BLM-NV-WN-ES-08-01-1310, NV-020-08-01

NEPA Document Collection for: BLM-NV-WN-ES-08-01-1310, NV-020-08-01
EA at Blue Mountain Geothermal Area for Geothermal/Power Plant

Blue Mountain Geothermal Well Field and Power Plant EA

Proposed Action

NGP is proposing a geothermal development project which includes the construction and operation of power generation facilities, geothermal fluid production and injection well pads and wells, access roads, geothermal fluid pipelines, groundwater production wells, an electrical transmission line and switching station, and support facilities.

NGP submitted an application (N-82701) and Plan of Development (PoD) to the BLM Winnemucca Field Office (WFO), for approval of a right-of-way (ROW) for those portions of the transmission line located on public lands managed by the BLM. SPPCo submitted an application (N-83479) to the BLM WFO for approval of a ROW for the electrical switching station to be built at the point of interconnection of the NGP transmission line with the existing SPPCo transmission line.

An Operations Plan was submitted for approval to drill and test geothermal wells proposed on public land (within federal geothermal lease NVN-58196) which would be used for the project. A Utilization Plan was submitted for approval of utilization facilities proposed on public land to be used for the project. Geothermal Drilling Permits (GDPs) will be submitted for downhole casing and cementing engineering approval for each well as the project progresses.

Data Completion Notes

8/2: Data reviewed for completion

Documents

Other Documents:

• Blue Mtn Appendix A WFO geo lease stips.pdf
• Blue Mountain AppendixC orig.pdf
• ROW Appendix D V02 (with cover).pdf

FONSI:

• BLM-NV-WN-ES-08-01-1310 EA DR and FONSI.pdf

Decision:

• BLM-NV-WN-ES-08-01-1310 EA DR and FONSI.pdf

 

Resource Analysis

Resource	Not Present	Present, Not Affected	Present, Potentially Affected	Not Indicated	Comment	Applicant Proposed Mitigation	Agency Imposed Mitigation

Air Quality "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseWater would be applied to the ground during the construction and utilization of the drill pads, access roads, and other disturbed areas as necessary to control dust. NGP would comply with any requirements prescribed by the NDEP-BAPC. NGP also proposes to water the ground to control dust during construction.

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

The proposed project is not located in or near any ACECs (BLM WFO 2002).

Cultural Resources "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseAny areas containing cultural resources of significance would be avoided, or the potential for impacts mitigated in a manner acceptable to the BLM Archaeologist. NGP employees, contractors, and suppliers would be reminded that all cultural resources are protected and if uncovered shall be left in place and reported to the NGP representative and/or their supervisor.

Environmental Justice "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

There are no environmental justice issues associated with the project (BLM WFO 2002).

Floodplains "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

The proposed project is not located in any FEMA-designated floodplains.

Invasive, Nonnative Species "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseTo prevent the spread of invasive, nonnative species, vehicles and equipment would be power washed, including body and undercarriage, prior to entering public lands managed by the BLM.

Close For a period of three years following the commencement of construction, project sites shall be inventoried by the lessee for the presence of invasive, nonnative species. Inventory data shall be reported to the BLM WFO project Lead within one week of receipt by the lessee. The area shall be treated with BLM certified pesticides following BLM approval of a pesticide use proposal if species are present. Following the three year period, periodic inventory for the presence of invasive nonnative species would be performed at project sites, with treatment occurring as necessary. The periodic inventory and treatment would occur for as long as the lessee is present at the site. All trucks (excluding pick-up trucks) and construction equipment should be washed to remove soil and plant parts. A central washing facility would be provided for this purpose at a location either in Winnemucca or at a facility approved by the authorized officer. The washing station should not be placed within 150 feet of any body of water or ditch line, nor where the wash water can flow downslope.

Migratory Birds "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseInitial ground disturbing activities would not be conducted during the migratory bird nesting season (March through July) unless necessary, and then only after inventories for migratory birds and nests were conducted by a qualified biologist acceptable to the BLM. This survey would be conducted to identify either breeding adult birds or nest sites within the specific areas to be disturbed. If active nests are present within these areas to be disturbed, NGP would coordinate with the authorized officer to develop appropriate protection measures for these sites, which may include avoidance, construction constraints, and/or the establishment of buffers.

Native American Concerns "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Prime or Unique Farmlands "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

The proposed project is not located in or near any prime or unique farmlands (BLM WFO 2002).

Threatened and Endangered Species "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Wastes Hazardous or Solid "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Close Absorbent pads or sheets would be placed under likely spill sources. The hazardous material spill and disposal contingency plan will be submitted to and approved by BLM and made readily available onsite before operations begin. The length of time which geothermal fluid, storm water runoff or other liquids are temporarily stored in any reserve pit would be minimized. Use of reserve pits is limited to the active drilling and testing operations. Fluids from flow testing would only be produced in accordance with permits and plans. The larger reserve pit constructed adjacent to well 26A-14 would be treated with bentonite to minimize the infiltration of geothermal fluids into the shallow ground water aquifer. The fluid level in the larger reserve pit would be monitored daily during initial testing to verify the treatment. The results of the monitoring would be reported to the BLM.

Water Quality "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

ClosePrior to drilling any new temporary water wells, all necessary permits will be obtained from the State Water Engineer at the Division of Water Resources and forwarded to the BLM Winnemucca Field Office. Geothermal fluids would not be discharged to the ground under normal operating conditions. Accidental discharges of geothermal fluids are unlikely because of frequent inspections, ultrasonic testing of the pipeline, flow and pressure monitoring and well pump and pipeline valve shutdown features.

Close The quality of selected ground water wells would continue to be monitored to determine if the injection of geothermal fluids may be impacting the levels of geothermal fluid components in the produced waters. Ground water wells to be monitored would include some of those within the unit area with high total dissolved solids, as well as other existing or new ground water wells close to the geothermal operations area. Final design and implementation of the ground water quality monitoring program would occur before the commencement of geothermal production and injection operations. In the case negative affects (increasing levels of geothermal fluid components) are recorded by the monitoring program, NGP would work with the BLM, NDOM, NDEP and the Nevada State Water Engineer to adjust geothermal fluid production or injection to remove or minimize negative affects to ground water wells or the geothermal resource. NGP would also monitor produced geothermal fluids, and within 30 days of NGP’s receipt of produced water analytical laboratory result(s), the BLM would be provided with a copy of the laboratory result(s). A map or written description of the sample collection point(s) would accompany the result(s).

Wetlands and Riparian Zones "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

There is no riparian habitat within the geothermal operations area or along the transmission line corridor (Covert 2007)

Wild and Scenic Rivers "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

The proposed project is not located in or near any wild and scenic rivers (BLM WFO 2002).

Wilderness "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

The proposed project is not in or adjacent to any wilderness area (BLM WFO 2002).

Geology and Minerals "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Soils "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseCut and fill activities have been minimized through the selection of the power plant site and pipeline routes. Off-site storm water would be intercepted in ditches and channeled to energy dissipaters as necessary to minimize erosion around the power plant. To minimize erosion from storm water runoff, access roads would be maintained consistent with the best management practices for road construction applicable to development roads. BLM best management practices for storm water would be followed, as applicable, on public lands.

Vegetation "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseFollowing project construction, areas of disturbed land no longer required for operations would be reclaimed to promote the reestablishment of native plant and wildlife habitat.

CloseUnoccupied disturbed areas shall be seeded by the applicant as directed by the BLM Winnemucca Field Office using the following native seed mixture and application rate. Any variance in the mix would be coordinated first with the BLM Winnemucca Field Office.

Wildlife Resources "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Fisheries Resources "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

The proposed project is not located in or near any fisheries.

Range Resources "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Recreation "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Visual Resources "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseThe power plant, pipelines, wellheads, pump motors and motor control buildings would each be painted an appropriate color to blend with the area and minimize visibility. The fence constructed around each of the production well sites and the power plant site would also be painted an appropriate color to blend with the area.

Close All drill rig and well test facility lights would be limited to those required to safely conduct the operations, and would be shielded and/or directed in a manner which focuses direct light to the immediate work area. Permanent project facilities within the geothermal operations area would be limited to those required to safely conduct the operations, and would be shielded and/or directed in a manner which focuses direct light to the immediate work area. Permanent project facilities within the geothermal operations area would be painted a color, subject to approval by the authorized officer, which would blend with the landscape. Prior to painting, NGP would contact the Winnemucca Field Office project lead. The average spacing of 300-660 feet between transmission line pole structures would be increased to the maximum extent possible where the transmission lines cross the visually sensitive trails/roads. The switching station at the south end of the ROW would be painted a color, subject to approval by the authorized officer, which would blend with the landscape. Prior to painting, NGP would contact the Winnemucca Field Office project lead.

Social Values "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

No social values would be affected by the project.

Economic Values "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Water Quantity "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

ClosePrior to drilling any new temporary water wells, all necessary permits will be obtained from the State Water Engineer at the Division of Water Resources and forwarded to the BLM Winnemucca Field Office.

CloseThe depth to ground water in selected ground water wells would continue to be monitored to determine if the shallow ground water production program may be lowering the groundwater table. Ground water wells to be monitored would include existing or new ground water wells both close to and farther away from the geothermal operations area. Final design and implementation of the ground water level monitoring program would occur before the commencement of geothermal production and injection operations.

Lands and Realty "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Special Status Species "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

Fire Resources "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseAll construction and operating equipment would be equipped with applicable exhaust spark arresters. Fire extinguishers would be available on the active sites. Water that is used for construction and dust control would be available for fire fighting. Personnel would be allowed to smoke only in designated areas, and they would be required to follow applicable BLM regulations regarding smoking.

Noise "NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list of possible values (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) for this property.

CloseConstruction noise would be minimized through practices which avoid or minimize actions which may typically generate greater noise levels, or generate distinctive impact noise.