DOI-BLM-NV-B020-2011-0026-EA

NEPA Document Collection for: DOI-BLM-NV-B020-2011-0026-EA
EA at Silver Peak Geothermal Area for Geothermal/Exploration

Clayton Valley Geothermal Exploration Project EA for Drilling and Well Testing

General NEPA Document Info
Energy Sector	Geothermal energy
Environmental Analysis Type	EA
Applicant	Ram Power
Consultant	EPG, Inc., Environmental Management Associates
Geothermal Area	Silver Peak Geothermal Area
Project Location	Nevada
Project Phase	Geothermal/Exploration
Techniques	Well Testing Techniques, Drilling Techniques, Exploration Drilling
Comments	Project abandoned; Unitization #: NVN-89376X
Time Frame (days)
Participating Agencies
Lead Agency	BLM
Funding Agency	none provided
Managing District Office	Battle Mountain
Managing Field Office
Funding Agencies	none provided
Surface Manager	BLM
Mineral Manager	BLM
Selected Dates
Application Document Type	POO, POU
Final EA-EIS Date /Public Comment Period	2011/04/13
Decision Document Date	2011/05/20
NEPA Schedule Comments
FONSI date taken from BLM planning log found online.
Relevant Numbers
Lead Agency Doc Number	DOI-BLM-NV-B020-2011-0026-EA
Serial Number	NVN-089376X
Lease Numbers

Proposed Action

Ram Power, Inc. (Ram) is proposing to construct, operate, and maintain the Clayton Valley Geothermal Exploration Project (Project) within Esmeralda County, Nevada to determine subsurface temperatures, confirm the existence of geothermal resources, and confirm the existence of a commercial geothermal reservoir at the proposed well sites within the Project area. Unit N-89376X, proposal for 17 geothermal wells.

Data Completion Notes

Data reviewed for completion 8/7

Documents

Serial Register Page:

NVN-089376X-SRP-UNIT.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 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.

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.

Fisheries 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.							CloseIn order to minimize the potential for the spread of noxious and invasive weeds in the Project area, all construction vehicles and equipment will be cleaned of all soil and plant material using high-pressure equipment (compressed air or water) prior to arrival at the work site.

Lands with Wilderness Characteristics 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.							CloseInitial ground-disturbing activities would not be conducted during the migratory bird nesting season (March 30 through August 15), unless necessary, and only after a qualified biologist first inventories for migratory birds and nests. This survey would be conducted to identify either breeding adult birds or nesting sites within the specific areas to be disturbed. If active nests are present within these areas to be disturbed, Ram would coordinate with the BLM or appropriate state officials, as applicable, to develop appropriate protection measures, which may include avoidance, construction constraints, and/or the establishment of buffers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Water 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.

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.

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.

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.							CloseRoads to be constructed, improved, or reclaimed as part of the Project would be reviewed by the BLM and required to conform to the requirements of BLM Manual 9113 and the Gold Book, as applicable to the intended Project use.

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.							CloseThe access roads and well pads would be recontoured and ripped and then covered with native topsoil and reseeded when project activities are completed. Revegetation will follow the Reclamation Plan (Appendix C) and includes site appropriate seed mixtures. Disturbed areas will be reseeded with a diverse mix of perennial native or introduced plant species. Noxious, invasive, and non-native seeds listed in the Nevada Designated Noxious Weed List (Nevada Administrative Code 555.010) or prohibited by the Federal Seed Act (7 CFR Part 201) will be excluded. Seed mixtures will be subject to the approval of the BLM. Mineral materials placed upon the playa surface for road or drill pad construction will be stripped from the playa surface during reclamation and placed in a local area where similar materials are found, then recontoured and revegetated to blend with the surroundings.

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.

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.							CloseThe reserve pit shall maintain a minimum two feet of freeboard at all times.

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.

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.

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.

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.							CloseWellhead 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, Ram would contact the Tonopah Field Office Project lead for concurrence. Given the importance of maintaining dark sky conditions, conscious efforts would be made to protect the current dark skies from light pollution. All drill rig and facility lights would be limited to those required to safely conduct the operations, and would be shielded and/or directed in a manner that focuses direct light to the immediate work area.

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.

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.

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.

Fire 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.