Environmental Review

Haile Gold Mine, Inc. requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) begin a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review in anticipation of an application to modify the existing Department of Army (DA) permit for the Haile Gold Mine. The existing permit authorizes a discharge of dredged or fill materials from the project into waters of the United States per Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA).

The USACE determined that the proposed expansion of the Haile Gold Mine could significantly affect the quality of the human and natural environment, and that the DA permit modification decision would be a major federal action that requires the preparation of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).

This SEIS updates the 2014 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Haile Gold Mine Project prepared by USACE, Charleston District in 2014 by describing and analyzing impacts from the proposal for expanded mine facilities that are different from the prior EIS.

Agency Roles and Responsibilities

USACE is the lead federal agency for preparation of this SEIS. Two agencies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) formally elected to be cooperating agencies under NEPA. Responsibilities of cooperating agencies include assisting USACE in identifying issues of concern and providing meaningful and timely comment and input throughout the NEPA process. USEPA and SCDHEC were actively involved with the NEPA process during the previous NEPA review for the Haile Gold Mine project by providing interdisciplinary expertise to assist with analysis and review.