BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT-NEVADA GUIDELINES FOR HYDROLOGIC BASELINE SURVEY REQUIREMENTS AND MONITORING PLANS FOR PERMITTING GEOTHERMAL ACTIVITIES AND NEPA ANALYSIS

The Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Office Geothermal Program has prepared a white paper that outlines the requirements for hydrologic baseline studies, and monitoring and mitigation plans that must accompany an application to permit the development of a geothermal resource from exploration through power production. We describe the project data requirements for a defensible environmental analysis of the permits that must be conducted in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. This paper discusses the use of existing data sources to construct conceptual models of a geothermal reservoir and focuses on how these models inform the development of appropriate hydrologic baseline survey requirements, and monitoring plan requirements.

What’s in the document:

-A brief description of the permitting process steps to explore for and develop a geothermal resource:

1. Prospect and leasing;
2. Exploration activities: geologic mapping, geochemical, geophysical, core/temperature gradient holes;
3. Resource confirmation drilling and reservoir testing;
4. Utilization of geothermal fluids to produce electricity.

-Reasonable data requirements for each stage of permitting based on availability of existing data, reasonably foreseeable potential impacts of proposed activities, and the ability (technical and economic) to collect additional data during drilling and production activities.

The objective of hydrologic baseline reporting is to define water resources within a project area. This document is used to inform the public and decision makers during permitting, and aide in the development of a water resources monitoring plan to be implemented during authorized operations. In accordance with reasonably anticipated impacts of actions, the goal of a monitoring plan is to monitor and mitigate impacts to groundwater and surface expressions near a geothermal project to ensure sustainable yield of resources for multiple use on public lands.