DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2010-0006-EA

NEPA Document Collection for: DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2010-0006-EA
EA at Gabbs Valley Geothermal Area for Geothermal/Exploration

Gabbs Valley and Dead Horse Wells Geothermal Exploration Projects EA for Geothermal/Exploration

Proposed Action

Ormat is proposing to conduct geothermal exploration projects in Gabbs Valley Nevada. The proposed action consists of exploration drilling, drilling temporary water wells, road construction and maintenance, (both on lease and off lease), and develop four gravel pits for aggregate to be used for proposed actions. The proposed action includes:

• Drilling up to 58 TGHs (31 at Gabbs Valley and 27 at Dead Horse Wells), each to a maximum depth of approximately 1,000 feet, and measuring the temperature profile in each;
• Constructing up to 38 observation well drill pads (25 at Gabbs Valley and 13 at Dead Horse Wells) at the sites designated as TGH/Observation/Exploration Well sites. Drilling and completing each observation well to a depth of about 3,000 feet from each of the constructed observation well drill pads,
• Constructing up to 38 exploration well drill pads at the sites designated as TGH/Observation/Exploration well sites (by enlarging the previously constructed observation well pads or constructing new drill pads on an undrilled site). Drilling and completing an exploration well to a depth of about 7,000 feet at each of the constructed drill pads;
• Flow-testing each observation and exploration well to obtain samples of geothermal fluids and to collect aquifer information from the geothermal reservoir. Aquifer testing would define aquifer characteristics and would predict the effects of pumping on existing wells as well as determine potential dewatering of shallower aquifers and springs in the geothermal unit areas. During testing, all geothermal fluids would be discharged into the well pad reserve pits. After more than one well has been completed, further flow testing may be conducted by running a temporary pipeline between wells and flowing the fluids from one well into the other well;
• Constructing, improving or maintaining access roads (both on lease and off lease), as proposed;
• Drilling temporary water wells at one or more proposed drill site; and
• Develop three material sites for the Gabbs Valley Project and one material site for the Dead Horse Wells Project to supply aggregate for road and drill pad construction and maintenance.

Data Completion Notes

Data entry complete. 7/22: Added decision and conditions docs

Documents

Serial Register Page:

• NVN-088205 SRP.pdf

Application:

• 88205 - NOI.pdf
• 88205 - NOI revised.pdf
• 88205 - Sundry Notice Attachment.pdf

Application Attachments:

• 88205 - Letter.pdf
• 88205 - Letter 2.pdf

FONSI:

• DOI-BLM-NV-W030-2010-0006-EA_FONSI.pdf

Decision:

• DOI-BLM-NV-W030-2010-0006-EA_DECISION.pdf
• DOI-BLM-NV-W030-2010-0006-EA CONDITIONS.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.

CloseWater and gravel would be applied to the disturbed ground during the construction and utilization of the drill pads and access roads as necessary to control dust.

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.

CloseAll NRHP-eligible cultural sites would be avoided. Avoidance would include a 30 meter buffer around the documented site boundary. An archaeological monitor will be onsite during construction.

Close If previously unrecorded cultural resources are encountered during grading or other surface-disturbing activities, all grading or other surface-disturbing activities at the location of the discovery would cease within 100 meters/330 feet of the discovery, and the BLM would be notified. No surface disturbing activities would be allowed until the BLM Authorized Officer issues a Notice to Proceed (NTP) based upon the evaluation, mitigation, as necessary, and the acceptance of a summary description of the fieldwork performed for the discovery situation. The locations of the historic properties will be provided to Ormat and flagged for avoidance. If avoidance of currently documented historic properties is not possible a resolution of adverse effects would be followed as defined in 36 CFR 800.6. An archaeological monitor should be present during any ground disturbing activities. They should have the authority to halt all earth moving activities in the area of the discovery if prehistoric or historic artifacts are discovered until the find can be assessed. In the event of an inadvertent discovery all construction would cease within 100 meters/330 feet of the discovery.

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.

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.

CloseThe underside of all heavy equipment would be cleaned by water before entering public lands to do work. Driving through or parking on noxious weed infestations would be avoided. The access roads and well pads would be recontoured and ripped and then covered with native topsoil and reseeded with a BLM-approved certified weed-free seed mix.

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.

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.

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.

Special Status 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.

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.

CloseTrash would be contained on-site and hauled to an approved landfill. Burial of trash on-site is not permitted. Portable chemical sanitary facilities would be available and used by all personnel during periods of TGH or well drilling and/or flow testing. These facilities would be maintained by a local contractor.

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.

Lands and Realty 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.

Soils 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.

Close Topsoil would be salvaged during the construction of all pads and new access roads, as feasible, and stockpiled on the pads for use during subsequent reclamation of the disturbed areas. Gravel (or similar materials) would be removed, to the extent feasible. That which could not be removed would be buried deep in the recontoured cut to prevent possible surface exposure.round.

Recreation 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.

Vegetation 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.

Visual 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.

Close Access roads requiring construction with cut and fill would be designed to minimize surface disturbance and take into account the character of the landform, natural contours, cut material, depth of cut, where the fill material would be deposited, resource concerns, and visual contrast. Wellhead equipment left on the drill site following the completion of drilling would be painted a color, subject to approval by the authorized officer, which would blend with the landscape. Prior to paint selection, Ormat would contact the Stillwater Field Office project lead. 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.

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.

CloseFrom November 1 through April 1, vehicular travel through the Monte Cristo Mountains would be limited to the minimum number feasible and as safely needed to conduct drilling operations. Additionally, caution signs restricting speeds to 25 m.p.h. would be placed on the road at the entrance/exit of the Monte Cristo Mountains.

CloseThe reserve pit should be fenced in conformance with the Gold Book.

Wild Horse and Burro Management 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.

Geology and Minerals 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.

Economic Values 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.

Paleontological 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.

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.

The proposed action is not within the Gabbs Valley Range WSA. However, the southeast corner of the Dead Horse Wells Project area abuts the northwest corner of the Gabbs Valley boundary road.

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.

CloseA Hydrologic Monitoring Program (as required under the Special Stipulation for All Leases in the Carson City District Office Management Area “Special Stipulation for Water Resource”) is provided as Appendix D. Consistent with the Special Lease Stipulations and the prepared Hydrologic Monitoring Program, Ormat would monitor the quality, quantity and temperature of the hot springs or other water source within the Gabbs Valley Project Area. Results would be reported to the BLM Stillwater Field Office.

Close Ormat would inventory and monitor existing wells in the geothermal leases to determine their suitability for use as monitor wells. Where necessary, monitor wells would be installed at appropriate locations and depths to monitor geothermal exploration drilling. Ormat would collect standard aquifer test data during and after well testing from completed cased wells. Data collection would include but not be limited to static water levels, well drawdown, and other data that characterizes the aquifer(s) and that can be used to predict future scenarios as well as determine boundary affects. The data collection applies to both unconfined and confined aquifers. Ormat would collect baseline hydrologic data from both geothermal lease units. Data would include ground and surface water temperature, chemistry, groundwater elevations, and surface water flows (springs). Data would be collected to support and expand upon the required hydrologic monitoring program.