Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (CEQ No. 43042) for Surface Mine Permit No. 102R1 (Revision 1)

PROJECT SUMMARY:

Adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Revision of approved Surface Mine Permit SMP No. 102 to allow an approximately 59-acre, two-phase expansion of an existing, 110.3-acre surface mine to include additional extraction of gypsum, as well as temporary stockpiling of excavated surface materials (overburden) for a period of 50 years. The expanded mine would comprise 169.5 acres, with an average of 450,000 tons (maximum 900,000 tons) of material to be extracted annually. The total volume to be removed is estimated at 61 million tons over the lifetime of the mine. Following conclusion of the second phase, the entirety of the mine, in addition to 21 acres outside of the footprint of proposed operations, would be “reclaimed” in accordance with the revised Reclamation Plan and ultimately return a total of 190.5 acres to open space, habitat and restored drainage courses. By this notice, the County is announcing the opening of the 30-day comment period (July 13, 2022, to August 12, 2022). All written comments must be received in writing by August 12, 2022, by 5:00 p.m. (close of the 30-day public review period). Please send any comments via mail to Riverside County Planning Department, Attention: Evan Langan (Planner IV), 4080 Lemon Street, 12^th Floor, Riverside, CA 92501 OR via email to [email protected] (subject line: “SMP102R1 – CEQ43042” )

PROJECT LOCATION:

West side of the Little Maria Mountains, approximately 25 miles northwest form the City of Blythe and 10 miles west of Middle Road.