DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2011-0501-EA

NEPA Document Collection for: DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2011-0501-EA
EA at Patua Geothermal Area for Geothermal/Well Field

EA for Development Drilling and Well Testing at Patua Geothermal Project Phase II for Geothermal/Well Field

Proposed Action

GRI is proposing to design, construct, and operate geothermal well pads and wells, geothermal fluid pipelines, and their associated access roads. These facilities would be connected to the previously proposed geothermal power plant for the Patua Phase I project or to a new nominal 60MW net geothermal power generation facility, to be located on one of two privately owned sections of land within the Unit. The power plant could be located adjacent to the existing Patua Phase I power plant, or in Section 29, T20N R26E. The elements of the proposed action include:

• Reclamation‐managed lands
  • Drill 3 new temperature gradient holes (TGHs) (no vegetation removal required)
  • Construct 14 new well pads and drill multiple wells (57 acres disturbance)
  • Construct approximately 10.5 miles of geothermal fluid pipeline and access roads (159 acres of temporary disturbance and 159 acres of permanent disturbance)
  • Construction of 1.51 miles of new transmission line if a power plant is built south of Alt 50 (18.3 acres disturbance, assuming a 100‐foot corridor)
• BLM‐managed lands
  • Drill 1 new TGH (no vegetation removal required)
  • Construct five new well pads and drill multiple wells (22 acres disturbance)
  • Construct approximately 2.2 miles of geothermal fluid pipeline and new access road (40 acres of temporary disturbance and 40 acres of permanent disturbance)
• Private land
  • Construct approximately 1.1 miles of new access road and geothermal fluid pipeline (33 acres of temporary disturbance and 33 acres of permanent disturbance)
  • Construct nominal 60 MW net geothermal power generation facility and generation substation (29 acres permanent disturbance)
  • Construction of 0.8 miles of new transmission line if a power plant is built south of Alt 50 (9.7 acres permanent disturbance, assuming a 100‐foot corridor plus 32 acres of temporary disturbance for staging)

Data Completion Notes

Data entry complete by AG 7/18.

Documents

FONSI:

• Patua II Final FONSI 05 22 2012.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.

Close A SAD Air Quality Operating Permit would be obtained for the project and a plan for fugitive dust control would be implemented. The Fugitive Dust Control Plan would include dust suppression processes (e.g., watering access roads and well pads) to minimize localized increases in particulate matter concentrations. The plan would include the following measures. Fugitive Dust Source Controls: During grading use water, as necessary, on disturbed areas in construction sites to control visible plumes Vehicle speeds would be minimized on exposed soils to 10 to 30 mph to reduce fugitive dust generation from vehicle traffic. Use effective measures to prevent run.off to roadways in construction areas adjacent to paved roadways. Ensure consistency with the project��s SWPPP. Use wind erosion control techniques (such as windbreaks, water, and/or vegetation) where soils are disturbed in construction, access and maintenance routes, and materials stock pile areas Mobile and Stationary Source Controls: Best available emissions control technologies would be used where available and practical. Plan construction scheduling to minimize vehicle trips Dust emissions from venting steam would be reduced by injecting water into the blooie line. Diesel generators over 37 kW (50 horse power) would be diesel.fired units that are certified to meet the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Tier II Emission Standards and are equipped with an exhaust particulate filter system. H2S emissions would be minimized through the use of properly weighted drilling mud which is expected to keep the well from flowing during drilling. Data collection devices would be installed and operated during all phases of drilling and testing. An H2S abatement plan would be developed and implemented during long-term flow-testing if it becomes apparent during drilling operations that H2S abatement is necessary to minimize potential nuisance odors. Measures to reduce H2S, if necessary, could include but are not limited to: Reducing the number of wells venting simultaneously, as applicable Implementing additional wellhead abatement measures, such as caustic injection between the flash tank and the portable silencer All drill rigs would be equipped with alarms to detect unsafe levels of noncondensable gases (NCGs).

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.

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.

Close GRI would avoid cultural resource sites that are known to be eligible or potentially eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places through design, construction, and operation of the project, to the greatest extent feasible. An approximately 100.foot buffer zone would be established from the boundary of cultural sites and will be identified by placing flagging around eligible and potentially eligible cultural resource sites to help provide protection to the sites. Project equipment and facilities would not encroach into the established 100.foot buffer zone to the greatest extent feasible. Fencing would not be required where construction would need to occur within the 100 foot buffer; however, the following measure would be implemented to ensure protection of cultural resources: Where the installation of project facilities could impact eligible or potentially eligible cultural sites(s), or must occur within the 100 foot buffer, GRI would retain a qualified archaeologist to serve as a cultural monitor during construction of the facility in order to avoid potential effects to the cultural site(s). The BLM would decide when cultural monitors would be necessary. The project facilities would be operated in a manner consistent with the engineered design to prevent problems associated with the run.off that could affect adjacent cultural sites. This includes the use of BMPs to minimize off.site erosion and sedimentation. GRI would limit vehicle and equipment travel to existing and proposed access roads, well pads, construction areas, and gravel source areas and allowable travel areas would be clearly flagged and staff would be informed (before project commencement) to stay within the identified areas. Any unplanned discovery of cultural resources, items of cultural patrimony, sacred objects, or funerary items would require that all activity in the vicinity of the find ceases, and the Field Manager, Stillwater Field Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, 952 Nevada 89701, be notified immediately by phone (775.885.6000) with written confirmation to follow. The location of the find would not be publicly disclosed, and any human remains must be secured and preserved in the place until a Notice to Proceed is issued by the authorized officer.

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.

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.

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.

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.