BLM Announces Public Comment Period on the Environmental Assessment for Constantine Metal Resources LTD's Mining Plan
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HAINES, Alaska — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Glennallen Field Office has opened a public review and comment period on the Environmental Analysis (EA) for Constantine Metal Resources LTD's (Constantine) proposed Plan of Operations (Plan) to expand exploration on federal mining claims located near Haines, Alaska.
Constantine submitted a new plan to expand their existing exploration activities in June 2015. Previously, the BLM authorized Constantine to carry out up to five acres of ground disturbing exploratory activity on their federal claims. Constantine’s proposed expanded exploration is adjacent to ongoing activity in the Palmer Project within the Porcupine Mining District.
The new proposal required further public, stakeholder, and agency review, including a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis to assess potential impacts of the proposed actions. The NEPA process was initiated in November 2015. The BLM received 173 public comments on the plan, which helped identify several concerns such as fisheries, geology, safety, environmental justice, visual resources, recreation, and surface and ground water issues that were carried forward in developing the EA. The EA is available for public review and comment until May 26, 2016.
The Plan proposes up to 2.5 miles of additional road construction including the installation of culverts and bridges over gullies and streams in the vicinity of Glacier Creek. It also includes a switchback road with rock fall berms and an area at the terminus of the switchback road to stage equipment and facilities. The proposed road would provide access for up to 40 new drill sites. These drill sites would provide a staging area for helicopter and ground-supported exploration activities. Constantine plans to continue exploration for the next 5 – 10 years.
To review and comment on the EA, please visit the BLM’s NEPA register: https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/nepa/nepa_register.do. Using an “Advanced Search,” enter NEPA number: DOI-BLM-AK-A020-2016-0006-EA. Comments may also be submitted to the BLM Glennallen Field Office, Attn: Constantine, P.O. Box 147, Glennallen, AK 99588.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identification information in your comment, be advised 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 from public review your personal indemnifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.