Categorical exclusion (CX) determination for a proposed second egress hoist to be used for emergency egress at shaft No. 5.
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
July 16, 2026
Estimated Read Time min
In a notice published in the July 29 Federal Register, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) states that under 30 CFR 57.11050(a): "Every mine shall have two or more separate, properly maintained escapeways to the surface from the lowest levels which are so positioned that damage to one shall not lessen the effectiveness of the others." The WIPP facility currently maintains two escape ways, the Primary is the Waste Shaft, and the secondary is the Air Intake Shaft (AIS) which can run on backup power. If underground power is interrupted, the only egress options is the AIS. A second egress hoist is proposed by using the existing hoist at Shaft No. 5 to an emergency backup hoist, thereby guaranteeing there will always be two means of egress.