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Public Scoping Statement Proposed Amendment to the White Banks Mine Plan of Operation - Winter Mining Activities Frv~ ~ USDA Forest.Service White River National Forest Sopris Ranger District Pitkin County, Colorado Proposed Action ~~~- SEP 0 7 !M~ `~ ~ trend Junetion Fie-6 @Ir6tSiflr! Of M~nemis & Cagy ./ The Sopris Ranger Distr ct of he White Rivertio Forest is conducting an environmental analysis of a proposal y the~White Banks Ming amend the existing Plan of Operation to allow for the extraction of minerals on National Fores System lands during the winter months, from November 15 through April 30. If authorized, winter operation activities would occur year-round through the term of the Plan of Operation or April 30, 2010. The White Banks Mine is located in the Crystal River drainage, east of Highway 133. Access to the mine is via Avalanche Creek and Forest Road 310, as depicted on the attached map. Specifically, the legal description is: Section 28, T9S, R88W. Winter use of Forest Road 310 beyond the gate closure, crew housing in mobile trailers/campers, and general mining operations and hauling during the winter were ndt included in the existing Plan of Operations, authorized on August 22, 1995. This proposal does not include any new surface disturbance beyond what was approved for the mining operation in 1995 or other subsequent amendments. The proposed amendment would include the following: • Operations outside the mine would be limited to the hours lam to 7pm, Monday through Friday. Nighttime activities would not be permitted outside the mine to avoid disturbing bedded wildlife. • Surface operations would be accomplished during an 8-hour shift. The operator would like to have the opportunity.to operate longer than 8 hours as needed but would not exceed 12 hours. This extension of time would be for repairing equipment, loading trucks, and completing work., • No operations would occur on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Day, and Easter. • Product shipments would take. place between the hours of Sam to 6pm. • Surface equipment may include the following: skid loaderffork lift; emico loader; trucks and trailers; air power; the saws; trash truck; ventilation fan; genset (emergency power).- . The Tower gate on FSR 310 would be locked at all times except for employee, contractor, or truck access. Public vehicle access beyond the gate would not be allowed. • Underground blasting could take place during the daytime hours of 10am to 4pm. The operator must provide 24-hour notice to the Forest Service, Division of Wildlife, Pitkin County, Swiss Village subdivision and adjacent property owners prior to blasting. • Security lighting will be equipped with motion sehsors to avoid nighttime disturbance to wildlife. • Outside lighting maybe used for loading trucks, palletizing stone, and moving stone after dark, but no later than 7pm.