The Bureau of Land Management Nevada Tonopah Field Office is asking the public to comment on the draft environmental assessment for a proposed, temporary lithium pilot plant located in Clayton Valley, approximately 30 miles southwest of Tonopah. The proposed pilot plant would test processes for extracting lithium from brine.
The public comment period has been extended through April 14, 2021.
The proposed project incorporates an existing water well, the pilot plant and an infiltration basin that would re-introduce the brine to the aquifer after the lithium is removed, thus maintaining the existing groundwater balance in the area. The facilities would be removed at the conclusion of the pilot testing period.
The public comment period began March 10 and has been extended through April 14, 2021. Written comments can be submitted online at the NEPA Register site; mailed to the BLM Tonopah Field Office at 1553 South Main Street, P.O. Box 911; Tonopah, NV 89049; or emailed to BLM_NV_BMDO_TFO_NonRenewable@blm.gov. Please put “Clayton Valley Pilot Plant Project" in the subject line.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or questions. The Federal Relay Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
The environmental documents, lists, maps, and information for public viewing online at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2011353/510.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
