DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2009-0018-EA

NEPA Document Collection for: DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2009-0018-EA
EA at Soda Lake Geothermal Area for Geothermal/Well Field

Environmental Assessment of Magma Energy Soda Lake Well 41B-33 for Geothermal/Well Field

Proposed Action

The purpose of the proposed action is to develop the geothermal resource within the Soda Lake Geothermal Unit area. The need for the proposed action is to increase the electrical generation capacity of the geothermal power plant. The proposed action includes the drilling of a directional production well into the subsurface of geothermal lease NVN-53372, to a depth of 9,500 feet within the boundaries of the approved Soda Lake Geothermal Unit, and located in the adjoining section to the west. The objective of the project is to encounter and test a deep geothermal resource in the Soda Lake Geothermal Unit.

Conditions of Approval

DECISION I approve the drilling project as described in the Proposed Action of EA-NV-030-07-006. This decision is contingent on meeting all geothermal lease stipulations and monitoring requirements listed below and in EA-NV-030-07-006, as well as the Operations Plan and state permits. Due to the subsurface circumstance no Conditions of Approval are attached to this FONSI/Decision Record.

Data Completion Notes

Data entry 8/7/2013.

Documents

Serial Register Page:

• NVN-013204X-SRP-UNIT.pdf

FONSI:

• FONSI magma GDP EA 073009.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"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) of allowed values for the "NEPA Resource Analysis" property.

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

Cultural Resources NEPA_Resource_Analysis"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) of allowed values for the "NEPA Resource Analysis" property.

No new surface disturba nce is proposed; therefore, there is no affect to cultural resources.

Environmental Justice NEPA_Resource_Analysis"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) of allowed values for the "NEPA Resource Analysis" property.

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

Range Resources NEPA_Resource_Analysis"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) of allowed values for the "NEPA Resource Analysis" property.

Floodplains NEPA_Resource_Analysis"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) of allowed values for the "NEPA Resource Analysis" property.

Invasive, Nonnative Species NEPA_Resource_Analysis"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) of allowed values for the "NEPA Resource Analysis" property.

Migratory Birds NEPA_Resource_Analysis"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) of allowed values for the "NEPA Resource Analysis" property.

Should future project s of this type be located on public lands managed by BLM , then BLM sensitive species, M igratory B ird List of Concern, and game species would need to be addressed. These wildlife resources will not be carried forward in this EA since surface management belongs to Reclamation.

Native American Concerns NEPA_Resource_Analysis"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) of allowed values for the "NEPA Resource Analysis" property.

No new surface disturbance is proposed; therefore, there is no affect to Native American Religious concerns.

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

A review of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service electronic listing of federally listed threatened, endangered, proposed for listing, and candidate species was made to determine what species may be found in the project area (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2 007). None of the species listed are found in the project area.

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

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

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

Wilderness NEPA_Resource_Analysis"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) of allowed values for the "NEPA Resource Analysis" property.

Wildlife Resources NEPA_Resource_Analysis"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) of allowed values for the "NEPA Resource Analysis" property.

Should future project s of this type be located on public lands managed by BLM , then BLM sensitive species, M igratory B ird List of Concern, and game species would need to be addressed. These wildlife resources will not be carried forward in this EA since surface management belongs to Reclamation.

Water Quantity NEPA_Resource_Analysis"NEPA_Resource_Analysis" is not in the list (Not Present, Present, Not Affected, Present, Potentially Affected, Not Indicated) of allowed values for the "NEPA Resource Analysis" property.

Extracting and reinjection geothermal fluids involves a closed loop system that is not expected to result in significant impacts on groundwater or surface water resources.