The USDA Forest Service has prepared an Environmental Assessment, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and DRAFT Decision Notice (DN) for the Libby Creek Mining Project. The proposed action is to be located on the Libby Ranger District of the Kootenai National Forest. The Project is located adjacent to the Libby Creek Recreational Gold Panning Area (T27N, R31W, Sec. 11) and would allow the Northwest Montana Gold Prospectors (NWMGP) to expand their current operation by creating a new access route and test dig site adjacent to their current operation. Operators propose to create a new access route that is 19’ wide by 45’ long. The test dig site would be an area of 35’ by 75’ with a dug trench of 12’ x 12’ x 70’. After all operations cease, the operator would reclaim area back to its natural state and re-contour the hillside to match the surrounding topography. The Responsible Official for this decision is Chad Benson, Forest Supervisor. The EA and draft DN/FONSI for the Libby Creek Mining Project are available at the Kootenai National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/kootenai/projects/65512 or upon request at the Canoe Gulch Ranger Station, 12557, Highway 37, Libby, MT 59923. For additional information, contact Jennifer Runnels at jennifer.runnels@usda.gov or by phone 406-283-7502.
The Libby Creek Mining Project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218, subparts A and B. Objections, including attachments, must be filed with the appropriate reviewing officer within 45 calendar days following publication of this notice in the Missoulian, the newspaper of record. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Objectors should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to 36 CFR 218.9. Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunities for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless the issue is based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities. The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in 36 CFR 218.8(d) and incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 36 CFR 218.8(b). Objections that do not adhere to these requirements make review of an objection difficult and are conditions under which the reviewing officer may set aside an objection pursuant to 36 CFR 218.10. All objections received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who object, will be considered part of the public record on these proposed actions and will be available for public inspection during and after the objection process. Electronic objections are preferred through the Forest Service website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/kootenai/projects/65512. Click “get Connected” then click “Comment/Object on Project.” Electronic submissions must be submitted in a format that is readable with optical character recognition software (e.g., Word, PDF, Rich Text) and be searchable.Written objections may be submitted via regular mail to: Keith Karoglanian, Canoe Gulch Ranger Station, Attn: Libby Creek Mining Project, 12557 US Highway 37, Libby, MT 59923. Objections sent by private carrier or hand delivery must be addressed to: Keith Karoglanian, Canoe Gulch Ranger Station, Attn: Libby Creek Mining Project, 12557 US Highway 37, Libby, MT 59923. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm, excluding Federal holidays, for hand delivery. https://usfs-public.box.com/s/oj3077e6m62rf694bcauujb6uz05ptdv
Jennifer Runnels
