District Ranger Sarah Clawson of the Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger District, has prepared a supplemental environmental assessment (SEA) for the Riverbend Placer Mine and Lost Nugget Reclamation Project.
Pine Creek Mining, Inc., proposes placer mining, bulk testing, and reclamation in the Hassayampa River drainage near Orofino Wash east of Wilhoit, Arizona, on mining claims within federal lands administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger District. The Proposed Action consists of mining terrace gravels, non-chemical processing of these minerals and concurrent reclamation on the entire Riverbend Placer claim, Red Hill claim, a portion of the Miners Delight claim, and post-operational reclamation at the previously mined Lost Nugget claim site. The estimated Riverbend mine life is approximately 15 years under a single shift and processing 250 cubic yards per hour, though this could change based on several factors such as extent and quality of ore, acquired equipment, and economic and weather conditions. These claims, not including Riverbend Placer claim are part of the Gold Basin Project approved by the Prescott National Forest in 2005 following preparation of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact in compliance in with the National Environmental Policy Act.
The SEA is available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=45609. These documents are also available for review at the Bradshaw Ranger District, 344 South Cortez Street, Prescott, AZ, 86303. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please contact Frances Alvarado, Project Lead, at 928-443-8014 (phone) or by email at frances.alvarado@usda.gov to request a copy.
The Riverbend Placer Mine and Lost Nugget Reclamation Project is an activity implementing a land management plan and not authorized under the HFRA and is subject to 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B.
How to file an Objection and Timeframe
Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with §218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities.
Objections, including attachments, must be filed via mail, fax, email, hand-delivery, express delivery, or messenger service (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays) to: Dale Deiter, Forest Supervisor, Prescott National Forest, 2971 Willow Creek Rd, Bldg. 4, Prescott, AZ 86301, FAX: 928-443-8208, objections-southwestern-prescott@fs.fed.us. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc), portable document format (.pdf), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), and hypertext markup language (.html).
Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the Prescott Daily Courier. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection.
At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)): 1) The objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available; 2) a signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for Email may be filed with the objection); 3) when multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector (verification of the identity of the lead objector shall be provided upon request); 4) the name of the proposed project, the name and title of the Responsible Official, and the name(s) of the National Forest(s) and/or Ranger District(s) on which the proposed project will be implemented; and 5) a description of those aspects of the proposed project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed project if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider; and 6) a statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection. Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b). It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to §218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.
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