Superior National Forest Federal Hardrock Mineral Prospecting Permits Project.

요약

This analysis would address federal hardrock mineral exploration in terms of 32 current permit applications, future permit applications, current and future operating plans, and future use and occupancy authorizations (Special Use Permits) on the Superior National Forest (SNF) over the next 20 years. The project area covers all SNF managed lands available to mineral exploration. In accordance with the SNF Land and Resource Mangement Plan, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Mining Protection Area, and Eligible Wild River Segments are not available to mineral exploration. The Forest Service is the lead agency for this EIS and the United States Department of the Interior (USDI), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a cooperating agency. As a cooperating agency, the BLM will adopt the EIS to support their own Record of Decision. Federal laws and policies will be outlined in the EIS that will require the SNF, as the agency managing the surface, and the BLM, as the agency responsible for managing sub- surface minerals resources, to consider the Prospecting Permit applications. Based on the Forest Service's recommendations and consent, the BLM will review those recommendations and de