Nevada Bureau of Land Management Rock Characterization and Water Resources

In Reply Refer To:
3809 (NV920) P

United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Nevada State Office
1340 Financial Boulevard
Reno, Nevada 89502-7147
http://www.blm.gov/nv

9/19/2013

EMS TRANSMISSION
Instruction Memorandum No. NV-2013-046 Expires: 09/30/2015

To: District Managers and Field Managers, Nevada

From: Amy Lueders, State Director

Subject: Nevada Bureau of Land Management Rock Characterization and Water Resources
Analysis Guidance for Mining Activities

Program Area: Mining Law Administration, Surface Management

Purpose: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada has determined the need to clarify what rock and water resources data information is collected under 43 CFR 3809.401 (b) (2) and 3809.401(c) (1) for the BLM to adequately analyze potential environmental impacts as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and to determine if a Plan of Operations (Plan) will prevent unnecessary or undue degradation.

This Instruction Memorandum (IM) also clarifies what is needed for rock and water baseline data and analysis to help determine when a proposed Plan is considered complete, per 43 CFR 3809.411 (a), assists in determining what the appropriate level of NEPA analysis will be required, how baseline rock and water resources data is collected, analyzed and incorporated into proposals for authorizing new or modified mine Plans.

Policy/Action: This IM reiterates policy and provides guidance on the implementation of the attached Nevada Bureau of Land Management Rock Characterization and Water Resources Analysis Guidance for Mining Activities. To facilitate the technical review process, NEPA analysis and ultimate approval of the proposed mine Plan or modification, the guidance is provided as a tool for the BLM, in coordination with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) and the mining proponent, to ensure adequate baseline data collection, characterization, analysis, and reporting are consistent with BLM and NDEP protocols and standards.

The information required under the 43 CFR 3809 regulations and this IM must be incorporated into the Plan on a case by case basis to properly manage ore, waste material, and process components and long term management of all processing components in an environmentally acceptable and defensibly manner.

Time Frame: This IM is effective immediately.

Background: This Instruction Memorandum reissues Nevada's Rock Characterization and Water Resources Guidance and replaces IM No. NV-2010-014. The primary changes in the guidance include the required use of a laboratory approved or certified, as applicable, under the Nevada Laboratory Certification Program for extractions and analytical procedures. Additional details regarding kinetic testing is also included.

Coordination: The policies and procedures found in the IM were developed from previous Nevada BLM IMs and input from the BLM-Nevada District/Field Offices, NDEP, Nevada Mining Association, and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Budget Impact: There is no anticipated budget impact. It is anticipated that the IM will improve efficiencies for implementing 43 CFR 3809 regulations.

Contacts: If you have any questions concerning this Instruction Memorandum, please contact Scott Murrellwright, Solids Program Lead at (775) 861-6581 or Doug Siple, Mining Engineer at (775) 861-6636.

Signed by:
Amy Lueders
State Director

Authenticated by:
Pam Collins
Staff Assistant

Attachment
1 - Nevada Bureau of Land Management Rock Characterization and Water Resources Analysis
Guidance for Mining Activities (10 pp)