Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
surface. Harvesting and collecting biomass from the forests could also affect paleonto-
logical resources on or buried below the surface associated with the harvesting. If new
access roads were required, this construction could also affect these resources. Surveys
conducted prior to the commencement of farming uncultivated land or harvesting in
the forest to evaluate the presence and/or significance of paleontological resources in
the area would assist developers in properly managing paleontological resources so
they can plan their project to avoid or minimize impacts on these resources.
Transportation
Increased road congestion from agricultural vehicles, logging trucks, and workers
would occur for the duration of the activities in a given area. Transportation of col-
lected biomass from the point of generation to storage facilities or to biomass energy
production facilities could also result in impacts on the transportation system.
Visual Resources
Converting idle land to agricultural use would change the visual aspect of an area
and probably would be noticeable by any nearby residents or travelers that are famil-
iar with the area. Major timber harvests change the look and character of hillsides
and the views that local residents and tourists have of the forest. Collection of the
residue biomass would not add to the visual degradation. Changes in the character of
the forest resulting from the collection of biomass in forest thinning projects would
most likely not be observed from a distance.
Socioeconomics
Direct impacts would include the creation of new jobs for farmworkers and the asso-
ciated income and taxes generated by increased production of crops and grasses and
new markets for crop residue. Increased biomass collection in forested regions would
also create new jobs. Indirect impacts would include new jobs at businesses that sup-
port the expanded workforce or provide farm and logging equipment materials, and
associated income taxes.
Environmental Justice
If significant impacts occurred in any resource areas, and these impacts dispropor-
tionately affect minority or low-income populations, then there could be an environ-
mental justice impact. Issues of potential concern are noise, dust, and visual impacts
from biomass production and harvesting and potential construction of new access
roads. Additional impacts include limitations on access to the area for recreation,
subsistence, and traditional activities.
B
iomass
e
nergy
o
perations
i
mpacts
Operations activities that may cause environmental impacts include operation of the
biomass energy facility, power generation, biofuel production, and associated main-
tenance activities. Typical activities during biomass facility operation include power
generation or production of biofuels and associated maintenance activities that would
require vehicular access and heavy equipment operation when components are being
