2016-01-20_PERMIT FILE - P2015021

• Permit No: P2015021
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 1/20/2016
• Doc Name: Request for Comments
• From: USFS
• To: DRMS
• Email Name: MAC
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

USDA United States Forest South Park Ranger District 320 Highway 285
:�,�..— Department of Service Fairplay, CO 80440
_ Agriculture 719-836-2031
FAX: [phone]
Dear Interested Parties,
RECFIvFD
JAN 2 O 2016 File Code: 2810
Date: January 20, 2016
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION
MINING AND SAFETY
I am writing to advise you that the South Park Ranger District of the Pike National Forest is
considering a request by Mr. John Crowley for approval of a Plan of Operations (P00) to
implement exploration and mining activities on National Forest System (NFS) lands in the
Crystal Creek Mining Area. The proposed project is on the LGPD #2 unpatented mining claim
in Park County, Colorado, located approximately 1.6 miles north of Lake George.
NEPA REVIEW
As part of our National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of the project, I am providing
you with a summary description of the proposed activities. Information on how and when to
comment is provided below.
My preliminary assessment of this project is that it meets the criteria of a Forest Service (FS)
categorical exclusion (CE) that applies to a group of similar actions that, in general, do not
individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment.
The potential CE category is listed in 36 CFR 220.6 (e)(8) as, "approval of short term (one year
or less) mineral, energy or geophysical investigations and their incidental support activities that
may require cross-country travel by vehicles and equipment, construction of less than 1 mile of
low standard road, or use and minor repair of existing roads." If the NEPA review finds that
there are no extraordinary circumstances that would result in adverse effects on Forest resources,
this proposal may be categorically excluded from further NEPA review and documentation in an
environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. If the proponent proposes to
expand operations or deviate from the proposed POO, the impacts of such actions would be
evaluated in a future NEPA review.
PROPOSED ACTION
The LGPD2 POO is under consideration for approval because the Forest Service is obligated to
process, administer, and manage mining operations conducted on NFS lands under the
authorities of laws and regulations that confer on the public statutory right to go upon and use
open public domain land. Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 228 Subpart A — Locatable
Minerals set forth rules and procedures for management of mining -related activity on NFS land
to minimize adverse environmental impacts on surface resources.
The Forest proposes to approve the following minerals exploration activities described in the
POO. Depending on the findings of the NEPA review, the Forest may require the proponent to
agree to additional terms and conditions for resource protection that would supplement the POO.
Access to Project Area
The proponent would access the project area beginning from Lake George, north on an existing,
but closed route, Forest System Road 215, to the project area (Exhibit A).
Caring for the Land and Serving People
Pnrted on Ret.}tkd Paper 0