Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Soils and Geologic Resources
Impacts on soils and geologic resources would be minimal during the operations
and maintenance phase. The initial areas disturbed during the construction phase
would continue to be used during standard operation and maintenance activities, but
no additional impacts would occur unless new construction projects or drill sites are
needed. Impacts associated with new construction projects or drill sites would be
similar to those described for the exploration and drilling construction phases.
Paleontological Resources
The potential for impacts on paleontological resources would be limited primar-
ily to the unauthorized collection of fossils. This threat is present once the access
roads are constructed, making remote areas more accessible to the public. Damage
to locations caused by off-highway vehicle use could also occur. The potential for
indirect impacts (e.g., vandalism, unauthorized collection) would be greater during
the production phase compared to the drilling/development phase, due to the longer
duration of the production phase.
Transportation
Daily traffic levels, particularly heavy truck traffic, would be expected to be lower
during the operations and maintenance phase compared to other phases of geother-
mal development. For the most part, heavy truck traffic would be limited to period
monitoring and maintenance activities at the well pads and power plant.
Visual Resources
Adverse impacts on visual resources would occur during the 10- to 30-year life of
the geothermal development. Impacts during the operations and maintenance phase
would result from the presence of facility structures and roads (where undeveloped
land once stood), increased vehicular traffic to the site, and releases of steam plumes
from the geothermal power plant. Periodic construction projects occurring through
the life of the development would have impacts similar to those described for the
construction phase.
Socioeconomics
Activities during the operations and maintenance phase would contribute to the local
economy by providing employment opportunities, monies to local contractors, and
recycled revenues through the local economy. The magnitude of these benefits would
vary depending on the resource potential. Operation of a typical 50-MW power plant
and related transmission line would provide an estimated 93 jobs and $8 million in
income, but would vary depending on the community. Job availability would vary
with different stages of construction. Expenditures for equipment, materials, fuel,
lodging, food, and other needs would stimulate the local economy over the dura-
tion of the project, which could last up to 50 years. Economic impacts may occur if
other land use activities (e.g., recreation, grazing, hunting) are altered by geothermal
development. Constructing facilities will alter the landscape and could affect the non-
market values of the immediate area during the life of the geothermal development.
