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WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking comments on the Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan Amendment, analyzing the potential impacts of approving the proposed Lithium Nevada Corporation, Thacker Pass Project Mining and further Exploration Plans of Operations, collectively referred to as the Thacker Pass Project in Humboldt County, Nevada. The publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal register opens a 30-day public scoping period that ends Feb. 20, during which the interested parties may help define the issues to be considered in the EIS.

The BLM will hold two public open-houses, one in Orovada and one in Winnemucca, Nevada, as follows, where public input and comments will be accepted on the proposed project:

• Feb. 5, from 5 – 7 p.m., at the Winnemucca Convention Center, located 50 W. Winnemucca Boulevard in Winnemucca
• Feb. 6, from 5 – 7 p.m., at the Orovada Community Center, located at 125 Willard Drive in Orovada

The Thacker Pass Project would be located on public land adjacent to Nevada Highway 293, in Humboldt County, Nevada, approximately 17 miles northwest of Orovada and approximately 53 miles north-northwest of Winnemucca, Nevada. LNC has submitted plans for a mine and processing facility to produce lithium compounds for various uses and for the continuation of exploration and development operations with the intent of extending the overall project life. The proposed pre-production period is two years and mine life of the project is 41 years, not including the time for mine and facility closure and reclamation.

Lithium is a critical mineral on the list of 35 Minerals Deemed Critical to U.S. National Security and the Economy. “Critical minerals” are identified as essential to the economic and national security of the United States, the supply chain of which is vulnerable to disruption, and that serves essential functions in the manufacturing of products.

In June 2019 the Trump Administration released, “A Federal Strategy to Ensure a Reliable Supply of Critical Minerals,” to make America’s economy and defense more secure. The strategy directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to locate domestic supplies of those minerals, ensure access to information necessary for the study and production of minerals, and expedite permitting for minerals projects. This project is consistent with the strategy and with Executive and Secretary's orders for critical mineral commodities by attempting to locate lithium from federal lands.

Lithium has several uses but one of the most valuable is as a component of high energy-density rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Lithium consumption for batteries has increased significantly in recent years because rechargeable lithium batteries are used extensively in the growing market for portable electronic devices and in electric tools, electric vehicles and grid storage applications. Lithium supply security has become a top priority for technology companies in the United States and Asia. The United States is not a major producer at present but has significant lithium resources.

There are approximately 3,550 acres contained within the current exploration plan boundary. The proposed plans would involve expanding the project boundary to approximately 18,000 acres, with an ultimate disturbance footprint of approximately 5,700 acres.

The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues:

• Potential impacts to wildlife habitat, including Greater Sage-Grouse, Lahontan cutthroat trout and other sensitive species;
• Potential impacts to water quantity and quality, including potentially acid generating material excavated during mining;
• Potential impacts to visual resources.

Written comments will be accepted by letter or email until Feb.  Comments should be as specific as possible Please reference “Thacker Pass Project” when submitting comments.

Written comments may be mailed or emailed using the following:

Mail

Attn. Mr. Ken Loda

c/o BLM Winnemucca District Office

5100 East Winnemucca Blvd.

Winnemucca, NV 89445-2921

Email

wfoweb@blm.gov

Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in any comments, be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time.  Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

For further information, please contact, Mr. Loda, Project Lead, at the BLM Winnemucca District Office at 775-623-1500. Maps and other planning documents associated with the project may be accessed on the project website at https://eplanning.blm.gov