Significant Comments on Idaho-Maryland Mine DEIR from CA State Agencies Surface

From YubaNet.com

Regional
Significant Comments on Idaho-Maryland Mine DEIR from CA State Agencies Surface
Author: CLAIM GV
Published on Feb 27, 2009 - 9:58:41 AM

Grass Valley, CA February 27, 2009 - Citizens Looking At Impacts of Mining (CLAIM-GV) has just obtained copies of comments from 2 California State Agencies, Fish and Game and Parks and Recreation. These comments were submitted to the City of Grass Valley as part of the public comment period for the proposed reopening of the Idaho Maryland Mine in downtown Grass Valley, CA.

The comments from Parks and Rec, which runs the nearby Empire Mine State Park, state in part:

"In general, our analysis of the draft EIR concludes that significant impacts to the resources of Empire Mine SHP, and to the health and safety of the park's visitors, employees and residents may result from the adoption of the proposed project as is stated currently in the draft EIR. We are particularly concerned with:

* Potential impacts to the natural resource ecology of the South Fork Wolf Creek which runs through Empire Mine SHP along Bennett Street due to mine dewatering from the New Brunswick facility

* Possible mine effluent pollution from the de-watering activities into the South Fork Wolf Creek

* Potential health and safety impacts to the public (visitors, employees and residents of Empire Mine SHP) as well as a concern about this project potentially impacting visitation to Empire Mine SHP due to the impacts on air quality, noise, and wildfire.

Another aspect of CDPR review revealed that the draft EIR relies on four distinct plans that are not included for discussion or review:

* A fugitive dust mitigation plan for the operation phase of the mine.

* An Asbestos Dust Mitigation Plan

* A detailed Hazardous Substance Control and Emergency Response Plan

* The details and efficacy of the wastewater treatment facility that is to be located on the New Brunswick property.

CDPR needs our comments addressed and the above four plans completed before we can review and understand the complete impact to Empire Mine SHP. According to the CEQA process, mitigations should be clear in the process of how they will effectively mitigate the impact [Sundstrom v. County of Mendocino (1988) 202 Cal.App.3d 296]. Once our comments are addressed and the above plans completed, please re-circulate the draft EIR for comments prior to certifying the EIR."

The entire comment from CA Parks and Rec may be found at the following link:
http://www.claim-gv.org/docs/CADept_ParksandRec_012009.pdf

The comments from Fish and Game state in part:

"The DFG believes that the Project will result in cumulative impacts to Wolf Creek, South Fork Wolf Creek and the habitats and species associated with these creeks. Additionally, the DFG believes that the DEIR fails to consider or discuss specific Project impacts and alternatives designed to reduce and mitigate impacts to both Wolf Creek and south Fork Wolf Creek to a level that is below significant. The DEIR has identified Project impacts to biological resources that remain potentially significant with the proposed mitigation measures."

The entire comment from CA Dept of Fish and Game may be found at the following link:
http://www.claim-gv.org/docs/CADept_Fishand_Game_012009.pdf

CLAIM-GV believes that these comments, along with the hundreds of other comments received by the City of Grass Valley on this project, many of which point out other significant deficiencies in the DEIR, overwhelmingly require that the DEIR be re-written and then re-submitted for another public comment period. This effort will require many months of additional study and analysis by the applicant, Emgold (TSXV:EMR), the consultant, ESA, and the City of Grass Valley.

CLAIM-GV believes that the significant and serious deficiencies in the current DEIR, coupled with the unavoidable impacts, do not bode well for the health, safety, and economy of the citizens of Nevada County should this project move forward in any fashion.

CLAIM-GV (Citizens Looking At Impacts of Mining) is an organization of concerned citizens formed to review the impacts of reopening the Idaho Maryland Mine (IMM), the associated ceramics plant, and ancillary projects within the City of Grass Valley and surrounding Nevada County. CLAIM-GV wholeheartedly supports bringing high technology jobs, alternative fuel R&D, solar cell development and many other 21st century jobs into our area. Now is the time for Grass Valley and Nevada County to come together and aggressively seek to capture as much new green industry as possible given the imminent federal funding being made available for these opportunities. CLAIM-GV is certain that Grass Valley and Nevada County will be better off in both the short term and the long term without the IMMC project.

For more information about CLAIM-GV and about the significant impacts of this proposed project on Grass Valley and Nevada County, please see http://www.claim-gv.org.