SUPERIOR ― Resolution Copper’s plans for increased exploration activities on federal lands east of Superior were filed early last year.

However, the Tonto National Forest has not yet issued its Decision Notice/Finding of No Significant Impact, which is called FONSI. The process, as we understand it, usually takes about a year with the various branches of the U.S. Forest Service in this country.

Karyn Bronson Harbour, a geologist with the Tonto National Forest and Team Leader for the staff and consultants reviewing Resolution’s proposal, told the Arizona Silver Belt that “We are still in talks with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” When these discussions are completed with the other federal agency, Bronson said she expected the FONSI report to come out sometime in March..

The Decision Notice contains a brief summary of the environmental analysis completed for this project. The Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI ) is a document prepared by the Forest Service that briefly outlines why an action will not have a Significant Effect on the Environment. There are usually alternatives listed to be considered, such as No Action, The Original Proposed Action, or Modified Action.

What Resolution Copper, the Superior-based copper company owned by Rio Tinto, submitted to the Tonto Headquarters in Phoenix was its “Plan of Operations for Pre-Feasibility Activities which include 22 new drill sites east of Superior”.



For the complete article see the 01-13-2010 issue.