Bureau of Land Management's Decision Record and Environmental

Jersey Valley Geothermal Development Project
Environmental Assessment: NV063 -EAO8-09 1
4.4.3 Cultural Resources
Impacts to the integrity of setting of any subsequently identified National Register listed/eligible
sites where integrity of setting is critical to their listing/eligibility could occur from mineral
exploration, a wind farm and geothermal development activities. Construction activities could
increase the likelihood of vandalism of cultural sites.
Effects to cultural resources could be prevented by site avoidance and by prosecuting offenses
under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. In some cases archaeological monitors
(archaeologists permitted by Nevada BLM) may be required by the BLM to ensure that sites are
avoided by the project activities. If all sites that are determined eligible for inclusion on the
NRHP are avoided, and sites whose NRHP status is unevaluated are also avoided, then this
project will have no effect to historic properties and the cumulative effect will be negligible.
4.4.3 Native American Religious Concerns
Over the last 15 to 20 years, BLM and the tribes have witnessed an increase in the use of lands
administered by BLM, by various groups, organizations, and individuals. New ways to utilize the
public lands are also on the rise. Livestock grazing, pursuit of recreation opportunities,
hunting/fishing, Oil, Gas, Geothermal, and Mining leasing, exploration and development, along
with relatively “newer” uses such as OHV use, interpretive trails, and mountain biking are
among many increasing activities within the BLM MLFO administrative boundary. In addition
to all the existing, growing, and developing uses of the public lands, fluid mineral leasing,
exploration and development would continue to contribute to the general decline in sites and
associated activities of a cultural, traditional, and spiritual nature.
It is believed that cultural resources, including tribal resources and sites of cultural, traditional,
spiritual use and associated activities are increasingly in danger of losing their physical and
spiritual integrity. At one time central and northern Nevada contained some of the more remote
and undeveloped locations in the Great Basin. However, as populations grow, public interest in
utilizing lands administered by the BLM increases and thus the potential for the decline of
culturally sensitive areas also increases. Diverse world views, social and spiritual practices,
economic and employment pursuits, resource utilization, and traditions and beliefs often conflict
with each other. Because traditional lands encompass the majority of the State of Nevada
including the BLM Mount Lewis administrative area, it is imperative that BLM and affected
Tribes remain flexible and open to productive and proactive communication in order to assist
each other in making decisions that will significantly reduce or eliminate any adverse affects to
all party’s interests, resources, and/or activities.
4.4.4 Wildlife (Including Threatened and Endangered Species, Special Status Species and
Migratory Birds)
Additional wildlife habitat could be disturbed by the additional mineral exploration activities and
activities proposed under the Plan of Operations and through the creation of roads and other
surface disturbing activities associated with the RFFAs. Wildlife habitat directly disturbed by
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