47966 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 159 / Friday, August 15, 2008 / Notices 

opportunities for solitude. The facilities 

and access points that would be 

provided would be concentrated 

together to minimize overall impacts to 

the Monument and to provide 

economies of scale in management and 

maintenance. Public access points and 

recreational facilities would be planned 

and developed along highways and in 

perimeter areas. Unlike Alternative C, 

existing facilities and infrastructure 

currently present would not be 

relocated or closed, such as the White 

Bluffs Boat Launch. Vehicle access into 

the Monument’s interior would be less 

limited, although like Alternative C, 

much of the Monument would be open 

to foot and other non-motorized access. 

Facilities, such as the boat-in campsites 

along Hanford Reach provided for in 

this alternative, would be developed 

after inventories of resources are 

conducted and sensitive resources are 

identified in the area under 

consideration. Interpretation and 

education programs would serve greater 

numbers of people than Alternatives A, 

B, B–1 and F, but fewer than 

Alternatives C, D and E. 

Alternative D. Alternative D provides 

the greatest degree of public access, 

recreational opportunities, and facilities 

development. The conservation, 

protection and monitoring of the 

biological, geological, paleontological 

and cultural resources described in the 

Proclamation would still be the primary 

priorities; however, more time, effort 

and resources would be devoted to 

public use than in the other alternatives, 

likely decreasing the resources and 

attention available to restoration 

activities. Resource inventories, 

identification of sensitive areas, and 

restoration activities would be 

concentrated in the areas of highest 

public use. Resource protection, 

restoration research, and monitoring 

would focus on the impacts created 

from recreational activities. Public 

access sites and facilities would be 

developed throughout the Monument 

and to a greater extent than Alternatives 

A, B, B–1, C, C–1 and F; access would 

be restricted from the most sensitive 

areas. Visitor facilities would include 

improved boat launches, auto tour 

routes, and campgrounds. Interpretation 

and education programs would serve 

the highest number of people of all the 

alternatives. 

Alternative E. Alternative E was 

formulated by the Monument’s Federal 

Advisory Committee during a workshop 

held June 16–17, 2004. It provides an 

alternate public use emphasis to that of 

Alternative D. Alternative E provides a 

high degree of public access and 

facilities development. It does this 

through the combination of elements 

from Alternatives C and D. The 

underlying open space concept of 

Alternative C is maintained through the 

concentration of facilities in perimeter 

areas; however, access and areas open to 

the public more closely resemble 

Alternative D. Again, the conservation, 

protection and monitoring of the 

biological, geological, paleontological, 

and cultural resources described in the 

Proclamation is the top priority, but as 

in Alternative D, substantial effort and 

resources would be devoted to public 

use, likely decreasing the resources 

available for restoration activities. 

Resource inventories, identification of 

sensitive areas and restoration activities 

would be concentrated in areas of 

highest public use. Resource protection, 

restoration research, and monitoring 

would focus on impacts created from 

recreational activities. Public access 

points and facilities would be 

developed in perimeter areas and to a 

greater extent than Alternatives A, B 

and F; access would be restricted from 

the most sensitive areas. Visitor 

facilities would include improved boat 

launches and campgrounds. 

Interpretation and education programs 

would serve a high number of people, 

although not as many as Alternative D. 

Alternative F. The Confederated 

Tribes of the Umatilla Indian 

Reservation (CTUIR) developed this 

alternative using Alternative B as its 

basis for management emphasis and 

public access. While similar to 

Alternative B, Alternative F would 

provide a slight increase in the areas 

open to public access. The one 

significant difference is the proposed 

addition of a public access permit 

system, with the possible establishment 

of fee areas. Interpretation and 

education programs would be provided; 

however, fewer people would be served 

than in Alternatives C, C–1, D and E. 

Preferred Alternative. We have 

identified Alternative C–1, as described 

above, as our preferred alternative, 

pending a final selection to be 

documented in a Record of Decision. 

Dated: May 23, 2008. 

Renne R. Lohoefener, 

Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon. 

[FR Doc. E8–18445 Filed 8–14–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Land Management 

[ID–410–1990–EX–069D–241A, DEG080007] 

Notice of Intent To Prepare an 

Environmental Impact Statement for 

the Buffalo Gulch Mining Project, 

Cottonwood Field Office, Idaho 

County, ID 

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare 

an environmental impact statement. 

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land 

Management Cottonwood Field Office 

will prepare an environmental impact 

statement (EIS) consistent with the 

regulations pertaining to the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 

Under the provisions of Section 

102(2)(c) of the NEPA, the BLM 

announces its intentions to prepare an 

EIS and solicit public comments 

regarding issues and resource 

information for this project. 

The BLM will analyze a proposal from 

Elk City Mining, LLC (ECM) to advance 

the Buffalo Gulch Mining Project to full 

scale production near Elk City, Idaho 

County, Idaho. This project was 

originally permitted in 1990 but never 

went into production. ECM’s Plan of 

Operations includes an open pit mining 

operation and a cyanide heap leach 

facility to recover gold from the mined 

ore on their unpatented mining claims. 

DATES: The public scoping period for 

the Buffalo Gulch Mining Project will 

begin with publication of this NOI and 

end 30 days later. The purpose of the 

public scoping process is to determine 

relevant issues that will influence the 

scope of the environmental analysis and 

EIS alternatives. BLM will ensure the 

public is notified of all opportunities for 

involvement related to this proposal at 

least 15 days prior to the event. A public 

meeting in Elk City, Idaho, and possible 

field trip to the project site, is scheduled 

for August 28, 2008. Additional 

information about this or additional 

meetings will be announced through 

local news media outlets, individual 

mailings, and the following BLM Web 

site: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/

cottonwood.html. 

The draft EIS is expected to be 

distributed for public review and 

comment in the fall of 2009. The final 

EIS is expected to be completed four to 

six months later. 

ADDRESSES: More detailed information 

about this project is available at the 

Cottonwood Field Office, 1 Butte Drive, 

Cottonwood, Idaho, 83522. Please 

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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 159 / Friday, August 15, 2008 / Notices 47967 

submit written comments to the 

Cottonwood Field Office, Attn: 

Stephanie Connolly, at the above 

address. Fax comments to (208) 962–

3275. (Please indicate Buffalo Gulch 

Mining Project Comments on the fax 

cover sheet.) Electronic comments can 

be submitted to: Buffalo_Gulch_Mine_

Comments@blm.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Scott Sanner, Project Leader, at (208) 

769–5032 or e-mail: scott_

sanner@blm.gov; or Stephanie Connolly, 

Cottonwood Field Office Manager, at 

(208) 962–3256 or e-mail: stephanie_

connolly@blm.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Plan of 

Operations for the Project was 

submitted to the BLM by the former 

mine proponent, the Idaho Gold 

Corporation, in December, 1989. The 

BLM prepared an Environmental 

Assessment (EA) and permitted the 

Project in 1990 but the mine never went 

into production. In December, 2007, 

ECM informed the BLM they had gained 

control of the Project and intended to 

advance the Buffalo Gulch Mining 

Project to full scale production under 

the 1989 Plan of Operations. Since the 

original environmental analysis was 

completed over 17 years ago, there are 

likely new or different issues relevant 

today that were not previously 

addressed. 

As proposed, the total surface area 

disturbed during the life of the project 

is anticipated to be approximately 200 

acres. This estimate includes the open 

pit, heap leach pad, waste rock dumps, 

solution ponds, and other ancillary 

mine facilities (e.g., shop, mine office, 

roads, power line, etc.). Under this Plan, 

mining would occur for about five years 

with simultaneous reclamation 

activities. Final reclamation would be 

completed within six months to one 

year after completion of mining and 

leaching operations. 

The Buffalo Gulch Mine—Plan of 

Operations (as submitted in 1989) and 

the Environmental Assessment for the 

original Plan of Operations (completed 

in 1990) are posted on the Internet at: 

http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/

cottonwood.html. 

On March 28 and May 16, 2008, 

scoping letters for the Buffalo Gulch 

Mining Project were mailed to known 

interested groups and individuals. Two 

public meetings were held on April 9, 

in Elk City, and on April 10, 2008, in 

Grangeville, Idaho. Based on the 

interdisciplinary team’s knowledge of 

the issues, comments that have been 

received and other projects in this area, 

it has been determined that further 

analysis is warranted and an EIS will be 

prepared. 

The Cottonwood Field Office is 

seeking information, comments, and 

assistance from other agencies, 

organizations, Tribes, and individuals 

who may be interested in or affected by 

the Proposed Action. The Cottonwood 

Field Office will issue local press 

releases notifying the public of 

additional opportunities to meet with 

staff and to discuss the project in more 

detail. Issues previously identified 

during public scoping for this project as 

well as comments received as a result of 

this Notice will be used to prepare the 

EIS. 

Issues identified to date include the 

following: 

• Surface and ground water 

contamination. 

• Transportation of hazardous 

materials, traffic levels and safety. 

• Economic and social values. 

• Air quality and noise. 

• Fisheries and wildlife habitat. 

• Cumulative impacts of past and 

likely future activities in the Elk City 

area. 

If you have specific issues or other 

concerns that BLM should consider in 

the NEPA process, please identify them 

in writing. You may send comments to 

the BLM by mail, facsimile, or 

electronic mail. Comments may also be 

hand-delivered to the Cottonwood Field 

Office. Before including your address, 

phone number, e-mail address, or other 

personal identifying information in your 

comment, you should be aware that 

your entire comment—including your 

personal identifying information—may 

be made publicly available at any time. 

While you can ask us in your comment 

to withhold your personal identifying 

information from public review, we 

cannot guarantee that we will be able to 

do so. 

Dated: August 11, 2008. 

Gary D. Cooper, 

District Manager. 

[FR Doc. E8–18906 Filed 8–14–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Land Management 

[AK930–1310EI–241A] 

National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska 

Oil and Gas Lease Sale 2008 

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, 

Alaska State Office, Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of National Petroleum 

Reserve—Alaska Oil and Gas Lease Sale 

2008 and Notice of Availability of the 

Detailed Statement of Sale for Oil and 

Gas Lease Sale 2008 in the Petroleum 

Reserve. 

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land 

Management’s Alaska State Office will 

hold an oil and gas lease sale bid 

opening for all available tracts in the 

Northeast Planning Area, tracts 

straddling the Ikpikpuk River in the 

Northeast and Northwest planning 

areas, and tracts in the southern portion 

of the Northwest Planning Area. With 

the exception of new tracts in the 

Northwest Planning Area north of the 

Colville River, all tracts have been 

offered previously. Additionally, leased 

tracts that have been relinquished will 

be available in this sale. 

DATES: The oil and gas lease sale bid 

opening will be held at 9 a.m. on 

Wednesday, September 24, 2008. Sealed 

bids must be received by 3:45 p.m., 

Friday, September 19, 2008. 

ADDRESSES: The oil and gas lease sale 

bids will be opened at the Wilda 

Marston Theater, ZJ Loussac Public 

Library, 3600 Denali St., Anchorage, 

Alaska. Sealed bids must be sent to 

Carol Taylor (AK932), BLM—Alaska 

State Office; 222 W. 7th Ave., #13; 

Anchorage, AK 99513–7599. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted 

Murphy, (907) 271–4413. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All bids 

must be submitted by sealed bid in 

accordance with the provisions 

identified in the Detailed Statement of 

Sale. They must be received at the 

BLM—Alaska State Office, ATTN: Carol 

Taylor (AK932); 222 W. 7th Ave., #13; 

Anchorage, Alaska 99513–7599; no later 

than 3:45 p.m., Friday, September 19, 

2008. 

The Detailed Statement of Sale for the 

NPR–A Oil and Gas Lease Sale 2008 

will be available to the public 

immediately after publication of this 

Notice. The Detailed Statement may be 

obtained from the BLM—Alaska Web 

site at http://www.blm.gov/ak, or by 

request from the Public Information 

Center, BLM—Alaska State Office; 222 

W. 7th Ave., #13; Anchorage, Alaska 

99513–7599; telephone (907) 271–5960. 

The Detailed Statement of Sale will 

include, among other things, a 

description of the areas to be offered for 

lease, the lease terms, conditions, 

special stipulations, required operating 

procedures, and how and where to 

submit bids. 

Authority: 43 CFR 3131.4–1(a). 

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