USDA is publishing the Environmental Assessment The Boise National Forest is publishing the Environmental Assessment (EA), Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI), and the Draft Decision Notice (DN) for the 2023 CuMo Exploration Project.
The selected alternative in the draft DN would authorize a 6-year mineral exploration project (4 years of exploratory drilling and 2 years of reclamation) within the CuMo claim block. Project activities could begin annually on April 15, with demobilization and seasonal stabilization completed by December 15. By the end of the project, all project disturbance, including new and existing roads, will be reclaimed. A full description of the Proposed Action is in section 2 of the EA. Selection of the Proposed Action does not constitute approval of the 2023 CuMo Plan. Approval of the 2023 CuMo Plan is contingent upon the proponent’s acceptance of the mitigation measures developed to minimize the effects of the operation on surface resources and the posting financial assurance to ensure reclamation for project-related disturbance.
The Responsible Official is Brant Petersen, Forest Supervisor, and the Objection Reviewing Officer is the Intermountain (R4) Regional Forester. The EA and Draft DN are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/boise/?project=64920. For additional information contact Josh Newman, Project Lead, at joshua.newman@usda.gov or at 208-392-3701,
This action is subject to the predecisional administrative review process outlined in Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 218, Subparts A and B. A final decision will not be made until after the requirements of 36 CFR 218.12, Timing of Project Decision, have been met.