Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. The project area is located on the Unity Ranger District, approximately 20 air miles northwest of Unity, Oregon. The proposed action is a compilation of plans submitted by claimants operating within the analysis area. These plans describe the type of mining operations proposed and how they would be conducted, the type and standard of access routes, the means of transportation to be used, the period during which the proposed mining activity will take place and measures to be taken to meet the requirements for environmental protection. Operations include the exploration and extraction of valuable minerals from placer and lode deposits.
Methods range from the hand panning to more complex operations utilizing mechanical equipment.
The 1990 Land and Resource Management Plan final EIS for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, as amended, provides overall guidance for management of this area. Some of the operations planned in the proposed action may not be in compliance with this plan. Written comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received by July 15, 2001. Send written comments and suggestions to Jean Lavell, Unity District Ranger, P.O. Box 38, Unity, Oregon 97884. Katie Countryman, Project Team Leader, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Supervisor's Office.