Draft environmental assessment proposed Mother Lode project

"This Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) documents the environmental analysis of the Mother Lode Project, a precious metals extraction operation proposed by the U.S. Nevada Gold Search Joint Venture (USNGS) in southern Nye County, Nevada. The project would involve the construction, operation, and abandonment of an open-pit mine and processing facilities on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). ... As part of BLM's review process, this EA describes the projected impacts of the proposed mining operation on the natural and human environment. Based on public input and the design of the proposed facilities, the analysis emphasizes the following affected resources: air quality; groundwater and surface water quantity and quality; soils and reclamation potential; vegetation and wildlife; cultural resources; socioeconomics and community resources; and aesthetics. The analysis considers the No Action Alternative and two facility location alternatives"--Page i.