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Amendment to Woewodski Island Mineral Exploration Plan of Operations

Decision Memo

Petersburg District

Decision

It is my decision to approve an amendment to the Plan of Operations approved on June 9, 2006 for Bravo Venture Group, Inc. to conduct mineral exploration activities on Woewodski Island. The activities in the amendment to the Plan of Operations include:

• Trenching using a small trackless non-mobile backhoe to obtain mineral samples. The backhoe weighs approximately 1,200 pounds, and will be moved to each sample site by helicopter.
• Trenching locations will be within the Blue Quartz prospect area, shown on Figure 1.
• Trenching will take place at up to five sample sites.
• Trench size will not exceed 10 cubic meters.
• Vegetation clearing of up to 20 feet in diameter may be needed at each sample site to allow safe placement of the backhoe by helicopter.
• Rock sampling in the trenches will be by hand or with a hand held power-channel saw.
• On-site fuel storage for the operation will not exceed 25 gallons.
• Unless exposures in a given trench require additional sampling at a later date, all trenches will be backfilled following completion of the work.
• The project, including reclamation, will be completed by December 31, 2006.

It is my decision to approve the amendment to the 2006 Plan of Operations with the understanding that all stipulations included in the original Plan of Operations will apply to the amended Plan. In addition, the operator shall provide the Forest Service with GPS coordinates (NAD 27) of all trackless backhoe sample sites.

These activities fall within a category of actions which normally do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment and, therefore, may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. This category of actions is identified in the Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Chapter 30, Section 31.2 (8): “Short-term (one year or less) mineral, energy, or geophysical investigations and their incidental support activities…”

No extraordinary circumstances exist which would result in additional impacts. No irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources are anticipated.

Public Involvement

A public notice appeared in the Petersburg Pilot, the newspaper of record, on August 24, 2006, informing the public of the proposal and inviting public comments during the 30-day comment period. No comments were received.

The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Office of Project Management and Permitting (OPMP) reviewed the proposed amendment to the Plan of Operations. OPMP conferred with relevant State agencies and determined that the proposed activities did not require Alaska Coastal Management Program review.

Victor Ross with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was contacted regarding the proposed amendment to the Plan of Operations. Mr. Ross stated that the activities identified in the proposed amendment are covered under the current Nationwide Permit No. 6, that covers the Plan of Operations, and that no further review by their office is needed for the amendment to the Plan of Operations.

A notice of this decision, including the fact that the decision is not subject to appeal, will appear in the Petersburg Pilot newspaper.

Biological Evaluations

Biological Evaluations were completed for sensitive plants and animals. No sensitive species will experience impacts that would cause or contribute to a trend towards federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species.

Findings Required by Other Laws

1997 Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan
This decision is consistent with the 1997 Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan (TLRMP).

The TLRMP identifies the Land Use Designation (LUD) in which the proposed activities are planned as Scenic Viewshed. The proposed activities are compatible with the management objectives of this LUD.

ANILCA Section 810, Subsistence Evaluation and Finding
The effects of this project have been evaluated to determine potential effects on subsistence opportunities and resources. There is no documented or reported subsistence use that would be restricted as a result of this decision. For this reason, the proposed action would not result in a significant possibility of a significant restriction of subsistence use of wildlife, fish, or other foods.

Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as Amended
Under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), activities affecting the coastal zone that are conducted under Forest Service permits must be consistent with the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP). This activity is one authorized under Forest Service permit, as defined in 15 CFR 930.51(a). The Forest Service/State of Alaska Memorandum of Understanding on Coastal Zone Management Act/Alaska Coastal Management Program Consistency Reviews (MOU) lists permitted activities normally requiring a consistency determination (MOU, Section 302.B.2). This activity is authorized under a categorical exclusion (FSH 1909.15, Section 31.2.8) rather than EA or an EIS, and is not listed in Section 302.B.2 as normally requiring a consistency determination. Therefore, unless the State of Alaska requests and is granted permission from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration to review this permit, no consistency certification or review will be required.

Endangered Species Act of 1973
A Biological Evaluation has been completed for this action which indicates that no Federally listed threatened or endangered species will be affected by this activity.

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
The Forest Service program for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act includes locating, inventorying and nominating all cultural sites that may be directly or indirectly affected by scheduled activities. This activity has been reviewed by a qualified archeologist and a determination made that no known cultural resources will be negatively impacted by the project.

Floodplain Management (E.O. 11988), Protection of Wetlands (E.O. 11990)
This activity will not impact the functional value of any floodplain as defined by Executive Order 11988 and will not have negative impacts on wetlands as defined by Executive Order 11990.

Recreational Fisheries (E.O. 12962)
This activity is consistent with Executive Order 12962. It will not have a positive or negative effect on the quantity, function, sustainable productivity, and distribution of United States aquatic resources for increased recreational fishing opportunities.

Environmental Justice (E.O. 12898)
I have determined that, in accordance with Executive Order 12898, this project does not have disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority populations and low income populations.

Implementation Date

Pursuant to Forest Service appeal regulations, this action falls within a category of actions which are not subject to appeal. Implementation of this decision may occur immediately.

Contact Person

Russ Beers
Special Use Permit Administrator
Petersburg Ranger District
U.S. Forest Service
P.O. Box 1328
Petersburg, Alaska 99833

Map of sites

USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest Accessibility Statement
Last Modified: May 25, 2007