Geothermal/Wilderness
From Open Energy Information
Geothermal Wilderness
Wilderness
Present, Potentially Affected
- DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2010-0006-EA (Gabbs Valley and Dead Horse Wells Geothermal Exploration Projects EA for Geothermal/Exploration)
- DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2012-0029-EA (Tungsten Mountain Geothermal Exploration Project EA for Geothermal/Well Field Drilling and Well Testing)
- Tehachapi Renewable Transmission (Environmental Impact Statement for the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project)
The Wilderness Act (WA) (P.L. 88-577) (16 U.S.C. 1131-1136) protects the original land characteristics to be “untrammeled by man.” This unique ecosystem provides allows a stable habitat for plants, animals and bodies of water.
Wilderness criteria includes:
- “Generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable;
- Has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation;
- Has at least five thousand acres of land or is of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and
- May also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.”
Wilderness Areas provide, “recreational, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation, and historical use,” without building temporary roads, using motorized vehicles, equipment or motorboats; aircraft landings, or mechanical transport.
Wilderness Impacts & Mitigation
Wilderness areas do not permit geothermal land leasing or energy development.