Laserfiche WebLink
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION RECORD <br />A.Backgound <br />BLM Office: Dolores Public Lands Office. Lease/Serial/Case File No.: COC-52049 <br />Proposed Action Title/Type: Minor mine plan modification for monitoring wells to collect ground <br />water data at an existing mine site. <br />Location of Proposed Action: Denison Sunday-Topaz Mine Area, Big Gypsum Valley, San Miguel <br />County, Colorado, T: 44N, R. 18 W., 26NW, 10 SW, 15 SW, Elevation: 5600-6400' <br />Description of Proposed Action: Denison will be drilling 3 monitoring wells in <br />association with their ongoing EA for the Sunday Topaz mine complex. Most <br />of the disturbance is within the greater mine plan area, with the exception of <br />a small amount of road building for MW-South. The monitoring wells are <br />required to satisfy baseline data requirements for the EA. Each well pad is <br />estimated to be a approximately 100x50 feet. Total disturbance will be <br />approximately 1 acre. The wells will be 25 feet, 800 feet, and 1100 feet <br />respectively. Access will remain open for ongoing sampling through the life <br />of the mine. Disturbance will be re-seeded using the native seed mixture <br />approved for the mine.. Ultimately the wells will be abandoned according to <br />state well abandonment regulations when they are no longer needed. <br />B. Land Use Plan Conformance <br />Land Use Plan Name: San Juan-San Miguel RMP Date Approved/Amended: 1985 <br />The proposed action is in conformance with the applicable LUP because it is specifically provided <br />for in the following LUP decision(s): The proposed project is in emphasis areas E and A, at a mine <br />that was in operation at the time the plan was approved. Emphasis area A's minerals guidance says: <br />"Allow mineral development in all areas not withdrawn from entry. Provide Protective Stipulation to <br />limit impacts to livestock improvements or mana eg ment practices. " Emphasis area E's minerals <br />guidance states: "Allow mineral development on all areas not specifically excluded from <br />development. Provide protective stipulations to limit impacts to other resource values... Continue <br />approved operations of 4500 acres of hard rock mining under 43 CFR 3809 regulations. " <br />The proposed activity is not withdrawn, segregated, or otherwise closed to minerals development <br />activity. <br />The proposed action is in conformance with. the LUP, even though it is not specifically provided for, <br />because it is clearly consistent with the following LUP decision(s) (objectives, terms, and <br />conditions): SEE ABOVE <br />C: Compliance with NEPA: <br />The Proposed Action is categorically excluded from further documentation under the National <br />Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in accordance with: <br />1) H 1790 Appendix 4 F #7 "Approval of minor modifications to or minor variances from <br />activities described in an approved exploration plan for leasable, salable, and locatable <br />Denison Topaz Monitoring Wells CX <br />Page 3 of 5