Donlin Gold Project - Alaska Department of Natural...
Transcript of Donlin Gold Project - Alaska Department of Natural...
FINALScoping Report August 2013 Submitted to:
US Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District
CEPOA-RD P.O. Box 6898 JBER, AK 99506-0898 Contact: Project Manager Don Kuhle [email protected] (907) 753-2780
Prepared by:
URS Alaska, LLC 3201 C Street, Suite 200 Anchorage, AK 99503 (907) 433-6700
Donlin Gold Project Environmental Impact Statement
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DONLIN GOLD PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FINAL SCOPING REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TABLEOFCONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................1 1.1 ScopingOverview....................................................................................................................................1 1.2 ProjectOverview......................................................................................................................................1 1.3 PurposeoftheEnvironmentalImpactStatement......................................................................2
2.0 SCOPINGMETHODS................................................................................................................................5 2.1 ScopingActivities.....................................................................................................................................5 2.2 TribalCoordinationandGovernment‐to‐GovernmentConsultation.................................5 2.3 AgencyScopingMeeting.......................................................................................................................6 2.4 PublicScopingMeetings.......................................................................................................................7
3.0 NEXTSTEPSINTHEEISPROCESS...................................................................................................13 3.1 UtilizationofScopingComments....................................................................................................13 3.2 DevelopAlternatives............................................................................................................................13 3.3 StudyoftheAffectedEnvironment................................................................................................13 3.4 AssessEnvironmentalConsequencesofAlternatives............................................................13 3.5 IssuetheDraftEIS.................................................................................................................................13 3.6 IssuetheFinalEISandRecordofDecision.................................................................................14
4.0 SUMMARYOFCOMMENTSRECEIVED............................................................................................15 4.1 IssuesIdentifiedDuringScoping.....................................................................................................15 4.2 StatementsofConcern.........................................................................................................................19
5.0 CONTACTS.............................................................................................................................................152 5.1 LeadAgency..........................................................................................................................................152 5.2 CooperatingAgenciesandCooperatingAgencyTribes......................................................152 5.3 ProjectWebsiteandProjectEmail..............................................................................................152
LISTOFTABLES
Table1:ScopingMeetings,DatesandLocations.......................................................................................................8
Table2:DonlinGoldProjectEISScopingMeetingAttendance...........................................................................9
Table3:DonlinGoldEISScopingIssueCategoryCodes......................................................................................15
LISTOFFIGURES
Figure1:DonlinGoldEISScopingMeetingLocations..........................................................................................11
Figure2:DonlinGoldEISScopingCommentsbyIssue........................................................................................18
DONLIN GOLD PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FINAL SCOPING REPORT APPENDICES
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APPENDICES
AppendixA:ScopingMaterials
NoticeofIntent,FederalRegister,December14,2012ScopingMailingListFebruary2013Newsletter#1December2012SampleMeetingAdsSamplePublicServiceAnnouncementSampleEmailNoticeSampleWhat’sUpListservNoticeCommentFormMeetingSign‐inSheetsMeetingPowerPointPresentationMeetingPosterswww.DonlinGoldEIS.comWebsiteScreenshots
AppendixB:TribalConsultationMaterials
SampleTribalConsultationLetterTribalCoordinationPlanTribesIdentifiedDuringScopingEmailfromDonKuhleDescribingGovernment‐to‐GovernmentActivities
AppendixC:CooperatingAgencyScopingMaterials
MeetingAgendaFebruary6,2013MeetingPowerPointPresentationAlaskaDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationMeetingInformationMeetingNotesMeetingSign‐inSheets
AppendixD:IndexofAgencyandPublicScopingComments
AppendixE:PublicScopingComments(availableonlyindigitalformatinseparatefolder)
MeetingTranscripts(verbalcommentsgivenduringpublicmeetings)
PublicEmails,Letters,andFaxes
AlaskaBigVillageNetworkLetterandAttachments
DonlinGold,LLCLetterandAttachments
AppendixF:CooperatingAgencyScopingComments(availableonlyindigitalformatinseparatefolder)
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ACRONYMSANDABBREVIATIONS
AAC AlaskaAdministrativeCode
ADEC AlaskaDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation
ADNR AlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources
ANCSA AlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct
ANILCA AlaskaNationalInterestLandsConservationAct
ATV all‐terrainvehicle
AVCP AssociationofVillageCouncilPresidents
BLM BureauofLandManagement
BMP BestManagementPractice
CEQ CouncilonEnvironmentalQuality
Corps U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers
CWA CleanWaterAct
DGWG DolinGoldWorkingGroup
EIS EnvironmentalImpactStatement
EJ EnvironmentalJustice
EPA EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
ESA EndangeredSpeciesAct
ft feet
G2G Government‐to‐Government
GHG greenhousegases
HDD horizontaldirectionaldrilling
HIA HealthImpactAssessment
INHT IditarodNationalHistoricTrail
km kilometer
m meter
NEPA NationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct
NHPA NationalHistoricPreservationAct
ORV off‐roadvehicle
POD PlanofDevelopment
ROW right‐of‐way
SHPO StateHistoricPreservationOfficer
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SOC StatementofConcern
TEKW TraditionalEcologicalKnowledgeandWisdom
TSF tailingstoragefacility
USFWS UnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService
Y‐KDelta Yukon‐KuskokwimDelta
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 SCOPINGOVERVIEWTheCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality(CEQ)definesscopingasan“earlyandopenprocessfordeterminingthescopeofissuestobeaddressedandforidentifyingthesignificantissuesrelatedtoaproposedaction”(40CFR1501.7).ThescopingprocessprovidesanopportunityforpeoplepotentiallyaffectedbytheprojecttoexpresstheirviewsandconcernsandtocontributetothecompletenessoftheEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS).
TheScopingReportfortheDonlinGoldProjectEISsummarizestheissues,opportunities,andconcernsofthepublicandagenciesasprovidedduringtheScopingPeriodandtheScopingmeetings.TheseconcernswillthenbeintegratedintothepreparationoftheDraftEIS.TheScopingReportisapublicdocumentandwillbepostedtotheprojectwebsite.Inaddition,thesecondnewsletterwillbemailedoutaftertheScopingPeriodtoprovideanoverviewofthecommentsreceivedandtoinviteinterestedstakeholderstoreadthefullreportonthewebsite.TheScopingReportwillalsobeincludedasanappendixintheDraftEIS.
TheScopingReportincludestheresultsofthedetailedscopingcommentanalysisaswellasappendicescontainingmaterialsanddocumentssuchastheNoticeofIntent,sign‐insheets,thepresentation,andsummarizedcommentsorStatementsofConcern(SOCs).Copiesoforiginalwrittencorrespondence,telephonerecords,emails,andothercorrespondencegeneratedtosupportpublicinvolvementarepartoftheadministrativerecord.
1.2 PROJECTOVERVIEWDonlinGold,LLC(DonlinGold)isproposingthedevelopmentofanopenpit,hardrockgoldminelocated277miles(446kilometers[km])westofAnchorage,145miles(233km)northeastofBethel,and10miles(16km)northofthevillageofCrookedCreek.TheproposedDonlinGoldProjectincludeslandleasedfromtheCalistaCorporation(Calista),anAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct(ANCSA)regionalcorporationthatholdsthesubsurface(mineral)estateforANCSAlandsintheregion.Inadditiontothesubsurfaceestate,Calistaownssomesurfaceestatelandsintheleasearea.ASurfaceUseAgreementwithTheKuskokwimCorporation,anANCSAvillagecorporation,grantssurfaceuserights.Bethel,thelargestcommunityinwesternAlaska,istheadministrativeandtransportationcenteroftheYukon–KuskokwimDelta(Y‐KDelta).
Theproposedmineandallrelatedfacilitieswouldhaveatotalfootprintof16,300acres.Theprojectapplicant,DonlinGold,predictsthattheminewouldmill59,000shorttons1oforeperdaytoobtain1.3millionouncesofgoldperyearovera27.5‐yearmineoperationallife(37.5yearstotalincluding5yearsofconstructiontimeandanother5yearsofreclamationtime).
TheDonlinGoldProjectEISwillexaminethreemajorprojectcomponents,including:
Mine Site
Openpit,eventually1,400acresinsize,providingaccessforminingprovenandprobablereservestotaling556.5millionshorttons(504.8milliontonnes),withanaveragegradeof0.061ounces/shortton(2.09grams/ton),andmillprocessingatarateof59,000shorttonsperday(53,500tonnesperday);
1 The term short ton refers to the English measurement of 2,000 pounds. The term tonne refers to a metric measure of 2,000 kilograms.
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Wastetreatment(tailingsimpoundment)facilityeventuallycovering2,350acreswithatotalcapacityofapproximately335,000acre‐feet(ft)(413millioncubicmeters[m³])ofmilltailings,decantwater,andstormwater;
Wasterockfacility,eventuallycovering2,300acresforplacementofapproximately2,460millionshorttons(2,232milliontonnes)ofwasterock;
Watertreatmentplantwithadesigncapacityof2,188gallonsperminute(497m³perhour)fortreatmentofdewateringwatertopermittedstandards;
Powerplantwithatotalconnectedloadof227megawatts,anaveragerunningloadof153megawatts,andapeakloadof182megawatts;and
Fuelstoragefacilitywithadesigncapacityof40milliongallons(15‐tankfarmwith2.5Mgallonspertank).
Transportation and Camp Infrastructure
AnewupriverbargelandingfacilityatJungjuk(8‐milesdownriverfromCrookedCreekand177‐milesupriverfromBethel)servingastheterminusbetweenriverbargetransportandroadtransporttotheminesite,totransportapproximately37,500,000gallons(141,952,942liters)offuelandapproximately100,000tons(90,718tonnes)ofnon‐fuelsuppliesperyear;
ImprovementstotheBethelport;
Mineaccessroadprovidingaccessbetweentheportfacilityandminesiteviaa30‐mile(48km)two‐lane,gravel‐surfacedaccessroad,5,000‐ftlongby150‐ftwide(1,524mby45m)gravelairstripapproximately9roadmiles(14.5km)westoftheminesite;and
Permanentaccommodationcamplocatedalongtheaccessroadapproximately2.4miles(3.9km)fromtheminesite,forhousingupto638peopleduringoperations.
Pipeline
Naturalgaspipelinetransportingnaturalgastothepowerplantviaa313mile(503km),14inch(35.5centimeters)diameterburiedsteelpipelineoriginatingfromanexisting20inch(51centimeters)naturalgaspipelinenearBeluga,Alaska.
1.3 PURPOSEOFTHEENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSTATEMENTInJuly2012,DonlinGoldsubmittedaCleanWaterAct(CWA)Section404/10preliminarypermitapplicationtotheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers(theCorps).Thisapplication“triggered”compliancewiththeNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969(NEPA),andrequirespreparationofanEIS.TheEISwillcontaintheelementsrequiredbyNEPA,includingconsiderationofissuesandsuggestionsraisedinscopingcomments,analysisofthedirectandindirectimpactsofarangeofalternativestomeetthepurposeandneedoftheproposedaction(includingaNoActionAlternative),analysisofcumulativeimpactsoftheproposedactionandotherpast,present,andreasonablyforeseeablefutureactions,andotherrelevantissues.
TheEISisintendedtofulfilltheNEPAcomplianceresponsibilitiesoftheCorps,andotherfederalpermittingagencies.ItwillalsoprovidethebasisfortheCorpstodeterminewhetherissuingtheSection404/10permitiscontraryornotcontrarytothepublicinterestandcomplieswiththeSection404(b)(1)Guidelines.
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FederalagenciesarechargedwithengaginginregularandmeaningfulconsultationandcollaborationwithtribalofficialsinthedevelopmentoffederalpoliciesthatmayaffecttriballandsandresourcespursuanttoExecutiveOrder13175onConsultationandCoordinationwithIndianTribalGovernments(November6,2000)andthePresidentialMemorandumregardingTribalConsultation(November5,2009).AstheleadfederalagencyforthedevelopmentoftheDonlinGoldProjectEIS,theCorpsisresponsibleforgovernment‐to‐governmentconsultationandcoordinationwithfederallyrecognizedtribesthatmaybeaffectedbytheproposedproject(Section2.3).ThisreportmakesnoteoftheCorps’initiativeinconveningtribalconsultation.However,theinformationprovidedduringthesemeetingsisprivilegedbetweentheCorpsandthetribes.Therefore,theresultsofdiscussionsarenotdescribedinthisreport.
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2.0 SCOPINGMETHODS
2.1 SCOPINGACTIVITIESTheCorpspublishedaNoticeofIntentintheFederalRegisteronDecember14,2012toannouncetheintenttoprepareanEIS,todescribethelocationsandtentativescheduleforscopingmeetings,andtoinvitesuggestionsontheissuestobeaddressedinthisEIS.TheNoticeofIntentnotedthatthepubliccommentperiodwouldconcludeonMarch29,2013.
Asamorewidespreadformofpublicnotice,thefirstprojectnewsletterwassentbytheCorpsinmid‐December2012totheprojectmailinglistofnearly7,000addresses,includingallmailboxholdersintheYukon‐KuskokwimDeltacommunities.ThenewsletterexplainedtheEISprocess,providedasummaryoftheproposedprojectandnotedhowtothepubliccouldparticipateindevelopingtheEIS(providedinAppendixA).
TheCorpscompletedtheformalscopingprocesswhenthescopingperiodclosedonMarch29,2013.CommentsreceivedorpostmarkedthroughMarch29,2013aresummarizedandpresentedinthisdocument.Totheextentpracticable,thecommentsreceivedpastthisdatewillbeconsideredduringthedevelopmentoftheEIS,butlatecommentsarenotsummarizedinthisreport.Commentsreceivedafterthescopingperiod,butbeforedistributionoftheDraftEISwillbecompiledinanAddendumandmadeavailableontheprojectwebsitewww.DonlinGoldEIS.com.
SeveraladditionaltechniqueswereusedtonotifythepublicoftheproposedEISprojectandscheduledpublicmeetings.AdvertisementsplacedintheAnchorageDailyNewsranJanuary3andJanuary8,2013;foracopyoftheadvertisement,seeAppendixA.MeetingswerealsoadvertisedintheDeltaDiscoveryandtheTundraDrums.AnannouncementfortheAnchoragescopingmeetingwasbroadcastonKSKApublicradio.PublicradioannouncementsformeetingsintheY‐KDeltaandtheUpperKuskokwimRiverareawerebroadcastonKYUKandKSKO.TheCorpsalsodistributedpublicnoticesviapressrelease,email,theprojectwebsite,flyers,andthenewsletter;samplesofthenoticesareavailableinAppendixA.Privateindividualsalsohavepostedinformationabouttheproject.Non‐governmentalorganizationswerealsoactiveinnotifyingconstituentsoftheprojectandtheEISprocess.
2.2 TRIBALCOORDINATIONANDGOVERNMENT‐TO‐GOVERNMENTCONSULTATION2TheCorps,astheleadfederalagency,hastheresponsibilitytocoordinatedirectlywithfederallyrecognizedtribalgovernmentsduringpreparationoftheDonlinGoldProjectEISincompliancewithExecutiveOrder13175,ConsultationandCoordinationwithIndianTribalGovernments,andtheCorps’TribalConsultationPolicy.Thereareseveralavenuesofparticipationopentotribes,includingthroughthepublicprocess,asstakeholders,asCooperatingAgencieswithspecialexpertise,andthroughthegovernment‐to‐governmentrelationship.Thissectiondescribesactivitiesunderthegovernment‐to‐governmentrelationshipbetweenfederalagenciesandfederallyrecognizedtribes,whichisrecognizedasaspecialrelationshipbasedontribalsovereignty.
TheCorpsidentified66tribespotentiallyaffectedbytheproject.Consistentwithitspoliciesconcerninggovernment‐to‐governmentconsultationwithtribesintheprojectareas,theCorpssent
2 The phrase "tribal coordination" refers to interactions (e.g. meetings, presentation, teleconferences, e-mails, letters, etc.) at the staff level. The phrase "Government-to-Government Consultation" refers to formal meetings between Tribal Government Leadership and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District Engineer (Colonel).
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aletterofnotificationandinquirytothe66tribes,offeringtheopportunitytoparticipateinformalgovernment‐to‐governmentconsultation,toparticipateasacooperatingagency,ortosimplyreceiveinformationabouttheproject.Inthisinitialletter,theCorpsrequestedinformationfromthetribesonthefollowingtopics:subsistence,archaeologicalsites,andtraditionalculturalpropertiesaswellasinformationontribalspecialexpertiseregardinganyenvironmental,social,and/oreconomicimpacts.
ThefollowingisasequenceofeventsoutliningsomeofthetribalcoordinationeffortsbytheCorps:
TheCorpssentlettersinvitingconsultationonSeptember24,2012.ThelettersincludedaTribalCoordinationPlanforthedevelopmentoftheDonlinGoldProjectEIS.AcopyofthelettersentisincludedinAppendixB,alongwiththelistoftribalgovernmentsandaTribalCoordinationPlan.
AninitialteleconferencefortribeswasheldonOctober30,2012.Twelverepresentativesfromeighttribesparticipated.
TheCorpsmadeapresentationto30triballeadersattheBureauofIndianAffairs’Providers’ConferenceonNovember26,2012.
Anotherteleconferencewithtribeswasannouncedthroughe‐mailtoall66tribesandheldonDecember12,2012.
AsofApril12,2013,theCorpshasheldtribalcoordinationmeetingsregardingtheproposedDonlinGoldprojectwithfivetribes.
TheCorpssentremindere‐mailmessagestoallaffectedtribesonFebruary13,2013andMarch25,2013regardingthescopingperiod,encouragingthetribestosubmitcommentsbeforetheclosingdateofMarch29,2013.
Section106oftheNationalHistoricPreservationActprovidestribesanopportunitytoincludeconsiderationofculturalandhistoricpropertiesunderNEPA.AninitialmeetingtodiscussSection106washeldonMay02,2013.
DiscussionswithpotentiallyaffectedtribalgovernmentswilloccurthroughouttheEISprocess.
2.3 AGENCYSCOPINGMEETINGCooperatingagenciesarethosethathavejurisdictionbylaworspecialexpertise,includingtribeswhorequestcooperatingagencystatus.
AttheoutsetoftheEIS,theCorpsbeganinformalconsultationwithagenciesregardingthepermitsthatmayberequiredtoimplementtheproposedproject.Theseagenciesinclude:
U.S.DepartmentofInterior,BureauofLandManagement
U.S.DepartmentofInterior,FishandWildlifeService
U.S.DepartmentofTransportation,PipelineandHazardousMaterialsSafetyAdministration
U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
AlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources,representingtheStateofAlaska
AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame
AlaskaDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices
AlaskaDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation
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TheCorpsreceivedrepliesfromtheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceandtheU.S.CoastGuarddecliningtoparticipateascooperatingagencies.
Tribalgovernmentsthathaverequestedparticipationascooperatingagenciesinclude:
AkiakNativeCommunity(passedaresolutionauthorizingtheKuskokwimRiverWatershedCounciltorepresentthem)
NativeVillageofChuathbaluk
VillageofCrookedCreek
VillageofLowerKalskag
KnikTribalCouncil
NativeVillageofNapaimute
AnagencyscopingmeetingwasheldonFebruary6,2013.Thepurposeofthismeetingwastoidentifyissuesrelatedtothepermittingandconsultationauthoritiesofthecooperatingagencies.Theagencyscopingmeetingmaterials,includingtheagenda,sign‐insheets,andpresentationarefoundinAppendixC.Cooperatingagencieswereaskedtoreviewandidentifyanyadditionalauthorizationsandpermitsrelevanttotheproposedprojectundertheirpermittingandconsultationresponsibilities.
Duringthemeeting,theagenciespresentedcommentsfromtheirresourcespecialists.Towardstheendofthescopingperiod,thecooperatingagenciesprovidedfollow‐upwrittenscopingstatementstomorefullyidentifyissuesrelatedtotheagencies’mandates,permittingauthorities,consultationresponsibilities,andspecialexpertise.
2.4 PUBLICSCOPINGMEETINGSTheCorpsstrategyfortheDonlinGoldProjectEISscopingmeetingsemphasizeddistributionofthemeetingsacrosstheentireprojectarea.TheAssociationofVillageCouncilPresidents(AVCP)regionisdividedinto10sub‐regions,andascopingmeetingwasplannedforeachoftheAVCPsub‐regions,alongwithameetinginCrookedCreek,thevillageclosesttotheminesite.TheHolyCrossandMcGrathareaswerealsositesformeetings,alongwithAnchorage.Thisresultedinatotalof14publicscopingmeetings.
TheCorpsrecognizedthatitisexpensiveforresidentstotravelfromaneighboringvillagetooneofthe13hostvillagemeetingsitesortotheAnchoragemeeting.Plansweremadeforeverymeetingtobebroadcastviateleconference,buttheCorpsacknowledgedthatmoreoutreachandopportunitytoprovidecommentswouldbebetter.Therefore,theCorpssoughttoprovideadditionalopportunityforresidentsthroughouttheprojectareatoparticipateinscoping,usingseveralancillarymeansofcommunication.Noneofthesewouldsubstituteforameetingineachcommunity,buttakingallofthetoolstogetherallowedforawideinvitationtoprovidecomments.
Akeytoolwasthescopingmeetingnewsletter,whichwasmailedinmid‐DecembertoeachhouseholdintheY‐KDeltaandawiderangeoforganizationsandindividualsontheprojectmailinglist.Thenewsletterprovidedtheprojectwebsiteaddressformoreinformation,andincludedaself‐mailercommentsheet.Anothermajortoolwastheprojectwebsiteatwww.DonlinGoldEIS.com.WhilemanyresidentsontheY‐KDeltadonothaveinternetaccessathome,nearlyallofthetribalcouncils,cities,andvillagecorporationofficesusethewebonadailybasis.Anothermediatoolwasacall‐inshowatKYUKradioinBethelheldinmid‐January,inwhichtheCorpsprovidedbriefremarksandthenrespondedtocomments,assistedbyatranslator,fornearlyanhour.ThisradiostationhasawideaudienceacrosstheY‐KDelta.
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ThepublicscopingmeetingdatesandlocationsaredetailedinTable1.
Table1:ScopingMeetings,DatesandLocations
Location Date Time&Place
Bethel January14,2013 6:00p.m.Yup’iitPiciryaraitCulturalCenter
Aniak January15,2013 6:00p.m.,AniakHighSchool
CrookedCreek January16,2013 6:00p.m.,TribalCouncilOffice
Anchorage January22,2013 6:00p.m.,WildaMarstonTheatre
Nunapitchuk January30,2013 1:00p.m.,BingoHall
Akiak January31,2013 1:00p.m.,CommunityCenter
McGrath February15,2013 4:30p.m.,McGrathNativeVillageCouncilOffice
HooperBay February26,2013 1:00p.m.,TribalCouncilOffice
ToksookBay February27,2013 1:00p.m.,BingoHall
Quinhagak February28,2013 1:00p.m.,QanirtuuqVillageCorporationOffice
SaintMary’s March13,2013 6:00p.m.,CityHall
Emmonak March14,2013 6:00p.m.,CityComplex
HolyCross March20,2013 6:00p.m.,CommunityHall
Kipnuk March22,2013 1:30p.m.,KipnukHighSchool
Thescopingmeetingformatandtheinformationpresentedwasthesameateachpublicmeeting.InadditiontotheCorpsandEISTeamrepresentatives,acourtrecorderwaspresenttodocumentcommentsinatranscriptofthemeeting.
Duringthefirsthalfhouropen‐housesession,attendeeshadtheopportunitytoviewinformationalpostersandmaps.TheCorpsandEISTeamrepresentativeswereavailablearoundtheroomtoanswerquestions.ThemoreformalportionofthemeetingstartedapproximatelyonehalfhourlaterateachmeetingwithaPowerPointslidepresentation.Basedonpriorplanningdiscussionswithcommunityleaders,theEISTeamemployedaYup’iklanguagetranslatorforthemeetingwhereappropriate.ThepresentationdescribedtheproposedDonlinGoldProjectanditshistory,introducedtheEISprocess,andsummarizedsomepotentialareasofconcern,asabasisfordiscussion.Apublicquestionandcommentperiodfollowed.
Commentformswereavailableatthemeetingssothatattendeescouldsubmitwrittencommentsduringthemeetingormailtheminatalaterdate.Translatedcommentswerecapturedinthemeetingtranscriptions.ThetranslatormadeanefforttousespecializedvocabularythathasbeenestablishedtohelpcommunicateabouttechnicalminingissuesinYup’ik.Alinktothescopingmeetingsummariesandtranscriptscanbefoundontheprojectwebsite:http://donlingoldeis.com/GetInvolved.aspx.
Thescopingmeetingswerewellattendedwithatotalattendanceof468personsinthe14meetingsandoralcommentsofferedby134persons.TheEISTeammadeinformaloutreachcallstotribal,corporation,andcityleadersintheneighboringvillages,aswellineachhostvillage.ThepurposewastoalerttheleaderstotheEISprojectandprovideinformationaboutthescopingmeetings.
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Inaddition,DonlinGoldprovidedtravelsupport(charterflightsorgasmoneyforsnowmachinetravel)torepresentativeschosenbythetribe,city,andvillagecorporationintheneighboringvillages,sotheycouldattendthescopingmeetingintheirsub‐region.Forexample,intheAniakmeeting,KalskagandRussianMissionvillageschooserepresentativeswhowereabletoattendwithsupportfromDonlinGold.InAnchorage,representativesselectedbythevillageofTyonekwereabletoattend.Inall,representativesfrom21neighboringvillageswereabletoattendthescopingmeetingsheldinthe14hostcommunitiesresultinginparticipationfrom35villages,asshowninTable2,anddisplayedinFigure1.
Inadditiontothepublicscopingmeetings,theCorpsrespondedtoaninvitationtoprovideanoverviewoftheEISattheKuskokwimAreaFisheriesManagementInteragencyMeetingonMarch19,2012.ThismeetingincludedfederalandstatefisheriesmanagersaswellastribalrepresentativesfromtheKuskokwimRiver.
Participationinthescopingprocesshasbeenwidespread,withmanyhoursofquestionsandtestimony,alongwithmanywrittensubmissions.Participantsinthescopingmeetingsincludedelderswhospokewithgreatpassionaboutthevaluesoftheland,therivers,thefishandwildlife,andtheopportunitiesfortheirchildrenandgrandchildrentocontinuetheYup’ikwayoflifeandthesubsistencetraditions.Manyvillageleadersareveryexperiencedinenvironmentalmanagementissuesandspokeindetailabouttheirconcernsregardingairemissions,mercuryandcyanidecontamination,bargetraffic,boomandbustimpactsoncommunities,andclimatechange.
Table2:DonlinGoldProjectEISScopingMeetingAttendance
HostVillage AdditionalVillages EstimatedAttendance
PersonsMakingComments
Bethel Napaimute 57 24
AniakChuathbaluk,Napaimute,Kalskag,RussianMission
41 13
CrookedCreek N/A 37 5
Anchorage Tyonek 59 15
Nunapitchuk Kasigluk,Atmautluak 21 6
Akiak Kwethluk,Tuluksak,Quinhagak
36 9
McGrath N/A 10 6
HooperBay Chevak 33 7
ToksookBay Newtok,Nightmute 50 11
Quinhagak Eek,GoodnewsBay,Platinum
45 14
St.Mary’s Andreafsky 22 10
Emmonak N/A 5 3
HolyCross Anvik 14 4
Kipnuk Tuntutuliak,Chefornak,Kongiganak
38 7
Totals 35villages 468attendees 134commenters
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Figure1:DonlinGoldEISScopingMeetingLocations
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3.0 NEXTSTEPSINTHEEISPROCESSThissectionisintendedtobeaverybroadoverviewofthenextstepsintheNEPAEISprocess.
3.1 UTILIZATIONOFSCOPINGCOMMENTSPubliccommentsshapetheNEPAprocessbyidentifyingproject‐relatedquestionsandissuesofconcern.Typicallyquestionsareinreferenceto:theproject,existingenvironment,extentoftemporalandspatialimpacts,orpotentialconsequencestothehumanenvironmentfromtheproposedaction.Substantivequestionsandissuesofconcernaregroupedbysubjectmatterinthisscopingreport.Thisinformationisusedinthealternativesdevelopmentprocess,thestudyoftheaffectedenvironment,andintheprocesstoanalyzeenvironmentalconsequences(orimpacts).
3.2 DEVELOPALTERNATIVESManyofthescopingcommentssuggestedalternativesinprojectdesignandoperations.TheEISwillexamineareasonablerangeofalternativesthatmeetthepurposeandneedoftheproject,includingthoseidentifiedinscopingcomments.Thisensuresthatthefullspectrumofpositionsexpressedbyparticipantsinthescopingprocesshasbeenconsidered,asrequiredbyNEPA.TheEISwillalsodescribealternativesthathavebeeneliminatedfromfurtherdetailedconsiderationandnotbroughtforwardforformalanalysis,alongwiththereasonsforelimination.
TheCorpsandtheEISTeamwilldevelopeachviablealternative,usingavailableinformationandbyidentifyingadditionalinformationthatneedstobeobtainedinordertoevaluateallofthealternativesonanequalbasis.Thealternativesdevelopmentprocessoccursafterthescopingcommentsarecompiled.Thisstepbeganinlatespring2013.
3.3 STUDYOFTHEAFFECTEDENVIRONMENTDuringscoping,thepublicidentifiedmanyissuesandconcernstobeaddressedintheEIS.WithCorpsoversight,theEISTeamwillreviewandsummarizeavailablebaselineinformationtoaddresstheseissuesandconcerns.Thesummarywillincludebaselinestudiesconductedintheprojectarea,agencydataregardingkeyresources,publishedandunpublishedscientificliterature,andTraditionalEcologicalKnowledgeandWisdom.ThisinformationwillbepresentedintheAffectedEnvironmentchapteroftheEIS.Thisstepisscheduledtobeginmid‐2013.
3.4 ASSESSENVIRONMENTALCONSEQUENCESOFALTERNATIVESTheCorpsandtheEISTeamwillevaluatepotentialenvironmentalconsequencesoftheapplicant’sproposedactionandthealternativescarriedforwardforanalysis,includingdirect,indirect,andcumulativeeffects.Wewilladdressregulatoryrequirementsassociatedwithfederal,state,andlocalagencypermitsintheanalysisofpotentialeffects.Thisstepwillbeconductedaftertherangeofalternativesandthebaselineconditionsoftheaffectedenvironmentareidentified.Scopingcommentsrelatedtopotentialprojectimpactsareconsideredinthisstage.
3.5 ISSUETHEDRAFTEISTheCorpswillreleaseaDraftEIS,whichwillbeavailableforreviewbythepublic,tribalgovernments,local,state,andfederalagencies.TheDraftEISwillbeavailablefora90‐dayreviewaftertheNoticeofAvailabilityhasbeenpublishedintheFederalRegister.TheCorpswillholdpublicmeetings,toofferanopportunityforpubliccommentontheDraftEIS.Currently,thepubliccommentperiodisestimatedtooccurfromAugusttoNovember2014.Publicmeetingsforthe
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DraftEISwouldbeheldduringthatperiod.Totheextentpossible,meetingdateswillbearrangedwithconsiderationoflocalseasonalschedules.
TheDraftEISwillincludeaspecializedanalysisofpotentialimpactstosubsistenceresourcesandharvests,asrequiredunderSection810ofAlaskaNationalInterestLandsConservationAct(ANILCA).Ifthatanalysisfindsthattheproposedactionwouldsignificantlyrestrictsubsistenceuses,(asdefinedbytheAlaskaNationalInterestLandsConservationAct(ANILCA)thenSection810subsistencehearingswouldalsobeheldintheaffectedcommunities.TheSection810SubsistencehearingsaretypicallyconductedinconjunctionwiththemeetingsontheDraftEIS.
3.6 ISSUETHEFINALEISANDRECORDOFDECISIONAfteranalyzingpubliccommentsreceivedontheDraftEIS,theCorpsandtheEISTeamwillrevisethedocumenttoprepareaFinalEIS.TheFinalEISwillincludethecommentssubmittedontheDraftEIS,includingchangesmadetotheEISinresponsetocomments.Thisstepwillincludepublicnoticeofdocumentavailability,thedistributionofthedocument,anda30‐daycomment/waitingperiodonthefinalEIS.Thisstepisprojectedtotakeplaceinlate‐2015.
TheCorpswillstrivetomeettheNEPArequirementsofthefederalcooperatingagenciesinthisEISprocess.ThefederalcooperatingagenciesmayeachissueaseparateRecordofDecision.TheissuanceoftheRecord(s)ofDecisionwillconcludetheEISprocessinlate2015.EachRecordofDecisionwillidentifythepreferredalternative,aswellastheagency’srationaleforitsconclusionsregardingtheenvironmentaleffectsandappropriatemitigationmeasuresfortheproposedproject.
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4.0 SUMMARYOFCOMMENTSRECEIVED
4.1 ISSUESIDENTIFIEDDURINGSCOPINGPublicscopingcommentsregardingtheDonlinGoldEISwerereceivedasoralandwrittentestimonyatthepublicscopingmeetings,andaswrittencommentsreceivedthroughtheprojectwebsite,mail,email,andfax.Commentsweresubmittedbyindividualcitizensaswellasgroupsincluding:federalagencies,tribalgovernments,stateagencies,localgovernments,businesses,specialinterestgroupsandnon‐governmentalorganizations.
Thissectionofthescopingreportsummarizestheissuesidentifiedinthescopingcomments.AppendixDprovidesanindexofagencyandpublicscopingcomments.ThecompletetextofpubliccommentsreceivedisincludedintheAdministrativeRecordfortheEISandinAppendicesEandF.
Therewereatotalof169unique“submissions”receivedbytheCorpsduringthescopingperiod.Thetermsubmissionreferstotheentiretyoforaltestimonyatapublicmeeting,aletter,ane‐mailmessage,orafaxtransmission.Ofthesesubmissions,13aretranscriptsfromthepublicscopingmeetings,duringwhichatotalof134peopleprovideprovidedtheiroralcomments.Mostsubmissionsincludemany“comments,”atermwhichreferstoeachofthediscreteconceptsconveyedinasubmission.TheEISTeamassignedissuecategorycodestoeachcomment,basedonthecontentofthecomment.TheissuecategoriesandcodesarelistedinTable3.TheEISTeamthengroupedtheissuesbygeneraltopics,includingenvironmentaleffects,purposeandneed,proposedactionandalternatives,andregulatorycompliance.
Table3:DonlinGoldEISScopingIssueCategoryCodes
Group IssueCategory IssueCode
Process:
NEPA,Permits,thisEIS,ConsultationandCoordination
LegislativeandRegulatoryProcess LEG
CooperatingAgencies CAP
PublicInvolvementandScoping PUB
Government‐to‐Government G2G
NEPAProcess NEP
PurposeandNeed PurposeandNeed P&N
ProposedAction,Alternatives,andMitigationMeasures,Monitoring
ProposedActionandAlternatives PAA
MitigationMeasures MIT
Bonding,Escrow,RestorationandReclamation BER
Monitoring MON
PlanofDevelopment POD
AffectedEnvironment:Commentsabouteachresource,and
EnvironmentalConsequences:
Potentialdirect,indirectandcumulativeimpacts
PHYSICAL
AirQuality AIQ
AcidRockDrainage ARD
BargeIssues BARG
ClimateChange CLIM
FuelSpillRisks/Release FSR
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Group IssueCategory IssueCode
AffectedEnvironment:Commentsabouteachresource,and
EnvironmentalConsequences:
Potentialdirect,indirectandcumulativeimpacts
PHYSICALcontinued
Geology GEO
GroundwaterImpacts GRD
HazardousMaterials HZM
Hydrology(surfacewater) HYD
WaterQualityandQuantity WAQ
BIOLOGICAL
Birds‐Impacts BIRD
Fish‐Impacts FISH
Habitat HAB
Vegetation VEG
WetlandsandAquaticCommunities WET
WildlifeImpacts WILD
SOCIAL
Archeological/CulturalResources CUL
EnvironmentalJustice EJ
LandOwnership,ManagementandUse LAND
NaturalGasSupply GAS
PublicHealth PHL
Recreation REC
SocioeconomicImpacts SER
Subsistence SUB
TraditionalCultureandWayofLife TWL
Transportation TRAN
VisualResources VIS
WildernessCharacteristics WCR
General DataandAvailableInformation DATA
Non‐SubstantiveComment NSB
Research,Monitoring,andEvaluationNeeds RME
Amongthescopingcommentsreceived,someissueswereraisedmorefrequentlythanothers.Akeypurposeofscopingisto“determinethescopeandthesignificantissuestobeanalyzedindepthintheenvironmentalimpactstatement(40CFR1501.7).Significantissuescanberaisedbyjustafewcommentsorbymanycommenters.ItisthesignificanceoftheissueandnotthefrequencyofthecommentthatdetermineshowitshouldbeaddressedintheEIS.Figure2isabargraphthatorganizesthenumberofcommentsbycommentcategory;itisjustonetooltodemonstratetheextentofpublicconcern.
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TheEISTeamreadandanalyzedallsubmissionsforsubstantivecomments.WeassignedsubstantivecommentsasingleIssueCodeintheCommentAnalysisSystemdatabase.Forexample,acommentwouldbecoded“HYD”becauseitrelatestohydrology.Eachcommententeredinthedatabasealsoreceivedanautomatictrackingnumber(CommentID)bytheCommentAnalysisSystemdatabase.Forexample,aletterfromCrookedCreekTraditionalCouncilwasSubmission21anditcontainedatotalof25individualcomments,eachofwhichreceivedaCommentIDnumber.
Thisscopingperiodgenerated2,763codedcomments,whichwerethensortedtoclusterthosecommentsmakingacommonpoint.SimilarcommentsweresummarizedintoStatementsofConcern(SOCs)andareincludedinSection4.2.ThetermSOCreferstoasummarystatementthatcapturesthecommonpointofseveralrelatedsubstantivecomments.EverysubstantivecommentwasassignedtoaSOCbasedonitscontent.Whenrelatedcommentsaresummarizedtogether,atotalof444SOCsresulted.EachSOCisrepresentedbyanissuecategorycodefollowedbyanumber(forexample,“HYD1”).TheCorpswillusetheSOCstoidentifyissues,alternatives,andmitigationmeasurestobeanalyzedintheEIS.
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Figure2:DonlinGoldEISScopingCommentsbyIssue[Revised6/25/13]
Notes:CommentsreceivedonthePlanofDevelopment(POD)byBLMwerecodedbutarenotincludedintheStatementsofConcern.
AirQuality (AIQ)
AcidRockDrainage(ARD)
BargeIssues(BARG)
Bonding,EscrowRestoration&Reclamation(BER)
Bird–Impacts(BIRD)
CooperatingAgencies(CAP)
ClimateChange(CLIM)
Archeological/CulturalResources(CUL)
Data&AvailableInformation(DATA)
EnvironmentalJustice(EJ)
Fish–Impacts(FISH)
FuelSpillRisks/Release(FSR)
Government‐to‐Government(G2G)
NaturalGasSupply(GAS)
Geology(GEO)
GroundwaterImpacts(GRD)
Habitat(HAB)
Hydrology(surfacewater)(HYD)
HazardousMaterials(HZM)
LandOwnership,Management&Use(LAND)
Legislative&RegulatoryProcess(LEG)
MitigationMeasures(MIT)
Monitoring(MON)
NEPAProcess(NEP)
Non‐SubstantiveComment(NSB)
Purpose&Need(P&N)
ProposedAction&Alternatives(PAA)
PublicHealth(PHL)
PlanofDevelopment(POD)
PublicInvolvement&Scoping(PUB)
Recreation(REC)
Research,Monitoring&EvaluationNeeds(RME)
SocioeconomicImpacts(SER)
Subsistence(SUB)
Transportation(TRAN)
TraditionalCultureandWayofLife(TWL)
Vegetation(VEG)
VisualResources(VIS)
WaterQualityandQuantity(WAQ)
WildernessCharacteristics(WCR)
Wetlands&AquaticCommunities(WET)
WildlifeImpacts(WILD)
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4.2 STATEMENTSOFCONCERN
ACID ROCK DRAINAGE (ARD)
Commentsregardingrisksofacidrockdrainagefrommineprojectcomponents,includingthewasterockfacility.Compositionofthecontaminants,drainage,leaching,andpathwaysforacidrockdrainage.Acidrockdrainageisapotentialsourceofimpactonmanyresources,suchaswaterquality,wetlands,fish,andsubsistencefoodresources.Additionaldiscussionisfoundundertheseresources.
Category Code Description
ARD1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzeimpactsresultingfromacidrockdrainage,wasterock,andleachingtothefollowing:
• Fishandotheraquaticlife;
• Waterquality,groundwaterandsurfacewater;
• Subsistenceresourcesandactivities;and
• Publichealth.
ARD2 TheDraftEISshoulddescribeindetailhowacidrockdrainage,thetailings,andmetalsleachingwouldbetreatedpost‐closureandinperpetuity.Specifically,howwouldwaterbepreventedfromenteringthetailings?Commenterssuggestalternativeengineeringplansthateliminatetheneedforwatertreatmentbeyondatenyearpost‐reclamationperiod."TheDraftEISshouldanalyzescenarioswheresitewaterisnottreatedpriortodischarge,modelhowfardownstreamacidminedrainageandmetalimpactswouldextend,andevaluateseverityofpotentialimpactsontheenvironment."
ARD3 TheDraftEISshoulddescribethetreatmentofwasterockandcontaminatedwater,andhowitwouldbepreventedfromleachingintonearbywaterbodies.Specifically,commentershavethefollowingquestions,concerns,andsuggestions:
• Whatistheblendingtechniqueforwasterocktoneutralizeacidgeneration?Whataretherequirementsandhowwouldtheybemetovertime?
• Howmanylinerswouldbeusedinthetailingspond,andhowlongdotheylast?
• Duringpost‐reclamation,whathappensifthetailingspondoverflowsduetoheavyprecipitation?
• Onecommentersuggeststhatacidproducingwasterockandtailingsshouldbemadeintoasolidmixedwithcementandlayeredwithclays.
• "Evaluateandmodelpotentialratesandvolumesofinfiltration/seepagefromminingfacilitiesintogroundwaterandsurfacewaters"anddescribehowthesereleaseswouldaffectsurfaceandgroundwaterquality.
ARD4 Thefollowingmonitoringplansandmitigationmeasuresaresuggested:
• Developacidrockdrainageandmetalleachingtestingplans,includingascheduleandtimeframe;theseshouldbeconductedduringtrenchingalso;
• Testopenpitminelithologiesregularlyduringthelifeofthemine,andduringclosureandreclamation;
• Consider"addingathicker,denserimpoundmentcaptothetailingspittoreduceoxygenflux,slowdownoxidationofthetailings,andreducehydraulicconductivityandwatermovementdownthroughthetailings";
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Category Code Description
• Toreducethepotentialofacidrockdrainageandmetalleaching,evaluatepossibilityofmixingamendmentstothetailings;
• Tominimizeinfiltration/seepage,considertheuseofageo‐membranelinerforthewasterockfacility;
• Considerputtinglinersontailingsstoragefacilitiesasamitigationmeasuretopreventleachingofcontaminantsintowatersystemsduringconstruction;and
• Monitoringplansshouldbeimplementedtoregularlytestgroundwaterandsurfacewatersforacidrockdrainageandmetalleaching.
ARD5 TheDraftEISshoulddescribewhatwouldbedonewithwasterockresultingfrompipelineconstruction.Also,analysisshouldbeconductedalongtheright‐of‐way(ROW)todeterminewhethertrenchingcouldresultinacidrockdrainageormetalleachingintonearbysurfaceandgroundwater.
ARD6 Commentersareconcernedaboutcontainmentofthetailingsduringearthquakes.
ARD7 CommentersrequestthattheDraftEISprovideinformationthatiseasilyaccessibletoreaderswithoutsubjectmatterexpertise,particularlysectionsregardingacidrockdrainage.
ARD8 CommentersnotetheWasteRockManagementPlanlackssufficientdetailregardingthesamplesusedtoconducttheanalysis.TheDraftEISshoulddescribehowthesesampleswereselectedandevaluatetheireffectiveness.Equalemphasisshouldbegiventoidentifyinghazardousmaterialsasprofitablematerials.Assuch,thegeologyandgeochemistryoftheminesiteshouldbefullycharacterized,aswellasthepipelineROW.TheDraftEISshouldincludeacharacterizationoftheoreandwasterockandminetailingsforpotentialacidrockdrainageandmetalleaching.Thisshouldbeconductedpriortoconstructionandoperations,throughoutthelifeofthemine,andduringmineclosureandreclamation.
ARD9 Withregardstoacidrockdrainageandmetalleaching,theDraftEISshoulddiscussregionalmineralizationandexistinggolddepositsandmineprojectsinAlaskaassiteanalogsforevaluatingandcomparingtheproposedproject.Thisincludeshistoricandpresentgoldminingprojects.Forexample,comparetheore,wasterock,andtailingscharacterizationoftheproposedprojecttootherexistinggoldminesinAlaskasuchasFortKnox,Pogo,NixonForkorKensington.
ARD10 CommentersreferencingtheWasteRockManagementPlanbelievethatcategorizingthewasterockas“PotentiallyAcidGenerating”or“NonAcidGenerating”wasdoneincorrectlyandrequestthatthistopicberevisited.Theysuggestagenciesshouldreviewthisdeterminationtoinsurethatthedeterminationbetweenthepotentially‐andnon‐acidgeneratingwasterockisconservativeandwouldnotconstituteapotentiallong‐termriskoftherockgoingacid.
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AIR QUALITY (AIQ)
Commentsandconcernsregardingimpactstoairqualityfromconstruction,fugitivedustemissions,vehicleequipmentemissionsandminingactivities(mercurydust).Thisincludesconcernforeffectsonclimatechange.
Category Code Description
AIQ1 Airqualityisamajorconcernamongcommenters.TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzetheimpactsfromchangesinairqualityresultingfromprojectconstruction,operations,maintenance,andreclamation/closure.Thedirect,indirect,andcumulativeimpactsontheenvironmentandhumanhealthshouldbediscussed.TheDraftEISshouldincludeanairqualityassessmentforcomparingtheexistingbaselineairqualityconditionswiththeairqualityduringtheproject,atallphases,includingallequipment,andconsideringofwinterandsummerconditions.Anypollutantsnotconsideredintheanalysisshouldbediscussed,includingthereasonfortheiromissionandwhytheyarenotexpectedtocontributetoimpacts.Morespecifically,thisanalysisshouldinclude:• Currentairqualityconditionsanddataintheproposedprojectarea;
• DiscussionofhowtheairqualitydatawouldmeettheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency’s(EPAs)PreventionofSignificantDeteriorationcollectionrequirementfornewmajorsourcesofairpollution;PreventionofSignificantDeteriorationrequiresinstallationofthebestavailablecontroltechnology,anairqualityanalysis,andadditionalimpactsanalysis,andpublicinvolvement;
• Surroundingtopography,pollutanttransportanddispersion,andsecondaryformationofairpollutants;
• Localknowledgeregardingwindpatternsthatcouldaffectairquality;
• Impactstonaturalresources,ecosystemsandhumancommunities,includingcriticalhabitats,wildliferefuges,sensitivewetlandsandwaterbodies,waterresources,archeologicalorculturalresources,andthreatenedandendangeredspecies;
• Estimatedemissionsfrombargeactivity;
• Evaluationofwhetherairqualitydatausedforbackgroundlevelsistrulyrepresentative;and
• Detailedmitigationandmonitoringplanstoreduceimpactsfromemissions.
AIQ2 TheairqualityanalysisintheDraftEISshouldincludemaps,diagramsandothervisuals.Commenterssuggestthefollowing:• Mapillustratingbaselineairqualitydata,includingalllocationsandelevationsofpastandpresentairqualitydatacollectionstations;
• Flowdiagramshowinglocationofcontroltechnologiesandwheremercurymonitoringwouldoccur,amountofmercurycaptured,andhowmuchmercurywouldbereleasedfromthemillexhauststack;
• Mapshowingthespatialorairshedboundariesoftheprojectdefinitionofambientair;
• Facilitylayoutshowingtheambientairboundary,locationofallemissionsources,buildings,andstructures;includeanortharrowandscale;
• Graphics/isoplethstodisplaylocationsofpredictedemissionsconcentrations;alsoprovidetablessummarizingdataandmodelresults;and
• Mapillustratingairqualitymodelingdomain(ambientairboundary,nearfield,farfield,sensitivereceptorlocations,etc.).
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Category Code Description
AIQ3 TheDraftEISshouldsummarizeexistingairqualityclassificationsandbackgroundconcentrations(includingthoseinCookInlet)andevaluatewhethertheproposedprojectwouldhaveadverseeffectsonClassIAreasidentifiedundertheCleanAirAct,anddevelopmitigationmeasurestominimizeimpacts.Also,theDraftEISshoulddiscusstheproposedproject’sairqualitydesignations,ifany(i.e.attainment,non‐attainmentorunclassified),anddescribetheimplicationsofthecurrentClassIIdesignationfortheprojectarea.ProximitytotheBelugaGasFieldandTuxedniWildernessAreaisaClassIArea,aswellasanysensitivefederallandsneartheconstructioncorridorforthepipeline.TheDraftEISshouldclarifythestatusofexistingpermittedsourcesofairpollution,suchasAQ0934ORL01fortheDonlinGoldproject.
AIQ4 TheDraftEISshouldincludeanairemissionsinventorytoaccountforallsourcesandquantitiesofairpollutantemissionsfromallphasesandaspectsoftheprojectincludingconstruction,operation,maintenance,andreclamation/closure.Emissionsourcesshouldincludeallsupportactivities,andspecificgeographicareasforcertaintimeframes.Schematicsanddiagramsshouldbepartoftheanalysis.Sourcesanalyzedshouldbebothstationaryandmobile(e.g.dieselengines,turbines,aircraft,marinevesselsandbarges,pipeline,andfugitiveroaddust).Sourcesofpotentialgasflaringshouldbeidentifiedandthesystemforgasflaringforthepipelineshouldbediscussed.Airemissionsassociatedwiththesourceofgasflaringshouldbeevaluated.Furthermore,thereceptorsforairemissionsshouldbeidentified(i.e.nearbyschools,hospitals,etc.)anddiscussed,includingthevariouspathwaysofexposure.AllairemissioninventorydatashouldmeettheNationalAmbientAirQualityStandardsand/orstatestandards.Applicableairqualitylaws,regulationsandpermitsshouldbediscussed,andmonitoringdatathatindicatesanyairqualityviolationshouldberecorded.
AIQ5 Airqualitymodelingshouldbeconductedtodetermineiftheproposedprojectwouldhaveadverseimpactsontheenvironment.Thetypeofmodelingshouldbediscussed,alongwithassociatedcalculationmethodologiesandassumptionsofemissionrates(includingoperatinghours,fuels,heatinput,etc.).TheDraftEISshouldprovidestackparametersforpointsources(height,temperature,exitvelocity,anddiameter),andconductandprovideaGoodEngineeringPracticestackheightanalysis.Commentersalsosuggestthefollowing:
• IdentifyrepresentativemeteorologicaldatathatwouldbeusedwiththeEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)guidelineornon‐guidelinemodel;thiswouldhelpwithpredictingprojectcompliancewithairstandardsandprojectconcentrationimpactsduringallphasesoftheproject;
• ConsistentwiththeBureauofLandManagement(BLM)requirements,conductanAirQualityRelatedValueanalysis;
• AddresssecondaryformationofozoneandPM2.5(i.e.,sulfates,nitratesandvolatileorganiccompounds);and
• Discusspathwaysformercuryairemissionsfromthemine,includingmercuryspeciation;identifymitigationandmonitoringtechniques.
AIQ6 AdetailedairqualityassessmentshouldbeincludedintheDraftEIS,andmadepublicbeforethecommentperiodbeginsfortheDraftEIS.Itshouldincludethefollowing:
• AlistofprojectspecificHazardousAirPollutantsemitted,includingestimatedquantity,andthemobileandstationarysources;
• AcomparisonofprojectemissionstotheNationalEmissionsStandardsforHazardous
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Category Code Description
AirPollutants;
• NationalAmbientAirQualityStandardsandestimatesofPM2.5andPM10(particulatematter)duringallphasesoftheproposedproject;
• Fugitivedustemissionsandimpactsonhumanhealth,includingsensitivepopulationssuchaschildrenandelders;
• Emissionsresultingfrompipelineconstructionandequipment,andassociatedimpactstopeopleinlocalcommunitiesandconstructioncamps;
• Potentialforplumes;
• Separateanalysisofreleasesandemissions;
• Prevailingwindsandpotentialforemissionstospread;and
• Detailedmitigationandmonitoringplans,andclosureplansifhazardsbecometoohigh.
AIQ7 Environmentalandhumanimpactsneedtobediscussedwithregardstofugitivedust.Commenterssuggestanalyzingthefollowing:
• Impactstosubsistenceresourcesincludingfish,moose,caribou,berriesandgreens;
• Anestimateofnumberofvehiclesandmilestraveled;
• Howfardustwouldtravel;
• Impactstowaterquality,particularlythatoftheKuskokwimRiver;
• Publichealthimpacts;and
• Climatechangeandresultingeffectsonsnowpack.
AIQ8 Impactsfrommercurycontaminationareofgreatconcerntocommenters.TheDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzeimpactsfrommercurythroughoutthelifeoftheproject,includingconstruction,operation,maintenanceandreclamation/closure.Theamountandphysical/chemicalformofmercurycapturedshouldbediscussed.Theanalysisshouldincludeallenvironmentalandhumanimpacts.Commenterssuggestincludingthefollowing:
• Quantificationofbaselinemercuryemissionsfromnaturallandscape;
• DiscussionofhowtheproposedprojectwouldmeetNationalEmissionStandardsforHazardousAirPollutants,includingmercuryairemissionlimitsandmonitoringrequirements;
• Characterizationoftheamountofmercuryintheore;
• Descriptionofproposedmercuryabatementprocessandcontroltechnologies;includediscussionofhownewmercuryairemissionlimitswouldbemet;
• Efficiencyoftheproposedmercurycapturesystemandamountofairemissionsfromthemillexhauststack;
• Predictedtimingofmercuryemissions;
• Amountofmercuryandriskoffugitivemercuryemissionsintailingsstoragefacilities,wasterockstoragefacilities,aswellasnon‐thermalsources;
• Storageandtransportationofmercury;identifyauthorizedmercuryrecyclers;
• Assessmentbasedonidentifiedandquantifiedpointandnonpointsourcesofmercuryemissions;alsoidentifyandquantifyreceptors;
• Winderosionofmercury‐enrichedparticles;
• Evaporationandprecipitationandimpactstosurroundingresources;
• Impactstosubsistenceresourcesincludingfish,moose,caribou,berriesandgreens;
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Category Code Description
• Publichealthimpacts;
• Prevailingwinds;
• Potentialforemissionstospread;and
• Detailedmitigationandmonitoringplanstoreducemercuryreleaseandcontamination,andclosureplansifmercurylevelsbecometoohigh.
AIQ9 ConstructioncampincineratorsshouldbeusedinaccordancewithBestManagementPractices(BMPs)andaccordingtostandardoperatingprocedurestominimizeemissions.
AIQ10 TheDraftEISshoulddescribetheprocessofevaporationandcondensationwithregardstominefacilitiesandmaterials.Impactstoenvironmentalresourcesneedtobediscussed,suchasimpactstoberriesandplantliferesultingfromcontaminatedprecipitation.
AIQ11 Thepipelinewouldsignificantlyreducetoxicemissionsandprovidecleaner‐burningfuel.
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ARCHEOLOGICAL/CULTURAL RESOURCES (CUL)
ImpactstoarcheologicalandculturalresourcessubjecttoSection106oftheNationalHistoricPreservationActasaresultofconstruction,operation,andclosureoftheprojectcomponentsoftheminesite,transportationinfrastructure,andpipeline.
Category Code Description
CUL1 Duringconstruction,itisimportanttobemindfulofburialgroundsorobjectsofculturalpatrimonyastheyaresignificantandofinteresttotheaffectedAlaskatribes.Thisalsoincludeshistorictrailsandaccessroutes,traditionalhuntingandfishingcampsites,andfoodcachesites.DiscoveryofarchaeologicalandculturalresourcesaretobeincludedinSection106tribalconsultationswithaffectedtribes.
CUL2 AspartoftheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISprocess,theresponsibilityofDonlinGold,LLCtoavoidadverseimpactsonculturalresourcesandlocalculturesshouldbeconsidered,includingtheirpastworkrecordduringtheexplorationandbaselinestudyphases.
CUL3 TheDraftEISshouldincludedetailedanalysisofimpactstoculturalandhistoricresourcesresultingfromthedevelopmentofmaterialsites.
CUL4 TheDraftEISshouldevaluatetheAlaskanhistoricalandtraditionalsignificanceoftheprojectarea.Assuch,theAlaskaStateHistoricPreservationOfficershouldbeconsultedregardinguseofarcheologicalandculturalresourcesintheproposedprojectarea.Thisincludesresourcesusedforsubsistencefishing,hunting,trappingandharvesting,culturalactivitiesandmigrationroutes.Direct,indirect,andcumulativeimpactstotheseresourcesshouldbeaddressed.
CUL5 Thepipelinerouteshouldavoidknownarchaeologicalandculturalresources.Forexample,theproposedpipelineroutecouldcontributetosolarthawwhichimpactshistorictrails.
CUL6 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzethepotentialimpactstoculturalsitesalongtheKuskokwimRiverduetoerosionresultingfromincreasedbargetraffic.
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BARGE ISSUES (BARG)
Commentsrelatedtoconcernsabouttheeffectsofincreasedbargetrafficfromallprojectcomponentsandphases.Impactsincludeerosionofriverbanksfrombargetraffic;effectsonhabitatandfishandwildlife;andimpactsonsubsistenceandcommercialfishing,asexamples.Thiscategoryincludeconcernsaboutthefeasibilityoftheproposedbargingactivity,inlightofcurrentvariationinwaterlevels,aswellasthosechangesprojectedtoresultfromclimatechange.
Category Code Description
BARG1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldincludeoraddressthefollowingbargeissuesandconcernsraisedduringscoping:
• Provideadetailedtransportationrouteforbargeactivity;
• Includethenumberofbargetripsthatwouldoccurdaily,andhowmuchofanincreasethiswouldcausetocurrenttrafficontheriver;
• Potentialfornavigationalissuesthroughnarroworshallowpartsoftheriver;
• Dredgingthatmayoccur(includinglocations)andassociatedimpacts;adredgingplanshouldalsobedeveloped;
• DetailsabouthowbargeswouldadjusttovaryingwaterlevelsandtheneedtodredgetheKuskokwimRivertomaintainnavigability;
• Detailsaboutbargespeedandwake;
• Baselineconditionofriverbanks;
• Alternativemeansoftransportationwhentheriverwouldnotallowforbarges;
• Specifythesize,weight,anddraftlimitsforthebarges,aswellastheminimumclearancetotheriverbottomrequiredforthebarges;and
• Lengthandwidthofeachbargetow.
BARG2 Bargeimpactsshouldbemitigated(i.e.,avoidedandminimized)topreventharmtotheenvironment.Commenterssuggestusingnewornewerbarges,astherehavebeenaccidentswitholderbargesinthepastinAlaska.Also,residentsalongtheriverrequestthatbargespassontheoppositesideoftherivertopreventerosionwheretheyhavefishcamps,aswellasdamagethatcanoccurtoboatsanchoredintheriver.Commentersnotedthatitisimportanttohaveboatsanchoredintheriverincaseofemergency,andthatbargetrafficoftenpushesboatsagainsttheshoreline,causingdamage.
BARG3 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzedirect,indirect,andcumulativeeffectsonfish,wildlife,habitat,andsubsistenceasaresultofthefollowingphysicalimpactsresultingfromincreasedbargeandportactivity:
• Waterflowandturbidity,riverbankerosion,anderosionofsoilscausedbybargetrafficanddredging;
• Aquatichabitat,currents,circulationpatterns,andtidesthroughoutthefuelandcargotransportzonestodetermineareasofpotentialimpactsonotherresources;
• Impactsfromtheconstructionandoperationofthebargelanding;
• Effectsofpotentialicebreakingassociatedwithshiptrafficinwinterandspring;
• Climatechangemayincreasetherateofthawofpermafrosttherebyincreasingratesoferosion.
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Category Code Description
BARG4 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzeanddiscussbiologicalimpactstothefollowingasaresultofbargeactivity(includingthepotentialforincreasedsedimentationduetodredgingandconstructionofports):
• Fishandotherwildlifehabitatandmigration,particularlysalmonandspawningbeds;
• Vegetationalongtheriver;
• Marinemammals,marinelife,resourcesanduses;and
• Migratorybirds.
BARG5 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzeanddiscusssocialimpactstothefollowingasaresultofincreasedbargeactivity:
• Subsistenceandcommercialfishing,
• Othersubsistenceresourcesandactivities;
• Visualimpactsresultingfrombargetrafficontheriver;
• Culturalandarchaeologicalsitesalongtheriver(naturalprocessesoferosionarealreadydamagingsomesites);and
• Potentialforlocalresidentsneedingtorelocateduetophysicalimpacts,andfundingofsuchscenarios.
BARG6 CommentersrequestinformationrelatedtoEmergencyResponsePlans.Specifically,localresidentswantedinformationregardingwhetherDonlinGold,LLCwouldprovidefundingtolocalcommunitiesalongtherivertohelpassistwithpotentialbargeimpacts,suchasgrounding,hullbreachesorsinkingofbarges.
BARG7AccidentsandspillsrelatedtobargeactivityshouldbeaddressedintheDraftEISincludingthepotentialharmtotheenvironmentasaresultofabargeaccidentorspillandpotentialeffectstothewayoflifeforlocalAlaskaNatives,suchassubsistenceactivities.Adetailedplantopreventtheseaccidentsandspills,andmeasurestakentocleanupsuchscenarios,shouldbeincludedintheDraftEIS.
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BIRDS ‐ IMPACTS (BIRD)
Commentsrelatedtopotentialimpactstomigratorybirdsandwaterfowlpopulations,abundance,diversity,migratorypatternsandpotentialfordisplacementfromprojectcomponents.Attractionofbirdstotailingponds.
Category Code Description
BIRD1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldaddresstheeffectoftheprojectonbirdsthatareusedforsubsistence,includingptarmiganandmigratorywaterfowl.Itshoulddescribewhethercontaminantsfromtheproposedminecouldbepickedupbybirds.TheDraftEISshouldaddressimpactstonestingbirds,suchaswaterfowlpotentiallyaffectedbyriverbankerosionfromthebargetrafficandtundranestingbirdsalongtheproposedpipelineroute.TheDraftEISshoulddescribethepotentialformigratorywaterfowltodistributecontaminantsoffsitefromtheholdingpondandanyplanforpreventionofvectors.
BIRD2 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzethepotentialriskofbirdstrikeswithwindturbines,towers,transmissionlines,orotherabovegroundinfrastructure.Suchstructuresshouldbeevaluatedforpotentialbirdcollisionsduringspringandfallmigrationwhenlargernumbersofbirdsareatrisk.
BIRD3 TheDraftEISshouldidentifythepresenceofbaldorgoldeneaglesortheirnestsintheproposedprojectarea(includingthenaturalgaspipelineROW)andanalyzepotentialimpactsoftheproposedprojectonbothspecies.Determineiftheproposedprojectwouldresultinremovalofnests,lossofhabitat,ordisturbanceofbirdswhichmayrequireanEagleTakePermitundertheBaldandGoldenEagleProtectionActadministeredbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.
BIRD4 TheDraftEISshouldaddressthepotentialimpactsonbirdsfromthefollowingprojectelements:
• Impactsofwaterqualityinimpoundmentsonmigratorybirds;poorwaterqualitycouldnegativelyimpactmigratingwaterbirds,especiallyifimpoundmentsattractbirdsandareusedasroostingorstagingsites.
• Impactsoftheprojectonthe12birdspeciesofconservationconcernknowntousetheproposedprojectfacilityarea(minesite)(Table1[attachedtoUSFWScommentssubmittedduringscopingforthisDraftEIS]).Considerthatwhimbrelandolive‐sidedflycatcherbreedathigherdensitiesneartheminesitecomparedtootherareasinAlaskaandthattheproposedminesiteandthesurroundingareamaybeofregionalimportanceinsupportingpopulationsofthesespecies.
• Impactsoftheproposedprojectonthe26birdspeciesofconservationconcernthatarefoundintheprojectplanningarea(transportationcorridor)(Table1[attachedtoUSFWScommentssubmittedduringscopingforthisDraftEIS]).Considerthatmanybirdsbreedathighdensitiesoroccurinlargemigratoryconcentrationsdownriveroftheminefacility,ofteninconcentrationsofregionalorglobalsignificance.Thus,downstreamimpactsofcontaminationfrommineactivitiesortransportoffuelcouldhavesignificantimpactsonregionalorgloballyimportantbirdhabitat.Theseimpactshavethepotentialtoinfluencemigratorybirdsubsistenceresourcesofthearea,whichhaveanimportantroleinthecultureoftheregion.
• Impactsofblastingandexplosiveuse,particularlyduringthebreedingseason;describethemagnitudeandtimingofexplosivesuse,andanalyzeavoidanceandminimizationmeasuressuchasseasonaltimingrestrictions.
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Category Code Description
• PotentialeffectsfromincreasesinmercuryandothertoxicchemicalsfrommineactivitiesconsideringthefollowinginformationfromtheUSFWS:MercurylevelsarealreadyelevatedinfishinthemiddleKuskokwimRiver(Matz2012).Northernwetlandsarehotspotsforconvertingmercuryintotoxicmethylmercury.Manybirdspeciesfoundintheareaarepronetotoxicmercuryexposuresthroughmethylationandbio‐magnificationofmercuryinwetlandsystems.Birdspeciessuchasbaldeagles,loons,swallows,andevenrustyblackbirdshavebeenfoundtobeexposedtohighlevelsofmethylmercuryinotherpartsoftheirrangeeitherfromatmosphericdepositionorpointsources(Eversetal.2005,Edmondsetal.2010).Thus,evensmalltomodestincreasesinmercuryintheareafromtheminemayincreasemercuryexposuresinbirdstolevelswhichreducesurvivalandreproductivesuccess.
• Potentialimpactsassociatedwithorganicwaste.Describehoworganicwastewouldbemanagedtoreduceattractingscavengers.
• PotentialimpactsfromshippingdisturbanceandpotentialfuelcontaminantsconsideringthattheproposedroutefromDutchHarborthroughBristolBaytotheJungjukportsitehasthepotentialforfuelspillsthatcouldhavesignificantimpactstomigratorybirds.TheDraftEISshouldreportthatlargenumbersofseaducks,particularlyblackscoters,long‐tailedducks,andcommoneiders,useKuskokwimShoals.Inthefall,mudflatsareusedbygodwitsandothershorebirds,aswellasthousandsofforagingnorthernpintails.ThecoastalareafromthemouthoftheKuskokwimRivertothesouthsideofNelsonIslandisthemostimportantareaforfallstagingshorebirdsonthewestcoastofNorthAmerica.Itsupportshundredsofthousands,ifnotmillions,ofshorebirds,includingvirtuallytheentireNorthAmerican‐breedingpopulationofbar‐tailedgodwitsthatstagetherebeforeflyingnon‐stoptoNewZealandandAustralia.
BIRD5 Incorporatevegetation‐clearingtimingwindowsintheDraftEIStominimizetheprojectandeffectsonmigratorybirds.ThiswebsiteshouldbereviewedinpreparationoftheDraftEIS:(http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/fieldoffice/anchorage/pdf/vegetationclearing.pdf)
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BONDING, ESCROW, RESTORATION AND RECLAMATION (BER)
Commentsrelatedtoreclamationactivities,bonding,andsettingupescrowfundforrestoration.Mechanismsfortreatmentinperpetuitypostclosure(i.e.,planforpermanentwatertreatment,theentitythatwouldpaypostclosurecosts–securefinancinginperpetuity).
Category Code Description
BER1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldprovideacompletedescriptionandanalysisoffinancialassurancesforpost‐closure,reclamation,andlong‐termwatermanagement.Bondsneedtobeadequatetoensuresuccessfulreclamationandclosure,thereforedetailedcostestimatesneedtobeidentified.Thecostsassociatedwithimplementingtheclosureandreclamationneedtobefullydisclosedsothepublic,tribesanddecision‐makersareawareofthefinancialrisk.Thefollowingaresuggestionsforinclusionintheanalysis:
• Clarificationoftheentityresponsibleforpost‐closureclean‐upactivitiesandcosts;
• Listofassumptionsthatcostsarebasedon;
• Anitemizedcostestimatespreadsheet;
• Narrativedescriptionforfinancialassurancecostcategories;
• Direct,indirect,andcumulativecosts;
• Costestimatesbasedonreasonablespillorfailurescenarios;
• Variabletocalculatevalueoffutureexpenses,anddiscussionofchangesintheeconomy;
• Managementfees,taxrates,timingofpayments,andanyothermechanismsassociatedwithfinancialassurances;
• Reasonablyforeseeableoutcomes,includingchangesinclimateandprecipitationandassociatedcosts;
• Appropriateengineeringtechniquesforstabilizingcontaminatedmaterialandreclaimingfacilities,includingBestManagementPractices(BMPs);
• Goalsandcriteriafordeterminingsuccessofreclamationactivities;
• Scheduleandtimeperiodtocompletelong‐termtreatment,monitoringandmaintenance;and
• Commitmenttoreevaluatefinancialassuranceplansevery3‐5yearsorwheneveramajorchangetomineoperationshasoccurred.
BER2 Commentersrequestdetailsregardingbondingofthemine,andwhatbondswouldcover.
BER3 TheDraftEISshouldidentifywhatentitywouldberesponsibleforcleaningupfacilitiesandcontaminationaftermineclosure.OnceDonlinGoldleaves,whowouldberesponsible?Onehundredyearsaftermineclosure,whoisresponsible?TheDraftEISshouldprovidealegalreviewofliablepartiesforallscenarios,wellintothefuture.Ifthebondprovestobeinsufficient,theDraftEISshouldidentifytheentityresponsibleforcoveringcosts.
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Category Code Description
BER4 Commenterswouldliketoknowwhattheplanisforwatertreatmentinperpetuity,includingtimeframefortreatmentinperpetuityandformonitoringofwaterqualityaftermineclosure.AcidrockdrainageshouldalsobecoveredinthisanalysisintheDraftEISwhichshouldalsoprovideadetailedanalysisoflong‐termwatertreatmentcosts.SomecommentersbelievetheDraftEISshouldidentifyalternativewatertreatmentplansthatdonotrequiretreatmentbeyond10yearspost‐reclamation.
BER5 Commentersproposedthatanaccountbesetasideforenvironmentalrestoration,controlledbythetribes,thestate,andthefederalgovernment.Thefundwouldbeusedtorestoreanydamagestofisheries,wildlife,wetlands,water,andhabitats.
BER6 Theeffectsofpipelineactivitieswouldrequirefuturemaintenanceandmonitoringaftermineclosureandpipelineabandonment.Bondsneedtobeestablishedtocoverthesecosts,andtherationaleforeachcostshouldbedescribedintheDraftEIS.Specifically,commentsreceivedduringscopingnotedthattheDraftEISshouldexplain:
• Ifthepipelinewouldremaininplaceafterthelifeofthemine;
• Howthefundsgeneratedbybondingwouldbeappliedtomonitoringworkforevaluatingthelong‐termimpactstowaterbodycrossings,permafrost,vegetation,habitatanderosionwouldbemonitoredpost‐closure;
• Asystemtobeimplementedthatwillassurethatallreclamationandrestorationworkisadequatelycompleted;
• Whowillbetheresponsibleentityifeffortsofreclamationandmonitoringfail;and
• Specificcriteriaandthresholdsforsuccess.
BER7 Commentersrequestdetailedinformationforbondsthatwouldcoverdamagefrompotentialtailingsfailuresinperpetuity,andthetimeframeforwhenbondscanbeused(5,10,15yearsafterclosure?).Bondsshouldcovercappingandpreventionofpondandrainwaterintothetailings,andentitiesresponsibleformaintenanceshouldbeidentified.Iffailuresoccur,theentityresponsibleforclean‐upshouldbeidentified.Commentersareparticularlyconcernedwithimpactstofishandsubsistenceresourcesresultingfromatailingsfailure.TheDraftEISshouldincludearangeofalternativesinwhichtheminepitdoesnotbecomealakethatrequireswatertreatmentinperpetuity.Tominimizetheamountoffinancialassurance,commentersrequestremovaloftailingsmaterialoff‐site.
BER8 Inrelationtoclosureandreclamation,commentersbelieveitisunreasonabletopermitaprojectthatwouldrequireincreasinglymoreexpensivepollutioncontroltechnologybeyondclosureofthemine.TheDraftEISshoulddiscusstherealitiesofchangingenergycostsandeconomiesbeyondclosureofthemine,upto100years,andhowbondswouldadequatelycovercostsinanever‐changingeconomy.
BER9 Themineshouldonlybepermittedifitcanbebuiltwithsufficientlyeffectiveclosureandreclamationtoavoidcompromisingthelong‐termviabilityofresourcessuchasfish,waterandair,andtheenvironmentingeneral.Impactswouldbeseenbeyondthe27yearminelife.TheDraftEISshouldconductrigorousscientificresearchforallmineprocessesandmaterialsandtheassociatedpost‐closureimpactstotheenvironmentandhumanhealth.
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Category Code Description
BER10 Wasterockshouldbemanagedinperpetuity.TheprocessandmethodsformanagingwasterockandtailingstoragefacilitiesinperpetuityshouldbedescribedanddiscussedintheDraftEIS.
BER11 Costsassociatedwithlong‐term,in‐perpetuityimpactstosubsistence,wildlifeandwaterresourcesneedtobediscussedintheDraftEIS.
BER12 Theprocessforrevegetationpostclosureshouldbediscussed.Thisincludesanylandtreatments,suchasgradingorrecontouring,toreduceerosion,slopestabilityandsedimentationinsurfacewaters.ThetypeandmethodsforrevegetationshouldbeanalyzedintheDraftEIS.Allareasshouldberestoredascloselyaspossibletonaturalconditions.
BER13 Commentersrequestdetailsregardingfacilities,materialsandinfrastructurepost‐closure.Specifically,whatwouldbedonewithremainingmaterialsaftermineclosure?Wouldinfrastructurebuiltforthemineremain?
BER14 Otherminesitesshouldberesearchedandanalyzedtopredictpost‐closurescenarios.Thiswouldhelpdetermineappropriatemitigationandmonitoringplans.
BER15 TheDraftEISshouldprovidemoredetailregardingthespoilsreclamationprocessforthepipelineright‐of‐way.Specifically,whenwouldspoilsreclamationtakeplace?Commentersnotethatthespoilsidemustbewideandlowtopreventsnowfromdriftingontheright‐of‐wayorintothetrench.
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CLIMATE CHANGE (CLIM)
Commentsandconcernsabouttheimpactsofclimatechangesuchasincreasedglacialdischarges,lesssnowpack,reducedwaterlevelsintheriversystems,andthewayinwhichthesetrendsmayinteractwitheffectsoftheproposedproject.Theinteractionmayincludeclimatechangeinducedriskstotheproposedproject,oradditiveeffectsoftheprojecttostressesonresourcesduetoclimatechange.Thiscategoryalsoincludesthepotentialeffectstotheproposedprojecttoclimatechangethroughtheemissionofgreenhousegases.
Category Code Description
CLIM1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzeclimatechangeimpactsonthefollowingasaresultof,andinconjunctionwitheffectsfromtheproposedproject(includingthenaturalgaspipelineROW):
• Vegetation,habitatandplantlife;
• Icecaps,snowpack,andpotentialforincreasedmeltingandoverflow,includingeffectsoflowersnowpackandwarmertemperature(documentsummertemperaturetrends);
• Lakesandotherbodiesofwaterintheproposedprojectarea;
• Weatherchangessuchasincreasedstormactivity,flooding,andchangingmoistureregimes;
• Impactstofish,wildlife,andtheirhabitats;
• AlaskaNativecommunitiesandtheirtraditionalwayoflife;
• Permafrostandthepipelinetrench;
• StreamflowandhydrologicregimeontheKuskokwimRiveronplannedbargetraffic;
• Needfordredging,watermanagement,andwatertreatment;
• Subsistence;
• Publichealth;
• Cumulativeimpactsandreasonablyforeseeableactivitiesfurtheraffectingclimatechange;and
• CommenterssuggestthatananalysissimilartotheChuitnaIntegratedHydrologicEffectsModelbedevelopedforthisproject.
CLIM2 TheEISshouldincludeanalysisofchangesinenvironmentalconditionsovertime,changesinsurroundinghabitatduringthereclamationandrestorationphaseoftheproject,andadaptivemanagementinresponsetochangesoftemperatureandprecipitation.
MitigationmeasuresandmonitoringtechniquesneedtobedescribedintheDraftEISandimplementedtoreduceimpactsassociatedwithclimatechange.Theseshouldbeanalyzedthroughoutthelifeoftheproject.
Iftheprojectproceeds,monitoringactivitiesshouldincludeafutureHealthImpactAssessment(HIA)toprovideadetailedanalysisofclimatechangeimpactsonhumanhealth.
CLIM3 TheDraftEISshoulddescribehowdustemissionswouldpotentiallyaffectthelocalclimate.
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Category Code Description
CLIM4 TheDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzechangesingreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsasaresultoftheproposedprojectandallalternatives,disclosingthedifferencesbetweeneach.ThisincludesGHGemissionsandclimatechangeeffectsresultingfromallphasesofdevelopment,andallcomponentssuchasminefacilities,thepipeline,marineandriver,air,andgroundcargo/fueltransportation.CEQguidanceshouldbereviewedforinformationonquantifyingGHGemissions.Commentersalsosuggestedincludingthefollowing:
• GHGemissioninventorythatincludesbaselineemissions,directandindirectprojectrelatedemissions,andemissionsfromreasonablyforeseeableactivities;
• AnnualandcumulativeemissionsresultingfromtheprojectusingC02‐equivalentasametricforcomparingdifferenttypesofGHGemittedoverthelifeoftheproject,includingreclamationandclosure;
• Evaluationfutureneedsandcapacitiesoftheopenpitmine,ancillaryfacilities,andpipelinetoadapttoprojectclimatechangeeffects;
• ReasonablespatialandtemporalboundariesforGHGandclimatechangeanalysis;
• DescribethelinkbetweenGHGandclimatechange,aswellasthepotentialimpactsofclimatechangeonthestructuralintegrityoftheproposedprojectandfacilities;
• EstimatetheextentthatmeltingpermafrostassociatedwiththeproposedprojectwouldcontributetoGHGemissions;
• Changesinthecarboncycleduetomanipulationofnaturalcarbonsinksandsources;and
• Climate‐relatedbiologicalchangesovertime.
CLIM5 TheCorpsshouldkeepDonlinGold,LLCinformedofanyupdateontheissuanceofCEQfinalguidanceonhowtoevaluateclimatechangeimpacts.
CLIM6 Theproposedpipelineshouldnotbeplacedwithintundrauplandwarminghabitats.TheDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzealternativesthatwouldhelpreduceimpactsresultingfromclimatechange,particularlywithregardstothepipeline.MuchoftheroutebetweenMP150and194isexposedtosolarthaw.Commenterssuggestmovingtheroutetwoandahalfmileswestwhereitismuchmorespruce‐covered,withanaccompanyingground‐insulatingmatmaintainingpermafrostatlowertemperatures.
CLIM7 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzeclimatechangeimpactsontheproject,including:
• Thestructuralintegrityofimpoundmentsandcontainmentstructures;
• Changesinrequirementformaintenanceoftailingsimpoundmentsandtreatingwaterinperpetuity;and
• Pipelinestructuralandslopeintegrityinareaswithchangingpermafrost.
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COOPERATING AGENCIES (CAP)
Whoshouldserveasacooperatingagency?Rolesandfunctionsofthecooperatingagencies.
Category Code Description
CAP1 Concernswereexpressedregardingwhichagenciesarecooperatorsandwhicharenot.Listthecooperatingagencies,andexplainhowtheyweredeterminedandwhattheirrolesare.Specifically:
• TheU.S.Fish&WildlifeServiceshouldberepresentedbecauseofconcernswithimpactstosubsistenceresources;
• ClarifytheroleoftheBLMandtimingofthesubmittalsoftheplanforcooperation,andwildlifeavoidanceandhumanencounters/interactionplan;and
• ClarifytheroleoftheU.S.CoastGuardregardingtheirnavigationmanagementontheriveriftheproposedprojectgoesforward.
CAP2 Concernswereexpressedthattoofewvillages(fiveatthetimeofthecomment,sixatpresent)areinvolvedascooperatingtribalgovernmentsbecauseoftheamountoftimeandeffortnecessary.Clarifywhetherornotothervillagescanstillbecomeinvolvedascooperatingtribalgovernments.
CAP3 TheDraftEISshoulddescribethedistinctionbetweenacooperatingagencyandaparticipatingagency,andthedifferenceinlevelofeffortinvolved.CommentersexpressedconcernthattherearenocooperatingagenciesthatrepresentthemarineenvironmentsuchastheU.S.CoastGuardortheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceorNOAA,despitetheproposeduseoftheBeringSeaasatransportationcorridorfortheprojectandpotentialimpactstomarinewatersfromactivitiesontheriver.
CAP4 Allagenciesinvolvedinpermitting,DonlinGold,LLC,andalloftheirconsultantsshouldpooltheircontactdatabasestocreateamasterstakeholderdatabase,includingbutnotlimitedtoanyonewhowasinvolvedwiththescopingprocessorhasbeeninvolvedinotherenvironmentalorsocialcorrespondenceregardingtheproject.
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DATA AND AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DATA)
Commentsabouttheadequacyofdataandrequeststoincorporatespecificstudiesintotheanalysis.[Notetoreaders:thesecommentsretaintheformattingofthesubmitter.WhenusedintheDraftEIS,allreferenceswillbecitedinaconsistentformat].
Category Code Description
DATA1 TheCorpsshouldreviewtheseadditionalreferencesinpreparationoftheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISregardingairqualityandmercuryemissions:
ArecentpaperbyMathieuMillerandreleasedbytheAirandWasteManagementAssociationindicatedthatnon‐pointsourcesatopenpitgoldminescanbebetween14‐56percentofthetotalmercuryemissionsfromamine.[EPAreviewcommentsontheDraftScopingReportdrawadifferentconclusionfromthispaper:14‐45percentofthetotalmercuryemissionsfromamine(representingreleasesof17‐84kg/year)].
Unfortunately,EPAdoesnotregulatenon‐pointsourcesunderits2010ruling:NationalEmissionsStandardsforHazardousAirPollutantsforGoldOreProcessingandProductionFacilities.However,therulenotesthatfugitiveemissionsmaybeoccurringatthesefacilitiesfromlargenon‐pointsourcessuchastailingsponds,leachfields,andwasterockpiles.SeeMiller,etal.,Testingandmodelingtheinfluenceofreclamationandcontrolmethodsforreducingnon‐pointmercuryemissionsassociatedwithindustrialopenpitgoldmines.JournaloftheAirandWasteManagementAssociation,December2012,p.4.(6)https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/04/28/2010‐9363/national‐emission‐standards‐for‐hazardous‐air‐pollutants‐gold‐mine‐ore‐processing‐and‐production.
ResearchconductedbyMaeGustinattheUniversityofNevada,Renofoundthatmercuryairemissionsfromminingdisturbanceswereapproximately20percentofthetotalmercuryemittedatthetwogoldminesstudied,withtotalnonpointemissionsattheTwinCreeksMineof105kg/year(231pounds/year)and19kg/year(41pounds/year)attheCortezMine.Infugitiveemissionsalone,thesetwominescombinedproduced3.8timestheamountofknownmercuryairreleasesinallofAlaska,fromallsources,accordingtothe2010EPAToxicsReleaseInventory.Eckleyetal.,MeasurementofsurfacemercuryfluxesatactiveindustrialgoldminesinNevada(USA),ScienceoftheTotalEnvironment,409(2011)p.514‐522.[EPAreviewcommentsontheDraftScopingReportdrawadifferentconclusionfromthepaper:14‐56percentofthetotalmercuryemittedatthetwogoldminesstudied].
NevadaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,StakeholderMeeting,October7,2009.
NevadaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NoticeofFindingsandOrderNo.2008‐13.RegardingtheJerrittCanyonminethatfailedtooperateandmaintainpollutioncontroldevicesforasignificantperiodoftime,resultinginexcessemissionsandfailuretoreportthoseexcessemissions.Thisproblemwasnotconfirmeduntiltheannualemissionstestingeventoccurredatleastafullyearlater.
OnDecember6,2010,theEPApromulgatedNationalEmissionsStandardsforHazardousAirPollutantsforgoldareprocessingandproductionfacilitiestoregulatemercuryairemissions,whichistheseventhlargestsourceofmercuryemissionsintheUnitedStates.Thefinalruleestablishesmercuryemissionlimitsforfourtypesofprocessesfoundatgoldproductionfacilities:ore‐pretreatmentprocesses(primarilyheatingprocessesusedtoprepareareforgoldextraction);carbonprocesseswithmercuryretorts;carbonprocesseswithoutmercuryretorts;andnon‐carbon
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Category Code Description
concentrateprocesses.Table1(attachedtoEPAcommentssubmittedduringscopingforthisDraftEIS)identifiesthefinalmercuryairemissionlimitsfornewsources.Thefinalrulealsoestablishesrequirementsformonitoring,whichincludeannualmercuryemissionstestsatallemissionsstacks.https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/04/28/2010‐9363/national‐emission‐standards‐for‐hazardous‐air‐pollutants‐gold‐mine‐ore‐processing‐and‐production
DraftEISminescenarioalternativesneedtoconsiderthatminetechnologyevolvesovertime,andallowfortheinclusionof,butnotsolerelianceon,evolvingscienceincontaminantmonitoring,watermanagement,andwastemanagement.InnovativetechnologiesincludingbutnotlimitedtothefollowingshouldbeassessedinminealternativesintheDraftEIS:
• CO2capturewithtailings.DonlinGold,LLChasshownaninterestininnovativetechnology(e.g.useoftheuntestedOctoligcolumnsforseleniumremoval;applicationofUNRreagentsforremovalofmercuryfromtailingsstream)andhasalsoshownaninterestinreducingcarbonemissionsthroughtheuseofnaturalgasandwindpowerinsteadofcoal.
• ThelatestresearchintocapturingCO2inminetailings,andparticularlythechemicalandmechanicaldetails.[Footnote:NevadaBureauofMinesandGeology,Report52:AssessmentofthePotentialforCarbonDioxideSequestrationbyReactionswithRocksinNevada,DanielM.Sturmer,DaphneD.LaPointe,JonathanG.Price,RonaldH.Hess,2007;andAcceleratedCarbonationofBruciteinMineTailingsforCarbonSequestration,AnnaL.Harrison,IanM.Power,andGregoryM.Dipple,EnvironmentalScience&Technology,2013.Downloadthisreportat:http://www.nbmg.unr.edu/dox/dox.htm
• Economicscenarios(e.g.carbontax),thatmakethetechnologypotentiallyfeasibleornotfeasibleattheDonlinorebody.Iftheideaisfeasible,DonlinGold,LLCshouldbeginlabscaletestingwithsiterock,orengageinapartnershipwithresearcherscurrentlystudyingCO2capture.Ifitisnotfeasible,adetailedexplanationofwhyitisnotshouldbeprovidedintheDraftEIS.
DATA2 TheDraftEISshouldaddresspresenceandpotentialimpactsoftheprojectonallbirdsprotectedundertheMigratoryBirdTreatyActandespeciallytobirdsofconservationconcernandbirdconcentrations.TheUSFWShasseveraldatasetsonwaterfowlthatmaybeapplicabletoevaluationoftheproposedproject.TheUSFWShasconductedaerialwaterbirdsurveysofwetlandsaroundAlaskaformanyyears.Thesesurveysprovideabundance,distribution,andtrendinformationformanywaterbirdspecies.Resultingdataareavailableingeographicinformationsystem(GIS)databasesandshouldbeexamined.Theseinclude:
• AseriesofspringaerialsurveysofbreedingwaterbirdsconductedontheYukonDeltaNationalWildlifeRefuge(PlatteandButler1993),Tanana/Kuskokwimarea(Platte2003),andKenai/Susitnaarea(Platteetal.2012),allofwhichareregionallylocatednearprojectcomponents;
• Trumpeterswancensusdatacollectedevery5yearswithpopulationsize,trend,anddistributiondata;thelastlatestoccurringin2005(Conantetal.2007)(Beginningin2010,surveydesignswerechangedtosamplehabitat.Locationsoftrumpeterswansobservedduringthe2005censusareshownonMap2providedincommentsbytheUSFWSduringthescopingperiodforthisproposedproject);and
• TheSouthwestAlaskaSpringSteller'seideraerialsurvey,conductedannually,inmid‐May,from1992‐2012(except1995,1996,1999,2006;Larned2001).Thissurveymonitorsdistributionandabundanceofwaterbirdsinthenearshoremarine
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Category Code Description
environmentfromthemouthoftheKuskokwimRivertoColdBay.
TheDraftEISshouldexaminetheattachmentstocommentsprovidedbytheUSFWSduringthescopingperiodforthisproposedprojectthatincludemapsandtables:Map2‐ServiceGeneratedDataonWaterbirds;Table1‐Non‐gamebirdsofconservationconcerndetectedwithintheplanningareaoftheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEIS;andTable2‐Averagenumberofbirdscountedpersurveystopalong8BreedingBirdSurveyroutesalongtheKuskokwimRiver,Alaska(Harwood2000,2002)forconsiderationinwildlifesectionsanalysisoftheDraftEIS.
Dataisalsoavailableatthiswebsite:htt://www.waterfowladvisories.utah.gov/
DATA3 TheCorpsshouldreviewtheseadditionalreferencesinpreparationoftheDraftEISregardingclimatechangeresources:
Inadditiontoeconomicuncertainties,therearealsoseriousquestionsregardingthefutureclimateandprecipitationtrendsatminesites,furthercomplicatingtheabilitytopredictfuturecostsandneeds:http://www.mtech.edu/mwtp/conference/2012_presentations/Dave%20Williams.pdfWilliams,DavidR.2012.ClimateChange‐ExtremeConditions:DoPlansofOperationsNeedtoIncludeanArk?20thAnnualMineDesign,Operations&ClosureConferenceApril29‐May3,2012.PowerPoint
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/Downloads/endangerment/Endangerment_TSD.pdf
U.S.EPA,ClimateChangeDivision,OfficeofAtmosphericPrograms.2009.EndangermentandCauseorContributefindingsforGreenhouseGasesunderSection202(a)oftheCleanAirActhttp://www.epa.gov/climatechange/Downloads/endangerment/Endangerment_TSD.pdf
DATA4 TheCorpsshouldconsultwithAssociationofVillageCouncilPresidentsintheY‐KRegionasthisassociationhasadepartmentthatfocusesonprotectionandmitigationofimpactstoculturalsitesandmaybeabletoprovideadditionaldata.
DATA5 TheCorpsshouldconsidertheseadditionalreferencesregardingenvironmentaljustice:
ThereareanumberoftechnicalreportsandotherEnvironmentalImpactStatementsthathavebeencompletedthroughoutAlaskawhichconsiderimpactsfromresourceextractionprojectsonAlaskaNativecommunities.Theseresourcesshouldbereviewedandincluded,asappropriate,asreferencesforconsideringthefullrangeofimpactstoAlaskaNativecommunitiesandtheirwayoflife.Thesereferencesareprovidedtoassistwithevaluatingimpactsonsocio‐culturalresourcesandenvironmentaljustice:
BallardI,andBarks,C.andG.(2003).ResourceWars;TheAnthropologyofMining.AnnualReviewofAnthropology32:287:313.
Braund,StephenR.&Associates(2009).lmpactsofOilandGasDevelopmenttoBarrow,Nuiqsut,Wainwright,andAtqasukHarvesters.ReportpreparedfortheNorthSlopeBorough,DepartmentofWildlifeManagement.
Braund,S.R.andJ.Kruse(ed.)(2009).Synthesis:ThreeDecadesofResearchonSocioeconomicEffectsRelatedtoOffshorePetroleumDevelopmentinCoastalAlaska.MineralsManagementService,OuterContinentalShelfStudy2009‐006.
NationalResearchCouncil(2003).CumulativeEnvironmentalEffectsofOilandGasActivitiesonAlaska’sNorthSlope.WashingtonD.C.:TheNationalAcademiesPress.
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Category Code Description
Palinkas,L.A.,M.A.Downs,J.S.Petterson,andJ.Russell(1993).Social,Cultural,andPsychologicalImpactsoftheExxonValdezOilSpill.HumanOrganization52(1):1‐12.
Storey,K.andL.C.Hamilton(2004).PlanningfortheImpactsofMegaprojects:TwoNorthAmericanExamples.Pp.281‐302inR.O.RasmussenandN.E.Korolcva(eds.)SocialandEconomicImpactsintheNorth.Dordrecht,Netherlands:KluwerAcademicPublishers.
TetraTech(2009).RedDogMineExtensionAqqalukProjectFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement,October2009,fortheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Region10.
Duhaime,GerardandBernard,Nick,editors(2008).ArcticFoodSecurity.CanadianCircumpolarInstitute(CCI)Press,UniversityofAlbertaandCentreinter‐universitaired'etudesetderecherchesautochtones(CIERA),Universite'Laval.
ExecutiveOrder(EO)12898.Title3.59FR32.FederalActionstoAddressEnvironmentalJusticeinMinorityPopulationsandLow‐IncomePopulations.(Feb.16,1994).AndMemorandum.
GoodNeighborAgreementBetweenStillwaterMiningCompanyandNorthernPlainsResourceCouncil,CottonwoodResourceCouncil,StillwaterProtectiveAssociation.http://www.northernplains.org/the‐issues/good‐neighbor‐agreement/
EPAwebsite:EnvironmentalJusticeConsiderationsintheNEPAProcesshttp://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/nepaej/index.html
DATA6 TheCorpsshouldreviewtheseadditionalreferencesinpreparationoftheDraftEISregardingfishresources:
http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/fisheries/rdm_fish.html
Mahaffey,KR.2004.Methylmercury:EpidemiologyUpdate.PresentationattheNationalForumonContaminantsinFish,SanDiego,January28.
DATA7 TheCorpsshouldreviewthisadditionalreferenceregardingenergysources:
LePain,D.L.,2012,SummaryoffossilfuelandgeothermalresourcepotentialintheLowerYukon‐Kuskokwimenergyregion,inSwenson,R.F.,Wartes,M.A.,LePain,D.L.,andClough,J.G.,FossilfuelandgeothermalenergysourcesforlocaluseinAlaska:Summaryofavailableinformation:AlaskaDivisionofGeological&GeophysicalSurveysSpecialReport66G,p.63‐72.2
DATA8 TheCorpsshouldreviewtheseadditionalreferencesinpreparationoftheDraftEISregardingmercuryandcontamination:
PastcorrespondencefromtheDonlinGoldWorkingGroup(DGWG)totheAlaskaDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation(ADEC),theAlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources(ADNR),andtheU.SEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)regardingmercury.ThecorrespondenceisalsoavailableontheDGWGwebsite:https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxkb25saW5jcmVla3dvcmtpbmdncm91cHxneDoyMjA1ODM2ZDNmYjM4OGI5,https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxkb25saW5jcmVla3dvcmtpbmdncm91cHxneDoxNmQ3NmFiNWI4NTliOWQw,andhttps://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxkb25saW5jcmVla3dvcmtpbmdncm91cHxneDoyN2JlMDVlYmFkZjZjNjU2.]
TheCorpssshouldreviewa2001draftreportpreparedforEPA,bythecontractorBooz,AllenandHamilton,Inc.,thatevaluatedtherangeofpossiblemercuryloading
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Category Code Description
andpartitioningforeachprocessinvolvedingoldoreprocessing.Thereportdemonstratedthatamassbalanceapproachisfeasible,asitidentifiedemissionsfactorsandmassbalanceevaluationsbasedonsourcetestingdata,processengineeringinformationonmercuryconcentrationsandbehaviorintheprocessesandcontroltechnologies,andestimatesderivedfrommercuryemissionsandcontrolsfromotherindustrialprocesseswithsimilaremissiontypes.Thereportalsoflaggedtheneedforsite‐specificassessments,observingthatindividualsiteevaluationsshouldincludemassbalanceevaluationsthatmeasuremercuryconcentrationsinthesolidphases(processinputandoutputstreams)andtreatmentresiduals(adsorptionmediaandscrubbersolutions).Booz,AllenandHamiltonInc.,DraftMercuryMassBalanceandEmissionsFactorEstimatesforGoldOreProcessingFacilities(2001).
U.S.EPAToxicReleaseInventory,2008.
http://www.jmc.army.mil/Images/Hawthorne/HWAD%20Mercury%20Consolidation%20Project%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
http://mercurystorageeis.com/Elementalmercurystorage%20Interim%20Guidance%20%28dated%202009‐11‐13%29.pdf
http://yosemite.epa.gov/r9/sfund/r9sfdocw.nsf/7508188dd3c99a2a8825742600743735/2380a6ecf1b1731f88257007005e9424!OpenDocument
AlaskaCommunityActiononToxics&ReducingEnvironmentalDestructiononIndigenousLands,MiningandToxicMetals:AcasestudyoftheproposedDonlinCreekMine,February2009,citingAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,DivisionofSubsistence,2001,AlaskaSubsistenceFisheries1999AnnualReportatpage154.
http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/fo/ado/hazardous_materials/red_devil_mine/rdm_cercla_remedial.html
U.S.EPA.TechnicalFactsheeton:MERCURY.
Eckleyetal.,MeasurementofsurfacemercuryfluxesatactiveindustrialgoldminesinNevada(USA),ScienceoftheTotalEnvironment,409(2011)p.514‐522.
U.S.MineSafetyandHealthAdministration(MSHA).ControllingMercuryHazardsinGoldMining:ABestPracticesToolbox.Draft,September1997.
Mazt,Angela.2012.Mercury,Arsenic,andAntimonyinAquaticbiotafromtheMiddleKuskokwimRiverRegion,Alaska,2010‐2011.
U.S.DepartmentofEnergy.2009.InterimGuidanceonPackaging,Transportation,Receipt,Management,andLong‐TermStorageofElementalMercury.
DATA9 TheCorpsshouldreviewandincorporatethefindings,conclusionsandresourcedataincludedinthe1986IditarodNationalHistoricTrailmanagementplan,includinghighvaluesegmentsandsitesalongtheTrail,andthesupporting1982ResourceInventory,whichalsoprovidesacomprehensiveevaluationofthescenicqualityoftheTrail.
DATA10 TheCorpsshouldreviewtheseadditionalreferencesinpreparationoftheDraftEISregardingHealthRiskorImpactAnalysisScreeningAnalysis:
Whenconductingascreening,itwasrecommendedtouse:Bhatiaetal.MinimumElementsandPracticeStandardsforHealthImpactAssessment,Version2(NorthAmericanHIAPracticeStandardsWorkingGroup,2010),3‐4.
GuidesforconductingHIAareavailablefromvarioussources.ThefollowingreferencesareadditionalresourcesonHIA:
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Category Code Description
WorldHealthOrganization;HealthImpactAssessmentShortGuidesInternationalFinanceCorporation‐IntroductiontoHealthimpactAssessment(2009)http://who.intfhialabout/guideslen/.CDC;HealthyPlaces,HealthImpactAssessment
CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention;HealthyPlacesHealthImpactAssessment;http:/{www.cdc.gov/healthyplaccS/hia.htm
HumanImpactPartners;HealthImpactAssessmentToolkit:AHandbookforConductingHIA;Oakland.CA(2011)
RajivBhatia;HealthImpactAssessment:AGuideforPractice.Oakland.CA(2011).http:/www.humanimpact.org
DATA11 TheCorpsshouldreviewthesebackgroundmaterialsinpreparationoftheDraftEISregardingpastsocioeconomicimpacts:
ConcernsandwrittenarticlestotheDeltaDiscoverynewspaperbyN.LeedyofNome(March3,2009)thatdescribehispersonalexperiencesintheproposedprojectareawithNovaGold.
TheNarrativeDescriptionforFinancialAssuranceCostCategoriesandFinancialAssuranceCostEstimatesprovidedincommentssubmittedbytheEPAduringthescopingprocessforthisproject.
ThedocumenttitledPlanningforyourFuture:JobswithDonlinGoldasanexampleoftheapplicant’slocaleffortsinthisarea.
DATA12 TheCorpsshouldreviewthefollowingreferenceinpreparationoftheDraftEISregardingsubsistenceresources:
ADFG.Fall,J.A.etal.AlaskaSubsistenceFisheries1999AnnualReport.TechnicalPaper300
TheDraftEISshouldconsidertheannualconsumptionquantitiesoflocallyharvestedsubsistencefoodswhenassessingriskofcontaminationforcommunitiesontheYukonandKuskokwimrivers.Lower48EPAfishconsumptionguidelinesarenotrelevanttoAlaskasubsistencefoodsconsumptionlevelsandshouldnotbeused;ratherguidancefromtheAlaskaDivisionofPublicHealthshouldbeused.Bioaccumulationinlong‐livedfishconsumedforsubsistenceisofparticularconcern.WhitefishiseatenyearroundbypeopleinallKuskokwimcommunities.Bothbroadandhumpbackwhitefisharequitelong‐livedbottomfeederswithonebroadwhitefishagedatapproximately40years.BurbotandburbotliverarealsoeatenfrequentlyontheKuskokwimandtestresultshaveindicatedelevatedlevelsofmercury.Northernpike,alsoalong‐livedresidentfish,isknowntobio‐accumulatetoxinsduetoitslocationonthefoodchain.PeopleinmanycommunitiesontheKuskokwimeatdriedpike,whichconcentratesbioaccumulativechemicalsandiseateninlargerquantitiesthanfreshfish.TheUSFWSandtheAlaskaDivisionofPublicHealthhavecollaboratedtoprovidesite‐specificpikeconsumptionguidelinestosomeKuskokwimRivervillagesbasedonhowsubsistencefoodsareeaten(freshvs.driedandtypicalquantitieseaten)(seewww.epi.alaska.gov/eh/fish).
TheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,OfficeofSubsistenceManagement,hasprovidedadditionalresearchinsubmittedcommentsthatmaybeusefulintheanalysisoftheDraftEIS.Thefollowingisalistofsubsistenceusesoffishandwildliferesources.ThelistincludesvillageslocatedinKuskokwimBayandthelowerandmiddleKuskokwimRiver.ThisinformationwascollectedaspartofastrategicplanningprocessattheFisheriesResourceMonitoringProgramattheOfficeofSubsistenceManagement,USFWS,inAnchorage,Alaska.Manyofthefollowingreportsareavailableatthe
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Category Code Description
FisheriesResourceMonitoringProgramwebsitehttp://alaska.fws.gov/asm/fis.cfmlorattheADFGDivisionofSubsistencewebsitehttp://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/publications/
2001‐2003studyyears.Nonsalmonfishsubsistenceharvestsurveys‐Bethel.Whitefishspeciesarelumped,nouseareamapping,nolocalknowledge.
Simon,Jim,TracieKrauthoefer,DavidKoster,MichaelCoffing,andDavidCaylor;2007;Bethelsubsistencefishingharvestmonitoringreport,KuskokwimFisheriesManagementArea,Alaska,2001‐2003;ADFGDivisionofSubsistence,TechnicalPaperNo.330.OSM01‐024.
2001‐2003studyyears:Nonsalmonfishsubsistenceharvestsurveys‐AniakandChuathbaluk.Whitefishspeciesarelumped,useareasmappedbuttimeframeunknown,nolocalknowledge.
Krauthoefer,T.,T.Simon,M.Coffing,M.Kerlin,andW.Morgan;2006;TheharvestofnonsalmonfishbyresidentsofAniakandChuathbaluk,Alaska,2001‐2003;ADFGDivisionofSubsistenceTechnicalPaperNo.299;OSM01‐112,Juneau.
2005‐2006studyyears:Salmonandnonsalmonfishlocalknowledge‐Quinhagak,GoodnewsBay,andPlatinum.
LaVine,R.,M.J.LisacandP.Coiley‐Kenner;2007;Traditionalecologicalknowledgeof20thcenturyecosystemsandfishpopulationsintheKuskokwimBayRegion;U.S.FishandWildlifeService,OfficeofSubsistenceManagement,FisheriesResourceMonitoringProgram;FinalReportforOSM04‐351,Anchorage.
2005‐2009studyyears:Nonsalmonfishharvestsurveysandlocalknowledge‐Eek,Tuntutuliak,andNunapitchukWhitefishspeciesarelumped,useareamappingbuttimeframeunknown,emphasisonlocalknowledge.
Ray,L.,C.Brown,A.Russell,T.Krauthoefer,C.Wassillie,andJ.Hooper;2010;LocalknowledgeandharvestmonitoringofnonsalmonfisheriesintheLowerKuskokwimRiverRegion,Alaska2005‐2009;ADFGDivisionofSubsistenceTechnicalPaperNo.356;OSM06‐351,Juneau.
2006studyyear:Salmonandnonsalmonfishharvestsurveysandlocalknowledge.
MekoryukDrozda,R.M;2010;NunivakIslandsubsistencecod,redsalmonandgraylingfisheries‐pastandpresent;U.S.FishandWildlifeService,OfficeofSubsistenceManagement,FisheriesResourceMonitoringProgram,FinalReportforOSM05‐353;Anchorage.
2006‐2007studyyears:Localknowledgeofclimatechange‐ToksookBay,Tununak,Nightmute,andNewtok.
Fienup‐Riordan,Ann;2010;Yup'ikperspectivesonclimatechange:“Theworldisfollowingitspeople;"EtudesInuitStudies34(1):55‐70;Quebec.
Fienup‐Riordan,A.,andA.Reardon;2012;Ellavut/OurYup'ikworldandweather:continuityandchangeontheBeringSeacoast;UniversityofWashingtonPress,Seattle.
2007studyyear:Comprehensivesubsistenceharvestsurveys‐LimeVillage.Whitefishdescribedbyspecies,useareamappingfor2007studyyear,nolocalknowledge.
Holen,Davin,TerriLemons;2010;SubsistenceharvestsandusesofwildresourcesinLimeVillage,Alaska,2007;ADFGDivisionofSubsistenceTechnicalPaperNo.355.
2009studyyear:ComprehensivesubsistenceharvestsurveysDonlinProjectPhase1‐
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Category Code Description
Aniak,Chuathbaluk,CrookedCreek,LowerKalskag,RedDevil,Sleetmute,StonyRiver,andUpperKalskag.Whitefishdescribedbyspecies,useareamappingfor2009studyyearandlifetime,nolocalknowledge.
Brown,C.L.,J.S.Magdanz,D.S.Koster;2012;Subsistenceharvestsin8communitiesinthecentralKuskokwimRiverdrainage,2009;ADFGDivisionofSubsistence,TechnicalPaperNo.365,Juneau.
2011studyyear:ComprehensivesubsistenceharvestsurveysDonlinCreekMineProjectPhase2‐Akiak,Georgetown,Kwethluk,Napaimute,Oscarville,TuluksakwithGalena,Marshall,MountainVillage,Nulato,Rubybeinginvestigatedaspossibleindexesofsubsistenceharvestsfortheregion.Whitefishdescribedbyspecies,useareamappingfor2011studyyear,nolocalknowledge.
ADFGDivisionofSubsistenceReportinpreparation.
2011studyyear:Salmonharvestsurveyandlocalknowledge‐Chefornak,Kipnuk,Mekoryuk,Newtok,Nightmute,ToksookBay,andTununak.
Wolfe,R.J.,C.Stockdale,andC.Scott;2011;SalmonharvestsincoastalcommunitiesoftheKuskokwimArea,southwestAlaska;AYK‐SSI;Anchorage.
2011studyyear:ComprehensivesubsistenceharvestsurveysDonlinCreekMineProjectPhase3‐Napakiak,Napaskiak,McGrath,Takotna,Nikolai,RussianMission,Anvik,andGalena.Whitefishdescribedbyspecies,useareamappingfor2011studyyear,nolocalknowledge.
ADFGDivisionofSubsistenceReportinpreparation.
2012studyyear:Nonsalmonfishsubsistenceharvestsurveysandlocalknowledge‐LimeVillageandNikolaiADFGDivisionofSubsistenceOSM12‐352Researchunderway.
2013upcoming:DonlinCreekMineProjectComprehensivesubsistenceharvestsurvey‐Bethel.Whitefishdescribedbyspecies,useareamappingfor2012studyyear,nolocalknowledge.
ADF&GDivisionofSubsistenceResearchtobeginin2013.
DATA13 TheCorpsshouldreviewtheseadditionalreferencesinpreparationoftheDraftEISregardingwaterquality:
USEPATechnicalFactsheetonMercuryhttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwh/t‐ioc/mercury.html
ApositiononperpetualwatertreatmentwrittenbytheCenterforScienceinPublicParticipationaspartofourscopingcomments.See:DavidM.Chambers,Ph.D.,CenterforScienceinPublicParticipation,APositionPaperonPerpetualWaterTreatmentforMines(June2007).]Availableonlineat:www.csp2.org
TheCleanWaterAct§303(d)whichrequiresstatestoidentifywaterbodiesthatdonotmeetwaterqualitystandardsandtodevelopwaterqualityrestorationplanstomeetestablishedwaterqualitycriteriaandassociatedbeneficialuses.ThelistofAlaska'simpairedwaters(2010)canbeobtainedonlineat:http://www.dec.state,iak.us/water/wqsar/Docs/2010impairedwaterbodies.pdf
ImpairedwaterbodieslistedintheprojectareaincludetheKuskokwimRiverandtheRedDevilCreek(attheconfluenceofthetworivers),whicharebothCategory5andtherefore,requirethedevelopmentofaTotalMaximumDailyLoad.TheKuskokwimRiver(AKIDNo.30501‐002)andtheRedDevilCreek(AKIDNo.30501‐002)arelisted
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Category Code Description
forexceedingwaterqualitystandardsforantimony,arsenic,andmercuryassociatedwithminingactivities,includingtheRedDevilMine.
40CFR§440.104(b)(1)47Fed.Reg.54,598,54,602(Dec.3,1982)See:WaterResourcesManagementPlanatES2(thereisnodesignintenttodischargewasterockcontactwaterorprocesssolutionintowatersoftheStateofAlaska,ortheU.S)See:33CFR§328.3(a)(8).
DATA14 TheCorpsshouldreviewthemapdepictingtherangesofspeciesprotectedundertheEndangeredSpeciesActasprovidedbytheUSFWS(Map1)inscopingcommentsonproposedprojectinconsiderationofimpactstowildlifeduringdevelopmentoftheDraftEIS.
DATA15 DonlinGolddevelopedaYup’ikProjectdescriptionbookletthathasbeenprovidedatmeetingsandonthecompanywebsite.ThisdocumenthasbeenvettedbyYup’ikspeakersandeffectivelyusedintheregion.DonlinGoldrecommendstheuseofthisbookletbytheCorpssinceitiscriticalthatthedescriptionsoftheproposedprojectandactivitiesarefact‐basedandunbiased;andthatthetranslationisconsistentfromlocationtolocation(withintheregion)andthroughouttheprocessfromscopingthroughtheDraftandFinalDraftEISstages.DonlinGoldstronglybelievesthatusingaconsistentandvettedvocabularyforpresentationsinYup’ikiscriticaltoensuringaneffectivepublicparticipationprocess.
DATA16 Itisimportanttoacknowledge,up‐front,appropriatetribalprotocolsforhowTraditionalEcologicalKnowledgeandWisdom(TEKW)informationmaybeusedandhowtoensurethatsensitiveinformationisprotected.TheAlaskaNativeScienceCommissionhasprinciplesthatweredevelopedinregardstoappropriatelyworkingwithTEKW:http://nativescience.org/issues/tk.htm
DATA17 TheCorpsshouldreviewtheseadditionalreferencesandcourtcases:
CoalitionforResponsibleRegulation,Inc.v.EPA,684F.3d102(D.C.Cir.2012).
ExecutiveOrder12898andaccompanyingPresidentialMemorandum.Theorderisalsoavailableat59Fed.Reg.7,629(Feb.16,1994).
CEQ,EnvironmentalJustice:GuidanceundertheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(1997)
StateDepartmentofNaturalRes.v.Greenpeace,Inc.,96P.3d1056,1064(citingBakerv.CityofFairbanks,471P.2d386,401–02(Alaska1970)).TheAlaskaConstitutionalsoprovidesthatnopersonshallbedeprivedoflife,libertyorpropertywithoutdueprocessoflaw.ALASKACONST.partI,(alterationadded).Statev.Greenpeace,Inc.,96P.3d1056,1062(findingtheDNRviolatedanorganization’sdueprocessrightswhenitliftedastayofatemporarywaterusepermitwithonlyaone‐daynotice).
IllinoisCent.Co.v.StateofIllinois;CityofChicagov.IllinoisCent.Co.;StateofIllinoisv.IllinoisCent.,146U.S.387,465(1892).
Owsichekv.State,GuideLicensingandControlBd.,763P.2d488,491(Alaska,1988).
MetlakatlaIndianCmty.,AnnetteIslandReservev.Egan,362P.2d901,913(Alaska1961).
http://www.alaskaminers.org/2008SocialLicense.pdfisalinktotheAlaskaMinersAssociationguidelinestosociallicensetodobusinessinAlaska.
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Category Code Description
76FederalRegister9,450,9,457‐58(Feb.17,2011).
FederalRegister,40CFRParts9and63.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.
FederalRegister,47FR54598‐01RulesandRegulations,EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.40CFRPart440;OreMiningandDressingPointSourceCategoryEffluentLimitationsGuidelinesandNewSourcePerformanceStandards;1982.
NevadaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,StakeholderMeeting,October7,2009.
NevadaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NoticeofFindingsandOrderNo.2008‐13.
NevadaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NoticeofFindingsandOrderNo.2008‐13,March10,2008.Finding#3,page2.
ConcernsandwrittenarticlessubmittedandpublishedintheDeltaDiscoverynewspaperregardingpreviouscommentsfrom2001,2002,2003,andarticlesaboutNEPAandtheEPAregardingprotectionoflandandfood.
DATA18 TheCorpsshouldreviewtheseadditionalreferencesinpreparationoftheDraftEISregardingwatermanagement:
http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/water/wrfact.cfm.See,11AAC93.035(a)and(b)
AlaskaDNRCaseAbstractTWUPA2012‐024(March2,2012).http://dnr.alaska.gov/projects/las/Case_Abstract.cfm?FileType=TWUP&FileNumber=A2012‐128&LandFlag=y
DATA19 TheCorpsshouldreviewthesereferencesforexampleofotherminingoperations:
RockCreekMineProblemsreportbyCenterforScienceinPublicParticipation,April2012.
BLM,March2012;DraftRemedialInvestigationReport;RedDevilMine,Alaska;USDOI.
DATA20 TheCorpsshouldreviewtheseadditionalreferencesinpreparationoftheDraftEISregardingenvironmentaldamageduetomining:
DirtyMetals:Mining,CommunitiesandtheEnvironment;AreportbyEarthworksandOxfamAmerica,2004.
AlaskaMinersAssociationguidelinestosociallicensetodobusinessinAlaska.http://www.alaskaminers.org/2008SocialLicense.pdf
DATA21TheDraftEISshouldmakeuseoftheCalistaEldersCouncil’snewregionaldatabaseforTraditionalCulturalProperties.
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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ)
Commentsrelatedtodisproportionate,adverseimpactstolowincomeandminoritycommunitiesasresultoftheproposedproject.
Category Code Description
EJ1 AsperExecutiveOrder12898,theCorpsshouldanalyzeandmitigateadverseenvironmentalconsequencesforminoritiesandpopulationsoflowersocioeconomicstatus.Thisincludesimpactstothefollowing:
• Publichealth,includingpsychologicalaspects;
• Economicandsocialeffects;
• Snowfall,riverflows,permafrostdegradation,bankerosion,treeencroachment,andwildliferesponsestowarmertemperatures;
• Climatechange;
• TheKuskokwimRiver;
• Changestosubsistenceresourcesasaresultofclimatechange;and
• Culturalidentityandtraditionalpractices.
EJ2 TheCorpsshouldfollowCEQguidelinesforconsideringenvironmentaljusticeunderNEPAtoensurearigorousanalysisofrelevantpublichealthandindustrydataconcerningenvironmentalhazardsintheaffectedpopulation.Ifgeographicanddemographicdataismissingrelevanttotheprojectarea,itshouldbegathered.Thisincludesinterrelatedcultural,social,occupational,historical,oreconomicfactorsthatmayamplifythenaturalandphysicalenvironmentaleffectsoftheproposedaction.Cumulativeeffectsshouldbeincludedintheanalysis.Partofthisprocessshouldalsoincludeactivecommunityinvolvementearlyon.Whenseekingcommunityinvolvement,agenciesshouldendeavortohavecompleterepresentationofthecommunityasawhole.
EJ3 AspartoftheCEQguidanceforagenciesonhowtoaddressenvironmentaljusticeunderNEPA,theCorpsshouldseektribalrepresentationinamannerthatisconsistentwiththegovernment‐to‐governmentrelationshipbetweentheUnitedStatesandtribalgovernments,thefederalgovernment’strustresponsibilitytofederallyrecognizedtribes,andanytreatyrights.
EJ4 Measuresforavoidanceorminimizationofenvironmentaljusticeimpactsshouldbeconsideredbeforeresortingtomitigationmeasures,whereverpossible.Whenavoidanceorminimizationisnotpossible,appropriatemitigationmeasuresshouldbedevelopedthroughdirectcollaborationwithaffectedcommunities.TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldincludeanEnvironmentalJusticedeterminationexplainingwhetherimpactshavebeenappropriatelyavoided,minimized,and/ormitigated.
EJ5 TheDraftEISshouldconsideranumberoftechnicalreportsandotherEISdocumentscompletedthroughoutAlaskathatconsidertheimpactsofresourceprojectsonAlaskaNativecommunities.TheseAlaskanreports(seeDATA5)arereferencesforconsideringthefullrangeofimpactstoAlaskaNativecommunitiesandtheirwayoflife.
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FISH – IMPACTS (FISH)
Commentsrelatedtopotentialimpactstofish(salmon,sheefish)populations,abundance,diversity,migratorypatterns,andpotentialfordisplacementfromprojectcomponents.
Category Code Description
FISH1 Commentersareconcernedabouttheeffectoftheprojectonsalmongiventhatnumbershavebeendeclining.TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshould:
• DescribethecurrentstateofsalmonpopulationsontheKuskokwim,Yukon,andGeorgesrivers.
• Describethepotentialcausesofrecentlowsalmonnumbers,includingwatertemperatures.
• AnalyzethepotentialeffectsoftheproposedprojectonsalmonofwesternAlaskagiventhatthekingsalmonreturnwassolowlastyeartheyhadtocloseittosubsistencefishing.
FISH2 CommentersareconcernedabouttheeffectofincreasedbargetrafficonfishintheKuskokwimRiver,includingsalmon,sheefish,humpbackwhitefish,broadwhitefish,roundwhitefish,Beringcisco,leastcisco,andsmelt.TheDraftEISshouldaddress:
• Theeffectofincreasedbargetrafficonsalmon,whitefish,lingcod,andgraylingintheKuskokwimRiver;
• Thepotentialdamagescausedbybargescollidingwithboatsornetsduetomoreconcentratedfishingbecauseoflimitedopenings/closures;
• Thepotentialforbargestocauseerosionoftheriverbanks,andtheeffectofthatonfish;
• Thepotentialdisturbanceoffishandwildlifefromincreasedbargetraffic;
• Clarifytheexactnumberofbargesplannedperday,andwhetherornottherehavebeenstudiesdonetodeterminetheimpactonsalmon;
• Thepotentialimpactofafuelspillfromabargeaccident;
• Theeffectthatpastsimilarmines/bargetraffichavehadonfish;
• Theeffectofincreaseduseofboatmotorsonsalmonspawningandrearinghabitat;
• Theeffectofincreasednoiseonsalmonproductivity;
• Theeffectofincreasedbargetrafficonsalmonmigrationandspawning;
• Thepotentialforincreasedturbidity,anditseffectonsalmon;
• Thepotentialforincreasedbargetraffictocausewaveactionthatcouldharmthefryontheirwaytotheocean;
• Thepotentialforfishtoavoidtheareaaroundthebargesandnotcomebacktothearea;
• Theeffectofincreasedbargetrafficonthemigrationofsalmon,sheefish,humpbackwhitefish,broadwhitefish,roundwhitefish,Beringcisco,leastcisco‐considertheinformationregardingtimingoftheserunsprovidedbythecommenter;
• Theeffectofthewakes/wavesfromthebargesonmigratingfishthatrestandfeedclosetotheshore‐evaluatetheimpactofthewavesontheshorelinehabitat;and
• Theriskandeffectofbargetrafficintroducinginvasivespeciesfromtheballastwater.
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Category Code Description
FISH3 Commentersareconcernedaboutthepotentialforfishtobecomecontaminatedfromminingchemicalsorfuelspills.TheDraftEISshouldaddress:
• Howbestavailabletechnologywouldbeusedtocapturethetoxinsthatinhibitfishproductionandwhetheranycontaminantswouldbereleasedintothewater;
• Thepotentialeffectofresiduecomingfromthemineonceitisconstructedandtheeffectofanycontaminantsonfish;
• Thecumulativeeffectofcontaminants,whenaddedtodischargeintotheriverfromtheRedDevilMine;
• Whethergraylingarecurrentlyabsentfromtheriverbecauseofnaturallyoccurringheavymetals;
• Theeffectofcontaminationonsalmonandsmoltsintheriveranddownstreamtotheoceanbays;
• ThepotentialimpactofcontaminationfromafuelspillonthehaulroadthattraversesintotheheadwatersoftheIditarodRiverthatleadsintotheInnokoNationalWildlifeRefuge,andtheInnokoRiverthatdrainsintotheYukonRiver.Alsothepotentialimpactofcontaminationfromairportdrainageinthesamearea;
• Thepotentialeffectofexposuretocyanideonsalmonwhichmayalreadybestressedfromadaptingtothehigherratesofmercury.Describewhethertheeffectwouldbecumulativetoapopulationalreadyindecline;
• ThepotentialriskandimpactofamercuryspillontheKuskokwimRiver.TheDraftEISshouldfullydiscloseplansformercurytransport,makeexportmanifestspubliclyavailable,andprovidedetailedinformationforemergencyresponseprocedures.TheDraftEISshouldalsoanalyzethepotentialimpactsassociatedwithamercuryspillduringtransport;and
• ThepotentialriskandimpactofafuelspillorothercontaminationoftheenvironmentonsalmonspawningtributariesalongtheKuskokwimRiver.
FISH4 Commentersareconcernedthattheprojectwouldadverselyaffectfish(andotherwildlifeincludingmicroorganisms)inthesamewaythattheNYACMinehasaffectedfishintheTuluksakRiveranditsdrainages.TheDraftEISshoulddescribethepotentialriskandconsequencesofcontaminatedwaterreleasesfromthemine.
FISH5 Commentersareconcernedabouttheimpactonsalmonhabitat.TheDraftEISshouldaddress:
• TheeffectonsalmonhabitatinthefiveheadwaterstreamsoftheKuskokwimRiver;
• TheeffectontheYukonRiverwatershed,giventheproposedroadsystemcorridorbetweentheKuskokwimandYukonrivers;
• Theeffectofturbidityandsiltinspawningareas;
• Whetherthemeltingofpermafrostiscurrentlyaffectingsalmonspawningareasbyproducingmoresedimentthatcoversspawninggravel;
• WhetherexistingplacerminingontheTakotnaRiverandNixonForkadverselyaffectedfishspawninggravel;
• Thepotentialriskandeffectofincreasederosionandturbidityonsalmonmigrationandspawninghabitat.AnalyzetheeffectondecliningChinookrunsandtheconsequencesforfutureruns;
• Thepotentialforincreasedsedimentandsiltinspawningtributariesfromerosionaswellasfromtheincreaseddustassociatedwithminingandassociatedvehicletraffic.Describetheeffectonthesurvivalofthesalmonrunshistoricallyprovidingfoodfor
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Category Code Description
localresidents;and
• Theeffectofincreasederosioninthespringonthereturningkingsalmonruninthemainriver.
FISH6 Commentersareconcernedaboutthepotentialeffectsofthestreamcrossingsfortheproposednaturalgaspipelineandroads.TheDraftEISshouldaddress:
• Themethodsusedforthepipelinestreamcrossingsandthepotentialeffectsonfishinthestreamscrossed;
• Howtheundergroundpipelinewouldaffecttheriversandfishandwildlifearoundthem;
• TheeffectsoftheroadfromtheJungjukCreekportfacilitythatcrossesnumerousfishbearingstreams,mostnotablyGetmuna,whichisthemostproductivetributaryofCrookedCreek;
• Theimpactsofeachofthestreamcrossingsandgravelpitsalongthepipeline.Describehowflooddataforeachcrossingwouldbedevelopedtoensurethattheyareproperlyengineered,andthattheriskstofisheries(andpublicsafety)arecorrectlyassessed;
• Thepotentialrisk(andimpact)ofreleasesofdrillingmuds,cuttings,andadditivesusedforhorizontaldirectionaldrillingforpipelinewaterbodycrossingsintoadjacentwetlandsandwaterbodies;
• Thedirect,indirect,andcumulativeenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwiththedischargeofhydrostatictestwaterusedtotestthepipelineintoadjacentlands,wetlands,andwaterbodiescontainingresidentand/oranadromousfish;
• Thepotentialeffectsonfishandhabitatfromtemperaturechangesrelatedtocoldpipelinecrossingsofstreams.Evaluatewhetherthecoldpipemayproduceaufeisandcreatefishpassageissues;
• Thepotentialeffectofdivertingstreamstodewatercrossingsites,includingimpactsonvegetation,waterquality,habitatdamage,lossofhabitatformacro‐invertebrates,andpossiblefishisolationandloss;
• Howthestreamcrossingmethodswereselectedanddesigned,includingtheevaluationcriteriaandthedefinitionofimportantfisheryresourcesandwhethercostisconsidered.Explainhowtheslopeandsizearedeterminedandhowimpactstofishhabitatareminimized.Commenterrecommendsusinghorizontaldirectionaldrilling(HDD)forallfish‐bearingstreams;
• ConsidertheuseofHDDonacase‐by‐casebasiswhentrenchingstreamcrossingsatallanadromousstreams.ConsiderthetimingwindowsundertheauthorityoftheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamethatmayberequiredfortrenchinganadromousfishstreamsinordertominimizetheimpactstoaquaticresources.Suggestionistodevelopconceptualplansforstreamcrossingsandthenapplyonasite‐specificbasis;
• Theriskandpotentialeffectofstormwaterrunoff,thawsettlement,andthermalerosion,erosionofriparianareasandturbidityinputfromthepipeline.Explainwhetherstreamswouldbemonitoredforthiseffectduringthelifeofthepipeline,andwhetherbondingforanyrestorationisincludedinthebondingcostestimates;and
• Thepotentiallong‐termimpacttostreamandfisheriesresourcesfrompipeshiftsafterabandonment.
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Category Code Description
FISH7 TheDraftEISshouldaddress:
• PotentialimpactstoBeringcisco,knowntospawn20milesupriverfromNikolai.OnecommenterwasconcernedaboutthepotentialcumulativeeffectofopeningacommercialfisheryonthisspeciesintheBeringSea;
• PotentialimpactstosheefishspawningintheTelidaRiverontheheadwatersofthenorthfork;
• PotentialimpactstoauniquestrainofchumsalmonthatmigrateuptheKuskokwimeveryyearandspawnintheupperregionsoftheWindyForkoftheMiddleForkoftheKuskokwimRiver.ConsidergravelborrowsitealternativestoavoidthefishspawninghabitatimmediatelybelowtheproposedgravelsiteontheWindyForkjustbelowRickHalford’shomesteadontheeastside,onthewestsideabout1/2milebelowtheproposedgravelsite,neartheWindyForkBLMcabin;and
• PotentialimpactstoCohosalmonandresidentfishspeciesatJungjukCreekinrelationtotheproposedJungjukPortsitethatwouldbelocatedneartheconfluenceoftheKuskokwimRiverandJungjukCreek.TheEISshouldevaluatetheeffectsofportconstructionandmaintenanceonrivermorphology,sedimentdisposition,andseasonalicemovementwithregardtoimpactstofishhabitat.
FISH8 Commentersareconcernedaboutprotectingthesalmon.TheanalysisintheDraftEISshouldkeepinmindthattheKuskokwimRiverservesasasupermarket,providingfoodtotheresidentsandthatmostcouldpeoplewouldnotliveintheareawithoutit.Adollarvaluecannotbeputonthefishandwildlifeinthearea,astheyhavekeptresidentsaliveforthousandsofyearsandtheresidentswouldliketocontinuethatlifestyle.Commentersencourageputtingasmuchprotectionforfishandwildlifeaspossibleintotheprojectplans.
FISH9 Onecommenterwasconcernedaboutsedimentationaffectingmigratingsalmon.TheDraftEISshoulddescribethetimingofeachsalmonrun,andwhichrunsaremostcriticaltoprotectfromsedimentation.TheDraftEISshoulduseinformationprovidedbylocalresidentsfromthefarthestreachesoftheUpperKuskokwimtodeterminethis,asthefarthesttributarieshavetheleastdocumentationinpublicrecordsastothetimingoftheruns.TheDraftEISshouldconsiderthatruntimingvariesfromyeartoyear.
FISH10 Commenterswereconcernedabouttheeffectofgravelpitsclosetostreams,andaboutaproposedfishhabitatenhancementprojectatmaterialsites,includingthoseassociatedwithroadconstruction.Specifically,theDraftEISshould:
• Evaluatetheeffectonthelocalhydrology,andthusfisheries,ofmultiplegravelpitsproximatetostreamsandrivers.Describethenecessityandlocationofeachproposedgravelpit,includingwhetheritisinafloodplain.
• DescribetheeffectoftheproposedfishhabitatenhancementproposedatthematerialsitesintheGetmunaCreekdrainageonfish.Evaluatewhetherthemitigationcouldreverseanynegativeimpactsfromthedisturbanceofover200acresofland,including35acresofwetlands.
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Category Code Description
FISH11 Commentersareconcernedabouttheeffectsofwaterwithdrawalsonfish.TheDraftEISshould:
• Identifyanymitigationmeasures/commitments,suchasestablishingwaterwithdrawalrates,timingforwaterwithdrawal,andscreeningtoavoidimpactstofish;and
• Identifymonitoringactivitiestoensurethatfisheriesresourcesareprotected.
FISH12 Commentersareconcernedthatallfishspeciesandhabitatsintheprojectareashouldbeidentified.TheDraftEISshould:
• EvaluatethetypesofresidentandanadromousfishresourcesinAmericanandAnacondacreeks;
• Identifystreams,lakes,andotheraquatichabitatsthatsupportanadromousorresidentfishthatmaybeaffectedbytheproposedproject;
• Identifystreamscrossedbythepipelinethatsupportanadromousorresidentfishspecies;and
• Describewhetherthekettlelakeshavebeensurveyedforfish,astheyarepotentialwatersources.
FISH13 TheDraftEISshouldfullyevaluatemine,pipeline,andtransporatationinfrastructurerelateddisturbancestohydrologythatinfluencewaterstoragecapacityandgroundwaterinfiltrationrateswouldaffectvariousspeciesoffish.Thesourcesofdisturbanceincludesurfacehardeningandsoilcompactionfromroads,constructionpads,storageareas,airstrip,overallfacilityfootprint,overburdenremoval,permafrostdisturbance.Seasonalmigrationofvariousspeciesoffishmaybedisruptedandchannel‐formingflowsmaybealteredbytheproject,whichcouldresultinindirectlossofhabitatcomplexity.BaseflowduringwinterprovidescriticalrefugiaandincubationforjuvenilesalmonandotherfishinthelowerreachesofCrookedCreek;changesinbaseflowcouldhaveadirectimpactonsurvivalofthesefish.Changesintiming,magnitude,anddurationofdischarge,aswellaschangesthatalterphysical(temperature,chemical,orgeomorphological)componentsofstreamscouldhavedetrimentaleffectsonaquaticandriparianbiologicalcommunities,andmayaffectcommunitiesfartherdownstreamintheKuskokwimRiver.SomeoftheseaffectshavebeenobservedontheTuluksakRiverasaresultofpastmining.
AsnotedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameinscopingcomments,theproposeddamsandmovementsofwaterthroughouttheminesitewouldrelyondiversionsandpumpingsystems.TheEISshouldevaluatethesurfacewaterimpactsatCreviceCreekandAnacondaCreekintermsofincreasedanddecreasedbaseflowandtheresultingimpactstofishandfishhabitatduringallphasesoftheproposedproject.
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FUEL SPILL RISKS/RELEASE (FSR)
Concernsaboutpotentialforfuelandoilspillsoraccidentalreleases,responsecapacitytocleanupspillsinvariousconditions,andpotentialimpactstoresourcesorenvironmentfromspillsorrelease.Thisisfuelspillrisk,nothazardousmaterials.
Category Code Description
FSR1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshoulddescribehowspillsfromtheminesitewouldbeprevented,andwhatmitigationmeasureswouldbetakenandresponsemeasuresifaspilloccurred.
FSR2 Commentersareconcernedabouttheriskoffuelandoilspillsandiftherewouldbeadequateresponse,giventhepotentialforharmfuleffectsonmanyresources,includingtraditionalwaysoflife.TheDraftEISshouldaddressthefollowingquestionsraisedduringscoping:
• Whatistheemergencyresponseplanandwhowouldberesponsibleforrespondingtopipelineleaks?Wherewouldtheybelocatedandhowwouldtheyrespondinatimelymanner,iftheyarenotlocatedinthearea?Commenterssuggestanemergencyresponseteambelocatedintheproposedprojectarea;
• Whatkindoftrainingwouldtheemergencyresponseteamhave?
• Howsooncanleaksorrupturesinthepipelinebedetected?
• Whatstandardsforcleanupwouldbeinplace?
• Whatwouldbedonewiththespilledfuel,oilorgas?
• Howwouldtraditionalwaysoflifewillbeprotectedintheresponseplans?
FSR3 Withregardstospillsresultingfrombargeactivity,theDraftEISshouldincludeorevaluatethefollowingrisksoffuelspills:
• ImpactstotheKuskokwimriver,includinghabitat,fishandmarinelife,andsubsistenceactivities,asaresultofabarge‐relatedspill,andwhetherspillsmayrequireevacuationorpermanentrelocation;
• Amoredetailedemergencyresponseplanforabargespill,includingspillsattheJungjukCreekport;
• PotentialforspillsfromfueltransferandstoragepointsatDutchHarbor,BethelandJungjukportsites;and
• Amountofbargetrafficcorrespondingtoincreasedpotentialforspillrisk.
FSR4 Commentersareconcernedaboutfuelandoilspillsasaresultoftheproposedproject.Theprojectdescriptionshouldprovidedetailsonhowfuel,oilandgaswouldbeused,transported,storedandcontainedinwaysthatwouldpreventorminimizetheriskofspills.Commentersrequestdetailedemergencyresponseplans,aswellascommunityoutreachstrategiestoinformthelocalcommunityofemergencies,andaboutwhattodoifaspilloccurs.Localsshouldbetrainedinemergencyresponseskills.AdditionalrecommendationsincludethefollowingintheDraftEIS:
• ImplementationofSpillPreventionControlandCountermeasurePlansandFacilityResponsePlans;theseplansshouldbemadeavailabletothepublicandagenciesforreviewandincludediscussionsofwherefuelandfuel/watermixwouldbetemporarilystoreduntildisposal;
• Fuelingshouldbedoneatleast100ft(30m)fromwaterbodies;
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Category Code Description
• Methaneisanexplosionhazard.HandlingofmethaneinthecaseofapipelineleakshouldbediscussedintheDraftEIS;
• AllowtheAlaskaDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationtoreviewandexaminetankandfacilityplanstoensureregulatoryrequirementsaremet;and
• ContingencyPlansfortheproposedprojectnotedthatthebargeoperatorswouldtransportfuelfromDutchHarbortoBethelandthenfromBetheltotheproposedJungjukBargeTerminal.Commentsreceivedduringscopingnotedthatifthebargeoperatorwouldbetransitingtobothlocationsthenitwouldbenecessarytoapplytooperateinmultipleregionsofoperations.
FSR5 DetailedmitigationmeasuresneedtobedescribedintheDraftEISpertainingtofuelandoilspillsandhowtheywouldbecleanedup.Moreover,spillsneedtobeprevented,notjustmitigatedaftertheyoccur.Everyprecautionshouldbetakentoensurespillsorleaksdonotoccur.Severeimpactstolocalfoodsourcescouldoccurasaresultofaspill.
FSR6 TheDraftEISshoulddescribehowtheproposedpipelinewouldwithstandearthquakeswithoutleakingorruptures.Whatistheremainingriskofaleak?Ifaleakdoesoccur,whatmechanismswouldbeinplacetodetectit,andhowsoon?Impactstowildlife,riversandstreams,subsistenceresources,soilsandsurroundinglandresultingfromapipelineleakneedtobedescribedindetailintheDraftEIS.Inaddition,mitigationmeasuresneedtobedescribedthatreducetheseimpactstoresources.
FSR7 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzespillandleakrisksassociatedwiththeHDDtechniquesinriversandwaterbodycrossings.Specifically,theDraftEISshoulddescribetheconstructiontechniqueforthepipelinebeneathriversandstreams,andwhatprecautionswouldbeputinplacetopreventleaks.
FSR8 Ifaspillorleakoccursthatgreatlyaffectsthefoodsourceforlocals,theEISshouldincludeacontingencyplanforcompensatinglocalswhorelyonsubsistence.Manyofthelocalpeoplecannotaffordtobuyfoodasitisveryexpensive,andtherearenotenoughincome‐producingjobsinthelocalareatooffsetadisruptioninthesubsistencelifestyleandsubsistenceactivities.
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GEOLOGY (GEO)
Commentsrelatedtoseismicrisks,soilsstability,permafrost,faultlinesandearthquakes.
Category Code Description
GEO1 Majorfaultsoccurintheproposedprojectarea.Forthisreason,theDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldincludedetailedinformationaboutseismicallyactiveareas,geologicalfaultsandtectonicactivity,includingtheDenaliFaultsystemandtheBossRiversegmentofthissystem.TheDraftEISshoulddescribethefollowingseismicrisks:
• Risksandpotentialimpactsassociatedwithearthquakesandothergeologicalactivitiesintheproposedprojectarea(especiallythetailingstoragefacilitydam,buriedpipelineandfuelstoragetanks);
• Historicalinformationregardingearthquakesintheproposedprojectarea,includingevidencethattheminecansurviveahighmagnitudeearthquakewithoutcausingsevereenvironmentalimpacts;
• Seismichazardstudyfortheproposedprojectarea;and
• Avalanchehazardanalysis,particularlyasassociatedwithseismicrisk.
GEO2 CommentersrequestedthattheDraftEISincorporatevisualdepictionstodisplayriskinformation,includingthefollowing:
• Permafrostandvegetationmappinganalysis;
• Mapdepictingseismicallyactiveareas,geologicalfaultstectonicactivity,etc.;and
• Terrainmappingusedtoidentifyareasofgeological,landslide,andavalanchehazards,glacialterrains,soilstability,erosionproblems,slopeinstability,erosion,groundfreezing,andthawingofpermafrostetc.Mappingshouldalsobeusedtoidentify,classify,andlocatesoil,rock,andgeomorphicandseismicfeatures.Thismappingshouldbeusedtoanalyzetheproposedpipelineroute.
GEO3 Regardingthenaturalgaspipeline,theDraftEISshoulddescribeandevaluatethefollowingdesignfeaturesinrelationtoseismicandothergeologicrisks:
• Howthepipelinewouldwithstandearthquakes,especiallywheretherouteintersectswithmajorfaultzones,andwhatmonitoringtechniqueswouldbeinplacetodetectpotentialleaks;
• ConstructiontechniquesthatwouldbeusedthroughmassiveicelensesbetweenMP205andMP188;and
• Handlingofequipmentcrossingsduringconstruction,especiallyinthesummer.Includeinformationaboutwhetherequipmentwouldbepermanentortemporary,andifallequipmentwouldfitintheROW.
• SlopestabilityissuesalongthepipelineroutethataresaidtooccurinfrequentlyinthePlanofDevelopment;and
• Risksofavalanches,includingpotentialthatsomepipelinefeaturesmayneedtobeburiedinavalanche‐proneareas.
GEO4 TheDenaliFaulthasnumerouscrosscuttingdikesandsmallerfaultzonesthatcarrymineralandassociatedsurfaceexposureswhichareimportanttowildlife.Severalofthesearelocatedneartheproposedprojectarea.TheDraftEISshouldanalyzeimpactstowildlifefromrestrictedaccesstoessentialmineralsasaresultoftheproject,andimplementmitigationmeasurestoensurecontinueduseoftheseareasbywildlife.
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Category Code Description
GEO5 Permafrostandice‐richconditionsoccurintheproposedprojectarea.TheDraftEISshouldidentifyanddescribetheseareasalongthepipelineroute,andhowthepipelinewouldbebuiltandfunctioninareaswithpermafrost,erodible,andunstablesoils.Commenterssuggestincludingsoilprofilesonacorridorof0.5mile(0.8km)widthalongthepipelineroute.TheDraftEISalsoshoulddescribehowpipelineleakswouldbedetectedbelowground.
GEO6 Mitigationmeasuresneedtobeidentifiedtominimizeimpactsfromseismicactivitiesandeffectsonsoils,suchaspermafrostandimpactsfromHDDacrossstreams,riversandotherwater‐bodies.ScopingcommentsnotedthatHDDmudshavebeenknowntopropagateintoawatercourse(frac‐out)asaresultofexcessivedrillingpressuresandsitespecificgeology.ItwasrecommendedthataHDDdrillingmudmanagementplanshouldbedevelopedtominimizethepotentialofafrac‐outaswellastohaveaplaninplacetobothdetectdrillingmudsenteringwatercoursesandtotriggeranappropriatecourseofaction.ItwasalsorecommendedthatsectionsoftheproposedpipelinethatareHDDshouldundergopressure/hydrostatictestingpriortoinstallation.
Long‐termmonitoringofsoilsmaybeneeded.TheseneedtobeexplainedindetailintheDraftEIS.TheDraftEISshoulddescribehowseismicallyactiveareaswouldbemonitoredandwhatactionswouldbetakenwhenseismicactivitycausesstructuraldamagetofacilities.
GEO7 TheDraftEISshoulddescribehowtheproposedprojectmayaffectexistingpermafrost,andspecifically,howthawingpermafrostmaydestabilizethegroundthatsupportsroads,pipelines,andotherfacilitiesasaresultofremovingvegetationandplacementofgravelforpermanentandtemporaryaccessroads,pads,workareas,airstrips,minefacilities,etc.Theambienttemperaturechargedgaspipelinemayaffectaffectssoilsandpermafrost,sinceportionsoftheambienttemperaturesofthegasmaybeabovefreezingastheyenterareasofpermafrostandmaybebelowfreezingastheyexitareasofpermafrost.
GEO8 TheDraftEISshouldclearlydescribeprojectconstructionsoiluseandassociatedimpacts,includingremovalandreplacement,andimpactstosoilsfrommetalandacidreleasefromminingactivities.Impactstosoils,erosion,aquatichabitat,riversedimentationandpermafrostthawingasaresultofthepipeline,particularlynearwaterbodycrossingsshouldbefullydiscussedintheDraftEIS.Stabilizationofbackfilltrenchshouldbecontinuallymonitoredaspermafrostmaymeltinareasthatarenotadequatelyaddressed.
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GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT (G2G)
Consultationandcoordinationwithtribalgovernments.ThisincludescommentsonformalconsultationandcoordinationunderExecutiveOrder13175,participationascooperatingagencies,andactivitiestopromotetribalparticipationintheEIS.
Category Code Description
G2G1 CEQGuidancerequirestheCorpstoseektribalrepresentationintheEISprocessinamannerthatisconsistentwiththegovernment‐to‐governmentrelationshipbetweentheUnitedStatesandtribalgovernments,theFederalGovernment'strustresponsibilitytofederally‐recognizedtribes,andanytreatyrights.Tribalgovernments,whosemembersortraditionalresourcesmaybeaffected,eitherdirectlyandindirectly,bythisproposedproject,shouldbeinvitedtoopenandmeaningfulconsultationonagovernment‐to‐governmentbasisconsistentwithE.O.13175.TheDraftEISshoulddocumenttheseconsultationactivities,aswellasanyactionstakentoaddresstheconcernsidentifiedbythetribalgovernments.Recommendations:
• EncouragemeaningfulengagementandparticipationbycommunicatingintheregionalnativeYup’iklanguage;
• Schedulingofmeetings,milestones,anddecisionpointsintheDraftEISprocessshouldavoidconflictswithsubsistence,cultural,religious,andothertraditionalactivities,wheneverpossible;
• Providemorefrequentopportunitiestoinvolvethetribalgovernmentsandthepublic(betweentheScopingandtheDraftEISstage);
• MaintainatransparentDraftEISandG2Gprocessfortribesandthepublictofollow,withclearinformationaboutkeydecisionpointsandmilestones;
• ConducteducationalworkshopsonvarioussubjectsthatwouldbringintheTraditionalEcologicalKnowledgeandWisdom(TEKW)andlocalknowledgeofthepeopleoftheregion(e.g.,informationtohelpshapetheNHPASection106process,theemergencyresponseplanning,characterizingimpactsfrompotentialfailurescenarios,impactstosubsistenceresources,andtimingofthesubsistencecalendarandanyspecialhabitatareasforwildlife);
• Prepareanddisseminatefactsheetsontechnicalaspectsoftheproject;
• Theconsultationandcoordinationprocessshouldbeusedasanopportunitytoprovideeducationaloutreachandtechnicalexchangeofinformationregardingtheproject.Factsheetsandworkshops(eitherinperson,teleconference,orwebinar)shouldbeprovidedtotribesthroughouttheNEPAprocess;
• ThetribalconsultationandcoordinationprocessshouldbeusedasanopportunitytogatherTEKWfromthelocaltribalmemberswhomaybeaffectedbythisproject;and
• TheDraftEISshoulddocumentthetribalconsultationandcoordinationprocessbyprovidingachronologywiththedatesandlocationsofmeetingswithtribalgovernments,andresultsofeachmeeting.
G2G2 TheEPAscopingcommentsofferedtoassisttheCorpsinfulfillingtribalconsultationandcoordinationresponsibilitiesforthisproject.TheEPA’sspecialexpertiseincludestheRegion10TribalConsultationandCoordinationProcedures,whichcanbefoundhere:http://www.epa.gov/region10/pdf/tribal/consultation/rl0_tribal_consultation_and_coordination_procedures.pdf
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G2G3 TheCorpsshoulddevelopaformalTribalG2GConsultationPlanwhichwouldoutlinetheprocessforworkingeffectivelywithtribalgovernmentsduringtheDraftEISdevelopmentprocess.TheG2GPlanshould:
• Includeaschedulewithagreedupontimelinesandmilestonesforconsultation,meetings,anddecisionpoints,basedonthebesttimingforconductingtheconsultationmeetingswhichwouldavoidconflictwithAlaskaNativeVillagesubsistence,cultural,andreligiousseasons,whichvarieswithineachcommunity;
• Explaintheroleofeachparticipant(government,tribe,orinterestedparty)andwhetheritinvolvesvoting,permitting,orengagementintheDraftEIS;and
• Bedevelopedincollaborationwiththeaffectedand/orinterestedtribalgovernments.TribesshouldhavetheopportunitytoreviewandprovidecommentsandconcurrencewiththeG2GPlan.
G2G4 TheCorpsshoulddecidehowtribalgovernmentconcernsandissuesraisedduringgovernment‐to‐governmentconsultationmeetingswillberecorded.TheCorpsshoulddiscusswitheachtribe,whetherthetribewishesthatinformationtobemadepubliclyavailableandwhetherthetribewantsanopportunitytocorrectanyinformationpriortoitbeingincludedintherecord.
G2G5 TheDraftEISshoulddiscusshowtribalgovernmentcommentswereaddressedthroughchangesintheprojectdesign,evaluationofalternativesandimpacts,anddevelopmentofmitigationmeasures.Inaddressingpotentialadverseimpacts,measuresforavoidanceorminimizationofthoseimpactsshouldbeconsideredbeforeresortingtomitigationmeasures.Whereavoidanceorminimizationisnotpossible,developappropriatemitigationmeasuresandagreements.Theseshouldbedevelopedwithinputfromtheaffectedpopulationinaconsensus‐basedprocess.
G2G6 TheDraftEISshouldexplainthecoordinationprocessbetweentheCorpsandthecooperatingagencies,andtheCorpswiththetribes.TheCorpsshouldensuresuccessfulG2Gcoordinationwiththetribesregardingactivitiesnearotherfederallands.Tribeswouldlikeclarificationofinter‐agencycommunication:
• Theprojectisadjacenttotwolargerefuges,YukonDeltaandTogiak,sotheFederalSubsistenceRegionalAdvisoryCouncilsarediscussingthisproject.
• TribalresidentswouldliketounderstandwhethertheAlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandUSFWS(cooperatingagencies)arecollaboratingwiththeOfficeofSubsistenceManagementortheSubsistenceDivisionandwhichagencyiscoordinatingthetraditionalknowledgeeffort.
G2G7 TheCorpsshouldconsidertheconcernsoftribesthathavenotyetsigned‐upascooperatorsorwhohavenotyetheldcoordinationmeetings.Itshouldnotbetoolatetoparticipate.
G2G8 Thereshouldbeawidenetcastfortribalconsultationalongtheproposedpipelinecorridor.ThereweresomeerrorsinthelistoftribesinthePipelinePlanofDevelopment,includingtheomissionofAniak,Chuathbaluk,andNapaimute.LoudenTribalCouncilisnotthefederallyrecognizedtribeforGalena,butGalenaisprobablytoofarawaytobeincludedintheproposedpipelineprojectarea.
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G2G9 ThetribesdesiretobefullyengagedintheDraftEISprocessandinprojectdevelopmentandlong‐termoperationsandmanagementsothattheycanassistintheenvironmentalstewardshipoftheproject.Thetribesseektoexerciseanappropriatelevelofauthorityandresourcesasagovernmentagencytoensureecologicalandnaturalresourceinformationisusedtoreviewsitingandconstructionofthepipelineinordertoavoidorminimizehabitatimpacts.
G2G10 The1992amendmentstotheNationalHistoricPreservationAct(NHPA)placedmajoremphasisonconsultationwithtribalgovernments.Consultationshouldrespecttribalsovereigntyandthegovernment‐to‐governmentrelationshipbetweentheFederalandtribalgovernments.Tribalgovernmentsmustbeconsultedaboutactionsonoraffectingtheirlandsorresourcesonthesamebasis,andinadditiontotheStateHistoricPreservationOffice(SHPO).Potentialimpactstoresourcesofconcerntothetribesmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,impactstoculturalresourceareas,archaeologicalsites,traditionalculturalpropertiesoflandscape,sacredsites,andenvironmentswithculturalresourcesignificance.Thetribalgovernment(s)mustbespecificallyengagedandconsultedwithinaccordancewithSection106oftheNHPA.
G2G11 TheperspectivesoftribalgovernmentsshouldbeconsideredwhendeterminingwhethertheareaofpotentialeffectwouldbeeligiblefortheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.Tribeswouldhaveinputandconsiderationsaboutsignificanteventsthatmayhavetakenplaceinthepast(historictribalwarfaresites,establishmentoftraderoutes,etc.).
G2G12 TherearepoliticalreasonsthatmayinhibittheabilityofregionaltribalorganizationsfromcommentingontheDraftEIS.Thisisonereasonthatongoingconsultationwiththetribesissoimportant.
G2G13 Aspartofgovernmenttogovernmentconsultationprocess,TheVillageofCrookedCreekhasrequestedinformationonthewaterqualitystudiesperformedtodatebyDonlinGold,LLC.ThesestudiesarerequestedbytheVillageofCrookedCreeksothattheymaydeterminemissinglinksoftheenvironmentalbaselinestudies.
AsstatedtotheCorps,“CrookedCreekTraditionalCouncilwantstounderstandallcompletedtechnicalstudiesandevaluationsoftheDonlinGoldpermittingprocess.We[CrookedCreekTraditionalCouncil]understandtherearenumerousenvironmental,hydrologicalandsocioeconomicissuesandhowtheywillbeusedtoultimatelyobtainpermits,andenvironmentalauthorizationstoinitiateoftheDonlinGoldProject.AgapanalysisofexistingwaterqualitydataintheheadwatersoftheCrookedCreekStreamwillbepresented,withinterpretationofcurrentdataandidentificationoffurtherdataneeds.Therewillberecommendationsprovidedforfuturewaterqualitymonitoringintheregionandwewanttounderstandallimpacts.ThestudyareawasdefinedastheDonlinProjectwatershedupstreamofourcommunity.TherearenumerousstudiesidentifiedwithinformationaboutDonlinGoldinthisarea.Individualstudyreliabilitywillbeassessed,andstudydatawillbecompliedtoassessconditionsincomparisontowaterqualityguidelinesanyspatialortemporaltrends.Bothwaterchemistryandbioassessmentstudieswillbeassessed.Whatarethemajorgapsinexistinginformation:
a) Arethereinsufficientbaseline/referenceinformation?
b) Aretheregapswithinsufficientinformationonimpactsfromcontaminantsotherthanmetals,insufficientcoverageofstreamsnotdirectlyimpactedbytheDonlinGoldproject?
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c) Whatisthequalityandreliabilityofdata,coordination/continuitybetweenstudiesdonetodate?
d) Cyanideconcentrationwillbeusedandwewanttounderstandallimpacts.
e) Whatwillbethemetalsconcentrationswillbeelevatedthroughoutthestudyarea?
Wewanttounderstandallwaterqualityconditionswithregardstootherparameters(e.g.dissolvedoxygen,temperature,pesticidesandbacteria)andbioassessmentdata.ExistingmonitoringintheareashouldbeexplainedtotheCrookedCreekTraditionalCouncil.”
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GROUNDWATER IMPACTS (GRD)
Impactstogroundwatersystemsandaquifersfromtailings,transportationofgroundwater,andhowitmovesunderground.
Category Code Description
GRD1 Concernwasexpressedregardingthepotentialforcontaminationofgroundwaterresourcesbytheproposedproject.Somecommunitiesgettheirdrinkingwaterfromgroundwaterwells.TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzemeasurestosafeguardgroundwaterfromcontaminationbytheoverburdenstockpileandothercomponentsoftheproposedproject.
GRD2 TheDraftEISshoulddiscussthetreatmentofmercuryinperpetuity.Specifically,theDraftEISshoulddescribehowmercurywouldbepreventedfromreleasingintosurfaceorgroundwaterfromthewasterockstoragefacility.Effectivenessoftreatmentshouldbeincluded,aswellaswherethemercurywouldbetransported.
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HABITAT (HAB)
Commentsassociatedwithterrestrialhabitatrequirements,orpotentialhabitatimpactsfromprojectcomponentsandoperation.Commentfocusisecology/habitat,notanimals.
Category Code Description
HAB1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzethepotentialdirect,indirect,andcumulativeeffectsofallcomponentsandallphases(includingreclamationandrestoration)oftheproposedprojectonterrestrial,marine,andfreshwaterecosystems.Theanalysisshouldconsiderhowchangesinhabitatquality,quantity,orcharactercouldaffecttheorganismsthatusethosehabitats(includingfish,wildlife,andsubsistenceusesoftheseresources).Sourceofcumulativeeffectsonhabitatmayincludetrendsandconsequenceofclimatechange.Concernswereexpressedthattheproposedprojectwouldcontinuetoaffecthabitatsforhundredsofyearsaftertheminecloses.
HAB2 ConcernwasexpressedduringscopingthatthisprojectwouldsetaprecedentforfutureresourcedevelopmentintheYukon‐KuskokwimRegionandelsewhereinthestatethatcouldaffecthabitats.
HAB3 TheDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzetheriskforinvasive(non‐native)speciesintroductionasadirectorindirectresultoftheproposedproject.Thisanalysisshouldincludethepotentialimpactsofinvasivespeciestoecosystems,nativepopulations,andhumanactivities.TheDraftEISshouldidentifythevectorsforinvasivespeciesintroductionaswellaspreventativemeasuresthatwouldreducetheriskofintroduction.
HAB4 Bargeballastwaterwassingledoutasavectorforinvasivespeciesintroduction.Bargesandtankersassociatedwiththeproposedprojecthavethepotentialtotransportandintroducenon‐indigenousspeciestotheKuskokwimRiveraswellasmarineandintertidalhabitats.TheDraftEISshould:
• Considertheriskofinvasivespeciesintroductionbymarineandriverbarges;
• IncludeaballastwatermanagementprogramasperTheNationalInvasiveSpeciesActof1966;and
• Includeacommitmenttouseonlyvesselsthatoperatewithaballastwatermanagementplanandhaveonboardballastwatertreatmentsystems.
HAB5 HabitatbetweenMP150andMP194oftheproposedpipelinerouteisreportedtobeimportantmooseandDallsheephabitat,particularlyduringperiodsofhighnutritionalstress.TheDraftEISshouldconsiderthepotentialeffectsofpipelinedevelopmentonhabitataswellashabitatutilizationandaccessinthisarea.TheDraftEISshouldalsoconsideralternativepipelineroutesthatwouldavoidthishabitat.
HAB6 TheDraftEISshouldfullyevaluatepotentialeffectsbytheproposedprojectonthelandsandwaterswithinandsurroundingtheYukonDeltaNationalWildlifeRefuge.ThefollowingpointsshouldbeinvestigatedandanalyzedintheDraftEIS:
• Theinterconnectednatureofthislow‐lyingdeltaecosystemmakesitmorevulnerabletodisturbanceandcontamination;
• Tidalinfluencesreachfartherthan100kminland;and
• Thegeographicextentofcoastalimpactshasbeenincreasingwiththefrequencyandintensityofstormsurges;
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• TheYukonDeltaNationalWildlifeRefugecontainsinternationallysignificantcoastalandshallowwaterhabitatsforfish,birds,andmarinemammalsthatmaybeatahigherriskforvisualandnoisedisturbanceaswellascontaminationasaresultoftheproposedproject;
• Disturbanceandfuelspillsmayaffectcoastalresources;and
• Streamsandwetlandhabitatsusedbyfishandotheraquaticorganismsmaybeaffectedbychangesinwaterqualityandincreasedbargetrafficassociatedwiththeproposedproject.
HAB7 TheDraftEISshouldevaluatethepotentialeffectsofnaturalgas‐relatedinfrastructureandactivitiesonCookInletmarinehabitats.
HAB8 Concernwasexpressedthattheproposedprojectcouldaffecthabitatsassociatedwithriversintheprojectarea,particularlytheKuskokwimRiver.TheDraftEISshould:
• Assesstheimpactsofapotentiallarge‐scalemishaponfishmigrationandspawning,waterfowl,moose,caribou,andotheranimals;
• Analyzeanypotentiallong‐termandshort‐termeffectsonKuskokwimRiverhabitats;
• Investigatetheeffectsbarge‐relatedriverbankerosioncouldhaveonriparianhabitat;
• Considertheimpactsincreasedbargetrafficcouldhaveonhabitatutilizationbyfishandwildlife;and
• Considertheimpactconstruction,maintenance,andabandonmentoftheproposedpipelineandROWcouldhaveonriparianhabitat.Mitigationmeasuresshouldbeidentified.
HAB9 Concernwasexpressedthatthepipelinecorridorandrelatedinfrastructurecouldchangehabitataccess.Habitatfragmentationcouldoccurasaresultofthepipelinecorridor.SomespeciesmaybereluctanttocrosstheclearedpipelineROWwheretheycouldbemorevulnerabletopredation.Thepipelinecorridorcouldalsofacilitatethemovementofotherspecies,includingnon‐nativespecies.
HAB10 ThevillageofCrookedCreekrequestedthattheCorpsevaluateimpactsoftheproposedprojecttobenthicinvertebratehabitatinCrookedCreekaspartoftheDraftEIS.BenthicinvertebratecommunitiesintheriversarethebasisforthefoodchaininthisareaandtheVillageofCrookedCreekurgestheCorpstofillindatagapsonthisresource.
HAB11 TheEISshouldanalyzechangesinsurroundinghabitatduringthereclamationandrestorationphaseoftheproject,includingchangesduetoclimatechange,changesinenvironmentalconditionsovertime,andadaptivemanagementinresponsetochangesoftemperatureandprecipitation.
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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (HZM)
Concernsaboutthepotentialforhazardousmaterialstorage,spills,andimpactstoresourcesortheenvironment.Chemicalsassociatedwithmineprocessandstorageofmaterials(cyanide,mercury,arsenic,acids).Commentsincludereferencestomaterialsidentifiedashazardousbythecommenter,ratherthanaregulatorydefinition.
Category Code Description
HZM1 ThetypeofgeologyfoundintheareaoftheKuskokwimRegioncontainshighconcentrationsofmercuryandhasbeenreferredtoasthe"mercurybelt."ConcernswereexpressedduringscopingthatDonlinGoldwouldclaimthatthelevelsofmercurygeneratedintheproposedminingprocessarenatural.Thereshouldbeamassbalanceanalysisformercuryandothertoxicmaterialsinthemine.Full,ongoingaccountabilityfortheflowofmercuryisafeasibleandappropriaterequirement,andshouldbeincorporatedintotheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISanalysis.
Amassbalanceapproachwouldprovidedetailedinformationonmercurythroughouttheprocessandallowmillengineers,regulators,andtheDonlinGoldenvironmentalteam,tobetterunderstandhowmercurymaygounaccountedfor‐allowingforafasterandmoreinformedmitigationresponseintheeventofunexpectedproblemswithcontamination.
Theinformationgatheredshouldbepubliclyaccessibleonline,atanytime,andindependentlyreviewedbythird‐partyinspectors.Duringthescopingperiodtherewerequestionsraisedabouthistoricminingintheregionandbaselinecontamination.TheDraftEISshouldaddressthefollowing:
• Mercuryconcentrationsintheoverburdenrockattheminesite;
• TheCentralKuskokwimareaalreadyhasonesuperfundsiteenvironmentalclean‐upanddoesnotneedasecond.HowistheleachingthatwouldoccurattheproposedDonlinGoldMinesimilartotheleachingofmercuryfromRedDevil?Thereiscontaminationoffish(mercuryandarsenic)inthefishstudiesbetweenMcGrathandCrookedCreek.DidtheRedDevilminehaveanythingtodowiththat?
• IfcyanidebindswithmercuryandtherearealreadyhigherlevelsofmercuryintheYKregion,whataboutwiththepotentialadditiveimpactonpeoplegiventheRedDevilMinecleanupandconcernsaboutchemicalsfromthatsite?Whataboutthebioaccumulationtofishandfromeatingfish?
• ADonlinGoldnewsletternotedthattherewereminesupriverthatreleasedmercuryandlead.Whatistheresultofthatnow?WhatistheeffectonfishlikepikethatmayhavehighmercurycontentintheirliversthatpeopleintheBethelareathenconsume?WouldtheDonlinProjectdoublethequantityofchemicals?
PeopleinTuluksaknotedthatoncetheNYACminestarted,fishlefttheriver.Localresidentsnotedthatcancerratescouldandmayhaveincreasedasaresult.ResidentsnotedthattheproposedDonlinGoldcouldaffecttheentireriversystem.
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HZM2 Amajorissueexpressedduringscopingwiththemineproposalisthatthecyanideandmercuryreleasedintothewatershedwoulddamagetheenvironment,people,animalsandfish(particularlywildlifeconsumedforsubsistence).Itisconsiderednotaquestionof"if"pollutionwouldoccur,but"when"and"howmuch.”Seeminglysmallamountsofmercurycanresultinexponentialratesofbioaccumulation.Thesechemicalscanaffecteverythingfromcellularfunctiontooxygenlevelsinwater.Theprojectplansdonotlistallofthehazardouschemicalsthatmightbeemittedfromthesmokestacks.ItisnotunderstoodorknownyethowhazardousmaterialswouldaffectresourcesforresidentsoutsidethemineinplaceslikeQuinhagak.Canacidsfloatintheairandaffectdistantvillages?Howdoesmercurytravelandhowwoulditaffectpeople?Whatarethefateandpathwaysforhumanandwildlifeexposuretocyanide?Theseissuesconcernlocalresidentsbecausepregnantwomenintheareaarealreadytoldtoavoidsomefish.Mostofpeopleintheregionhuntandfishandinparticularforducksandgeese.
HZM3 TheDraftEISshouldincludedetailedinformationandamercuryriskassessmentabouttheuseofmercuryfromcradletograveincludingitsentiretransportationroute.Evencapturedmercuryremainsacontaminationriskasitbecomespartoftheriverbargetraffic,joiningdieselspillsasathreattoallthatdependontheKuskokwimRiver.Detailsinthisresearch/studyshouldinclude:
• Inwhatformswouldmercurybetransported?
• Howwouldeachformofmercurybetransported?
• Wheredoesitgoandhowoften?
• Howwouldmercurytransportationinfrastructurebedesignedtoaddresstheriskofspill?
• ThisdiscussionmustincludethecommunitiesatDutchHarborandwhereverelsetheymightbetransferringproduct;
• Whereisthefederallyregulatedfacilitylocatedthatwouldcontainthesolidmercury?Isitmilitaryorcivilian?
• Whatimpactsmayoccurasaresultofaspillduringstorageandtransportation?Specifically,pureelementalmercury?
TheDraftEISshouldfullydiscloseplansformercurytransport,makeexportmanifestspubliclyavailable,andprovidedetailedinformationabouttheemergencyresponseproceduresandplans.
HZM4 TheDraftEISshouldevaluatereasonablyforeseeableminefailurescenarioswithinthescopeofNEPAanalysis.Thereareinherentenvironmentalandhumanhealthrisksassociatedwiththedevelopmentofanewmineprojectthatmaynotbeanticipatedorexpectedduringtheearlyprojectplanningstages.Accidentalfuelandchemicalreleasesaswellasspillsoccurdespiteprecautionstomanageforthoserisks.Forexample,theFortKnoxGoldMinenorthofFairbankshadspillreleasesof300,000gallonsofcyanidecontainingwater(May2010)and45,000gallonsasaresultofabulldozerbreachingthesupplyline(August2012).Thereshouldbeanevaluationoftheenvironmentaleffectsresultingfromthefailureoftheminefacilities,suchasthetailingstoragefacilitydamandlinersandthetransportationofmaterialsforpermanentortemporarystorageoff‐site.
Therewasconcernexpressedduringscopingthatthetailingstoragefacilitymaynotbeareliablecontainmentstoragedeviceofthecontaminatedwaters.TheDraftEIS
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Category Code Description
shouldexplainifthelinersaretestedandreliableandthereshouldbetestingforthecontainmentfirstbeforeuseinoperations.Additionallyitwasnotedthatthisissameprincipleashowabeaverdamholdsbackwater.Itworksuntilspringwhensnowandiceproducewateroverflowbutoncethebeaverleavesthearea,thedamissubjecttoerosionandotherforcesofnatureovertimeuntilitisnolongeradam.AtpresentonemapontheprojectplanshowsseepagebelowthedamintoacontainmentpoolthatsuggeststhatseepageofcontaminatedwatersisexpectedintoCrookedCreekandthereforeintotheKuskokwimRiver.
HZM5 TheDraftEISshoulddescribethepresenceofmercuryintheDonlinGoldoreandthefateandtransportofmercurythroughmineralprocessing.ItalsowouldbeimportanttodisclosethepresenceofexistingsourcesofmercuryintheregionintermsofboththebaselinediscussionandcumulativeimpactssectionsoftheDraftEIS.Forexample,thereareexistingsourcesofmercurythatcontributetomercuryloadingintheKuskokwimRiveranditstributariesfromnaturalmercurymineraloccurrencesandfromhistoricminingpracticesthatminedorusedmercury.TheDraftEISmustclearlydifferentiatebetweenthemercuryloadingfromexistingsourcesandanticipatedcontributionsfromtheproposedproject.
HZM6 TheDraftEISshouldincludeanalysisofpotentialeffectsofcontaminantsandtoxinsintheairshedontheecosystem,drinkingwatersupply,andsubsistenceresources.Manyvillagesgettheirwaterdirectlyfromadjacentrivers.Thepotentialforaerialcontaminants,eitherallowedoraccidental,posesadditionalissuesforaquaticandterrestrialhabitats,andwouldextendthescopeofconcerntoincludemanyotherresources,suchasberryharvestareas,lichenanduplandtundra,andinlandforestresources.
TheDraftEISshouldidentifytheamountofmercuryemissionsDonlinGoldwouldbepermittedtoreleaseinordertocomparethetotalquantitiesreleasedintheentirestatetodate(examplesbulletedbelow).TheDraftEISshouldbeveryclearaboutmercurymanagementandpotentialexposurepathwaysitpresents:
• TheDonlinGoldminewouldproduce640,000oz.ofmercuryayearandtheanalysisshouldaddresswhereitwouldgo;
• ThenewEPAruleallowsfor84poundsofmercurytobereleasedtotheairperonemilliontonsofore.ThatmeansDonlinGoldwouldbelegallyallowedtoreleaseintotheair1,806poundsofmercuryperyear;
• In2010,themercurytoxicreleaseinventoryforthewholestateofAlaskawas43poundsfromallmines,powerplant,etc.intotheair;
• TheEPAruleswouldallowDonlintoreleaseintothesurroundingtundra,streams,andcountrysideaquantity42timesthewholestateofAlaska'smercuryemissionsin2010;and
• ThemostrecenttoxicreleaseinventoryfortheStateofAlaskahadlessthan100poundsofknownmercuryemissionsthroughouttheStateofAlaska,butDonlinGoldisgoingtobeabletolegallyemitabout1,100poundsofmercuryperyear,andthereisgoingtobesomethingtothetuneof300to500tonsofmercurymovingthroughthatmillduringthe30‐yearminelife.
CommentersnotedthattheybelieveitisimportanttoputthatincontextandtoprovidetransparentinformationabouthowthatissueisgoingtobedealtwithintheDraftEIS.
HZM7 Theproposedmineshouldnotbeallowedtodumpcapturedmercuryintothetailingspond;rather,itshouldexportallcapturedmercurytoafederallyapprovedpermanent
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Category Code Description
storagefacility,followingthetransportprotocolusedbytheDepartmentofDefense(DepartmentofDefense,JointMunitionsCommand,HWADMercuryConsolidationProjectInformationSheet(July29,2010))andguidelinesprovidedbytheDepartmentofEnergy(DepartmentofEnergy,InterimGuidanceonPackaging,Transportation,Receipt,Management,andLong‐TermStorageofElementalMercury(November13,2009))‐Amultiplecontainerapproachwithseveralredundantsystemsforsafety.IfDonlinGoldoperatorsintendtouseadifferentstorageandmanagementsystemthantheonetheDepartmentofDefenseuses,theDraftEISshoulddescribehowitimprovestheseDepartmentofDefensemethods.
HZM8 Entitiesunfamiliarwiththeproposedprojectcouldoverstatethepotentialforimpactsfrommercury.TheDraftEISmustdescribe,inanunderstandablemannertoresidentsoftheregion,thenatureofthepotentialimpactsthatmercuryfromtheproposedprojectcouldhaveonhumanhealthandtheenvironmentandtheeffectivenessofmercurycontroltechnologies.
HZM9 TheDraftEISshouldaddressthepotentialconsequencesandmajorpublicconcernsoveracontainmentstructurefailure.Thetailingspondwouldbealargebowlofmercuryandothermineralwastes,soareleasewouldbeanenvironmentaldisaster.TheDraftEISshoulddescribewhatwouldbethetimerequiredforthesecontaminantstodegradetoalesserdegreeofdanger.Therewouldalwaysbearisk,forsevengenerationsintothefuture.ItisimpossibletoensurethattheKuskokwimRiverwouldnotbefouled.WhenadambrokeinEurope,theywereshovelingupdeadfishwithawheelbarrow;itkilledallthefishintheriver.Mercuryissodangerousitcantakeonedroppermilliongallonstocontaminatethewater.Ifsalmonsmellthat,thentheywouldn'tgobacktothatspawningarea.
Otherthanthetypicalconcernsforpotentiallytreatingwaterleavingthepitforever,theDraftEISshouldevaluatewhathappensfarintothefutureifthepittotallyfillsupwithchemicallystablesludgeresultingfromtheHighDensitySludgeProcess.Asmuchasitrains,thepondiseventuallygoingtooverflow.TheDraftEISshoulddescribehowmercuryandotherheavymetalswouldbekeptoutofthewatershedduringthelifeofthemine,andparticularlywhenthemineisabandoned?Itisnottechnicallyfeasibleorrealistictoassumerunoffwaterfromthetailingwasteandtheopenpitwouldbetreatedorpumpedintothepitintoperpetuity.Runoffwouldbeacidicandtoxictofishanddownriverinhabitants.TheDraftEISshouldexplainhowrunoffwouldbekeptoutoftheKuskokwimRiver,andwhattheimpactstotheriverareifitisnot.
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Category Code Description
HZM10 Theimpactofmercuryonaquaticsystemsmaybedependentontheamountthatismethylated.Mercurymethylationrequiresinorganicmercuryandmethylatingbacteria.Thepredominant(thoughnotexclusive)methylatorsofmercuryaresulfate‐reducingbacteria,whichrequireanoxicconditions,sulfate,andanorganiccarbonsource.Therefore,anylandscapealterationsthataffecttheactivityofsulfate‐reducingbacteriacanhavealargeeffectonmethylmercuryconcentrationsinaquaticbiota.Assuch,inevaluatingtheimpactsoftheproposedmine,itisnotadequatetolookatjustreleasesofinorganicmercury.TheDraftEISshoulddiscusshowtheminingactivityinfluencesthemethylationpotentialofmercury.Thepathwaysforenvironmentalandhumanexposuretomethylmercuryshouldalsobedescribed.RecommendationsforanalysisintheDraftEISshouldconsiderthefollowing:
• In2007,measurementsofmethylmercurywereaddedtothemercurybaselinestudy.Thesemeasurementsfocusedonstream/riversediments.Whilemeasuringsedimentsmayhavethebenefitofbeinglesstemporallyvariablethanwater;thewatermeasurementsmaybemorerepresentativeofthemethylmercuryavailableforaccumulationinthefoodweb.Itislikelythatmercurymethylationintheareaismainlyoccurringinwetlands.Theexportofmethylmercuryfromthesewetlandsislikelyinthedissolvedphase.Therefore,itmaybethecasethatsedimentmethylmercuryconcentrationsarenotrepresentativeofwatermethylmercuryconcentrations.Theexportofmethylmercuryfromwetlandsislikelyhighlytemporallyvariableandwouldbedependentonhydrologicalconnectivitybetweenthewetlandsandstreams.Anefficientwaytoidentifythebaselinemethylationpotentialoftheecosystemistocollectmeasurementsdirectlyfromthewetlands;
• Numerousstudieshaveshownthatmethylmercuryconcentrationsinwaterhavelargeseasonalvariability—withthehighestconcentrationsinthelatesummer/earlyfall.Overthewinter,methylmercurytypicallydecreases,resultinginlowerspringtimeconcentrations.Assuch,tounderstandthemaximumamountofmethylmercurybeingproduced,measurementsshouldbemadeinthelatesummerorearlyfall;
• TheDraftEISshoulddiscussthepotentialformethylationtooccurdownstreamfromtheminesiteandtherolethatexportofdissolvedorganiccarbon,sulfate,andinorganicmercurymayhaveonfacilitatingdownstreammethylation;
• ReleasesofmercuryormethylmercuryassociatedwiththemineneedtobecontextualizedwiththereleasesfromRedDevilandotherminesupstream,andnaturallyoccurringbackgroundlevelstounderstandanycumulativeimpactsofreleases;and
• Discussthepotentialpathwaysforenvironmentalandhumanexposuretomethylmercury,andthepotentialformethylmercurytobioaccumulateinfishandothersubsistencefoodsrelieduponbythelocalcommunities.
HZM11 TheDraftEISshouldconsiderafullrangeofalternativesthatwouldprecludeplacingmercury‐contaminatedtailingssolutioninthetailingsimpoundment,wherethemercurycanbereleasedintotheenvironmentfromlinerseepage,leakageorfailure,andoff‐gassingairemissions.Thereareampleexamplesoftailingsimpoundmentsthatleachcontaminantsduetolinerfailures.
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HZM12 TheDraftEISshouldalsoevaluatetheimpactsofthetailingspondcontainingpotentiallyunstableformsofmercuryintheeventofatailingsdamfailure.Theneutral‐alkalinepHofHigh‐DensitySludgewouldprecipitatemetalssuchasiron,manganese,copper,cadmium,andzinc,andisessentialintheTailingStorageFacility(TSF)tokeepcyanidefromoff‐gassingastoxichydrogencyanide.However,themetalloidsarsenic,antimony,molybdenum,andseleniumdonotprecipitate,theymobilize.Additionally,cyanideintheTSFwouldkeepmercuryandseleniumdissolved.Thescopingdocumentsaddressthecomplexmix.Ferricsulfateisaddedtoprecipitatearsenic,Octoligresincolumnsaretoassistinremovalofselenium,andUNRreagent829istoassistwithmercuryremoval.However,withregardstoselenium,ironco‐precipitationisnotsufficienttotreatittothelowlevelsrequiredfordisposalintoacreek,andtheproposedOctoligcolumnsappeartobecompletelyuntested.AdditionalinformationregardingthisisfoundinmaterialsbySandyandDiSante.2010.ReviewofavailabletechnologiesfortheremovalofseleniumfromwaterforNorthAmericanMetalsCouncil.CH2MHill.http://www.namc.org/docs/00062756.PDF.Withregardstomercury,theUNRreagentseemstohavenotperformedwellonTSFwater,althoughitperformedbetterwithfiltrate.Thereisnomentionoftreatmentforammonia.
HZM13 Theuseofexplosives,suchasdynamiteshouldbeanalyzedintheDraftEIS.
HZM14 CumulativelevelsofmercuryinbiotafromallsourcesshouldbeaddressedintheDraftEIS.BioaccumulationofmethylmercuryhasalreadyreachedalevelofpublichealthconcerninsomepredatoryfishspeciesintheKuskokwimRiverdrainage(Matz2012).Currentstatepublichealthguidelinesrecommendthatwomenofchildbearingagelimittheirconsumptionofsomefishspeciesinthisdrainage,toavoidpotentialhealthimpactstothedevelopingfetus(seewww.epi.alaska.gov/ehlfish).MercuryinputsandmethylationratesinAlaskanriversareexpectedtoincreasewithclimatechange(Schusteretal2011).Whileproject‐relatedlevelsofmercuryinputmayormaynothavesignificanteffectswhenconsideredalone,bothallowedandaccidentalinputsofadditionalmercurymustbeevaluatedinthecontextoftheexistingenvironment.Project‐relatedincreasesofmercuryinfishhavethepotentialtoaffectlocalhumanwelfare,giventhecriticalrolesubsistencefisheriesplayinthisarea.Fearorlossofconfidenceinthesafetyofsubsistencefoodscouldresultinashiftawayfromsubsistencetowardmarketfoods,resultingindecreasedstatus(Murphy1997).Thiseffectmaynotbelimitedtotheprojectarea,butcouldextenddownstreamforacurrentlyundeterminedgeographicextent.
HZM15 BarrickGold'soperationsinothercountriesshouldbestudiedandexaminedaspartoftheDraftEISprocess.TheU.S.hasstrongerenvironmentalandhealthprotectionlawsthanothercountrieswherethiscompanyoperates,buttheproposedprojectareashouldbeanareawhereresponsibleminingcouldoccur.
OnecommenternotedthattheyhadparticipatedinsuperfundcleanupsinWyoming,Nevada,Montana,andAlaskathatdidnotgothroughtheduediligenceofaDraftEISandthatmorerecentprojectsarebetterengineered,managed,andmonitored,anditisinaccurateandunfairforsomegroupstocomparethisproposedprojecttopreviousprojects.
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HZM16 TheDraftEISshouldprovidedocumentationabouttheforthcomingmercurymanagementplan(aspartoftheIntegratedWasteManagementPlan)whichshouldincludedisposalplans,handling,monitoring,mercuryabatementcontrols,andallapplicableregulations.Otherwiseitisdifficulttounderstandtheramificationsanddeleteriouseffectsoftheabatementprocessandthemanagementofco‐productmercuryandmercury‐containingmaterials.Specifically:
• DiscussionofcleaningsuppliesandmopsandbroomdisposalintheIntegratedWasteManagementPlanwascoveredbutthisisnotanadequatediscussion;
• TheDraftEISshouldincludeinformationonhowcontroldevicescapturemercuryinliquidandgaseousformaswellasmercurycapturedfromthetailingsslurrypipeline;and
• TheDraftEISshouldevaluatealternativemethodsformanagingwasteliquidflowsfromthecarbon‐in‐leachtankandothermillprocessestothetailingspond.Aretherepollutioncontrolmeasuresthatcanbeusedtoreducethemercuryinthecarbon‐in‐leachtailingssolutionbeforeitgetsmixedwiththedetoxifiedtails?
HZM17 AlthoughBarrickGoldhasdevelopedcertaintechniquestoreducethemercuryemissionsgeneratedthroughthemillingprocesses,itispossiblethatfugitiveemissionswaftingoffthewasterockandtailingsmaycontributesubstantialamountstotheenvironment.Currentlythestateonlyrequiresmineoperatorstoaddressthemercuryemanatingfromthemillingoperationwhereitisreleasedfromtheautoclave,carbonkiln,goldfurnaces,andretortfacilitieswhentheoreissubjectedtohighlevelsofheat.TheDraftEISshouldanalyzehowsuchoff‐gassingofmercurycouldpotentiallywindupmilesawayintheenvironment,possiblycontaminatingsubsistenceresourcesandharmingarearesidents.Off‐gassedmercuryemissionsfromthetailingspondcouldbepreventedoratleastreducedbyusingsuperiorcontroltechnologyduringoreprocessingandthroughcertainreclamationandcontrolmethods.
HZM18 Commentsreceivedduringscopingnotedthatamineofthisscopeandthehistoryofmercurypollutioninthisarearequiresafeguardsbeyondpresentdayregulationsandbeyondthepoliticalarena.TheDraftEISshouldexaminefutureplansforthisminedetailingbetterhealth,safety,andenvironmentaltestingandmonitoring.Thereshouldbeacknowledgementofanyfederal,state,ortribalordinancesrelatedtocyanide,beyondtherecognitionandassurancethattheminewouldfollowtheinternationalstandardssetforcyanideandgoldmining.
HZM19 TheDraftEISshouldincludeananalysisofthepotentialforspillsofcontaminants.TheprojectplanstatesthattherewouldbespillresponseequipmentatBethelandJungjukports,butwhataboutinbetween?Aspillresponseplanshouldbedevelopedforeachvillagealongthebargeroutetoensurethefastestandmosteffectiveresponsetimepossible.TheDraftEISshouldincludeplausibleaccidentscenarios.Fuelstorage,equipmentrefueling,andequipmentmaintenanceoperationsshouldoccuratleast100ft(30m)fromsurfacewatersinordertopreventspills.
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HZM20 Overthelifetimeoftheproposedproject,largequantitiesofhazardousandsolidwastematerialwouldbegeneratedduringconstruction,operation,maintenance,closure,andreclamation.TheDraftEISshouldaddressthepotentialdirect,indirect,andcumulativeenvironmentalimpactsofhazardousandsolidwastefromtheproposedproject.Ahazardousandsolidwastematerialhandling,storage,management,anddisposalplanshouldbedevelopedandincorporatedintotheDraftEIS.Recommendationsinclude:
• Identifythesources,types,andvolumesofhazardousandsolidwastematerial;
• Discusshowthehazardousandsolidwastematerialwouldbeproperlyhandled,stored,anddisposedatthecampand/orminesitesoratanoffsitefacility;
• Identifywhetheranon‐sitelinedsolidwastelandfillwouldbeconstructedtodisposeofsolidwastematerialfromthecampandmineactivities.Specifywhetheronsiteburningofsolidwastewouldbeproposed;
• Forcleansolidwastematerial,developandimplementarecyclingand/orcompostingprogram.Considerbackhaulingrecyclablematerialoffsiteandincorporatingthecompostingmaterialonsite;
• Forhazardouswastematerials,identifyanyfacilitieswherethematerialwouldbeproperlydisposed.Thefacilityshouldbeapprovedandcertifiedtoaccepthazardouswastematerial;
• Asanalternativetodisposingofhazardouswasteoffsite,anonsiteundergroundinjectioncontrolwellshouldbeconsideredtohandlehazardouswastematerialdisposal;and
• Identifyotherhazardousmaterialsiteswithintheadjacentprojectareaanddeterminethepotentialcumulativeimpactsfromtheproposedproject(e.g.theRedDevilMineandotherabandonedorhistoricalmines).
HZM21 TheKuskokwimRegionhasoneofthelargestChinooksalmonsubsistencefisheriesinthestate.Iftherewasaspill,therivercouldbecontaminatedforever,similartowhathashappenedattheCarsonRiverinNevadawhichiscurrentlyasuperfundsiteduetomining‐relatedimpacts.
HZM22 ThePlanofOperationsfortheproposedprojectindicatesthatmercuryprecipitationreagentswouldbeusedtoconvertsolublemercurytoastableformofmercurythatismercurysulfide(HgS)intheleachtailingsfiltrate(WaterResourcesManagementPlan,DonlinGoldProjectPlanofOperations,VolumeIIatpages4‐23[July2012]).TheDraftEISshouldprovidedataandaddresskeyquestionsonthelong‐termeffectivenessofthisapproach.Itshouldaddressiftheconvertedmercurywouldremainstable,anddeterminewhatisthelong‐termleachabilityofallformsofmercury?
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HZM23 TheDraftEISshouldexaminetheshort‐andlong‐termimpactstosurfaceorgroundwaterresourcesassociatedwithleachatefromwasterock.TheDraftEISshouldevaluatehowmercurywouldbepreventedfromreleasingintosurfaceorgroundwaterfromthewasterockstoragefacility,particularlypostclosure.Inadditiontomercury,anumberofothertoxicmetalssuchasarsenic,antimony,manganese,molybdenum,lead,copper,cadmium,cobalt,chromium,iron,nickel,barium,andseleniumhavebeenidentifiedaslikelytoleachfromwasterock,theopenpit,andtailings.TheDraftEISshouldconsidertheimpactsofammoniumnitrate,cyanide,andothertoxicchemicalsusedinminingoperationsthatmayalsothreatenecosystemandhumanhealthiftheyarenotstrictlycontained.
HZM24 Arsenicisanaturallyoccurringelementintheearth'scrustandwidespreadthroughoutAlaska.Theproposedprojectactivitieswouldexposetheaquaticenvironmenttoarsenicandpotentiallyresultinsubsequentexposuretohumansbydrinkingcontaminatedwaterand/oreatingcontaminatedfoods.TheDraftEISshouldincludeanarsenicassessmentanddeterminepotentialimpactstohumanhealth.Thiswouldinclude:
• Identifyingthesourcesandtheamountsofarsenicpotentiallyreleasedfromthisproject.Identifyingthereceptorsofarsenicintheenvironment.Describingthepotentialpathwaysforhumanexposureandprovidingthetoxicexposurelimitsforarsenictohumansandwildlife.
• Anexaminationofthemobilityandtoxicityofarsenicdependingontheform(e.g.arsenite,arsenate)thatisheavilyinfluencedbyoxidation/reductionconditions.TheDraftEISshouldincludeadiscussionofpredictedarsenicspeciationinthecontextofpotentialchangingredoxconditionsandhowthisinfluencesthepotentialenvironmentaltransportandimpacts.
• Identifyinganycontroltechnologiesthatwouldbeimplementedtodetoxify,remediate,removeand/ortreatarsenicfromtheminingprocesseffluent.Foranyarsenicremoved,identifyingtheproperdisposalfacility.Providinganestimateoftheamountofarsenicinthetailingseffluentstreamandtailingstoragefacility,andincludinganarsenicmanagementplan.
HZM25 Theproposednaturalgaspipelinewouldrequirehydrostatictestingtoensurepipelineintegrityduringconstruction.Hydrostatictestingmayrequirelargevolumesofwater,whichmaybeheattreatedand/oraugmentedwithfreezedepressantsifconstructionisduringthewinterseason.TheDraftEISshouldprovideinformationtoevaluatethedirect,indirect,andcumulativeenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwiththedischargeofhydrostatictestwaterintoadjacentlands,wetlands,andwaterbodiescontainingresidentand/oranadromousfish.ApipelinehydrostatictestwaterplanshouldbedevelopedandincorporatedintotheDraftEIS.Recommendationsreceivedduringscopingincluded:
• Describethelocationofwatersources,volumeofwater,andwithdrawalratesthatwouldberequiredforhydrostatictestingofthenaturalgaspipeline;
• Identifythedischargelocationstolandand/orsurfacewaters,anddischargemethods;
• Forwinterhydrostatictesting,identifytheuseofanychemicaladditives,suchasanti‐freezeorfreezedepressants,andhowthesechemicalswouldbetreatedpriortodischarging;
• Avoiddischarginghydrostatictestwaterintosurfacewaterscontainingresidentand/oranadromousfish;and
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• Describemitigationmeasures/commitmentandcontroldevicesthatwouldbeimplementedtominimizeenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwithdischarginghydrostatictestwater.
HZM26 TheDraftEISshouldexplainthecyanidedetoxificationstepoftheminingprocess,thedangersoftheprocess,andalternativestoit.Specifically,theDraftEISshouldaddress:
• Howmuchcyanidesolutiondoesittaketoprocessonetonofore?Theminelifeisgoingtobe27.5years,andthequantityofcyanidesolutionshouldbedescribed.
• Wheredoesthecyanidecomefrom?Howwoulditbemanagedand/orcontained?
• Regardingmetalinthesolutionwhatregulationswouldensurethattoxinsinsolutionaregoingtobeprecipitatedoutanddealtwithinsteadofdumpingsolutionintoapondordumpedintotheaquifer?
• Doesthisprocessuseanyotherchemicalsofconcern?
• Whathappenswhencyanidebindswithothernaturallyoccurringandintroducedelementssuchasmercury?IntheY‐KRegionthereisalreadyahigherlevelofexposuretomercurythanistypical.
• Whatcomponentsofmillingcouldbedoneoff‐sitetoreduceexposuretocontaminantsattheprojectsite?
HZM27 TheDraftEISshouldincludeacyanidemanagementplanandadiscussionoftheenvironmentalandhumanhealthimpactsassociatedwithcyanideexposureandstrategiesaimedatreducingexposuretoresidentsandmigratorywildlife.Recentstudieshaveshownthatresidualcyanideinminetailingscancausepersistentreleaseoftoxicmetals(e.g.,mercury)intogroundwaterandsurfacewaters.Potentialstepsshouldbeconsideredtodetoxify,remediate,andremovecyanidefromthetailingseffluent.TheDraftEISshouldevaluatecontroltechnologiesandadditivestodetoxify,remediateandremovecyanidefromtheminingprocesseffluent.Anycyanideremovedshouldbeproperlydisposedatanapprovedfaculty.TheDraftEISshoulddescribespillcontingenciesandpotentialimpactsifcyanidewerereleasedonlandorintotheKuskokwimRiver.
HZM28 CommentersnotedthatDonlinGold'sproposeduseofcyanideattheproposedminesiteshouldbeapproved.Itisacommonandwell‐regulatedprocessforwhichDonlinGoldwouldhavesafeguardsinplace.ThecommentstheCorpsreceivesonthistopicshouldbecarefullyconsidered,butevaluatedfromtheprospectiveoftheproposedplanofoperation.
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HZM29 TheDraftEISshouldquantifytheamountofcyanidethatcouldbereleasedonlandandinwater.Thetransportation,storage,anddisposalofcyanidepresentspotentialrisksandmanyopportunitiesforaccidentalspillsandreleasesofcyanidetolandandwater.Asproposed,cyanidewouldbetransportedtotheminesiteusingmarinecargovessels,rivertug/barges,andtrucksonagravelroad.Intransit,thecyanidewouldbestoredattheBethelandJungjukports.Considerationsshouldbemadetominimizetransportationandmultipletransferpointsforcyanide.Questionsthatwererainsedinclude:
• HowwouldthecyanidebestoredandcontainedsafelyduringtransporttotheDonlinGoldmine?
• Howwouldtheyensuretherearenospillsordamagefromcyanidetransport?
• Howwouldtheyrespondtoaccidentalreleases?Thisshouldbeaccountedforintothespillcontingencyplan.
• Whatisthesafestwaytotransportit?Identifyopportunitiestominimizetransittimesandmultipletransferpoints.Analternativeshouldincludetheuseofaircargototransportcyanidedirectlytotheminesite.
• Howmuchcyanidewouldbeincludedinthetailingeffluentstreamandbestoredinthetailingstoragefacility?
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Impactstostreams,localwaterbodies,anddisruptioninlocalwaterpatterns.Thisincludesriverinesystems,waveimpactstoshorebanksandsurfacewaters,andlowerwaterlevels.
Category Code Description
HYD1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzetheeffectsoftheproposedprojectandtheassociatedbargetrafficcouldhaveonriverbank,beach,andriverbederosionalongtheKuskokwimRiver.TheDraftEISshould:
• IncludeageomorphologystudyoftheKuskokwimRiver,containinghistoricriverbankerosionratesandaquantificationofriverbanklossbetweenBethelandtheproposedJungjukPort;
• Includeaboatwakestudyusingmodelingtechniquestoevaluatethemagnitudeinwhichboattraffic(includingvesselspeed)andwakescontributetobankerosionalongtheKuskokwimRiver;
• Considerthepotentialforincreasederosioninareaswheretheriverisshallow;
• Developmethodsforerosioncontrolandprotocolforpromptlydealingwithbreaksinerosioncontrol.Erosioncontrolshouldbeparticularlyrobustwhenitcomestoprotectingvillages;
• Analyzepotentialimpactstoculturaltraditionasaresultofthelossoflandandhomescausedbyerosion;
• Considerthecumulativeeffectsofhistoricriverineerosion,currentandprojectedweatherpatterns,currentandprojectedboattraffic,andtrafficassociatedwiththeproposedproject;
• AnalyzetheeffectsincreasederosioncouldhaveonsedimentdepositionratesandpatternsintheKuskokwimRiver.Concernwasexpressedthatincreaseddepositioncouldcreatemoresandbars,decreaseriverdepth,andinterferewithfishinginfrastructure;
• Analyzetheeffectsfromthemovementofbargesincludingchangesindissolvedoxygen,temperature,totalsuspendedsolids,totaldissolvedsolids,andpHlevels.Theseparametersareallofvitalimportancetoaquaticlife,andshouldbemonitoredallalongtheKuskokwimanditstributariesforthelifeofthemineandreclamationprocess.
• AnalyzethepotentialeffectoftheBethelterminalexpansionontherivercurrent;
• SpecificallyaddresserosionnearAkiak,whichlost200ft(61m)oflandtoerosionlastsummer;and
• SpecificallyaddresserosionnearKwethluk,acommunityontheKwethlukRiver.ErosionisalreadyaproblemintheKwethlukareaandconcernwasexpressedthatitwouldbeexacerbatedbytheproposedproject.Amile(1.6km)upstreamfromKwethlukthereisasmallshortcutthatconnectstheKuskokuakSloughportionoftheKuskokwimRivertotheKwethlukRiver.ThemouthofthisshortcutisbeingerodedbytheKuskokwimRiverandwakecreatedbyincreasedbargetrafficcouldspeedthisprocess.OvertimethiscouldincreasethevolumeofwaterthatflowsintotheKwethlukRivertherebyincreasingtherateoferosionalongthecommunityofKwethluk.ItwasnotedthatseveralhousesalongtheKwethlukRiverhadtoberelocatedlastfallforprotectionagainstlossanddamage.
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HYD2 TheDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzethepotentialimpactsthathigh,low,orfluctuatingwaterlevelsintheKuskokwimRivercouldhaveonbargetrafficassociatedwiththeproposedproject.TheDraftEISshouldalsoconsiderthecumulativeimpactsthatbargetrafficassociatedwiththeproposedprojectandhigh,low,orfluctuatingwaterlevelscouldhaveonKuskokwimRiverhydrology,habitatsandthefishandwildlifethatdependuponthem,andsubsistenceactivities.
HYD3 Concernwasexpressedregardingpathwaysforwater‐bornepollutantsthatmaybereleasedasaresultoftheproposedproject.TheDraftEISshould:
• Determinewhichrivers,streamlines,watersheds,andwaterbodies(bothfreshandmarine)aredownslopefromandcouldbeaffectedbyanycomponentorphaseoftheproposedprojectincludingunanticipatedeventssuchasstorageponddamfailureorlinerleak;
• Specifywhichwatershedsandwaterbodiescouldbeaffectedbywhichpollutantsandanalyzetheimpactsthosepollutantscouldhaveonthosewatershedsorwaterbodies;
• SpecificallyaddresstheInnoko,Iditarod,Yukon,andKuskokwimdrainages;and
• SpecificallyaddressthepossibilityofpollutantsflowingoutoftheKuskokwimRiverandbeingcarriedbythecurrentupthecoasttotheYukonDelta.
HYD4 TheDraftEISshouldincorporatehistoricalhydrologystudiesandfullyanalyzehowextremeorseasonalfloodingeventscouldaffecttheproposedprojectandsurroundingvillages.TheDraftEISshouldspecificallyaddresshowfloodingeventsmayaffectchannelerosionandpipelinestreamcrossings.
HYD5Concernwasexpressedthattheproposednaturalgaspipelinecouldimpactstreamhydrologyandviceversa.TheDraftEISshould:
• ConsiderthepossibilitythatstreamsaslargeastheBigRivermaynotbefrozensolidduringthewinter.Sub‐iceflowandstreambedflowshouldbemanagedordivertedduringpipelineinstallation;
• ConsiderthepossibilitythatmanyofthestreamstheproposedpipelinemustcrosswouldbefrozensolidandhavenosurfaceflowduringFebruary.Surveysshouldbeconductedinadvancetoidentifythebestcrossingsite;
• Assesstheeffectsicedamsandassociatedfloodingandstreambedscourcouldhaveonproposedpipelinestreamcrossings,particularlytheKuskokwimRivercrossing;
• Analyzetheeffectsproposedpipelinestreamcrossingscouldhaveonsub‐streambedflowandcontinuity;
• Considerthepossibilitythatchanneldiversionwouldhavetotakeplaceduringconstructionofproposedpipelinestreamcrossings,especiallyonwide,braidedriverswhereheavyequipmentoperatorsmayneedmoreroomtomaneuver.
• Evaluatepotentialimpactsofchanneldiversiononhydrologyand;and
• Describeimpactsassociatedwiththeopencutmethod.MuchoftheconstructionofthepipelineonBLMlands(thewesternportionoftheproposedpipeline)wouldbeduringthesummermonthswhenthegroundisexposed,banksaresoft,andstreamflowsarehigher.Usingtheopencutmethodduringthesummerseasoncreatesmorepotentialforwatermanagementproblems,exposesthestreamchannel,andthreatenswaterqualitymuchmorethanitwouldifconstructiontookplaceduringthewinter,especiallyonbiggerstreamswithhighergradientandhigherdischarge.TheDraftEISshouldconsideranalternativeinwhichallstreamrelatedconstructioncrossingsandpipelineinstallationwouldbemadeduringthewinterwhenthereislessflowandpotentialwaterqualityissuesandtheground/bankisfrozenandstable.
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HYD6 Residentsposedquestionsaboutwhetherandhowsurfacewater(creeks)wouldbedivertedneartheproposedminesite.WouldDonlinGolddamanycreeksattheheadwaters?WouldDonlinGoldcreateanymanmadecreeks?WouldanytributariestoCrookedCreekbedammed?Wouldtheprojectcreatemanmadeponds?
HYD7 AlthoughtheDonlinGoldpermitapplicationexplainsBMPsduringconstructionandoperations(e.g.siltfencesandotherprotectivedevices)tolimittheamountofsedimentrunoffintoadjacentwetlands,residentsareconcernedsedimentwouldenterGetmunaCreekandeventuallyCrookedCreek,therebydegradingthespawningandrearinghabitat(e.g.,interstitialspaces)priortoanymitigation.Thepermitapplicationstates,“withintheCrookedCreekdrainage,severalofthesmallertributariescanfreezetothestreambottomduringwinter(NorthernEcologicalServicesandHDRAlaskaInc.1999).Inaddition,theunderlyinggeologyoftheareacausessiltationintheCrookedCreekdrainage,whichleadstoahighlyarmored(orembedded)streambottom.Heavysiltloadsfilltheinterstitialspacesinthegravel,whichlimitstheavailablehabitatformacroinvertebrates(Waters1995)andexacerbatestheeffectsofwinterfreezingbylimitingtheamountofhabitatavailableforcolonization.”AdditionalsedimentwouldbeofparticularconcerninCrookedCreekconsideringtheanticipatedreductioninwatervolumementionedabove.AreductioninstreamflowwouldlessenCrookedCreek’sabilitytoflushsedimentsout.
HYD8 TheDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzetheeffectsofandpotentialforcreatingaufeisandseepsbyactivitiesassociatedwiththeproposedproject.Aufeisatproposedpipelineriver‐crossingscoulddamageriparianareasdownstreamandshouldbeincorporatedintobondinganddamageassessment.SeepsmayoccuronproposedgradedROWsandroadcutsthatexposegroundwatertothesurface.Seepsmayfreezeintolargemassesoficethathavethepotentialtodisruptconstruction,necessitatereroutingoftheproposedpipelinecorridor,andrequireclearingmoreacreage.SuggestionsweremadeduringscopingtocontactDenaliNationalParkandPreservetolearnaboutthechallengesthatglacialseepspresentforwinterroadoperations.
HYD9 Theproposedprojectwouldrequirelargevolumes(millionsofgallons)ofwaterforconstructionofpermanentandtemporarygravelroads,facilitypads,hydrostatictestingofthepipeline,HDD,andothermineoperations.TheDraftEISshouldincludeanevaluationofthewaterresourcesoftheprojectarea.DiscussionintheDraftEISshould:
• Identifyandmapexistingandpotentialsurfacewaterlocationswherewaterwithdrawalforprojectconstructionandoperationwouldoccur;
• Describewaterextractionmethodsandamounts;
• Characterizeeachsurfacewaterresourceandidentifyitssurfacearea,maximumdepths,availablevolumeofwater,volumeofproposedwithdrawal,andpresence/absenceofresidentand/oranadromousfishspecies;
• Identifythemaximumwaterrequirementsforprojectconstructionandoperation;
• Identifyanymitigationmeasures/commitments,suchasestablishingwaterwithdrawalrates,timingofwaterwithdrawal,andscreeningtoavoidimpactstofish;
• Identifyminimumrequiredflowneededtomaintainfishhabitat;and
• Identifymonitoringactivitiestoensurefisheriesresourcesareprotected.
Concernswereexpressedduringscopingthatpumpingsubstantialgroundwaterwouldaffectsurfacewateradverselyandalterthehydrologyenoughtoeffectivelypermanentlyimpactordestroyriversandstreamswithinthelocalwatershed.TheDraftEISshouldevaluateDonlinGold'sgroundwaterandsurfacewaterflowmodeling
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predictions.Aquaticbiotashouldbemonitoredthroughoutthelifeoftheproposedminebecausetheminingoperationswouldremovesubstantialquantitiesofsurfaceandgroundwater.
HYD10 Theproposedminefacilityislocatedwithinthetwoadjacentwatersheds–theAmericanandAnacondacreeks.BothcreeksprovidesourcewatertoCrookedCreek,whichdrainsintotheKuskokwimRiver.TheproposedwasterockfacilitywouldpermanentlyimpactAmericanCreek.TheproposedtailingstoragefacilitywouldpermanentlyaffectAnacondaCreek.TheDraftEISshouldevaluatethedirect,indirect,andcumulativeimpactstoAmericanandAnacondacreeks.Thewatershedcharacteristicsofbothdrainagesshouldbeevaluatedindetail.TheDraftEISshould:
• ConductawatershedcharacterizationofAmericanandAnacondacreeks;
• Analyzethewatershedgeomorphologicalandothercharacteristics,suchasbasinshape,slope,vegetationcover,soiltypeandlanduseconditions;
• Evaluatetheseasonalwaterlevels,flowregimes,andchannelmorphology(i.e.,channelbedandbankerosionandsedimenttransportcapacity),andimpactscausedbystreamdiversions,channelization,andaltereddrainagepatterns;
• Evaluatethetypesofresidentandanadromousfishresources;
• Demonstratehowconstructionoftheproposedmineanditsassociatedfacilitiesmightalterrunoffresponsestobothaverageandextremeprecipitationevents;and
• EvaluatethedownrivereffectstoCrookedCreekandtheKuskokwimRiver,suchasreductioninseasonalandannualwaterflow,sedimentandnutrienttransport.
HYD11 TheEISshouldevaluateeffectsoftheroadconnectingtheJungjukminetotheport,includingtheeffectsofbridgeandculvertstreamcrossingsandcrossdrainageonstreamhydrologyand/ormorphology,includingthepotentialforaufeis.TheproposedJungjukroadthatwouldconnecttheJungjukPortsitetotheminecrossesapproximately50streamsand/ordrainagesincludingbothJungjukandGetmunacreeks,bothofwhichsupportresidentandanadromousfish.Spurroadswouldalsobeconstructedtoaccesstheairportandotherminefacilities.
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LEGISLATION AND REGULATORY PROCESS (LEG)
CompliancewithCleanWaterAct,CleanAirAct,EndangeredSpeciesAct,andSection106oftheNationalHistoricPreservationAct.Commentsoncompliancewithotherstatues,lawsorregulationsthatshouldbeconsidered;coordinatingwithFederal,state,localagenciesororganizations;permittingrequirements.
Category Code Description
LEG1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldconsiderthehistoryofminepermittinginAlaska,inparticulartheRedDogMine,FortKnoxMine,GreenCreekMine,andtheKensingtonMine.Thesemineshavebeenthoroughlyevaluatedthroughthepermittingprocessandhavesolidenvironmentalandeconomictrackrecords.AgenciesshouldconsiderthehistoricalcontextthatmanyminescitedbyopponentsofminingaremineswhoseoperationsbeganbeforetheadventoftheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct,theCleanAirAct,ortheCleanWaterAct.
ItisimportanttounderstandandacknowledgethatittookmanyyearstoestablishtheregulatoryframeworkthroughwhichtheselawswouldbeimplementedandthattheU.S.hasachievedagoodtrackrecordofenvironmentalstewardship.TheDraftEISshould:
• ExplainhowandwhenpermittingdecisionsaremadeinrelationtotheEIStimeline;
• DescribewhathappensifsignificantchangesaremadetothepermittedactivitiesfollowingtheEISprocess;
• Includealistanddescriptionofallpermitsrequiredfortheproposedactionincludinginternational,federal,state,andlocal;and
• Describetherolesandrelationshipsofallthepermittingagencies.
LEG2 TheDraftEISshoulddescribehowtheprojectwouldcomplywithSection106oftheNationalHistoricPreservationAct(NHPA).Specifically:
• ClarifythatSection106isnotpartoftheNEPAprocess,itisaseparatelaw;
• IntheanalysisofTraditionalCulturalProperties,notethedistinctionthatthesearenotlimitedtopropertiesimportanttoAlaskaNatives.ThepropertiesoftraditionalreligiousandculturalimportancetoAlaskaNativetribesmaynotbethesameasTraditionalCulturalPropertiesidentifiedonthebasisofhistoricimportancetoothercommunities.
• NotethattheCorpsistheleadfederalagencythatensurescompliancewiththislawundertheNationalHistoricPreservationAct,butthatthestatutealsorequiresconsultationwithotherpermittingagencies,tribes,SHPO,localgovernmentrepresentatives,andtheAdvisoryCouncilonHistoricPreservation(ACHP);
• EnsurethatNEPA/NHPAconsultationandscopingiscoordinatedandconcurrentwherepossibletosaveresources;
• CompletetheSection106processpriortoissuingtheRecordofDecision(ROD),whichwouldprovidefortheimplementationoftheProgrammaticAgreementterms;
• AnalyzeimpactstotheIditarodNationalHistoricTrail;and
• ClarifythatanymitigationmeasurestoimpactstotheIditarodNationalHistoricTrailwouldbeagreedtoasapartoftheSection106complianceprocessandoutlinedinaProgrammaticAgreement.
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Category Code Description
LEG3 TheDraftEISshouldexplaintheextentofinterdisciplinaryworkbetweenthestateandfederalagenciesworkingtogetherwithscientistsandwithindigenousknowledgeinordertomakecommentperiodsmoremeaningful.Onecommenterencouragedmanydepartmentstoworktogethertoaddressandanalyzecurrentproblems.
LEG4 TheDraftEISshoulddescribehowtheprojectwouldcomplywiththeCleanWaterAct.ItwassuggestedthattheCWASection404(b)(1)analysisalternativesdevelopmentbeintegratedintotheDraftEIStoensurethattheenvironmentalreviewandpermittingprocessesareconcurrent,efficient,andconsistent.
TheDraftEISshouldfullydisclosethepreciselegalmechanismbywhichtheproposeddischargestotheminepitwouldoccur,sothataffectedmembersofthepublicmaycommentonit.Specifically:
• TheDraftEISshouldaddresstheperceivedloopholesintheCleanWaterActandhowtheyaffectthetailingsimpoundmentfacilitythatdoesnothavetocomplywithdischargestandardsifconsideredawastetreatmentfacility;
• DescribehowthepotentialclosureofthetwomainCleanWaterActloopholeswouldaffectthedesignandplacementofthetailings;
• ConsiderhowlitigationwiththeCleanWaterActwouldaffectthemineengineeringplans;
• ExplainifAmericanCreekandtheotherwaterswithinthepitwouldbedeemedawastetreatmentfacility;
• DescribehowtheprojectwouldcomplywithNewSourcePerformanceStandardsregardingthedischargeofwastewaterintoAmericanCreek;
• Explainwhetherthescopeofwaterqualityanalysiswouldincludeanti‐degradationprovisionsoftheCleanWaterAct.
• DescribethelocationsofaffectedwetlandsandhowSection404requirementsandcompliancewouldbemet;and
• IncludeadraftCWA§404(b)(1)compliancedeterminationforthepreferredalternativeasanAppendixtotheDraftEIS.
LEG5 ExplainwhethertheCorpshasinitsstatutestheabilitytostoptheclocktoacquiremoreinformationanddatathatmightbeneededforareasoftheDraftEISthatareessentialfordecision‐making.
LEG6 Commentersexpressedconcernaboutthehistoryofpastminesleavingpollutionandpoisonbehindandwantinformationregardingconsequencesofpermitviolations.TheDraftEISshouldclarifywhetherornotthereareanyguaranteesfromtheCorpsorotherpermitissuingagencies.Describetheviolationprocessandpotentialpunishmentsandwhetherornottheproposedminecouldbeshutdownuntiltheviolationsareaddressed.TheDraftEISshouldexplainhowownershipandresponsibilitywouldbedeterminedanddiscloseanypastpermitviolationscommittedbytheprojectproponents.
LEG7 ExplainhowtheNorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreementwouldaffecttheabilityofthestateandfederalgovernmenttoregulatethisproposedmine.Describewhethertheanswerisalegalopinionorestablishedlawupheldbythecourts.
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Category Code Description
LEG8 OnecommenterencouragedtheCorpsandcooperatingagenciestofollowtheintegratedNEPAandpermittingapproachutilizedbyfederalandstateagenciesonpastminedevelopmentprojectsinAlaska,includingthePogoMine,theRedDogAqqalukExtension,andKensington.ItwassuggestedthattheCorpsevaluatetheCWA§404permitapplicationconcurrentlywiththeNEPAprocessandtheNationalHistoricPreservationActSection106coordinationprocess.
LEG9 ClarifywhethertheDraftEISwouldincludeafullanalysisofthecumulativeimpactsoftheproposedprojectnaturalgaspipeline,includingananalysisofgreenhousegasemissionsaspollutantsundertheCleanAirActasaresultofrecentcourtrulings.
LEG10 DescribetheANILCA810subsistenceevaluationprocessfortheproposedproject.EnsurethatDraftEISand,ifneeded,ANILCA810subsistencehearingsarecoordinatedwheneverpossible,andgiveadvancednoticesothateldersandothercommunitymemberscanparticipate.
LEG11 CommentersexpressedconcernabouttheTemporaryWaterUsePermits(TWUPs)issuedtoDonlinGoldbytheAlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources(DNR)inMarch2012.TherewerespecificconcernsraisedduringscopingthattheissuanceofseveralpermitsiscontrarytothepublicinterestandislikelyinviolationoftheAlaskaStateWaterUseCode.TheCorpsshouldconsiderapprovalofthesepermitsintheDraftEIS.
LEG12 AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameTitle16FishHabitatpermitswouldberequiredforwaterwithdrawalandforseveralotheraspectsoftheproposedprojectassociatedwithfishstreamsincludingpipelinecrossings(ditching,boring,streambedandstreambankrehabilitation),equipmentcrossings,materialsitesandportconstruction.
LEG13 Inaccordancewith11AAC93.17,theDraftEISshouldincludeconsiderationofthehazardpotentialofclassificationoftheproject’sseveralsubstantialwaterdamsandthelargedamforwholemilltailingsslurry.Thisshouldincludesummaryoftherequiredfeasibilitystudyandsitestudythatjustifiesthelocation,type,andconfigurationoftheproposeddamoverotheralternativelocations,types,andconfigurations.
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LAND OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND USE (LAND)
Publicandprivatelanduse,ownership,andmanagementobjectives.Loss/degradationofwildernessvalues–butnottraditionallanduse,whichisaddresselsewhere.
Category Code Description
LAND1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldanalyzetheIditarodNationalHistoricTrailunderNEPAproceedingsinaseparatesectionthattracksthroughoutthedocumentasaspecialdesignationorCongressionalDesignation.
LAND2 TheDraftEISshouldreviewandaddresstheKuskokwimAreaManagementPlanthatiscurrentlyinplace,intheproposedprojectarea.
LAND3 ThefollowinglandmanagementgoalsmustbeaccountedforintheDraftEIS:
• EnsureprotectionofnaturalandculturalresourcesfromOffRoadVehicle(ORV)impacts;
• ProvideORVaccessconsistentwiththeprovisionsofANILCASection811;and
• Describeandanalyzestate‐managedpublicaccessonthestate‐managedSusitnaFlatsGameRefugeandBLM‐managedaccessontheBLM‐grantedright‐of‐way(inthecontextofsubsistenceuseandneeds).
LAND4 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzepotentialimpactsonaBLMcommercial‐occupancysitenearMP168,wherealeaseholderprovidesBLM‐approvedcommercialbiggamehuntingguide‐outfittingoperations,withORVorAll‐TerrainVehicles(ATV)andfixed‐wingaircraftaccess,withinthesurroundingarea.
LAND5 TheDraftEISshouldevaluatethelossofwildlifehabitatonlandsintheproposedprojectarea.
LAND6 TheDraftEISshouldevaluateLandswithWildernessCharacteristicsalongthepipelinecorridorasrequiredunderBLMmanagementguidance.
LAND7 TheDraftEISshouldevaluateimpactstoprivateandpubliclandsresultingfromthereclamationofthenaturalgaspipeline,andensurethatadequatebondingisinplace.
LAND8 TheDraftEISshouldevaluateimpactsofincreasedpublicaccessalongthepipelinecorridorwithregardtothefollowingissuesraisedduringscoping:
• PossibleuseofthepipelineROWasarouteforsnowmachinesandotherORV/ATV’s;
• ImpactsoftheROWtoplacermineoperatorswhomovetheirequipmentduringwintermonths,wouldROWimpactthat;
• Considerthattheproposedpipelinecorridormayopenalong,newlydevelopedtrailfromAnchorage/Wasilladirectlytotheproposedprojectarea;and
• Determineiftheproposedpipelinecorridorwouldbemanagedwithanyrestrictionsonpublicaccessinrelationtoriskstotheintegrityofthepipelinesystem.
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Category Code Description
LAND9 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzetheimpactstheproposedpipelinecorridormayhavebyincreasingpublicaccessonlandsincluding:
• IncreasedaccessfromSouthcentralAlaskatotheproposedprojectarea;
• ImpactstoNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces(NRHP)sitesandtrails;
• Increasedrisksforoilspillsalongnewaccessroutesandappropriatereportingrequirements;and
• Dispositionofover‐burdenalongtheROWthatmayimpairwildlifemovementpatterns.
LAND10 TheDraftEISshouldidentifypublictrails,sectionlineeasements,17(b)easements,andRS2477trailsintheproposedprojectareaandaddresspotentialimpactstoandfromthesetrails.
LAND11 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzethelandrightsofprivatelandownersandtheeffectsoftheproposedprojectincluding:
• Traditionalusers’lossofaccesstoANCSAlandsleasedfortheproposedprojectarea;
• Publicaccesstotheproposedpipelinecorridorifaroadisbuiltwithpublicfunds;and
• RightsofANCSAlandownerstoavoidunreasonabledelays,whichmightconstituteataking.
LAND12 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzetheimpactstoprivatelandsandlandownersfortheproposedprojectareaincluding:
• AlaskaNativecorporationlandsreceivedpursuanttotheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct;
• RestrictedIndianlandsreceivedundertheAlaskaNativeAllotmentActof1906and,
• IncludingmapsintheEIStodepictonausefulscaletheproposedpipelineroutesthroughsubdivisionssothatpeoplecanseewheretheproposedpipelinemaycrosstheirlots.LotlinesshouldalsobedepictedonsuchmappingeffortsintheEIS.
LAND13 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzetheimpactsofthelossoftraditionallanduseandsubsistenceuseareasbythetribesandmembersofthecommunity.Inparticular,theDraftEISshouldexaminelandsthatarenowownedandleasedbyAlaskaNativeCorporationsandtheirrelationshiptotheproposedproject.
LAND14 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzetheimplicationsoftheBeringSeaWesternInteriorResourceManagementPlanforBLMmanagementrequirementsofsegmentsoftheproposedpipeline.
LAND15 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzetheeffectoftheBethelbargeterminalfacilityonthepublicuseofthesurroundingareawithregardstotrailsandwaterfrontusage.
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MITIGATION MEASURES (MIT)
Commentsrelatedtosuggestionsfor,orimplementationof,mitigationmeasures.
Category Code Description
MIT1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldidentifymitigationmeasurestominimizethereleaseofacidrockdrainage/metalleaching.
MIT2 MitigationmeasuresandcontroltechnologiesshouldbeidentifiedtominimizetheemissionofHazardousAirPollutant(HAPs)andfugitivedust.Commenterssuggestthefollowing:
• Useofnaturalgastopowerheavyequipmentandvehicles;and
• Wettingsourcematerial,installingbarrierstopreventdustfromspreading,andhaltingoperationsduringhighwindevents.
MIT3 Bargetrafficisamainconcernamongcommenters.MitigationmeasuresshouldbeclearlystatedanddescribedintheDraftEIStoreduceimpactsassociatedwithbargeactivity.Commenterssuggestthefollowing:
• ReduceoreliminatebargetrafficduringChinook(king)salmonopeningsandotherkeyannualsubsistenceactivities;
• Includemitigationtoprotectmarineresourcesfrombargetraffic;
• Includemitigationfornoisecausedbybargesthatmayaffectlocalfisherman;
• Placeunusedrockfromtheminesitealongtheriverbanktoreducebankerosion;
• Establishandenforcemaximumtug/boatspeedandloadlimits;
• Reconfigurebargestominimizewakes;and
• Evaluate(monitor)annualriver‐bankloss.
MIT4 LocalresidentsdrinkwaterfromtheKuskokwimRiver,anditisthehabitatformanyspeciesoffishandaquaticlife.Mitigationmeasuresshouldprotectthewaterqualityoftheriverandincludethetreatmentofcontaminatedwater.Commenterssuggestedusingalternativetechniquestocompletelyremovechemicalsfromwaterbeforedischargingandusingdrystacksinsteadofslurries.
MIT5 TheDraftEISshouldexplainhowthenoisedisturbancefromblasting,whichresultsinwildlifedisplacement,wouldbemitigated(commenterssuggestblastinglocationsbeincludedonasummarymap).Helicopters,airplanes,andmachinenoisecoulddriveawaygamespeciesduringhuntingseason.Commenterssuggestanalternativeofseasonalrestrictionsonmineoperationssuchascessationofconstructionandnoise‐producingactivityduringhuntingseason.
MIT6 TheDraftEISshouldincludeadetailedmitigationplanforeachstageoftheproposedprojectincludingpre‐construction,construction,operations,maintenance,rehabilitationandclosure.Thisapproachwouldhelpassessmitigationneedsandidentifymitigationmeasuresandbestmanagementpracticesthatshouldbeimplemented.Thelimitations,uncertainties,effectiveness,andrisksassociatedwithimplementationofmitigationsshouldbefullydiscussedintheDraftEIS.TheDraftEISshouldaddressscenarioswithcatastrophicfailuressuchaspipelinebreaks,minefailures,ordamfailures.Itshouldincludeadiscussionofadaptivemanagementplanningtorespondtosuchunforeseenevents.Thisanalysisshouldincludethefollowing:
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Category Code Description
• Timeframesforeachmitigationmeasure,withastartandenddateanddurationforimplementation;
• Determinationofwhethermitigationmeasureswouldresultinadditionalenvironmentalimpacts;
• Descriptionofcorrectiveactionstoremedyfailedmitigation;
• Identificationofthesourceoffundingforeachmitigationandmonitoringmeasure;discloseanylackoffunding;and
• Designationoftheentitiesresponsibleforimplementingeachmitigationmeasure.
MIT7 Impactstopublichealthneedtobemitigated.MitigationstrategiesshouldbedevelopedandincludedintheDraftEIS.Commentershavethefollowingsuggestionsandconcerns:
• MitigationintheHealthImpactAssessment(HIA)shouldhelpguidemitigationintheDraftEIS;
• Use"socialdeterminantsofhealth"asdoneintheDraftEISforthe2008NortheastNationalPetroleumReserve‐Alaska;and
• Ifthereisaspillorreleaseofhazardousmaterialsthatcauselocalstorelocate,analyzewhowouldpayforthesetravelcostsandpotentialmedicalexpenses?
MIT8 TheDraftEISshouldincludeanalysisofmitigationmeasurestoavoidandminimizeimpactstofish,wildlife,publichealth,land,andsubsistenceactivities.Forimpactsthatcannotbeavoided,compensatorymitigationshouldbeincluded.
MIT9 Mitigationmeasuresshouldbedevelopedandidentifiedtoprotectfishandthelocalswhodependonthemfortheirsubsistencelifestyle.TheDraftEISshoulddescribemitigationmeasuresthatwouldbeusedtoprotectfish.Commenterssuggestthefollowing:
• Reduceorstopconstructionandminingactivitiesduringpeaktimesoffishmigrationandspawning;
• Identifymeasurestoprotectfishfromminedischargeandmercurycontamination,suchasusingdrystacktailings;and
• Conductfuelingactivityatleast100ftfromwetlandsandthebankoffishstreams;nofuelinginriparianareasorwithin500ftofactivefloodplainofanyfishbearingstreams.
MIT10 Theproposedpipelinewouldaffectmanyresources.TheDraftEISmustfullyaddresspipelineimpactsandnecessarymitigationmeasures.Commentersareconcernedaboutimpactstothefollowing,andsuggestincludingmitigationmeasuresforeach:
• Birdhabitatsaffectedbybrushing;
• Aquaticresources;
• Vegetation;commenterssuggestminimizingamountofvegetationremovedfortheROW;
• Habitatlossresultingfromtheexposedpipeline;
• HabitatalongtheROW;commenterssuggestscatteringchippedbrushandlimbsalongtheROW;
• Wetlands;and
• Impactsresultingfromgradingofhillsides;trenchingonhillsidesshouldbeconsideredtoreducevisualimpacts.
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Category Code Description
MIT11 TheIditarodNationalHistoricTrail(INHT)andotherimportanttrailsshouldbeprotected.CommenterssuggestchoosingaROWthatintersectsthetrailwheretall,thicknativevegetationcurrentlyexists,andmaintaininga500fttrailsidevegetationbuffer.Also,directionaldrillingmethodsshouldbeusedtoinsertthepipelinebelowtheundisturbedtrailcorridor.ThiswouldalsohelppreventunauthorizedORV/ATVandvehicleaccess.IfpipelinecrossingsattrailsrequireaROW,thewidthoftheclearzoneshouldbeminimized.Inareaswithexistingaccessroutes,alternateaccessshouldbeprovided.Vehiclebarrierscouldbeinstalledtopreventunauthorizedvehicleaccess,butallowforcontinueduseoftrailsforwinterusers.Permanentserviceandmaintenanceroadsshouldincludethesekindsofbarrierstructuresalso.
MIT12 MitigationmeasuresshouldbeincludedintheDraftEISforpotentialwildfires.
MIT13 Impactstowetlandsshouldbeminimized.TheDraftEISshoulddiscusswetlandlossfromdrainingandfillingforroadways,includingthemilesofroadsandtheacresofwetlandsaffected.Restorationofexistingwetlandhabitatcouldpotentiallybeusedasacompensatorymitigationcreditiftheycanberestoredtoprovidebeneficialfishandwildlifehabitat.Largesurfacearea/lowimpacttirescouldhelpreduceimpactstowetlands,aswellastheuseoftemporaryplatforms/holdingstructuresduringpipelineconstructiontoensurematerialcanberecoveredandputbackintoplaceontopofthetrench.Inareaswhereplatformsarenotanoption,theareashouldbeimmediatelyreplantedwithnativespecies.
MIT14 Reclamationshouldbeconductedimmediatelyfollowingconstruction,andmayneedtooccurmorethanjustoneseason/yearafterconstructiontoaccountforchronicerosionorstabilityissues.
MIT15 Inthepipestorageyardsandconstructioncamps,commenterssuggestusinganalternativetogravelpads,suchasnon‐permanentporouspavementpanels.Withregardstomaterialsites,followingusefortemporarypurposedgravelshouldbereturnedbacktowhereitwasquarried,andallmaterialsitesshouldbefullyreclaimed.
MIT16 Mitigationshouldbedevelopedtominimizedisturbancetosoils.CommentersnotethatthePipelinePlanofDevelopmentstatesthatorganicmatterwouldbeseparatedfrommineralsoils.TheysuggesttheadditionalseparationoftheAandBhorizonsfromtheunderlyingparentmaterial,sincesoildevelopmentisaveryslowprocess.Inroadsideditchessedimentcatchmentsshouldbeinstalledandmaintained.
MIT17 StreamandwaterbodycrossingtechniquesandassociatedmitigationmeasurestominimizeimpactsshouldbefullyanalyzedintheDraftEIS.Commenterssuggestconsideringasanalternativeanelevated,ratherthanburied,pipelineabovestreamsandwaterbodies.Duringconstructionofthepipeline,fiberopticcablesshouldbeplacedinsamelocationaspipeinstallationtoreduceimpactstofisheriesresources.Topreventscouringofstreambeds,energy‐dissipationdevicesshouldbeusedatalllocationstopreventhabitatdamageandincreasedturbidity.
MIT18 Thetraditionalwaysoflifeintheproposedprojectareashouldbeprotectedbyeffectivemitigationmeasures.Commenterssuggestthefollowing:
• Identifythemonetaryvalueoflossofhunting,fishingandgatheractivities;and
• DevelopandfundanEldersandYouthCounciltoensurecontinuanceoftraditionsandculture.
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Category Code Description
MIT19 Topreventfuelspills,yokestemvalvesshouldbeused.
MIT20 Equipmentbroughtfromoutsidetheproposedprojectareashouldbethoroughlycleanedtopreventunwantedinvasivespecies.
MIT21 Tailingspondsshouldbeenclosedtopreventharmtotheenvironment.Safetysystemsneedtobeinplaceintheeventthattailingsdamsleak.Capturedmercuryshouldnotbedumpedinthetailingspond.Itshouldbeexportedtoafederallyapprovedpermanentstoragefacility.Furthermore,theDraftEISshouldincludediscussionofimplementingthelatestresearchandtechnologyforcapturingCO2inminetailings.
MIT22 TheCorpsshouldengageDonlinGold,LLCinthedevelopmentofmitigationmeasuresearlyintheprocess.DonlinGoldcanthenapplyexperiencetopredictmitigationsuccess,asillustratedatotherminesites.Furthermore,regardingmitigationintheHealthImpactAssessment(HIA),theCorpsshouldindependentlyevaluatemitigationmeasuresproposedtoreducehealth‐relatedimpacts.
MIT23 Mitigationmeasuresfortemporaryworkcampsandpermanentfacilitiesforallphasesoftheproposedprojectwouldneedtobesurroundedbyelectricfencestominimizehumaninteractionswithfoxes,andbrownandblackbearsthatwerenotedtobecommonduringsimilarconstructionactivitiesoftheTrans‐AlaskaPipeline.Thetemporarystorageandproperdisposalofputresciblewasteswouldbeanimportantpartofminimizinghuman/carnivoreinteractions.
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MONITORING (MON)
Commentsrelatedtomonitoringplansforprojectandpostclosure.
Category Code Description
MON1 Commentersrequestdetailedmonitoringplansforallphasesoftheproject,includingconstruction,maintenance,operationandreclamation/closure.Monitoringplansshouldaddressallprojectcomponentsandinclude:
• Definedgoalsandobjectives;
• Measurableperformancestandards;
• Listofmeasurementparameters,methods,andlocations;
• Scheduleandfrequencyformonitoringduringallphases;
• Entitiesresponsibleforconductingandreportingmonitoring;
• Procedureforimplementationanddocumentation;
• Newesttechnologiesandtechniques,suchasthermistors,lysimeters,andgasdetectors;
• Detailedassessmentofeffectiveness;
• Participationofpublicandtribes,anddevelopmentofaCitizensAdvisoryBoard;and
• Aplanformonitoringthemine‐siteinperpetuity,includinganalysisofneedforpermanentpowertoaccomplishmonitoring.
MON2 MonitoringoftheproposedpipelineshouldbeanalyzedindetailintheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEIS.Inparticular,commentersareconcernedaboutidentificationandmonitoringofpipelineleaks.ThefollowingissuesneedtobeanalyzedintheDraftEIS:
• Detailedmonitoringplansforthepipelineforallphasesoftheproposedproject;
• Apipelinehydrostatictestwaterplan;
• Theentityresponsibleformonitoringthepipeline;
• Continuedmonitoringoferosion,permafrost,vegetationandriparianareasalongthepipeline;
• Monitoringandanalysisofgroundwaterdrainagepatterns;
• Definedscheduleandfrequencyofmonitoring;
• Additionalpipelineinspectionsaftersignificantweathereventssuchasheavyrain;
• Monitoringfornon‐nativeinvasivespeciesbyabotanistatleastonceperyear;and
• ScheduleforSmartPiggingInspectionsatappropriateintervals.
MON3 Impactstotheenvironmentandhumanpopulationsneedtobemonitoredduringallphasesoftheproject,includingconstruction,maintenance,operationandreclamation/closure.Continuedsamplingshouldtakeplacethroughoutthelifeoftheproject,bothwithinminefacilitiesandthesurroundingprojectarea.Samplesusedformonitoringshouldbetakenfromthesamelocationsasbaselinesamples.EntitiesresponsibleformonitoringshouldbeidentifiedintheDraftEIS.Commentersrequestmonitoringofthefollowing:
• Fish,wildlifeandsubsistenceresources;
• Invasivespecies;
• Geologicalresources,includingwasterockproducedbythemine;
• Airquality;and
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Category Code Description
• Waterquality,includingimpactstogroundwaterandsurfacewaterhydrology.
MON4 Commenterssupporton‐goingmonitoringtoaddresstheirgreatconcernregardingpotentialimpactsfrombargeactivity.TheDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzeimpactstotheenvironmentandidentifyandimplementmonitoringplansaccordingly.Specifically,commentersareconcernedwiththefollowing:
• Entityresponsibleformonitoringbarges(wouldtheU.S.CoastGuardbeinvolved?);
• Monitoringofbargeleaks;
• Invasivespeciesintroducedthroughbargeactivity;and
• Impactstofishandothersubsistenceresources.
MON5 ThetypeandmethodofmercurymonitoringshouldbediscussedintheDraftEIS.Thisshouldincludeamassbalanceapproachtomonitorallmercuryenteringandleavingminefacilities,atallphasesoftheproject.Mercuryabatementunitsshouldbemonitoredclosely,andtheslurrypipetothetailingsimpoundmentshouldbemonitoredregularlytodeterminehowmuchmercuryentersthetailingspond.Commentersareparticularlyconcernedwithmercurytransportedbyprevailingwinds,andimpactstoair,waterandfish.Resultsofmercurymonitoringshouldbepubliclyaccessibleonline.
MON6 Fugitivedustshouldbemonitoredthroughoutthelifeoftheproject,includingconstruction,operation,maintenanceandreclamation/closuretoensureeffectivenessofmitigationmeasures.Commentersareparticularlyconcernedwithdusttransportedbyprevailingwinds,andtheimpactstoairandwaterquality.
MON7 Manycommentswerereceivedregardingwaterqualityandimpactstowaterqualityfromminingactivity,particularlytotheKuskokwimRiver.Commentersrequestdetailedmonitoringplansforalltypesofwater,includingsurfaceandgroundwater,duringallphasesoftheprojectincludingconstruction,operation,maintenanceandreclamation/closure.Thefollowingaresuggestionsforwatermonitoring:
• Conductbaselinewaterqualitystudiestohelpguidemonitoringplans;
• Avoiddischarginghydrostatictestwaterinwaterswithresidentand/oranadromousfish;
• Identifydischargelocationsanddescribemethodsofdischarge;
• Consistentsitesamplinglocations;
• Allportlocations,anddownriverfromeachlocation;
• Watermonitoringyear‐roundonamonthlybasis;
• Whole‐EffluentTestingonaquarterlybasis;
• Testwatersamplesforcyanideandcomparetocleanwater;
• Identifyentitiesresponsibleformonitoring;and
• Makewaterqualityreportingavailabletothepublicandlocalresidents.
MON8 Thereshouldbemonthlytestingofwater,sedimentandbiotadown‐gradientoftheproposedminesiteinthesamelocationsasbaselinetestingsamples.Thereshouldalsobesamplestakenoff‐sitetofacilitateinterpretationoflong‐termvariationsduetoclimatechange.
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Category Code Description
MON9 Passiveairmonitoringshouldbeconductedatleastonceamonthinvariouslocationswithinandsurroundingtheproposedminesite,bothduringandnotduringoperations.Resultsshouldbecomparedtomodeledpredictions,andamineclosureplanshouldbeimplementedifemissionsaregreaterthanpredicted.Thesemonitoringreportsshouldoccurmonthly,andresultsfrommonitoringshouldbemadeavailabletothepubliconline.
MON10 ChemicalmanagementprocessesshouldbedescribedandevaluatedintheDraftEIS.Thisshouldaddressusage,storageandtransportofalltoxicchemicals.
MON11 TheDraftEISshouldidentifyanddescribeairemissionsmonitoringduringmineoperationsandpost‐closure.Allstacksthatreleasetotheatmosphereshouldbemonitoredfrequentlytodeterminemercuryreleaseandcontamination.Thisincludesmonitoringofmercurycapturecontrols.
MON12 Year‐roundambientairmonitoringshouldbeconductedoutsidetheproposedprojectareatoidentifymercuryimpactstoairquality.
MON13 Acidrockdrainageshouldbemonitoredthroughoutthelifeoftheproject.Aslongasanywaterfromthemineistreated,aquaticlifeandgeologicalresourcesshouldbemonitoredforpotentialimpacts.Commentersrequestkinetictestthroughoutallphasesoftheproposedproject.
MON14 Monitoringofcapturedmercuryshouldincludeloggingofwhen,where,andhowitisstored.Shipmentofmercuryshouldbeclearlytracked.Nomercuryshouldbedisposedofon‐site,inlandfills,orinthetailingstoragefacility.
MON15 TheDraftEISshouldidentifyanddescribeacomprehensivemonitoringplanforworkerhealth.Mineworkersshouldreceiveperiodicmercuryscreenings,particularlythoseworkingnearautoclaves.
MON16 Noiselevelsshouldbemonitoredanddisturbanceimpactstowildlifeshouldbeanalyzedduringconstructionandoperationofthemine.
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NATURAL GAS SUPPLY (GAS)
LowercostsoffuelinruralAlaskaasresultofpotentialnewgassupplyandspur/distributionsystems.ImpactstogassupplyinCookInlet.
Category Code Description
GAS1 Concernwasexpressedregardingthesourceofthefuelsupplyfortheproposedproject.TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshould:
• Fullydisclosewherethenaturalgasboundfortheproposedprojectsitewouldbeextractedandhowmuchnaturalgaswouldbeconsumedbytheproposedproject;
• DisclosewhethernaturalgaswouldbeshippedintoCookInlet,howitwouldbetransportedtotheproposednaturalgaspipeline,whetheraliquefiednaturalgasfacilitywouldneedtobeconstructed,ifaportfacilitynearthebeginningoftheproposedpipelinewouldneedtobeconstructed,andwhatwouldbethepotentialimpactsofincreasedshippingandinfrastructureinCookInlet;
• Addresswhetherhydraulicfracturingwouldbeusedtoextractnaturalgasboundfortheproposedprojectsiteandwhatfracturingfluidswouldbeused;and
• Evaluatethepotentialenvironmentalandsocioeconomicimpactsassociatedwithnaturalgasproduction,delivery,andstorage.
GAS2 ConcernwasexpressedthatthesupplyofavailablenaturalgasinCookInletmaynotbesufficienttoprovidepowertotheproposedprojectaswellaselectricityandheattoresidentsandbusinessesinSouthcentralAlaska.TheDraftEISshould:
• FullyanalyzethefeasibilityofusingCookInletnaturalgastofueltheproposedprojectconsideringthedeclineinproductionfromexistingwellsandprojectedshortfalls;
• Assesstheimpactstopriceandavailabilityofnaturalgasandnaturalgas‐fueledelectricityforcustomersinSouthcentralAlaskaasaresultofadditionaldemandbytheproposedproject;
• EvaluatetheeffectsofCookInletnaturalgasconsumptionbytheproposedprojectonthelong‐termenergysecurityofSouthcentralAlaska;and
• AddresswhethertheCookInletnaturalgasconsumptioncouldaffecttheavailabilityandcostofenergyelsewhereinAlaska.
GAS3 ScopingcommentersrequestedthattheDraftEISdescribewhethertheproposedprojectcouldprovidecommunitiesandenterprisesintheregionwithamoreefficient,inexpensive,reliable,orenvironmentallyfriendlyalternativetocurrentlyavailableenergysources.TheDraftEISshouldexaminethefollowingissues:
• Fullyevaluatewhethercommunitiesandenterprisescouldbeallowedtotapintotheproposednaturalgaspipelineand/orelectricityproducedbytheproposedpowerplant;
• Identifytheconditions,rulesandregulationsrequiredfortappingintotheproposedpipelineorelectricityproducedbytheproposedpowerplant;
• SpecificallyaddressaccesstotheproposednaturalgaspipelinebyMcGrath,theVinasaleProject,DoyonLimited,Bethel,HooperBay,Kwethluk,Nikolai,potentialregionalenergyproducingfacilities,andenterprisesorcommunitiesthathaveproposedspurlines;
• Disclosewhethertheproposednaturalgaspipelinecouldremainin‐placepost‐closuretoprovideenergytootherenterprisesandcommunitiesintheregion;and
• Includemoreinformationonenergyusebytheproposedproject,includingthe
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amountsofexcessnaturalgasandelectricitythatmightbeproducedandcouldbeavailableforusebycommunitiesandenterprisesintheregion.
GAS4 Commentscalledforassessingcumulativeeffects,suchasthepotentialthattheproposednaturalgaspipelineROWcouldfacilitatefurtherhumandevelopmentandminingprojectsintheregion.
GAS5 ConcernswereexpressedregardingthedesignandimpactsoftheproposednaturalgaspipelineandregardingthePipelinePlanofDevelopment.TheDraftEISshould:
• Fullyassessthepotentialenvironmentalimpactsoftheproposedpipelineincludinghabitats,noiselevels,vibrationlevels,subsistenceresources,airquality,biologicalresources(includingwetlands,vegetation,wildlifeandaquaticresources,andthreatenedandendangeredspecies),culturalresources,geology,soilsandothermineralresources,historicalandarcheologicalsites,paleontologicalresources(includinggeologyandsoils,mineralresources,paleontologicalresources),hazardsandhazardousmaterials,hydrologyandwaterquality,(includinggroundwaterandsurfacewater),landuseandplanning,noise,recreation,aesthetics,socioeconomics(includingpopulationandhousing,publicservices,utilitiesandservicessystems),transportation,cumulativeimpactsincludingassociatedminedevelopmentimpacts,andenvironmentaljustice;
• Identifytheperiodoftimetheproposedprojectmayrequirenaturalgasviatheproposedpipeline;
• Disclosewhethermanualorremote‐controlledvalvesareintendedtobeusedontheproposedpipeline;
• Disclosetheheightabovegroundorthedepthbelowgroundaswellasthethicknessoftheproposedpipelineandanypotentialeffectsthismayhave;
• Clarifywhetheraroadwouldbepartoftheproposedpipelinecorridor;and
• Disclosetheexactcoordinatesforrivercrossingsalongtheproposedpipelineroute.
GAS6 TheDraftEISshouldfullyaddressusinganalternativeenergysourcesbeyondtheproposednaturalgaspipeline.
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NEPA PROCESS (NEP)
CompliancewithNEPA.SpecifictotheadequacyofPurposeandNeed,scoping,technicalanalysisandNEPAmilestones.
Category Code Description
NEP1 TheNEPAprocessshouldbeexplained.Specifically:
• ClarifywhethertheNEPAprocesswouldstopifnegativeconcernsoutweighthepositivesduringtheDraftEIScumulativeeffectsanalysisprocess;
• DescribehowtheDraftEISprocessgivesstakeholdersadequatetimetoreviewdocumentsandprovideinputontheproposedplan;
• ClarifyhowtheamountofoppositiontotheprojectaffectshowtheCorpsconsidersthepermitapplication;and
• DescribehowthefollowingfourobjectivesofNEPAwouldbemet.(Section101oftheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969,42U.S.C.§4331):(1)assureforallAmericanssafe,healthful,productive,andaestheticallyandculturallypleasingsurroundings(2)attainthewidestrangeofbeneficialusesoftheenvironmentwithoutdegradation,risktohealthorsafety,orotherundesirableandunintendedconsequences(3)Preserveimportanthistoric,cultural,andnaturalaspectsofournationalheritage,andmaintain,whereverpossible,anenvironmentwhichsupportsdiversity,andvarietyofindividualchoice(4)Enhancethequalityofrenewableresourcesandapproachthemaximumattainablerecyclingofdepletableresources.
• Describetherigoroftheanalysisconductedbytheindependentcontractorandhowthepubliccanconfirmitsadequacy.
NEP2 CommentsduringscopingmadeveryspecificrecommendationsformakingtheNEPAprocessandDraftEISunderstandabletothegeneralpublic:
• Provideclear,easilyunderstoodinformationprovidedintheDraftEIS,throughcleardiagramsandmapsthatthegeneralpubliccaneasilyunderstand;and
• ItwasrecommendedthattheDraftEISusecommonlyunderstoodtermsand,wherenecessary,providesillustrations,tables,orinfo‐graphicstosummarizeandcommunicateterminology.Incontrast,theapplicant’sPlanofDevelopmentusesterminologythatifusedintheNEPAdocumentwouldbeconfusingforthegeneralpublic,andgenerallyobscureunderstanding.Forinstance,thetermworkpadisusedratherthanconstructionroadorconstructionaccess,ortravelway.
NEP3 CommenterswouldlikeclarificationregardingtherolesoftheStateofAlaskaandBLMintheDraftEISprocess,andhowtheCorps,astheleadagencythatmayissuepermitsallowingtheproposedprojecttomoveforward,isgoingtoaddressalltheconcernsexpressedduringscoping.
NEP4 Commentersareconcernedaboutthealternativesdevelopmentprocess.TheDraftEISshoulddescribethefollowingissuesexpressedduringscoping:
• ClarifyhowtheCorpswoulddeterminewhichalternativesarecarriedforwardforanalysisandwhichareeliminatedfromfurtherdetailedconsideration.Describehowthecooperatingagenciescanparticipateinthisprocess,andensurethattheBLM,andallcooperatingagencies,areinvolvedinthedevelopmentofareasonablerangeofalternativesforanalysisintheenvironmentalimpactstatement.
• CoordinatethealternativesdevelopmentwithDonlinGold,astheapplicantunderstandsthelogistical,technical,andeconomicfactorsconsideredinthe
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determinationofwhatisreasonableandpracticable.
• TheDraftEISmustprovidealternativesthateliminateorvastlyreducetheriskposedbymercurycontamination,aciddrainage/metalsleaching,greenhousegasemissions,andthelossofwildernessvaluesalongthepipelineROW,regardlessofthecostthatthesealternativesmayultimatelyplaceupontheindustry.
• TherequiredNoActionAlternativeshouldbesubjecttothesamelevelofanalysisastheotheralternativessothatthebenefitsofexistingenvironmentconditionsinwater,subsistenceresources,andwildernessareadequatelyconsideredandeconomicallyquantified.StudiesoftheNoActionAlternativeshouldincludeanevaluation(withmeaningfullocalinvolvement)oftheculturalvaluesandcommunityhealth,andananalysisofecosystemservicessuchassalmonandtheavoidedhealthcarecostsassociatedwithpotentialprojectimpacts.
• ThepermittingagenciesshouldensurethateveryknownstakeholdertrulyunderstandstherisksandconsequencesofeveryalternativeproposedintheDraftEIS.
NEP5 Commentersnotedthatthecumulativeeffectsanalysisshouldconsiderthefollowing:
• DescribehowtheDraftEISprocessconsiderscumulativeeffects;
• Identifythegeographicscopeandtimeframeforthecumulativeeffectsanalysis;
• Describethecumulativeeffectsanalysismethodologyandexplainanyassumptionsandmodelsusedintheanalysis;
• Identifythecurrentconditionoftheresourceasameasureofpastimpacts,suchasthepercentageofspecieshabitatlosttodate;
• Identifythefutureconditionoftheresourcebasedonananalysisofthecumulativeimpactsofreasonablyforeseeableprojectsoractionsaddedtoexistingconditionsandcurrenttrends;
• Assessthecumulativeimpactscontributionoftheproposedalternativestothelong‐termhealthoftheresource,andprovideaspecificmeasurefortheprojectedimpactfromtheproposedalternatives;
• Identifyopportunitiestoavoidandminimizefuturecumulativeimpacts,includingworkingwithotherfederalandstateagencies,AlaskaNativeRegionalandVillageCorporations,regionalandhealthnon‐profitorganizations,andlocalandtribalgovernmentsandcommunities;
• Identifyandevaluatethecomparativelong‐termeffectsofexistingandabandonedminingprojectsandminingclaimsintheregion,suchastheabandonedKolmakofMine(nearNapaimute),placerminesnorthofTuluksak,andtheRedDevilMine,anabandonedmercurymine;
• DiscusstheeffortsofBLMandotheragenciestoevaluatemineimpactsandpotentialremedialactivities;
• EvaluatetheNixonForkMineandexistingoperationalminenearMcGrath,Alaska;
• Evaluatetheproposedfutureprojects,suchastheChikuminukLakeHydroelectricproject(NuvistaLightandElectric),theroadbetweentheYukonRiverandKuskokwimrivers;SusitnaWatanaHydroelectricproject;NeumontMining(explorationnearNapaimute);NYACGold(explorationnearTuluksak);HolitnaBasinnaturalgas(mid‐KuskokwimRiverexploration);
• Evaluatetheeffectofbringinginfrastructuretothearea;describewhetherthatwouldallowotherdevelopment,suchasfromKalskagovertotheYukon,andexplorationuptheAniak,theHolitna,tohappenwhenitwouldn’totherwise;
• TheDraftEISshouldconsiderthedevelopmentofadditionalreservesandother
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Category Code Description
mineraldepositsproximatetoDonlinCreekifthepresenceoftheinfrastructureitpaidformakesnearbysmallermineraldepositseconomicallyviabletodevelop.Analyzethepossibilityandeffectsofthedevelopmentofabonafideminingdistrict,withmultiplemines,inthisnowremotearea;and
• Describepast,present,andreasonablyforeseeableprojectsandactionsintheproposedprojectareaandconsidertheircumulativeimpactsintheirentirety.Wheresignificantcumulativeimpactsmayexist,theDraftEISshoulddisclosethepartiesthatwouldberesponsibleforavoiding,minimizing,andmitigatingforthoseadverseimpacts.
NEP6 Commentersaskedaboutfutureanalysisthatwouldbeconductedifadditionalorothervaluablemineraldepositsarediscoveredduringoperationofthemine.WhenwouldfutureNEPAanalysisbeconducted?WouldtheDraftEISincludeinformationabout:
• Whethermorematerialandfuelwouldbeneeded?
• Whethertherewouldbemorebargetrafficassociatedwithadditionalsuppliesandmaterials?
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NON SUBSTANTIVE COMMENT (NSB)
Submissionswithoutsubstantivecomments.
Category Code Description
NSB1 Entiresubmissiondeterminednottobesubstantive.
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PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES (PAA)
Thecoredesigncharacteristicsandoperationalplansoftheproposedactioninthreemajorcomponents(mine,pipelineandtransportationinfrastructure).Example–whatthepublicwantstolearnabout,ortheneedforadditionalinformationintheformalprojectdescription.Alsoincludestheenvironmentallypreferredalternative,andadditionalalternativesthatshouldbeconsidered.Clarificationsinthedescriptionofmineconstruction,operations,trafficvolumes,andcostsoftheproject,includingworkforcedevelopment.
Category Code Description
PAA1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldevaluatearangeofreasonablealternativespracticableinlightoftheoverallpurposeandneedtoidentifypotentialimpactsrelatedtoallmineactivities.ForeachalternativeanalyzedintheDraftEIS,theCorpsshoulddevelopalifecycleeconomiccostanalysis.ExistinganalysesbyDonlinGoldandagenciesthatevaluatealternativesformineralprocessing,wasterockandtailingsdisposalsitelocationsandmethods,closure,powersupply,andsiteaccesscouldbeusedtohelpidentifyalternatives.TheCorpsshoulddevelopanddescribeintheDraftEISthecriteriathatcouldbeusedtoidentifytheLeastEnvironmentallyDamagingPracticableAlternative,andtheenvironmentallypreferredalternatives.Thesecriteriashouldbedevelopedincoordinationwithcooperatingagencies,tribes,andusingthescopingcommentsandcouldbebasedontheconservationofimportantaquaticandterrestrialhabitats,maintainingwildlifeandfishpassage,maintainingsubsistenceandsocio‐culturalresources,practicability,andregulatoryrequirements.TheDraftEISshoulddescribetheprocess,therationale,andthebasisforhowthesecriteriaweredeveloped.
PAA2 TheNoActionAlternativeshouldbesubjecttothesamelevelofanalysisastheotheralternativessothatthebenefitsofexistingconditionsinwater,subsistenceresources,andwildernessareadequatelyconsideredandeconomicallyquantified.StudiesoftheNoActionAlternativeshouldincludeanevaluationoftheculturalvaluesandcommunityhealth,andananalysisofecosystemservicessuchassalmonandtheavoidedhealthcarecostsassociatedwithpotentialprojectimpactsonwaterwaysandair.
PAA3 TheDraftEISshouldincludeanagencypreferredalternative,andtheLeastEnvironmentallyDamagingPracticableAlternative.Thiswouldprovidethepublic,thetribes,andtheagencieswithanopportunitytoconductamoredetailedreviewandcommentoftheenvironmentalconsequencesassociatedwiththepreferredalternative.
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Category Code Description
PAA4 Suggestionsregardingprojectdesignalternativesforairstripsinclude:
• TheDraftEISshouldconsiderextendingandusingtheKiskaMetalsairstripinsteadofthefacilitiesslatedforRainyPass.
• Concernswereexpressedthata5,000footairstripatthecurrentPuntillastripcouldnegativelyimpactlocalbusinesses,butwouldbemoredesirablethananairstripinthemainPtarmiganValley.
• Clarifyifnewconstructedairstripswouldalsobereclaimed.TheproposedDonlinGoldairstripsiteisinopencountryabovetimberlineandwouldnotallowfortheairstriporscarringofthetopographytobereturnedtoanaturalcondition.Iftheairstripswouldnotbereclaimed,theDraftEISshoulddocumentpotentialimpactstovariousresourcesfromadditionaluseintheforeseeablefuture.
• DonlinGoldshouldimprovetheCrookedCreekairfieldtomeettheirneeds.Thiswouldmakeagoodlong‐termbenefittotheentirearea.Thecurrentplancallsforanairfieldthatwouldbeofnouseafterthemineisclosed.Allinfrastructureshouldbebuiltforthelong‐termbenefitofasmanypeopleaspossiblenotforshorttermuse.
• TheDraftEISshouldtakeintoaccountthealternativethattheStateofAlaskawouldnotrequireremovalofconstructionaccessairfields,orthattheStatemaynotrequireremovalofotherfacilities.
PAA5 Suggestionsforprojectalternativesregardingbargeissuesinclude:
• Preferenceshouldbegiventoalternativesthatdonotincreasebargetraffic.
• OriginallytherewereplanstohaveabargestationatCrowVillagedownstreamofAniak,andthenewplanistohaveastationatJungjuk[belowthevillageofCrookedCreek].TheDraftEISshouldanalyzethewaterdepthbetweenthosetwolocations.
• Evaluatealternativelocationsfortheproposedportfacilities.
• AdditionaldetailsonbargelandingsontheKuskokwimareneeded.Wherearetheylocated,whatkindofgrounddisturbanceisinvolved,lifeexpectancy,andareroadsconnectedtothem?
• AttheJungjukBargeLanding,asingleslipfortheunloadingofcargobargesisdisplayed.Itappearsasthoughthefuelbargeswoulddockinthissectionandbeexposedtotherivercurrentduringtheoffloadingprocess.Analternativewouldbeasecondslipdesignedinawaythatwouldallowboththeoffloadingofcargoandfuel.Thiswouldallowthefuelbargeoffloadtobeconductedoutoftherivercurrentandcontainmentboomtobeplacedacrosstheslipopeningsothatintheeventofafuelspilltheoiliscontainedintheslip.Thesecondslipwouldalsoprovideacargounloadingbackupforthoseoccasionswhentwobargetowsareatthelandingallowingthesecondbargetodockandnothavetowaitintheriverforthesliptoopen.
• Evaluatetheuseofwintericeroadsandsnowroadsfortransportationofcargoandfueltotheminesite,andlogisticassociatedwithconstructionactivities.
PAA6 Suggestionsforprojectalternativesregardingcamplocationsforworkersduringpipelineconstructionweresuggestedbyownersoflocalbusinessesintheareaoftheproposedpipelinerouteduringscoping.Suggestionsweremadethatonealternativecouldbetohousetheworkersatexistinglodgesinthevicinityofthepipelinerouteduringconstruction.Thiswouldeliminatethepotentialfordisruptiontoguidebusinessesintheareaduringconstruction.TheuseoftheexistinglodgeorexistingairstripatPuntillawouldbelessofanimpactasitwouldkeepdevelopmentinonearea.Anindirectbenefitofthisalternativeforhousingworkerswouldalsobethatitcoulddefraylossesfromnormalbusinessasaresultofpipelineconstruction.
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Category Code Description
PAA7 Suggestionsforprojectalternativesregardingenergysupplysourcesinclude:
• DonlinGoldshouldexploretheoptionofsecuringgasfromtheinteriorHolitnaBasin,whichwouldeliminatecompetitionwithgasusersinCookInlet.DevelopingnaturalgasenergyfromtheHolitnaBasincouldsupportseveralremotecommunitiesalongtheKuskokwimandHolitnariversinadditiontotheDonlinGoldmine.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludeanalternativetoruntheproposedpipelinetothenortheast,toFairbanks,whereitcouldconnecttoapipelinefromtheNorthSlope.
• OtherregionalpoweroptionsincludeafueloilpipelineorroaddevelopmentbetweenthemorebargeableYukonRivertotheKuskokwimRiver,naturalgasdevelopmentfromtheNenanaBasin,andcoalfromknownwesternAlaskareservesdeliveredviaaroadsystemconnectingtheYukonandKuskokwimriversandcommunities.
• TheonlysourceofgasthatisfeasiblefortheproposedprojectissupplythroughSouthcentralAlaska.AllofthepotentialsourcesintheInteriorandfromtheNorthSloperemainspeculativeandhaveextendedtimeframessothattheyareunlikelytobeavailabletomeettheneedsoftheproposedprojectingoodtime.Therefore,thescopeoftheDraftEISshouldconsideronlySouthcentralAlaskaasagassourceforDonlinGold.
• ForpurposesoftheDraftEIS,thevariousgassupplyprojectsandtheproposedprojectareindependentfromeachother,sotheprojectisnot"connected"toanyofthevariousgassupplyprojectsbeingconsideredonparallelfronts,andthereisnoobligationonthepartoftheCorpstoanalyzetheproposedprojectandanyofthevariousgassupplyprojectsinthesameDraftEIS.
• DonlinGoldcouldemployapumpedhydrooptiontostoreenergyforbasedemands,anduseliquefiednaturalgasasasupplementalfuelsourceinsteadoftheprimarysource.
• AsystemtransmittingpowerbywirefromBetheltotheproposedDonlinGoldminecouldbelessharmfultothelandscapeandwildlifewhilepotentiallyprovidingpowertoseveralsmallcommunitiesalongtheroute.
• Thepowerplantcouldbeagoodlong‐termpowersourceforwesternAlaskaafterthemineisclosed.Asitisproposedthepowerplantisuselessaftermineclosure.
• AsacomparisonwithAlaskaenergyconsumption,asproposed,therequiredavailableandsustainableenergyfortheminetooperateonceinproductionwouldbe227megawatts.Thisisslightlygreaterthanthecurrenthighestannualpeakusageday(211.5megawatts)ofthewholeoftheFairbanks,NorthPole,DeltaJunction,Nenana,HealyandCantwellcommunities.TheDraftEISshouldclearlyallowAlaskaresidentstounderstandthisenergyrequirementfortheproposedDonlinGoldmine.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludeawindpoweroptionwhichcouldeliminatetheneedforagaspipelinefromCookInlettotheminesite.TheDraftEISshouldalsoincludeotheralternativesthatsubstantiallyreducetheneedforfossilfuelgeneration,suchassolararrays,run‐of‐riverhydroelectricgeneration,geothermalheatpumpsforspaceheating,biofuels,andefficiencymeasuressuchasLEDlightingandmotiondetectors,reducedexteriorlighting,andagoalofallbuildingstobePlatinumcertifiedbytheLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesignProgram.
• TheDraftEISshouldexplorealternativemineplansthatmayextendtheminelifebyreducingthe57,000tonperday.Thiscouldreducetheenergydemandtolevelsthatcouldbegeneratedthroughmorelocalizedandlessimpactingoptions.
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Category Code Description
PAA8 Commentersrequestedadditionaldesigndetailsregardingblastingandmaterialsourcesintheproposedaction,includingthefollowing:
• TheDraftEISshouldidentifythelocationofproposedblastingintheprojectarea,anddescribetheblastingmethodsthatwouldbeused.
• Becauseoftheimpactsassociatedwithincreasednoiselevels,ablastingmanagementplanshouldbedevelopedandincorporatedintotheDraftEIS.Thenoiselevelsintheprojectareashouldbequantified,andthethresholdlevelsdescribedastotheeffectsofblastingtohumanhealth,birdsandwildlife.
• TheDraftEISshouldestimatethetotalvolumeofgravelmaterialthatwouldberequiredforconstruction,includingtheminefacility,accessroads,naturalgaspipeline,portfacilities,airplanerunway,andcamps.Identifythelocationofanyexistingandproposednewmaterialsourcesitesonamap,andsummarizeinatabletheinformationregardingeachmaterialsourcesite,suchasthelocation,surfaceareaimpacts,quantityofmaterialavailable,landownership,andpermitstatus.Thedevelopmentplansfortheprojectshouldconsidermaximizingthedistancebetweensitesandreducingthenumberofsitesdeveloped,therebyreducingsitereclamationrequirements.Somearelessthan1mileapart.
• [Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.8‐26,lastparagraph]“Itappearsthattheapplicantestimateof8gravelpitstotaling57acresforthe58milesegmentco‐locatedwiththeIditarodTrailisaninsufficientquantity(numberofpits)giventhescaleofproposedwork.”
• [Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.6‐4]“Materialsitesandquantitiesaswellasanybatch/processingplantwouldbeauthorizedonstateandfederallandunderseparateauthorizationsandnotundertheROW.Anyuse/enlargementofmaterialborrowsites,alongwithairstripconstruction,etc.,isaconnectedactionandshouldbeanalyzedinthisDraftEISaspartofthelargerproject.Howwouldallthissandandgravelmaterialbetransportedtothepipelinecorridor?Wouldyouneedaccessroadstodriveitfromtheborrowsites?Woulditneedtobeflown?Arethereappropriateairstripsattheborrowsitesthemselves?”
• [Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.12‐1,firstbullet]“Reinvasionofgravelpadswouldnotwork.Gravelpadsresembleglacialoutwashmaterials,andthereforewouldtakedecades,ifnotahalfcentury,tonaturallyrevegetate,andthenwithalderonly.Forthisreasonuseofgravelpadsshouldbeminimized.”
PAA9 Projectalternativessuggestedduringscopingregardingcontaminationissuesincludedthefollowing:
• TheDraftEISshouldprovidealternativesthateliminateorreducetheriskposedbymercurycontamination,aciddrainage/metalsleaching,greenhousegasemissions,andthelossofwildernessvaluesalongthepipelineright‐of‐way,regardlessofthecostthatthesealternativesmayultimatelyplaceupontheindustry.
• Cyanide,ifitisused,coulddamagetheenvironment,people,andwildlife.TheDraftEISshouldconsideralternativestosuchchemicalsattheminesite.
• TheDraftEISshouldexplorepotentialalternativestoimpoundmentlakes,includingpastetailingsanddrystacking.Thesehaveahigherinitialoperatingcost,buttheytypicallyprovidenegligibleseepagelossfromthestack,provideprogressivecoveringandreclamationofland,safer,stabletailingsmass,minimalcontainmentrequirements,andsimplewatermanagement.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludeanalternativeinwhichtailingspondleachatedoesnotreporttotheminepitoranyotherlong‐termstoragesolution,butisinsteadfullytreatedtoapplicablewaterqualitystandardsbeforedischargingintonatural
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Category Code Description
waterwaysimmediatelyafterminelife.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludearangeofalternativesinwhichtheminepitdoesnotbecomealakesubjecttoperpetualwatertreatment.Itshouldincludeanalternativeforbackfillingthepittothemaximumextentpracticablewithwasterockandoverburdenandreclaimingittoitsoriginalstate.
• Despitetheriskofleachingarsenic,thefourNon‐AcidGenerating(NAG)rocktypesaretreatedthesamethroughoutthescopingdocuments.Nomaterialwithahighpotentialtoleacharsenicshouldbeusedinconstruction.TheDraftEISalternativesneedtoprovideascenarioinwhichonlyNAG1andNAG3areusedinconstruction,andprovideinformationonthevolumeofNAG2andNAG4rockthatwouldgointothewasterockfacility.
• AdrillingmudplanshouldbedevelopedandincorporatedintotheDraftEIS.Itshoulddescribehowdrillingmudsandcuttingswouldbemanaged,stored,transported,andproperlydisposedof.Itshouldincludepotentialenvironmentalimpacts,proposedmitigationmeasures,monitoringproceduresandcontingencyplanningforaccidentalreleasesofdrillingfluids,mudsandcuttingsduringHDDconstructionactivities.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludeanalternativeinwhichtheminedoesnotdumpcapturedmercuryintothetailingspondandinsteadexportsallcapturedmercurytoafederallyapprovedpermanentstoragefacility,withamultiplecontainerapproachwithseveralredundantsystemsforsafety.TheDraftEISshouldevaluatetheeconomicandenvironmentalrisksandbenefitstobargingthewasteversusflyingthewasteout;flyingitoutcouldprovideamuchlowerrisktotheKuskokwimRiver.
• TheDraftEIS“shouldevaluatealternativemethodsformanagingwasteliquidflowsfromthecarbon‐in‐leachtankandothermillprocessestothetailingspond.Aretherepollutioncontrolmeasuresthatcanbeusedtoreducethemercuryinthecarbon‐in‐leachtailingssolutionbeforeitgetsmixedwiththedetoxifiedtails?Afullrangeofalternativesshouldbeconsideredtoprecludeplacingmercurycontaminatedtailingssolutioninthetailingsimpoundment,wherethemercurycanbereleasedintotheenvironmentfromlinerseepage,leakageorfailure,andoff‐gassingairemissions.”
• TheDraftEISshouldincludealternativesthatprovidesafetysystemsintheeventofareleaseordamfailure.
• Asanalternativetodisposingofhazardouswaste,anonsiteundergroundinjectioncontrolwellshouldbeconsideredtohandlehazardouswastematerialdisposal.
• ItwasrecommendedthattheDraftEISandtheCWASection404permitnottousetheterm"wastetreatmentfacility"sinceitcanconnoteanapproachforwastemanagementthatisnotbeingproposedandwhichhasthepotentialtoconfusethepublic.
• TheDraftEISshouldprovideadditionaldetailaboutmanaginglitterandtrashgeneratedateachproposedcampsite[Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.8‐89,2ndparagraph,3rdsentence].Allnon‐combustiblesolidwastemustbeproperlydisposedorrecycledoff‐site.
PAA10 ProjectalternativessuggestedtobeincludedintheDraftEIStoaddressairemissionissuesinclude:
• AlternativesthatrequireDonlinGoldtopurchasecarbonoffsetcreditstoreducethethreattohumanhealthposedbyclimatechangepertheEPAendangermentfinding.
• Alternativesbasedonanassessmentofthefeasibilityofenclosinganyleachingprocessesortailingsponds,toreducetheamountofmercuryemissions.Inaddition,methodsusedintheMillerMercuryEmissionsStudyshouldbeapplied.
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PAA11 Commentersrequestedclarificationofprojectdesignandsuggestedprojectalternativesregardingthenaturalgaspipeline,including:
• TheDraftEISshouldincludealternativesthatreducethescopeandscaleoftheproposedpipeline,oreliminatetheneedforitaltogether.
• Theprojectshouldconsidertheconstructionofabovegroundpipelinealternatives,asopposedtoaburiedpipelinedesign.
• Concernwasexpressedoverthelossofpressurethroughthepipeline,andwhattechnologieswouldbeusedtoincreasepressurealongtheway.Ifthereisabreakageinthepipeline,thepressurecouldcreateadditionalcomplications,sothereisconcernoverstorageareastodivertpipelinecontentsifthisweretohappen.Questionswereraisedaboutthetwentyblockages[valves]forthepipeline,locatedbeforeand/oraftereachstreamcrossing.
• [Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.12‐2]Themeteringstationwouldbecutoffatgradeifwoodenpolesareplaceddirectlyintheground.Itwasrecommendedtocutoff12inchesbelowgradeastheHpilesaretopreventpotentialimpactfromsnowmachineortravelersonthisroute.
• Ithasbeenaskedthatpipelinevalvestationsbestrategicallyplacedtoavoidvisualimpactstolocalbusinessoperations.AvalvestationnearRainyPassLodgewouldbeadvantageoustoboththelodgeandKiskaMetals.
• [Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.8‐21]Concernwasexpressedoverwhetherornotallthepipestoragewouldbeabletofitwithinthe100’constructionarea.
• Questionswereraisedregardingwhetherthepipelinewassecureagainstpeopledamagingit.
• TheDraftEISshouldclearlystateifthepipelineisgoingtobecommon‐carrier.
• [Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.8‐75]“Itwouldbegoodtohaveclarificationontheequipmentcrossings,especiallyinthesummer(culverts,bridges),andwhethertheywouldbetemporaryinnatureandwhethertheywouldberemovedandtakenoutoncethepipelineconstructioncontractiscomplete.”
PAA12 Projectalternativessuggestedduringscopingregardingpipelineroutinginclude:
• Theremaybeotherviablepipelineroutesthathavenotbeenconsideredthatwouldhavelesserimpactsthanthecurrentproposal.TheDraftEISshouldevaluateallviablepipelineroutesregardlessofmonetarycoststoconstruct.
• Movingthepipelinerouteatleast2.5milesfurtherwesttowardsNikolaiandawayfromtheAlaskaRangecouldbenefitthegamepopulationsthatfrequentthetundraflatsbyreducinganypotentialproblemsthatcouldresultfromotherpeoplecomingin,followingthepipelinerouteinordertohunt.Therehasneverbeenanyoneelsehuntingthereinthepast.TheproposedroutefromtheWindytotheBigRiverappearstorundirectlythroughtherollinghillsandthroughthemiddleofmoosehabitat.IftherouteweretobelocatedclosertoNikolaiitwouldrunmorethroughthespruceandprobablyhavelesseffectonthecurrentpopulationsofmoose.Alsoitwouldopenacorridorthatlikelywouldproducewillowforaginghabitatforthemooseinthelong‐term,thusbenefitingthemooseandothergameanimals,ratherthandisturbingthemintheiralreadyestablishedhomeareas.Inaddition,arouteclosertoNikolai,couldmakeiteasierforthevillagestotapintothegasandreducedependenceonveryexpensivedieselfuel.Also,asproposed,manyofthepipelinetributarycrossingsbetweenMP150and194havemuchlongerandsteeperentryandexitgradesthanarefound2.5milesfurtherwest.
• TheDraftEISshouldanalyzeanalternativethatwouldroutethepipelinenorthwestat
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OldSkwentnatotheKichatnaRiverdrainage,throughtheMooseCreekLakeandMooseCreekpass,therebyavoidingtheDenaliNationalParkboundary,andthengowesttoconnectwiththeJonesRiverAlternate,thereforebypassingthe58‐mileco‐locationofthepipelinewiththeIditarodNationalHistoricTrail.Sucharoutewouldbefivemilesshorterthanthecurrentroute,eliminatethegeo‐physicallychallengingcrossingoftheHappyRiverarea,andcutthenumberofpipelinecrossingsoftheIditarodTrailtotwo,oneatOldSkwentnaandonenearEgyptMountainonthenorthsideoftheAlaskaRange.
• TheDraftEISshouldnotethatthefirstfivemilesofthepipeline,andpotentiallyacompressorstationareproposedtobelocatedwithintheSusitnaFlatsStateGameRefuge.ScopingcommentsnotedthattheproposedroutingofthepipelinethroughtheSusitnaFlatsStateGameRefugewouldbeapotentialalternative,butnottheonlyalternativethatshouldbeconsidered.Itcouldbepossibletoconnectwithexistinggasdistributioninfrastructurewithoutcrossingthisrefugeandanoff‐refugealternativeshouldbeconsideredandevaluatedintheEIS.Ifthethrough‐refugerouteiseventuallyselectedandapproved,mitigationmeasureswouldneedtobedevelopedtomitigateimpactstotherefugeandrefugeusersandaSpecialAreaPermitfromtheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame’sDivisionofHabitatwouldberequired.
• AsindicatedinscopingbycommentsfromtheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,theDraftEISshouldexaminehowaportionoftheproposedpipelinerouterunsdirectlyalongthefaceoftheAlaskaRangeandthroughtransitionalhabitatsbetweenlowerblackspruceforestandmountainhabitat.Thistransitionalhabitatisimportanttomanyspeciesofwildlifeincludingmooseandcaribou.ThetransitionalhabitatalongthecurrentproposedrouteiswidestneartheBigRiver.TheEISshouldidentifythesetransitionalhabitatzonesandconsiderationshouldbegiventominimizingthepipelineroutethroughthesezones.Insomecases,theroutecouldavoidthisimportanthabitatbymovingasfewasthreemilestothenorthofthecurrentproposedalignmentintoareasmoredominatedbyblackspruce.
PAA13 CommentersmadesuggestionsforprojectalternativesregardingpipelineRight‐of‐Way,including:
• TheDraftEISshouldincludeanalternativethatreducestheinitialclearingrequirementsforthemajorityoftheROW,preferablytolessthan50feet.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludeanalternativethatdoesnotrequireclearingofvegetationeverytenyears,asvegetationreclamationshouldstartassoonasthepipelineisintheground.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludealternativesthatdonotrequiresubstantialgradingofhillsidesforthepipelineROW.Instead,alternativesthatleavenopermanentsurfaceimpactsshouldbeconsidered,suchastrenchingonhillsideswiththe‘minimumtool’conceptcommonlyusedinwildernessareas.
• [Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.3‐9,pp.8‐54]“The1,000‐footstudyareashouldbenarroweddowntoaspecificROWlocationtobetterinterpretpotentialaffectstoresources.1,000feetcomparedto100feetisafairlylargedifferenceinarea.”
• [Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.10‐6]‘LowGroundPressure(LGP)vehiclesshouldbeusedtopreventmoredamagetotheROW.”
• ThereareanumberofaspectsoftheslopebreakersthatsuggestthesefeatureswouldnotadequatelydivertwaterrunningdownaROWsegmentbuiltonagradeasdepicted.Ifdesignchangesarenotmade,itisanticipatedthatthestructureswouldfail,allowingforsignificanterosiontooccurviahead‐cutting,runningaroundtheoutsideedgeofthestructure,etc.Therefore,itwasrecommendtodeletethistypeof
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structureforthesingleanglewaterbars/gradedips.Itisalsorecommendedtouserockdissipatersinsituationswithsignificantflowbox.
PAA14 Commenterssuggestedprojectalternativestobarging,including:
• TheDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzeanalternativetobuildarailroadfromtheDonlinGoldProjecttoBethelfortransportingsuppliesandfueltherebyavoidingbargetrafficontheriver.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludeanalternativetobuildaroadfromDonlinGoldProjecttoBethelfortransportingsuppliesandfuelyear‐round,therebyavoidingbargetrafficontheriver.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludealternativesthatdonotrelysoheavilyonbargetraffic,suchaswintersnowcatroutes.ThiscouldalsohelptomitigatetheseriousregionalconcernsabouttheimpactsoffishingpracticesbeingincompatiblewiththeheavybargetrafficcurrentlyproposedbyDonlin.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludeanalternativetobuildaroadwesttotheYukonRiverwhichcouldaccommodateheavytraffic.Thiswouldalsogiveaccesstotherailroadaswellasbysea.
• TheDraftEISshoulduseexistingrelevantinformationtoevaluatethefeasibilityofbuildinganaccessroadoverlandfromabargelandingsitenearAniak.
PAA15 Projectalternativesuggestedinscopingcommentstoaddresswateruseandwaterqualityissuesinclude:
• Acomplexsystemofpipelinesisproposedtotransportfreshwater,groundwaterfromdewateringwells,wasterockfacilityleachate,tailingstoragefacilityslurry,andprocesswater.TheDraftEISshoulddiscusswhetherreducingthelengthandnumberofpipelineswouldincreasetherisk(lessredundancytoaccommodatefailures)orreducetherisk(fewerplacestofail).AnalternativethatincludesinsulatingpipesthatcarrycontaminantsshouldbeincludedintheDraftEIS.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludealternativeengineeringplansthatwouldeliminatetheneedforwatertreatmentinperpetuityorbeyondaten‐yearpost‐reclamationhorizontomeetwaterqualitystandards.
• Giventherisksthatcontaminationofairandwaterposeinthisregion,DraftEISalternativesshouldassessthetechnologiesoftheproposedactionandidentifyandassessadditionalwastewatertreatmenttechnologies.Analternativeshouldbeprovidedthatemploysredundantandbackupwatermanagementandtreatmentsystems.TheDraftEISshoulddiscussthecurrentlyproposedwatermanagementandtreatmenttechnologiesthatincluderedundantsystemsformoving,managing,andtreatingwater.Forinstance,analternativethatincludestwoWaterTreatmentPlants(WTPs)sothatonecouldbepulledonlinewhentheotherundergoesmaintenanceorfailures.
PAA16 Adequatebufferingmaterial(i.e.,limestone)tocounteracttheformationofaciddrainageisexpectedtobeavailableonsite.However,therearenoguaranteesthatsufficientlimestonedoesexist.Acontingencyplanshouldberequiredthatshowsthelikelysourcesofadditionalmaterial.IfthesourcewastheHolitnaRiverdrainage,additionalNEPAcompliance,throughasupplementalEAorDraftEISwouldberequired.
PAA17 TheDraftEISshouldidentifyhowtheprojectdesigncanbemanipulatedintheeventmajorclimaticchangesoccurduringthelifeoftheproject.Oneactionalternativecouldlookatalternativewatermanagementstrategies,alternativeoperations/maintenancestrategies.
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PAA18• Projectalternativesregardingexistingroads,gravelroadstotheminesite,andairstripsduringconstructionandoperationsincludethefollowing:
• TheDraftEISshouldclarifyfromthePlanofDevelopmentreferencestoasummerconstructionplanforasectioninthemiddleoftheproposedline(MP113‐MP134)andhowequipmentandsupplieswillaccessthissection.
• PipelineconstructionbetweenMP48andMP128oftheproposedrouteisproposedtobeaccessedoffOilwellRoadinthePetersvillearea.ItwasnotedincommentsthatthereisverylittleinfrastructureintheOilwellRoadarea.Creationofnewyards,materialsources,possibleimprovementstoexistingroadsandbridges,andcrewhousingintheOilwellRoadareatofacilitateconstructionwouldhaveimpactstoarearesourcesandusers,andshouldbediscussedwithintheEIS.Usingthisaccesspointwouldrequiretheconstructionofanextensiveiceroadandwouldcrossseveralmajorriversandamyriadofsmalleranadromousstreams.Giventhetransitionalmaritimeclimateofthearea,wintertimeiceroadsmaynotalwaysbepassableduetoperiodicthawswhicharepossibleatanytimeduringthewinter.
• TheDraftEISshouldconsideranalternativewheretheaccessroadtothemineispaved,notgravel.
• TheDraftEISshouldincludealternativesthatremovegravelusedforairstripconstructionandcampfacilitiesandreturnthegravelbacktothematerialssitesfromwhichtheywerequarried,followedbyfullreclamationofallmaterialssites,airstrips,andcamps.
PAA19 ThedescriptionoftheproposedactionintheDraftEISshouldhavedetailedinformationontheminesiteandminecomponents,usingvisualguidesforeasycomprehension.[Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.4‐3]Detailsshouldincludefootprintofcomponents.[Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.8‐7]TheDraftEISshouldalsodisclosehowthefacilitycomponentswouldbeshippedtotheminesite.
PAA20 CommentersexpressedconcernthattheprojectdesignsetforthbyDonlinGolddoesnotdemonstrateanygoodlong‐termplanning,anddoesnotmeetthestandardsforagoodcleanoperation.TheDraftEISshouldcriticallyevaluatetheproposedactionandalternativesandpermitsshouldbedeniedunlessappropriateenvironmentalmanagementisdemonstrated.
PAA21 TheDraftEISshouldspecifypreciselywherethepipeline/fiberopticcableriverandstreamcrossingsare,whattechniquewouldbeusedatwhattimeofyear,thetypeofcrossings,andwhatwouldbeleftinplacepermanently.Explainwhyeachtechniquewasconsideredateachcrossing,asimpactsfordifferenttechniquesaredifferent.HDDmethodsmaybetheleastenvironmentallydisruptive,particularlyforfish.
PAA22 TheDraftEISshouldincludeinformationontheactualfootprintofthedockingfacilityasitpertainstotheKuskokwimshorelandsincludingspeciesinventory,erosion/sedimentationcomplications,impactstoriveruse,etc.Thisisinadditiontothebaselineinformationaboutassociateduplandresources.
PAA23 ThepublicrequestedadditionalinformationaboutthebargeterminalfacilityinBethel.
Dock:
• Exactlocation(latitudeandlongitude);
• Locationaboveorbelowthefloodplain;
• Sizeofthedock(length,width,height);
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• Configurationofthedockinrelationship totheshorelineandtheriver.ForinstancewillitbesimilartothedockproposedforJungjukCreek?
• Constructiondesign:opencell,closedcell,orpilings;
• Beachroll‐on/roll‐offfreightandequipment;
• Docksurface;ifgravelwilltherebestepstocontrolthedust?
• Willtherebefueltransferredacrossthedock?
Uplands/FreightYard:
• Theareaneededforfreight,equipmentandbuildings;
• Thesurfacematerialoftheyard;
• UseofCFR33SubChapterH,MaritimeSecurity;
• Commoditiesandequipmentthatwillbetransferredandstoredattheyard;
• EnforcementofCFR49,Transportation,Parts100‐185;
• Willfuelandbulkpetroleumproductsbestoredonsite?Inwhatquantities?
• Whateffectswilltheterminalhaveoncityservicessuchaswater,garbagesewer,electricalutilitiesandroads?
• Maintenancefacilityforequipment;
• Boatandbargerepairson‐siteatashipyardordry‐dock;
• Facilityhours(e.g.24/7);thiswouldaffectsurroundingneighborhoodsandbusinesses;and
• WilltheTankFarmbeusedtotransferfuelto/frombarges/vessels?
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PUBLIC HEALTH (PHL)
Impactstolocalcommunities’publichealthandinfrastructureasaresultoftheproject(disease,contaminants,lifestylechanges,behaviorhealth,physicalhealth).HealthImpactAssessmentandworkers’safety.
Category Code Description
PHL1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzethefullimpactsfromtheproposedproject,bothpositiveandnegative,onthehealthandwell‐beingofthelocalvillagesandmineworkers.AHealthImpactAssessment(HIA)shouldbewrittentoevaluatethepotentialhealthimpactsonindividualsandcommunitiesintheregion,andincludedasanappendixtotheDraftEIS.TheHIAshouldincludeaprofileofexistinghealthconditionsoftheregionandidentifythesourcesofthisinformation,considerhistoricalimpactstohealth,andgiveparticularattentiontovulnerablepopulations,suchastheelderly,youngchildren,andpregnantwomen.Itshouldinvolvelocalcommunitiesandbepublishedinaformatthatlocalresidentscaneasilyreview.
PHL2 TheDraftEISshouldfullydiscussthepotentialthatproposedminingoperationscanbeassociatedwithbehavioralhealthimpacts,suchasincreaseduseofdrugsandalcohol.Moredisposableincomeincommunitiesmayincreasetheuseofalcoholanddrugs.Itwouldbebeneficialifthelocallawenforcementweregivenoutsidesupporttoaidvillagesinaddressingthispotentialproblem.Increasedincomecanalsoresultinincreasedownershipofmotorizedvehicles,whichoftenresultsinlessphysicalactivity.
PHL3 TheareaoftheproposedDonlinMine,partiallybecauseofitsremoteness,hasahighsuiciderate,especiallyamongtheyouth.TheDraftEISshouldaddressthepotentialbeneficialimpactthathavingagoodjobhasontheself‐worthandprideofthepeoplethatgetsuchjobsandmaytendtoreducesomeofthesocialdisruptionsuchassuicide,alcoholabuse,andsexualandphysicalassault.TheDonlinGoldprojecthasalreadybeguntochangeattitudesandlifestyles.Peoplethatworkatthesiteknowthattheymustbesoberinordertoretaintheiremployment.ManypeoplewhohaveworkedattheDonlinGoldsiteremarkedduringscopingthatthecampcultureisoneofuniversalrespect,teamwork,safety,andbalance.
PHL4 Thebenefitsshouldbedocumentedthatmorefundingandlocaldemandcouldmeanthatthelocalhealthcaresystemwouldbeimprovedtomeettheneedanddemand.Alsothisprojectcouldemployhundredsofpeoplewhowouldreceiveadvancedhealthandsafetytrainingandhealthinsurancethroughtheiremployment.
PHL5 TheDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzethehumanhealtheffectsofmercury,cyanideandothercontaminatesandexposurepathways,bothinpeopleandtheirsubsistenceresources.Contaminationisaparticularconcernforchildren,elders,newborns,pregnantwomen,andthosewithdiseasesorsubstanceabuse.EPAfishconsumptionguidelinesforotherstatesarenotrelevanttoAlaskasubsistencefoodsconsumptionlevelsandshouldnotbeused;ratherguidancefromtheAlaskaDivisionofPublicHealthshouldbeused.TheDraftEISshouldalsodiscussthepotentialimpacttotraditionswiththeperceptionthatsubsistenceresourcesmaycontainmercury.However,theCorpsshouldbecautiousintheDraftEISinevaluatingthepotentialforfar‐reachinghealtheffectsthatcannotbedirectlytiedtotheproposedprojectorwhicharenotmeaningfulfortheevaluationofalternatives.
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PHL6Theproposedproject,whenoperational,shouldincludebaselineandyearlytestingofallonsiteemployees,particularlythoseworkingnearautoclaves,forheavymetalsandotherhealthhazardsrelatedtothistypeofmining.Thereshouldbeaplandevelopedtohaltmineoperationsuntilpotentialproblemsarecorrected.TheDraftEISshoulddescribehowemployeeswouldbetrainedintheuseofcyanideandtheproposedsafeguardsthatwouldbeinplace.
PHL7SafedrinkingwaterisanongoingprobleminruralAlaska.Therefore,theDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzetheimpacttheprojectcouldhaveonwaterqualityandtheeffectstothewatersupplyforresidents.Contaminationcouldcomefromboatingtraffic,environmentaldegradation,orminingoperationmishaps.
PHL8TheDraftEISshoulddiscusstheimpactstodietwhenasubsistenceresourceislostorbecomesunavailable.Increasedconsumptionofprocessedfood,forinstance,canleadtoadversechronichealthconditionslikediabetes.Lifestylechangescouldalsoresultinincreasedratesofsubstanceabuseandmentalhealthproblems,possiblyincludingsuicide,forpeopleintheregionoverthelong‐term.
PHL9Aninfluxofpeoplecouldbringdiseasestoanareawithminimalhealthcareavailablethatmaynotbeabletohandlelargecapacitiesofpatients.
PHL10TheDraftEISshouldlookatothercommunitieswherelargeminesarelocatedtoevaluateandcompareimpactstopublichealth.
PHL11TheDraftEISshoulddescribethewatersafetyissuestopublichealththatmayarisefromincreasedbargetraffic.Analyzethesafetyimpactstoriverusersandboatersespeciallytolocallyusedstandardriverskiffs.BargingandbargetrafficwasnotedasastrongconcernoftheNativeVillageofChuathbalukasbargetrafficcreatesdangerouswavesintheriverthatcantipriverskiffs.Thewavescreatedbyapassingbargecanlastforseveralhoursafterabargehaspassedasthewavescontinuetohittheriverbanks.
PHL12Inordertoappropriatelyevaluatehumanhealth,specifichealthdataarerequiredthatmaynotberoutinelycollectedaspartoftheDraftEISscopingprocess.Inordertoensurethatthenecessarydataareavailableforthisevaluation,itisimportanttoinvolvepublichealthprofessionalsearlyintheNEPAprocess.Publichealthdataandexpertiseforprospectivehealthimpactanalysisorforprovidinginputonhealthissuesmaybeavailablefromlocalandstatehealthdepartments,tribalagencies,orfederalpublichealthagencies,suchastheU.S.CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention'sNationalCenterforEnvironmentalHealth,U.S.AgencyforToxicSubstancesandDiseaseRegistry,orIndianHealthService.
TheHIAframeworkisacombinationofprocedures,methodsandtoolsthatenablessystematicanalysisofthepotentialpositiveornegativeeffectsofapolicy,plan,programorprojectonthehealthofapopulationandthedistributionofthoseeffectswithinthepopulation.HIAidentifiesappropriateactionstomanageormitigatenegativeeffects.HIAiscurrentlytheonlywidelyacceptedmethodologyorframeworkusedtoprovidedecision‐makerswithinformationabouthowaspecificpolicy,project,orprogrammayaffecthumanhealth.TheWorldHealthOrganizationandtheU.S.CentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionsupporttheuseofHIAasatooltoaddresshealthimpactswhenpolicies,programs,orprojectsarebeingdeveloped.ManyothercountrieshavesuccessfullyusedHIAforthesepurposes.TheInternationalFinanceCorporation,amemberoftheWorldBankGroup,hasadoptedHIAasthestandardforevaluatinghealthandrequiresitofanyprojectsforwhichitprovidesfunding.
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PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND SCOPING (PUB)
Informationpresentedtopublicandscoping,outreachprocesstocommunities.
Category Code Description
PUB1 Thereisaneedforagenciestoaddresslinguistic,cultural,institutional,geographic,andotherbarrierstomeaningfulparticipation.TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISprocessshouldincorporateactiveoutreachtoaffectedgroups.Inparticular:
• Agenciesshouldbeawareofthediverseconstituencieswithinanyparticularcommunitywhentheyseekcommunityrepresentationandshouldendeavortoinvitecompleterepresentationofthecommunityasawhole.
• Agenciesalsoshouldbeawarethatcommunityparticipationmustoccurasearlyaspossibleifitistobemeaningful.
• DuetothecomplexityofboththeprojectandDraftEISprocess,residentsexpressedtheneedforatranslatortoassistcommunicationintheYup'iklanguageduringallpublicinvolvementactivities.
• Itwassuggestedthatsometechnicalaspectscannotbetranslatedduetolackofappropriatevocabulary.
• Itwasrequestedthatphotosofthetailingspondsbeprovidedtoeldersbecausesomeelderscannotread.
• Itwassuggestedthatastakeholderdatabasebeestablishedandthatallstakeholdersbekeptinformedofkeydevelopmentsintheprocess.Severalcommentersaskedtobekeptinformedandprovidedtheircontactinformation.ThedevelopmentofacontactdatabaseshouldbedescribedintheDraftEIS.
PUB2 Commentersexpressedconcernthattherehasnotbeenenoughinvolvementwiththelocalvillages.TheDraftEISshoulddescribethepublicinvolvementprocessandhowthepeoplemostaffectedbytheprojectarebeinginformedaboutthepotentialimpactsitwouldhaveontheircommunities,whatinputwasreceivedfromthecommunities,andhowthatinputwasutilizedinthedecisionsthatweremaderegardingtheproject.Becausethescopingprocessistakingplaceinhubcommunitiesthereisconcernthatsmallerremotetribesareunabletoparticipateinthisprocess.SpecificareasmentionedincludedLimeVillagetoBethel,StonyRiver,Sleetmute,RedDevil,Georgetown,andtheareaaroundthemouthoftheYukonRiver.Manyresidentsexpressedfrustrationthattheywerenotinformed;thereweremeetingsinonly13villagesintheprojectarea.TheDraftEISprocessshould:
• Clarifywhetherthereiswaytopayforpeopletotraveltothemeetings.
• ReviewsuggestionsthattherebemorefrequentopportunitiestoinvolvethetribalgovernmentsandthepublicbetweentheScopingandtheDraftEISstage.
• ConducteducationalworkshopsonvarioussubjectstosolicitTraditionalEcologicalKnowledgeandWisdomandlocalknowledgeofthepeopleoftheregion.
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PUB3 ResidentsareconcernedaboutalackofinformationthatiscausingdistrustintheDraftEISprocess.Oneconcernisthatthereisinformationmissingfromthecurrentreportsaboutthedevelopmentprocess.Specifically,financialassuranceinformationshouldbeprovidedforpublicreviewandcomment.Itwasnotedthatthereisaneedfortransparencyduringallphasesoftheproposedproject,includingoperationsofthemine,ifitgoesforward.AsuggestiontobuildtrustwasthattheDraftEISshouldestablishaframeworkforcitizenengagementaftermineconstructiontoensureadequateaccesstodecision‐makersatDonlinGold,LLC,BarrickGold,andNovaGold,aswellasregulatorycomplianceofficersonalllevelsofgovernment.Commenterssuggesteda"goodneighboragreement",suchashastheoneattheStillwaterMineinMontana,forexample.Thistypeofagreementwouldallowforanyprivatecitizentocollectwater,soil,andairsamplesfromtheminesitefortheiranalysisattheirdiscretion,andshouldallowforperiodicmeetingswithminemanagement.TheDraftEISshouldmaketheestablishmentofanagreementatoppriority,andhelpensurethatitreceivesadequatefundingforitscreationandoperation.TheDraftEISshouldstipulatethattheagreementisnotwrittenbythosewithanytiestotheminingcompanies,butratherindependentgroupswithexpertisewithsimilaragreementsandenvironmentaljusticeingeneral.Monitoringdatashouldbepublishedinsupportoftheagreementbyshowingtransparencyintheaspectsoftheminingoperationsmostcriticaltoprotectinghumanandecosystemhealth.
PUB4 Thereshouldbemorecooperationbetweenprojectproponentsandlocalresidents.ResidentsexpressedfrustrationthatTheKuskokwimCorporationandCalistaCorporationhavenotdiscussedtheirconcernswiththeminperson.Moremeetingsweresuggested,specificallythefirstweekofJunetoAugust,Septemberwhentherewouldbemorepeopleinthecommunities.ThereisalsofrustrationregardingdiscussionswithDonlinGoldandthelackofinformationgiventoresidents.ItwassuggestedthatabetterdialoguewithDonlinGoldgeochemistsandmineengineersisnecessarytobetterexplainthemercuryissue.
PUB5 CommentersexpressedconcernaboutresidentsbeingabletounderstandtheNEPAprocess,potentialimpacts,andtechnicalreportswithoutspecializedexpertise.Itwassuggestedduringscopingthatfactsheetsbeavailabletoassistinexplainingkeypointstothepublic.Throughastrongpublicprocess,thepermittingagenciesshouldensurethatstakeholdersunderstandeveryalternativeproposedintheDraftEIS.
PUB6 Commentersexpressedconcernabouthowtheircommentsaretakenintoconsideration.Specifically,concernsaboutthetailingsholdingfacilityandpublicmeetingcommentsregardingsubsistenceandjobs.TheDraftEISshouldclarifythecommentreviewprocess.
PUB7 Commentersexpressedconcernsaboutfollow‐throughonpromisesmade,andwantthepublicprocessforthisDraftEIStoprovideanswerstotheirconcernsandtodocumenttheseconcernsfortherecord,notjustverballyatthepublicmeetings.ItwassuggestedthatBarrickGoldvisittheareatoworkdirectlywithresidentsregardingtheproposedproject.
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Category Code Description
PUB8 Suggestionsweremaderegardingthepublicmeetings.
• Thereshouldbepeopleatthemeetingswhocananswerthepublic’squestions.
• Clarifytheaffiliationandroleofeachofthepresentersatthemeeting.
• Concernswereexpressedaboutspecificdevelopmentinformationregardingthepipelineandgravelpits,pipestoragesites,largecamps,andrunways,beingleftoutofmeetingshostedbyDonlinCreekatNikolai[outsideofthescopingmeetingprocess].
PUB9 Onecommenterexpressedtheneedformorecommunicationbetweenvillagesregardingtheproposedproject,andmoreinformationabouttheprojectbeforesubmittingcomments.ThecommentercomparedhisperspectivetosimilaractionastheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementActwhenpeoplearenotadvisedofwhat'sgoingonthroughtheplanandnotedthatnativepeoplewerehurtafterthelawwaspassedandrightstolandhadbeenabolished.ThecommenternotedthatthetimeframeforlearningabouttheproposedDolinGoldProjectwaslimitedandthatlocalresidentscannotcommentwithoutanyknowledgeofthemineoperations.
PUB10 TheDraftEISshoulddescribepublicoutreachactivitiesbyDonlinGoldpresentinginformationoutsideoftheNEPAandDraftEISprocessonvariousactivitiesregardingenvironmentalimpacts,miningprocedures,andothermattersrelatedtoresponsibleminingactivitiestoresidentsoftheYukon‐KuskokwimDeltaduringvariouscommunitydiscussions.Thediscussionintheseoutreachmeetingsincludedconcernsregarding:
• Impactstothewatershedandtheimmediateenvironmentaroundthemine;
• Impactstosalmonstocksandresidentfishspecies;
• Impactstovariouswildgamespecies;and
• Airqualityintheimmediatevicinityoftheproposedmineaswellastheregion.
PUB11 LocalguidesexpressedfrustrationthatDonlinGolddidnotcontactthemdirectlyregardingthepotentialimpactoftheproposedprojectontheircommercialguidingcampsandcustomarysubsistencewayoflife,andtheseguidesareconcernedabouttheDonlinGoldProjectresultinginproject‐relatedaircraftdisruptingtheirhuntingactivities.Specificissuesraisedduringscopingincluded:
• Mostflightscouldberightovertheimportantwildlifeandwildlifehabitatsthatwearedependentupon.
• Struggleanddisruptionhasoccurredeachyearsincewithmanyinstancesofconflict,primarilywithaircraftassociatedwiththeproposedmineanditscontractors.
• Professionalguidesexpressedconcernthatthereisanunderlyinglackofrespectandunderstandingbytheapplicantofhowtheproposedprojectwouldimpactthelands,waterswildlife,wildlandexperience,andviewshedresourcesimportantforguidebusinesses.
• TheDraftEISshouldworktoallowconcernsandknowledgeofprofessionalguidestobeconsidered.
• TheAlaskaProfessionalHuntersAssociationexpressedconcernthatitwasnotnotifiedofthescopingperiodfortheDraftEISandquestionedtheadequacyofstakeholderoutreachandfornotificationoftheDraftEISprocess.
• Professionalguidesnotedthattheybelievedtherewasinadequatetimetofullyaddressthemanypartsoftheprojectthatcouldimpactthem.TheDraftEISshouldtakeintoconsiderationthatimportantstakeholderswereleftoutofthescopingnotificationprocess.
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Category Code Description
• Thereshouldbeoutreach tolocalguidesaboutupcomingstepsintheEISprocess toensuretheycanparticipateintheproject.
PUB12 Commentsreceivedduringthescopingperiodnotedthatthetribesandthepublicshouldbeinvolvedinthemitigationplanning,andmonitoringoftheproposedproject.
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PURPOSE AND NEED (P&N)
PurposeandNeedoftheAction;CorpsofEngineerspermits,LEDPA,PrematuretoengageNEPA.
Category Code Description
P&N1 DescribehowagencieswillrespondtocommentsfromBarrickGoldthattheproposedprojectdoesnotmeettheircriteriaforinvestment.Clarifywhetherthatchangesthepermittingprocess.ExplainhowanEISprocesscanproceedwithoutmorecommitmentfromfinancialbackers.
P&N2 ClarifythattheCorpspermitapplicationfromDonlinGoldisthetriggerfortheNEPAEISprocess.
P&N3 CommenterssuggestedthattheCorpsacceptthePurposeandNeedstatementcontainedinthepermitapplicationfromDonlinGold.
ThepurposeofDonlinGold’sproposedprojectistoprofitablyproducegoldfromorereservesownedbyCalistaCorporation,anANCSAcorporation,utilizingopen‐pitminingmethodsandconventional,provenmillingprocessessuitableforthecharacteristicsoftheorereservesandforapplicationinremotewesternAlaska.
TheneedfortheproposedprojectistoenableCalistaCorporationandTheKuskokwimCorporationtomaximizeeconomicbenefitsfortheirNativeshareholders,fromlandsselectedunderANCSAfortheirmineralpotential,byproducinggoldtomeetworld‐widedemand.Goldisanestablishedcommoditywithinternationalmarkets.
P&N4 CommentersareconcernedthatthepurposeandneedstatementcomplywithNEPA.Specifically:
• TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldpresentaclearandconcisestatementoftheunderlyingpurposeandneedfortheproposedprojectconsistentwiththeimplementingregulationsforNEPA(40CFR1502.13).Thisstatementshouldbeframedbroadlyenoughastoallowfortheanalysisofarangeofreasonablealternatives;
• TheDraftEISshouldreflectnotonlythepurposeandneedoftheprojectproponent,andtheCorps,butalsothebroaderpublicinterestandneedbasedonthescopingcomments;and
• ThepurposeandneedstatementfortheDraftEISshouldbedevelopedincoordinationwiththecooperatingtribesandagencies.
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RECREATION (REC)
Impactsonrecreationandtourism,recreationalhunting,usagenearmine,alongriversystemsandinpipelinecorridorduringconstructionandoperation.DisruptionofrecreationalexperiencesoftheIditarodtrails.
Category Code Description
REC1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldfullyaddressthepotentialforincreasedrecreationopportunitiesiftheproposedairstripsarenotreclaimedasthismayincreasepublicaccesstoremoteareas.
REC2 TheDraftEISshouldclarifywhetherrecreationalaccessintheROWoftheproposedpipelinecorridororatprivateairstripsfortheproposedprojectwouldberestricted.Thiswouldaddressthestatementsbytheapplicantthattheprojectwouldnotcreatenewpublicaccess.
REC3 TheDraftEISshouldaddresstheeffectofprojectcomponentsonrecreationalhuntingandexistingguidedhuntingoperations.Someconcernsexpressedinclude:
• Guidedhuntingintheareaiswell‐managedandsustainable.Increasedaccessalongtheproposedpipelinecorridorcouldincreasethenumberofsuccessfulhunters,decreasingwildlifetounsustainablenumbers.
• Placementoffacilitiesalongtheproposedpipelineroute,airstripoperations,andgeneralactivityoftheprojectcouldhavenegativeimpactonguideoperationsandservices;manyofthesearefamilybusinessesthathavebeenoperatingintheprojectareaformanyyears.
• ExplainhowDonlinGoldwouldcommunicatewithBLMSpecialRecreationPermitholdersandBLM‐authorizedhuntingguide‐outfitters,withinthevicinityoftheproposedpipeline,whomayhavebaseorspikecampswithlocationsthatmaychangeannually.Thereshouldbeaprocessformakingsurethatpermitholdershavebeeninformedoftheproposedproject,andiftheyanticipateeffectstotheirbusinesses,transporterswhoservethem,lodgeownerswhohousethem,andvillagesfromwhichtheyflyclients.
• TheDraftEISshouldconsiderthattheproposedprojectcouldspoilthenaturalbeautyofAlaskathatprovideshuntersauniquerecreationalexperience.
• CommentersnotedthattheyhaveexperienceddisruptionsbyDonlinGoldaffiliatedhelicoptersthathavedisruptedwildlifeandguidedhunting,intheregularAugustandSeptemberseasons,butalsolateSeptembergrizzlybearhunts.
REC4 TheproposedprojectwouldbringaninfluxofthenumberofpeopleintheCrookedCreekareathatwouldwanttorecreate,sportfishandhunt,includingmineemployeesandsupportindustrypersonnel.Thiscouldresultinimpactsonsomeofthestreams,particularlyHolokuk,OskawalikandtheGeorgerivers,andtheHolitnaRiverwhichisnottoofarawayfromthe“breadbasket”ofsalmonproductionintheKuskokwimRiver.
REC5 Whenplanningfortheproposedminedevelopment,theDraftEISmustnotethatrecreationalcampingintheprojectconstructionareaonBLM‐managedlandisprohibitedwithoutauthorizationfromtheBLM.
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Category Code Description
REC6 ItislikelythatwinteruseandsummerORVuseoftheproposedpipelineROWwouldbeestablishedwherenoneexisted,withrecreationistsusingriverandairstripstoaccesstheareaforhunting,recreationalcabins,andgeneralrecreation.TheseimpactsshouldbeanalyzedintheDraftEIS.
REC7 ApproximatelyonehundredmilesoftheproposedpipelineroutewouldroughlyfollowtheIditarodNationalHistoricTrail(INHT).TheDraftEISshouldanalyzethefollowing:thediversityofclimate,terrain,scenery,wildlifeandrecreation,relativetotheentiretrailsystembetweenSewardandNome;levelsofmodernhumanmodificationtothelandscape;thedegreeofconnectivitytomoderninfrastructureandpopulations;andtheabilitytoduplicatetheexperienceandchallengeofhistoricIditarodTrailusers.
SpecificconcernstobeaddressedintheDraftEISinclude:
• TheDraftEISshouldconsidertheeffecton“vicarioususers”ofthatINHTbecausethetrailcouldbeco‐locatedwithportionsoftheproposedpipelinecorridor.INHThasprominenceamongavarietyofenthusiastsoutsideofAlaska(vicarioususers)becauseoftheannuallong‐distanceoverlandwintereventsthatmakeuseoftheTrail.Theexperienceofvideoviewerscouldbeimpactedbythepipelineconstructionandoperation.ExamplesincludetheannualvideohighlightsbytheIditarodSledDogRaceandNationalGeographic’s“AerialAmerica”seriesonthe50statesthatwillincludeasectionofTrailthatwouldbeimpactedbytheproject.
• Theproposedpipelinemaybecomeasourceofcontroversyintheregionfromtheperspectiveoflandowners,lodgeowners,casualusers,andIditarodmushersandInvitationaleventathletes.TheDraftEISshouldincludealternativesthatdonotdegradetheessentialprimitivecharacteristicsofthetrailintermsofwidening,clearingvegetation,buryingpipeunderneaththetrailandsitingmaintenancefacilitiesorcheckvalvesnearthetrail.TheDraftEISshouldconsideralternativesthatensurethetrailremainsfullyunchangedandunimprovedafterconstruction,byusingpipelineroutingoptionsandspecialtrenchingandlogisticaltechniquesnearthetrail.
• TheDraftEISprocessshouldincludeconsultationwithpermittedannualeventsthatoperatealongtheINHT,includingtheIronDogSnowmachineRace,theIditarodTrailSledDogRace,andtheIditarodTrailInvitational.
• TheDraftEISshouldevaluatetheimpactsoftheprojectinrelationstotheINHTResourceInventory(1982)geographicsubunitsandratingsforeachaccordingtocriteriaforscenicquality.FourunitswereidentifiedthatwouldbeeffectedbytheproposedpipelineROW;ofthoseunits,approximatelytwo‐thirdsofthelineardistanceoftheunitswereidentifiedashavingAlevelscenicquality,andone‐thirdofthedistancehavingaBlevelofscenicquality.Forthisreason,theDraftEISshouldincludeavisualanalysiswithscaleviewsheddigitalmodelingduringthewintermonthsandtakeintoaccountthelocalizedsnowfallpatternsthatmayaccentuateorhidetheclearedpipelinecorridor.
TheDraftEISanalysisshouldrecognizethattherearemultiplealignmentsoftheINHTtrailwithvariouslegaldesignationsandrequirementswithintheproposedprojectarea.Forexample,therouteoftheIditarodTrailbetweenOldSkwentnaandHappyRiveriscloselyparalleledbytheactualalignmentofthehistoricIditarodTrail,establishedbyColonelGoodwinoftheAlaskaRoadCommission,andismaintainedbytheAlaskaRoadCommissionastheSusitna‐RainyPassroute.
• GiventhechangestooverlandaccessthatmaybecreatedbypipelineconstructionroadseitherintersectingorcollocatedontheIditarodTrail,plusthelackofspatialseparationbetweenthetwolinearfeatures,andthetendencyofwintertrailuserstochoosea“pathofleastresistance,”itislikelythatwinteruseoftheIditarodTrail
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Category Code Description
wouldmigratefromthecurrentlyusedalignmentstothepipelinecorridor.
OnepotentialimpactcouldbethatthecurrentalignmentoftheIditarodTrailbetweenOldSkwentnaandPuntillaLakeisabandonedonsomesegments,andeliminatedbythepipelineROWonothers.Also,giventhatoverlandsummeruseinAlaskatypicallyfollowswinterusepatterns,itislikelythatsummerORVuseoftheroutewouldbecomeestablishedwherenoneexisted,withrecreationistsusingriverandairstripstoaccessthepipelineROW.
• TheDraftEISshouldconsiderthevaluesrelatedtothenatureandpurposeforwhichtheINHTwasestablishedandtheeffectoftheproposedactionsonhighvaluesegmentsofthetrailwhichiseligibleforlistingontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.
REC8 TheanalysisofImpactstoresourcesaffectingtheIditarodNationalHistoricTrailintheDraftEISshouldbebasedoncomparativeexamplesofimpactstosimilarresourcesseenaroundAlaska.Examplesinclude:
• TheTrans‐AlaskaPipeline,whichdemonstratestheeffectsofaprojectofthemagnitudeoftheproposedDonlinGoldpipeline.
• Militarymaneuverswithheavyequipmentdocumenttheeffectsofoperationsonawidevarietyoflandscapes.TheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineershasasoilssuitabilityclassificationsystemwhichcouldbeusedasareferencetoguidepipelinesiting,orpredictionofimpactstodifferentsoilsclassificationsfoundalongtheroute.
• TheFarewellAirstrip,whichwasbuilt(two5,000footrunwaysnearFarewellLake),andwhichbecameanaccesspointforORVuseonthenorthsideofRainyPass.TheoverlandORVtrailsradiatingfromthatfacilityareanexampleoftheimpactsthatcouldoccurafterairfieldsareconstructedalongtheIditarodTrailandtheproposedpipelinecorridor.
REC9 TheprojectdescriptionfortheproposedactionshouldbeclarifiedtheDraftEISinregardtospecificdesignelementsthatwouldaffecttheundevelopedareaoftheIditarodNationalHistoricTrail,includingthefollowing:
• 58milesofpipelinewouldco‐locateon,parallelorintersecttheTrailsystem.A100ftconstructionROWwouldbeclearedandarmoredwitheitheraniceroadorgravel,andmostconstructionmaterialsandequipmentforthe40milesofthepipelinetothewestwouldbetransportedbyheavyequipmentoverthis58milesection.
• TheclearedpipelineROWwouldintersecttheTrail25times.
• 15milesoftheTrailwouldbedisruptedandoverlainwith15milespipelineconstructionandoperatingROW.
• Twonewairfieldswith5,000‐footrunwayseachwouldbeconstructedonexistingsegmentsoftheTrail,andathird,existingairstripwouldbeupgraded.
• Threeconstructioncampsserving300personseachwouldbedevelopedinproximitytothenewairfields.Eachcampisplannedtohaveparkingfor60vehicles,withpotentialtraveldistancesfromeachcampofupto31miles.Mobile,sledgemountedcampswouldalsobehauledalongtheconstructionROW,witheachserving30persons.
• Eightgravel/materialsitestotaling57acreswouldbeexcavatedandmovedoverlandtoneededconstructionareas.
• 13pipestorageyardsranginginsizefrom1to2.5acres.
• The50‐footwideoperatingROWwouldbeclearedevery10years,withatrailrouteontheROWformaintenance.
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Category Code Description
• Atintervalsofapproximatelyeverymile,apipewouldprotrudeabovegroundaspartofacorrosion‐protectionteststation.
• Ateverymileanaerialmileagemarkerwouldbeinstalledonan8‐footpipeand8‐footpipemountedpipelinemarkerswouldbeinstalledatmorefrequentintervals.
• Threeblockvalveyards,fencedwithina25‐footby25‐footenclosurewouldbeinstalledinthreelocationsonthe58‐milesectionco‐locatedwiththeIditarodTrail.
• Theproposedprojectcouldlikelyresultindisqualificationof58milesofthetrailcurrentlyeligibleforlistingundertheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.
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RESEARCH, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION NEEDS (RME)
Commentsonbaselineresearch,monitoring,andevaluationneedsordatagaps.
Category Code Description
RME1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldpresentathoroughanalysisoftheconservationimpactthattheproposedprojectanditscomponentswouldhaveonthewildlands,wildlifeandthepeoplewhoaredependentupontheseresources.Itwassuggestedthatatouroftheland,waterandthepeoplethatliveand/oroperatebusinesseswithinthestudyareabeconductedbythereviewersoftheDraftEIS.
RME2 Allbaselinedata(includingaquaticdatasuchasfish,waterquantityandquality,andbenthicinvertebrates)andmonitoringupdatesshouldbepubliclyaccessibleinauser‐friendlyformatonline.Largefilescanbebrokendownintopartsifnecessary.Informationaboutwhereandhowtoaccessesthedatashouldbedistributedwidely[Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.3‐2].AquestionwasraisedduringscopingaboutwhetherGISdatawasavailabletoagencies,partners,and/orthepublic.
RME3 TheDraftEISanalysisshouldincludesufficientbaselinedatatoevaluatetheimpactsofbargetraffic,includingcomparingotherriversthathaveexperiencedcomparablegrowth,datarelatingtobankconditionsanderosionsimulations,waterlevelsandseasonalchanges,andremediationoptions.
RME4 AdequatebaselinedatashouldbecollectedandusedintheDraftEIStoanalyzethegeotechnicalissuesintheKuskokwimRegion,includingthepotentialforerosionandavalanchehazardanalysis.AFirstOrdersoilsurveyshouldbedonealongtheentirepipelinealignment[Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.10‐1],andaStabilization,Rehabilitation,andReclamationPlanshouldbedeveloped.
RME5 TheDraftEISshouldincludesufficientbaselinedataonmercuryandheavymetalsconcentrationsinwildlifetissue(fish,game,andwaterfowl),air,water,andsedimentanddetailhowtheseresourceswouldbemonitoredyearlywhilethemineisoperationalandpostclosure.Thecrushedandpulverizedmillfeedstockshouldbeanalyzedaswelltoobtainaccuratenumbersonthevolumeofmercuryenteringthemill.Amercuryriskassessmentshouldbeconducted,particularlyforsubsistenceresources.Itwasrequestedduringscopingthatthestateandfederalgovernmentsexaminepotentialmercuryexposurepathwaysandconsiderrequiringair,waterandtissuesamplingtobeconductedaspartofthepermitprocess.
RME6 AsabaselinefortheDraftEIS,avisualinventoryandinterimmanagementclassdesignationmustbecompletedandGISlayerscreatedforalllandswithintheproposedpipelinealignmentandprojectarea.
RME7 TobeadequateortheDraftEIS,baselinedatashouldincludelongitudinalanalysisofsocial,culturalandenvironmentalimpactsoftheprojectinacomparativeanalysiswithotherlargescaleminesofsimilarmagnitude.Thereshouldbeananalysisofthesocialimpactsofminesonsubsistencefoodsandindigenousculturesandcommunitiesusingpeer‐reviewedliterature.Thisanalysisshouldalsoincludeevaluationoftheimpactofamineonhealthmarkerssuchassubstanceabuseandsuicideinboththeshort‐termandlong‐term,andpostclosure.ConsiderlookingattheRedDevilMineduringtheyearsitwasoperatingandafteritsclosure.
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Category Code Description
RME8 AsabaselinefortheDraftEISanalysis,anecosystemservicesvaluationshouldbeconductedtoaccuratelyassessthevalueoftheenvironmentunderaNoActionAlternative.ThisvaluationwouldsupportanEnvironmentalAccountingtodeterminingtheecosystembenefitsprovidedduringthelifeoftheminecomparedtotheeconomicdamage.Valuationassessmentsshouldalsoincludescenarioswithrealisticcarbontaxes,toprovideabettersenseoftheboundariesoftheprofitabilityofthemine.Theseeconomicassessmentsshouldincludethescenarioinwhichtheminegoesthroughaninterimclosureperiodduetolowmetalpricesand/orhightransport/energyprices.Bondingshouldsimilarlybeassessedwithandwithoutaninterimclosurescenario,withagoalofmaintainingcontaminanttreatmentoperations.
RME9 ConductausestudyontheKuskokwimRivertoidentifythemultipleusergroupsandestimatethenumber,type,frequency,andequipmentuseofeachusergroup.Identifyexistingandhistoriccabins,fishcampsandculturalsites.Suchinformationmaybeproprietaryandsensitive,soprecautionsshouldbemadetoensuretheconfidentialityoftheinformation.
RME10 Thereshouldbeabaselinesurveyforthepresenceofinvasivespeciesalongthepipelinealignment,waterbodies,airstrips,lodges,andproposedprojectarea.Iffound,theseareasshouldbeproperlytreatedwithherbicides/pesticidesorothermeansofcontroltobestpreventthespreadbeforeprojectmobilization.
RME11 IntensivestudiesmustbeconductedintothebaselinewaterqualitydataandamonitoringprogrammustbeestablishedtoensurethattheproposedminedoesnotinflictirreversibledamagetotheresidentsoftheKuskokwimregion.WaterqualitysamplingshouldbetakenatallpointswherethepipelinewouldcrosstheGeorgeRiver,aswellasdownriverwheretheGeorgeRivermeetstheKuskokwim.Waterqualitystandardsneedtobeestablishedforthearea[Re:PipelinePlanofDevelopment,pp.9‐13].AMitigationSedimentationControlPlanandaStormwaterPollutionPreventionPlanforthepipelineshouldbedeveloped.
RME12 Baselinedatashouldbegatheredforallwildlife,including:
• Awatershedassessmentoffisheries,wildlife,andculture;
• Surveysofpipelinecrossingsofwaterbodiesforanadromousfish,spawningareas,andover‐winteringareas;
• Surveysandcurrentstateofhealthforthesensitivefreshwatertrout;
• StudiesduringthespawningperiodofhumpbackwhitefishtoconfirmpresenceinthemainstemoftheKuskokwimRiver;
• MainchannelspawningdataforsalmonandanadromouswhitefishspawningshouldbecollectedintheKuskokwimRiverinordertoconductanevaluationontheeffectsofdredging(potentiallyneededforbargemovement)onfishandfishhabitatintheKuskokwimRiver.
• Informationonstreamsinthevicinityoftheprojectthatprovidesuitablebreedinghabitatforharlequinducks;
• Surveystoassessraptoruseoftheprojectarea;
• Informationontrumpeterswansandnestinghabitatnearpipelineconstruction;and
• PresenceandpotentialimpactoftheprojectonallbirdsprotectedundertheMigratoryBirdTreatyAct.
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Category Code Description
RME13 AccordingtothePipelinePlanofDevelopment,[pp.8‐84],adetailedPressureTestPlancouldbedevelopedduringfinaldesign.However,thismaybeneededpriortoconstructiontoallowthepublicopportunitytomakecommentsonpipelinedesignandoperationalprocedures.
RME14 BaselinedatafortheDraftEISshouldincludecurrentinformationavailablefrompreviousEISdocumentsanddatabasesregardingsubsistenceresources.TraditionalEcologicalKnowledgeandWisdom(TEKW)datagapsshouldbeidentifiedandTEKWstudiesshouldbeconductedasnecessarytoclearlyidentifyconcernsandpotentialimpactsfromtheproposedproject.
RME15 TheapplicantshoulddevelopandprovidethefollowingdataandplansforuseindevelopingtheEISandforon‐goingmonitoring:
• PreandPost‐ConstructionGoogleStreetviewPhotographyofIditarodNationalHistoricTrailPlan(betweenPipelineMiles48‐108);includinggeo‐referencedstreetviewphotographyfromaGooglecameramountedonthebackofsnowmachine,takenbeforeandafterconstruction,inordertodocumentchangestoTrail.
• Pipeline–TrailCrossingConstructionPlanandBMP’s;acompilationofstandardconstructiondrawings,methods,BMP’sandplansforimplementingandmonitoringduringandafterconstruction.
• WinterTrailInterruptionTemporaryRe‐RoutePlan;alltrailintersectionsshouldbeinventoried,andfeasiblealternativeroutesmappedusingGPSandcataloguedina‘WinterTrailInterruptionTemporaryRe‐RoutePlan’,approvedbylandmanagementagencyinadvanceoflandclearingoperations.
RME16 ConcernwasexpressedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamethatinadditiontotheknownanadromousstreamsthatareproposedtobecrossedbytheproposedpipeline,therearelikelynumerousadditionalstreamsthatsupportanadromousfishspeciesthathavenotyetbeenidentified.Inadditiontherearealsolikelynumerousstreamsthatsupportnon‐anadromousfishthatwouldbecrossedbytheproposedpipeline.ItwasnotedthatanAquaticsStudyPlanwasdevelopedin2010toidentifythesestreamsaswellascollectotheraquaticresourceinformationandrequestedthattheresultsofthesestudiesshouldbesubmittedtotheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameandotherinterestedresourceagenciesforreviewandincorporatedintotheEIS.
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SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS (SER)
Commentsoneconomicimpactstolocalcommunities,regionaleconomy,andnationaleconomy.Thismayincludechangesinthesocialoreconomicenvironments.Analyzeregionalbenefitofmine,economicdevelopment.Influxofconstructionandoperationalworkers,employment,income,andneedsforhousing.Potentialforoutmigrationfromcommunities.Boomandbustcycles.
Category Code Description
SER1 ThefollowingpotentialbenefitsoftheproposedprojectshouldbeconsideredandincludedintheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEIS:
• Overalleconomicbenefittotheregion,thestate,andthecountry;
• Theregionhasoneofthehighestunemploymentratesinthecountry,andtheopportunitytogainemploymentintheregioncouldhelpbegintoprovideasolutiontothatproblem;
• Theproposedprojectwouldbringeconomicopportunitiesandwell‐paidjobstotheregionbycreatingsustainablecommunities;
• Asubsistencelifestyleishardtomaintain,andjobsarenecessary;
• Employmentcouldbringabetterqualityoflifetoresidents;and
• Havingemploymentcanencouragepeopletocontinuegettinganeducation.
SER2 Theproposedprojectshouldbedevelopedinsuchawaythatitprotectsthenaturalenvironment,culturaltraditionsandsubsistenceresourceswhilestillprovidinganeconomicbenefittotheregion.Ifthiscannotbedone,itmaynotbeworththecosttotheresidentsoftheregion.
SER3 TheDraftEISshouldfullydiscusstheissuesfacingcommunitiesandtheenvironmentattheendofthemineoperations.Subsistenceresourcescouldchange,jobsmightnolongerbeavailable,andthetraditionalwayoflifecouldbelost.Generalimpactstothesocioculturalresourcesshouldbeevaluated.Concernwasexpressedforwhatwouldbeleftforfuturegenerationsaftermineclosure.
SER4 TheDonlinGoldminecouldcreateopportunitiesfortraining,education,andjobsfortheyoungpeopleandfuturegenerations.Theyouthneedthesejobsbecauseitisharderandhardertoliveasubsistencelifestyle,andeconomicopportunityisneededtolivetheWesternlifestyle.Thiscouldbeginintheclassroom,lettingstudentsknowwhatisrequiredtodevelopanenvironmentallyresponsiblemine,andcommunicatingtheiroptionsforeducationthatwouldprovidelateremployment.
SER5 ItmaybebeneficialtolocalresidentsifDonlinGoldprovidedtrainingandeducationsothathigh‐payingpositionscouldbefilledwithpeoplefromtheKuskokwimandYukonareas.ThiscouldallowruralAlaskanstolive,work,andprosperwithoutleavingtheregion.Moreinformationontrainingandeducationopportunitieswouldbeusefultoachievethispotentialbenefit.
SER6 CommentersraisedquestionsandconcernsregardinglocalhirefortheproposedprojectthatshouldbeaddressedintheDraftEIS,including:
• Concernsaboutwhetherlocal,ruralAlaskanswouldbehiredforavailablejobsatallstagesoftheproposedproject;
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Category Code Description
• Concernsabouttheamountoftheworkforcethatwouldhiredfromoutsideoftheregion;
• SinceahighpercentageofAlaskaNativeshavecriminalrecords,wouldtheybeconsideredforemploymentasreadilyasthosewithoutrecordsfromotherstates?
• QuestionsaboutwhethertherewouldbeanAlaskaNativeHireAgreement;
• Concernsthattherewouldbealargeamountoflocalhireatfirstandthengraduallythecommitmenttolocalhirewoulddecline,andtheworkforcewouldbecomemorenon‐local;
• Localhirecanencouragefamiliestostaytogetherwithoutdispersingtolookforwork;and
• Shiftworkschedulingishardonfamilylife.Consideralternativeworkschedules.
SER7 ResidentsexpressedconcernthattheprojectwouldnotbenefitruralAlaskansintheregionsocioeconomically.Somecommentersnotedthatotherminedevelopmentprojectsinthestatehaveshownthatthecreationofjobsinremoteeconomicallydepressedareasmaycontributetopeopleleavingruralcommunities.WithanewincomepeopleemployedattheminemaymovetoFairbanks,AnchorageandWasilla,andcommutetotheminesite,withairtransportationprovidedbytheminingcompany.Thesejobsmayleadpeopletoleavetheareatoliveinareastheycouldthenafford.Thiscouldcauseattritioninthesmallercommunitiesandleakageofeconomicbenefitstolargercommunities.OnealternativecouldbetoencourageDonlinGoldtonotpayforpeopletoflytoandfromlargeurbancitiestoworkinthemine,butprovideflightstovillageresidentstothemineinordertodiscourageout‐migration.
Commentersalsosuggestedplanningwithinthevillagesforhousingandsewerandwaterthatwouldencourageworkstostaywithintheregion.
SER8 CurrentlytheStateofAlaskaprovidesaschoolforavillageifithasaminimumof10students.TheDraftEISshouldaccountforthepossibilitythathiringlocalpeoplecouldreducetheoutmigrationofresidentstourbanareasofthestateandhelpmaintainsufficientfundingforruralschools.
SER9 Theprojectcouldpotentiallybringaninfluxofpeopletoworkatthemine,whichcoulddamagethelifestyleofthecurrentresidentsandtheenvironment.Anin‐migrationofpeoplecouldcauseastrainonsubsistenceresourcesaswellasbringnewideasthatthreatenthecurrentwayoflife.
SER10 Theprojectcouldcreatespin‐offbusinessesthatsupporttheoperation,suchasequipmentandrepairshopsandretailservicesthatmaycreateyetmoreemploymentandeconomicbenefitslocallyandstate‐wide.Thereisthepotentialforincreasedtaxrevenuenotjustfromtheminingoperation,butfromallofthespin‐offbusinesscreatedtosupportit.
SER11 Theproposedprojectcouldprovideinfrastructureimprovementssuchasports,roads,airports,electricalinfrastructure,andpotentiallyanaturalgaspipelinetothepopulaceofthearea.Itwasquestionedwhetherthefiberopticcablewouldbeavailableforoutsidecommunication.Thedevelopmentofsuchmine‐relatedinfrastructurecouldhelpspurtheeconomyandbenefittheresidentsoftheremotearea.Theinfrastructurecouldcontinuetobenefitthepeopleofthatarealongpasttheclosureofthemine.Theimpactscouldbefarreachingandencompasstheregion,andpossiblythestate,notsolelytheimmediatearea.
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Category Code Description
SER12 Apotentialpublicbenefitisexcisetaxrevenuesfromtheproposedpipelineoperation.ItwouldbehelpfulfortheDraftEIStodescribethetaxingjurisdictionsintheprojectarea,andshowtheestimatedrangeofexpectedtaxrevenuesandtheeconomicbenefitsthatwouldaccruelocally.
SER13 ThelanduponwhichtheminewouldpotentiallybebuiltisownedbyCalistaNativeCorporationandTheKuskokwimCorporation.Royaltiespaidtothesecorporationswouldinpartberedistributedtootherregionalandvillagecorporations,pursuanttoANCSA,Section7i.RedDogMineisanexampleofhowthishasprovidedeconomicbenefitbeyondthehomeregion.
SER14 TheDraftEISshouldfullydiscussthepotentialthatthedevelopmentoftheproposedprojectcouldresultinlowercostenergyforlocalvillagesbyprovidinginfrastructurelikegaspipelines,powerplants,andelectricalinfrastructure.EnergycostsarecurrentlyamajorlimitingfactorforruralAlaskanstohavebusinessesandparticipateinsubsistenceactivities,andareaneconomicstrainonhouseholdlivingexpenses.
SER15 DonlinGoldhasalreadypositivelyaffectedlocalcommunitiesduringtheexploratorystagesbyprovidingemployment,showingastrongcommitmenttolocalhire,supportingculture,andunderstandingenvironmentalconcerns.
SER16 SomeexamplesofotherminesthattheDraftEISshouldusetohelpdeterminethepotentialsocio‐economicandenvironmentaleffectsoftheprojectinclude:
• RedDogmineintheNANARegion;
• UsibelliCoalmineintheInterior;
• TheminenearElko,Nevada;
• FortKnoxmine;
• PogoMine;and
• MinesinWyoming,Utah,Nevada,andotherpartsofAlaska.
SER17 Theprojectcouldhaveanegativeimpactonlocalfamily‐ownedlodgesandbusinesses,byaffectingthewildlife,viewshed,andtheoverallqualityofexperienceprovidedtovisitors.Anumberofguide‐outfittercampscouldbeimpactedinthesameway.Itwassuggestedthatbusinessesbecompensatedforlossoftourismduringconstructionifconstructionwasdoneinthesummer.Opencommunicationwithlocaloperationsregardingthescheduleofconstructionwouldhelpthebusinessestoplanahead.
SER18 Bargetrafficcouldaffectanycommercialandsubsistencefishingperiodsheldthroughouttheupperandlowerriversections,andtheseimpactsaffectakeycomponentoftheregionaleconomy.
TheconstructionoftheJungjukportfacilitycouldleadtoanincreaseinbargetrafficthatisregionwide.TheEISshouldconsiderthattheproposedportcouldbeaneconomicbenefittotheregionandotherlocalmines.Itcouldbecomearegionalshippinghub.BoththepositiveandnegativeimpactsofincreasedbargetrafficasaresultoftheportconstructionandoperationshouldbeanalyzedintheEIS.
SER19 Questionswereraisedaboutwheretheinvestmentfundingforthemine,pipeline,andotherprojectcomponentswouldcomefrom.WoulditcomefromtheStateofAlaska,thefederalgovernment,DonlinGold,LLC,NovaGold,Calista,oranycombinationofthose?
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Category Code Description
SER20 TheDraftEISshouldidentifywhat,ifany,excessmaterials,equipment,fuel,etc.,maybetransferred(givenorsold)toanyhomesites,homesteads,orlodgeslocatedalongtheproposedpipelineroute,andwhatbeneficialeconomicimpactsmightresult.
SER21 TheDraftEISshouldfullyanalyzealloftheeconomicandsocialimpactsoftheproposedprojectontheaffectedcommunities.ItwasrecommendedthataneconomicsconsultingfirmwithAlaskanexperiencebecontractedtoaidinthiseffort.Suchananalysisshouldinclude:
• Theeffectsofchangesintheoperations,suchaslossesofjobsifthepriceofgolddips.
• Thepositiveandnegativeimpactsofmultipleoperationsonaffectedcommunitiesshouldbeassessed.
• Thepositiveimpactstodateshouldbeinformativeastothedepthandvalueoftheimpactsonecanexpectinthefuture,consideringthesizeandscopeofthefutureactivity.
• Whatisthepayrollfromtheprojectandtheexpecteddistributionofthatmoneythroughouttheregion?Onewaytomeasurethiswouldbetoassumeasimilardistributionofworkerstothedistributionofworkersemployedduringtheexplorationphase.Atonepointtherewerepersonsworkingontheprojectthatlivedin35oftheover50villagesintheregion.
• HowtosecuremaximumbenefitforAlaskafromtheproject.
• TheproposedDonlinGoldminecouldprovideeconomicbenefitacrosstheStateofAlaska,andtherebydiminishtherelianceonoilrevenues.
• Development‐relatedchangesinpopulationordemandsforpublictransportation,education,orhealthcareservices.
• Possiblechangesinthecultural,religious,orrecreationaltraditionsofaffectedcommunities.
• Theminingoperationcouldpotentiallybringneworexpandedcellphone,internetservice,andoptionsforheatingandelectricitytothearea.
• Thecumulativeeffectsanalysisshouldalsoevaluatethedynamicofjobprogressionthatiscreatedwhenveryskilled,high‐qualityjobsarecreated.Theseincludethelowskillentryleveljobsinservice,tourism,etc.,aswellastotallyunskilledpositions.Forexample,whenanequipmentoperatororaplantoperatorstepsuptoahighskilljobinamine,itleavesanopeningforsomeoneelsetoimprovetheirlifeandfillthejobthatequipmentoperatorleftatpossiblyaconstructioncompanyorpowerplant.
• TheDraftEISanalysisshouldrecognizethechallengeofadequatelyassessingandcapturingthecomplexityofthesubsistenceeconomy,includingtheinterrelationshipamongwagesandcostoflivingattheindividualvillagelevelcombinedwiththeANCSA‐driveneconomicsoftheCalistaandTheKuskokwimCorporationorganizationsandtheirresponsibilitiestotheotherANCSAcorporations.Theseregionalfactorsalsoneedtobecombinedwithbroadereconomicconditionssuchasthemoretraditionalassessmentofincreasedrevenuesatthestatelevel.
• Economicopportunitieswouldexistinthisregionifthisprojectdoesnotgoforward,andtheNoActionAlternativeischosen.
• Socioeconomicimpactsofanew30‐mileroadfromtheproposedminetothebargelandingthatwouldbebuiltontheKuskokwimRiver.
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SUBSISTENCE (SUB)
Commentsrelatedtopotentialimpactstosubsistenceresource(harvest,sharing,andtraditionaluseareas).Commentsonneedtoprotectsubsistenceresourcesandpotentialimpactstotheseresources.Perceivedcontaminationand/oravoidanceofsubsistenceresources.
Category Code Description
SUB1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldanalyzeimpactsonsubsistenceresourcesandpracticesfromtheproposedmineincluding:
• Cumulativeeffectsofhistoric,current,andproposedminesintheregionincludingtheNYACandRedDevilmines;
• Contaminants(mercury)intowatershedandairandimpactstosubsistenceresources;
• Wildlifemigrations,e.g.cariboumigration;
• Salmonmigration,restrictionsforsubsistencesalmon;
• Subsistencegathering,e.g.berrypicking,andotheredibleplants;
• Impactstotraditionsandculture;
• Impacttopeoplewillnotbenefitfromthisprojectbutwhomuststillrelyonfoodthatisavailableinthearea;
• Possiblelossofhabitatforgrowingfood;
• Disruptiontoothersubsistenceresources;
• Historicandtraditionaland/orcustomarysubsistencehunting,fishing,andtrappingareasandtraditionallanduseareas;and
• Endangeredorthreatenedspecies,includingpotentialeffectsofafederaldecisiononendangeredstatustobeardedandringseals.
SUB2 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzeimpactsofpotentialcontaminantsenteringintotheairorwaterandaffectingsubsistenceresources,including:
• Effectsonsubsistenceresourcesofpotentialaccidentalspillsofmercury,gas,oil,andothertoxicmaterialsintotheKuskokwimRiver;
• FishconsumptionadvisoryineffectalongthemiddleKuskokwimRiverbecauseofthemethyl‐mercurycontentofsomespecies;
• ImpactofadditionalmercuryloadingontheKuskokwimRiver;
• Accumulationoftoxinsinduckandgooseeggsusedforsubsistence;and
• Effectsresultingfromcontaminantsupriverthatmayaffectcoastalcommunitiesandhabitat,criticaleelhabitat,herringspawninghabitat,clams,andmusselsusedforsubsistencefoods.
SUB3 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzethepotentialimpactonsubsistenceactivitiesofincreasedbargetrafficontheKuskokwimRiverincluding:
• Erodingriverbanks;e.g.inthevillages,atfishcamps,stagingareas,anddocks;
• Effectsofincreasedbargetrafficalongsiderestrictionsandclosuresalreadyinplaceforsubsistence,andcommercialfishing;
• Theshortspanoftime,110days,forbargetravelwillcoincidewithsubsistenceandcommercialfishingactivities;
• Possibleproject‐inducedchangesinthewatershedandhydrologythatwillaffectsubsistenceharvestpractices;
• Potentialproject‐relateddredgingtodeepenchannels;
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Category Code Description
• Possiblebargegroundingandaccidentalspills;
• Risksofspillsfromhaulingtoxicorhazardousmaterialstoandfromtheminesite;
• Affectsbargingmayhaveonhuntingontheriverasthemainsourceoftransportationisbyboat;
• Emissionsfrombargesthatcouldaffectandpollutetheair,water,andplantsusedasfoodbyjuvenilefishofallspecies;
• Effectsonsalmongoinguprivertotheirspawninggrounds;
• Wildlifebeingfrightenedofftheriverbybargetravelandnoise;
• Potentialimpacttocariboumigratoryroutes;
• Effectonwaterfowlthatlandontheriver;
• Bargewavesthatcouldaffecttheabilityoflocalstohuntofftheriver;
• Wavesfrombargewakesmaydisruptfishermenusingsetnetsforsubsistencefishing;
• DecliningofChinook(king)salmonontheKuskokwimRiverusedforsubsistence;
• ImpactstoBeringcisco,animportantsubsistencefishtotheYukonDeltacoastandsubsequentimpactstotheirspawninggroundsisnotyetknown;
• Thedestructionofsalmonhabitat;
• Spawninglocationsofrainbowsmeltusedforsubsistence;
• Potentialdamagetosubsistenceusers’lives,livelihood,property,vessels,nets,camps,orotherequipmentusedforsubsistenceactivities;
• Suretybondorsimilarbondingshouldincludeassessmentofpotentialimpactstotheexistingsubsistenceusers,andimpactstotheirlivelihood;and
• Impactonsubsistencefishingduetochangesincommercialfishing.
SUB4 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzethepotentialimpacttheproposedconstructionandinstallationofthenaturalgaspipelinemayhaveincluding:
• Potentialleaksorbreaksandtheeffectitmayhaveonwildlife,people,plantsandvegetation,includingapotentialbreakduetoearthquakes;
• Effectsofproposedgravelsitesusedforconstruction;
• Effectstocommercialhuntingguidesandlodgesduringconstruction;
• Effectstoaquaticresources,andsubsistenceresourcesandusersoftheregion;
• Alistofaffectedcommunities,descriptionsofthecommunities,theirsubsistenceharvestpatterns,andseasonalroundofusesusingchartsandmapsasappropriate;
• Possibleeffectstosubsistenceharvestmanagement,useraccess,andhuntingpractices;
• Removalofallaccesscorridorsandprovisionsneededfordevelopmentofthegaspipeline,includinglargeairfields;and
• Thepotentialofairfieldstoattractadditionalhunterswhowillbecompetingforthesameresources.
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SUB5 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzeimpactstosubsistenceresourcesfromairbornemercuryemissionsandothercontaminatesreleasedintotheairorwaterincluding:
• Potentialimpactsofmercuryemissionstonon‐fishspecies,andwaterfowlparticularlythoseconsumedforsubsistence.WaterfowlconsumptionadvisorieshavebeenissuedinUtahduetoelevatedmercuryconcentrationsinnorthernshovelers,cinnamonteal,andcommongoldeneyes.Inadditiontomercury,baselinedatashouldbecollectedforwaterfowlintheregionforseleniumlevels,whichcouldincreaseovertime;
• UsingHIAevaluatethepotentialhealthriskstosubsistenceusersassociatedwithincreasedmercuryconcentrationsinfishpopulations,andotherexposurepathways;and
• Thepotentialculturalandhealthimpactstosubsistenceusersassociatedwiththeperceptionthatsubsistenceresourcesmaycontainmercury,andhowtraditionsmaychangeasaresult.
SUB6 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzeimpactstosubsistenceactivitiesintheproposedprojectregionincluding:
• IncreaseinairfieldsmaybringinmoretransportersfromAnchorageandotherareasforrecreationalhunting;
• Increasedcompletionforresourceswithlocalresidentswhoharvestmooseandothergameforwintermeat;
• Increasedpresenceoftrappersarrivingbyair;
• WiththepotentialformanynewjobsbeingcreatedinBethel(justforthevastportfacilityalone)thatwillbringresidentsfromsurroundingvillagesaswellasacertainamountofoutsiders,concernthatBethelwouldloseitsruralpreferencestatusinregardstosubsistencehuntingandfishing;
• Disturbanceofsubsistencespeciessuchascaribouandmoosefromair,barge,andvehiculartraffic,andincreasedhumanaccess;
• Increasedaccessalongtheroad,pipeline,andunofficialroutes,andincreasesinhumanpopulationmayalsoresultinincreasedhuntingpressure,bothfromlocalsandoutsiders;
• TheKuskokwimisaroadlessriverandthenatureoftherivercouldbedisturbed;
• Interruptionsofcariboumovementfromtheproposedroadandpipeline;and
• Aninfluxofthousandsofworkersfromoutsidethearea,someproportionofwhommaychoosetolivelocally,theincreaseinhumanpopulationwillputincreasedpressureonmoose,salmonandothersubsistenceresourcesmakingitthatmuchmoredifficultforlocalresidentstoharvestsomeofthealreadydwindlingresources.
SUB7 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzethePollockfisheriesbecauseofthewasteofimmaturekingsalmonthatareneededbysubsistenceusers.
SUB8 TheDraftEISshouldclarifyanerrorintheVesselOperationsOilDischargePreventionandContingencyPlaninregardstothescenarioofaspilloccurringinAugust.TheDraftEISshouldnotethattherearestillsilversalmoncommercialandsubsistencefisheriesoccurringinJulyandAugustandrevisetheVesselOperationsOilDischargePreventionandContingencyPlanaccordingly.
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SUB9 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzetheimpactsoftheacidrockdrainagetosubsistenceresources.Commentersexpressedconcernduringscopingaboutthereleaseofacidrockminedrainageandmetalleachingofpollutants,suchasmercury,arsenic,andcyanideintoadjacentwetlandsandwaterbodiescouldaffecttraditionalculturalpracticesincludinghunting;fishingandgatheringofsubsistencefoodsanddrinkingwatersourcesrelieduponbythelocalnativecommunities.TheDraftEISshouldidentifymeasurestoreduceand/orcapturerunoffofacidrockandmetalsleachingintoadjacentsurfaceandgroundwater.
Onecommenternotedconcernaboutthewastetailingspondandthechemicalsthatitwouldcontain.Thepondwouldbeapermanentdangerafterthemineisclosed.Ifsomethinghappenedtothewastetailingspond,theentireKuskokwimRivercouldbeaffected.Salmonareamajorsubsistencefoodsourceformorethan15,000residentsintheareasandthattherisktosalmonwouldoutweightheeconomicimpactoftheproposedmine.
SUB10 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzepotentialbeneficialimpactstosubsistenceascashincomeearnedfromjobscreatedbytheproposedminecouldinturncontributetomoreproductivesubsistenceactivitiesandsuccessrates.Cashincomecouldbeavailabletofundtheboats,motors,fuel,andnetsnecessarytomaintainsubsistenceactivities.TheDraftEISshouldevaluatethepotentialeconomicbenefitsfortheregioninregardstoprotectingsubsistencelifestylesandresultingimprovementstoqualityoflife.
SUB11 TheDraftEISshouldevaluateconcernsthat:
• Theproposedprojectmaydestroycriticalhabitatthatisnecessarytosustainlocalresidents’abilitytohuntandfeedthemselves;
• Thepotentialtodriveawayanimalsandresourcesthatareneededtosurvive;
• Contaminationofsubsistenceresourcesbyairbornemercury;
• Accesstotheregionwillbeeasierandcompetitionforresourceswithoutsiderswillincrease;and
• Potentialtobedetrimentalanddisruptivetothesubsistencelifestyle.
SUB12 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzepotentialincreasedmarinetrafficalongthecoastandintheKuskokwimRiver.Impactstomarinemammals,waterfowl,andfishthataresubsistenceresourcesharvestatcoastalvillagesshouldbeanalyzedintheDraftEIS.
SUB13 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzedirectandindirecteffectsoftheproposedactionandalternatives.TheDraftEISshouldalsoconsiderotherrelevantconnectedactionsandensuretheyareanalyzedinregardstoimpactstosubsistence.
SUB14 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzeindirectprojecteffectsonYukonDeltaNationalWildlifeRefugesubsistenceresourcesanduses.SubsistencehuntersthatresidewithintheRefugeboundaryhaveCustomaryandTraditionalUseDeterminationstatusundertheFederalhuntingregulationsfortheminingarea,soeffectsintheprojectareamayalsoaffectthesesubsistencehunters.Berrypickingandotherplantharvestisalsoacriticalpartofsubsistenceuseinthisregion.AdecreaseinhuntingandgatheringopportunitiesintheproposedprojectareamayresultinacompensatoryincreaseinhuntingandothersubsistenceactivitieswithintheRefuge.
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SUB15 CommentersnotedthatAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamehasaccumulatedabroadrangeofsubsistence‐relateddatathatshouldbeusedinthesubsistenceanalysisoftheDraftEIS.DonlinGoldnotedthatthatduringexplorationactivitiesthatextendbackto1995,theywereunawareofconflictswithsubsistenceusesoruserswithintheproposedminingareaandthatberrypicking,moosehunting,andtrappingareknowntooccuroutsidetheproposedminearea.
SUB16 TheDraftEISshouldallowadequatetimeandinvolvementfortheBLMSubsistenceCoordinatortoconducthearingsintheaffectedcommunities,andtowritetheDraftEISandFinalEISversionsoftheANILCA§810analysis.
SUB17 ItwasnotedduringscopingthatDonlinGoldhasproposeddevelopmentofaSubsistenceUsersPlanofCooperationbetweenDonlinGoldandlocalsubsistenceusers.Thisplanshoulddescribesubsistenceharvestanduses,workschedules,andmitigationmeasures.
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TRADITIONAL CULTURE AND WAY OF LIFE (TWL)
Commentsrelatedtopotentialculturalimpacts(andvalues)ordesiretomaintaintraditionalpractices.Languages,traditionallanduseareas(culturalcontinuity),andTraditionalEcologicalKnowledgeandWisdom(TEKW).
Category Code Description
TWL1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldfullydisclosethepotentialdirect,indirect,andcumulativeimpactsofproject‐relatedactivitiesonlocalAlaskaNativetraditionalwaysoflife.Residentsexpressedconcernfortheircultureandenvironment,whichhavealreadychangedfromwhattheywerehistorically,andthismayaffecttheabilitytopassvaluesontofuturegenerations.Stronglocalknowledgeoftheenvironmentintheareacouldpotentiallybelostaswell.Itisdifficulttoplaceavalueonsuchlosses.TheDraftEISshouldanalyzehowtheprojectcouldgoforwardwhileprotectingtheenvironmentandtradition.Residentsexpressedsentimentthatthedamagestotheenvironmentandtraditionalwayoflifeoutweighanyfinancialbenefitsthecorporationwouldincurfromthemine.
TWL2 TheDraftEISshouldidentifyhowtheprojectwouldlimitaccesstotraditionaluseareas.Thereshouldbeanalysisonthoseimpactstolocalcommunities.
TWL3 TheDraftEISshouldidentifywherethetraditionaluseareasareforsubsistenceactivities,cabins,andcampsanddiscusshowvariousprojectcomponentswouldaffectthem.
TWL4 AlaskaNativeleadersandcommunitiesmusthaveadequatenoticeandtimetoformulateresponsestothisproposedproject,becauseitcouldpresentachangeandchallengeawayoflifethathasalreadybeenthreatenedbyoutsideinfluencessuchasthechangingclimate.
TWL5 TheDraftEISshouldconsiderthattheterm“conservation”hasdifferentmeaningsamongdifferentusergroupswhichcausemisunderstanding.Forexample,mineraldevelopmentcompaniesmayworkhardtounderstandandconducttheirworkwithrespecttowildthingsandwildplaces,buttheirviewisdifferentfromthosewhoselifestylesandlivelihoodsaredependentupongathering,huntingandfishing.Minedevelopmentandexplorationworkers’education,jobresponsibilityandfocuswilldifferfrompeoplewhosebasisofconservationis“closertotheearth”.
TWL6 TheDraftEISshouldprovideabigpicture(orlong‐termperspective)ofculturechange.Whogetstodecidewhethertheviewsofeldersareanelementoftheproject?Whatiftheirviewsareleftbehind?
TWL7 TEKWshouldbestudiedandincorporatedintotheDraftEIS.Thereareover60AlaskaNativecommunitieswhomaybeaffectedbythisproposedproject.Individualtribalmembersengageintraditionalsubsistenceactivitiesandhaveknowledgeandexperiencewiththeirland,wildlife,wetlands,fish,birds,plants,andotherresourcesoftheregion.TEKW,incoordinationwithempiricalscientificdata,shouldbeusedtodevelopandevaluatealternatives,assessenvironmentalandhumanhealthimpacts,andidentifymitigationmeasures.Theidentification,inclusion,andintegrationofTEKWintotheDraftEISanalysiswouldresultinamorerobustagencydecisionmakingdocument.Thecooperatingagencies,includingtheEPA,theStateofAlaska(DepartmentofFishandGame,SubsistenceDivision),thecooperatingtribalgovernments,andthe
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KuskokwimRiverWatershedCouncilcouldpotentiallyprovide expertisefordevelopingtheTEKWstudies.Additionally,throughgovernment‐to‐governmentconsultation,tribescanhelpdesignanappropriatestudy.
RecommendationsforTEKWstudiesproposedduringscopingincludedcoordinatingwiththecommunitiesintheregiontoidentify:
• Specialhabitatareas;
• Migrationcorridorsandseasonalpatterns;
• Currentandhistoricaltraditionalandculturaluses;
• Timelinesandschedulesforsubsistence,hunting,fishing,harvesting,trapping,recreation,etc.;
• Localwayoflife;and
• WorkingwiththecommunitiestodocumentandincorporateTEKWintotheDraftEIS.
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TRANSPORTATION (TRAN)
Impactstotransportationsystems,includingairports,roads,rivers,andtrails,asaresultoftheproject.ImpactstoexistingbargetrafficontheKuskokwimRiver.Impactsofproject‐relatedbargetrafficonotherresourcesarenotedundermanyissuecategories,includingCulturalResources(CUL),Hydrology(HYD),Fish(FISH),andWildlife(WILD).
Category Code Description
TRAN1 Theproposedwidthofthepathforthepipelinerouteforconstruction,operation,andmaintenancewouldcreateawideROWandpotentiallyincreasetrailtrafficinthearea.TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldevaluateifthisnewROWcouldleadtoanincreaseinORVtraffic(e.g.four‐wheelers,Argos,snowmachines)throughareasthatarecurrentlyusedforsubsistence,recreationalhunting,trapping,andguiding.
TRAN2 TheDraftEISshouldevaluateanddeterminetheimpactstoexistingairports.SpecificallytheDraftEISshould:
• DeterminetheimpactofincreasedairtrafficthatmayoccuratAkiakAirport;and
• ConsidertheuseoftheexistingpublicairstripatPuntillaLakeinsteadofconstructingtheproposedairstripatMP106‐107alongtheproposedpipelineroute.TheMP106airstripcouldimpacttheIditarodTrailatbothUpperHappyRiverandthroughRainyPass.
TRAN3 TheproposedprojectuseoftugandbargetransportationforcargoandfuelontheKuskokwimRivermayresultinnavigationchallenges,increasedboattraffic,anduserconflictswithexistingtransportationandactivitiesofmultipleusergroups.SubsistenceandcommercialfishingactivitiesontheKuskokwimRiverincludestheuseofboats,setanddriftgillnets,seines,fishwheels,longlines,anddipnets,whichmayresultinconflictswithtugandbargetransportation.TheDraftEISshouldevaluatethepotentialimpactsresultingfromnavigationalchallenges,traffic,anduserconflictsontheKuskokwimRiver.TheDraftEISshouldevaluatetherealityofthetransportationplan;howtheincreaseofbargetrafficcoulddisruptschedules,localaccessandlocalboaters.
TRAN4 TheDraftEISshoulddescribethelongrangeplansfortheproposedprojectairstripsinregardstohowtheywouldbemaintainedaspartoftheregionaltransportationinfrastructure,particularlyforuseforemergencyaccess.TheDraftEISshoulddescribereclamationplansofanyofthenewairstripsconstructedforpipelineconstructionpurposes.Inaddition,theDraftEISshouldexplainandjustifythenon‐useofexistingairports,particularlyatSkwentna.
TRAN5 Amarinevesselandtransportationplanshouldbedevelopedtoaddressbargetrafficanddeliveryofmaterials.ThedeliveryofpipeandotherheavyconstructionmaterialstothePortofAnchoragewouldtemporarilyincreasemarinetrafficatthatportduringtheconstructionphaseofthepipeline.
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VEGETATION (VEG)
Commentsrelatedtoconcernsaboutvegetationandpotentialfordisturbancefromprojectcomponents.Includesconcernsaboutinvasiveplantspecies.
Category Code Description
VEG1 Commentersexpressedconcernduringscopingabouttheeffectofinvasivespeciesonvegetation.Commenterssuggestthataninvasivenon‐indigenousplantstudybeconductedbothpre‐andpost‐projectconstruction.TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldaddress:
• Theriskandpotentialeffectofintroducinginvasiveplantsfromthebargeballastwater,suchasbacteria,Elodea.spthatchokesuprivers,algaethatcausesredtide,snailsandcrabsthateatsalmoneggs,anddidymo(Didymospheniageminata)thatsticksonthebottomoftheriversandpreventssalmonfromlayingtheireggsonit.TheDraftEISshoulddescribehowtheballastwaterinthebargeswouldberegulated.
• Howthepotentialriskofinvasivespecieswouldbemanagedwithaninvasivespeciesmanagementplan.Theplanshouldbeexplainedandevaluated.Theremainingpotentialeffectsonvegetationshouldbedescribed.
VEG2 Commentersareconcernedabouttheeffectofremovingvegetationprimarilyduringconstruction.TheDraftEISshouldaddress:
• Thetypeofequipmentthatwouldbeusedtobuildthepipeline;
• Theeffectofremovingvegetationonsoilandsurroundingvegetation;
• Theeffectsofremovingwoody(spruce)vegetationcomparedtoremovingopentundra,describewhichwouldhavelongerlastingeffects;
• Theestimatedtimeframefordisturbedvegetationtogrowback,andthemethodsusedforthatdetermination,especiallywithclimatechange;
• ThepurposeforclearingtheproposedpermanentROWofshrubsapproximatelyevery10yearsorasrequired.Commenterrecommendsavoidingvegetationremovalinordertominimizevisualimpacts;
• Thedefinitionofwhatisconsideredtemporaryclearing;and
• Thedepthofanyplannedscarification.Commenterrecommendsanyscarificationbeveryshallowtoavoidbringingparentmaterialuptothesurface.
VEG3 TheDraftEISshouldaddresshowfugitivedustwouldaffectlocalvegetation.Analyzetheeffectofwindblowndustfromtrenchingandbackfillworkonthevegetationbeneathiceroadsandpads.Describeanywinderosionanddustcontrolmeasures.
VEG4 TheDraftEISshouldaddresstheeffectonvegetationintheentireprojectarea,notjustattheminesiteandpipelinecorridor,especiallyimpactstoberrieslocatedintheprevailingwindpath,sincetheyareanimportantsubsistencefood.
VEG5 Commentersexpressedconcernduringscopingandmaderecommendationsabouttherestorationandreclamationofdisturbedareasafterprojectconstructionandduringmineclosureactivities.TheDraftEISshouldaddressthefollowingquestionsandrecommendations:
• HowthepipelineROWwouldbereclaimed;
• TheapprovingagencyfortheStabilization,RehabilitationandReclamationPlanandtheErosionandSedimentationControlPlan;
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• Howthepipestorageyards/materialstockpilingsiteswouldbereclaimed;
• Howthebanksatstreamcrossingsiteswouldbereclaimed;
• Usenativeplantsandgrassesforrestorationandreclamation;
• AllvegetationrestorationactivitiesshouldincorporateAlaskaStateCertifiedWeedFreeproductssuchasseedmix,revegetationplants,mulchproducts,etc.Monitoringandmitigationfornon‐nativeinvasivespeciesshouldbeongoingforthelifeoftheproject.RevegetationshouldalsoincorporateseedsourcesfromtheBLMSeedsofSuccessprogram(contactEricGeisleratBLMAlaskaStateOffice,[email protected],271‐1985);
• Naturalrevegetation(notre‐invasion)isthebestoptionwhereverthereisnotastrongreasonforassistedrevegetationbecauseitdoesnotinterferewithnaturalprocessesandplantcommunitiesanddoesnotriskalteringthegenepool.Twoeffectivewaystopromotenaturalrevegetationaretosalvageandreplacetopsoilandtoripcompactedsitestoadepthof20‐50cm;
• TheNativePlantRevegetationManualforDenaliNationalParkandPreserveshouldbeusedasarevegetationreferenceaswell;
• BMPsrelativetoinvasivespeciesmanagementshouldbeincorporatedintoallofthereclamationasnon‐nativeinvasivespeciestendtoshowupatareasofdisturbanceanderosion;
• Stockpileoverburdenforspreadingonthereclaimedareastoimprovesoilandfacilitatenaturalvegetationproduction;and
• Forthestreambankrestoration,keepingtheriparianvegetationintactwouldaidintherestorationsignificantly.Usinganexcavatortograbentireriparianvegetationforstockpiling,keepingitintactasmuchaspossible,andusingitagaininthesameareatorestoretheseareaswouldsignificantlyimprovetherestorationprocessandtimeneededtorepairtheseriparianareas.
VEG6 OnecommenterrecommendedthattheCorpsconsultwiththeU.S.ForestServiceandtheAlaskaRegionStateandPrivateForestryProgramaboutbarkbeetlethreats/causes/infestations,andhandlingoftimber.Informationcanbeobtainedfrom:www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r10/forest‐grasslandhealthBarkBeetlesandbycallingtheAKS&PFat907‐743‐9455inAnchorage.TrishWurtz,907‐451‐[email protected];LoriWinton743‐[email protected],andJohnLundquist743‐[email protected].
VEG7 TheDraftEISshouldconsiderthatorganicsoilsorhotbogscreateheatfromorganicdecompositionandtakelongertofreezemaychangetheorganicdecompositionrateinthefuture.
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VISUAL RESOURCES (VIS)
Impactstovisualresourcesfromtheminesite,alongriversystems,andinthepipelinecorridorfromprojectcomponentsandphases.
Category Code Description
VIS1 Fortheprojectarea,includingtheproposedprojectminesiteandpipelineroute,theDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldevaluatetheimpactstovisualresourceswiththepotentialtodiminishthevisualexperienceofvisitorsandlocalresidents.Theprojectwouldresultinavisiblefootprintanddisrupttheviewshedinalargelyundevelopedarea.Impactstovisualresourcescouldresultfromtheprojectfeatures,includingthevisualpresenceofanopenpitminesite,lightpollutionfrommineinfrastructureandfacilities,andtheclearedROWpathofthepipeline.
VIS2 TheDraftEISshouldconsidervisualimpactsandalternativestotheproposedpipelineroute,plannedairstrips,gravelpitsources,storageareas,andmancamps.Alternativesitesthatcouldminimizevisualimpactstotheviewshed,especiallynearestablishedguidecamps,shouldbeexamined.Thecurrentproposedpipelinerouteandareasselectedforstaginganddevelopmentwouldbeproximatetoseveralcampsandcouldhaveadversevisualeffectsontheviewshedforvisitorsandclientsofprofessionalguides.ItwasreportedduringthescopingperiodthattheSilvertipCamp,whichhasoperatedalongKhuchaynikCreekneartheWindyForkoftheKuskokwimRiverforoverthirtyyears,provideshuntingguideswithanunspoiledviewshed,visitorservices,andisasourceofemploymenttolocalresidentsofnearbyNikolai.
VIS3 TheproposedpipelineshouldbeanalyzedforimpactsonvisualresourcesbyusingtheVisualContrastRatingSystemasdescribedinBLMManual8431‐VisualResourceContrastRating.Thisanalysiswoulddetermineifthepotentialvisualimpactsfromtheproposedsurface‐disturbingactivitiesordevelopmentwouldmeetVisualResourceManagement(VRM)InventoryClassmanagementobjectivesassignedforthearea,orwhetherdesignadjustmentswouldberequired.EnvironmentalfactorstobeconsideredfortheproposedpipelineprojectareaVRMclassesinclude:viewingdistance,angleofobservation,lengthoftimeinview,relativesizeorscale,seasonofuse,lightconditions,recoverytime,spatialrelationships,atmosphericconditions,andmotion.Thisanalysiswouldenhancefuturedesigntechniques,minimizeimpactsuponvisualresourcesandhelptomeetVRMclassobjectives.
InparticularviewshedimpactanalysisshouldincludedigitalphotomodelingofimpactstotheINHTbothfromtheairandtheground.ScopingcommentsnotedthattheAnchoragetoRainyPassflightcorridorreceivesfrequentdailyusebothbyscheduledcommercialaircarriers,andspecialchartersforhunters,fishers,flightseers,andIditarodTraileventfollowers.Viewshedmodelingshouldincludescalemodelingofviewshedsduringwintermonthswhenthelinearcorridorclearingisespeciallynoticeable,andalsotakeintoaccountlocalizedsnowfallpatternsthatmayaccentuateorhidetheclearedpipelinecorridor.
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VIS4 VRMBestManagementPractices(BMPs)mustbedisclosedanddiscussed.BMPsarenecessaryandappropriatetorecommendwherefuturelandandresourceuseanddevelopmentoccurs,inordertopreventunnecessarydegradationofvisualresourcesandtomeetVRMclassobjectives.BMPstobeconsideredfortheeventualBeringSea‐WesternInteriorResourceManagementPlanincludethefollowingtotheextentpracticable:
• Allpermanentfacilitieswouldbelocatedawayfromroadsides,rivers,ortrails,therebyusingdistancetoreducethefacilities’visualimpact;
• Accessroadsandpermanentfacilitieswouldbedesignedtominimizevegetationclearinganduselandformstoscreenroadsandfacilities;
• Permanentfacilitieswouldbedesignedtobescreenedbehindtreesorlandformsiffeasiblesotheywouldblendwiththenaturalsurroundings;
• Modificationordisturbanceoflandformsandvegetativecoverwouldbeminimized;
• Permanentfacilitieswouldbedesignedsotheirshapes,sizes,andcolorsharmonizewiththescaleandcharacterofthesurroundinglandscape;and
• Inopen,exposedlandscapes,developmentwouldbelocatedintheoppositedirectionfromtheprimaryscenicviews,iffeasible.
VIS5 TheDraftEISshouldconsiderusingthefollowingBMPsforearthwork,vegetation,andstructures:
• Avoidhaulingexcessearthcutorfill,utilizecurvilinearortopographicalsloping,retainexistingrockandvegetationformationswheneverpossible,irregularrockcuttechniques,andprohibitdumpingorsloughingofmaterialdownslope.
• Retainasmuchexistingvegetationaspossible,usevegetationtoscreendevelopmentfromview,scallopedandirregularedgingversusstraightlines,andfeatherandthinedgesofclearedareas.
• Repeatline,form,color,andtexture.Minimizethenumberofstructures,useearth‐tonecolors,useself‐weatheringmaterials,usenaturalstone,buryallorpartofthestructure,usepaintfinisheswithlowreflectivity,employnativebuildingmaterials,andusenaturally‐appearingformstocomplementlandscapecharacter.
• Avoidcolorsthatcausethemostcontrast,choosecolorstwotothreeshadesdarkerthanbackgroundcolors,achievebestblendingwithsurroundinglandscapeinallseasons,galvanizedsteelonutilitystructuresshouldbedarkenedtopreventglare,andcolor(hue)ismosteffectivewithin1,000feet.
VIS6 CommentsreceivedfromBLMduringthescopingperiodindicatedthatinconjunctionwiththeBeringSeaWesternInteriorResourceManagementPlan,BLMwillbeginformalVRMinventoriesinsummer2013,whichwouldincludetheproposedpipelinearea.Theagencynotedthatcurrently,noBLMvisualresourcemanagementinventorieshavebeencompletedfortheplanningarea.SpecificallyinregardtotheproposedprojectBLMrequestedthatBLMstaffbegivenaccesstotheGPS‐linkedvideographicimageryoftheproposedpipelineroutefromalowaltitudethatisidentifiedwithinthecurrentPlanofDevelopment.Thisdatawouldhelptobetterevaluateanddefinegeneralvisualmanagementclassesandassociatedmanagementprescriptionsoftheareainvolvingtheproposedpipelineroute.
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Category Code Description
VIS7 BLMsuggestsminimizingvisualimpactsbyincorporatingthroughmitigationintheDraftEISthefollowing:Exposed(aboveground)facilitiesshouldbecoloredwithmatte‐finish(lowlevelsofreflectivity)earth‐tonepaintsthatblendintothenaturallandscapeateachlocationduringthemonthsofJune,July,andAugust(summercolors);andattheabovegroundsectionsofthepipeline,appurtenances,ancillaryequipment,andassociatedvalvesatthe15remotemainlineblockvalvelocations(abovegroundblockvalves).BLMrecommendsthatDonlinGoldworkwithcontractorsandsubcontractorsearlyintheplanningprocessinordertocommunicatepreferredfinishcolorsofallabovegroundfacilities,especiallywhenconstructedoff‐site.BLMalsonotedthatproposedfencingandslidinggatesatfacilitiesandvalvesitesshouldbethesamecolorofthenaturallandscape(e.g.,brownorgreenplasticcoatedchainlink).
VIS8 BLMsuggeststhattheDraftEISconsiderthatonalong‐termbasis,disturbancecausedbyconstructionwouldbevisibleforvaryinglengthsoftime.TheDraftEISshouldprovideestimatesofthislengthoftimeandidentifytheareaswherelong‐termdisturbanceissuchasinwetlandsandpermafrostareas.InparticulartheDraftEISshoulddefinelong‐termas100yearsto1000yearsinconsiderationthatIditarodTrailscarsareevidentinareas100yearsafteruse.Itislikelythattheproposedprojectcoulddegradethevisualexperienceforatleasttheoperationalphaseofthepipeline,duetoROWclearingevery10yearsandsummerORVuse.AfterdecommissioninganotheronetotwodecadeswouldbenecessaryforaldertorevegetatetheoperationalROW,whichwouldthenbevisiblefortheremainderofthe21stcenturyasevidencedbyalder‐chokedcorridorsthatwerecreatedbytheU.S.ArmyduringoverlandmilitarymaneuversinChugachMountainsubalpineecosystems.Thevegetationinthesemilitaryoperatingareasisverysimilartothatoftherouteoftheproposedpipeline,andthetravelwaysoftheheavyequipmentarestillveryevidenttoday,even50yearsaftertheywerecreated.
VIS9 TheDraftEISshouldidentifyallpossiblealternativealignmentsfirst,andthenselectthemostfeasiblefortheproposedproject.Thiscouldbeaccomplishedby:
• Usingtopographytohidemanmadechanges;
• Analyzingsoilstability;
• Determiningare‐vegetationplan;
• Evaluatinghydrologicconditionanderosionpotential;
• Usingcurvilinearlandscaperouteselection;
• Avoidingfall‐linecutsandbisectionridgetops;avoidingvalleybottoms;and
• Byhuggingvegetationlines.
Designfeaturesshouldconsiderfollowingnaturaltopographyinordertohidethemanmadefeatures.Inparticularthisshouldhappenwithrespecttotheproposedlinear(straight)alignmentsofthepipeline,onornearprominenttopographicfeaturesviewedbyoverheadaircraft(e.g.,EgyptMountain).
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WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY (WAQ)
Commentsandconcernsregardingimpactstowaterqualityandquantityfromconstructionandoperation.Pitwaterandtailingdammanagement.Waterbudgetforthemineduringoperations.Erosion,turbidity,temperaturechanges,bargetrafficconcernscausingchangesinrivererosionandturbidity.
Category Code Description
WAQ1 Thepredictionofwaterqualityimpactsatminesitesisnotanexactscienceandvariesfromminetomine.Ithasbeenpracticedforover30yearsandyetmanymethodsandmodelsusedtopredictwaterqualityathardrockminesiteshavetheirlimitations.Concernswereexpressedduringscopingregardingpotentialwaterqualityimpactstohumanhealthasaconsequenceoftailingsrunoffduetounpredictedsnowmeltandrain;heapanddumpleachmaterialrunoffduetounpredictedsnowmeltandrain;aciddrainagerunoffinfiltrationthroughsoilovertime;lowgradeorstockpilesandwasterockrunoffinfiltrationthroughtime;contaminatedsurfacewaterdischarge;andpitlakerunoff.
WAQ2 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldanalyzethepotentialeffectsonwaterqualityfromprojectdischargesinlightofpredictedlowerlevelsofwaterintheKuskokwimRiverandthechangingwatercyclesthatwouldoccuroverthelifeofthemine.AgoodshareofthedischargeintotheKuskokwimRiverisderivedfromglaciermeltandrunoffintheheadwaters.Therehavebeenlowwaterlevelsinrecentyears.Localresidentsnotedduringscopingthattheybelievethisisduetoglaciersdrying‐upandthatwaterispercolatingthroughthetundra.Overthelifeoftheproject,localresidentsareconcernedthatthattheymayseeabigchangeinglaciersandglacialdischargetotheriver.
WAQ3 Theminesitewaterbalanceshouldbeestimatedforeachphaseoftheminedevelopment(e.g.,pre‐operation/pre‐production,construction,operations,closure,reclamationperiods,andpost‐closure).Commentersexpressedconcernthatthereisatendencyinminingtounderestimatewateruseandwasteduringthepre‐operationandpre‐productionphase.
TheDraftEISshouldtakeintoconsiderationtherecordsofminesinAlaskaandperhapselsewhereonwhetherproposedminesareunderestimatingoroverestimatingwhatisneededformineoperationsinordertogetabetterestimateoftheaccuracyofwhatisproposedduringplanninganddevelopmentstages.Theminesitewaterbalanceshouldcoverarangeofhydrologicalconditions(extremeandaverage)andpotentialvariationsordisruptionsinprocessflow(e.g.,temporarysuspensionofoperationsaswellasclosure).TheminesitewaterbalanceshouldbedescribedindetailintheDraftEIS,andshould:
• Identifythelocationofmeteorologicalstationsandwatermonitoringstations(includingrainwatercollection),lengthofmonitoringanddatacollection;
• Estimatepeakfloodflows,precipitation,anddurationandintensityofstormeventsonaseasonalbasis;
• Characterizeallpotentialwatersources(e.g.,surfacewater,groundwater,snow,precipitation,runoff).Ithasbeenobservedthatwaterquantityinthe[project]regionisalreadygoingdown[andbycomparisonthecommentersaidthat:];abouthalfofthepondsintheArcticnowarenotpondsanymore.Thereshouldbeanunderstandingofcurrentwaterlevelstobettercharacterizewhatcouldoccurinthelong‐term;
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• Estimatetheamountofwaterneededfromeachsource;
• Specifythevolumeofwaterneededforconstructionandoperationoftheminefacility;
• Estimatechangesinwaterflowpatternsforsurfacedrainagemodifications,groundwateraquiferdewatering,surfacewaterdewatering,wateruse,waterstorageanddischarge,andfordifferentseasons;
• Provideadetailedwaterbalanceevaluationattheproposedminefacilitiesduringthefulllifecycle–waterflowpatternsforsurfacewater,wateruse,landapplicationanddischargesystems,pondstorageanddischarge,seasonalchangesduringsteadystateandpeakflowconditions;
• Provideadetailedschematicdiagramdepictingthewaterbalancechangesthroughouttheminelifecycle‐construction,startup,operations,closure,reclamationandpost‐closureandmonitoring;and
• Ifwaterwouldberecycled,theDraftEISshouldevaluatethequantityanddeterminewheretheunusablewaterwouldbestored.
WAQ4 WaterisessentialtotheeverydaysurvivaloftheAthabascanandYup’ikpeople.Waterprovidesandsustainslife.Waterisavaluableresourcethatcancostmorethanoilinsomeplaces.Localresidentsdrinkwaterfromthecreeksandusewaterfromthecreeksforwashingandcleaning.Thefollowingareconcernsregardingreducedwaterquantityraisedduringscoping:
• HowdoestheVillageofCrookedCreekmakesureithasenoughwateravailableforitsneeds?WhatifthereisnotenoughforCrookedCreektouse?Howcanwemakesurewehaveenoughwaterforourcommunity?
• SupposedlythewaterisownedbytheStateofAlaska,notprivatelyowned.Commenterssuggestedachargebeappliedforallwaterdivertedfromtheriver.
• ReducingwaterflowcouldnegativelyaffectwatertemperaturesthroughoutvariousstretchesofCrookedCreek(i.e.warmerinsummerandcolderinwinter)whichwouldaffectaquaticresources.
WAQ5 TheDraftEISshouldaddressthequantityandimpactsofnewbargetrafficwaterandsewagedumping.Therearethreeorfourbargelinesintheriveralreadythatdumpwastewaterandsewagedirectlyintotheriver.Theproposedminingcampshouldhaveseptictanksandthebargesshouldtransferwastetoproper,land‐basedfacilities.ThereshouldbenonewdischargesintotheKuskokwimRiver.
WAQ6 Therewouldbebothshort‐andlong‐termimpactstowaterqualityresultingfromtheminesitewaterimpoundmentsandopenpitminingactivities.Waterchemistry,quality,andpossiblyquantitywouldbeaffectedbytheuseofcyanide,multiplepetroleumproducts,anderosionfromheavyequipmentoperation.Thereisapotentialformetalreleaseandacidgenerationfromwasterock,tailings,andpitwalls.Alargeopenpitanddewateringwouldhaveimpactstonearbystreamsandlakes.TheproposedprojectshouldhaveaMineWasteManagementPlan,monitoredbythefederalagencies,thatincludeschangesingroundwaterchemistryfromdewateringandminingrelatedcauses.Thereshouldbedetailedhydrogeochemicalmodelsformanagingwaterquality.
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Category Code Description
WAQ7 TheDraftEISshouldexaminethepotentialrisksandimpactsofthesubstantialvolumesofwastewaterproducedbytheproposedmine.Duringtherainyseason(whenfallrainscanlastanentiremonth)orhighprecipitationyears(includingsnowmelt),localresidentsareconcernedthatthewastetailingspitwouldfillup.TheDraftEISshouldaddresstheneedforaback‐uppittopumpwaterinto.Residentswereconcernedaboutthehighriskofeventualleaksoroverflowsintocreeksandwaterways.Concernwasexpressedduringscopingthatthiscontaminationwouldnotstaylocalizedandwouldmigrateandcontaminatefish‐producingstreamsandnearbywetlands.
WAQ8 Residentsexpressedconcernduringscopingthattheyfeltthattheproposedmineshouldstopoperationifitcannotpasswaterandairqualitystandards.Twoofthestate'slarge‐scalemineshaveexceededtheirEPAwaterqualitystandardsnumeroustimesandstillcontinuedtooperatebypayingfines.
WAQ9 TheKuskokwimRegionalreadysuffersfromdegradedwaterqualityduetomultiplecausesincludingwastewaterremovalandtheabandonedRedDevilMine.TheCleanWaterAct§303(d)requiresstatestoidentifywaterbodiesthatdonotmeetwaterqualitystandardsandtodevelopwaterqualityrestorationplanstomeetestablishedwaterqualitycriteriaandassociatedbeneficialuses.ThelistofAlaska’simpairedwaters(2010)canbeobtainedonlineat:http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/wqsar/Docs/2010impairedwaters.pdf.
ImpairedwaterbodieslistedintheprojectareaincludetheKuskokwimRiverandtheRedDevilCreek(attheconfluenceofthetworivers),whicharebothCategory5andtherefore,requirethedevelopmentofaTotalMaximumDailyLoad.TheKuskokwimRiver(AKIDNo.30501‐002)andtheRedDevilCreek(AKIDNo.30501‐002)arelistedforexceedingwaterqualitystandardsforantimony,arsenic,andmercuryassociatedwithminingactivities,includingtheRedDevilMine.TheDraftEISshouldevaluatethedirect,indirect,andcumulativeimpactsonanyimpairedwaterbodiesintheprojectarea.
Recommendationsprovidedinscopingcommentsincluded:
• IdentifyandevaluateimpactstoanylistedimpairedwaterbodiesinandadjacenttotheprojectareathatareonthecurrentEPAapproved§303(d)list.Specifythepollutant(s),source(s)andthewaterqualitystandard(s)exceededthatwasthebasisforitslisting.Identifywhetherawaterbodyrecoveryplanand/oraTotalMaximumDailyLoadhasbeendevelopedand/orimplemented;
• Describeanyenhancementeffortsforthoseimpairedwaters,andhowtheproposedprojectwouldcoordinatewithon‐goingprotectionefforts,ifany;
• Identifymitigationmeasurestominimizefurtherdegradationofimpairedwatersintheprojectarea;and
• Identifythemonitoringeffortstoensurethatmitigationmeasuresareeffectiveinachievingwaterqualitystandards.
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Category Code Description
WAQ10 ResidentsexpressedconcernduringscopingthattheremotenessoftheKuskokwimRiverandthelackofbaselinewaterqualitydatashouldnotserveasthegreenlighttofurtherimpactthesecommunities.TheproposedDonlinGoldProjectwouldprovidenumerousemploymentopportunitiesneededintheKuskokwim,butlocalresidentsremarkedduringscopingthattheymustaskthemselveswhatcosttheyarewillingtopayforthisbenefit.Thebenefitsforthisprojectwouldbefeltintheshorttermbutthecostsofsignificantlydegradedwaterqualitycouldbeenduredformanyyearstocome.Wastewaterpollutioncouldcontributetoecosystemandwildlifedamageandhumanhealthimpacts.ThecreationofanaturalgaspipelinethroughtheproposedareawouldcutthroughthelandthatthesestreamscrosstofeedtheKuskokwimRiverandcouldaffectdrinkingwater.
WAQ11 Theproposedprojectmaycontributeadversedirect,indirect,andcumulativeimpactstowaterqualityintheregion.Waterqualityimpactstowetlands,rivers,streams,lakesandothersurfacewaterscouldresultfromstormwaterdischargesfromconstruction,operation,andreclamationandclosureofthemineandcampfacilities,theaccessroad,thepipeline,andothersupportfacilities.Accidentalreleasesoffuelandchemicalsintoadjacentwaterbodiescouldalsobeasourceofwaterqualitypollution.TheDraftEISshouldincludeaframeworkforcomparingthebaselinewaterqualitytothewaterqualitymonitoredduringconstructionandoperationsoftheproposedproject.Recommendationsforbaselinewaterqualityinformationinclude:
Collectbaselinewaterqualityinformationintheprojectarea.Identifytheperiodofrecordofthecollectedwaterqualitydata.Listthewaterqualityparametersforwhichdatahasbeencollected(ifcertainparametershavebeendropped,specifythebasis);
• ScopingdocumentscategorizesurfacewatersasdrainingBackground1(undisturbed,unmineralized),Background2(undisturbed,mineralized),orBaseline(disturbedormineralized)areas.Thiswasnotedtobehelpfulbutthenprovidesonlyaveragesforwaterqualityparameters.Mineralizedandnon‐mineralizedsitesareexpectedtohavedifferentwaterquality,andwaterqualitychangesseasonally.TheDraftEISshouldprovideasectionorappendixthatlistsallthesurfacewaterandgroundwaterqualitydataforeverysite,byeverydateforthereadertounderstandtherangeofwaterquality,changesbyseason,andthenumberofsamplesateachsite;
• QualityAssuranceandQualityControlsshouldbemaintainedatadequatelylowdetectionlevels;
• Includemapsshowingthelocationsandterrainelevationofallpastandpresentdatacollectionstations(explainanythathavebeendroppedorlocationchanged);
• Identifyanddiscussapplicablenationalandstatewaterqualityregulations,standards,andguidance;
• Identifyanddiscussrequiredwastewaterpermits;
• Includeaplotplan/facilitylayoutshowingaffectedwatershedboundarieswithlocationofalldischargepoints,buildings,structures,northarrowandscale;
• Describeproposedwatertreatmentoptionsandalternatives;
• Provideestimatesofthemineeffluentwaterquality–typeofpollutantsandquantities,etc.;
• AdraftAlaskaPollutantDischargeEliminationSystempermitshouldbeincludedasanappendixtotheDraftEIS.Thiswouldbebeneficialforthepublic,localandtribalgovernments,andagencydecision‐makers;and
• Thereshouldbeareferencesectionforthesourcesofassumptions,informationanddata.
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Category Code Description
WAQ12 Theproposedprojectmayimpactpotabledrinkingwatersourcesand/ortheirsourceareasutilizedbythecommunities.Constructionoftheburiednaturalgaspipelinewouldrequiretrenching,excavation,andwaterwithdrawal.Mineconstructionandoperationscouldresultinotherimpactstosourcewaterareas.TheDraftEISshoulddescribepotentialdirect,indirect,andcumulativeimpactstosourcewaterprotectionareasassociatedwiththisproposedproject.RecommendationsfortheDraftEISanalysisinclude:
• Identifyandmapthelocationofknownpublicdrinkingwatersuppliesandtheirsources,surfaceandgroundwater,aquifers,rechargezones,naturalsprings,etc.withintheprojectarea;
• Identifythelocaltraditionaldrinkingwatersources,whichmayincluderainbarrels,meltingiceinthewinter,etc.Discussimpactstothesesourcesfromdustandothercontaminants;
• Identifythelocationofknownwatersupplywellsintheprojectarea.TheAlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResourcesmaintainsawell‐logtrackingsystemdatabasethatprovidesinformationonreportedsourcesofdrinkingwater;
• Identifyprojectconstructionand/oroperationalactivitiesthatcouldpotentiallyimpactknownsourcewaterareas;
• Identifypotentialcontaminantsthatmayaffectknownsourcewatersthroughinfiltration/seepage;
• Distinguishtheeffectsthatanycurrentorhistoricactivities,includingminingactivities,havehadonsourcewatersoftheprojectarea;and
• Identifymitigationmeasuresandmonitoringactivitiestoprotectknownsourcewaterareas.
WAQ13 Numerousrivers,streams,lakes,andwetlandswouldbecrossedfortheconstructionoftheproposednaturalgaspipeline,thegravelaccessroad,andothermine‐relatedfacilities.Differenttypesofwaterbodycrossingconstructionmethodsandtechniqueswouldbeimplemented,includingculverting,bridging,andHDD,andshouldbeconsideredforallwaterbodycrossings.TheDraftEISshouldevaluatetheimpactsassociatedwiththeseconstructionmethods.Otherconsiderationsofwaterbodycrossingsinclude:
• Characterizeallproposedthewaterbodycrossings,andsummarizetheinformationforwidth,depth,streamflow,presence/absenceoffish,fishspecies,etc.;
• Foreachwaterbodycrossing,identifythetypeofconstructionmethods(e.g.opencut–dryorwet,trenching,HDD)and/orstructures(e.g.bridges,culverts)thatwouldbeimplemented;
• Identifymitigationmeasures,suchasmaintainingnodisturbancebuffers,inwatertimingrestrictionsforfishmigrationandspawning,etc.;
• Identifymonitoringprovisionstoensureeffectivenessofmitigationmeasures;
• Siltmitigationtechniquesaroundfishstreams;nephelometricturbidityunitsforstreamsmaynotexceedthestatewaterqualitystandardof5nephelometricturbidityunitsabovebackground;and
• Bothshort‐andlong‐termimpactstowaterqualityresultingfrompipelineinstallationsatwatercrossings.Trenchingbanksandstreambeds,divertingchannels,damming,compactinganddisruptingfloodplains,wouldresultinerosionandincreasedsedimentloads.
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Category Code Description
• TheDraftEISshouldincludewhereculvertsandbridgesassociatedwiththepipelinewouldbeinstalledpermanently,orremovedafterconstruction.Ingeneraluseofculvertsandplacementoffillactivitiesinflowingwaterwaysshouldbeavoided.
WAQ14 Theproposedminefacilityislocatedwithinthetwoadjacentwatersheds–theAmericanandAnacondacreeks.BothcreeksprovidesourcewatertoCrookedCreek,whichdrainsintotheKuskokwimRiver.TheproposedwasterockfacilitywouldpermanentlyaffectAmericanCreek.TheproposedtailingstoragefacilitycouldpermanentlyaffectAnacondaCreek.TheDraftEISshouldevaluatethedirect,indirect,andcumulativeimpactstoAmericanandAnacondacreeks.Thewatershedcharacteristicsofbothdrainagesshouldbeevaluatedindetail.TheDraftEISshouldevaluatetheeffectsofsurfacewaterdischarge,andimpactstoadjacentwetlandsorstreamreachesfromminedewateringactivities.
WAQ15 TheproposedwatermanagementobjectivesfortheproposedDonlinGoldmineshouldbenodischargeofprocesswaterduringoperations;ensuresufficientsupplyofwaterduringoperations;andminimizetheamountofwaterthathastobetreated.TheDraftEISshouldevaluateplans,contingencies,andoptionstoensurethatthesewatermanagementobjectivesareachievedthroughoutthe27yearminelife,aswellasduringmineclosure,reclamation,andlong‐termsitemanagement.
WAQ16 TheDraftEISshouldprovidedetailedinformationregardingtheproposedminesitewatertreatment,andlong‐termtreatmentandmonitoringfortheproposedminefacility.Aneffectivewatertreatmentsystemwouldensurethatimpactstowaterqualityoftheadjacentsurfacewaterandgroundwaterareminimized.TheDraftEISshould:
• Describeindetailthewatertreatmentsystems,typeoffiltrationandremovalsystem–activeorpassive,typeofpollutantstoberemoved.Evaluatetheeffectivenessofthewastewatertreatmentmeasures;
• Provideadetailedschematicdiagramdepictingtreatmentschemesthroughmineconstruction,startup,operations,closure,reclamation,andpost‐closureandmonitoring;
• Discusseffectivenessofthewatertreatmentsystemsduringseasonalandhighflowevents,andduringpitdewatering;
• Identifybackupoptions,asneededtoaddresswatermanagementconcernsthroughouttheminelifecycle.Forexample,duringhighwaterperiods,cantheexcesswaterbemanagedorstoredbeyondthecapacityoftheproposedtreatmentsystem.Inpredictingthewatertreatmentcapacityneeds,doesthisaccountforclimatechangeeffects;
• Provideestimatesofthequantitiesandcompositionofprocesssolutions,tailingswater,runoffwaters,minedrainage,andtreatedeffluentattheproposedoperation;and
• Identifythespecificprotocolsthatwouldbefollowedwithrespecttotreatingand/ordisposingofsewageandgraywatergeneratedbyeachproposedworkcamp.
WAQ17 TheKuskokwimRiverhasa50‐60yearhistoryofminingandcontaminationofmercuryandacidsasnotedbyonecommenter.TheDraftEISshoulddeterminewhethertheYukonRiverregionwouldbeaffectedbytheproposedmineastheYukonRiverhasadifferentmininghistory.
WAQ18 DegradationofthewaterqualityintheKuskokwimRiverisalmostacertaintyduetotheproposedsteadystreamofbargetrafficcarryingmillionsofgallonsoffuelandother
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developmentmaterials(e.g.,massfuelstorageatJungjukCreek).SeveralvillagesbetweenLowerKalskagandBethelgettheirdrinkingwaterdirectlyfromtheriver.TheDraftEISshouldlookdecadesaheadatwhatassurancesthereareforvillagesafedrinkingwater;actualandperceivedsafetyconcerns.
WAQ19 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzethepotentialforwastewatertoenterCrookedCreekandtheKuskokwimRiveraswellasthepreventativemeasures.Residentsexpressedtheirviewthatanythingproducedattheproposedmineshouldnotbedischargedintofreshwater,andcontaminationbywastewatershouldbetheresponsibilityofthemineownersandoperators.
WAQ20 Asanewsource,theproposedDonlinMinewouldbeprohibitedfromdischarginganyprocesswastewatertonavigablewaters,i.e.,watersoftheUnitedStates(40CFR§440.104(b)(1)).EPAadoptedthisNewSourcePerformanceStandardin1982afterstudyingtheminingindustrynationwideanddeterminingthatitwastechnicallyandeconomicallyfeasibletorecycleprocesswastewatercompletely,withnodischargetowateroftheU.S.(47Fed.Reg.54,598,54,602(Dec.3,1982).DonlinGold’sapplicationmaterialsassertthatthemineintendstocomplywiththisrequirement.However,DonlinGold’sWaterResourcesManagementPlanshowsthattheminewouldactuallydischargevastquantitiesofprocesswastewaterintoAmericanCreekaftermineclosure,inviolationofthezero‐dischargeNewSourcePerformanceStandard.Undertheplan,AmericanCreek–indisputablyawateroftheU.S.–wouldflowintothepitafterclosure,andDonlinwouldfillitupwithwasterockrunoff,wateremptiedfromthetailingspond,andseepagethatwouldcontinuetobecollectedfromthetailingstoragefacility.Presumably,thepitwouldalsoincludemanywetlands,springs,andseepsthat,likeAmericanCreek,arealsowatersoftheU.S.Thewaterandseepagefromthetailingspondis,ofcourse,processwastewater,andtheproposaltodumpituntreatedintoAmericanCreekandotherwatersoftheU.S.withinthepitwouldviolatetheNewSourcePerformanceStandard.Thoughunexplainedintheminingplan,itispossiblethatDonlinwouldseektohaveAmericanCreekandtheotherwaterswithinthepitdeemeda“wastetreatmentsystem”nolongersubjecttotheCleanWaterAct(33CFR§328.3(a)(8)).Thoughusedelsewhere,thisregulatoryloopholeunderminestheAct’sgoalofstoppingpollutersfromusingthenation’swatersasdisposalsitesforindustrialwastes.TheDraftEISshouldanalyzetheeffectsofthisloopholeattheDonlinMineandencouragetheCorpsandEPAtorevisetheirregulationstoclosethisloophole.TheDraftEISshouldfullydisclosethepreciselegalmechanismbywhichtheproposeddischargestotheminepitwouldoccur,sothataffectedmembersofthepublicmaycomment.
WAQ21 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzetheimpactsofthepipeline(especiallyrelatingtoconstruction)onwaterquality,quantity,groundwater,andaquatichabitats.Componentsofthepipelineprojectastheyrelatetowaterqualityinclude:
• TherequirementsoftheStormwaterPollutionPreventionPlanshouldbefollowedtoensureimpactstowaterresourcesarelimitedduringconstruction;
• SewageandgraywatergeneratedbyeachcampshouldbetreatedasrequiredanddisposedofinaccordancewithAlaskaDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationregulations;
• Thereshouldbeagraywaterdisposalplanon‐andoff‐constructionsitesthatcomplieswithregulationsandrequirements.TheDraftEISshouldclarifywhethertherewouldtherebeasepticsystemoramixingzoneintheriver;and
• Whendewateringthetrench,theeffluentshouldbedischargedintoadewateringfilterbagorgeotextilebagtocollectsediments.Thewatercouldbeallowedtosurface
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dischargeandthecollectedsedimentcouldbeusedinthereclamationoftheROW.
WAQ22 TheDraftEISshouldanalyzewaterusethroughallcomponentsoftheproposedprojectandpotentialwatersourcesforroadconstructionandmaintenance,pipelineconstructionanddustcontrol.Iflocalsourcesareinadequate,thereshouldbeadiscussionofpipingortruckingwaterandthefootprintinvolvedinthisactivityinordertodeterminepotentialresourceimpacts.Waterwithdrawalfromlocalstandingwatersourcesisexpectedtobelimitedtothetraditional15percentofthefreewateriffisharepresentbutwouldalwaysbesubjecttospecificpermitconditionsforeachsite.Waterwithdrawalfromlakesmaybeauthorizedonasite‐specificbasisdependingonsize,watervolume,depth,fishpopulation,andspeciesdiversification.
WAQ23 Waterwithdrawalfromlakesandstreamsforpipelineconstruction,includingiceroadconstructionandhydrostatictestingshouldbeplannedandexecutedinaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheappropriatepermitsandauthorizations.Methodsofretrievalaswellaspotentialdisposalmethodsandsitesshouldbeevaluated.Minimumwaterrequirementsforanadromouswatersshouldbemaintainedtoprohibitspawninglocationsfrombeingdewatered.Allfishresourcestreams(anadromousandresident)shouldhaveminimumflowsestablishedinordertopreventwinterfreezeandtopreventwithdrawalfromoraffectstoadjacentstreamwatertables.TheDraftEIScouldlookatrequirementsfromNorthSlopeiceroads,forexampleandcomparison.
WAQ24 Residentsareconcernedaboutcontaminationlevelsalreadypresentintheriversystembecausetheydescribedtheirdependenceonthisfragileecosystem.Baselinedataonslimysculpintakenattheminesitehasdemonstratedthattherearecontaminantlevelsalreadypresentinthewatersystemandthisisconsideredunacceptablebylocalresidents.Itisassumedthesehighlevelsaretheresidualeffectofhistoricmininginthearea.Withcontaminantsalreadyinthesystem,thereisaconcernoverevenapotentiallyslightincreaseofcontaminantsinthewatershed.
WAQ25 GeorgetownTribalCouncilhasbeenmonitoringwaterqualityforthepastsixyearsandhasdevelopedbaselinedatafortheGeorgetownarea.Itwouldbeimportanttocontinuemonitoringtoensureandverifythelong‐termsustainabilityofourecosystemhealth.
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WETLANDS & AQUATIC COMMUNITIES (WET)
Fillingofwetlandsandalternationsofwetlandshabitat,fragmentation,andlossofwetlandhabitatasaresultofprojectcomponents.
Category Code Description
WET1 Concernwasexpressedthattheproposedprojectcouldpermanentlyortemporarilyaffectwetlands,riparianareas,andaquaticresourcesduringconstruction,operation,andfarintothefuture.Potentialdirect,indirect,andcumulativewetlandimpactsshouldbequantifiedandincludedintheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEIS.
WET2 TheDraftEISshouldincludedelineationofallwetlandsthatcouldbeaffectedbytheproposedproject.Wetlandsandaquaticresourceswithintheproposedprojectareashouldbecharacterizedandquantifiedonaerialphotographmaps.Alongtheproposednaturalgaspipeline,thejurisdictionalWatersoftheUnitedStatesshouldbemappedviaaerialphotointerpretationwithinacorridorofatleast1,000ft(305m).Fielddelineationofwetlandsshouldoccurwithinacorridorofatleast300ft(91m)alongtheproposednaturalgaspipeline.
WET3 Thefunctionandconditionofwetlands,drainages,riparianareas,andaquaticresourceswithintheproposedprojectareashouldbeevaluated.TheDraftEISshould:
• Includeafunctionalassessmentofwetlandsintheproposedprojectarea,particularlyintheAnacondaCreekandAmericanCreekwatersheds;
• Identifythemethodologythatshouldbeusedforconditionandfunctionalassessment;and
• Providetheresultsoftheconditionandfunctionalassessmentonamapandincludearea,habitat,vegetationtype,percentcover,andotherrelevantinformation.
WET4 TheDraftEISshouldincludecommitmentstopracticalandappropriatemeasurestoavoidandminimizewetlandsimpactsbytheproposedproject.Optionsforavoidingandminimizingwetlandsimpactsshouldbeconsideredinthealternatives.Tocompensateforunavoidablewetlandsimpacts,theDraftEISshould:
• Basecompensatorymitigationonthewetlandsfunctionalassessmentandreplacementofthosefunctionslostaccordingtoanecologicallyappropriatemitigationratio;
• Identifytheappropriatetypeofcompensatorymitigation(permittee‐responsiblemitigation,mitigationbanking,orin‐lieufeemitigation);
• Evaluatetheuseofacombinationofcompensatorymitigationoptions;and
• Considerrestoringwetlandstotheirnaturalstates.
WET5 Toensuretheimplementationofmitigationmeasures,theDraftEISshoulddevelopaplanformonitoringwetlands,riparianareas,andaquaticresources.Correctivemeasuresshouldalsobespecifiedintheplan.
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WET6 Concernswereexpressedaboutwetlandsalongtheproposedpipelinecorridor.Specificconcernsinclude:
• Priortoclearingtheproposedpipelinecorridor,theROWshouldbestakedandflaggedtoidentifywetlandsduringthesummerwhenthegroundisfreeofsnow;
• Mileageofproposedgravelroadstobebuiltonwetlandsshouldbeidentified.Proposedgravelroadsshouldnotbebuiltonwetlands;
• Slopebreakersandtrenchbreakersshouldbeinstalledatwetlandboundariestopreventthepipelinetrenchfromdrainingthewetland;and
• Theriskthatthepipelinetrench(ditch)couldinterceptoverlandwaterflowanderodebackfillmaterialandbecomeacanalthatcarrieswaterwithhighsedimentloadstonearbystreamsandwetlands.TheEISshouldaddresswherepipelinetrenchingwouldinterceptstreamflowandchangestowetlandcrossdrainageatareasofcontinuousanddiscontinuouspermafrostinrollingormountainousterrain.Concernswhereexpressedthatrehabilitationinareasofice‐richsoilscouldrequirerepeatedtrenchmaintenanceandlong‐termthermalstabilizationactivitiesbeforethehabitatwouldreturntoitsformerstabilityandproductivity.Itwasnotedthatthiscouldbedifficultasthereisnotanaccessroadcurrentlyplannedalongtheproposedpipelineroute.
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WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS (WCR)
Commentsrelatedtowildernesscharacteristicsandvalues.ThisincludesformallydesignatedWildernessunits,BLM‐specificLandswithWildernessCharacteristics,andotherunderdeveloped,wildlandscapes.
Category Code Description
WCR1Theproposedmineandpipelinecorridorwouldbedevelopmentinanareathathaswildernesscharacteristicsanduniquefeatures.TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldevaluatetheimpactofalargemineinapreviouslyundisturbedareawithregardtoimpactsonwildlifeandwildernessvaluesoftheproposedprojectarea.ScopingcommentersnotedthattheKuskokwimandYukonriversneedtobeprotectedfrompotentialprojectimpacts.Specifically,neartheareasofWindyFork,KhuychanikCreek,theMiddleFork,andtheBigRiverFork,commentersnotedthatneverbeforeinhistoryhasmankindproposedtomakesuchafootprintupontheselands.CommentersnotedthattheKhuchaynikCreekandseveralsmallerstreamstowardsMiddleForkareareasthatprovideuniquewildernesshabitatcharacteristicsforastrainofArcticchar.Commentersexpressedconcernthatsomegroundimpactscanstillbeseentodayfromconstructioninthe1960sthatnegativelyaffectthewildernessexperience.
WCR2 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshouldevaluateimpactsonthesurroundingwildernessareasandvaluesthatcouldbeaffectedasaresultoftheproposedproject,includingconstructionandmaintenanceofthepipeline,newairstrips,increaseduseofORV/ATVsalongthepipelineROW,andemissionsofpollutantsduringoperation.TherearenodesignatedWildernessareasonBLMlands,however,muchoftheproposedpipelineroutelikelycrossesLandswithWildernessCharacteristics.Everyeffortshouldbemadetoprotecttheselandsandtheircharacteristics,andthewildlifethatoccursintheseareas.BMPsneedtobeappliedtoprotectwildernesscharacteristicsandvaluesateachcomponentandphaseoftheproposedproject.
WCR3 Thewildlifepopulationsandhabitatsintheproposedprojectareaprovidewildernesscharacteristicsandvaluesthatareinturnabenefittosubsistencehunters,recreationalhunters,trappers,professionalguides,photographers,eco‐tourism,andlocalcommunities.TheDraftEISshoulddescribehowthesenaturalattributesandwildernesscharacteristicswouldbeprotected.
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WILDLIFE IMPACTS (WILD)
Generalcommentsrelatedtopotentialimpactstowildlife(mammals).Includesthepotentialforimpactstothreatenedandendangeredspecies.
Category Code Description
WILD1 TheDonlinGoldProjectDraftEISshoulddescribetheeffectofproject‐relateddisturbanceonwildlife.Analysisofpotentialshortandlong‐termeffectsonfishandwildlifeshouldincludeallcomponentsandphasesoftheproposedproject.InparticularcommentsreceivedduringscopingrecommendedevaluationoftheroadbetweentheproposedJungjukPortandminesite,constructionoftheJungjukPort,expansionplansfortheBethelPort,theminesiteandminingoperations,impactsfromwatermanagement,accesstotheminesite,andclosure.Commentersareconcernedthattheproposedprojectwouldadverselyaffectwildlifeincluding:fishandaquaticbiota,waterfowl,Dallsheep,caribou,moose,brownandblackbear,wolf,wolverine,smallgame,furbearers,geese,andducks.Specifically,theDraftEISshouldevaluate:
• Howtheprojectconstruction,operation,andclosurewouldchangewildlifepatternsandbehavior;
• TheEISshouldexaminetheeffectsofblastingonaquaticandterrestrialbiologicalresources.Blastingduringsensitivelifestagesofwildlife(e.g.,Dallsheeplambing,raptornesting,beardenning)canimpactreproductionorsurvival.Blastingofthepipelinetrenchinornearstreamscouldcausemortalityofadultandjuvenilefishaswellasdevelopingeggs;
• Theeffectofincreasedpresenceofhumansandmachinery;
• Measuresplannedtoensurethatwildlife,subsistence,andrecreationarenotaffectedbytheincreaseinnoisecreatedbythemovementof2‐mancrewsinhelicoptersalongthepipelineROWroute;
• Implementingapolicytoavoidgeneratingloudnoiselevelthatmayaffectlocalresidentsand/orwildlife,includingavoidingoverflightsofseasonalhuntingandsubsistenceuseareastoavoiddisturbinggame;
• Theimpactofemployees,employeehousing,equipmentshops,fueltransport,storageandrisk,largeequipment,pipelinestorageyardsstoringfourteeninchsteelpipeeveryfivemiles,largegravelpits,waterextractionactivities,risksfuelspills,theoveralllargescaleofworkandtherecreationalactivitiesoftheseemployeesonthecriticalsummerandwinterwildlifehabitatsandthewildlifeitself;
• Huntingandfishingimpactstolocalresourcepopulationsinoraroundthemineasaresultofmineworkers’recreationalorsubsistenceuses.Consideraprojectdesignalternativethatprohibitsmineworkersfromengaginginrecreationalhuntingandfishingduringdutyshiftsduringconstruction,operation,andremediationphasesofthepipeline;
• Clarifywhether,inadditiontothecurrentpolicyofprohibitingemployeesandcontractorsfromhunting,fishing,trapping,shooting,andcampingwithintheROWorusingprojectequipmentforthesepurposes,thereareanycomparablecompanypoliciesregardingtheseusesoutsidetheROW.Describehowimpactsonnearbyresourcesfrom300‐personconstructioncamps(plussmallercamps)wouldbeaddressed;
• Theeffectofincreasedhuntingpressureduetopresenceofairfield;and
• TheeffectofincreasedhumanuseofthepipelineroutefortravelbyORV/ATVsandsnowmachinesinpreviouslyinaccessibleareas.
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WILD2 Commentersexpressedconcernduringscopingthatwildlifemaybehitorkilledbytrafficontheroads.TheDraftEISshouldanalyzetheriskandprovideanestimatednumberofanimalsthatmaybeaffectedbycollisionswithvehicles.
WILD3 Commentersareconcernedabouttheeffectoftheproposedprojectonriverineandmarinespecies.Specifically,theDraftEISshouldaddress:
• TheeffectofincreasedmarinetrafficontheKuskokwimRiveronmigratorymarinemammals,waterfowl,andfishthatmigratealongthecoast;and
• ThepotentialeffectonPacificwalrusandmigratorybirds(suchasbuffleheadsandcommonandspectacledeiders)fromafuelspillfromtheshippingbargesgoingupanddownfromtheAleutianIslands.TheAleutianIslandshosttheseandotherspeciesduringthewinter.
WILD4 Commentersexpressedconcernduringscopingabouttheeffectoftheproposedprojectonwildliferesourcesthatareharvestedforsubsistence.TheDraftEISshouldaddresshabitatlossintheprojectareaandthepotentialforcontaminationoffish,moose,waterfowl,bears,andcaribou.TheDraftEISshoulddescribetheeffectofroadconstruction,increasedtrafficandhuntingpressurealongthepreviouslyinaccessiblepipelinecorridoronwildlifepopulationsimportanttosubsistencehunters.Specifically,theDraftEISshouldanalyzethepotentialeffectsofincreaseddisturbancetosubsistenceresourcessuchascaribouandmoose.AnalysisintheDraftEISshouldincludetheimpactsofprojectrelatedincreasesinair,barge,andvehiculartraffic,increasedhumanaccess,andhowthephysicalpresenceoftheroadandpipelinecouldresultinbothlong‐andshort‐termdisturbanceoftheMulchatnaCaribouHerdandinterruptingcariboumigrationpatterns.
ScopingcommentsnotedthattheEISshouldevaluatethepotentialinteractionsbetweenwildlifeandthetailingsimpoundmentsattheminesiteandincludemitigationmeasurestodiscouragewildlifeinteractionintheseareas.TheEISshouldalsoevaluatethepotentialformetalsleachingtowaterandthesubsequentimpactstowildlife.WatersthatarewithintheproposedminesitecouldbetoxicandanevaluationofmitigationmeasurestoensurewildlifecontactisminimalwiththesewatersshouldbeincludedintheEIS.
WILD5 Issueswereraisedduringscopingconcerninghowthepipelinewouldaffectwildlife,throughhabitatfragmentation,disturbancefromhumanpresence,disruptionofwildlifemovementandmigrationpatterns,andresultantimpactstosubsistenceresources.Specifically,theDraftEISshouldaddress:
• Placementoftheproposedpipelineabove‐groundandbelowground.Duringconstructionandpipeinstallationpipelayingactivitiescoulddeflectorformabarriertowildlifemovement(moosemigrationbetweensummerandwinterranges;caribouseasonalmigration).Anopentrenchcouldentrapananimal.
• Theimpactsoftheproposedpipelineonfish,wildlifeandtheirhabitatsincludinghabitatlossandfragmentationatstreamcrossings,bisectedwildlifemigratoryroutes,anddisturbancetofishandwildlifefrompipelineinspectionandmaintenanceactivities.
• TheimpactsofthepipelinedowntheSouthForkoftheKuskokwimRiveronthePlainsbisonherdthatwasintroducednearFarewellandisoneofonlyafewfreerangingPlainsbisonherdsinthecountry.OnecommenternotedobservationsofmultiplesmallherdswithyoungcalvesalongtheSouthForkinthespring.TheDraftEISshouldanalyzetheimpactofincreasedhumanpresenceontheSouthForkonthe
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calvingactivity.
• TheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamenotedinscopingcommentsthatthereisasaltlickapproximately2‐3mileswestofEgyptMountain.Thecoordinatesforthecenterofsaltlickareapproximately62.475433333°N,‐153.71645°W.Theyreportedthatthissaltlickisfrequentlyusedbybisonandmostlikelyotherlargemammalssuchasmoose,caribou,andsheep.Theproposedpipelineroutewouldintersectwiththissaltlickanditwassuggestedthatconsiderationshouldbegiventoeitherre‐routethepipelinetoavoidthesaltlickorconductastudytodeterminetheextent,compositionanduseofthesaltlicktoensureitsintegrityandcontinuedusebywildlifeismaintained.
• Theeffectsoftransportationcorridorsonfish,wildlife,andsubsistenceresourcesincludingthepotentialimpactsassociatedwithaccessroadsandpotentialpublicuse.
• WhetherthepipelineROWwouldbefencedandifso,describetheeffectonwildlifemigration.
• Theeffectonexistingwildlifetrailsthatoccurintheareaoftheproposedpipelinerouteandexpectedchangesinusepatternsafterconstruction.
WILD6 TheDraftEISshouldidentifyandanalyzetheimpactstoendangered,threatened,andcandidatespeciesunderEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA)ortheMarineMammalProtectionAct,aswellasBLMandtheStateofAlaskasensitivespecieslistswithintheprojectarea.TheDraftEISshouldsummarizeBiologicalAssessmentsanddescribetheoutcomesofESASection7Consultationwiththefederalagencies.ClarifywhethertheCookInletbelugawhaleorthisspecies’designatedcriticalhabitatcouldbeaffectedbyaportdevelopedonthewestsideofCookInletduringpipelineconstructionorbybargingthroughoutKuskokwimBayandKuskokwimRiver.
TheDraftEISshouldaddressimpactstothreatenedorendangeredbirdspecies.Potentiallyaffectedspeciesincludespectacledeiders,Steller'seidersandcriticalhabitatforSteller'seider,andpossiblyKittlitz'smurrelet.TheanalysisshouldconsiderthefollowinginformationfromtheUSFWS.Atotalof2,830milesintheKuskokwimShoalsisdesignatedascriticalhabitatforthethreatenedSteller'sEider(http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/endangered/spst_FinalDesignation.htm).TheKuskokwimShoalsunitincludesanareawherelargeconcentrationsofSteller'seidersandotherAlaska‐breedingeiderspeciesoccur.
Inaddition,KuskokwimBayisanimportantfallstagingareaforkingeidersbasedonbirdsimplantedwithsatellitetransmitters(Oppeletal.2008).KingeidersundergoingwingmoltwerealsolocatedinKuskokwimBay(Phillipsetal.2006).TheDraftEISshouldanalyzetheeffectofincreasedvesseltrafficandfuelorothertoxicspillsfromvesseltrafficonstagingbirds.ThecentralcoastoftheYukon‐KuskokwimDeltaalsoservesasabreedinggroundforabout80%oftheworld'spopulationofemperorgeese(EisenhowerandKirkpatrick1977).Inaddition,virtuallytheentirePacificpopulationofSteller'seiders(i.e.,70‐100‐thousandbirds)stageontheKuskokwimShoalsinthespringandlowthousands(includinganapparentlydisproportionatenumberofAlaskabreedingbirds)moltinthewatersjustoffthisshorelineinthefall.Duetotheirlowpopulationsizeandrestrictedbreedinglocations,spectacledeiders,Steller'seiders,andemperorgeeseareespeciallyvulnerabletocatastrophicevents,suchasoilspills.ItispossiblethatKittlitz'smurrelet,acandidateforlistingundertheEndangeredSpeciesAct,maynestonNunivakIsland.
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WILD7 TheDraftEISshouldfullyevaluatethecumulativeeffectsoftheproposedprojectcomponentsandphases(construction,operation,andclosure)tofish,wildlife,andtheirhabitatintheprojectarea.Cumulativeeffectsincludethelong‐termimplicationsforthe30‐yearoperationlifeofthemine.TheDraftEISshouldspecificallyaddress:
• Potentialeffectsofallaspectsoftheprojectonmarinemammals,residentandanadromousfish,andotherspecieslistedundertheESA,aswellasmigratorybirdsprotectedundertheMigratoryBirdTreatyActandbaldandgoldeneagles.
• Potentialeffectstofishandwildlifehabitatsandpopulations.
• ThegeographicscopeofanalysisintheDraftEISshouldincludeallareasofpotentialcontamination,includingtheKuskokwimRiverDeltaandtheshallowwatersoftheBeringSea.
• TheDraftEISshoulddescribethepotentialeffectsofprojectrelatedcontaminationonKuskokwimRiverfisheries,YukonRiverfisheries,Pacificwalruspopulations,andallfourPacificwaterbirdandshorebirdflyways.Considerintheanalysistheinformationprovidedbythecommentersregardingthemovementofcontaminants.
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5.0 CONTACTS
5.1 LEADAGENCYTheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersistheleadfederalagencyfortheEIS.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CEPOA-RD P.O. Box 6898 JBER, AK 99506-0898 Contact: Project Manager Don Kuhle Email: [email protected] (907) 753-2780
5.2 COOPERATINGAGENCIESANDCOOPERATINGAGENCYTRIBESThe formal cooperating agencies include the following federal and state agencies and tribal governments:
U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
State of Alaska
o Alaska Department of Natural Resources
o Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
o Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Native Village of Chuathbaluk
Village of Crooked Creek
Knik Tribal Council
Village of Lower Kalskag
Kuskokwim River Watershed Council (on behalf of Akiak Native Community)
Native Village of Napaimute
5.3 PROJECTWEBSITEANDPROJECTEMAILProjectwebsiteaddresshttp://www.DonlinGoldEIS.com/Projectemailaddress:[email protected]