Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Roca Honda Mine

Chapter 2. Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action
Drill pads are proposed to be constructed to support development drilling and monitoring well
construction. Development drilling requires short-term use of the surface, including a 150-by-
150-foot area for drill rig operations, and access roads for transportation of the drill rig and other
support equipment. RHR proposes to construct up to12 drill pads to support development drilling.
The majority of these drill pads would be located in the southern half of Section 16, with
additional drill pads proposed for the northern half of Section 16 and the southeast corner of
Section 10. Some drill pads would also be necessary for constructing monitoring wells.
Monitoring wells are used to monitor and test groundwater conditions. Roca Honda proposes to
construct two monitoring wells in the south half of Section 9 and one in the southeast quarter of
Section 10. Temporary access roads in Section 16, 9, and 10 are proposed to provide access to the
drill pads. Those drill holes converted to water monitoring wells would have road access for the
duration of the mine.
Utility lines, pipelines, storm water control facilities, and fencing are also proposed. These
facilities would be constructed primarily in the northern half of Section 16 and the southeastern
quarter of Section 10. Storm water control facilities include water conveyances and storm water
management structures designed to mitigate potential nonpoint-source water pollution that could
be generated at the site.
Figures 16-19 depict the layout of all major surface facilities associated with the Roca Honda
Mine.
Additional Construction Commitments
RHR has made the following additional commitments to reduce potential impacts to cultural
resources in the permit area.
1. Roads – Upon receipt of the necessary permits to allow start of construction, the first
activity conducted by RHR would be to blade new access roads within the proposed haul
road routes. The new bladed roads would be the access used by all mine related vehicles,
while the haul roads are constructed. The existing ranch roads in Sections 17 and 16, and
the unauthorized two-track road in Section 11, would not be used for mine related
activities. In Sections 9 and 10, new proposed access roads to vent shafts and dewatering
wells would be established prior to drilling the shafts and wells.
2. Section 16 Perimeter Fencing – Perimeter fencing in Section 16 would be installed at
the beginning of construction activities in that section.
3. Section 10 Perimeter Fencing – Perimeter fencing in Section 10 would be installed prior
to the start of construction of the main mining cantonment area in that section.
4. Well Pad Fencing and Erosion Control – For all water monitoring and dewatering
wells, including those exploratory drill locations turned into monitoring wells, the well
pads would be fenced for the duration of their use, erosion control measures would be
implemented around the pad, and a permanent access road to the well would be
developed along the route shown on the project maps.
5. Haul Road Gate – In Section 11, where Forest Road 192 and the proposed haul road
diverge, a gate will be installed across the mine’s haul road to discourage public use of
the haul road.
44 DEIS for Roca Honda Mine, Cibola National Forest