Bureau of Land Management's Decision Record and Environmental

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Jersey Valley Geothermal Development Project Environmental Assessment: NV063-EAO8-091 survey conducted in 2008 (see Section 3.5) also included an inventory for noxious weeds, invasive and non-native species. Two State of Nevada noxious weed species were observed within the Jersey Valley Unit Area. Hoary cress (Cardaria draba) was observed associated with the spring in Section 28. The patch was discontinuous and linear, infesting the wetted perimeter of the spring outflow. The entire area of infestation was less than one-half acre (GBE 2008). Saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima) was observed in two locations in Section 28. There was a large single tree near the spring in Section 28. The spring outflow enters into an incised channel with scattered patches of young salt cedar saplings (GBE 2008). This channel extends outside of the survey boundary. Along the transmission line corridor, no State of Nevada noxious weeds were observed however 3 species considered to be invasive or nonnative were observed; cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Russian thistle (Salsola iberica) and halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus) (GBE 2008). Personnel from the Battle Mountain District-Mount Lewis Field Office (MLFO) have conducted noxious weed inventories throughout the Jersey Valley Unit Area and along the roadsides associated with the transmission line corridor. A search of the GIS (Graphic Information System) database indicates that within the Jersey Valley Unit Area tamarisk, a State of Nevada noxious weed, is present through many of the ephemeral washes draining Jersey Canyon, consistent with the GBE 2008 findings. In the past 2 years the MLFO has made an effort to control the tamarisk in these washes through chemical and mechanical control methods. Continued treatment of these infested washes is planned for subsequent years. The other State of Nevada noxious weed found within the Jersey Valley Unit Area is hoary cress. Hoary cress can be found growing along roadsides where disturbance is constant and wetted areas within the Jersey Valley Unit Area. In addition to the invasive plants identified by GBE 2008 there are documented records of bull thistle and curly dock within the Jersey Valley Unit Area. It should be noted that hoary cress and Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens), another State of Nevada noxious weed, has been identified on private property where spring water may be obtained for the project, see Section 2.1.7. Any proposed mitigation measures should also be followed when exiting these areas. Along sections of the transmission line corridor there are documented infestations of tamarisk, hoary cress, musk thistle and Russian knapweed have been identified. 3.6.2 Environmental Consequences 3.6.2.1 Proposed Action The proposed Project could contribute to the spread of noxious weeds, invasive and nonnative species within the Jersey Valley Unit Area and the transmission line corridor through the proposed surface disturbing activities and the number of construction and drilling vehicles involved. - 54 -
Jersey Valley Geothermal Development Project Environmental Assessment: NV063 -EAO8-09 1 Ormat has committed to follow the mitigation measures (see Section 2.1.11), “To prevent the spread of invasive, nonnative species, vehicles and equipment would be power washed, including body and undercarriage, prior to entering public lands managed by the BLM” and geothermal resources special lease stipulations found in Appendix A of this document (WFO & BMFO NVN-77483, NVN-77482, NVN-77481, WFO N-74883 & N-7488l). Following the implementation of these environmental protection measures, there would remain the potential for the spread of noxious weeds, invasive and normative species (seed and vegetative plant parts) within the Jersey Valley Unit Area and along the transmission line corridor, which would be a residual impact. Ormat has also committed to re-vegetate disturbed areas using BLM approved weed-free seed mixes. 3.6.2.2 Alternative 1 Alternative 1 would differ from the Proposed Action in that there would be an increase (0.25 acres) in the total amount of permanent surface disturbance due to construction, operation and maintenance. The impacts of Alternative 1 from invasive, normative species would not be substantially different from that of the Proposed Action. 3.7 SOILS 3.7.1 Affected Environment Soil associations in the Jersey Valley Unit Area and the transmission line corridor have been mapped by the USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Soil associations within the Jersey Valley Unit Area are: 211, Preble variant-Whirlo; 662, Oxcorel-Whirlo-Trocken variant; 673, Misad-Golconda-Tenabo; 2711, Burrita-Burnborough; 2721, Burnborough-Sumine-Burrita; 2555, Laped-Colbar; 251, Whirlo-Beoska-Oxcorel; 652, Burrita-Hoot-Rock outcrop; 1340, Laped-Colbar; and 653, Buirrita-Burnborough (USDA, NRCS 2008a and 2008b) (see 14 and Figure 15). Soil associations within the transmission line corridor are: 596, Trunk-Burrita; 661, Oxcorrel-Orovada; 670, Misap-Snapp-Oxcorel (USDA, NRCS 2008b); 240, Bubus; 245, Bubus-Needle Peak-Yipor; 247, Bubus-Isolde; 701, Orovada; 835, Reese-Ocala; 1169, Whirlo-Broyles; 1292, Kingingham-Golconda-Whirlo; 2062 ,Oxcorel-Orovada; and 2066, Oxcorel-Broyles-Dun Glen; (USDA, NRCS 2008a). Soil associations 652 and 662 (USDA, NRCS 2008b) are within the transmission line corridor and have been stated above. — 55 -
Page 1 and 2:
In Reply Refer To: N-881 18 3200 (N
Page 3 and 4:
The BLM MLFO has determined that in
Page 5 and 6:
APPEAL PROVISIONS Decisions may be
Page 7:
Al. Vicinity Map A2. Unit Map A3. R
Page 11:
tsgend Al Unit Map • B. sflpa Wta
Page 15:
ATFACHMENT B ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSME
Page 18 and 19:
Ormat Nevada, Inc. Jersey Valley Ge
Page 20 and 21:
Jersey Valley Geothermal Developmen
Page 22 and 23:
Page 24 and 25:
Page 26 and 27: Jersey Valley Geothermal Developmen
Page 28 and 29: €C5- N. •3CdCd N. 9.Od N. “G1
Page 30 and 31: Figure 3: Jersey Valley Unit Area a
Page 48 and 49: LEGEND I Jersey Valley Staging Area
Page 50 and 51: LEGEND • J T27N, R4OE Alternative
Page 52 and 53: I-i Figure 9: Jersey Valley Unit Ar
Page 54 and 55: Figure 10: Recommended Construction
Page 56 and 57: NOTES 1 HEAVY ANGLE STRUCTURES WILL
Page 78 and 79: LEGEND Soil Association Symbol 1340
Page 82 and 83: LEGEND • Construction Waler Sourc
Page 124 and 125: Appendix A: Geothermal Lease Stipul
Page 126 and 127:
08/07/2006 11:55 817758616710 PAGE
Page 128 and 129:
08/67/200E. 11:55 817758616710 PAGE
Page 130 and 131:
09/07/2005 11:55 817758615710 PAGE
Page 132 and 133:
D8/O7/200S 11:55 81775961b710 PAGE
Page 134 and 135:
D8/O7/2OCE 11:55 91 77 59 S1E.719 P
Page 136 and 137:
Ds/7f2OO6 11:55 817753B16710 PAGE 0
Page 138 and 139:
09/07/2006 11:55 917758616710 PAGE
Page 140 and 141:
08/07/2606 11:55 817758616716 PAGE
Page 143:
Finding of No Significant Impact Fo
Page 146 and 147:
1 NI::- •: I, — Ii
Page 149:
The “wetlands” potentially impa
Page 153:
The EA’s mitigation and permit ap
Page 156 and 157:
• •., •• ‘t! •: •*
Page 159:
Form 2800- Issuing Office 14 (Augus
Page 163:
I Table 1: Legal Description of Tra
Page 167:
Jersey Valley Master Title Plat and
Page 171:
— Figure 12: Jersey Valley Unit A
Page 175:
9. The Holder shall comply with all
Page 179:
shall be supported by a stipulation
Page 183:
Form 2800- 14 (August 1985) UNITED
Page 187:
Table 1: Legal Description of Trans
Page 191:
Buffalo Valley (NVN-83484X) E Jerse
Page 195:
May 10, 2010 N-87409 EXHIBIT B 1.0
Page 199:
approved in writing by the Authoriz
Page 202 and 203:
(4 4
Page 205:
Form 2800- Issuing Office 14 (Augus
Page 209:
—y . —i I I RO.*D 10 1. I. —
Page 213:
____________ Buffalo Valley Jersex
Page 217:
May 10, 2010 N-88390 EXHIBIT B 1.0
Page 221 and 222:
Page 223:
shall be supported by a stipulation
Page 227:
Form 2800- 14 (August 1985) UNITED
Page 231 and 232:
4 — - FIOAD1O : c:ç • •.•
Page 233 and 234:
A PA a,. 0.25 i8’ NoUm Maptent VV
Page 235:
£vIes C — — 42002211 ) 0.5 1 2
Page 238 and 239:
,t.
Page 240 and 241:
•(.1 •. ., . . - • ..a -. - j
Page 243:
Page 247:
The Authorized Officer must approve
Page 251 and 252:
Attachment E CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Page 253 and 254:
Page 255 and 256:
Page 257 and 258:
Page 259 and 260:
Page 261 and 262:
Page 263 and 264:
Page 265 and 266:
Page 267 and 268:
Migratory Birds Attachment E CONDIT
Page 269 and 270:
Migratory Birds Attachment E CONDIT
Page 271:
Lands & Realty Attachment E CONDITI
Page 275 and 276:
ATTACHMENT F EA COMMENT RESPONSES T
Page 277:
for increased patrols to the Jersey
Page 281:
U, C’1 CC) 0 CD 0 CD 0) C 0 CD C)
show all

Bureau of Land Management's Decision Record and Environmental

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?