HAINES — The Bureau of Land Management Glennallen Field Office has opened a public review and comment period on the environmental analysis for Constantine Metal Resources LTD’s proposed plan of operations to expand exploration on federal mining claims located near Haines, Alaska.
Constantine submitted a new plan to expand their existing exploration activities in June 2015. Previously, the BLM authorized Constantine to carry out up to five acres of ground disturbing exploratory activity on their federal claims. Constantine’s proposed expanded exploration is adjacent to ongoing activity in the Palmer Project within the Porcupine Mining District.
The new proposal required further public, stakeholder, and agency review, including a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis to assess potential impacts. The NEPA process was initiated in November 2015. The BLM received 173 public comments on the plan, which helped identify several concerns such as fisheries, geology, safety, environmental justice, visual resources, recreation, and surface and ground water issues that were carried forward in developing the environmental analysis. The analysis is available for public review and comment until May 26.
The Plan proposes up to 2.5 miles of additional road construction including the installation of culverts and bridges over gullies and streams in the vicinity of Glacier Creek. It also includes a switchback road with rock fall berms and an area at the terminus of the switchback road to stage equipment and facilities. The proposed road would provide access for up to 40 new drill sites. These drill sites would provide a staging area for helicopter and ground-supported exploration activities. Constantine plans to continue exploration for the next five to 10 years.
To review and comment on the environmental analysis, please visit the BLM’s NEPA register: https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/nepa/nepa_register.do. Using an “Advanced Search,” enter NEPA number: DOI-BLM-AK-A020-2016-0006-EA. Comments may also be submitted to the BLM Glennallen Field Office, Attn: Constantine, P.O. Box 147, Glennallen, AK 99588.
