BLM Leasing Documents/NVN 076299
NVN 076299
- Lease Stipulations
- additional development is proposed in an area where current development has shown no adverse impacts,
- suitable off-site mitigation will be provided if habitat loss is expected, or
- BLM determines development proposed under any plan of operations ensures adequate protection of the resources.
- Lease Stipulation Document File
- Download
- NEPA Document Links
- https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/24752/570
- NEPA Document PDF Uploads
Geothermal Resource Areas Information
General Sage Grouse Stipulation
Prior to entry on any lease areas which include known or potential habitat, the lessee (operator) shall contact the appropriate BLM Field Office to discuss any proposed activities.
Other Biota
Prior to site development, a survey for invertebrates will be conducted on areas where geothermal surface expressions occur.
Controlled or Limited Surface Use
The lease area may now or hereafter contain plants, animals, or their habitats determined to be threatened, endangered, or other special status species. BLM may recommend modifications to exploration and development proposals to further its conservation and management objective to avoid BLM-approved activity that will contribute to a need to list such a species or their habitat. BLM may require modifications to or disapproved proposed activity that is likely to result in jeopardy to the continued existence of a proposed or listed threatened or endangered species or result in the destruction or adverse modifications of a designated or proposed critical habitat. BLM will not approve any ground-disturbing activity that may affect any such species or critical habitat until it completes its obligations under applicable requirements of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531, as amended, including completion of any required procedure for conference or consultation.
Wild Horse and Burros
If wild horse or burro populations are located on sites proposed for development, it may be necessary to avoid or develop mitigation measures to reduce adverse impacts to horses. These measures may include providing alternative water sources for horses of equal quality and quantity.
Migratory Birds
Surface disturbing activities during the migratory bird nesting season (March to July) may be restricted in order to avoid potential violation of the Migratory Bird Act. Appropriate inventories of migratory birds shall be conducted during analysis of actual site development. If active nests are located, the proponent shall coordinate with BLM to establish appropriate protection measures for the nesting sites which may include avoidance or restricting or excluding development during certain areas to times when nests and nesting birds will not be disturbed. During development and production phases, if artificial ponds potentially detrimental to migratory birds are created, these shall be fitted with exclusion devices such as netting or floating balls.
Vegetation
All areas of exploration and or development disturbance will be reclaimed including re-contouring disturbed areas to blend with the surrounding topography and using appropriate methods to seed with a diverse perennial seed mix. The seed mix used to reclaim disturbed areas would be “certified” weed free.
Riparian Areas
No surface occupancy within 650 feet (horizontal measurement) of any surface water bodies, riparian areas, wetlands, playas or 100-year floodplains to protect the integrity of these resources (as indicated by the presence of riparian vegetation and no actual water). Exceptions to this restriction may be considered on a case-by-case basis if the BLM determines at least one of the following conditions apply:
Noxious Weeds
During all phases of exploration and development, the lessee shall maintain a noxious weed control program consisting of monitoring and eradication for species listed on the Nevada Designated Noxious Weed List (NRS 555.010).
Cultural Resources
Controlled or Limited Surface Use All surface disturbing activities proposed after issuance of the lease are subject to compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Protection Act (NHPA) and it’s implementation through the protocol between the BLM Nevada State Director and the Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer.
Native American
No surface occupancy within the setting of National Register eligible Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs) where integrity of the setting is critical to their eligibility. For development and production phases, surface occupancy may be limited to a specific distance or precluded at hot springs, pending conclusion of the Native American consultation process. All development activities proposed under the authority of this lease are subject to the requirement for Native American consultation prior to BLM authorizing the activity. Depending on the nature of the lease developments being proposed and the resources of concerns to tribes potentially effected, Native American consultation and resulting mitigation measures to avoid significant impacts may extend time frames for processing authorizations for development activities, as well as, change in the ways in which developments are implemented.
Paleontological Resources
Where significant paleontological resources are identified, mitigating measures such as data recovery, restrictions on development, and deletion of some areas from development may be required on a case by case basis.
Resources
As exploration and development activities commence, the operator shall institute a hydrologic monitoring program. The details of the monitoring programs will be site specific and the intensity shall be commensurate with the level of exploration. For example, if the proponent will be conducting seismic studies the monitoring would be limited to the identification of water resources to be monitored as activities continue; if a drilling program were to be undertaken the number of aquifers encountered, their properties, their quality, and their saturated thickness would be documented. The information collected will be submitted to the Bureau of Land Management and will be used to support future NEPA documentation as development progresses. Adverse impacts to surface expressions of the geothermal reservoir (hot springs), and Threatened and Endangered Species habitat are not acceptable. The leasee will monitor the quality, quantity, and temperature of any hot springs or other water resource within the project area whenever they are conducting activities which have the potential to impact those resources. If adverse impacts do occur, BLM will require the lessee to take corrective action to mitigate the impact. Corrective action may include shutting down the operation. These are in addition to the other stipulations. These are LEASE stipulations, not operational, the information gathered under the monitoring stipulation will be used to identify future impacts at the operational stage.
Lands & Realty
No drilling, including exploration or development activities within linear Rights-of-Way.
Hazardous Materials
Prior to exploration and development, an emergency response plan will be developed that includes contingencies for hazardous material spills and disposal.
Stipulations for Leasing Geothermal Resources Within the New York Canyon KGRA Managed by the Winnemucca Field Office (NYC Winn Stip)
Further development, including exploration, in the New York Canyon KGRA and adjacent noncompetitive lease application areas, cannot take place unless additional environmental analysis concludes that such development would not have an adverse effect on Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs).