B09_140L6323Q0045_-_Attachment_04_-_QA_0001.pdf

BLM Alaska - 140L6323Q0045 – Questions & Answers

Olmstead Expired Notice Removal Questions & Answers

1. Will a NEPA analysis be performed on this site? If so, will it be completed by spring 2024?

-NEPA is not necessary for the removal and reclamation of this site since it is a Notice-level operation per IB 2023-053.

2. Can photos of the washout on the access trail and/or GPS coordinates be provided?

-Yes, see attached PDF that includes pictures and coordinates of six landslides/washouts currently documented on the trail. All are within an approximately 2-mile-long stretch of the trail starting approximately 4 miles from the trailhead.

3. Is it possible the washout can be improved using heavy equipment to allow summertime access?

-This is not a likely solution unless equipment already staged on Gold Creek can be used. This is because the first section of trail does not support heavy equipment moves unless done while the ground is frozen due to boggy tundra conditions present.

4. Would one mobilization in the summer be more advantageous than both a summer and winter mobilization? Travel along the Dalton in the winter presents additional hazards.

-Similar to the answer above, the first part of the trail does not support heavy equipment moves unless frozen due to boggy tundra conditions present. If necessary or there are concerns about trucking loads on the Dalton Hwy in the winter, it may be possible that the equipment and other items could be removed from the current location to the trailhead for trucking during the summer although mobilizing equipment to do the move along the trail in winter would still likely be necessary.

5. Do permits need to be obtained to traverse the 5 Mile Corridor?

-No right-of-way permit would be required for this removal due to it being in support of reclaiming an expired notice-level operation.

6. Attached is an Alaska BLM Mining Claim Inventory Scene. Working in conjunction with the map provided, there appear to be many claims that possibly would be encountered along the access road/trail. Are there any state claims or patented claims present? If so, will access be granted to pass through the claims?

-There are no patented claims located on the trail. The portion of trail that crosses state of Alaska managed lands has mining claims located on them but are subject to reasonable concurrent uses per Alaska Statute 38.05.255 so access them should not present an issue.

7. The occupancy/shed location do not appear to be located on a claim, can you please confirm?

-This is incorrect, the occupancy/shed is located on federal mining claim

FF025902.

8. The sluice box and heavy equipment appear to be located within one of four claims on the Inventory Scene, can you please confirm and provide the claim numbers?

- There are two unpatented federal mining claims that appear to overlap where the equipment and sluice box are located. They are FF090797 and FF025904.

9. Are there any GPS coordinates for the locations of the structures and heavy equipment to be removed?

-The GPS in decimal degrees is: +67.48335N -149.68014W

10. Can a list of items inside the 1 occupancy and 1 shed be provided? Are there any hazmat materials present?

-There is not a complete list, and it is unknown if any hazmat is present.

Although, a picture of the interior of the occupancy was provided and appears to be mostly furniture/household items. The contents of the shed are unknown, if hazmat is found it would likely be oil, fuel, or hydraulic fluid consistent with running a small mining operation.

11. Is the extent of visibly stained soil underneath the equipment known?

-It is unknown but would not be expected to be more than the quantity of oil and/or hydraulic fluid that the tractor loader can hold.

12. Can the size standard associated with NAICS 562910 be changed to the 1,000 employee size standard?

- Yes, the size standard will be 1,000 employees on the purchase order.

13. Is repairing the washout for summer removal work a possibility that we can consider if awarded the contract?

-Similar to question 3 above, this is not a likely solution unless equipment already staged on Gold Creek can be used. This is because the first section of trail does not support heavy equipment moves unless done while the ground is frozen due to boggy tundra conditions present.

14. Is using a tracked vehicle beside a snowmobile acceptable?

-Without additional details or context, it would likely be possible if planning on traveling over frozen ground with a larger tracked machine or if planning use of a lighter OHV (4wheeler) during the summer.