Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Feedstock logistics consist of harvesting or collecting the feedstock from the produc-
tion area, processing it for use in a biomass facility, storing it to provide for a steady
supply, and delivering it to the plant. The following potential impacts may result
from biomass energy production activities.
Air Quality
Emissions generated during the feedstock production phase include vehicle emis-
sions, diesel emissions from large equipment, emissions from storage and dispensing
of fuels, and fugitive dust from many sources. The level of emissions would vary
with the scale of operations and may be greater for agriculture operations than for-
estry operations. For feedstocks that do not require annual replanting (e.g., switch-
grass, hybrid poplars) and cultivation (e.g., mill residues) or for algae, which is grown
in enclosed aquaculture facilities, potential air emissions would be greatly reduced.
If all vehicles and equipment have emission control devices and dust control mea-
sures are implemented, air emissions are unlikely to cause an exceedance of air
quality standards. The removal of biomass from forests can reduce the potential for
major forest fires and limit the need for prescribed burns, thereby eliminating some
air pollution sources. However, from a climate change perspective, large reductions
in forest mass (clear cutting) can remove biomass that served to capture carbon diox-
ide. Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is considered a major contributor to climate
change. Mechanisms that can capture or contain carbon dioxide, such as forests, are
considered to be a viable mitigation measure against climate change.
Cultural Resources
Any cultural material present on the surface or buried below the surface of existing
agricultural areas has already been disturbed, some for many decades. The conver-
sion of uncultivated land to agricultural use to produce feedstock for biomass facilities
would disturb previously undisturbed land and could affect cultural resources on or
buried below the surface. Harvesting and collecting biomass from the forests could
also affect cultural resources on or buried below the surface associated with the har-
vesting. If new access roads were required, this construction could also affect cultural
resources. These agricultural and forestry activities could affect areas of interest to
Native Americans depending on their physical placement and level of visual intru-
sion. Surveys conducted prior to the commencement of farming uncultivated land or
harvesting in the forest to evaluate the presence and significance of cultural resources
in the area would assist developers in properly managing cultural resources so they
can plan their project to avoid or minimize impacts on these resources.
Ecological Resources
Vegetation and wildlife, including threatened, endangered, and sensitive species and
their critical habitats, have been displaced from years of crop production. Converting
uncultivated or fallow land to agriculture crops would result in additional displace-
ment of native vegetation and wildlife. Forest stand thinning improves the growth of
the remaining trees and reduces fire hazards; however, some native wildlife popu-
lations may decline as a result of habitat loss, fragmentation, and disturbance due
to forest openings resulting from road construction and biomass collection. The
