Phosphate Mine Permitting, Mitigation, & NRD Strategy

True Environmental served as the lead consultant on the novel application of Habitat Equivalency Analysis (HEA) to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting for a large phosphate mine in Idaho. True was part of a large project team including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), other consultants, and mining companies to develop the unique HEA application – which may be replicated on other projects across the country. The team validated the BLM’s HEA model and utilized HEA and other functional assessments to evaluate and identify onsite mitigation and offsite habitat restoration alternatives that offset potential mining impacts. This included assessment of habitat richness, vegetation communities, and hydrology to determine the number of acres impacted by mining operations. Mitigation projects were designed and implemented following the Record of Decision in 2016. Additionally, the team conducted wetland delineations and permitting in compliance with the mine permitting process. We also evaluated remedial sites and potential mitigation properties to determine the value of natural resource services across the region.