NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS Appendix 8

1

Appendix 8

NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS

Modifications to Plans of Operations since the 2004 FEIS

Withdrawn Plans of Operations

Seven operators (Dream Chaser, Geiser Stream Diversion, Golden Donk, Jackpot, Mary 

Dixie, Playboy Placer and Sunshine Placer) have withdrawn their proposed Plans since 

the FEIS. The Forest Service has determined that the withdrawal of these Plans would 

have a beneficial effect in the watershed because four of them are located immediately 

adjacent to streams (Dream Chaser, Geiser Stream Diversion, Jackpot, Playboy and 

Golden Donk), and one of them has an adit discharge into a tributary of Geiser Creek that 

would increase the adit been reopened (Mary Dixie). (See project file for field notes and 

photographs of these 7 operations). Therefore, these 7 operations are not discussed in the 

Supplement.

Additional Plan Modifications

Additional minor modifications to proposed Plans of Operations have occurred since the 

FEIS. In some cases, site-specific locations of proposed road and pond construction were 

verified by contacting the miner’s by letter. Copies of the miner’s description of these 

locations are located in the Supplement’s analysis file. With the exception of Burnt 

Lode/Placer (Karissa site road), it has been determined that all of the modifications listed 

below will have either an immeasurable or beneficial effect than what was previously 

disclosed in the FEIS. 

With the exception of Alternative 1, Tables A8-1 and A8-2 below include changes that 

replace information in the following tables in the FEIS: Chapter I, Table I-1; Chapter II, 

Tables II-1, II-2, II-3, II-4, II-5, II-8, II-9, II-10, II-14, II-17; Chapter III, Tables III-4, III7, III-8, III-10, III-13, III-14, III-42, III-43, III-44, III-45, III-46, III-51.

For all Plans (with the exception of suction dredging at Burnt Lode/Placer), suction 

dredging, pick and shovel, and camping have been removed from Alternatives 2-4 

because they have been determined to be “Notice of Intent” level activities are not 

covered under a Plan of Operations. (Refer to Supplement Appendix 6). 

Table A8-1

Modifications to Proposed Plans

Operation Name Modification

Big Elk/Red Dog In the FEIS, Big Elk/Red Dog Placer was referred to as Red Dog. However, 

the Plan of Operations refers to it as Big Elk/Red Dog, or simply as Big Elk. 

This is not to be confused with the area in Three Cent Placer that is referred to 

as “Red Dog”. These are separate sites, and have always been separate sites. 
Appendix 8 NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS

2

Operation Name Modification

Burnt Lode Placer Clarification that a road needs to be constructed to access his Karissa site. 

The proposal was listed in the original proposed Plan, but was not listed in the 

FEIS.

Camp Hale Placer New Operators - nothing else changed.

Dream Chaser Entire Proposal Dropped 5/11/09

EJ Placer Per letter dated March 5, 2008, operator proposes to add an additional 

processing site E (see map in Plan). Proposed location to be approved by the 

district hydrologist prior to construction. 

Geiser Stream 

Diversion

Entire Proposal Dropped, 6/8/09

Gold Busters Per letter dated February 23, 2008, operator clarified their plan by stating that 

there is only one processing site not two. The processing site is located on 

Pinus Creek. Ponds are existing. Letter also attached a map which clarified 

location of testing and mining. Testing and mining will only occur in the 

vicinity of Pinus Creek. There will be no testing or mining on Camp Creek

Golden Donk Entire Proposal Dropped, 8/23/2004

Jackpot Entire proposal Dropped 5/6/2004

Jay Gould LD and 

Jay Gould Mine 

Works

In the FEIS, Jay Gould Lode and Mine Works were analyzed together as one 

operation, however, they are separate operations with different operators, but 

are geographically adjacent to each other. In the Supplement, they are being 

treated as separate operations. Jay Gould LD (Banzer), and Jay Gould Mine 

Works (Newell).

Lucky One Modification – Per letter dated April 4, 2008, while mining is taking place 

underground, water will be piped through the working area. The pipe will 

cross Simpson Creek and flow into settling ponds.

Mary Dixie Entire Proposal Dropped 03/21/2008

Monarch Lode Mill Site Location Amendment - Site B is the new Mill site location. It is 

located 2500' to the SW of other mill site A location. Site B is a flatter area 

with better access. Also he states that a portion of the rd may be relocated. 

Monarch Lode 16 drill sites for exploration purposes - additional existing roads are needed 

for access

Playboy Placer Entire Proposal Dropped 3/9/2008

Racer 

Group/Keystone 

Korners Placer

Does not want to construct 400' (.08 mile) of road to tie into existing road 

1044146.

Silver Bell 

Placer/White 

Wonder

FEIS states that this operation is planning to construct 200' (.04 mile), but 

spoke to operator 2/7/208 and he said that the roads and ponds are in place. 

Shamrock PL Withdrew proposal to install culvert in NFBR 8/16/04.

Silver Eagle Modifications - 1) Source of process water will come from groundwater, not 

adit water 2) no underground mining, only mine pay gravel from existing 

dumps and open pits

Sluice Box Placer Modification based on phone conversation with operator and Dan Burton (in 

Plan file) – 7/15/09. Mr. West clarified that he will line the 2 small ponds 

near NFBR on the north side of the creek with filter cloth, such as geotech 

fabric, before using them for processing. He will monitor the ponds while in 

use, being careful to allow any overflow that would allow sediment to enter 

the stream.

Snow Creek Placer Does not want to construct a 200' (.04 mile) road to grade down from 1038 to 

the processing site. 
NFBR Mining Supplemental EIS Appendix 8

3

Operation Name Modification

Standby/ 

McNamee Placer 

Does not want to construct 600’ (.08 mile) of temporary road around piles of 

logs and wet spring area that ties back into existing road at the ford. Will not 

construct additional ponds.

Standby/McNamee Access Road Correction: Wants to add 1035420 and 1035200

Sunshine Placer Entire Proposal Dropped

Three Cent 

Placer/East

No testing or stockpiles within 200 feet of the creek. 

Table A8-2

Operations added or Withdrawn from Alternative 1 and Alternatives 2-4

Total 

Operations in 

Alt 1

Withdrawn

from Alts 2-4 in 

FEIS

New additions 

to Alts 2-4 in 

FEIS

Withdrawn

from Alts 2-4 

after FEIS

Total 

operations in 

Alts 2-4 in 

Supplement

34 5 18 5 42