DOI Guidance and Preferred EIS Alternative Selection

The Department of the Interior (DOI) has identified the preferred alternative for the course of action recommended for the Bureau of Mines site. It includes the removal of some or all existing structures and associated above-ground infrastructure (roads, power lines, ore bins, etc.) at the Center and the restoration of the site to open space/park conditions.

The process of determining the disposition and future of the Bureau of Mines property has been under formal review since November of 2004. Public meetings were held and comments collected until November 27, 2006 on the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). The DOI recommendation was based upon the DEIS analyses and collected public comment. This recommendation represents the preferred alternative which will be further reviewed in the final environmental impact statement (FEIS).

The EIS preferred alternative and related land scenario was selected from several alternatives ranging from no action (i.e. leave the site in its existing condition) to redevelopment of the site and office buildings as a training/business center or an interpretive/nature/history center to complete building removal and site restoration to a natural condition. These alternatives are fully outlined in the DEIS.

The Selected, Preferred Alternative
Several alternatives were reviewed in the July 2006 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the future use of the property. The Department of the Interior has selected Alternative D, open space/park, as the preferred alternative.

The environmental impacts of the preferred alternative will be further outlined in the Final EIS.