Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
aquifer testing and selection combined with compliance with the state and federal
regulations that protect water quality and the limitations of water rights as issued.
During the exploration and drilling phase, water would be required for dust control,
making concrete, consumptive use by the construction crew, and drilling of wells.
Depending on availability, it may be trucked in from offsite or obtained from local
groundwater wells of nearby municipal supplies.
Land Use
Temporary and localized impacts on land use would result from exploration and
drilling activities. These activities could create a temporary disturbance in the imme-
diate vicinity of a surveying or drilling site (e.g., recreational activities, livestock
grazing). The magnitude and extent of impacts from constructing additional roads
would depend on the current land use in the area; however, long-term impacts on
land use would be minimized by reclaiming all roads and routes that are not needed
once exploration and drilling activities are completed. All other land uses on land
under well pads would be precluded as long as they are in operation. Exploration
activities are unlikely to affect mining and energy development activities, military
operations, livestock grazing, or aviation on surrounding lands. Activities affecting
resources and values identified for protection areas would likely be prohibited.
Soils and Geologic Resources
Impacts on soils and geologic resources would be proportional to the amount of dis-
turbance. The amount of surface disturbance and use of geologic materials during
exploration would be minimal. Surface effects from vehicular traffic could occur in
areas that contain special soils. The loss of biological or desert crusts can substan-
tially increase water and wind erosion. Also, soil compaction due to development
activities at the exploratory well pads and along access roads would reduce aeration,
permeability, and the water-holding capacity of the soils and cause an increase in
surface runoff, potentially causing increased sheet, rill, and gully erosion. The exca-
vation and reapplication of surface soils could cause the mixing of shallow soil hori-
zons, resulting in a blending of soil characteristics and types. This blending would
modify the physical characteristics of the soils, including structure, texture, and rock
content, that could lead to reduced permeability and increased runoff from these
areas. Soil compaction and blending could also impact the viability of future vegeta-
tion. Any geologic resources within the areas of disturbance would not be accessible
during the life of the development. Possible geological hazards (earthquakes, land-
slides, and subsidence) could be activated by drilling and blasting. Altering drainage
patterns could also accelerate erosion and create slope instability.
Paleontological Resources
Paleontological resources are nonrenewable resources. Disturbance to such
resources, whether through mechanical surface disturbance, erosion, or paleonto-
logical excavation, irrevocably alters or destroys them. The potential for impacts on
paleontological resources is high where grading for access roads and drilling sites
intercept geologic units with important fossil resources. Seismic surveys, ground
clearing, and vehicular traffic have the potential to impact the fossil resources at the
