SIMPLOT SMOKY CANYON MINE PANELS F & G ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

JBR Environmental Consultants, Inc. (JBR) prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for JR Simplot Company’s proposed expansion of their Smoky Canyon phosphate mine located in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest (CTNF) in Southeastern Idaho.

This controversial project generated issues related to development and road building in Inventoried Roadless Areas; selenium; groundwater and surface water; Yellowstone cutthroat trout; 303(d) listed streams; Native American treaty rights; and CERCLA sites. The release of the Draft EIS drew more than 30,000 public comments. The Final EIS was released in October 2007.

For this project, JBR worked with multiple federal agencies, including the Pocatello Field Office of the Idaho BLM and the USFS, CTNF. In addition, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality participated as a cooperating agency.

In the preparation of the EIS, JBR:

• Conducted project planning and coordination
• Conducted public scoping meetings
• Prepared a scoping report and identified key issues
• Prepared resource technical/baseline reports
• Prepared and released the Draft EIS
• Processed and analyzed more than 30,000 public comments
• Prepared and distributed the Final EIS
• Compiled and maintained the project record

The Record of Decision (ROD) for the project was signed and released by the BLM and USFS in June of 2008. The ROD was appealed, but was affirmed by the CTNF as having complied with applicable laws, regulation, and policy.

• Brian Buck - Vice President -