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NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-CA-C080-2026-0010-EA
Project Name: Plan of Operation (CACA 1067188818)

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-CA-C080-2026-0010-EA
Project Name

Plan of Operation (CACA 1067188818)
Project Type

EA
NEPA Status

In Progress - Public Review and Comment Period
Lead Office

Mother Lode Field Office
Last Updated

2/2/2026 5:00:00 PM

Project Description

Mr. Van Willard currently holds mining claim MC CA106386374 at this location. Van Willard submitted a proposed Plan of Operations for mineral exploration on up to five acres on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the Mother Lode Field Office. The proposed Plan of Operation would allow Van Willard the opportunity to explore, locate, and delineate precious metal (gold) deposits on his mining claim on public lands, as provided under the General Mining Law of 1872. 

The need for action is established by the BLM’s responsibility under Section 302 of FLPMA and the BLM Surface Management Regulations at 43 CFR 3809 to respond to a plan of operations to allow an operator to prospect, explore, and assess locatable mineral resources on public lands, and to take any action to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of the public lands.
 
The BLM is required to respond to Van Willard’s Plan to conduct mining operations for locatable minerals in accordance with the Surface Management Regulations (43 CFR 3809) and Use and Occupancy Under the Mining Law (43 CFR 3715) and other applicable laws such as FLPMA and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

Preliminary determination of no historic properties affected.

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Nevada City	California	95959	Nevada

Application Information

Applicant

Case File Number

Program

Sub-Program

Project Dates

Start Date

1/20/2026
End Date

1/1/1970
FONSI Date

—

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Mother Lode Field Office
Offices

Mother Lode FO
Cooperating Agencies

—

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Contact 1 Email

Contact 1 Phone