::'tstone; some thin gra7 cher!. beds and !.!o ..
'-1'-t,ated gray lilnestone lenses near base. lIasal =ontact 10-
!~lly gradaO:ior.al. Sand:sl.one lenses in upper part of Cutler
Synclin~ormation in weste=-::. part of quadrangle contain amall
Shov:lrog trace of axial plane and t>t.rBnium-vanadi= deposits; sandstone beds along 1'aults in
plunge or al°utheastern part of: quadrangle contains smal.l. copper de-
!C:sits. !
,;(:s " prODlinent llght-b~own sandstone unit that in the west-
S1.r1ke alld dt lentral part or thi:s' quadrangle and in the ealltern part of
p lhe adjacent Haunt Peale 3liE quadrangle is truncated by the
(Z& iJlcon:t'onnity at base 01' Chinle !orlll&tion ~d underlies
./ ~g" uranium deposits ill the Ch!,..le rormation
Approximate strike an~
--::=55~
"..--
"..-- - ----
Struct.ure can'
, ~hu ,
.'" t:
U
, Qea 11, 'I1llPer un!.t; base Dlaced at base at lid1t-brown tine-
'-_ _":\tr'i'"",ailled sandstone containing foesU plant tragmer.ts. Con-
EoUan and alluvial!;a:!.na more beds 01' redcl!~ sandstone than laver un! t
L, lower unit, base :tot exposed; known trom drill hole
II>
Light.-brown, re<J, and grayish-yeJ1?ta to overlle Fhp
"" silt. in thin sh" .. tl1kp d~poS1t'l\l, the Paradox member of the Hermosa to:r:ll&tion; a thick
"":i
I .... plat..&u,,; eolian material gener......porite sequence v!U.eh eonsists chienT ot sal.t 1ocludi.ng
G
water and grades 1n1.o et.ream-d~u.s .. ium sal.ta. (Show only in section) ~
......,
t:
<>
ley botl.o....
0
...,
.... Landslide dO!!
~,
UNCONFOliH
r
. ~
!!ancoa ISh
..,.
() "",rine peleC)'pOd..Jrypha;a newb .
patches in Lower Jlbon AJ.I;y-
:!<
...,..
to'
~
D.
t:> Dakota .. and, • 1994 MONITORING WELL
"-
Light-brown and yellowillh-brovn .. ,
cOll1l1lClnly containing plant ilIIprej
!ray 1.0 black carbonaceou.. muds
ineludes cobble" and boulders £1
+ 1994 BORING (DRY) ,
UNCONFO~
8
* EXISTING MONITORING WELL
LOCATION OF CROSS-SECTION OF
~:rei
8'
if..
0
:"!<
., Grayj..h-browt.
s11ic1£1ed in and
Burro Canyon
Ught-brovn
part sand,' - - - - -....
to gray quar~*
CENTENNIAL PIT SHOWN ON
FIGURE 3.1-3
----------------------------t
den ... limestone and interbedded ~996
~
.J
I
:a
...
0
"tone. Lower contact mapped a1.
sandstone J gradational. v:l1.h l.op j
,------1 GEOLOGIC MAP ,LEGEND
r 1<.1'1.
r
,)
~
FIG. 3.1-1
Alluvium and Colluvium
Mancos Shale
Dakota Sandstone
Morrison Formation
Brushy Basin Member
~:.p:~:;:1:~:#~7· ~. ~~
Summerville Formation
Entrada Formation
. Slick Rock Member
Entrada Formation
-_ .. _.. _... _... - Dewey Bridge Member
Carmel Formation
Navajo Sandstone
Kayenta Formation
Wingate Sandstone
Chinle Formation
Moss Back Member
~
:::E
~ Cutler Formation
W
0..
:Z
z
I..LI
0.. Honaker Trail Formation
A A'
Centennlo.l Pit
6600 /<
6500
6400
6300
,Jill 6400
6300
6200 6200
FINAL PIT
FLOOR
6100 6100 EL. 6060
6000 6000
.'
·I~I Fo.ults
6500
~-------~Centennlo.l Plt--------~.I
~llliiJ
6400
I~I Fo.ults
c Sentinel #2 Pit
6400.~
6300
~ 6200
-0
I~I Fo.utts
o 200 400
QAL - Quo. terno.ry o.ttuvlUM
Scale (ft)
Kd - 13 - lower Do.loto. FM., beds 9-13·
9
Kbc14 - upper Burro Cnnyo~ FM.
CROSS-SECTION LOCATION SHOWN ON FIGURE 2-1
Kbc15 - lower Burro Co.nyon FM.
SOURCE: GOCHNOUR 1996a.
JM - Mor'r'ison FOI"Mo. tion
23996
FIG. ·3.1-5
Sentinel #1 Pit D'
6500 6500
6400 6400
6300
63001illl~
6200l 6200
6100 6100
FINAL PIT
6000-t~~a~a~aa~a~a~a~aa~a~a~a~aa~a~a~a~~~mrn 6 o00 FLOOR
EL. 5960
0000000000000000000000
0000000000000000000000
000000000
I~I FQults
QAL - QUo. ternQry QlluvluM
i<E---------,GTO Pit----------:;!>ol
1---...1 Fo.ults
F··· .. ·.....~
.......... Kcl 678 - Do.koto. FM., coo.ly loecls
FIG. 3.1-7
B-I{
3.1.4.1 Geologic Hazards silt material) and are in a loose state. based
on surface and subsurface explorations
Geologic hazards in the area could have an (ConeTec 1995).
effect on the proposed Lisbon Valley
Project and have the potential to cause 3.1.4.2 Oimatic Hazards
alterations in the leach pad facilities or
"waste rock dumps preventing optimal Summo consulted ,historic records of
perfonnance. Two geologic hazards may precipitation and 'evaporation ,in the Lisbon
be encountered. First, seismic events could Valley Project during engineering design to
occur in the area tliat may induce slope evaluate how the capacity of the solution
instability on the leach pad or waste rock ponds would need to be modified above
dumps. Second, loose, uncompacted operational and draindown conditions to
surficial foundation materials under the accommodate runoff from a large
leach pad may settle during pad loading precipitation event (e.g., rain water)
activities, which could al1;er the flow of without discharge to the surrounding
leach solutions. environment (Welsh 1996). A water
balance analysis was perfonned and a pond
During engineering design of the Lisbon system was developed to accommodate the
Valley Project,. Summo consulted data on resulting runoff; as described in Section
historic seismic events in the Lower Lisbon 2.2.4.2.
Valley area to calculate the force that
would be induced on the mine facilities 3.1.5 Potential for Additional
during a seismic event and to determine if Copper Development
leach pad stability could be maintained.
The peak ground acceleration was Copper-bearing minerals have been
determined to be 0.21g ("gil is the identified in rock from a variety of zones in
gravitational constant), which is the highest the Lisbon Valley. Exploration efforts have
recorded ground acceleration at the site spanned over 100 years; however, only
(Welsh 1996). A peak ground acceleration two significant deposits have been
of 0.21g is indicative of a seismically active identified. and these deposits have been
area (Welsh 1996 ). 'For comparison sporadically mined. The Big Indian and
purposes, a region that is characterized as Blackbird Mines were the largest mines in
a highly active area would have a higher the valley and have similar' geologic and
number (e.g., north-central Nevada has a ore body characteristics. The Blackbird
peak ground acceleration in excess of 0.3 Mine mined high grade material from the
to OAg). The 0.21g event used in the same ore body that is proposed to be
geotechnical engineering design at the developed for the Lisbon Valley Project.
Lisbon Valley Project has a 90 percent
probability of not being exceeded in excess Numerous small mines and exploration
of250 years (Welsh 1996 ). activities have existed for short periods
during the long history of resource
Foundation soils in the area of the leach ' exploration and exploitation in the Lisbon
pad are granular in nature (i.e., sand and Valley area. The numerous other copper
239961R3.3 5/141!1G(3:47PM)lRPT/4 3-12
1Zl.
prospects in the Lisbon Valley are small pits. As Summo develops its mine, it is
and differ from the Summo deposit in two possible that additional reserves at ~e
ways. First, these small prospects typically Lisbon Valley Project may be mined
have copper mineralization confined to (Thorson 1996a). The potential increase in
within a few feet of small faults (Thorson minable reserves would be based on the
1996b). In stark contrast, the Lisbon ore grade, the economic and technical
Valley Project deposits have dispersed success of mining and extraction
copper mineralization which extends out operations, and the market and price for
hundreds of feet, up to over one thousand copper.
feet, from major faults. Second, the
deposits to be mined in the proposed Finally, the potential for additional
action are located entirely within the Burro exploration and development· of copper
Canyon Formation and Dakota Sandstone deposits in the area does not appear likely
(Weir 1981). The smaller prospects may as reflected by the lack of Notice of
occur in these same formations, but also Intentions (NOls) to conduct exploration
occur in the Cutler, Kayenta, Navajo, or mining that the BLM has received· for
Entrada, and Morrison Formations, and are the Lisbon Valley area. NOIs generally are
controlled by the small faults rather than required before exploration or mining can
stratigral'hy. be conducted on BLM-administered lands.
Since approximately 1986, only 8 NOls
The resource potential and geology of the have been received: five have been for
area are generally well defined because of exploration and three for mining
the extensive drilling and other exploration operations, including Summo's Lisbon
activities that have occurred over Valley Project. The two most recent NOIs
numerous years in the Lisbon Valley area. were for the Summo operation and the Big
The deposit that would be developed by Indian Mine (BLM 1994, 1995a, 1995b).
Summo's Lisbon Valley Project has been
laiown for years. 1v.furing of this extensive The largest prior planned operation was
deposit is proposed at this time due to that of the Kelrnine Corporation of Utah.
favorable economic conditions (i.e., the The proposed operation involved open pit
value of copper) and improvements in the mining, heap leaching, and milling on
recovery processes. Sections 25, 26, and 36 ofT 30 S, R 25 E.
The BLM performed an evaluation of the
Moreover, it is unlikely that extensive project and issued a Decision Record and
exploration activities would occur in the Finding of No SigIiificant Impact
area as a result of the exploitation of the (DRIFONSI) on May 5, 1986 (BLM
f Lisbon Valley Project deposit. As noted 1986a). However, the project was never
above, extensive exploration activities have initiated. The project's proposed operation
been conducted in this area for over 100 and location are similar to that of Summo's
I years. The only exploration activities that proposed project.
appear likely to occur are drilling by
The other mining NOI involves small
I Summo to further define the ore body
surrounding its existing proposed mine mining operations in the area of the Big
239961&3.3 S/J4/96(3:47PM)lRPT/4 3-l3
Indian :Mine. The operator, William V. surface water sampling procedures, and
Harrison, proposed to expand his existing laboratory data sheets for baseline
surface mining operations for recovery of characterization are contained in the
mineral specimens (BLM 1994, 1995a). Hydrologic Environmental Baseline
Only minimal amounts of ore are to be Evaluation (Woodward-Clyde 1995a) and
developed at this site. The majority of in letter reports to Summo (Woodward-
copper ore at this location has been Clyde 1995b; 1995c; 1995d; 1996).
previously mined (Thorson 1996b).
3.2.2 Surface Water Resources
Exploration NOls were submitted for
limited drilling and were mostly in the area The Lisbon Valley Copper Project lies
of Summo's Lisbon VaIley Project (BLM within the Lisbon VaIley subarea of the
1993a, 1993b, unk.a, unk.b, unk.c). Dolores River Basin. Figure 3.2-2 shows
the main surface water features within the
In summary, because of the somewhat study area. This area is part of the
unique nature of the Summo deposit and Southeast Colorado River Basin, which is
the extensive exploration of the area for typicaIly hot and dry during the summer
over 100 years, it is unlikely that any months. Most of the precipitation that faIls
additional large copper deposits would be within the area occurs in the mountains
identified or mined in the foreseeable with a majority of the local streamflow
future. originating from snowmelt in the La Sal
and Abajo Mountains. Normal annual
3.2 HYDROLOGY precipitation in the basin ranges from about
6 inches in the plains to approximately
3.2.1 Study Area 30 inches in some ofthe mountain areas.
This section of the report discusses the The Southeast Colorado River Basin
existing sUrface water and groundwater includes the drainages of the Paria, San
resources for the study area and proposed Juan, and Dolores rivers. Lisbon VaIley is
project site. Surface water and included as part of the Utah portion of the
groundwater data were collected at the site Dolores River drainage basin. In Utah, the
in 1994 and 1995 to evaluate baseline entire eastern drainage of the La Sal
conditions. Water samples were collected Mountains plus a smaIl area north of the
from existing and recently installed Dolores River is included in the Southeast
monitoring wells, open boreholes, natural Colorado River Basin. It is estimated that
springs, and several cattle ponds to assess about 4 percent of the total Dolores River
existing water quality. Basin water yield occurs in the Utah
watershed.
Figure 3.2-1 shows the existing monitoring
and production wells, open boreholes, and
surface water features sampled during
baseline characterization. Well instaIlation,
well development, groundwater and
:23996IR3.3 5I14196(3:47PM)lRPT/4 3-14
o 2000 4000
- -
8000
- I
SCALE IN FEET
LEGEND
FIG. 3.2-1
3-15
lUX ~.
T31S
FIG. 3.2-2
3.2.2.1 Surface Water Occurrence
In summary, surface water drainages in the
Surface water flow is ephemeral in the project area are characterized by dry
project area. Surface runoff from areas washes typical for this area of Utah.
beyond the rim of the valley generally Ephemeral flow occurs only after major
flows away fr9m the valley. Only the valley precipitation events such as thunderstonns..
floor acts as a catchment area for surface
water flow (Adrian Brown Consultants Surface water presently on the site is
1996). The flow system which exists in the limited to that flowing from Lisbon and
valley is poorly developed. A surface water Huntley Springs, water intermittently
drainage divide exists east of the ponded in the Centennial and GTO Pits,
Centennial Pit near dry boring 94MW1 and two cattle ponds (Figure 3.2-1).
(Figure 3.2-1). The area east of this divide Surface water samples have been collected
is drained predominantly by an ephemeral from the two springs, two cattle ponds,
stream that trends to the southeast along water ponded on a bench within the GTO
the axis of Lower Lisbon Valley. An Pit (twice), and water ponded in the
ephemeral branch tributary to this main Centennial Pit, and analyzed for baseline
stream drains the GTO Pit area and joins characterization. Flow measurements were
the main drainage near groundwater conducted at the two springs in April 1994.
monitoring well 94MW6. Near this Both had low flow rates, with Lisbon
confluence, the main drainage channel is Spring flowing at approximately 1.2
approximately 20 feet wide and 6 to 8 feet gallons per minute (gpm) and Huntley
deep. However, the streams at the project Springs flowing at approximately 0.1 gpm.
site, including this drainage, apparently
carry water only after major precipitation Available infonnation regarding
events (i.e., thunderstonns). precipitation and surface water flow in this
area is limited. The nearest climatological
The western portion of the project area is stations (i.e., temperature and
drained by a main ephemeral stream and precipitation) are located in the town of La
several tributaries occurring in the area of Sal and in Dry Valley. Recording stream
the proposed leach pad west of the gauging stations are not present in Lisbon
Centennial Pit. The main ephemeral stream Valley. However, a gauging station was
from Little Valley flows east then northeast identified in Hatch Wash which is
and joins an ephemeral stream from Upper approximately 18 miles northwest of the
Lisbon Valley. After the confluence, the project site (Figure 3.2-2). The gauging
drainage channel continues to the northeast station (Utah No. 09185500) on Hatch
through Lisbon Canyon. This main Wash was used for general infOImation to
drainage and associated tributaries were characterize the drainages in the vicinity of
dry when observed during a number of site the project site.
visits conducted in 1994 and 1995. The
nearest perennial stream is the Dolores Based on the infonnation obtained, the
River, located approximately 20 miles east nonnal annual precipitation for Lisbon.
of the project site. Valley is about 15 inches, with most of that
239961R3.3 5114196(3:47 PM)JRPT14 3-17
falling in the fall and Winter months. Peak standards in Lisbon Spring and gross beta
stonn events typical of the area range from was exceeded in all samples with the
about 1.2 inches for a 2-year, 24-hour exception of that from Huntley Spring. The
event to ~.O inches for a lOO-year, 24-hour quality of water captured in the cattle
event (NOAA 1973). Published peak flow ponds is generally good. Results for the
infonnation resulting from peak storm two samples collected from the water
events was available for the Hatch Wash ponded on the bench within the GTO Pit
drainage. This infonnation indicated flows suggest that this water has been impacted
in the Hatch Wash drainage ranging from from historic uranium mining operations
about 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) for a adjacent to the GTO Pit. The sample
2-year event to approximately 6,000 cfs for collected in November 1995 contained the
the 100-year event. However, no such highest gross alpha (5700 picoCuries per
published data are available for the project liter [pCiIl]), gross beta (3838 pCiIl), and
area located in Lisbon Valley. sulfate (3900 milligrams per liter [mgll]) of
any samples collected at the project site.
3.2.2.2 Surface Water Quality Water from the GTO bench also exceeded
the secondary standards for dissolved
Surface water samples were collected from aluminum and manganese and the primary
two cattle ponds, two springs, and water standard for total dissolved solids (IDS).
ponded on a bench within the GTO Pit in
April, 1994 as described in the Baseline 3.2.3 Groundwater'Resources
Evaluation (Woodward-Clyde 1995a);
from water ponded in the Centennial Pit in Groundwater occurrence and flow patterns
August 1995 (Woodward-Clyde 1995d); in the Paradox Basin area of Utah are
and from water ponded on the bench influenced by geologic structure. The
within the GTO Pit in November 1995 Paradox Basin is defined by the presence of
(Woodward-Clyde 1996). Table 3.2-1 a thick sequence of evaporite deposits
presents the analytical results for the. which are associated with the development
surface water samples; the sampling of salt anticlines bordered by extensive
locations are shown on Figure 3.2-1. faulting. Water-bearing units in the study
area are part of the Mesozoic Aquifer~ as
Comparison of the analytical results to the defined by Paiz and Thackston (1987a).
State of Utah drinking water standards Regional groundwater flow directions in
(Utah DEQ 1994) was perfonned to assess this aquifer unit are generally towards the
the existing water quality. PrimaIy drinking west, and it is recharged from the east
water standards are established to be (paiz and Thackston 1987b). Recharge to
protective of human health, and the the aquifers from' precipitation is very
secondary standards provide guidance in limited in extent (paiz and Thackston
evaluating the aesthetic qualities of 1987a). Additional discussions regarding
drinking water. Dissolved antimony slightly the regional hydrogeologic setting are
exceeded the primary standard in samples contained in Thackston et al. (1981),
from Huntley Spring and the cattle pond Hanshaw and Hill (1969), and Woodward- ,
near the Sentinel Pit. Gross alpha exceeded Clyde (1982).
23Sl96IR.33 SI14196(3:47PM)IRPT/4 3-18
/.31)
SUMMARY OF SURFACE WATER ANALYTICAL RESULTS
Lisbon VaHey Copper Pl'oject
April 1994 - November 1995
Locallon Hunlley Spring GTOBench I.Isbon Spring Pond, 1.It1le Valley Pond, Senllnel Centennial Pit Vlah Drinking Waler Standards (4)
Number of Samples 1 2 t t t 1 Primary Secondary
Parameler Units Melhod Detecllon limit Results Results Results Results Results m
Dissolved Aluminwn mg/l BPA200.7 0.05 NO NO 0.052 0.085 0.13 0.05 -0.2
Dissolved Antimony mg/l BPA200.9 0.001- 0.005 0.0062 NO NO 0.0062 NO 0.006
Dissolved Arsenic mg/l BPA200.7 0.005 - 0.04 ND NO NO . ND ND 0.05
Dissolved Bariwn mg/l BPA200.7 0.01 0.151 0.122 0.109 0.069 0.11 2
Dissolved Becilliwn m&!! BPA200.7 0.001.0.01 NO~Q NO~I~ NO~Q NO~Q NO 0.004
Dissolved Cadmiwn mg/l BPA200.7 0.001·0.01 NO (I) ND(l) NO(l) NO(l) NO 0.005
Dissolved Calcium mg/l BPA200.7 0.2 -47.9 80.6 37.4 24.6 323
Dissolved Chromiwn mgll BPA200.7 0.005 ·0.01 ND ND NO NO ND 0.10
Dissolved Copper mgll BPA200.7 0.01 NO NO NO 0.011 0.G2 1.0
Dissolved Iron m!!!1 BPA200.7 0.01 0.013 0.022 0.055 0.047 NO 0.3
Dissolved Lead mg/l EPA 200.9 0.003 .0.005 ND NO ND NO NO 0.015
Dissolved Magnesil\l11 mg/l EPA 200.7 0.1 24.6 12.6 4.3 5.9 26.7
Dissolved Manganese mg/l EPA 200.7 0.01 NO 0.012 NO NO NO 0.05
Dissolved MereuI)' mg/l EPA 200.7 0.0002 NO NO NO NO NO 0.002
Dissolved Mol~bdenwn m&!! BPA200.7 0.01-0.04 NO NO NO NO NO
Dissolved Nickel mgll EPA 200.7 0.01 ·0.G2 NO NO NO NO NO 0.\0
Dissolved Potassillln mg/l BPA200.7 0.1 4.2 2.8 18 11.9 15.7
Dissolved Selenium mg/l EPA 200.9 0.002 - 0.005 0.017 NO NO NO NO 0.05
Dissolved Silicon mg/l EPA 200.7 0.4 6.5 4.9 2.4 3 2.3
Dissolved Silver m!!!1 EPA 200.7 0.002-0.01 NO NO NO NO NO 0.10
Dissolved Sodiwn mgll EPA 200.7 0.2 41.8 21.7 0.68 1.4 40.~
Dissolved Thalliwn mgtl EPA 200.9 0.001 - 0.002 NO NO NO NO NO 0.002
Dissolved Vanadium mg/I .EPA200.1 0.01-0.04 NO NO NO ND ND
Dissolved Zinc mg/I BPA200.7 0.05 0.02 0.015 0.016 0.013 NO 5.0
,-....
\)J'
Ammonia as NH3-N
Nitrate as N03-N
Nitrit~ as N02-N
N03·N + NOl-N
m&!!
mgtl
mg/l
mgll
SM4500
EPA3S3.1
EPA3S4.1
BPA3S3.1
0.4·1.0
0.02·0.2
0.005
0.02 ·0.2
1.0.2.0
NO
NO
NA
NO
11.5
NO
0.047
NA
0.047
18
NO
NO
NA
NO
NO
NO
NA
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
3
10.0
10.0
Chloride mg/l BPA325.3 NO 250.0
-0 Fluoride ml EPA 340.2 0.3.0.5 0.28 0.36 NO NO 0.7 4.0 2.0
Sulfate mg/l 'BPA 375.4 5.0·6.0 26 54 NO NO 883 1000
pH
Conductivity
units EPA 150.1
umbos/em EPA 120.1
0.05
0.5
8.25
542
8.19
534
9.04
237
II 9.46
178
8.12
IS02 .
6.5·8.5
Sheet I of f
The following sections describe the sampled nor tested for yield. This aquifer is
occurrence of groundwater beneath the of more regional extent and consists of the
project site, the estimated extent of aquifer Entrada and Navajo Sandstones. Water
systems, groundwater chemistty, and the quality in these units is likely better than
quality of groundwater samples collected that of the shallow aquifer; however, no
during the period October 1994 to site-specific data are available.
November 1995. Groundwater is also locally perched on
clay and shale layers at shallower depths
3.2.3.1 Aquifer Characteristics within the project area. Monitoring well
94MW6 penetrates one such perched
Groundwater is lmown to exist in three groundwater zone in the overlying Mancos
water-bearing units beneath the project Shale in Lower Lisbon Valley. "
site. The shallow aquifer extends to
approximately 400 feet below ground The distribution of groundwater at the
surface (bgs) and is comprised of the Burro project site· is erratic .and strongly
Canyon Formation and Brushy Basin controlled by geologic structure. The
Member of the Morrison Formation (see numerous faults present in the project area
Section 3.1 for a discussion of the geology act as barriers to groundwater flow in
of the project site). This zone of relatively some cases and effectively separate the
high hydraulic condUctivity rocks is dry in shallow aquifer into separate water-bearing
some portions of the valley. Groundwater units. The depth to groundwater in the
flow in this unit is highly segmented, with existing monitoring wells ranges from
faults appearing to act as barriers to approximately 60 feet bgs in the Mancos
groundwater flow across the faults (Adrian Formation in Lower Lisbon Valley (well
Brown Consultants 1996). Faults may act 94MW6) to approximately 300 feet bgs in
as conduits along the structqres in some the Burro Canyon Formation near the
cases, but observations at the project site, " Centennial Pit (wells SLVIA and SLV3)
including . water levels measured in (Table 3.2-2).
monitoring wells, exploration borings, and
areas of dry strata adjacent to saturated In order to evaluate hydraulic
strata, indicate that faults in the project characteristics of the shallow aquifer, two
area act as barriers to flow across" the single well pumping tests were conducted
:faults. The presence of fault gouge at the site (exploration boring 95Rl and
(altered to clay) along the :fault structures former production well SLV3) in May,
is one possible mechanism producing 1995 (Woodward-Clyde 1995e). Data
barriers to groundwater flow across the from a step-drawdown test conducted in
faults. 95Rl were used to select the maximum
pumping rate for the constant-rate tests
An alluvial aquifer of limited extent exists performed in 95Rl and SLV3. Boring
in the valley fill sediments near the Sentinel 95Rl was pumped at a constant rate of
Pits. A deeper aquifer at the site is located 155 gallons per minute (gpm) for
at depths of 900 feet bgs or greater in the approximately 15 hours with a draw~own
Centennial Pit area and has not been of 13.7 feet. Well SLV3 was pumped at a
23S96'R33 SlJ4I96(3:47PM)IRPT/4 3-20
TABLE 3.2-2
NA = not applicable
NM = not measured
(1) water levels measured to the top of the PVC casing on the north side of the well
(2) Elevation of ground surface; new surface casing installed prior to August 1995 is approximately at
, elevation 6457.69
\;S
encountered water ranges from 3 to 183 the Cutler Formation or Chinle Formation.
feet, with an average of 40 feet, as Groundwater was encountered at depths
compared to the average of the saturated ranging from 106 to 326 feet bgs in the
thicknesses measured in the monitoring remaining 17 exploration borings,
wells of 33 feet. Groundwater elevations corresponding to elevations of 6108 to
measured in the exploration borings and 6386 feet above msl. Groundwater was
monitoring wells suggest a probable .present in the Cutler Formation in one
groundwater gradient to the northwest. boring, the Burro Canyon Formation in
However, this gradient trend is intenupted one boring, the Dakota Formation in one
by several intervening dry exploration boring, and the Mancos Shale in "the
holes. remaining 14 borings. Groundwater is
present at an elevation of 6155 feet in well
Groundwater in the Centennial Pit area 94MW2. Groundwater level elevations
also appears to be fracture and fault generally increase from 6121 feet in the
controlled. The Lisbon Fault acts as a southwest to 6385 feet msl to the
barrier to groundwater flow across the northwest near the GTO Pit area,
fault to the southwest, as evidenced by a indicating a probable groundwater gradient
number of dry exploration holes and the to the southeast, however, the occurrence
generally higher elevations of groundwater of groundwater is erratic. The saturated
in the vicinity of the existing Centennial Pit thickness recorded in monitoring well
on the south and west sides of the various 94MW2 is approximately 18 feet.
fault splays. In addition, two borings Apparent saturated thicknesses calculated
(94MW3 and 94MW1) that were drilled to from - exploration borings which
a depth of 500 feet bgs as potential encountered water range from 10 to 358
monitoring wells have been dry since feet, with an average of 200 feet.
October 1994. Boring 94MW3 was drilled
west of the Lisbon Valley fault and to the Little VaDey
soUth of the Centennial Pit in the Cutler
One boring (94MW4) was drilled to a
Formation (Figure 3.2-1). Boring 94MWI
depth of 500 feet bgs in upper Little Valley
(Figure 3.2-1) was drilled to the southeast
near the upgradient end of the proposed
of the Centennial Pit on the hill separating
leach pad (Figure 3.2-1). The boring
the Centennial Pit area from Lower Lisbon
penetrated 120 feet of Cutler Formation
Valley.
.and 360 feet of the Pennsylvanian Hermosa
Formation. The boring was dry when
. GTO Pit Area
drilled but was .left open and periodically
Groundwater in the GTO Pit area occurs in checked for water. Water began to
several shallow geologic units and appears acgunulate in the boring during the
to be fracture and fault controlled, based summer of 1995 and was sampled in
on information from 21 exploration borings August and November 1995. The depth to
and monitoring well 94MW2. Four of the water is approximately 410 feet bgs
mineral exploration borings were dry at (elevation 6110 feet above msl). This water
elevations ranging from 6166 to 6297 feet may have been produced from a permeable
above msL These borings extended in~o unit that is locally perched on clay layers
239961R3.3 5IJ~:47PM)IRPT/4 3-24
within the Hermosa Formation. Little groundwater samples analyzed are .
Valley is structurally isolated from Lisbon representative of four water-bearing units
Valley by the Lisbon Fault. Monitoring beneath the project site: the valley fill near
well SLV2 is located on the east side of the the Sentinel Pit (SLV2); the Burro
fault and groundwater occurs in this well at CanyonIBrushy Basin aquifer in the
an elevation of 6299 feet above msl. Well Centennial Pit area (MW2A, SLVIA,
SLV2 is completed in the valley fill. SLV3, and 95Rl) and the GTO Pit area
(94MW2); and the Mancos Shale in Lower
Lower Lisbon Valley Lisbon Valley (94MW6). In addition, two
samples from boring 94MW4 are
One monitoring well (94MW6) was representative of water quality within the
installed in Lower Lisbon Valley (Figure Hermosa Formation beneath the western
3.2-1). This site was initially considered portion of the leach pad area
for leach pad construction. Perched
groundwater occurs in the Mancos Shale at The groundwater analytical results were
a depth of 60 feet (elevation 6227.feet) in compared to the State of Utah primary and
this well. Boring 94MWI was drilled to a secondary drinking water standards (Utah
depth of 500 feet at the head of the valley DEQ 1994). This comparison provides the
in· the drainage divide between Upper basis for the following discussion of
Lisbon and Lower Lisbon Valleys. This groundwater quality.
boring penetrated 340 feet of Dakota and
Burro Canyon formations and 160 feet of
Major Ion Chemistry
the Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison
Formation, and has been dry since it was Stiff diagrams are a useful tool for visually
drilled. describing differences in major-ion
chemistry in waters. These diagrams plot
3.2.3.3 Groundwater Quality the relative proportions of the major
cations (potassium, sodium, calcium, and .
Groundwater samples were collected from magnesium) and anions (chloride,
monitoring wells SLV1A, SLV2, SLV3, bicarbonate, and sulfate) on three
MW2A, 94MW2, and 94MW6, open horizontal axes. The resulting diagrams
boring 94MW4 (first sampled in August provide a graphical comparison of the
1995), and exploration boring 95R1 (first chemistry of the waters. This information is
sampled in May 1995) during October useful for classifYing water types according
1994 to November 1995. Table 3.2':'3 to the predominant ions present, and for
summarizes the analytical results for these evaluating whether waters from various
samples. The complete data are contained wells are in hydraulic communication with
in the Baseline Evaluation (Woodward- each other. Stiff diagrams for the Lisbon
Clyde 1994) and the letter reports Valley groundwater samples are shown in
(Woodward-Clyde 1995b; 1995c; 1995d; Figure 3.2-3. Averages of the analytical
and 1996). Table 3.2-3 also compares the results for the major cations and anions
analytical results to the State of Utah were used to construct the diagrams.
primary and secondary drinking water
standards (Utah DEQ 1993). The
23996JR3.3 5/14196(3:47 PM)/RPT/4 3-25
SUMMARVOFG:ROUNDWATERANALVTICALRRSULTS
Lillbolt VlIlJey Copp,er Project
Odmber 1!P'4 - Nov~m,bcr 1"5
WtHNunlbtr '~MW' MW1/\ SLVI/\ SLVl '~.AfW4 9~MWl SLVJ '15IH Villi Ddnki'.'1 Wale'r Slld.,rll. (4~
NUblberofSanlplu 6 S 6 5 2 6 (; 1 PrJ-III'.'1")' Sere'I1".,1")'
PlI'lI",elfr Ual'ls Method D"'ecllo" Lb.!! ft1
D;'solvcd Aluminlll1l n>&II EPA 200.1 0.01 ·0.2
DbI;olved Alltimony III!fI BPA 200.9 0.002.0.006 0.006
Dis'loiVtclllnl'fllo men BPA 200.7 0.005 • o.o~ 0.05
Dissolved Barilll1l mgIJ BPA 20'0.1 0.01 .0.2 2
Dissolved Be lIiWll m I EPA 200.7 Mal. 0.01 0.004
D;"'olvcd C.dmiwn m&,! EPA 200.1 0.001 ·O.OS 0.005
Dissolved Culolwn mt/I BPA 200.7 0.2
Dissolved C1l!omilll1l '"til BPA 200.1 O.OOS • 0.01 0.10
DbI;olved Copper. mell EPA 200.1 0.01 ·0.1 1.0
Dissolved Iron m I BPA 200.7 0.01 .0.4 0.3
Di..olved L•• d mgll BPA 200,9 0.003· O.OOS 0.015
Dis.olved MogncsilUll mg/I lJPA 21}0.1 0.1 ·0.2
Dissolved Mangano.o mg/I BPA 200.7 0.01 I LI","",~~;."...J 0.05
Dissolved Mel'tlU)' mg/I I!PA 200.7 0.0002 0.002
DilSolved Mol bdcnwn In I I!PA 200.1 0.01 ·0.1
Dissolved Nickel mell BPA 200.7 0.01 ·0.1 0.10
Dissolved Potassium mell EPA 200.1 0.1
Dissolved Selenium mell EPA 200.9 0.002· O.OOS O.OS
Di..olvcd Silicon mell EPA 200.1 0.4
Di..olved Slh..,r mFII EPA 200.7 0.002·0.05 0.10
Dissolved Sodiw11 mg/I BPA 200.7 0.2
Dissolved Thalliwn mell EPA 200.9 0.001·0.005 0.002
Dissolved Vanadiwn mg/I EPA 200.1. 0.01·0.1
Dissolved Zinc ' mg/I BPA 200.1 0.05 I LI~::;':~!....J 5.0
Ammonia as NH3·N mg/I 8M 4500 0.04 ·0.8
NilJ'ate as N03·N mg/I BPA 353.1 0.02 • 1.0 10.0
Nilrita IU N02·N mg/I EPA 354.1 0.005
N03·N +N02·N ' mtll EPA 353.1 0.02 • 0.4 10.0
C1llorido m&,! EPA 325.3 1.0 250.0
Fluoride m BPA 340.2 0.3 • 1.0 4.0 2.0
Sulfate mg/I BPA 375.4 5.0 1000
pll wlitJ EPA 150.1 0.05 II 6.5·8.S
Conductivity wnIloslcm EPA 120.1 0.5 '-:'=""f=-'
Hardnessa.CaC03 mgll BPA 130.2 S.O
Total Su.,nded Solid. m I BPA 160.2 2.5· S.O
Total Dillolved Solids mg/I EPA 160.1 S.O 2000
Alkalinity a. CaC03 mg/I SM 2320B 1.0
Bicarbonate, dis.. mg/I SM 2320B 1.0
Oro," Alpha pCiII EPA 900.0 2
Oro.. Beta CiII EPA 900.0 4
NO ~ Not Detected mg/I ~ milligranu pcr liter pCiII = picocmies per liter wnltoslcm A micromho. per centimeter
Bolded and boxed ro."lt. indicate Ulat on8 or more .amples for Ul0 parameter exceed. Stato ofUlah primouy or .econdouy drinking water quality .tandards
(I) One or moro .amples had 8 detection limit .bo,·. dl. State of Ulah primouy or secondouy drinking wator .tandards.
(2) Ono or moro .amp.les hsd " doteclionlimit abo•• dIe highe.t detected value shown.
(3) The standard is that activity which will cause a " mrem/)T exposure, Th•• tandard was cOllverted to pCillasswning that UIO beta activity i. due to Strontium·90 and 8 2·liter per <lay intake or-voter
(4) Utah Adminislrativo Code R309·1 03, April 2, 1993.
- -,
o 1500 3000 6000
- SCALE IN FEET
G4UW4
SODIUM -- SULFATE TYPE
~lFORNAnON
CAnm
so : .
No+K
Co -3996
GROUNDWATER STIFF DIAGRAMS
Mg --KN.
LISBON VALLEY COPPER PROJECT
(23/96
140'1- FIG. 3.2-3
Groundwater samples from monitoring were below the State primary standards
wells SLV3 and MW2A are, in general, and at concentrations lower than samples
very hard, calcium-sulfate type waters. from other wells screened in the Burro
Samples from both wells exceeded the Canyon FOImation (Table 3.2-3). IDS
State of Utah primary drinking water and sulfate in samples from well 94MW2
standards for sulfate and total dissolved decreased over the time period sampled.
solids (IDS) (1,000 and 2,000 mg/l, The available data, as illustrated by the
respectively, Table 3.2-3). These wells are Stiff diagrams (Figure 3.2-3), suggest that
screened in relatively clean sandstones of groundwater in the GTO Pit area may be
the basal Burro Canyon Formation in the isolated from that in the Centennial Pit
Centennial Pit area. Water from the one area.
sample collected from exploration boring
95R1 was also a very hard, calcium-sulfate The water from well SLV2 is a hard to
type water but contained lower sulfate and . very hard, calcium-magnesium-sodium-
IDS than the waters from wells SLV3 and bicarbonate type. This well is screened in
MW2A. The similarity of the Stiff valley fill material near the Sentinel Pit.
diagrams (Figure 3.2-3) suggests that wells Sodium, sulfate, and IDS in samples from
SLV3 and MW2A and exploration boring this well were the lowest of any sampled at
95R1 are in hydraulic communication with the project site (Table 3.2-3). IDS
each other. The remaining well in the decreased in samples from this well during
Centennial Pit area (SLVIA) is located the sampling period. Comparison of the
across a major fault from wells SLV3 and major ion chemistry of the waters from this
MW2A, and is characterized by very hard, well with that for the Centennial Pit wells
calcium-magnesium-sulfate type water and (Figure 3.2-3) suggests that the valley fill
contained higher dissolved solids than aquifer may not be in hydraulic
water from wells SLV3 and MW2A (Table communication with the Burro Canyon
3.2-3). Sulfate and IDS also exceeded the aquifer. In addition, the elevation of the
Utah primary standards in samples from groundwater in well SLV2 is also over 100
this well (Table 3.2-3). Based on the Stiff feet higher than in nearby Burro Canyon
diagrams, at least two separate water- aquifer wells (Table 3.2-2).
bearing units may be present in the
Centennial Pit area. This conclusion is Open boring 94MW4, located upgradient
supported by the drop in water levels seen from the proposed leach pad in Little
from June to August of 1995 in wells Valley, has been sampled twice. This
SLV3 and MW2A without a boring penetrates the Hermosa Fonnation.
corresponding drop in water levels in well The major ion chemistry of samples from
SLVIA (Table 3.2-2). this well indicates a soft, sodium-sulfate
type water in this area, which contrasts
Well 94MW2 is also screened in the Burro with the waters sampled in the valley fill
Canyon FOImation, downgradient of the and Burro Canyon aquifers to the east,
GTO Pit. Water from this well is classified across the Lisbon Fault. Samples from this
as a very hard, calcium-magnesium- borehole . contained the lowest calcium,
sodium-sulfate type water. IDS and sulfate
239961R3.3 SI14195(3:47PM:)I.RPTJ4 3-28
magnesium, and potassium of any wells repeated sampling events which have
sampled (Table 3.2-3). cleaned the well of sediment, total
suspended solids (TSS) decreased
Well 94MW6 is screened in the Mancos dramatically during this time, whereas IDS
Shale in Lower Lisbon Valley. The remained fairly constant. Several
chemisny of well 94MW6 indicates a constituents showed either a high or low
moderately hard, sodium-bicarbonate type during the March 1995 sampling event in
water. IDS and sulfate exceeded the samples from well MW2A and the other
primary standards in samples from this well wells. Water levels were generally highest
(Table 3.2-3). The samples from this well during March 1995 (Table 3.2-3). Barium,
also contained the highest sodium and silicon, gross alpha, and gross beta were
chloride of any well sampled, likely due to highest during March 1995 in samples from
leaching of soluble salts from interbedded well MW2A. This may be related to the
evaporite beds (gypsum) within the very high TSS (17,960 mg/l) recorded at
Mancos Shale. The distinctive odor of this time, probably due to the well
hydrogen sulfide was observed during development activities conducted just prior
sampling of this well, which suggests that to this sampling event. Iron, manganese,
the waters in the Mancos Shale may be and sulfate wer~ lowest during March 1995
reducing sulfate to sulfide. in samples from well MW2A.
3.4 SOILS AND RECLAMATION Twelve detailed soil mapping units have
been mapped and described within the
Soils in the project area have formed on study area (Figure 3.4-1), and a listing of
the alluvial valley floor of Lower Lisbon the physical and chemical characteristics of
Valley and on gently sloping cuestas and these soils is presented in Table 3.4-1
structural benches (trending northwest to (USDA, SCS 1991). The dominant soils
southeast) flanking the valley. Parent of the valley floor are deep to very deep
materials include alluvium and eolian loarns and fine sandy loarns. The shallow
deposits . derived dominantly from soils of the uplands are dominated by soil-
sandstone and shale, and colluvium derived rock outcrop complexes, with rock
from sandstone and shale on the steeper outcrops comprising. 30-70 percent of
slopes (U.S. Department of Agriculture, these mapping units. The rock outcrop
Soil Conservation Service [USDA, SCS] component is 90 percent barren rock
1991). All of the soils are in the Aridisol supporting little or no vegetation.
or Entisol order of classification.
Permeability of the soils in the project area
Escarpments of exposed sandstone line the ranges from slow to moderate in the loamy
northeast boundary, and several soil-rock and clay soils, and moderate to rapid in the
outcrop complexes are present within the sandy, gravelly, and cobbly soils. Runoff:
project area. Additionally, there are the precipitation discharged into strearn
approximately 85 acres of the Dumps-Pits channels from an area, is slow in the
Complex that consist ~f open pits and Ignacio-Leanto and Redbank soil series,
waste-rock piles from previous mining high for the Shalako soils, and moderate
activities on this site. for all other soils in the study area.
4- BARNUM LOAM 0-8% SLOPES 4-1 IGNACIO-LEANTO FINE SANDY 79 SHALAKO-ANASAZI-ROCK OUT-
LOAM 2-6% SLOPES CROP COMPLEX 3-1570 SLOPES
14- BOND-RIZNO FINE SANDY LOAM
3-15% SLOPES 67 REDBANK FINE SANDY LOAM 100. usnc TORRIORTHENTS-UsrOWC
3-8% SLOPES CACIORTHIDS COMPLEX 10-60r.
19 CAHONA FINE SANDY LOAM SLOPES
2-8% SLOPES 70 ~ZNO-ROCK OUTCROP COMPLEX
3-1570 SLOPES 101 usnc TORRIORTHENTS-UsrOWC
22 DUMPS-PITS COMPLEX HAPLARGIDS COMPLEX 1 O-SO~
72 ROCK OUTCROP SLOPES
).
co
0 1500 3000
@ Job ~g. :
FIG. 3.4-
TABLE 3.4-1
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR SOILS OF mE LISBON VALLEY PROJECT AREA
Available
Erosion Water
Map Potential L Salinity Retention Percent
Unit Percent Major Depth (nunhosl Capacity Penlleabilily Coarse Pcrccnt Covel50i!
Symbol Soil MapUllit Soil Series Slope Horizons (inches) Texture Water/Wind pH em) in/in in/ltr Fragment Organic Matter Suilability~
4 Bantum BantulII 3·8 A 0·3 Loam M/S 7.4·8.4 <2 0.15·0.17 0.6·2.0 NA 1·3 Good
C 3·60 Loamy fine s8nd 7.4·9.0 <2 0.10·0.16 0.2·0.6
to clay loam
14 Bond·Rizno Bond 3·15 A 0·2 Fine sandy loam MIH 7.4·8.4 <2 0.11·0.13 2.0·6.0 0 1·3 Good
B 2·19 Very fine sandy 7.4·8.4 <2 0.14·0.19 0.2·6.0
loalll, loan~
sandy clay oan
Rizno 3·15 A 0-2 Fine sandy 108m WH 7.4-8.4 <2 0.10·0.13 2.0·6.0 0-\0 0.5-1
C 2-8 Fine sandy loam 7.9·9.0 <2 0.10-0.13 2.0·6.0 Fair
19 Cahona Cahona 2-8 A 0-2 Fine sandy loam MlH 7.4·8.4 <2 0.11·0.13 2.0-6.0 NA 1-3 Good
\).\ 2-20 Sandy cla loalll, 6.6-8.4 <2 0.15·0.17 0.2-0.6
B
J
h
silty clay OHm,
clay loalll .
~
C 20-60 Very fine sandy 7.9-9.0 <2 0.13-0.16 0.6-2.0
~ 108m, loalll, fine
sandy loam
22 Dumps. Pits Dumps- Pits Wasle rock pnd Unsuitable
(sec text) complex pits
41 Ignacio< Ignacio 2-6 A 0-2 Fine sandy 108111 SIII 7.4-7.8 <2 0.11-0.13 2.0·6.0 0-15 1-3 Fair
Leanto
B 2-19 Fine sandy loam 7.4-7.8 <2 0.11-0.13 2.0·6.0
C 19-32 Fiue sandy loam 7.4-7.8 <2 0.11-0.13 2.0-6.0
Leauto 2-6 A 0-1 Fiue SAndy loam S/H 7.4-8.4 <2 0.11-0.13 2.0·6.0 0-5 1-3 Fair
~ Rock
Outcrop
3·[5 Exposures of
sandstonc
Unsuitable
101 Ustic Ustic 10-60 0·3 Very cobbly MIN 7.9·9.0 <4 0.03·0.06 2.0·20 Variable 1·3 Pair
Torriorthcnts - Torriorthents sandy 108m
Ustollic
Haplargids
~
-
TABLE 3.4-1
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR SOn.S OF THE LISBON VALLEY PROJECT AREA
(Continued)
Available
Erosion Water
Map PotentialL Salinity Retention Percellt
Unit Percent Major Depth (nunhoS/ Capacity Penneability Coallic Percent Covcrsoil
Symbol Soil MapUnil Soli Series Slope Horizons (Inches) Temure WaterlWind pH CIl1) irllin inlllt Fragment Organic Matter Suitability'
,
oJ
Ustollic
Haplargids
10·60
30·45
0·8
Cobbly sandy
clay 108m
StollY salldy-
lonm
SIN
7.9·9.0
7.4·8.4
<4
<2
0.13·0.15
0.08·0.10
0.6·2.0
NA 1I0t applicable
1I0t detennined.
S Slight
M Moderate
N NOlie
Not Applicable
1111e potential for the loss of soil from water and wind erosion when the vegetation is removed.
2 Coversoilsuitability based 011 criteria in Table 3.4·2.
Source: USDA, SCS 1991
The potential for accelerated water erosion considered slightly saline (electrical
ranges from slight to moderate, and conductivity between 3-7 mrnhos/cm is
generally· increases with increasing slope considered slightly saline). However, these
steepness. The upland soils in the soils are not considered to be sensitive nor
northeastern one-third of the project area do they contain salts in quantities that
have a slight potential for water erosion; would impair plant growth of proposed
the erosion potential for the remainder of species to be used in reclamation (BLM
the soils moderate. Accelerated erosion is 1992). .
most likely to occur when protective plant
cover is removed and soils are disturbed. Soils of the project area represent a source
During occasional high intensity storm of material for reclamation of disturbed
events, rainfall can wash the topsoil away areas. The suitability of soils to be used as
which can result in severe erosion and coversoil material is based on physical and
development of rills and gullies in exposed, chemical characteristics (Table 3.4-1) and
unprotected soils. Examples of this can be the criteria presented in Table 3.4-2.
seen along dirt roads and in unvegetated Based on this information, soils in the
drainages in Lisbon Valley. project area are rated fair to good as a
source of reclamation material, with the
The hazard of wind erosion ranges from following exceptions:
none to high. The gravelly, cobbly and
stony soils found at the bottom of Three • Dumps and pits complex - This
Step Hill and around the Sentinel pits, are series includes open pits and waste
not susceptible to wind erosion. However, rock material disturbed during
the fine-textured sandy loams distributed previous mining activities and were
throughout the project area (Figure 3.4-1) never reclaimed.
are highly susceptible to wind erosion, • Rock outcrops - This includes
especially if the protective vegetation is complexes that are 30 to 70 percent
removed.. rock outcrops with little or no soil
material. The soils that occur as
Soils throughout the project area are part of these complexes are suitable
moderately to strongly alkaline (PH 7.9- for reclamation material, but are
9.0), and may require special consideration shallow and may be difficult to
during reclamation planning to ensure salvage if the soils are too
successful revegetation (USDA, SCS intricately mingled with large rocks.
1991). Plant species tolerant of alkaline
conditions on this site should be included There are no prime fannland soils present
in any seed mix selected for reclamation in the project area.
activities.
3.5 VEGETATION
None of the soils in the study area are
considered moderately or highly saline. The vegetation in the region in which
Only two series, the Ustic Torriorthents- project area is located may be categorized
Ustollic Calciorthids and Ustic into three primary vegetation zones (Figure
Torriorthents-Ustollic Haplargids, could be 3.5-1).
23996JR3.3 S/14/96(3:47PM)JRPT/4 3-40
TABLE 3.4-2
* Salinity and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) criteria; common suitability criteria are not included., as
excessive salinity/alkalinity conditions are not characteristic of area soils; coversoil is soil material
that can support the establishment of vegetation.
3-41
o 1000 2000 4000
I I
SCALE IN FEET
LEGEND
PJ PINYON-JUNIPER
SB SAGEBRUSH
RL RANCHLAND
D DISTURBED
MM MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY
VEGETATION MAP
US80N VAUEY COPPER PROJECT
FIG. 3.5-1
• The pinyon-Jumper (PJ) zone is on These zones transition from one to the
mountain slopes and occurs at the other depending primarily on the elevation,
higher elevations, including the steeper soil condition, and precipitation CWest
cliff faces. Big sagebrush is the 1988). Additionally, previous mining
common undercover shrub, with other activity has' intruded into the PJ and SB
shrubs such as antelopebrush, Mormon zones, and vegetation community compo-
tea, rabbitbrush, mountain mahogany, sition reflects disturbance. Approximately
serviceberry, bitterbrush, and snake- 85 acres disturbed by previous miIllng
weed. Some of the common forbs are activity and never reclaimed now have only
cfypiantha, milk. vetch, desert paint- a very sparse cover of golden rabbitbrush.
brush, and bladder pod. The most Further detail of typical .vegetation
common grasses are wheat grass, composition within these zones may be
indian ricegrass, and bluegrass. Isolated found in the Baseline Flora and Fauna
cactus are also present .on the drier Report (Woodward-Clyde 1994).
slopes.
• The sagebrush (SB) zone occurs in 3.5.1 Study Area
valley bottoms and .low, gentle slopes.
Floristic composition varies slightly The project boundary encompasses
between the northern and the southern approximately 4,846 acres, of which
areas. Sagebrush is dominant and approximately 51 percent is in the PJ zone;
almost the exclusive species in the area, 27 percent in the SB zone; 14 percent in
with the exception of some golden the GR zone; and 8 percent disturbed by
rabbitbrush in areas that have been previous mining operations. Additionally,
disturbed. Some areas have an all of the grassland/rangeland acreage is
understory of cheat~ass and native located at the western extreme of the
grass. project area in two meadows referred to as
• The grassland/rangeland (GR) zone Wood's Meadows, which is. to some
occurs in open meadows, usually degree, a rec1aim.ed sagebrush community.
interspersed with. intermittent these meadows have historically been used
sagebrush. These areas were for agriculture. It is in these meadows that
predominantly sagebrush (or in some the leach pad is proposed to be established.
cases P-J) and were railed or chained As is typical of the region, the pinyon-
during the 1960s and early 1970s. The Jumper communities are at higher
areas were seeded with crested elevations (Figure 3.5-2), encompass the
wheatgrass during or after the railing! steep, rocky cliff outcrops, and integrate at
chaining. Sagebrush is growing back the lower elevations into the sagebrush
into some of these areas, and the communities. Also typical of the region,
density of the sagebrush in the crested
the SB zone within the project boundaries
wheatgrass seedings may be related to
is located in the remaining non-wooded
grazing or wildfires. Cheatgrass, blue
gentle slopes and meadows, as well as in
grama, needle-and-thread, and Indian
Lisbon Canyon.
ricegrass are also growing in some of
the crested wheatgrass seedings.
,£'I
Figure 3.5-2. Existing conditions in Lisbon Canyon. Sagebrush and
rabbitbrush grow to the edges of the normally dry narrow ch~e1.
According to the Flora and Fauna Baseline The study area is located in a cold desert
Data Draft Report (Woodward-Clyde region. This is typified by a low annual
1994), only one federal Category 2 precipitation and irregular (unpredictable)
Candidate Floral Species, Pediomelum distribution of rain. Most moisture comes
aromaticum var. tuhyi, has the potential to at times, or in ways, largely useless to
exist within the study area; however, this plants, and its potential to evaporate soil
species is tightly associated with the moisture exceeds precipitation (Trimble
Entrada Sandstone Formation, which is 1989). The vegetation that typifies this
restricted to small outcrops in the Lisbon region cannot support a high density of
Valley. Additionally, the following four ungulates. The baseline data report
plants listed as sensitive by the Utah (Woodward-Clyde 1994) indicates a low
Natural Heritage Program (UNHP) were number of herbivores, thus also a low
identified as potentially occurring in this number of carnivores use the area.
region. Characteristic of arid conununities, the
most conunon species observed in the area
• Depauperate daisy (Erigeron during the compilation of the baseline data
mancus) - found in alpine grass- were rodents. Gunnison's prairie dog
sedge and forb communities (Cynomys gunnisoni) is a common
• Alcove bog-orchid (Habenaria inhabitant of this habitat type, and
zothecina) - found in seeps, historically a. resident of the area
hanging gardens, and moist stream (Thompson 1995).
areas
• Broad-leaved biscuitroot or Raptors and potentially active raptor nests
Canyonland lomatium (Lomatium were observed during the baseline data
lati!obum) - found in pinyon- collection (Woodward-Clyde 1994) and
juniper and desert shrub during the winter biological resource
communities, mainly on level areas surveys (Woodward-Clyde 1996). The
of the Entrada Sandstone isolation of the area, the abundance of
Formation. . natural cliffs, and the availability of
• Alcove rock daisy (perityle Gunnison's prairie dogs provide habitat for
specuicola) - found in hanging a variety of raptors. Eagles (golden and
garden communities occasionally bald in the winter),
ferruginous hawks, prairie falcons, red-
However, suitable habitat conditions for tailed hawks, great homed owls, burrowing
! these four species do not exist in the study owls, and turkey vultures are the raptor
I area. No sensitive plants were encountered species most likely to occur in the project
during the field reconnaissance. area.
1~6
identified during the winter surveys. • .Raptors (all with potential for; being
Spring surveys, concentrating on in area)
the the 10 kIn of identified habitat,
would be conducted for nests and During the winter surveys, two
mating pairs of birds. potentially active raptor nest sites
(one golden eagle [Aquila
Species of Interest to Utah Division chrysaetos] and one unidentified
of Wildlife hawk) were identified within the
project boundaries. Additionally,
• Great Basin Western Rattlesnake two potentially active golden eagle
(Crotalus viridus var. lutosus) nests and one prairie falcon (Falco
mericanus) eyrie were located
Spring surveys for presence. of within a 10-mile radius of the
rattlesnake dens would be project. Numerous raptor roosts
conducted in conjunction with the were also identified during the
Veteran's Administration Venom surveys. Incidental sightings during
Research Team. the winter surveys indicate that at
least one prairie falcon, two adult
Approximately 10 kilometers (kIn) and two juvenile golden eagles use
(in a linear sense) of habitat was Lisbon and the adjacent Big Indian
identified as potential loggerhead valleys. Spring surveys would
shrike habitat. No shrikes were center on identifying any additional
id;entified during the winter surveys. nest sites and confirming activity
Spring surveys, concentrating on status of each nest.
the 10 kIn of identified habitat,
would be conducted for nests and In summary, no threatened and endangered
mating pairs of birds. species have been identified in the project
area, and no critical habitat for threatened
• Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and endangered species has been identified
on the adjacent public lands. However, the
Dusk/dawn surveys were groundwater used during the project
conducted during the winter, operations would be from contributing
identifying a small herd of deer in fonnations to the Colorado River system.
the area. The greatest number of Depletions of water sources from
deer seen during anyone survey contributing fonnations to the Colorado
period was 30. It may be concluded River system potentially affect threatened
therefore, that a herd of at least 30 and endangered fish species in the
individual deer use the area during Colorado River.
the winter months. No further
surveys are planned.
I{pJ
3.7 GRAZING acres of Federal, State and fee lands (Table
3.7-2 and Figure 3.7-1).
3.7.1 Study Area
The western portion of the powerline route
The area that would be encompassed by would be within the Big Indian Allotment.
Summors proposed Lisbon Valley Project Other than the temporary impacts from the
is within two different grazing allotments. construction of the powerIine, the Surnmo
The first allotment is the Lower Lisbon project would not affect the Big Indian
Allotment, which consists of about 17,768 Allotment.
acres of Federal, State, and fee lands
(Table 3.7-1 and Figure 3.7-1). The
second allotment is the Lisbon Allotment,
which consists of approximately 120,818
TABLE 3.7-1
LOWER LISBON GRAZING ALLOTMENTS
Owner Acres
Public Domain (Federal Land) 13,057
State Land 2,111
Leased or deeded to permittee 2,280
Private (Redd Ranches) 320
Total 17,768
TABLE 3.7-2
LISBON GRAZING·ALLOTMENTS
Owner Acres
Public Domain (Federal Land) 101,375
'State Land '14,490
Private 4,953
TOTAL 120,818
'1
~
,
~
~I G>5
(J)
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:D
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2:0 r-
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Lower Lisbon Allotment Disturbances that would occur in Pasture
No. 1 would be associated with
The grazing management plan for the development of the GTO Pit and Waste
Lower Lisbon Allotment between the BLM Dumps A and B. Moreover, as shown on
and Mr. :Mike Wilcox allows for the Figures 2-1 and 3.7-1, Summo would fence
grazing by 222 cattle from December 1 off the portions proposed to be disturbed .
through May 31 of each year with rotation by mining activities to minimize interaction
among Pasture Nos. 1, 2, and 3. The three between cattle and mining equipment. The
pastures are as follows: total disturbance associated with this pit,
two dumps, and associated haul road
• Pasture No.1 is located in the would be approximately 349 acres of
valley bottom of Lower Lisbon Federal, State, and fee lands (Table 3.7-4).
Valley. Approximately 24 of these acres were
• Pasture No. 3 is on the bench area disturbed by prior mining of the GTO Pit.
just above the valley floor In addition, Summo recently agreed to
encompassed by Three Step Hill. purchase the Patterson Ranch . of
• Pasture No.2 is on the bench just approximately 200 acres from Mr. Wilcox.
above Three Step Hill.
As shown on Figure 3.7-1, the Patterson
The grazing rotation for the three pastures Ranch is included in Pasture No.1. As
is summarized in Table 3.7-3. such, the 28 acres of fee land in Pasture
No.1 (Table 3.7-4) would be controlled by
The BLM has identified an active grazing Summo. Anticipated impacts to this
preference in the Lower Lisbon Allotment portion of Pasture No. 1 from Summo's
of 927 animal unit months (AUM), and an proposed operations are addressed in
exchange of use of 204 AUMs (BLM Section 4.7.
1988a). (An AUM is the amount offorage
consumed by one adult cow with calf over Lisbon Allotment
a one-month period.)
The Lisbon Allotment includes those areas
Portions of Pasture Nos. 1 and 3 are within immediately north of the Lower Lisbon
areas that would be included in Summo's Allotment. The Lisbon Allotment is under
Lisbon Valley Project. The areas on Three permit to Paul Redd d/b/a Redd Ranches.
Step Hill that encompass Pasture No.3 The allotment does not have a specific
would be included in Summo's boundary management plan; however, the area is
solely as a buffer zone and would not be grazed only from November 1 to June 10
impacted. ' each year (BLM 1995c). The BLM has
identified an active grazing preference of
The extreme northern portion of Pasture 11,399 AUMs, and an exchange of use of
No. 1 is within Summo's proposed project. 1,338 AUMs (BLM 1996c).
This area is in Sections 35 and 36, T 30 S,
R 25 E, and Section 1, T 31 S, R 25 E.
TABLE 3.7-4
TABLE 3.7-5
Acreage
Facility Total Federal Land State Land Fee Land
Sentinel # 1 Pit 38 38 0 0
Sentinel #2 Pit 9 9 0 0
Centennial Pit 116 89 27 0
WasteDumpC 118 118 0 0
WasteDumpD 55 55 0 0
Leach Pad Area 56 56 0 0
. Process Area and Facilities 21 19 0 2
Haul Roads 28 21 7 0
Plant Growth Medium Stockpiles 39 18 l3 8
TOTAL 480 423 47 10
Socioeconomic topics discussed in this This section descnoes existing conditions and
section are focused on the potentially affected recent trends in Grand and San Juan counties
communities or study area. The issues in Utah. The proposed Lisbon Valley Copper
addressed include economic and employment Project is located within San Juan County,
conditions, popul~on, housing, local and is in close proximity to Grand County.
facilities and services, local government fiscal The proposed mine bas the potential to affect
conditions, and social conditions. the residents and the existing infrastructure of
239951R3.3 5115196(5:46 PM)lRPT/4 3-52
Moab, La Sal and Monticello, the closest The study area's economy showed significant
population centers in Grand and San Juan signs of a slow down as the market in mining
counties (each located within ?O miles of the began to decline.' In 1982, mining jobs
proposed mine). Since the communities in dropped 30 percent to 563. Since 1982, the
southern San Juan County such as Bluff and mining industry in Grand County has seen a
Montezuma Creek are located at distances constant decline in employment
greater than 50 miles from the Project site, opportunities. By 1994, only 124 workers of
they are considered to be outside of the the total 3,490 employed were working in
reasonable commute distance from the mine mining. The wholesale and retail trade and
and are generally considered outside of the service sector experienced a similar decline
Study Area. throughout the mid 1980s. Without another
industry absorbing the high number of
3.8.2 Economic Conditions unemployed workers, the unemployment rate
reached over 13 percent by 1985.
The description of the economy of the study
area is based on economic data supplied by Interest In the county's natural wonders and
the Utah Department of Employment as well associated tourism has increased in the past
as interviews with key personnel in county ten years. Grand County is home to two of
and state departments and infonnation drawn the state's five National Parks and the
from economic studies conducted by the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Visitation to
counties. study area National Parks has doubled
since 1986. In 1994 alone, 1.2 million
3.8.2.1 Grand County tourists visited the two parks within Grand
County's borders. In addition to the
Grand County's local economy has National Parks and Forest, the 'county
undergone significant swings since the late offers other fDIms of outdoor activities,
1970s. Recent trends can be primarily such as camping, river running, and four-
attributed to the rise and subsequent decline wheeling. Moab, seen as a center for
ofthe mining industry. During the late 1970s mountain biking in the West, and
and early 1980s when that industry was surrounding towns have particularly
strong. the local economy of Grand County enjoyed the recent boom in the sport of
flowished. lvfining contributed 807 jobs, mountain biking.
employing 25.5 percent of the total
workforce in 1981 (Dunn 1995). To support the influx of tourists, Grand
County has seen an increase in employment
Throughout the same period, the trade and opportunities with local restaurants, hotels,
service industries offered a relatively large and other service related industries. A
number of employment opportunities. In simultaneous increase in the number of job
1981, trade employed 26 percent of the total opportunities has also been realized in the
3,139 employed, while the service industry early 19905. As a result, the study area's
employed 15.5 percent that same year. WIth local economy began to strengthen in
a number of sectors relatively thriving, Grand . particular sectors. By 1990, the trade and
County enjoyed a low unemployment rate. service sectors showed signs of positive
239961R33 SI14196(3:47PM)IRPT/4 3-53
growth. From 1992 to 1993, the trade (5.7%) (Figure 3.8-1). Although a higher
industry experienced an increase .in job number of jobs were available in the trade
opportunities of 15.3 percent.· By 1994, the and service sector, those positions provided
trade and service sector employed 37.6 average monthly incomes of only $1,095 and
percent and 28.1 percent of the total $1,004 compared to the higher paying mining
workforce in the county, respectively. In and energy positions of $2,320 and $2,731
. 1995, the unemployment rate dropped to 5.5 (Dunn 1995).
percent,. which is similar to the national rate
Figure 3.8-1
Unemployment Rate (%)
14.0..,-------------------------,
.' ....,.
12.0 ; _ - - - - - - - - - : " " " " . : . . - - . . . . . ; . . , . . . . - - - - - - - - - _ ;
- - + - 'Grand
C01Dlty
10.0 +--------.,,-------=----------1
, ---.---_....
"
Figure 3.8-2
Industry Trends in Grand County: 1978-1994
~T-------------------~~--------------------~---- ____________
2ooo~--
8 Trade
BServices
II Mining
0
....
I:C
.... "" .... ... .., ....
C\ III \0 .... eo .... ... ....
--
CI\ Q
~
.... .... ... .... co
... co
ClIO ClIO ClIO ClIO ClIO 00 0:
.... .... ....
CI\ C\ C\ C\ C\ C\ CI\
~ ....
C\
~
ClIO
C\
....
C\
CI\
....
C\
CI\
....
C\
CI\
C\ C\
CI\
....
CI\
Year
1800
1600
.... 1400
~ 1200 8 Trade
1.,... 1000
800
DServices
1
2:
600
400
200
0
;0>
...
C\
C\
Year
171>
Given the shift in the Study Area economy incomes in Grand and San Juan counties have
from higher paying mining and minerals been generally flat (Figure 3.8-4).
production toward tourism, average annual
incomes have not kept pace with the rest of
Utah. While average incomes in the state
have risen steadily over the past 20 years,
Figure 3.8-4
Average Annual Wages ($)
25,000
.--------
- - . - -Grand
20.000
.-
C01mty
15,000
---~
-. -..... --- ---. --- - .. - San
~
-- - -'- -:-- ..
10.000
.....- ..
Juan
C01mty
State of
5.000
Utah
o
1975 1980 1985 1990 1994 (est)
Figure 3.8-5
Population Trends in San .Tuan and Grand Counties: 1980-1994
14000
13000
12000
.sa= 11000
II Grand Co1mty
:c:
...
:; 10000
Q
9000
mSan Juan Co1mty
'"
I
8000
7000
6000
= ... 'T .... "to ..,
..."" ..."" ..."" ...""
Q>. Q>. Q>. Q>.
Year
/7~
Unlike Moab and Grand County, rent is new high school which is currently under
significantly lower at a monthly average of construction and scheduled to open by
$300, with a range of $150 to $700. In September 1997. By the end of 1997, the
addition, the average sales price for a unit Grand County School District would have
is also much lower, at $50,000 (SEUAOG the capacity to hold 2800 students (Averett
1996). 1995).
This section descnbes the aVailability and Law Enforcement and Fire Protection
specific limitations of facilities and services
within the study area in Grand and San Juan Grand County is served by a police station
counties. The following was researched in Moab and a countywide sheriff. A fire
through numerous interviews with those in department covers all of Moab and Spanish
key positions within organizations that (Moab) Valley. The total number
provide community services, and through the. employed to provide police services in the
interpretation of data supplied by the State or county is 32 with 42 volunteer and paid
relevant cotinties. fire fighters (Twitchel 1996; Squire 1996;
Brewer 1996). The county's sheriff's
3.8.5.1 Grand County department noted 40 percent of their
activity was tourist-related and
Public Schools concentrated during the summer months.
According to interviews with key
Grand County School District currently has personnel in the city and countywide
an elementary, intermediate, middle, and offices, permanent residents are well
high school within the system. Currently, served and demands on each' department
all schools are operating under capacity at are below capacity.
a total enrollment of 1,579.
Utilities
By September 1997, the District would
have closed the existing middle school and Grand County receives electricity from
moved the 7th and 8th graders of the Utah Power and Light and gas service
current middle school to the current high from Utah Gas Service. These facilities are
school. Grades 9-12 would be moved to a modern and have the capacity to handle
Demands on water supply within the The study area within San Juan County is
county is well under capacity. The City of served by the City of Monticello Police
Moab Water Department has plans to Department and the San Juan County
upgrade and expand the county's sewer Sheriff's Department. Fire protection is
treatment facility. Although the county's provided in part by the County Fire
treatment facility is nearing capacity, the Department and the City of Monticello Fire
upgrade and expansion, which is scheduled Department.
for completion by late 1997, would enable
the county to handle the treatment needs Between the two policing bodies, the City
for the population increase for the next 10 of Monticello and nearby towns are
years (Snyder 1996; Modine 1996). protected by a squad of 11 officers
. (Alverez 1996; Ewart 1996). Fire
3.8.5.2 San Juan County protection is served by a minimum of 20
paid and volunteer firefighters year round
Public Schools (Slade 1996). Law enforcement and fire
protection services are more than adequate
The study area has two elementary, one at present.
middle, and two high schools. As of 1993,
the County's School District was at 85.8 Utilities
percent capacity with a total of 2,240
students and the capacity to hold 2,610. San Juan County receives electrical service
Although the system is currently not at from Utah Power and Light and Empire
maximum, some concerns have been raised Electrical Associates. Natural gas is
over the District's ability to accommodate provided by Utah Gas Service. All facilities
239961R3.3 SfI4l96{3:47PM)lRPT/4 3-59
I?¥
are modern and have the capacity to handl~ and elected officials have revealed that many .
additional growth (Rodstrom 1996; Zufelt residents of the study area value having
1996). quality recreational opportunities in the areas
surrounding local towns, and would like to
Water Supply and Wastewater see them protected. While opportunities in
Treatment outdoor recreation and scenic beauty
greatly enhance quality of life in the study
Monticello and residents within 15 miles of area, various factors also exist that reduce
the city receive water and water treatment the quality of life for some residents.
from the City of Monticello itself. Those
businesses and residents outside of the Lower wages associated with service and
City's range rely upon individual wells and trade sector jobs, combined with relatively
septic facilities. The City's water supply is high housing costs and limited affordable
partially dependent on rain and snowfall, housing supply, have strained many
and rarely at capacity. Currently, the water families in the study area financially,
supply is more than sufficient. At the particularly in Moab. The average monthly
current rate of treating 350,000 gallons/day income in Grand County in 1995 was
and the ability to treat 1.5 million $1,349, whiCh is only 71 percent of the
gallons/day of sewage, the City is well average monthly income of $1,917 in the
below capacity. A modem wastewater State of Utah. Similarly, income levels in
treatment facility is scheduled for San Juan County are also relatively low at
completion by late 1997 (Schafer 1996). $1,498, or 79 percent of the state average.
It is important to note, however, that lower
3.8.6 Social Conditions and Quality of incomes and the incidence of poverty in
Life San Juan County are more heavily
concentrated in the southern part of the
Residents of the study area enjoy numerous county along the Navajo Strip, outside of
amenities associated with the abundance of the study area (BTAC 1995).
open space accessible to the public. Public
lands available for enjoyment include Arches In general, there is some speculation within
and Canyonlands National Parks, the Manti the community that lower wages and
La Sal National Forest, as well as higher living costs are at least partly
considerable areas administered by the BLM. responsible for high rates of high school
For many area residents, wildlife viewing and drop-outs (second highest in the State) and
hunting opportunities are available just teenage pregnancy (also second highest in
minutes from home. A considerable network the State). This may be due to a higher
of roads and trails is available on public lands rate of families with both parents working
which support recreational activities, such as and associated reduction in child
mountain biking, hiking, horse riding, and off supervision and discipline. Similarly, the
road vehicle use. In addition, the striking incidences of drug abuse and domestic
scenic beauty of the attractions previously violence in Grand County are also issues of
mentioned also enhances quality of life. social concern. Efforts on the part of the
Infonnal discussions with local area residents county governments to attract higher wage
239951R3.3 5/14196(3:47 P:M)IRPT/4 3-60
employment in the study area, as well as u.s. Highway 191 is the primary north-
efforts to increase the supply of affordable south highway serving southeastern Utah.
housing, could reduce. cost of living-related It connects the study area with Interstate
pressures and stress, and improve quality 70 to the north, which is the most
ofIife for many residents in the future. important transportation route in eastern
Utah. U.S. Highway 191 is a paved
3.9 TRANSPORTATION undivided two-lane highway serving the
communities of Moab and Monticello, as
3.9.1 Study Area well as Blanding and Bluff to the south.
Traffic volumes along this highway in the
For transportation, the study area includes northern portion of the study area have
all roads and other transportation modes grown considerably over the last ten years
that serve the communities of Moab, reflecting increased use of the region by
Monticello, Blanding and La Sal, as well as tourists. From 1985 to 1990, average daily
Lisbon Valley and the project site. This traffic increased by 94 percent between
transportation network would be used both Moab and the tum off for Canyonlands
by project workers commuting to the mine National Park. Similarly, from 1990 to
from study area communities, as
well as 1994, traffic increased by.an additional 32
trucks hauling various equipment and percent along that stretch. Traffic growth
supplies to the mine and finished copper on U.S. Highway 191 has been slower in
cathodes from the mine to their ultimate the vicinity of Monticello, however.
destination. Despite its regional significance, traffic
volumes along this highway are modest,
3.9.2 ffighways and Local Roads in relative to its capacity, averaging roughly
the Study Area 8,430 vehicles per day at the Grand-San
Juan County line in 1994. Due to the use
~ajor Hi~hways of the region by tourists, traffic volumes
are higher from May to September and
Federal and State highways provide the lower from October through March.
main transportation access to the study
area. The major transportation network in In terms of traffic hazards and accidents,
the study area consists of three highways: U.S. Highway 191 has experienced growth
U.S. Highway 191, State Route 46, and in the number of accidents, which is
U.S. Highway 666. Descriptions of each generally due to growth in the volume of
highway are presented below. These traffic on the highway.
highways are maintained by the Utah
Department of Transportation. Historic Fortunately, the growth in the accident rate
and current traffic counts for each of these has been considerably slower than the
highways are provided in Table 3.9-l. growth in traffic volumes. In 1994, U.S.
Similarly, the accident histories of these Highway 191 experienced 48 accidents
highways are provided in Table 3.9-2. between Moab and La Sal Junction and 55
accidents between Monticello and La Sal
Junction (UDOT 1995). Review of
239961R3.3 SI14196(3:47PM)lRPT/4 3-61
TABLE 3.9-1
U.S. 191 San Juan/Grand County Line 3,310 6,410 8,430 155%
171
TABLE 3.9-2
Sheet 1 of1
/7?
accident data compiled by the Utah Lisbon Valley from Highway 191 and
Department of Transportation for U.S. Monticello. This two-lane paved highway
Highway 191 revealed that fatal accidents serves only a few small unincorporated
are very uncommon in the study area. For communities in Utah east of Monticello, as
the three years of data reviewed (1986, well as Dove Creek and Cortez, Colorado
1990, and 1994), there was only one fatal to the southeast. Traffic volumes along
accident on U.S. Highway 191 between this highway are also low due to the sparse
Moab and Monticello. Although there were population of the area it serves.
more accidents recorded in the towns of
Moab and Monticello than on the rural In terms of traffic hazards and accidents,
portions of US Highway 191, accident U.S. Highway 666 also has a low accident
records did not reveal any specific rate due to low traffic volumes. this
locations that had. a particularly high highway experienced 17 accidents in 1994
number of accidents. (UDOT 1995). Approximately 25 to 35
percent of accidents recorded in 1986 -
State Route 46 runs east-west and provides 1994 were reported to involve collisions
access to the northern end of Lisbon Valley with wild or domestic animals. There were
from U.S. Highway 191. This two-lane no recorded fatalities on U.S. Highway 666
paved highway serves the small community in the years reviewed. In addition, there
of La Sal, Utah and other small were no high accident locations identified
communities in southwestern Colorado, along U.S. 666 within the study area.
such as Nucla and Naturita (as Colorado
Highway 90). In general, traffic volumes Local Roads
along this highway are low due to the
sparse population of the area it serves. In In general, traffic volumes on local roads
1994, average daily traffic on this highway that serve the Lisbon Valley area are very
was ~pproximately 1,000 vehicles per day. low due to the fact that the area is very
sparsely inhabited. Traffic on these local
In terms of traffic hazards and accidents, roads is generally associated with other
State Route 46 has a very low accident mines, ranching activities, and recreation in
rate due to low traffic volumes. This the local area. Road maintenance on
highway experienced a mere five accidents county roads in the project area is the
in 1994 (UDOT 1995): Approximately responsibility of San Juan County, which
one-half of these accidents were reported handles grading, paving, and snowpiowing.
to involve collisions with wild animals. In Although roads that serve inhabited areas
I- addition, there were no recorded fatalities are plowed in the winter, wet weather can
on State Route 46 in the years reviewed render unpaved roads virtually impassable
(1986, 1990, and 1994). There were no for short periods of time. The following is
high accident locations identified along SR description ofloca1 roads that serve Lisbon
46. Valley and the proposed project site.
u.s. Highway 666 also runs east-west and Big Indian Road (County Road 106) is a
provides access to the southern end of paved two-lane road that runs south from
",
TABLE 3.10-1
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND DATA SOURCES CONSULTED REGARDING POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES
DlstRnce
Agency Data Source Type of Sites Tracked Sites In Lisbon VRlley from Project Agency Comments
EPA Comprehensive Environmental Active waste sites being investigated by EPA Rio A!gom Mine 9 miles No further remedilll ac1ion pilltmed
Response, Compensation, lUld Keystone Pit 8 miles No further remedial action planned
Liability Infonnation System
(CERCLlS) Database
EPA Resource Conservation and Pennitted facilities that generate hazardous wastes Hecla Mine 8 miles None
Recovery Infonnation System Unoca! Lisbon Plant #28 6 miles None
(RCRIS) Database
EPA Toxic Release Inventory System - Data on reported releases of hazardous compounds None N/A None
(TRIS) Database
EPA Pennit Compliance System - . Facilities with NPDES wastewaste discharge pennits' None N/A None
,
G.\ PCS Database
~ EPA Facility Index System - Master list of all EPA regulated facilities Homestake Mines 7 miles None
-l (FINDS) Database Hecla Minc 8 miles None
Uno cal Storage Tanks 6 miles None
Unocal Lisbon Station 6 miles None
Keystone Pit 8 miles None
Rio Algom Mine 9 miles None
UDEQ UST Facilities Database Registered underground storage tanks Atlas - Pandora Mine 12 miles None
Rio Algom Mine 9 miles Nonc
UMETCO La Sal Mine 12 miles None
Unoeal Lisbon Plant #28 6 miles None
UDEQ LUST Facilities Database Leaking underground storage tank facilities Rio Algom Mine 9 miles None
UDEQ Closed Landfills List Closed Landfills in Utah San Juan Co., La Sal, UT 14 miles None
FIG. 3.11-1
PalooindianlPre-Archaic Period were swveyed for this project (Graham
11,000 - 9,500 B.P. (BeforePresent) 1995a).
Archaic Period
9,500 - 2,000 B.P. Historic and Prehistoric Archaeological
Late Prehistoric Period Localities. At present, 364 archaeological
2,000 - ca. 700 B.P. and historical cultural resource localities are
Protohistoricl.Historic Period documented within the study area. This total
700 B.P. - present includes 186 isolated finds (IFs) and 178
sites.
Paleontological resources in the region
consist of vertebrate fossils that are found in Definition of IFs and sites varied in different
the Morrison and the Burro Canyon parts of the study area depending on artifact
fonnations. density. In areas where numerous chert
outcrops have left a continuous low-density
3.11.2 Cultural Resources lithic scatter over much of the terrain, sites
were defined as more than 10 artifacts in a 30
To ascertain the nature of the affected meter diameter area. IF fonns were
environment concerning cultural resources, completed for finds of 2 to 10 artifitcts or
specific data pertaining to all proposed locales representing a single activity event.
disturbance areas were obtained and Lone tools were recorded as IFs as well. 'In
analyzed. These records indicate that a total areas where a coirtinuous low to moderate
of 25 archaeological swveys have been density lithic scatter covered the entire
conducted within, and in the vicinity ot: the landfonn, sites were defined as areas where
Lisbon Valley area. It appears that all of the artifact density increased above a threshold of .
surveys were at a Class m level. A Class m more than two flakes in a 10 meter diameter
survey is defined as an intensive .pedestrian area. Also in this area, IF :(onns were
survey of the entire area indicated. A high completed for tools only. All other historic or
level of confidence is associated with this prehistoric localities are recorded as sites.
type of swvey. Most of the previous swveys Generally, archaeological and historic
were for seismic lines or for other linear localities less than 50 years old are not
projects and consequently, although recorded (Graham 1995a).
numerous, did not cover extensive portions
of the current study area. Summary data Of the 178 sites recorded in the study area,
concerning the archaeological swveys in the 159 are prehistoric, 14 are historic, 4 contain
affected sections can be found in Graham both prehistoric and historic materials, and 1
(1995a). is a pOSSIble traditional cultural property. The
prehistoric sites are represented by camps,
In anticipation of the Proposed Action, an quanies, lithic procurement localities, lithic
intensive cultural resource swvey (Class TIl) scatters, lithic and sherd scatters, pinyon
was conducted of the proposed mining and procurement localities, rockshelters, and a
processing area, and the transmission line wickiup. The historic sites include mining
corridor and associated new access roads locations, homesteads, brush pens, corrals,
(Figure 3.11-1). Approximately 3,640 acres and fences. The traditional cultural property
CULTURAL INITIAL
SITE NUMBER DESCRIPTION PERIOD RECOMMENDATION
42SA10270 carnpllithic Archaic Avoidance
procurement
42SA16865 sherd & lithic scatter Archaic-Late Avoidance
Prehistoric
42SA22821 lithic scatter unknown Avoidance
42SA22822 lithic scatter unknown Avoidance
42SA22828 lithic scatter unknown Avoi~ce
42SA22844 lithic scatter Late Prehistoric Avoidance
42SA22848 campllithic unknown Avoidance
procurement
42SA22863 camp Archaic-Late Avoidance
Prehistoric
42SA22864 pDnyonprocurement unknown Avoidance! Consultation
42SA22871 lithic scatter Archaic Avoidance
42SA22875 sherd & lithic scatter Late Prehistoric Avoidance
42SA22895 lithic scatter PaleoDndian-Archaic Avoidance
42SA22896 wickiupllithic scatter Late Prehistoric Avoidance! Consultation
42SA22904 rockshelter Late Prehistoric Avoidance
42SA22919 quarry Late Prehistoric Avoidance
42.SA22929 buried camp unknown Avoidance
42SA22935 quarry unknown Avoidance
42SA22945 rockshelterllithic scatter unknown Avoidance
42SA22947 stone circle unknown Avoidance!
ConsultationIData
Recovery
42SA22948 rocksheherllithicscatter unknown Avoidance
42SA22949 lithic scatter/pDnyon Archaic-Late Avoidance! Consultation
procurement Prehistoric
42SA22957 lithic scatter unknown Avoidance
42SA22959 lithic scatter/ PaleoDndian-Archaic Avoidance
rocksheher
42SA23016 camp unknown Avoidance
/36
(National Register Bulletin 38). These types Significance of paleontological resources is ,
of sites may be eligible to the NRHP under based on an estimation of scientific or
criteria (a), (b), (c), or (d) of36 CFR§ 60.4. educational importance ofthe fossils that may
occur in a given geologic fonnation.
Native American access to sacred sites for Significance criteria for vertebrate fossils
the purpose of worship or their ceremonial include such factors as completeness of the
use is protected by the AIRFA of 1978. If material, concentration of the' material, and
any such sites are identified, the BLM would unique or rare occurrences ofmaterial (Kuntz
comply with A1RFA and ensure continued et al. 1989). '
access by the individuals or groups.
Traditional Cultural Properties. Letters were
The Native American Graves Protection and sent to five tnbal organizations by the Utah
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990 BLM, Moab District Office on January 18,
requires Federal agency consultation with 1996, seeking comment on the potential
Native American groups concerning activities effects the proposed project may have on
that may affect archaeological resources of cultural properties. Tnbal organizations
importance to the Native American groups. contacted include: the Ute Mountain Ute
This law especially pertains to the treatment Tnbe, the White Mesa. Ute Council
of human remains, but also relates to other (contacted through the Ute Mountain Ute
cultural items recovered during Tnbe), the Northern Ute Jndian Tnbe, the
archaeological investigations. Therefore, data Navajo Utah Commission, and the Hopi
recovery programs and other mitigative Tribe Cultural Preservation Office. There
actions must also meet the requirements of may be locations significant to individuals,
NAGPRA NAGPRA also requires Native clans, or extended fumily groups that are not
American groups be consulted before a general tnbal knOWledge. There may also be
permit for site excavation under locations generally known, but not previously
Archaeological Resources Protection Act identified.
(ARPA) is Issued.
To date, site visits have been conducted with
The land, in general, is also seen by Native the Ute Jndian Tnbe and their Native
American groups as a storehouse of American consultant.
resources such as vegetation, minerals, and
water, similar to the wilderness area concept. Follow up contacts with the other tnbal
Thus, the integrity of the cultural landscape groups has either been unsuccessful, or has
can be considered significant. Other sites that provided no commitments or positions from
could be significant are vision quest sites, the Tnbes. If at some point in the future,
sweat lodges, eagle traps, game corrals, trail these groups wish to participate, BLM will
shrines, rock art, and marked and unmarked work with them and attempt to address or
resolve any issues they may have.
graves. These locations could be significant
to a Tnbe as a whole, a clan or a family. In
Although all cultural resources recorded in
the study area, one site has been identified as
the ,study, area are available for Native
being a possible vision quest site.
American consuJ.tation, one may be of
particular interest, a stone circle that may
2399§/R3.3 S/14196{3:47 PM)JRPT/4 3-72
have been a vision quest site (42SA22947). 3.11.3 Paleontological Resources
Native American consultation could provide
information that would be valuable to the To gain an understanding of the nature of the
interpretation of these sites, and help define affected environment regarding
whether they are indeed traditional cultural paleontological resources, general data
properties. concerning the occurrence of likely
fossiliferous geological formations in the
Historic Period. An important historical study area were obtained through analysis of
resource of note that is located in the project geologic base maps. This resulted in the
vicinity is the Old Spanish Trail. This trail identification of two formations that are
served as a major trade route between Santa exposed in the study area and that could
Fe and Los Angeles and as a route for possibly contain significant fossils. The
fiunous explorers. In the project vicinity, a formations of concern are the Morrison and
segment of this trail ran from Piute Springs, Burro Canyon. Exposures of these
through Lisbon Valley, and on up to La Sal. fonnations were then inspected by the BLM
Portions of the trail are thought to date to Moab District paleontologist. Significant
prehistoric times and may have been used by fossils were not found in any of the areas
Archaic and Fremont peoples. The trail was investigated (Rasmussen 1996).
most intensively used from 1829 to 1848
3.12 VISUAL RESOURCES
when Santa Fe traders used the trail to
transport goods to and from California
3.12.1 Study Area
(Anonymous 1995; Roring 1996).
Figure 3.12-2
Lisbon Spring area, with rock outcrops,
coniferous/deciduous trees, and rock pictographs
23996JR3.3.PHO SfI3196(3;37 PM)JRPT
Figure 3.12-3
Woods Ranch heap leach area, looking west
" ,.'
Figure 3.12-4
Typical Lisbon Valley scene, looking north towards the project area
A report was prepared for the BLM 16 from or add noticeably to the scenic
years ago (Meiiji Resource Consultants qUality. Much of Lisbon Valley was
1980) which assessed visual characteristics reportedly chained 40 or 50 years ago to
of the Dry Valley Planning Unit, which remove the trees and sagebrush areas
includes Lisbon Valley. Since little plowed to create the marginal grazing
development has occurred in the area since resource that exists today.
that time, the findings of that study appear
valid today and are summarized below. Visual Sensitivity and Distance Zones
I'll
the exIstIng landscape character. BLM lands are administered by the Moab
However, every attempt should be made to Field Office and the western two-thirds of
minimize impacts through careful location the powerline would be within the San
of facilities, minimal disturbance, and Juan Resource Area. State lands are
repetition of the basic line from color and managed by the School and Institutional
texture elements found in the surrounding Trust Lands Administration. Land
landscape. development activities are under the
jurisdiction of San Juan County.
3.13 LAND USE
The proposed Lisbon Valley Copper
The Lisbon Valley Area is located in Project includes approximately 258
northeastern San Juan County, Utah unpatented lode mining claims, state leases,
(Figure 1-1) and covers roughly 720 and private land. The unpatented claims are
square miles. The primary land uses of the administered by the BLM. Summo
study area include mining, wildlife habitat, presently holds, or would obtain, all
livestock grazing, and limited recreation. necessary rights to surface use and access
WIldlife, grazing, and recreational of lands potentially affected by the
resources are discussed in Sections 3.6, Proposed Project. Specific claim names
3.7, and 3.16. and corresponding UMC numbers are
provided in the Proposed Plan of
3.13.1 Study Area Operations (Summ~ 1995a).
The study area for land use resources Other land authorizations and designations
includes the proposed Lisbon Valley within the Project Area are presented in
Copper Project Area (Figure 2-1) and Table 3.13-1. These include powerline and
surrounding lands in the Lower Lisbon pipeline right of ways and public water
Valley vicinity. Regional land uses that reserves where there are known water
may be indirectly impacted by the proposed sources which are preserved in 40-acre
project are also discussed in this section. parcels and, therefore, not available for
private purchase.
3.13.2 Land Use Resources
Land Use Plans
Land Jurisdictions
The management of Federal public lands
San Juan County is comprised of and resources within the Project Area is
approximately 61 percent federal lands, 9 directed and guided by the BLM's
percent state lands, 23 percent Navajo Resource Management Plan (RMP) (ELM
Nation lands, and 8 percent private lands. 1985a). Objectives of the RMP include
Most of the Lisbon Valley consists of keeping public lands open for exploration
public land, with relatively smaIl areas of and development of mineral resources
private (fee) lands occurring in scattered
while protecting areas with sensitive
areas along the valley floor (Figure 1-2). resource values. To achieve this goal, the
Public lands within the study area are BLM recommends leaving "the entire'
administered by the BLM and UDOGM. Resource Management Area (1.8 million
23996lR3.3 SIl4l96(3:47PM)IRPT/4 3-77
19,1;
TABLE 3.13-1
T. 30 S., R. 25 E.
Sections 22, 23, 25,26 pipeline RIW UTIJ-42733 12' total width
Sections 25-28 powerline RIW UTIJO-9481 0 100' total width
Sections 26 and 35 powerline RIW UTU-4844~ 25' 'total width
Section 24 Public Water Reserve NE~NW~ 40 acres
Public Water Reserve SY.2NW~, 160 acres
NYzSW~
T. 30 S., R. 26 E.
Section 31 pipeline RIW UTU-42733 12' total width
acres) open to mining claims for locatable (formerly the Division of State Lands and
minerals under the general Mining Laws, Forestry). The state does not have a
with the exception of 1,850 acres of widely general management plan, but management
scattered campgrounds and scenic sites in the state is directed toward obtaining the
under existing mineral withdrawals." (BLM greatest possible monetary return for the
1985a). trust consistent with sound management
practices (Stokes 1996).
As with the Grand Resource Area,
resources in the San Juan Resource Area Land management decisions on private
are directed by the San Juan RMP (BLM land in San Juan County are guided by
1989). Objectives of the RMP relative to county land use plans and zoning
the proposed utility ROW corridor, is to ordinances and regulations. San Juan
allow discretionary ROWs so long as RMP County is in the process of updating its
goals are met and after completion of site- County Master Plan, originally adopted in
specific NEPA documentation (BLM 1968. A Preliminary Draft Master Plan has
1989). been drafted and is under revision. It is
anticipated that the County Commissioners
The management of State of Utah lands is would make decisions regarding the
the responsibility of the School and adoption of the new master plan by the
Institutional Trust Lands Administration
23996/R3.3 5115196(5:49 PM)lRPT/4 3-78
113
summer of 1996. In the inte~ the Residential Use
existing master plan and zoniIig regulations
remain in effect. The current master plan One resident lives near the Woods' Ranch
supports economic development activities. (owned by Summo) near the Project Area
The Lisbon Valley is currently zoned for and may relocate upon review of the
industrial use. project (Gochnour 1996b). The
construction of three residences is planned
Transportation and Utility Corridors near Summit Point, located approximately
6 miles to the south of the Project Area.
Transportation and utility corridors in the No other residences are known to occur in
Project Area include several flowlines, the Project Area and vicinity.
access roads, and powerlines (Table
3.13-1). Access to the Project Area is by 3.14 CLIMATE AND AIR
an unpaved San Juan County-maintained QUAUTY
road, which runs from Utah Highway 46,
west of La Sal and east of U.S. Highway 3.14.1 Study Area
191, to U.S. Highway 666 east of
Monticello. Issues concerning traffic and The Lisbon- Valley Project is located at
road use are addressed in Sections 2.2.10, approximately 6,500 feet above MSL on
3.9, and 4.9. the southeast plateau of Utah in
canyonland terrain about 20 miles south of
Minerals Development the La Sal Mountains. The site is in the
semi-arid, continental climate regime, that
The Lisbon Valley Area has a. long history is characterized by dry air, sunny days,
of mining activity. Copper was discovered clear nights, low precipitation; high
in the area in the late 1800s. Intermittent evaporation, and large diurnal temperature
exploration and small-scale mmmg changes.
activities from open pit and underground
operations occurred until the mid-1900s, as 3.14.2 Climate
evidenced by remaining abandoned pits,
stockpiles, and overburden. Incomplete Site temperatures are e{'.pected to be
records for this period indicate that similar to the long-term record (which has
approximately 2.5 million pounds of the longest, most complete records in the
copper have been produced from at least immediate region) collected at Monticello,
five oxide deposits in the Lisbon Valley Utah (Air Sciences 1995). The monthly
(Surnrno Corporation 1995a). Details means at Monticello from 1951 to 1980
concerning historical mining, current are presented in Table 3.14-1 and show an
minerals development, and planned mining average temperature of 46'1". The warmest
development in the area are provided in months are from June to August with an
Section 3.1.5. average temperature of over 65'1". The
coolest months are December to February.
/9'/
TABLE 3.14-1
Site evaporation is represented by regional Baseline air quality represents the ambient
infonnation available in the National conditions before the project is
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration constructed. In an area such as the Lower
(NOAA) Evaporation Atlas, based on the Lisbon Valley, there is neither industrial
IS-year period of 1956-1971. Pan activity nor urbanization that could affect
evaporation at the Lisbon Valley Project is the natural, rural air quality conditions. The
estimated to be 50 inches/year (Air nearest industrial project is the Rio Algom
Sciences 1995). uranium mine, about 12 miles to the west.
This project is currently inactive but could
Wmd speed and direction data are restart. Regardless, emissions from this
expected to be similar to those data mine would not reach the Lisbon Valley
collected at the airport in Grand Junction, site in sufficient concentrations to be
Colorado. and used in the permit considered more than negligible. Active
application' submitted on behalf of Summo projects in the region also are small and
to the Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) more distant, and emissions from these
(Air ScienceS 1996). The DAQ has projects would not impact the project site
approved the use of those data for (Air Sciences 1996).
permitting purposes and considers the data
to be generally representative of the project Baseline air pollutant concentrations at the
area. Five years of wind data are Lisbon Valley Project location were
summarized as frequency distributions in estimated ,based on regional infonnation
FIgure 3.14-1 by direction. The data show (Air Sciences 1996). Baseline
a high frequency of winds from the east- concentrations of combustion gases are
southeast and southeast with a much lower assumed to be at natural background
secondary peak from the northwest. These levels, or negligible. Particulate data have
winds are along the axis of the Colorado been collected by the DAQ in the town of
River Valley in Grand Junction - the same Moab, located roughly 40 miles northwest
axis as the valley of the Lisbon Valley of the Lisbon Valley Project. Moab is in a
Project. The data record shows 2.8 similarly semi-arid region, is lower in
23996/R3.3 SIl4l!l6(3:47PM)lRPT/4 3-81
TABLE 3.14-2
1ft
N
20%
w E
ssw
s
LEGEND
< 6 !<NOTS
~ 6 KNOTS
Existing noise levels in the Lower Lisbon The study area for recreational resources
Valley are expected to be representative of includes public lands in the vicinity of the
rural conditions and are expected to vary proposed Lisbon Valley Copper Project
between 35 and 45 decibels (dB) (BLM boundary (Figure 1-2) and regional
1985b). Noise sources are expected to be recreation sites that may be indirectly
primarily natural, such as wind, but impacted by the proposed project.
additional noise comes from aircraft and
from traffic on nearby roads (e.g., Lower 3.16.2 Recreational Resources
Lisbon Valley Road). Noise from aircraft
could average 50 dB, and from traffic on Dispersed Recreation
paved roads could be expected to be 66 dB
(BLM 1985b). An average level of 55 dB Dispersed recreation represents the most
is . considered by the Environmental common fonn of recreational activity in the
Protection Agency (EPA 1974) to be the study area. The primary recreational use of
level above which annoyance occurs in a the Lisbon Valley is seasonal deer and
residential neighborhood. A similar cottontail rabbit hunting ~d year-round
threshold has not been established for rural jack-rabbit hunting, with niinor camping
areas (BLM 1985b). The EPA further and ATV use associated with the hunting
considers that maintaining noise below an activities (Van Hemert 1996, McClure
average level of 70 dB would adequately 1996a). Minimal use of the Three Step
protect public health and welfare. Hill area for Christt:nas tree harvesting and
firewood gathering also occurs. An
estimated· maximum of 100-200 visitor
The impacts under this alternative would Under this alternative, the geologic impacts
be comparable to the impacts identified or consequences would be the same as the
under the Proposed Action. However, impacts or consequences associated with
under this alternative, the partial or the Proposed Action, except for minor
complete filling of the pits would have topographic variations.
topographic and future development
impacts. The topographic impact would be For geotechnical issues, implementation of
the reduction in the height and areal extent this alternative would result in the
of the waste rock dumps and either the relocation of the waste rock from Waste
partial or complete filling of the pits. The Dump D to Waste Dump C. Waste Dump
future development impact would be that C would be constructed in the manner
development of the currently identified comparable to that under the Proposed
uneconomical copper resources would be Action. The only difference between the
economically prohibitive. Proposed Action and this alternative is that
the areal size of Waste Dump D would be
The geotechnical impacts associated with expanded by approximately 50 acres. As
implementing the Open Pit Backfilling such, the impacts and environmental
Alternative are comparable to the impacts consequences from implementing this
associated with the Proposed Action with alternative from a geotechnical standpoint
one exception. Material from the waste are no different than those under the
dumps would be used to backfill the pits, Proposed Action.
either partially or completely. This would
result in a reduction in the size of the waste 4.1.6 Waste Rock Selective Handling
dumps (i.e., reduction in total height and Alternative
slope length). The reduction in waste
dump size would further reduce any From a geologic and non-geochemistry
impacts that may result from a. seismic standpoint, there would be no change in
event (e.g., further reduce slope failure). the impacts or consequences from the
discussion provided under the Proposed
4.1.4.2 Recommended Mitigation Action. Please refer to Section 4.3
concerning geochemistry impacts
Complete back::filling of the four pits would associated with this alternative.
maximize usable topography. However,
The primary goals of the water resources Potential impacts to water resources have
impact analysis are to estimate the been estimated using the existing
potential effects of the proposed action on information discussed in Sections 3.1 -
surface water and groundwater quality and Geology, 3.2 - Water Resources, and 3.3 -
quantity. Important water resource issues Geochemistry; and additional information
considered, including those issues from the sources referenced. Existing
identified during the public scoping water quality information, depth to and
meetings and comments submitted are amount of groundwater available, details of
presented below: the Proposed Action and Alternatives,
results of acid-base accounting and
• Depletion of groundwater Method 1312 results, and groundwater
resources due to pit dewatering and modeling studies were used to predict
process water use project impacts.
• Discharge of process waters to the
environment Examples of potential impacts that may be
• Degradation of surface water and detrimental to the environment or: human
groundwater use of water resources include the
• Potential land subsidence from reduction or loss of an existing beneficial
groundwater extraction use of surface water or groundwater
". Potential for spills of process resources; contamination of water
solutions, fuels, antifreeze, and resources to preclude existing or
similar substances reasonable future beneficial uses;
• Potential loss of current uses of degradation of water quality parameters to
surface water and groundwater levels above drinking water standards
• Degradation of ephemeral stream (other than those parameters which
drainages from contaminated currently exceed standards); or loss of
surface water runoff wildlife habitat due to contamination or
• Potential impact to off-site, private loss of resources.
water sources from blasting
operations, groundwater Potential impacts may also be beneficial to
withdrawal, or contamination the environment. An example of a
• Potential water quality impacts beneficial impact would be the "creation of
from the proposed 69 kV additional surface water resources which
transmission line to the project are of sufficient quality and accessibility
239961R3.45/IS/96(9:12PM)lRPTI2 4-5
such that they may potentially be used for Lisbon Valley at year 11 (the conclusion of
irrigation and livest~ck wat~g. mining activities). The model predicts that
drawdown effects would be centered
4.2.2 Proposed Action around the mining pits and decrease away
from the pits.
This section discusses potential direct and
indirect impacts to water resources from Figure 4.2-2 shows the long-term (250
the Proposed Action (Section 2.0), years) steady-state drawdowns in water
highlights committed mitigation, and levels following mining. Water levels are
recommends additional mitigation expected to be approximately 50 feet
measures. higher in the vicinity of the Sentinel Pit and
zero to 25 feet lower in the remainder of
4.2.2.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts the project area (Adrian Brown
Consultants 1996). Most of the
Potential Impacts from Dewatering equilibration of the groundwater system
would occur within the first 50 years after
Under the Proposed Action, the shallow mining (Adrian Brown Consultants 1996).
aquifer would be dewatered in the vicinity
of the mine pits. This dewatering would be The consolidated nature of the aquifer
necessary to allow access to the ore. materials indicates that significant land
Groundwater extracted would be used for subsidence due to groundwater extraction .
process requirements and dust control on would not occur.
project roads. Dewatering would increase
the depth to water in the area, increase the Effects of dewatering would reduce the
costs to extract the remaining groundwater quantity of groundwater available from the
from the aquifer and reduce availability of shallow aquifer in the mine vicinity· during
groundwater in the immediate project area the mining operation and for a period of
(Adrian Brown Consultants 1996). years after mining ceases (Adrian Brown
Consultants 1996). However, the potential
Results by groundwater modeling (Adrian impacts are tempered by the following: 1)
Brown Consultants 1996) indicate that the after mining ceases, the groundwater
net effect of the dewatering operations and recharge rate is expected to increase in the
ponding of water in the pits after mining vicinity of Sentinel Pit No. 1 due to inflow
ceases would be to increase water levels in of ephemeral sUrface water into the pit
the groundwater system near the Sentinel (Adrian Brown Consultants 1996), 2) the
Pit (due to discharge of ephemeral surface shallow aquifer is currently not used for
water flow to the pit, and subsequent any beneficial purposes, and 3) the water
groundwater recharge) and to decrease naturally exceeds the State of Utah
post-mining groundwater levels near the drinking water standards for sulfate, TDS,
Centennial and GTO pits (due to manganese, radionuclides, and other
evaporation of surface water from the pit parameters. Therefore, potential uses of
lakes and subsequent groundwater the water are limited at present and would
discharge to the pits). Figure 4.2-1 shows be similarly limited in the future.
the predicted water level drawdowns in
2399&Rl.4 5115196(9:12 PM)IRPT12 4-6
ELEVATIONS FEU AIlDVE SEA LEVEL
CIlNTlIUR lHTERVAL eo FEET
o 1000 em,
FlIT Job No. : 23996 PREDICTED GROUNDWATER
Prepared by : C.H.P D'RAWDOWN, YEAR II
c!;
m SOURCE: ADRIAN BROWN CONSULTANTS" INC. 1996 Date : 4/1/96 LISBON VALLEY COPPER PROJECT
FIG. '4.2-1
Job No. : 23996 PREDICTED POST MINING
STEADY-STATE GROUNDWATER
~ Prepared by: C.H.P DRAWDOWN
mL-__________________________________
co SOURCE: ADRIAN BROWN CONSULTANTS, INC. 1996 Date:
------~~------~~
4/1/96 __ __________________________
~
Dewatering during mining, and loss of Groundwater extracted from the shallow
shallow aquifer groundwater following aquifer would be used for leaching and
mining, are not expected to result in processing copper-bearing fluids in the
adverse impacts to flows in the Dolores SXlEW facility. The leaching and
River. The maximum groundwater processing operations are proposed as
extraction rate predicted to occur during continuous-recycle systems; therefore,
the mining activities is about 1,450 acre- minimal discharge of process waters to the
ft/year (Table 2-6), which occurs during environment would occur. Although there
start-up of GTO Pit activities in Year 5 would be some losses of process water to
(Adrian Brown Consultants 1996). The the atmosphere -due to evaporation of the
results of groundwater modeling indicate water sprayed on the leach pad ore, loss of
the long-term net loss of shallow process water to the subsurface
groundwater associated with evaporation environment is not expected because the
of pit lake water from the Centennial and leach pad would be lined and monitored for
leaks as described in Section 2.2.4.2. After
GTO Pits following completion of mining
mining and leaching operations cease, the
would be about 24 acre-feet/year (Adrian
leach piles would be reclaimed by covering
Brown Consultants 1996). Although them with a low permeability soil cover, as.
groundwater extraction during mining and described in Section 2.2.11.2. During
long-term losses of shallow groundwater leaching operations, surface drainage
following mining could potentially result in within the footprint area of the leach pad
decreased discharges of" groundwater to would be contained and routed to the PLS
the Dolores River, the quantity of such pond. A system of surface water diversion
decreases is insignificant when compared structures would route natural stormwaters
to the quantity of discharge within the around the leach pad and into the existing
239961R3.4 S/ISI96(9:12PM)lRPTI2 4-9
· drainage channel that flows into Lisbon currently exceeds drinking water standards
Canyon. This diversion system would for sulfate and several metals, and is
maintain the natural flows in the canyon currently not used for any purpose.
during mining activities and would likely
not result in notable increases or decreases Potential Impacts from the Use of
in ephemeral surface water flows in Lisbon Groundwater for Dust Control
Canyon (see panoramic view of mouth of
Lisbon Canyon, Figure 4.2-3). Stormwater The groundwater extracted from the'
, retention ponds would also receive sh~ow aquifer :would be used for d~st
overflow from the raffinate and PLS suppression on the haul roads and could
ponds. This water would be pumped back contain low levels of radionuclides, based
into the raffinate pond and used as makeup on existing analyses (Section 3.2.3.3).
water for .the system. The ditches and Radiological analyses of the groundwater
ponds would be designed to contain runoff samples collected in October 1994 reveal
from a 100-year, 24-hour storm event. that the elevated gross alpha and gross beta
radiation is likely due to radium and
Accidental spills of leaching solutions from uranium isotopes. Since the groundwater
the leach pad, SXlEW facility, or for dust control would likely come from
conveyance structures could potentiaIly new production wells and possibly from
migrate to surface water drainages or the existing monitoring wells, water quality
groundwater. If such a spill were to occur, analyses from wells SLV3, MW2A,
the low pH and high sulfate and metal SLVIA, and test hole 95Rl are
contents of the leaching solutions could representative of the quality of water which
potentially contaminate the drainages or would be used for dust control. The gross
groundwater. The impacts to surface water alpha and gross beta results for samples
resources would be a lowering of pH and from these wells are quite variable (Table
transport of additional sulfate and metals in 3.2-3). Average values for the combined
the stormwaters leaving the site through sample results for these parameters for the
Lisbon Canyon. The potential for such wells listed ~bove (excluding one
spills is diminished by the operational! anomalously high sample for well MW2A,
mitigation measures committed to by the which is associated with very high total
applicant. suspended solids) are 154 pCiIl for gross
alpha and 189 pCiIl for gross beta. These
The potential for adverse impacts to values are above the primary drinking
groundwater would depend on the release water standards of 15 pCiIl for gross alpha
of a sufficient quantity of leaching solution and 8 pCiIl for gross beta (Utah DEQ
to reach groundwater. Potential impacts 1994). An EPA standard for total uranium
could include lowering of pH, and in uranium mill waters is 0.044 mgll
transport of sulfate and dissolved metals to (Moten 1996). However, according to the
and within groundwater. In the case of a staff contacted in the agencies listed in
small release (either a small spill or a small Section 3.2.3.3, and a communication from
quantity leak), the potential for adverse the Department of Energy to BLM
impacts would be mitigated by the natural (Cornish 1996), no standards exist for road
buffering and adsorptive potential of the watering or other industrial uses of water
native soils underlying the facilities. It is containing elevated levels of radionuclides.
also noted that natural groundwater
239961R3.4 SIlSl96(9:12PM)IRPT12 4-10
Figure 4.2-3. Panoramic view of mouth of Lisbon Canyon, looking west, showing proposed sites of
Sentinel No. 1 Pit (left foreground) and temporary
diversion structure (along canyon wall in middleground).
-
\.>
For comparison with other area projects, environments. In summary, such
groundwater used for processing at the Rio radionuclide effects are expected to be
Algom Lisbon Mine to the north of the minimal on surface soils, sediments, and
project site contains radionuclide groundwater downstream of the haul roads
concentrations up to 40,000 pCiII in Lisbon Canyon, and to therefore have
(Gochnour 1996b). Use of the shallow little or no effect on vegetation and wildlife
aquifer groundwater for dust suppression in that vicinity.
could potentially lead to temporary
exposures to natuJ:ally occurring Potential. Impacts to Surface Water and
radionuclides such as radon. However, Groundwater Quality
modeling of the potential radon exposure
(Cornish 1996) shows that exposure to Existing water quality in the shallow
workers from the application of aquifer is generally poor, with elevated
groundwater to roads for dust control concentrations of certain metals, sulfate,
would be on the order of 20 times less than and IDS. Potential adverse impacts to
the occupational dose limit of 5 REM. groundwater quality would be expected to
Exposure to the general public using the be limited because of the closed water-
roads in the project area would be processing systems proposed, spill
substantially less. Therefore, it is expected mitigation measures committed to by the
that no health hazard would occur to applicant, and the low acid:'generating
workers or the general public from the use potential of the rock materials.
of groundwater for dust control.
No potential impacts to groundwater
Potential impacts to surface water quality or quantity would be expected in
drainages and groundwater from use of the deeper aquifer in the Navajo
groundwater for dust control are also Formation. The ore to be mined for this
related to naturally elevated concentrations project is contained within the Dakota and
of radionuclides in the groundwater. Burro Canyon Formations. Mining in the
Stormwater runoff of sediment-laden water proposed pits would extend only to the
could transport the radionuclides (bound to base of the Burro Canyon Formation,
the sediments) to surface water drainages which is several hundred feet above the top
and then down those drainages. Infiltration of the deeper aquifer.
of radionuclide contaminated dust control
water into surficial soil could result in Surface water flow is ephemeral, occurring
transport of radionuclides to groundwater. in on-site drainages only during and
However, transport of radionuclides immediately after storm events. There is
through the vadose zone to groundwater is limited use of surface water in the project
unlikely to occur due to the low mobility of area, and aquatic organisms are lacking in
radionuclides in soll. Radionuclides have a the drainages. Potential impacts to surface
high affinity for adsorption to soil particles water quality can occur as a result of leach
and generally can only move in the pad liner or containment failure, or runoff
subsurface via colloidal processes, which of water from waste rock piles. The
are not generally effective in transporting potential for these impacts to surface water
contaminants in most subsurface quality to occur is low because the leach
~'R3.4 5I15196(9:12PM)/RPTJ2 4-12
pad liner and containment systems are The ultimate diversion of Lisbon Valley
designed to minimize the potential for surface water flows into the Sentinel No.1
failure, and waste rock piles' will be Pit following mining activities would result
designed to minimize the potential for in the elimination of ephemeral surface.
surface water run-on to or runoff from the water flow from Lisbon Valley into Lisbon
waste piles. Canyon (again, see Figure 4.2-3). The
quantity of natural ephemeral surface water
Results of acid-base accounting tests reveal flows down Mcintyre Canyon would not
that 21 percent of the samples tested be affected, and would continue
(which represent about 10 percent of the throughout and following mining activities.
total volume of waste rock to be placed in
the dumps) were potentially acid- The diversion of ephemeral surface water
generating (see Section 4.3.2). Generation flow from Lisbon Valley into the Sentinel
of acid could mobilize certain metals from Pit following mining activities would not
the dumps. However, results of Method result in a significant reduction in flows
1312 Synthetic Precipitation Leaching within the Dolores River because the
Procedure tests (McClelland Laboratories, quantity of diverted surface flow is
Inc. 1996), which used sulfuric acid to insignificant compared to the quantity of
simulate geochemical conditions that can flow in the Dolores River. Based on
develop in mine wastes exposed to the infonnation • obtained from the U.S.
environment, indicate that only aluminum Geological Survey (USGS 1992), the
and iron would be leachable from the mine average annual discharge in the Dolores
wastes. Accordingly, the runoff could RiveI' at the point where it intersects
potentially stain drainages with iron Coyote Wash (where the Lisbon Valley
compounds, and perhaps have impacts on surface flow would have entered the
vegetation, but would not cause any Dolores River in the absence of mining) is
substantial impact. about 209,950 acre-ftlyear. The quantity
of ephemeral surface water flow from
Potential Impacts to Water Uses Lisbon Valley that would be diverted into
the Sentinel Pit at the conclusion of mining
Currently, limited beneficial uses exist for is 177 acre-ftlyear. An annual probability-
water resources in the project area. Surface weighted runoff approach was used which
waters in the Lower Lisbon Valley area are established the annual runoff volume of
occasionally impounded and used for 0.35 inches applied to a drainage basin·area
livestock watering by several ranchers of 9.5 square miles resulting in 177 acre-
(Section 4.8). Because of restricted feet (Adrian Brown Consultants 1996).
access, the Proposed Action would This annual volume of 177 acre/ftlyear
temporarily reduce the availability of water represents about 0.08 percent of the
for grazing purposes in the immediate area discharge in the Dolores River.
of the mining operations, but ephemeral
su:rface water could be impounded
elsewhere in the valley.
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NOTE: FINAL WATER lEVEl ELEVATIONS IN TABLE ARE HIGHER THAN THOSE SHOWN ON CHART
SINCE CHART ONlY PROJECTS TO YEAR 20; WATER lEVaS WIlL CONTINUE TO RISE
SLOWlY OVER TIME.
. Figure 4.2-5 Existing erosion and downcutting in vicinity of the proposed leach pad and
facility area, just upstr~ from the mouth of Lisbon Canyon.
4-18
Figure 4.2-6 Current condition of GTO Pit (the deepest historic pit in the area) with
evaporites from flow off bench area shown as lighter-colored material in pit
bottom.
239961R3.4511SI96(9:12PM)JRPT12 4-21
head of the percolating leach pad solutions, Canyon would be unaffected by the
further minimizing the potential for diversion structure at the Sentinel Pit.
seepage through the liner system. The
diversion ditches and pond system would To reduce the potential for increased
be engineered to contain the design storm sedimentation to surface water courses
of 3.4 inches of precipitation in 24 hours. along the proposed power line, installation
The leak detection system would be would be performed from existing
monitored to detect leakage from the roadways, trails, seismic tracks, and the '
, storage ponds. Reclamation of waste piles right-of way. Neither the access nor right-
and other exposed surfaces would proceed of-way would be bladed.' Trucks would be
throughout the project as feasible and at towed to the pole positions by backhoe if
the end of mining. Waste rock dumps they could not be driven there.
would be contoured to prevent water from
ponding on them, thus reducing the To address the potential for spills of fuels
infiltration of water into the dumps. This and hazardous materials, a spill prevention
would reduce the potential production of plan would be prepared in conjunction with
acid drainage from them. Reclamation federal, state, and local officials. This 'plan
procedures are descnbed in Sections would detail the procedures for storage
2.2.11.1 and 2.2.1 1.2. These measures and use of hazardous materials, fuels, and
would reduce potential impacts to surface process solutions. The vehicle maintenance
water and groundwater resources resulting shop would be constructed with a waste
from release ofleaching fluids or migration sump to contain spills of fuels and solvents
of acid runoff to the environment. used.
Mitigation measures for this alternative This alternative would selectively handle
would be similar to those for the Proposed waste rock so as to minimize the potential
Action. Backfilling of the pits could itself for acid production and leaching of metals
be considered a mitigation measure as the from the waste dumps. Acid-generating
quantity of materials in the waste dumps lithologies would be identified and handled
would be reduced and acid generation from in the ways described in Section 2.3.4.
the materials exposed in the pit walls may
be· reduced. ' 4.2.6.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts
-
• Increased exposure of surface soil Rock Outcrop-Rizno complex soil series
materials to accelerated erosion and (Figure 3.4-1). Most of the Centennial pit
loss of soil material lays within the Dumps-Pits complex which
• Increased volumes of surface runoff was disturbed during previous mining
resulting in rill and gully activities and never reclaimed. The
development Barnum and Cabona soils, in particular,
• Soil compaction and rutting from would provide .good cover soil material for
heavy equipment traffic reclamation activities.
• Reduced soil productivity as a
result of decreased biological Soil Quantity
activity and reduced organic matter
Salvage of the A and B horizons of soils
Such adverse impacts would likely result (not including rock outcrop complexes) in
from the clearing of vegetation, and' the areas of the proposed leach pad, pits,
excavation, salvage, stockpiling, .and waste rock dumps, and process facilities
redistribution of soils during construction would provide approximately 1,462,216
and reclamation activities. Blading or cubic yards of soil material that would be
excavation of areas to achieve desired stockpiled and later used for reclamation
grades can also result in slope steepening activities. This· volume of material is
of exposed soils in cuts and fills, mixing of enough to cover all disturbed areas (except
topsoil and subsoil materials, and the the open pits) with approximately 12.6
breakdown of soil aggregates into loose inches of fair to good cover soil. (Cover
particles. Soil structural aggregates can soil is a combination of topsoil and subsoil
also be broken down by compaction from material capable of supporting vegetation.)
vehicular traffic.
Redistribution of approximately 12 inches
The absence of vegetative cover, of cover soil would provide an adequate
steepening of slopes, and the breakdown of growth medium. for. plants' on disturbed
aggregates' would result in an increased areas at closure. The material that would
potential for both sheet and channelized be salvaged contains adequate organic
runoff and accelerated soil erosion, rill and matter and has suitable physical
gully formation, and increased characteristics such as sufficient soil fines
sedimentation. The combined effect of to hold moisture and nutrients.
these impacts would be the increased
difficulty in achieving successful The proposed reclamation plan does not
reclamation or the failure of reclamation include details for the salvage of cover soil
efforts. material (e~g. quantity to be salvaged) nor
specific measures to maintain the
Implementation of the Proposed Action productivity of the soils (e.g. revegetation
would result in the disturbance and of the stockpiled material) to be used for
alteration of .1,103 acres of native soils reclamation,. however, a sufficient quantity
during construction and development of good quality material is available.
activities. The majority of disturbance
would occur in the Barnum, Cabona, and
239951R3.4 SIISI96(9:12PM)lRPTI2 4-31
Erosion Control reestablish the original stream profile.
Sedimentation produced by this process
Most of the soils that would be disturbed would not affect Lisbon Canyon because
under the Proposed Action are moderately all of the sediment would be transported
susceptible to water erosion and highly into the pit.
susceptible to wind erosion when the
vegetative cover is removed. Construction Under the Proposed Action, final
of the leach pad, process facilities, waste reclamation includes grading slopes of the
rock dumps, access roads, and the open waste rock piles and the heap leach to a
pits would include the removal of 2.5: 1 slope. These relatively steep slopes
vegetation and excavation and stockpiling also increase the potential for soil erosion
of soil material. These activities would on approximately 772 acres (acreage
result in increased soil exposure, adjusted to include slopes).
sedimentation mixing of soil horizons, soil
compaction, loss of topsoil productivity, Summo's committed mitigation measures
and increased suscepnoility of the soil to include installation of erosion control
wind and ,~er erosion. Soil compaction structures during site preparation and
caused by equipment traffic may decrease prompt reclamation of disturbed areas not
infiltration and water storage capacity, needed for the life of the mine.
increase runo:f:l; and reduce soil Additionally, disturbed sites would be
productivity. Rill and gully development contoured to minimize erosion and provide
could be also expected where surface adequate drainage. Again, the proposed
water runoff is channelized such as in reclamation.. plan lacks specific details for
ditches along roads or in surface water installation of erosion control structures,
diversion ditches around the facilities. An however, the rigorous application of
example of this type of erosion is shown in erosion control measures including the use
Figure 4.2-5. of rock check dams, silt fences, and bales
of straw for temporary erosion control
Additionally, during operations, surface would reduce the potential for soil erosion
water flows from three drainages upstream and sedimentation in Lisbon Valley and
of Sentinel Pit 1 would be routed around Lisbon Canyon. Erosion from newly
the pit to maintain natural storm flows into disturbed areas may not be reduced by 50
Lisbon Canyon (Figure 3.5-2) from Lisbon percent after one year and by 75 percent
Valley. However, as discussed in Section after five years without additional
4.2.2.1, ephemeral surface flows from the mitigation measures.
three drainages would be diverted into the
Sentinel Pit at the conclusion of mining Reclamation Effectiveness
operations rather than maintaining the
diversion ditch around the pit. As a result, Final reclamation activities would include
during and following storm events, it is regrading surfaces to minimize erosion and
expected that accelerated erosion and provide adequate drainage, ripping
downcutting would occur upstream in all compacted soils, and application of
three drainages forming gullies andlor fertilizer, if necessary, prior to reseeding
canyons as the stream attempts to disturbed sites. These measures would
2399&'R3.4 Sl15196(9:12PM)IRPT12 4-32
provide a more hospitable seedbed and vegetation due to the reduced potential
enhance revegetation efforts. Incorporation for capturing runoff than the relatively
of information developed from the field level valley floor existing at present.
studies (e.g., optimal species mix, and This could result in reduced vegetative
fertilizer and mulching requirements) cover with lower productivity than the
would also contribute to successful predisturbance conditions of the native
revegetation efforts. Reclaimed areas plant communities. Soil erosion rates
would be monitored and retreated, if would be higher on these areas, with
necessary, for at least two·years. lower densities of plants, and the
potential for establishing vegetation
Under the Proposed Action, factors that would be progressively reduced as
hinder the potential for successful erosion increases.
reclamation and a return of the site to
predisturbance conditions include the Thus, even though there is an adequate
following: quantity of good quality cover soil material
available, with the potential for increased
• About 9 million tons (or approximately erosion and an anticipated modest success
10 percent of all of the waste material) of revegetation efforts, successful
of potentially acid generating material reclamation within 3 to 5 years of closure
would be placed indiscriminately in the may not be possible.
waste rock dumps. Though most of
the material in the waste rock dumps Under the Proposed Action, 85 acres of
would be acid neutralizing, as noted in existing disturbance would either be
Section 4.3.1 localized areas of acid incorporated into the new pits .or
generating material distributed reclaimed. The 231 acres of open pits
throughout the dumps could result in would be left unreclaimed except for the
acidic conditions in the coversoil haul roads that would access the pit
material placed over the dumps for bottom would be scarified, covered with
. reclamation. Due to plant intolerance soil, seeded, and fertilized~ if necessary.
for acidic soil conditions, phytotoxic
impacts to vegetation could occur, and 4.4.2.2 Recommended Mitigation
the susceptibility of the cover soil to
accelerated erosion would increase as . The following erosion control,
the vegetative cover died back. revegetation, and mitigation measures are
recommended to increase the potential for
Alternatively, a high pH of the waste successful reclamation of sites that would
rock piles would not be expected to be disturbed through implementation of the
affect the cover soil material or Proposed Action. Additionally, the
reclamation efforts because soils in the following mitigation measures would
area naturally have a pH of7.9 to 9. o. minimize impacts to the soils resource.
• The 2.5: 1 slopes of the waste rock • All potentially acid generating
dumps and the leach pad would have waste material should be placed in
less potential for successful re- the center of the waste piles to
239961R3.4 snS196(9:12 PM)lRPTI2 4-33
","
prevent acidification of the cover maintained in functional condition
soil and potential phytotoxic throughout the duration of the
impacts to vegetation. project
• Mitigation measures that are • The excavation of cover soil
recommended in Section 4.2.2.2 to material should be limited to the A
prevent accelerated erosion in the and B horizons; substrate material
three drainages upstream· from is not, likely to provide suitable
Sentinel Pit 1 are re-emphasized reclamation material and cover soil '
and also recommended here. material' should be handled
• Erosion and sedimentation control separately from substrate materials
measures and structures should be to preclude mixing of the materials
installed on all disturbed areas. • Reclamation of the four waste rock
Soil erosion control should be piles should include covering them
accomplished on sites in highly with 3-4 feet of compacted subsoils
erosive soils, sites where surface or overburden material containing
runoff would be channelized, and at least 65 percent fines, prior to
steep areas with mulching, netting, the replacement of 12 inches of
tackifiers, hydromulch, or matting. covers oil. This would provide an
The type of control measure should adequate rooting depth and
depend on slope gradients and the enhance the potential for successful
susceptibility of soil to wind and reclamation.
water erosion (Table 3.4-1). • Stockpiled soil salvaged for
• Runoff discharged from water bars reclamation purposes should be
or diversion ditches should be seeded with a prescribed seed
directed into undisturbed mixture (Section 4.5.2.2), and
vegetation away from natural covered with mulch for protection
drainages to minimize rill and gully from wind and water erosion and to
development discourage the invasion of weeds
• Install water bars' on all slopes • Redistribution of a minimum of
exceeding 25 feet long and 12 inches of cover soil would
10 perCent gradient provide an adequate plant growth
• Minimize, where feasible, slope medium and enhance the potential
angles to enhance retention of for reclamation success
topsoil and reduce erosion • Keep project area fenced until
• On slopes with angles of 2.5:1, 10 reclamation is complete
to IS foot wide benches should be
constructed at least every 30 to 40 4.4.3 No Action Alternative
feet with adequate erosion control
structures constructed along slopes 4.4.3.1 Impacts
in between the benches to intercept
runoff Under this alternative, there would be no
• All runoff and erosion control new disturbance and, therefore, no impacts
structures should be inspected to soils resources. Existing conditions, as
periodically, cleaned out, and discussed in 3.4 would remain the same,
4-34
including 85 acres of existing disturbance Implementation of this alternative would
that would not be reclaimed. . shift impacts from the Barnum soil series to
the Rock Outcrop-Rizno series (Figure
4.4.4 Open Pit Backiilling 3.4-1). This would result in a loss of
Alternative approximately 18,800 cubic yards of
suitable coversoil material that would not
4.4.4.1 Impacts be salvaged in the vicinity of Waste Dump
D. Material in the vicinity of the
Impacts to soils would. be as described alternative waste dump location is rated
under the Proposed Action except the open poor to unsuitable for reclamation material
pits would be either partially backfilled or due to a combination of large rock
completely backfilled. Waste rock would outcrops and very shallow soils. The
have to be stored at the proposed dump volume of salvaged material' would be
facilities for a time, until successive mining enough to cover all disturbed areas (except
of the pits is completed and the stored the open pits) with approximately 11.7
waste material is placed in the mined-out inches of cover soil material. All other
pits. impacts would be the same as .the
Proposed Action.
Implementation of Alternative 1 would
require slightly less coversoil material for 4.4.5.2 Recommended Mitigation
reclamation of the waste dumps and the
volume of cover soil material available for Recommended mitigation would be the
reclamation would only be enough to cover same as discussed in Section 4.4.2.2 for the'
all disturbed areas, including the pits, with Proposed Action.
9.9 inches of fair to good cover soil. An
additional 402,494 cubic yards of material 4.4.6 Waste Rock Selective Handling
would be needed for reclamation of the Alternative
pits.
4.4.6.1 Impacts
4.4.4.2 Recommended Mitigation
Implementation of this alternative would
Recommended mitigation would be the require selectively placing acid generating
same as discussed in Section 4.4.2.2 for the rock throughout the waste dumps and
Proposed Action. covering this material with acid
neutralizing rocks.
4.4.5 Facility Layout Alternative
Implementation of this alternative would
4.4.5.1 Impacts eliminate the potential acidification of the
cover soil material and phytotoxic impacts
Impacts from construction and operation to vegetation and subsequent increased
activities would be the same as described erosion, as discussed under the Proposed
for the Proposed Action. Action. All other impacts would be the
same as the Proposed Action.
Summo's proposed Inlt1gation for Due to the structure of the subsoils of the
disturbances along the power line route waste dumps, there may not be adequate
include scattering limbs and trees, raking rooting depth for some .native perennial
or harrowing, and reseeding where needed. plant species and the reclamation would
Seed mixes would include grass, forb, and result in a lower plant density and lower
shrub species to be determined by each productivity on 449 acres than the
land owner or manager. predisturbance conditions of the native
plant communities. Annual plant species,
During the 10 years of mining operations such as cheatgrass, would increase in these
when the heap leach pad is in operation, areas. Soil erosion rates would be higher
when the waste rock dump areas are being on these areas resulting in lower densities
used, and when the haul roads are in use; of perennial plants. The potential for
there would be no perennial vegetation establishing native perennial vegetation
growing on 1,039 acres (64 acres along the would be progressively reduced as erosion
powerline route wo!J1d be revegetated increases. Many of these areas would be
immediately following construction). along the slopes of the reclaimed waste
,Concurrent reclamation of disturbed sites dump and heap leach pad areas.
no longer needed for operations would
reduce the total number of acres to be Following mining operations, the pits
reclaimed at closure. would be left open. Approximately 231
acres of PI and SB communities would be
lost. As overbuFden sloughs from the pit
23996IRS.4 S/IS/95(9:12PM)/RPT12 4-37
TABLE 4.5-1
C!:!mmynin T~p~
Facility Total Pinyon- Sagebrush Grassland! Previously
Acreage Junil!er Rangeland Disturbed
Open Pits
Sentinel #1 38 10 21 0 7
Sentinel #2 9 7 2 0 0
Centennial 116 0 68 0 48
GTO 68 0 43 0 25
Waste Dumps
DumpD 55 5 50 0 0
DumpC 118 98 20 0 0
DumpB 90 46 39 0 5
Dump A 186 54 132 0 0
Leach Pad Area 266 0 0 266 0
Process Area and Facilities 21 0 0 21 0
Miscellaneous
Haul Roads 33 15 15 3 0
Topsoil Stockpiles 39 29 0 0 0
69-kV Powerline 64 32 32 0 0
Totals 1:103 296 432 290 85
~s, ~ual plant species, such as years for grasses and forbs, 15-20 years for
cheatgrass, would grow on the slopes. shrubs, and 80-100 years for trees.
Plants such as Indian ricegrass, rubber
rabbitbrusb, and sagebrush would grow on Plant species used for revegetation are
some of the more stable slopes. selected for their ability to become quickly
established, provide a stable surface, and
In the short-term, there would be a loss of support a self-perpetuating community.
plant diversity on all reclaimed sites and These species are used to control erosion,
the total number of species would be maximize productivity and canopy cover,
substantially reduced. Over the long-term, and create a suitable environment for
most species could be expected to reinvade natural plant succession rather than
the disturbance areas, though it can take reestablish diversity.
centuries before the original diversity of a
site is returned to predisturbance levels. The use of non-native species, such as
However. even when diversity is lost. crested wheatgrass and yellow sweet
reclaimed communities can achieve clover, in the seed mix could supplement
comparable cover and productivity in 3-5 the native species and increase the
23996'R3.4 SnS/Sl5(9:12PM)IRPT12 4-38
potential for establishing perennial plant non-native species of wheatgrass, and
species during the reclamation of this these species have not precluded native
project. Crested wheatgrass and alfalfa perennial plants.
were seeded in some areas of Lisbon
Valley during the 1960's and 1970's when 4.5~2.2 Recommended Mitigation
railing sagebrush and chaining stands of
pinyon - juniper. Crested wheatgrass has All potentially acid generating waste
been established in many areas of Lisbon .material should be placed in the center of
Valley, including portions of the project the waste dumps and away from the tops
area. Yellow sweet clover is non-native and edges to prevent acidification of the
species that has spread throughout San cover soil material and potential phytotoxic
Juan and Grand Counties. Many times, impacts to vegetation.
even when not included in the seed mix,
yellow sweet clover has been one of the Although the BLM has policies for using
first species to become established on native plant species when possible, the use
surface disturbances. Yellow sweet clover of non-native species would improve the
and alfalfa provide nitrogen fixing potential for establishing perennial plant
properties which would improve the species and displacing undesirable, non-
potential for establishing other plant native annual species such as cheatgrass.
species. Although the BLM has policies The use of non-native species can also
for using native plant species, crested maximize available precipitation, become
wheatgrass and yellow sweet clover have quickly established to minimize erosion,
been previously established in the proposed and improve the potential for establishing
project area. Indian ricegrass is established other species. The following seed mixture
in many of the areas of northern Lisbon is recommended to stabilize top soil
Valley that were chained and seeded with stockpiles and other surface disturbances:
crested wheatgrass, which would indicate
that the crested wheatgrass did not Indian ricegrass 3 pounds/acre
eliminate ·the opportunities for native Crested wheatgrass 3 pounds/acre
Indian ricegrass. Tall wheatgrass 2 pounds/acre
Fourwing saltbush 2 pounds/acre
The use of crested wheatgrass, Bitterbrush 1 pound/acre
intermediate wheatgrass, tall wheatgrass, Yellow sweet clover 112 pound/acre
alfalfa, and yellow sweet clover has been
successful on reclamation projects for oil This seed mixture is a drill seeding rate and
field and mining projects in the UNOCAL would have to be doubled if broadcast
area. Some of these projects included the seeded. This mixture would be modified if
stabilization of poorly developed sqils the proposed test plots provide information
along rocky slopes of pinyon-juniper areas. that different species or quantities of seed
The wheatgrass and alfalfa have remained would improve reclamation results.
in the reclaimed areas, and they have not
expanded into the undisturbed native plant Additionally, to get better shrub re-
commurutIes. These species have been establishment, BLM may require that some.
successful in competing with undesirable
2399600.4 5/15/96(9:12 PM)lRPTI2 4-39
shrub seedlings be planted in conjunction decrease the extent of the waste dumps,
with reseeding efforts. but not eliminate the need 'for them.
Scenario 2 entails complete backfilling of
The authorized officer of BLM will inspect the open pits. This would eliminate waste
public land portions of the power line route dump C to the southeast of the Sentinel
after construction to determine the Pits completely and following the closure
required rehabilitation measures. of the pits, the disturbed areas would be
Rehabilitation will include those measures revegetated. Scenario 1 would not be
identified·· and deemed necessary by the further discussed in these sections since the
authorized officer to ensure successful size of the waste rock piles would be
mitigation of the impacts from the decreased but they would not be eliminated
construction operations. Rehabilitation and the open pits would not be eliminated.
measures will include the following The following discussion centers upon
teclmiques when necessary: Scenario 2.
239961R3.4S/lSI96(9:12PM)lRPTI2 4-41
TABLE 4.5-2
C2 mm ll ni n: Typ~
Facility Total Pinyon- Sagebrush Grassland! Previously
Acreage Juniper Rangeland Disturbed
Open Pits
Senfutel #1 38 10 21 0 7
Senttnel#2 9 7 2 0 0
Centennial 116 0 68 0 48
GTO 68 0 43 0 25
Waste Dumps
DwnpD 0 0 0 0 0
Dump C 168 143 25 0 0
DumpB 90 46 39 0 5
DwnpA 186 54 132 0 16
Leach Pad Area 266 0 0 266 0
Process Area and Facilities 21 0 0 21 0
Miscellaneous
Haul Roads 33 15 15 3 0
Topsoil Stockpiles 39 39 0 0 0
69-kV Powerline 64 32 32 0 0
Totals 1098 346 377 290 85
and presented in detail for the proposed dogs, as well as small rodents and
a~on alternative, and referenced in the passerines. Prairie dog towns are a
following alternatives. favored habitat for the burrowing owl and
the black-footed ferret (USFWS 1989;
4.6.2.1 Impacts Terres 1980), both sensitive species.
Although no burrowing owls have been
As identified in Section 4.5.2, it is found, spring surveys will be conducted to
anticipated that a total of 1,103 acres confirm the presence or absence of the
would be disturbed under the proposed species in these areas. No black-footed
action. No habitat for special status ferrets have been identified within the area
species has been identified. However, the of project influence, and no additional
disturbance of these acres would certainly surveys are planned, with the approval of
impact the small mammal and avian the wildlife agencies (Williams 1996).
populations that currently inhabit the area.
According to BLM records (Thompson
The location that is designated to be 1995), a drought in 198911990 caused the
impacted by the leach pad (257 acres),. is dispersal of the prairie dogs, up and down .
currently occupied by Gunnison's prairie Lisbon Valley. Wmter surveys early in
2m&R3.4 SIISJ96(9:11 PM}'RPT12 4-42
1996 confirmed the presence of this mammals, but no plans are in place for
species in the northern and southern deterrents to the avian communities.
reaches of the valley. Approximately 767
acres of occupied habitat were located The proposed heap leach pad, however,
outside of the project influence (yI-C has been designed to safeguard the ground
1996). During disturbance due to water and surface water through the
construction activities, wildlife would construction' of an impervious liner and a
disperse from the area, and settle in stormwater retention system. These .
adjacent, undisturbed areas. Regarding systems would be built to contain a 100-
Gunnis~n' s prairie dogs, and the associated yr., 24-hr storm event (Section 2.2)
faunal component ·of the community,
sufficient populations exist in contiguous Construction of all other facilities would
habitat adjacent to the leach pad area, such have a very localized impact on the
that the impacts due to this construction resident fauna, but the '837 acres to be
and operation activity are negligible in a disturbed by the construction of these
regional context, however, locally the loss facilities is minimal in relationship to the
of a 257-acre town would be substantial. vast region of similar community structure
present in the Lisbon Valley and adjacent
The construction of the leach pad would valleys. As no sensitive species have been
also eliminate two (2) small stock ponds identified in the project area, the impact to
that currently provide water for resident resident small mammal and small avian
fauna. The winter surveys (yI-C 1996) populations due to the construction of
identified a small herd of mule deer these facilities would be negligible,
(minimum size of 30 individuals) that use especially in light of the Ubiquitous
the area in the vicinity of the ponds. This distribution and the high rate of
area provides water, vegetation for reproduction that characterizes these
grazing, as well as browse species, and populations.
good edge habitat for cover with the
pinion-juniper/sagebrush interface in close The winter surveys have identified active
.proximity to the stock ponds and the winter raptors in the area. Two potentially
grassland/rangeland community in the active raptor nest sites have been identified
Woods Meadow. Although this area has within the project boundary. Raptors are
not been designated as critical habitat for susceptlole to disturbance during the
mule deer, it is obvious that a small herd breeding and nesting season. If these nests
use the area. are found during the spring surveys to be
active, construction activities and blasting
Operation of the leach pad area would' from operational activities may disturb the
provide access to acidic ponds for breeding birds. This may be evident in
passerines or migrating water fowl, and behavior ranging from the use of
other wildlife seeking water in this semi- alternative nests (outside the zone of
arid cold desert region. The areas of influence) to abandonment of a nest full of
operation woUld be fenced with a three- eggs, depending on the timing of
strand barbed wire fence, to exclude large disturbance.
If active raptor nests are found within one- 4.6.4 Open Pit Backfilling
half mile of the project area during the Alternative
spring survey, UDWR, u.s. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS), and BLM 4.6.4.1 Impacts
would be notified. Initial, start-up
construction would need to be curtailed Projected impacts to local wildlife are
within a one-half mile radius of the nest similar to those presented in the proposed
during nesting season of the appropriate action alternative. Primary differences lie
species (projected to be April 15 through in the amount of habitat impacted. These
July 10). If alternate nests for these birds differences are outlined in Section 4.5.4 of
are found within the local region, an this document. Additionally, with the total
alternate method of mitigation would be to backfilling of the pits, the potential for
cap the nests on site, to prevent the large mammals to fall into or be trapped
initiation of usage' with the potential for inside of a pit is eliminated. Partial
interruption, causing the individuals to use backfilling would cause some hazards to
one of the alternate nests. remain.
:J.llb
TABLE 4.7-1
would have little impact on the overall or resource management objectives for
management of the allotment. The either allotment. The loss of 2-5 AUMs
temporary loss of 28.9 AUMs in the within the project area would be absorbed
Lisbon Allotment would be less than 1 by grazing other portions of these
percent of the total AUMs and would not allo~ents.
affect the grazing of the allotment.
This temporary loss would be for the
There would be a permanent loss of 1.9 length of the project since Summo
AUMs in the Lisbon Allotment and 5.3 proposes to fence the entire site. Thus,
AUMs in the Lower Lisbon Allotment. this temporary loss would be for at least 13
The permanent loss of 2-5 AUMs would years:
be difficult to measure due to the size of
the allotments; but these losses, after • 10 years for mining operations,
reclamation, would not affect the • approximately one year for final
implementation of future grazing schedules reclamation
23996/RS.4 SIlSl*(9:1l PM)/RPT12 4-48
• at least two years to allow 4.7.4 Open Pit Backlilling
sufficient vegetative growth to Alternative
establish on reclaimed areas (e.g.,
waste dumps) before grazing would 4.7.4.1 Impacts
resume.
Two scenarios are identified in Section
Second, Summors proposed operations 2.3.2 for pit backfilling: partial and
would result in the permanent loss of complete. Environmental impacts to cattle
grazing areas after cessation of active grazing from these two scenarios are
mining operations. Summo does not addressed below.
propose to reclaim any of the four mine
pits, but would reclaim the remaining Scenario 1 - The environmental impacts to
facilities. As such, a permanent loss of cattle grazing from implementing the
about 7.2 AUMs would result from not partial backfilling scenario would be
. backfilling and reclaiming the Sentinels, comparable to the environmental impacts
Centennial and GTO Pits (Table 4.7-3). of the Proposed Action, as discussed in
Section 4.7.1. Cattle grazing of the
Finally, Summors proposed fencing would reclaimed pit floor should be considered
block normal movement of livestock non-existent ·because of the physical
between two grazing areas. That is, the barriers that Summo would install to bar
fencing would restrict trailing that access to the pit floor. Thus, approximately
currently occurs to gain access by cattle to 71.6 ADM's (Table 4.7-2) would be
other portions of the Lisbon Allotment and temporarily lost for at least 13 years and
to gain access to the Lower Lisbon 7.2 AUMs (Table 4.7-3) would be
Allotment. permanently lost under the partial
backfilling scenario.
4.7.2.2 Recommended Mitigation
Scenario 2 - Environmental impacts to
Summo has proposed to implement its livestock grazing as a result of
operations in a way that minimizes impacts implementing the complete backfilling
to livestock grazing to the extent possible. scenario would occur only during Summors
For example, the waste dumps and haul operations. Approximately 71.6 AUMrs
roads would be reseeded with species would be temporarily lost for about 13
compatible to cattle grazing. In addition, years, as detailed in Section 4.7.1.1, no
the pits would be blocked off during final AUM's would be lost after final
reclamation to minimize access. As such, reclamation since the site would be
no mitigation is recommended. completely reclaimed. Thus,
implementation of this alternative would
4.7.3 No Action Alternative have a net gain over the Proposed Action
of 7.2 AUMs (i.e., no permanent grazing
There would be no impact to livestock .loss would occur from completely
grazing under the No Action Alternative. backfilling the pits).
In addition, the existing approximate 85
acre disturbance associated with prior
development would remain.
239961R3.4 5/15f95(9:34PM)lRPTI2 4-49
TABLE 4.7-3
PERMANENT GRAZING LOSS
As the mine would enter different stages of There are many skilled workers within
production, actual hourly mining Grand and San Juan counties who could
employment would vary. During the initial staff the project. The decline of the mining
two years of production, hourly mining industry in the early to mid-1980s, fQrced
jobs would number about 46 positions. The many miners to leave the study 'area in
.number of hourly labor mine openings search of work. The trade and-s.~~ce
would increase over the following years of sectors in Monticello and primarily Moab,
the project. During the third year, an however, absorbed a large percentage of
additional 15 positions would open, the remaining former miners. Local
increasing the hourly mining staff total to workers who have mining experience or
61 employees. The third and fourth possess the skills needed to mine would
phases, or Years 4 and 5 and 6 through 10, likely leave the typically lower paying trade
would utilize an estimated 72 and 79 and. service positions for the higher wage
hourly mining workers, respectively. After job opportunities the mine would create.
Year 10, reclamation of the mine would This transfer of workers to mining
last up to 5 years and would employ a employment would represent a loss of less
declining number of workers until than one percent of workers from the
completion. Examples of hourly mining service and trade sectors. Given the
jobs that would be created include drillers, population growth that is projected to
driller's helpers, blasting technicians, heavy occur, the growth in the labor force should
equipment operators (loaders, graders, replace lost service and trade workers.
dozers), truck drivers, fuel and lube
servicemen, heavy equipment mechanics,
140 -1---------===
...
., 129 -1----...., C Hourly Mining Personnel
~ 100
'-
Q
e Hourly Ore Processing, SXJEW
..,~ 80 III Salary Mine Personnel
§ 60 D&w:r'Pin~ }>ersOnnel
Z 40 • Salary Administrative
29
9
y~ y~ y~ y~ y~ y~ y~ y~ y~ y~
123 456 7 8 9 ro
Phases
In addition, the imminent closure of the second to hourly mining openings in actual
Energy Fuels uranium mine just outside of positions, would payout $14,842,000 in
Blandirig would likely contribute to the payroll. Administrative and processing
number of experienced miners available to salaried positions would pay approximately
staff the project. the Energy Fuels mine is $6,400,000, and $4,380,000 would be paid
scheduled for closure in the near future and for the nnrung salaried positions
will layoff a total of approximately 70 (Gochnour & Associates 1996a).
workers. Miners have already been laid-off
and are anxiously awaiting new mining Total earnings would increase over the
opportunities (Myrick 1996). Additional operational life of the mine until Year 6,
workers could be available in communities where they would level off. until
in western Colorado, such as Dove Creek, completion of the project. Total earnings
Naturita, and 'Nucla. To the extent the in Years 1 and 2 would be about
project would be staffed by local area $4,461,000 each year. Due to increases in
workers, the project would result in a hourly mine personnel that would be
decrease in the unemployment rate, which utilized, total earnings would rise to about
would be a positive impact on the study $5,096,000 in Year 3, and then to
area economy. As described in Section $5,579,000 per year in Years 4 and 5. In
3.8.2, the unemployment rate in 1995 was Years 6 through 10, total annual earnings
6.3% in Grand County and 7.7% in San would peak at about $5,876,000.
Juan County.
During the reclamation phase, which would
Earnings last .up to five years, additional earnings
would be generated, although they would
The operation of the mine would generate decline relative to the productive phase of
an estimated $54,555,637 in payrolL Of the mine.
that total, the hourly mining labor payroll
for the full 10 years contributes 53 percent
or $28,933,632 to the mine's total payrolL
Processing hourly employment which are
239961R3.4 snS!96(9:J1 PM)JRPT12 4-53.
Local Economy employees currently live, the distribution of
earnings expenditure and the associated
The Proposed Action would have creation of new jobs is uncertain at this
numerous impacts on the local economy of time. It is assumed that many of these new
the study area, as well as the State of Utah. jobs would be created in Monticello and
The project-related creation of new jobs Moab, with the communities of La Sal and
and substantial generation of earnings Blanding also experiencing some indirect
described above would result in reduced job creation as well. In total, direct and
unemployment and increased economic indirect employment that would be created
growth in Grand and San Juan counties. due to the Proposed Action would be 141
To the extent workers would be hired from to 197 private sector jobs over the ten-year
western Colorado (e.g., Dove Creek, operational life of the project, which would
Naturita), economic benefits would be be considered a positive economic impact
experienced there as well. Economic on the study area. These new jobs
benefits would occur as a result of indirectly created by the Proposed Action
expenditure of mine-related earnings on would comprise both expansion of existing
housing, food, and goods and services businesses and creation of new businesses
provided by study area businesses. in Moab, Monticello, and elsewhere. As
Similarly, this spending activity would stated previously, this estimate does not
generate additional sales tax revenue for include mine purchases of equipment and
local cities and counties, as well as the supplies, such as fuel and pipe, which
State of Utah. Estimates of these indirect would further increase indirect employment
economic benefits that would be generated that would be created within the study
by the Proposed Action were calculated by area.
the project team using the Southeastern
Utah Region Input/Output Economic Similarly, the expenditure of mine-related
Model, created by the Governor's Office of earnings in the local economy and the
Planning and Budget. Since it is unclear at indirect creation of jobs would generate
the present time where many of the mine's additional earnings in the local economy
equipment and supply purchases would that would also be spent in the local area.
take place, the model was run using Based on the mine-related earnings
projected employment and earnings values described above, the Proposed Action
only. would indirectly generate an additional
$1,160,000 to $1,528,000'in earnings per
Based on the mine employment projections year over the life of the project which
provided above, the Proposed Action would then decline during reclamation and
would create an additional 31 to 54 new end at completion. These indirect earnings
jobs in local area communities over the life would be generated 'primarily due to the
of the project. These would primarily increased service and trade sector
consist of service and trade sector jobs, employment, but also due to increased
with a few jobs created in finance, transportation and utility employment,
insurance, and real estate, as well as construction employment, and finance,
transportation and public utilities. Since it insurance and real estate employment. In.
is unclear where all of the local project total, direct and indirect private sector
239961R3.4 5IlSI!l6(9:11 PM)/RPT12 4-54
..~
earnings that would be generated due to that a significant economic "bust" would
the Proposed Action would be $5.62 occur as a result of closure of the mine.
million to $7.40 million per year. Over the
ten year life of the project, total direct and Housing - Construction Phase
indirect earnings would be about $68.74
millio~ which would be a substantial During the estimated 10 month
economic benefit to the study area construction period, a projected 80
economy. construction workers would be hired.
Currently, Summo is fairly confident no
Assuming future exploration activities and .firms within the study area have experience
market conditions do not support with the construction of copper mines. It
additional mining in Lisbon Valley in the is likely an outside construction company
future, completion of reclamation and with such a specialty would need to· be
closure of the proposed Lisbon Valley contracted. If a company outside of the
Copper Mine would result in the loss of study area is contracted, it is likely that
employment in Grand and San Juan many of the workers possessing specialized
Counties as roughly 143 mine workers skills would also come from outside the
would be laid off. Service and trade sector local area, resulting in a temporary influx
jobs could also be indirectly lost, due to of residents. While much of the specialized
reduced spending activity by mine workers. construction workforce would be non-
This direct and indirect loss of jobs would local, some of the general construction
represent roughly a 0.2 percent loss of workers (e.g., truck drivers and heavy
employment in Grand and San Juan equipment operators) could be hired from
Counties overall. Unemployed rnme the local communities, thereby reducing
workers would have to seek· other this temporary influx of residents.
employment opportunities in the study
area. Some would find construction Temporary housing, including motel, hotel,
industry jobs, some would have to work in and bed and breakfast units, in the cities of
the lower paying service and trade sectors, Moab and Monticello and the surrounding
and others may leave the study area communities is plentiful. By early summer,
altogether to pursue employment the total number of units available between
opportunities elsewhere in Utah or in other the two cities is 1455. Including the
states. approximate total number of RV hook up
spots adding an additional 457 units, the
Based on projected ·stUdy area population total number of available temporary
and economic growth, it is very likely that housing is 1912 (Snyder 1996, Walker
the overall number of jobs in Grand and 1996). With an abundant number of
San Juan Counties will increase, despite temporary housing options, the study area
closure of the mine in roughly 15 years. would likely not feel a strain from the
Since overall employment will grow in the potential influx of as many as 80 temporary
future and mine closure would result in a construction workers ..
loss of less than one percent of jobs in
Grand and San Juan· Counties, it is unlikely
Mine Traffic Crossing Lisbon Valley In terms of the potential impact to the
Road traveling public, it is important to note that
traffic associated with public use of Lisbon
For heavy equipment operation within the Valley Road is generally very low, but
active mine area, the vast majority of varies depending on the time of year
activity would be in areas closed to the (hunting season, livestock grazing and
public and would not impact the publi~ calving activities result in increased traffic).
transportation network. However, two As described in Section 2.2.2.5, Summo
types of hauling activities would require has proposed to install stop signs at the
the crossing of Lisbon Valley Road and intersection of the haul road with Lisbon
could result in potential conflicts with the Valley Road, as well as install warning
traveling public. First, the hauling of ore signs on the county road along the
from the Sentinel #1 and #2 Pits to the ore northern and southern approaches to the
stockpile area adjacent to the crusher and intersection to alert drivers to the presence
leach pad would involve the crossing of the of the haul trucks and the need to stop.
county road during Years 1 through 7. Finally, the speed limit along the county
These trips would involve large, off-road road would also be reduced to increase
ISO-ton trucks. Based on projected ore reaction time and further reduce the
production from the Sentinel Pits, it is potential for accidents. It is also important
estimated that up to 50 roundtrips (100 to note that· the location of the proposed
crossings) per day would be required to haul road intersection is in an open area
haul the ore across the county road to the with very good sight distance. Assuming
stockpile area during Years 1 through 6, an automobile and haul truck approached
with fewer trips occurring in Year 7 as the intersection· at the same time, both
239961R3.4 5115196(9:11 PM)lRPTJ2 4-61
drivers would see the other vehicle well roughly double the volume of truck and
before reaching the intersection. automobile traffic on the local roads
serving the mine site, thereby increasing
Given the low traffic volume along the the need for maintenance on those roads.
county road, combined with modest truck Although future project activities would
traffic projected that would cross the road increase the need for maintenance on
(up to 13 crossings per hour), the potential county roads, and that maintenance may
for collisions between public vehicles and increase costs borne by the county road
mine trucks is very low. Similarly, due the district, the proposed project would result
sporadic nature of this haul traffic and low in numerous positive economic and fiscal
public traffic volumes along the county impacts on' San Juan County that would
road, it is unlikely that any appreciable likely offset any increase in county road
traffic congestion or significant traffic maintenance costs. A discussion of
delays would occur as a result of the economic and fiscal impacts associated
Proposed Action. with the Proposed Action is presented in
Section 4.8.
Accidents
4.9.2.2 Recommended Mitigation
In terms of the potential for increased
accidents along project area highways and Mitigation measures for transportation
local roads due to project-related traffic, have been described previously and consist
potential future accidents were calculated of installing stop signs, warning signs, and
based on the 1994 accident rate for study reduced speed limits for traffic using
area highways applied to estimated project Lisbon Valley Road in the vicinity of the
traffic. Accordingly, it is estimated that the haul road intersection in the proposed
Proposed Action could result in an increase mining area. These measures would reduce
of 0.88 accident per year, using peak year the potential for collisions between mine
traffic volumes. This would represent a 5.1 haul trucks crossing Lisbon Valley Road
percent increase in accidents over 1994 and public automobiles and trucks. The
levels. reduction of speed through the area would
also reduce wear and tear on the county
Road Wear and Maintenance road. In addition, the encouragement of
Requirements carpooling by mine staff could reduce the
number of commuter vehicle trips to and
The use of county roads by project from the mine site, thereby reducing traffic
workers and trucks to access the mine volumes and further reducing road wear.
development area would increase wear and
tear on those roads to some extent and 4.9.3 No Action Alternative
would increase road maintenance costs.
The San Juan County Road Department 4.9.3.1 Impacts
has responsibility for building, improving,
and maintaining these county roads. Based Under the No Action Alternative, no
on discussions with the County Road project-related automobile or truck traffic
Department, the Proposed Action would would occur. Thus, there would be no
~?O
4.10.2.2 Recommended Mitigation Action. Modifications to the layout of
waste rock dumps would not appreciably
The sulfuric acid tank and other liquid change the types and quantities of
hazardous materials, such as extractant and hazardous materials used and wastes
diluent would be stored on bermed HDPE- disposed.
lined containment pads, similar to or within
the proposed fuel storage area, to prevent 4.10.5.2 Recommended Mitigation
release of these materials into the soil and
facilitate effective clean up of spilled Recommended mitigation would be the
material. same as for the Proposed Action.
hnpacts for this alternative would be the Recommended mitigation would be the
same as those descn"bed for the Proposed same as for the Proposed Action.
Action. Backfilling of mine pits would not
appreciably change the types and quantities 4.11 CULT£J:RAL AND PALEONTO-
of hazardous materials used and wastes LOGICAL RESOURCES
disposed of
4.11.1 Methodology
4.10.4.2 Recommended Mitigation
4.11.1.1 Sensitivity Issues
Recommended mitigation would be the
same as for the Proposed Action. The public scoping process did not identifY
any issues specific to cultural or
4.10.5 FaciUty Layout Alternative . paleontological resources. Uowever, in
response to BLM's consultation with Native
4.10.5.1 Impacts American groups, representatives of the Ute
Tnbe conducted a site visit in March 1996.
hnpacts for this alternative would be the Appropriate nnt:J.gation measures were
same as those described for the Proposed identified by the tnbal representatives and the
239961R3.4 5/15196(9:11 PM)lRPTI2 4-71
Utes have planned a second visit for undetennined, or because unrecorded sites
appropriate closure of the site. Should the may occur.
BLM receive any further responses to the
request for Native American consultations, 4.11.1.3 Paleontological Resources
the infonnation will be included in the Final
EIS. Paleontological resources occur in many
geologic fo~ons. These formations can be
In general, the primary issue concerning ranked to indicate the likelihood of significant .
. cultural resources is the potential for impacts fossil occurrence (BLM 1983).
to significant prehistoric and historic sites,
and to traditional cultural properties. The • Class I areas are those that ar~
primary concern regarding paleontological known or are likely to produce
resources is the potential for impacts to abundant significant fossils that are
geological fonnations that may produce vulnerable to surface disturbing
significant fossils. activities.
• Class II areas are those that show
4.11.1.2 Cultural Resources evidence of fossils but are unlikely
to produce abundant significant
The Proposed Action would consist of fossils.
several :fucilities including open pits, waste • Class ill areas are those that are
rock dumps, ore crushing :fucilities, a heap unlikely to produce fossils.
leach pad, various stonnwater and solution
storage ponds, SXIEW plant, water Procedures that are followed to provide a
production wells with a pipeline conidor, paleontological clearance for a project are
nwnerous support :fucilities, runoff diversion driven by these classifications. A
structures, and 'a power transmission line paleontological survey prior to clearance is
from the Hatch substation to the project site. required for Class I areas. Although surveys
are not required. for, Class II or. Class ill
Impacts include complete or partial areas, mitigation measures may be taken to
destruction of any sites eligIble for or listed protect any significant fossil discoveries
on the NRHP, and in cases of standing (BLM 1983).
structures and sites that are valuable for more
than the scientific information they contain, 4.11.2 Proposed Action
visual interference. Modifications of the
surroundings of traditional cultural properties 4.11.2.1 Impacts
may also be a substantial impact
Section 106 of the National Historic
Indirect impacts such as increased collection Preservation Act requires Federal Agencies
and vandalism to sites made acce5Slble by the to take into account impacts to significant
project and erosion of sites as a consequence cultural resources prior to project approval.
of project activities are also considered The Advisory Council on Historic
adverse impacts. Unknown impacts may Preservation has set out the procedures (36
exist when the NRHP eligtbility of a site is CFR § 800) to be followed to detennine the
After the evaluation of a site, a plan best Several measures can be taken to mitigate
suited for mitigating impacts to the individual impacts. Site avoidance is preferred, followed
site or sites would be fonnu1ated in by site protection and data recovery and
consultation with the appropriate agencies analysis. Since archaeological sites are
and implemented. Mitigation in general frequently' detennined eligible to the NRHP
usually consists of three options: avoidance, under criterion (d) of36 CPR § 60.4, adverse
protection, or data recovery and analysis. effects can often be mitigated with the
implementation of a data recovery program if
Archaeological sites detennined eIigIble for impact avoidance is not feastble. It is
the NRHP are usually eligible under criterion anticipated that a combination of these
(d) of36 CFR § 60.4 (see Section 4.11.12) measures would be necessary for the
for the scientific infonnation they may Proposed Action alternative including the
contain. Direct impacts to these types of sites proposed powerline.
are usually mitigated by data recovery if they
cannot be avoided. Under the regulations of To assure that the 23 other potential historic
36 CFR § 800.9 (c), a project would be properties are avoided, their boundaries
considered to have no adverse effect to these should be established by a professional
sites if the data could be substantially archaeologist and the boundaries marked and
preserved through professional recovery and signed pennanently so that it is clear that
239961R3.4 5/15196(9:11 PM)l.RPTI2 4-73
ground disturbing activities cannot occur in sites, an archaeological avoidance plan would
these areas. The proponent's personnel be needed to detennme procedures for
should be educated about the importance of mitigating potential impacts to cultural
avoiding impacts to these areas. They should resources during the construction, operation,
also be informed of what evidence might be and maintenance of the power line. The
found that would indicate the presence of an SHPO would need to review and conrur with
undiscovered cultural resource. the plan. The plan would be prepared by the
Archaeological Consultant who completed
Ifsite42SA22947 is determined to be eligtole the field inventory and report of cultural
to the NRHP. a data recovery plan would resources along the proposed power line
need to be formulated and executed to route.
mitigate any adverse effects the Proposed
Action would have on this site. Development In order to ensure that the procedures for
of a data recovery plan would involve archaeological avoidance would be
consultation among the BLM, SHPO, implemented:
Advisory Council, and project proponent. A
research plan would be formulated using the • The BLM Right-of-Way Grant for
latest research directions and assuring the the power line would not be issued
techniques for data recovery and analysis are until the BLM and SHPO concurred
available and reasonable. Since site that the procedures in the
excavation is a physically destructive means archaeological avoidance plan were
of mitigating impacts, it is done only under adequate;
strict guidance after a comprehensive review • The BLM Right-of-Way Grant
process. this activity must be permitted by would stipulate that the procedures
the BLM under the Archaeological Resource for archaeological avoidance would
Protection Act (ARPA) of 1979, as be followed during all phases of
amended. construction, operation, maintenance,
and abandonment.
In, addition to the mitigation alternatives • There would be pre-work conference
listed above, there are other measures that with the BLM, the holder of the
may be implemented in regard to traditional Right-of-Way Grant, construction
cultural properties. These measures may contractors, and an Archaeological
include time use restrictions, landscaping and Consultant. During the pre-work
replanting, project or site blessing, or conference; each site identified in the
relocation of project elements. These archaeological avoidance plan would
measures would be employed on a situational be inspected, and avoidance
basis, depending on the type of property procedures from the plan would be
being affected, the type of impact, and the discussed.
individuals or group with an interest in the
property.
The No Action Alternative could potentially Impacts to cultural resources from the
impact cultural resources. An increase in Facility Layout Alternative would be similar
development in this area related to the to those for the Proposed Action with one
Proposed Action could potentially counter a exception. Instead of only one potentially
loss of these resources due to illegal significant cultural resource being committed
collecting and vandalism. WIthout the to data recovery there would then be :five that
Proposed Action these resources could then would have to undergo this form of
continue to be destroyed by these illegal mitigation. Under the Proposed Action
activities. The No Action Alternative could alternative only Site 42SA22947 would
also result in a loss of information that could require data recovery and analysis. Under the
come from Native American consultation and Facility Layout Alternative, not .only this site,
interpretation required under the Proposed but Sites 42SAI0270, 42SA22844,
Action. In that there are no mown 42SA22848, and 22SA22959 would also
paleontological resources in the Study Area, require data recovery and analysis.
this resource should not be impacted by the
No Action Alternative. In that there are no mown significant
paleontological resources in the ~_d'y area,
4.11.3.2 Recommended Mitigation this alternative would have no impacts on
paleontological resources.
Measures that could be undertaken to
mitigate impacts include restricting public 4.11.5.2 Recommended Mitigation
access, increasing BLM patrols, and
increasing on-site presence by local interested Recommended mitigation would be the
groups or citizens. However, these are same as for the Proposed Action.
presently 1imit:ed by available funding and
public interest. 4.11.6 Waste Rock Selective Handling
Alternative
4.11.4 Open Pit Backfilling
Alternative 4.11.6.1 Impacts
FIG. 4.14-1
TABLE 4.14-1
TABLE 4.14-2
Activities in pit have an additional control associated with wind overshadow that is not
included in the listed efficiency:
.
2
Control not accounted for in the emission inventory.
4-84
of supporting current levels of 4.16.2 Proposed Action
recreation and tourism activity
4.16.2.1 Impacts
In response to this issue and other potential
impacts to recreational resources, the Construction activities would result in
following significance criteria have been direct impacts to recreational resources
developed. These include project-related due t.o the loss of some wildlife habitat in
changes that would: the project area. Hunting opportunities
would not be eliminated, but
• Alter or otherwise physically affect implementation of the Proposed Action
established, designated, or planned would likely displace big and small game,
recreational use area or activities and hunters from locations in and around
• Decrease accessibility to areas the proposed project facilities for the life of
established, designated, or planned the mine. Other BLM lands in the vicinity
for recreational use would still provide hunting, camping and
• Affect the duration, quantity, and ATV opportunities.
quality of impact to recreational
resources The Lisbon Valley Road would remain
• Post-closure, fail to reclaim the site open to the public, but access through th~
to approximate levels of project area shown on Figure 1-2 would be
predisturbance utility and to meet restricted for the life of the project. Access
future land management goals of to recreational resources north and south
wildlife habitat and livestock of the project area would not be impacted
grazing by the proposed project.
Impacts to recreation resources would The Proposed Action would not have any
include: direct impacts on the Three Step Hill area
and should not affect Christmas tree
• Eli.inination of established harvesting or firewood collection in this
recreational resources due to the area.
proposed project
• Restriction of access to established Noise levels may indirectly affect the
recreational resources quality of recreation activities due to noise
• Impacts on the duration, quantity, from equipment used for mining and
or quality of the recreational processing activities, and truck traffic
environment or experiences throughout the project area. Noise levels
• Failure of the reclamation plan to may be a nuisance, however, they are not
meet the post-mining land use expected to exceed federal standards, as
objectives for the establishment of discussed further in Section 4.14. The
wildlife habitat and livestock aesthetic quality of surrounding recrea-
grazing. tional use areas would be reduced due to
an increase in the amount of visible land
disturbances.
Recreation impacts that would occur as a Impacts would be essentially the same as
result of construction and operation of the for the Proposed Action as would
proposed project would be reduced recommended mitigation.
through the application of the following
committed mitigation procedures: 4.17 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
SCALE IN MILES
10
Job No.: 23996
~-:-L.
SOURCE: UTAH TRAVEL COUNCIL
AG. 4.17-1
+<11 ~1
Cumulative impacts in the study area for 3. Regarding oil and gas
projects other than Summo's proposed development, the UNOCAL plant
copper mine and related facilities are near La Sal continues operations to
expected to be minor and worthy of only process gas for various pipeline
brief mention, ~th the following reasoning companies, and oil and gas
and background issues in mind: exploration (drilling), development,
production, and transnllssion
1. Potential for additional copper (pipeline) facilities are currently
mining in the ar~ is estimated to active in the project area. It is
be unlikely in the foreseeable expected that these will continue at
future, as documented in Section the current rate or slightly increase
3.1.5. (Fluctuations in mineral in importance during the next few
development related to changes in decades.
vvorld~de econonllc conditions 4. Electrical transmISSIon lines
could affect this situation, but are (powerlines); other than the
beyond the scope of this potential line to service the Summo
document.) No other applications project, are not known or planned.
have been received or are noted by table 3.13-1 shows existing land
BLM to be forthcoming for copper authorizations, includipg power-
development in the study area in lines, in the Summo project vicinity.
the next several years. Effects of 5. No other proposed roads or
past activities, such as those at the residential subdivisions of any
Big Indian Mine and the Keystone magnitude, other than the new
Pit (EPA 1992a), have been noted residents in the Summit Point area
as this study vvas prepared (also see (see Sections 3.13.2 and 4.2.2), are
Section 3.10.2). noted or planned in the study area
2. Additional uranium nrining activity ~thin 10-20 nllles of the project
in the study area is also estimated
site. Other development in the
to . be of little importance to study
Monticello area, generally unrelated
ar~ impacts in the foreseeable
to this project, is likely in the next
future. BLM field visits and
few decades.
literature reviews have noted the
6. No expansion of agricultural lands
effects of past uranium activity in
for grazing or crops, or use of new
the GTO Pit vicinity, and other
water development (e.g., these
prospects in the area. The historic
efforts to mine, process, and mine pit waters) for additional
remedial wastes from uranium irrigated agriculture is projected at
mining in the La Sal vicinity have this time.
also been noted. A geologist
contracted to Summo (Thorson It is ~th this set of reasonably foreseeable
1996c) has also assessed uranium actions in view that the following analyses
potential in the area in the planning are made, by issue, concerning cumulative
for the current Lisbon Valley impacts in the study area. This applies
copper proposal. generally to the Proposed Action, unless
otherwise noted.
~J
• Regarding geology, short-term benefit raptors in the long-term as
mining of the pits wo~d extract the perches and increased food
resource, and long-term plans to sources; habitat improvements in
leave the pits open would preserve the long-term will generally be
the option of extracting additional beneficial for wildlife, except for
mineralization at a later date should the unreclaimed pits
such become economic • Livestock grazing would
• Concernlng hydrology, short-term experience a short-term loss of
uses of ground water and surface livestock forage, and grazing would
water as noted in Section 4.18 be displaced during mining
above would affect long-term operations; livestock forage would
productive use of water in Lisbon be replaced in the long-term
Valley for other purposes; (except for the pits), and the
currently, no such uses exist or are reclamation may enhance forage
planned production
• Geochemistry issues in the short • Short-term economic benefits
and long-term primarily concern the would occur; no adverse effects on
acid and alkaline impacts discussed the long-term socioeconomic
in 4.18 above productivity of the area are
• Soils would be used in the short- predicted
term, salvaged and replaced for • In the long-term, the
reclamation in the long-term, transportation network would not
resulting in short-term disruption of be compromised if mining activities
natural soil development processes end as projected; extension of such
• Short-term losses of vegetation activities or other development in
would occur on 1,018 previously the area would likely promote
undisturbed ac, of which 872 ac improvements to the network from
would be reclaimed; plant cover increased tax funding
and productivity would return to • No effects are predicted from
pre-mining levels in 3-5 yrs for improper use of hazardous
grasslands, 15-20 yrs for materials or generation or disposal
shrublands, and 80-100 yrs for of hazardous wastes; mining wastes
trees; species diversity would would be properly controlled and
slowly increase but may take reclaimed
centuries before a return to pre- • Not applicable to cultural and
mining levels paleontological resources.
• The short-term losses of 1,018 ac • Short-term visual resources effects
of habitat for the herbivorous prey will generally diminish in the long-
base for raptors, especially from term, but the geometric shapes of
construction, would be re- the waste dumps, pad, and pits will
established in the long-term on 872 remain in the long-term even after
ac of habitat for the rodents that reclamation; under the Open Pit
inhabit this area; the powerline and Backfilling alternative; pit openings
increased road kills will generally would be partially or fully filled and
23996/'R3.4 SIlSl!l6(9:38 PM)/RPT12 4-92
reclaimed, leaving only minor visual recharge and renew over periods of
remnants there; the Facility Layout years and decades; natural surface
alternative would eliminate one drainage patterns would be
dump remnant in the long-term disrupted by project operations in
• Short-term changes in land use the facilities vicinity, perhaps never
would be restored in the long-term to be restored
except for pit acreages • The g~ochemistry of soils, water,
• No long-term air quality effects and rock in the vicinity of the .
are expected dumps and pits would likely ·be
• 'Short-term noise effects on long- irreversibly changed' in the long-
term productivity of the area would term, even though some reversal to
be minimal or nonexistent . move back towards current
• The short-term adverse effects to conditions could occur over a
recreational resources activities period of decades
would be restored in the long-term • Irreversible loss of thousands of
with successful reclamation, except years of soils development in the
for the pit areas natural state would be replaced in
part during reclamation and begin
4.20 lRREVERSmLE OR the soil development process once
lRRETRlEVABLE RESOURCE again
COMMITMENTS • Losses would occur to the pinyon-
juniper habitat (296 ac) and these
The EIS is also to identifY any irreversible are likely irreversible to the
or irretrievable commitments of resources. vegetation community, even in the
that are consumed, committed, or lost long-term; under Open Pit
during the life of the project, following the Backfilling, an additional 231 ac in
uses of the environment identified in the the pit areas would be reclaimed,
previous section. Use of resources is but 279 ac of pinyon-juniper would
required in' the extraction and beneficiation still be replaced with grass and
. of raw materials in a manner that meets the shrub species .
proponent's financial needs, and the • Loss of 231 vegetated acres in the
public's consumptive needs for copper. pits as habitat and changes to the
The following comments are given by topography of the area as the waste
resource discipline. dumps are created would be' the
major resource commitments for
• Mining of approximately wildlife
42,500,000 tons of ore during the • Loss of seasonal livestock grazing
mine life, to produce approximately as noted above for wildlife
170,000 tons of copper cathode, is • No issues are seen for
the primary geologic commitment socioeconomics here
• Use of the hydrologic resources • No losses or commitments are
noted in the previous two sections noted for transportation
is likely not irreversible or • No commitments are noted for
irretrievable, since such resources hazardous materials
239961R3.4 5/15196(9:38 PM)lRPTI2 4-93
• Loss of cultural and
paleontological resources may
occur through testing and
mitigation as recommended by the
SHPO, as this may be necessarily a
destructive process (excavation),
and not all resource knowledge or
integrity is recovered or preserved;
No Action preserves these
resources in-place
• Changes in topography are the
major irreversible commitment for
visual resources impacts
• Copper, as a land use resource,
would be irreversibly and
irretrievably committed for
extraction, beneficiation,
processing, fubrication and use
• No air quality commitments are
noted
• No noise issues are noted
• No notable resource commitments
for recreation are expected
5-2
6.0
LIST OF PREPARERS
The Lisbon Valley EIS was prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Moab
District Office, by third-party consultants Woodward-Clyde and Westec. BLM and
Woodward-Clyde/Westec personnel involved in the production of the EIS, their
qualifications, and responsibilities are presented below.
Woodward-ClvdeIWestec Team
Scott Memitz
Qualifications: B.A., Geography and History
M.A., Geography
Ph.D., Environmental Studies, Land Resources
19 years of experience
Responsibilities: Project Manager
Public Participation
EIS Scoping
Christine R. Paulsen
Qualifications: BS Forestry Management
7 years of experience
Responsibilities: Deputy Project Manager
Task Leader, Soils
Peter O'Connor
Qualifications: BS Range Ecology
13 years experience
Responsibilities: Task Leader, Grazing
Project Description and Alternatives
Daniel J. Davis
Qualifications: BS Geosciences, MS Geochemistry
9 years of experience
Responsibilities: Task Leader, Geochemistry
W. Jack Clark
Qualifications: BS Biology and CheJ?Jistry
MS EntomologylBotany
Ph.D. EntomologylW'ildlife Management
21 years of experience
Responsibilities: Task Leader, Air Resources/Noise
William. F. HilI
Qualifications: BAGeoiogy
Professional Geologist
13 years of experience
Responsibilities: Task Leader, GeologylMinerals
Christopher P. Freeman
Qualifications: BS Environmental Planning
6 years of experience
Responsibilities: Task Leader, Socioeconomics, Transportation, Hazardous
Materials
D. Richard Black
Qualifications: BS Range and Wildlife Biology
MS Community Ecology
Ph.D. Ecophysiology (currently pursuing)
11 years experience
Responsibilities: Task Leader, Vegetation, WIldlife, Sensitive Species
David K. Jones
.Qualifications: BS General Agriculture
BS Landscape Horticulture
Graduate Studies Recreation Resources, Landscape
Architecture
15 years experience
Responsibilities: Task Leader, Visuals, Recreatio~ Land Use
Bob Mutaw
Qualifications: BA Anthropology, MA Anthropology, Ph.D. Anthropology
16 years experience
Responsibilities: Task Leader, Cultural Resources
Jeff Ehrenzeller
Qualifications: BA Environmental Science
MAGeology
18 years experience
Responsibility: Senior Technical Advisor, Water Resources
William Killam
Qualifications: BA Anthropology
20 years experience
Responsibility: Senior Technical Advisor, Cultural Resources, NEPA
Robert Moran
Qualifications: BAZoology
Ph.D. Geological Sciences
25 years experience
Responsibility: Senior Technical Advisor, Geochemistry
6-4
Bruce Louthan Archeologist
.QuaIifications: BAfMA Archeology/Anthropology
23 years of experience
Responsibilities: Cultural Resources, Native American Coordination
ALLUVIUM. Soil and rock that is BIG GAME. Those species of large
deposited by flowing water. a
mammals normally managed as sport
hunting resource.
ALLOTMENT. An area of land where
one or more livestock operators graze BORE HOLE. A drill hole from the
their livestock. Allotments generally surface to an orebody.
consist of BLM lands but may also
COLLUVIUM. Fragments of rock carried
include state owned and private lands.
and deposited by gravity.
An allotment may include one or more
separate pastures. Livestock numbers COMPACTION. The process of packing
and seasons of use are specified. firmly and closely together; the state of
ALTERNATIVE. A combination of being so packed, e.g., mechanical
management prescriptions applied in compaction of soil by livestock or
vehicular activity. Soil compaction
specific amounts and locations to
results from particles being pressed
achieve a desired management
emphasis as expressed in goals and together so that the volume of the soil
objectives. One of the several policies, is reduced. It is influenced by the
plans, or projects proposed for decision physical properties of the soil, moisture
Abkowitz, M., A. Elger, and S. Srinivasan. Babbit, Bruce. Secretary of the Interior.
1984. Estimating the Release Rates and 1994. Memorandum re: U.S. Dept. of
Costs of Transporting Hazardous the Interior Environmental Justice
Waste. In Transportation of Policy, to be effective June 8, 1995.
Hazardous Materials: Planning and
Accident Analysis. Transportation Bates, Bill. 1995. Utah Division of Wildlife
Research Board. Transportation Resources. Pers. com. with R. Black,
Research Record 977. W-C. December 5.
Adrian Brown Consultants. 1996. Lisbon Black, Kevin D., James M. Copeland, and
Valley Project Hydrogeologic Investi- Steven M. Horvath, Jr. 1981. In
gation. Prepared for Summo USA Graham 1995.
Corp. (Revised) March 15.
Black, Kevin. 1996. Assistant State
Air Sciences Inc., (Air Sciences). 1995. Archaeologist - Colorado. Pers. com.
Memo from Z. Chao to J. Clark, with R Mutaw, W-C. January 27.
WESTEC concerning baseline air
quality data. December 1. Brewer, Corky. 1996. Chief: City of Moab
Fire Department. Pers. com. with D.
1996. Technical Support Gaglione, W-C. January 17.
Document for the Notice of Intent
Lisbon Valley Project. January. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). (date
unk.a). Notice of Plan of Operations,
Alverez, Jonnie. 1996. Assistant, City of UTU-69816. Submitted by Sindor, Inc.
Monticello Police Department.
Pers. com. with D. Gaglione, W-C. ____. (date unk.b), Notice of Plan of
January 17. Operations, UTU-69923. Submitted by
Sindor, Inc.
Anders, Don. 1996. Natural Resource
Conservation Service. Monticello, Utah. ___. (date unk.c), Notice of Intention
Pers. com. with C. Paulsen. W-C. to Conduct Exploration, UTU-69944.
February 8. Submitted by Sindor, Inc.
Anonymous. 1995. The Spanish Trail Cut a Bureau of Land Management. 1980.
Roundabout Path through Utah. The Visual Resource Management. Visual
History Blazer. June. Resource Management Program.
.....-_-:. 1988a The 1988 Revision of the ___" 1996a. Preparation Plan for
Lower Lisbon and East Coyote Lisbon Valley Project EIS. Moab,
Allotment Management Plan. Utah. Prepared by Woodward-Clyde
February. Consultants. January.
___. 1989. San Juan Resource ___" 1996b. Pers. com. with P.
Management Plan. Moab District, O'Connor, WESTEC and B.
Utah. ApriL Thompson, BLM regarding Lisbon
Valley Allotment. April 9.
~\\
Contract No. 68-W9-0053. 3 Copper Project and 69 kV
December. Transmission Line, San Juan County,
Utah. Metcalf Archaeological
-. 1992b.
- -Synthetic EPA Method 1312
Precipitation Leach Test for
Consultants, Inc. Eagle, Colorado.
LM! Research. 1995. Labor Market Miller, G.C., W.B. Lyons, and A Davis.
Infonnation, Second Quarter. 1996. Understanding the water quality of
pit lakes. Envr. Science & Technology.
Loutham, Bruce, BLM Archaeologist. 30(3): 118A.. 122A
1995. Pers. corn. with R. Mutaw, W-C.
November 22. Modine, Marsha. 1996. Assistant, Spanish
Valley Water District. Pers. corn. with D.
Loutham, Bruce, BLM Archaeologist. Gaglione, W-c. January 17.
1996. Pers. corn. with R. Mutaw, W-C.
January 24. Moten, L. 1996. Utah Division of
Radiation Control. Pers. corn. with D.
Loutham, Bruce, BLM Archaeologist. Nicholson, W-C. January 31.
1996. Pers. com. with R. Mutaw, W-C.
February 14. Multi-Agency Visitors Center. 1995. San
Juan County Utah! Visitors guide
McClelland Laboratories, Inc. 1995-1996. Monticello, UT. 47 pp.
(McClelland). 1994. Report on Static
AGPIANP Tests - Lisbon Valley Waste Myrick, Peggy. 1996. Utah Department of
. Rock Samples. September 20. Employment Security, Blanding, Utah.
Pers. corn. with D. Gaglione, W-c.
McClure, Rich. 1996a Natural Resource January 24.
Specialist, Bureau of Land Management.
Moab, Utah. Comments on Summo National. Academy of Sciences. 1980.
PDEIS. February 1996 version. March. Mineral Tolerance of Domestic
Animals. National Research Council,
McClure, Rich. 1996b. Natural Resource Washington, D.C.
Specialist, Bureau of Land Management.
Moab, Utah. Pers. com. with C. Paul~ National Mining Association. 1995. Facts
W-C. February 9. about Minerals. Published by National
Mining Association, Washington, D.C.
Meiiji Resource Consultants. 1980. Visual
Resource Inventory and Analysis of National Oceanic and Atmospheric
South Central Utah Regional Area. Administration (NOAA). 1973.
Prepared for U.S. Dept. of Interior Precipitation-Frequency Atlas of the .
Stokes, W. 1996. School and Institutional Terres, John K. 1980. The Audubon
Trust Lands Administration represen- SOCiety Encyclopedia of North
tative. Pers. com. with K. Baud, W-C, American Birds. Wmgs Books.
regarding state land management plans. Random House Company. New York,
Februmy 14. New York.
U.S. Geological Survey. 1992. USGS Weir, Gordon W., and Puffett, Willard, P.
Water Supply Paper. Volume 2, 1981. Incomplete Manuscript on
Colorado River Basin. Stratigraphy and Structural Geology
and Uranium-Vanadium and Copper
Utah Department of Environmental Q~ Deposits of the Lisbon Valley Area,
(DEQ): 1993. (3.2.2.3) Utah-Colorado. US Geological Survey,
Open File Report 81-39.
Utah Department of Environmental Quality
(DEQ). 1994. Standards of Quality for Welsh, J.D. and Associates, in Association
Waters of the State, Utah with Shepard Miller Inc. And hydro
Administrative Code R309-103, April Triad Ltd. 1996 Lisbon Valley Project
2, 1993. Heap Leach Facility Design Report.
Prepared for Summo USA
Utah Department of Environment Quality Corporation. February. Revised
(DEQ), Division of Water Quality. March 1996.
1995. Administrative Rules for
Groundwater Quality Protection. West, N.E. 1988. Intermountain Deserts,
R317-6, Utah Administrative Code. Shrub Steppes, and Woodlands. In:
March 20. North American Terrestrial Vegetation.
Cambridge University Press.
Utah Econ and Demographic Projections.
1994. (3.8.3) .
3/1
9.0
INDEX
Climate: 3-79,4-79,4-90,4-91,4-93,4-94
Copper Development: 3-12
Crushing Activities: 2-7
Cultural Resources: 3-66,4-71,4-89,4-91,4-92,4-94
Cumulative Impacts: 4-87
Geochemistry: 3-31,4-26,4-89,4-91,4-90,4-93
Geologic Resources: 3-2,4-89,4-90,4-92,4-93
Geologic Setting: 3-1
Geology and Geotechnical Issues: 3-1,4-1
Geotechnical Considerations: 3-7
Grazing: 3-48,4-46,4-88,4-89,4-91,4-92,4-93
Groundwater Resources: 3-18
Methodology: 4-1, 4-5, 4-26, 4-29, 4-36, 4-41, 4-46, 4-51, 4-59, 4-64, 4-71, 4-75, 4-77,
4-79,4-84,4-85
Mining Activities: 2-2
9-2
Threatened and Endangered Species (see Special Status Species)
Transportation: 2-35, 3-61, 4-59, 4-89, 4-91, 4-92, 4-93
Vegetation: 3-40,4-36,4-89,4-91,4-92,4-94
Visual Resources: 3-73,4-75,4-89,4-91,4-92,4-:94
~\
APPENDIX A
USBON VALLEY PROJECI' UNPATENTED CLAIMS
23996JR3.TS S116l96(1:S7PM)lRPTI3
APPENDIX A
LISBON VALLEY PROJECT UNPATEN1ED CLAIMS
J
BIM Serial No.
Claim Name Book/Page TwnlRge/Sec UMC
J
, BLM Serial No.
OaimName Book/Page TwnlRge/Sec TIMe
RP32 733 313 3OS/26E13 0 354551
RP33 733 314 3OS/26E13 0 354552'
RP36 733 315 3OS/26E13 0 354553
30S/25E125
RP37 733 316 3oS/26E/3 0 354554
30S/25E125
RP38 733 317 3OS/26E13 0 354555
30S/25E125
RP39 733 318 3OS/26E/3 0 354556
30S/25E125
RP40 733 319 3OS/26E13 0 354557
30S/25E125
RP41 733 320 3OS/26E13 0 354558
30S/25E125
RP42 733 321 30S/26E130 354559
30S/25EI25
RP46 733 322 30S/25E124&25 354560
RP47 733 323 30S/25E/25 354561
RP48 733 324 30S/25E125 354562
RP49 733 325 30S/25E125 354563
RP50 733 326 30S/25E125 354564
RP51 733 327 30S/25E125 354565
RP52 733 328 30S/25E125 354566
RP53 733 329 30S/25E125 354567
RP54 733 330 30S/25E125 354568
RP58 733 331 30S/25E124 354569
RP59 733 332 30S/25E124&25 354570
RP60. 733 333 30S/25E125 354571
RP61 733 334 30S/25E125 354572
RP66 733 335 30S/25E124 354573
RP67 733 336 30S/25E124&25 354574
RP74 733 337 3OS/25E123 &24 354575
RP75 733 338 30S/25E123,24 354576
25,26
Lady Buff 1 743 306 30S/25E126 356889
LadyBuff2 743 309 30S/25E126 356890
Lady Buff3 743 312 30S/25E123,26 356891
LadyBuff4 743 315 30S/25E123,26 356892
LadyBuff5 743 318 30S/25E123 356893
LadyBuff6 743 321 30S/25E122,23,26 356894
Lady Buff 7 743 324 30S/25E123 356895
Lady Buff 8 '143327 30S/25E122,23 356896
$i~
BLM Serial No.
OaimName. Book/Page Twn!Rge!S~ TIMe
Lady Buff 9 743 330 30S/25E123 356897
Lady Buff 10 743 333 30S/25E/22,23 356898
Lady Buff 11 743 336 30S/25E/23 356899
Lady Buff 12 743 339 30S/25E/22,23 356900
Lady Buff 13 743 342 30S/25E/22,23 356901
GKSI
GKS2
GKS3
GKS4
GKS5
GKS6
GKS7
GKS8
GKS9
GKSI0
GKS 11
GKS12
GKS 13
GKS14
GKS 15
GKS16
GKS17
GKS18
GKS 19
GKS20
GKS21
GKS22
GKS23
GKS24
GKS25
GKS26....
GKS27
GKS28
GKS29
GKS30
GKS31
GKS32
GKS33
~S34
GKS35
GKS36
GKS37
GKS38
GKS39
GKS40
GKS41
GKS42
GKS43
GKS44
GKS45
GKS46
GKS47
23996/R3.TS SI161!l6(1:57PM)IRPT/3
TABLE B-1
~\
TABLE B-1
B-2
TABLE B-1
~ SI1S196(4:~3PM}lR.PT/4 B-4
.131
~:
TABLE B-1
:I
TABLE B-1
336
TABLE B-1
~
TABLE B-1
These rock types are acid-genemting with net neutralization potential less than zero (i.e., NNP <
0), based on the sulfide sulfur concentmtions. All of these acid-generating samples are coal, coal-
bearing. or associated with or adjacent to coal units.
:2
Tons of calcium carbonate needed to neutralize 1000 tons of material.
3
Tons of calcium carbonate available to neutra1ize 1000 tons of material.
Ratios less than 1 «1.00) indicates potential for acid genemtion ratio greater than 1 (> 1.00) indicates
potential to neutra1ize acid. Ratios greater than 3 (> 3:00) indicates strong potential to neutralize acid.
B-8