Sevier Playa Potash Project

Resource Report

Geology and Minerals

Prepared For:

Bureau of Land Management Fillmore Field Office

Prepared By:

ENValue Castle Rock, Colorado

October 2018

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Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction ...... 1 2.0 Proposed Action and Alternatives ...... 1 2.1 Standard Mitigation Measures / Best Management Practices ...... 1 2.2 Supplemental Plans ...... 1 2.3 Proposed Action ...... 2 2.3.1 Mining Project ...... 3 2.3.2 Rights-of-Way ...... 5 2.3.3 Mineral Materials ...... 7 2.3.4 Construction ...... 7 2.3.5 Operation and Maintenance ...... 7 2.3.6 Decommissioning and Reclamation ...... 8 2.4 Alternatives ...... 8 3.0 Analysis Area ...... 9 4.0 Regulatory Framework ...... 10 5.0 Methods ...... 10 6.0 Affected Environment ...... 10 6.1 Regional Geology ...... 13 6.1.1 Sevier Lake Basin Stratigraphy ...... 14 6.1.2 Sevier Playa Stratigraphy ...... 14 6.1.3 Metallic and Non-Metallic Resources ...... 19 6.1.4 Energy Resources ...... 20 6.2 Geologic Hazards ...... 21 6.2.1 Earthquakes and Seismicity ...... 21 6.2.2 Mass Wasting ...... 22 6.2.3 Sand Dune Migration ...... 22 7.0 Analysis of Effects ...... 22 7.1 Mitigation ...... 23 7.2 Direct and Indirect Effects ...... 23 7.2.1 Proposed Action ...... 23 7.2.2 Alternative 1 - 69-kV Power and Communication Line, North End ...... 24 7.2.3 Alternative 2 - 69-kV Power and Communication Line, South End ...... 24 7.2.4 Alternative 3 - Natural Gas Pipeline, Black Rock ...... 24 7.2.5 Alternative 4 - Natural Gas Pipeline, West End ...... 24 7.2.6 Alternative 5 - Sevier River Diversion ...... 27 7.2.7 No Action Alternative ...... 27 7.3 Cumulative Effects ...... 27 7.3.1 Proposed Action ...... 27 7.3.2 Alternative 1 - 69-kV Power and Communication Line, North End ...... 28 7.3.3 Alternative 2 - 69-kV Power and Communication Line, South End ...... 28 7.3.4 Alternative 3 - Natural Gas Pipeline, Black Rock ...... 28 7.3.5 Alternative 4 - Natural Gas Pipeline, West End ...... 28 7.3.6 Alternative 5 - Sevier River Diversion ...... 28 7.3.7 No Action Alternative ...... 28 8.0 Conformance with Applicable Land Use Plans, Policies, and Controls ...... 28 9.0 References ...... 29

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Tables Table 1 Mining Project Summary ...... 4 Table 2 Right-of-Way Summary...... 6 Table 3 Mitigation Measures, Geology and Minerals ...... 25

Figures Figure 1 Analysis Area ...... 11 Figure 2 Cross Section A-A’ of Sevier Lake Basin ...... 15 Figure 3 Cross Section B-B’ of Sevier Lake Basin ...... 17

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Acronyms and Abbreviations

The following acronyms are abbreviations are used throughout this report.

bgs Below Ground Surface BLM Bureau of Land Management BMU Brine Mining Unit CPM Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. CPMC Crystal Peak Minerals Corporation EIS Environmental Impact Statement FFO Fillmore Field Office

K2SO4 Potassium Sulfate kV Kilovolt M Magnitude

MgCl2 Magnesium Chloride MLA Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended NaCl Sodium Chloride NEPA National Environmental Policy Act PGA Peak Ground Acceleration RMP Resource Management Plan ROW Right-of-Way Salada Salada Minerals LLC SITLA State and Institutional Trust Lands Administration SOP Sulfate of Potash SR State Route UDOGM Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining UGS Utah Geologic Survey USGS U. S. Geological Survey WSRA Warm Springs Resource Area yd3 Cubic Yard

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iv Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

1.0 Introduction

The Sevier Playa is located in central Millard County, in southwestern Utah, approximately 130 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, between the towns of Delta (30 miles to the northeast) and Milford (25 miles to the south-southeast). The Sevier Playa is a large terminal lakebed that is normally dry on the surface and contains subsurface potassium-bearing saline brines. The brine resource, along with the meteorological and topographic conditions at the Sevier Playa make the site a viable location from which to produce potash and associated minerals (Bureau of Land Management [BLM] 1987). Potash is any soluble salt that contains potassium. Various types of potash fertilizer comprise the largest worldwide industrial use of the element potassium.

The BLM is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze and disclose the environmental effects of the proposed Sevier Playa Potash Project (Project). This resource report describes the analysis area, regulatory framework, methods, affected environment, and analysis of effects for geology and minerals in support of the EIS for the Project.

2.0 Proposed Action and Alternatives

Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. (CPM) through agreement controls the rights to develop and operate potassium mineral leases on 117,814 acres of federal lands administered by the BLM and an additional 6,409 acres of State of Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) lands on and adjacent to the Sevier Playa. CPM proposes to construct and operate the Project, which would produce at its peak approximately 372,000 tons per year of potassium sulfate (K2SO4), also known as sulfate of potash (SOP), and related minerals. The annual average production over the 32-year lifetime of the Project would be about 328,500 tons, with the minimum annual production approximately 246,000 tons.

2.1 Standard Mitigation Measures / Best Management Practices

When reviewing and considering whether to approve proposed projects, BLM’s approach is to first avoid, then minimize, and finally mitigate adverse effects. Standard mitigation measures and best management practices (BMPs) have been developed to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the potential adverse effects of the Project. Appendix J in the EIS lists these measures, which are integral to all of the action alternatives (including the proposed action). CPM would implement these measures regardless of which action alternative, or combination of alternatives, may be selected.

2.2 Supplemental Plans

CPM developed several supplemental plans to address specific resource issues or management requirements. Each of these plans supplements information and requirements in the EIS, the Mining Plan (CPM and Norwest 2018), and the Plan of Development (POD) (CPM 2018a), and is incorporated in these documents by reference. These plans would also apply to the sale of mineral materials to CPM. Some of these plans contain mitigation measures that CPM would implement in addition to the measures in Appendix J in the EIS. The analysis of effects in Section 7.0 considers the mitigation measures in the supplemental plans to be integral to the proposed action and action alternatives. These supplemental plans include:

• Adaptive Wildlife Management Plan (CPM 2018b)

• Blasting Plan (CPM 2018c)

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• Cultural Resource Plan (CPM 2018d)

• Environmental Compliance Inspection Plan (2018e)

• Fugitive Dust Control Plan (CPM 2018f)

• Noxious and Invasive Weed Management Plan (CPM 2018g)

• Reclamation Plan (CPM 2018h)

• Site Safety Plan (CPM 2018i)

• Solid and Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials Management Plan (CPM 2018j)

• Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC) (CPM 2018k)

• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) (CPM 2018l)

• Transportation and Traffic Management Plan (CPM 2018m)

• Water Monitoring Plan (CPM 2018n)

2.3 Proposed Action

The proposed action is made up of three primary components:

1) Mining Project – Facilities that would be constructed and activities that would take place on leases controlled by CPM on or near the Sevier Playa as part of full commercial development of the potassium resource.

2) Rights-of-Way – Facilities that would be constructed and activities that would take place outside of leases controlled by CPM on rights-of-way (ROWs) issued by the BLM, along with equivalent agreements on state and private lands, to support full development of the potassium resource.

3) Mineral Materials – Sale of mineral materials to CPM by BLM and SITLA to support full development of the potassium resource.

The following sections summarize the components of the Mining Project, ROWs, and Mineral Material sales. It is important to note that some Project components would be divided into on-lease and off-lease portions. For example, the 69-kV Power and Communication Line would be located primarily in a ROW; however, about two miles of the line would be located in the lease area. Additional details of the proposed action are provided in Appendix K in the EIS. The description of the proposed action represents the best available information, based on the Mining Plan (CPM and Norwest 2018), POD (CPM 2018a), and Gravel Pits – Mining Plan (CPM 2018p). CPM is continuing work on additional engineering and refinement of processes concurrently with development of the EIS. While large changes to the general types of facilities, activities, and processes described below are not expected, some minor adjustments or refinements are possible.

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2.3.1 Mining Project

During operation of the Mining Project, potassium-bearing brines would be extracted from trenches and wells on the Sevier Playa. The brine would be routed through a series of ditches and ponds, using solar evaporation to concentrate the brine. The preconcentration ponds would concentrate the brine causing halite (NaCl, sodium chloride, also known as table salt) and other non-commercial salts to form and precipitate. These salts would be stored in the preconcentration ponds. The saturated brine would be transferred to the production ponds for further evaporation, causing potassium-rich salts to form and precipitate. The production ponds would be harvested year-round, with the potassium-rich salts moved directly to the Processing Facility for processing into SOP. The SOP would be trucked to the Rail Loadout Facility for distribution. The remaining brine, which is called purge brine and contains primarily magnesium chloride (MgCl2), would be removed from the production ponds before harvesting begins and would be piped to a Purge Brine Storage Pond. Process by-products (solid tailings) from the Processing Facility would be trucked to the Tailings Storage Area. Key components of the Mining Project (Table 1) would include:

• The playa has been divided into Brine Mining Units (BMUs) based on recent exploration activities and analysis in the Feasibility Study (CPM 2018o). Each BMU consists of portions of the extraction and recharge systems.

• Extraction trenches and canals would be excavated to allow for gravity drainage of brine from the playa. Extraction wells with solar-powered pumps would also contribute to brine extraction.

• Water diverted from the Sevier River would provide the majority of recharge water. CPM would acquire (lease or purchase) water from upstream users to supplement natural flows in the river. A berm constructed across the Sevier River near the playa inlet would divert river water through a canal into the recharge system.

• Recharge canals, collectors, and trenches would be excavated to recharge the shallow brine aquifer on the playa and promote consistent brine production. Pump stations would maintain the flow of water in the recharge canals.

• Evaporation ponds, including preconcentration and production ponds, would be constructed on the playa. A combination of pump stations and weirs would provide for brine flow through the preconcentration ponds. Additional pump stations would convey brine from the preconcentration ponds to the production ponds via the Brine Transfer Canal. A combination of pump stations and weirs would provide for brine flow in and around the production ponds.

• A Processing Facility would be located adjacent to the southern end of the playa on a parcel leased by CPM from SITLA. The Processing Facility would be contained within a fenced yard and would include three main structures (a wet plant, a dry plant, and a compaction building / bagging plant), and other support facilities. A single-level administration building with adjoining employee parking would provide office space. A communication tower would be connected to the administration building and would support telephone and data communication.

• A Waste Product Storage Area would consist of a Purge Brine Storage Pond and a Tailings Storage Area surrounded by containment berms and access roads.

• A 69-kilovolt (kV) Power and Communication Line would provide power to the Processing Facility.

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• A 25-kV Power Line would provide power to pump stations around the preconcentration ponds.

• A 12.47-kV Power Line would provide power to pump stations around the production ponds.

• A 12.47-kV Power and Communication Line would provide power and communications from the Processing Facility to the Rail Loadout Facility as well as power to the power line spurs to the water supply wells.

• A Natural Gas Pipeline would provide natural gas to the Processing Facility.

• A Water Supply Pipeline would provide water from the water supply wells to the Processing Facility.

• A Perimeter Road would the constructed around the perimeter of the playa, with Perimeter Road Spurs from off-lease access roads, to provide access to Project facilities. Haul roads would connect the Processing Facility to the Perimeter Road.

Table 1 Mining Project Summary

Ownership Number BLM State Total Total of Length Area Length Area Length Area Facility Type Features (miles) (acres) (miles) (acres) (miles) (acres) Extraction System Extraction Trenches 159 294.03 n/a A 12.49 n/a A 306.52 n/a A Extraction Canal 1 25.12 n/a A 0.00 n/a A 25.12 n/a A BLM 2,264 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Extraction Wells State 102 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Recharge System West Recharge Canal 1 33.90 n/a A 3.95 n/a A 37.85 n/a A East Recharge Canal 1 18.16 n/a A 1.55 n/a A 19.71 n/a A Recharge Collectors 152 33.18 n/a A 2.62 n/a A 35.80 n/a A Recharge Trenches 155 272.09 n/a A 8.68 n/a A 280.76 n/a A Diversion Berm 1 0.06 2.8 0.00 0.0 0.06 2.8 Diversion Canal 1 0.28 3.6 0.00 0.0 0.28 3.6 Evaporation Ponds Preconcentration Ponds 11 n/a 15,372.6 n/a 0.0 n/a 15,372.6 Production Ponds 18 n/a 2,272.9 n/a 416.7 n/a 2,689.6 Processing and Waste Storage Facilities Processing Facility 1 n/a 0.0 n/a 41.8 n/a 41.8 Purge Brine Storage Pond 1 n/a 800.5 n/a 0.0 n/a 800.5 Tailings Storage Area 1 n/a 461.7 n/a 0.0 n/a 461.7 Utility Lines 69-kV Power and Communication Line 1 1.99 24.1 0.16 1.9 2.15 26.1 25-kV Power Line 1 14.60 88.5 0.00 0.0 14.60 88.5

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Table 1 Mining Project Summary

Ownership Number BLM State Total Total of Length Area Length Area Length Area Facility Type Features (miles) (acres) (miles) (acres) (miles) (acres) 12.47-kV Power Line 1 4.03 24.4 2.84 17.2 6.87 41.6 12.47-kV Power and Communication Line 1 0.50 3.0 0.16 1.0 0.66 4.0 Natural Gas Pipeline 1 1.99 12.1 0.16 1.0 2.15 13.0 Water Supply Pipeline 1 0.49 3.0 0.11 0.7 0.60 3.6 Access Roads Perimeter Road 1 53.26 516.5 6.85 66.4 60.11 582.9 Perimeter Road Spurs 6 4.22 41.0 0.52 5.0 4.74 46.0 Haul Roads 2 0.00 0.0 0.65 4.4 0.65 4.4 CPM Spur Road 1 0.30 2.2 0.06 0.5 0.36 2.6 Notes: All lengths have been rounded to the nearest hundredth of a mile and areas have been rounded to the nearest tenth of an acre. Totals may not appear exact because of rounding. n/a: Not applicable to this feature. A The areas for the extraction and recharge systems have not been calculated. For the analysis of effects, it is assumed that the entire lease area inside the Perimeter Road would be disturbed. The majority of the extraction and recharge systems, except the Sevier River Diversion, would be located within this disturbed area. B Area calculated using the ROW width for the off-lease portion of these features. For features that are entirely on- lease, widths were determined as follows: 12.47-kV Power Line – same as 12.47-kV Power and Communication Line; Perimeter Road Spurs – same as Perimeter Road; Haul Roads – width listed in Mining Plan; CPM Spur Road – same as Rail Loadout Facility Access Roads.

2.3.2 Rights-of-Way

CPM has applied for ROW grants to use BLM-administered lands for the construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of utilities and other facilities associated with the Project (Table 2). CPM would complete similar agreements for use of state and private lands for these facilities. These Project components would be located outside of the potassium leases controlled by CPM, but are integral to successful development and operation of the Mining Project. Key off-lease Project components would include:

• A 69-kV Power and Communication Line to provide electrical power and communications for the Project, along with use of the existing Power Line Access Road.

• A 25-kV Power Line connecting with the on-lease portion of the line, with an associated access road, and the North Playa substation connecting to the 69-kV Power and Communication Line.

• A 12.47-kV Power and Communication Line to supply electricity and communications to the Rail Loadout Facility, and electricity to the power line spurs to the water supply wells.

• Temporary and permanent communication towers to support Project communications.

• A propane tank at the Rail Loadout Facility to supply energy needs for the early phases of the Project.

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• A Natural Gas Pipeline to meet long-term energy needs at the Processing and Rail Loadout Facilities including access roads for construction use. A portion of this pipeline may be constructed aboveground to avoid adverse effects to some resources.

• A Rail Loadout Facility, Rail Spur, and Access Corridor to support shipment of products by rail.

• Water supply facilities, including water supply wells, access roads, power line spurs, and water pipelines from the wells to the Processing Facility, to support the Project’s needs for fresh water.

• Use of existing, improved, or new roads to access the Perimeter Road and other Project facilities, along with off-lease segments of the Perimeter Road.

• Portions of the preconcentration ponds and associated pump stations would be located outside the lease area, but still within the playa boundary.

• Several segments of the recharge canals, recharge collectors, and Brine Transfer Canal would be constructed off-lease, generally parallel to the off-lease segments of the Perimeter Road.

Table 2 Right-of-Way Summary

Ownership BLM State Private Total Total Length Area Length Area Length Area Length Area Facility Type (miles) (acres) (miles) (acres) (miles) (acres) (miles) (acres) Temporary ROWs Power and Communication Lines 20.16 223.4 unk 2.1 -­ -­ 20.16 225.4 Communication Facilities 3.66 11.2 1.72 5.2 -­ -­ 5.38 16.4 Natural Gas Facilities 25.95 62.9 1.10 2.7 1.07 2.6 28.12 68.2 Rail Facilities 2.39 8.0 -­ -­ 1.08 3.9 3.48 11.9 Water Supply Facilities 12.55 43.1 1.40 6.0 -­ -­ 13.95 49.1 Access and Perimeter Roads 12.40 30.1 1.18 2.9 -­ -­ 13.58 32.9 Preconcentration Ponds 5.65 13.7 -­ -­ -­ -­ 5.65 13.7 Recharge System 10.29 25.1 1.06 2.6 -­ -­ 11.35 27.7 Brine Transfer Canal n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Total Temporary ROWs 93.04 417.4 6.47 21.4 2.15 6.5 101.66 445.3 Permanent ROWs Power and Communication Lines 98.03 651.3 3.53 26.3 -­ -­ 101.56 677.5 Communication Facilities 0.62 2.3 -­ -­ -­ -­ 0.62 2.3 Natural Gas Facilities 38.91 133.6 1.96 6.6 4.05 12.9 44.91 153.1 Rail Facilities 4.21 129.1 -­ -­ 2.16 9.8 6.37 139.0 Water Supply Facilities 14.80 40.7 2.09 5.5 -­ -­ 16.89 46.2 Access and Perimeter Roads 31.93 149.3 2.72 13.2 -­ -­ 34.64 162.6 Preconcentration Ponds -­ 2,338.6 n/a -­ n/a -­ n/a 2,338.6 Recharge System 10.29 149.0 1.06 15.5 -­ -­ 11.35 164.5 Brine Transfer Canal 0.52 6.3 0.01 0.1 -­ -­ 0.53 6.4

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Table 2 Right-of-Way Summary

Ownership BLM State Private Total Total Length Area Length Area Length Area Length Area Facility Type (miles) (acres) (miles) (acres) (miles) (acres) (miles) (acres) Total Permanent ROWs 199.30 3,600.2 11.37 67.3 6.21 22.8 216.89 3,690.2 Note: All lengths have been rounded to the nearest hundredth of a mile and areas have been rounded to the nearest tenth of an acre. Totals may not appear exact because of rounding. --: Indicates this feature does not occur on this ownership. n/a: Not applicable to this feature. unk: Unknown (the area of temporary ROW for the Power and Communication lines is estimated; however, the length has not been estimated).

2.3.3 Mineral Materials

CPM estimates 250,000 cubic yards (yd3) of aggregate (gravel and similar materials) would be needed over the life of the Project, primarily during construction. This estimate does not include about 50,000 yd3 of railroad ballast and sub-ballast, which would be purchased from a commercial source. One proposed source (gravel pit) would be located on BLM-administered lands on the north side of Crystal Peak Road approximately eight miles west of the State Route (SR) 257. The other two gravel pits would be located near the Processing Facility in the lease area.

2.3.4 Construction

Construction would be phased over the life of the Project. Not all of the facilities would be needed initially; therefore, CPM has proposed phased construction to defer capital expenses and bring the facilities online as they are needed. The construction phase would generally include the first four years of the Project. During this period, facilities required to be in operation prior to the startup of the Processing Facility would be constructed, including many of the extraction and recharge trenches and collectors, the extraction canal, most of the recharge canal (including the Sevier River diversion), the evaporation ponds and pump stations, initial stages of the Waste Product Storage Area, the Perimeter Road and spurs, 69-kV Power and Communication Line, the 12.47-kV Power and Communication Line (from the Processing Facility to Water Supply Well 4 Access Road), the communication towers, the water supply facilities, most of the access roads, and the Processing Facility. Different facilities may be constructed concurrently, using multiple crews specializing in various components of the Project. Various phases of construction would occur at different locations throughout the process. In some cases, a particular phase could be carried out concurrently at a number of locations. Following construction of each facility, interim reclamation would address temporary disturbance as described in the Reclamation Plan (CPM 2018h).

2.3.5 Operation and Maintenance

The operation phase would begin at the end of the construction phase, once the Processing Facility is in operation. Although the focus would be on operation and maintenance, some facilities would be constructed or expanded during this phase. This would include development of additional extraction and recharge trenches, extension of the extraction and recharge canals, development of the extraction wells, expansion of the Waste Product Storage Area, maintenance of the evaporation ponds (including berm raises for the preconcentration ponds), construction of the Rail Loadout Facility and Rail Spur, extension of the 12.47-kV Power and Communication Line, construction of the 25-kV Power Line, and construction

7 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals of the Natural Gas Pipeline. After construction, routine maintenance of Project facilities would be necessary to optimize performance and to detect and repair malfunctions. Routine maintenance activities may include selective vegetation clearing, blading, resurfacing, dust abatement, spot repairs, culvert cleaning, noxious weed control, reseeding, regrading, snow removal, and repair, upgrades, or replacement of support structures. Operation and maintenance of the Project, including on- and off-lease facilities, would require approximately 175 full-time employees, distributed among on-playa operations, the Processing Facility, drivers for transport of SOP to the Rail Loadout Facility, operation of the Rail Loadout Facility, and miscellaneous off-playa maintenance and operations tasks. The majority of the employees would be full-time over the calendar year and throughout the anticipated life of the Project.

2.3.6 Decommissioning and Reclamation

When the Project is at the end of its useful life, CPM would prepare and implement a Decommissioning Plan (to be approved by the BLM and the Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining [UDOGM]) that would provide specific details and a schedule regarding how and when decommissioning of the Project would be accomplished. CPM would be required to post surety bonds in accordance with 43 CFR 3504.50 (for the BLM) and UAC Rule R647-1 (for UDOGM). BLM would consult with interested parties, including UDOGM and other agencies, to determine if any facilities should be retained for alternate uses. Any facilities not decommissioned would become the responsibility of an entity other than CPM. The final disposition of facilities would be approved by BLM and UDOGM. In general, decommissioning would involve disassembling infrastructure and salvaging valuable equipment. Demolition or removal of equipment and facilities would meet applicable environmental, health, and safety regulations. Following facility removal, the site would undergo final cleanup and reclamation. Foundations and access roads would be removed, re-contoured, and reseeded, as appropriate. Areas disturbed during removal of facilities would be reclaimed and rehabilitated as near as possible to their original condition and would be available for the same uses that existed prior to the Project. Fences and other previously existing structures would be reestablished to as good a condition or better than the original. CPM has prepared a Reclamation Plan (CPM 2018h) for the Project, which contains more detail on specific reclamation activities.

2.4 Alternatives

The BLM used information from CPM on the technical and economic feasibility of each of the alternatives, along with environmental factors and legal and regulatory constraints, to identify alternatives for detailed analysis in the EIS (Section 2.1.4). The alternatives carried forward for detailed analysis are presented as variations of specific Project components, rather than re-iterations of the entire Project in which only certain components are changed. If one or more of these alternatives were to be selected in the ROD, the components of the selected alternative(s) would replace the corresponding components in the proposed action, while the remainder of the proposed action would be implemented as described above. The action alternatives analyzed in detail are described in Section 2.5 in the EIS and illustrated in Figures 2.5-1 through 2.5-6 in the EIS. The action alternatives analyzed in detail are summarized as follows:

• Alternative 1 would replace the northern portion of the proposed action for the 69-kV Power and Communication Line from the Black Rock Substation to the intersection of the SR 257 Cutoff Road and the Power Line Access Road. The purpose of this alternative would be to minimize new disturbance in previously undisturbed areas and minimize habitat fragmentation by following existing disturbance corridors.

• Alternative 2 would replace the southern portion of the proposed action for the 69-kV Power and Communication Line from the point where the proposed action leaves the Power Line Access Road and runs west toward the Processing Facility. The purpose of this alternative would be to

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minimize new disturbance in previously undisturbed areas and minimize habitat fragmentation by following existing disturbance corridors.

• Alternative 3 would replace the portion of the proposed action for the Natural Gas Pipeline between SR 257 on the east and the Rail Loadout Facility on the west. The purpose of this alternative would be to provide a route for the Natural Gas Pipeline that is entirely on BLM- administered land and avoids crossing private lands.

• Alternative 4 would replace the western portion of the proposed action for the Natural Gas Pipeline from the point where the pipeline leaves Crystal Peak Road and heads northwest, then west toward the Processing Facility. The purpose of this alternative would be to minimize new disturbance in previously undisturbed areas and minimize habitat fragmentation by following existing disturbance corridors.

• Alternative 5 would be an alternative method of diverting flows from the Sevier River into the recharge system. The purpose of this alternative would be to place the diversion within the boundary of the playa, minimizing effects to riparian vegetation, wildlife habitat, and cultural resources that may be present at the location of the diversion in the proposed action.

Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 CFR 1502.14) require analysis of a no-action alternative. The no-action alternative provides a means of comparing the potential effects of the action alternatives (including the proposed action) against the baseline conditions in the analysis area in the absence of the proposed action (in this case, the Project. The potassium leases controlled by CPM provide it the exclusive right to extract potassium and associated minerals on lands leased from BLM and SITLA on and around the Sevier Playa, subject to the terms and conditions in the leases. It also gives CPM the right to use the surface of the leased land as needed for the development of the potassium resource. A potassium lease is not cancellable except by due process in cases where the lessee does not meet the terms and conditions of the lease. Thus, the no-action alternative does not imply that CPM’s leases would never be developed, only that BLM would not approve them for development as proposed in the Mining Plan (CPM and Norwest 2018), the POD (CPM 2018c), the Gravel Pits – Mining Plan (CPM 2018p) or the action alternatives evaluated in detail in this DEIS.

The Mining Project, associated activities on ROWs, and mineral material sales would not be approved for construction or operation under this alternative. The no-action alternative would prevent CPM from exercising its existing, valid lease rights to extract the potassium resource at this time. Selection of the no- action alternative would not preclude mining of the potassium resource in the future, which would require submittal of a new Mining Plan, POD, and Gravel Pits – Mining Plan, as well as completion of a new NEPA process. Public lands in the lease area, along the proposed ROWs, and at the locations of the gravel pits would continue to be managed in accordance with the WSRA RMP (BLM 1987). Ongoing exploration activities by CPM, as approved by the Exploration EA (BLM 2011b), may continue. Existing land uses such as livestock grazing, recreation, ROW administration, and wildlife habitat would continue. 3.0 Analysis Area

The analysis area for direct, indirect, and cumulative effects to geology and minerals is the area that may be directly affected by development of the Project. This includes all lands within the boundaries of the potassium leases controlled by Crystal Peak Minerals (on-lease lands), as well as all lands within the proposed and alternative ROWs (off-lease lands) (Figure 1). The analysis area was selected because this is the area within which the Project has the potential to affect geological or mineral resources.

9 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

4.0 Regulatory Framework

This section describes the laws, regulations, and policies that may apply to geology and minerals in the analysis area.

The Warm Springs Resource Area (WSRA) Resource Management Plan (RMP) (BLM 1987) designates the Sevier Playa area as suitable for mineral extraction operations. The Fillmore Field Office (FFO) is responsible for management of the Sevier Playa for multiple uses, including mineral extraction

The Mineral Leasing Act 0f 1920, as amended (MLA) (30 United States Code 181 et seq.), authorizes and governs leasing of public lands for developing deposits of potassium in the United States. In addition, BLM is mandated to establish multiple uses of federal lands in providing for present and future generations.

Authorization of this mineral extraction project would be consistent with Section 102(a)(912) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, which states that “…it is the policy of the United States that the public lands be managed in a manner which recognizes the nation‘s need for domestic sources of minerals….”.

The primary regulations that apply to the development of the mineral resources associated with the Project are the federal and state rules for mining and reclamation plans. The federal requirements applicable to the potassium brine extraction and processing methods proposed are specified in 43 CFR 3590, Solid Minerals (Other than Coal) Exploration and Mining Operations. The State of Utah requires the submission of a Mine and Reclamation Plan as mandated by the Utah Minerals Regulatory Program rule R647, as stated in UCA Title 40 Chapter 8, Utah Mined Land Reclamation Act, as approved by the Board of Oil, Gas, and Mining. The BLM and state both require bonds to insure that reclamation would occur. The BLM would also hold a production bond for royalties and any other lease terms and conditions

5.0 Methods

This report describes, compares, and contrasts the effects to the existing environment (summarized in Section 6.0) that could be caused by implementation of the proposed action, action alternatives, or no- action alternative (summarized in Section 2.0). The analysis only addresses those issues that were specifically identified during scoping (by federal, state, or local agencies; tribes; interested or affected parties; the public; or the BLM Interdisciplinary Team) or where an analysis is required by law, regulation, or agency direction. These issues include:

• Removal of mineral resources

• Geologic hazards (subsidence, landslides, dune migration)

• Active mining claims 6.0 Affected Environment

This section describes the existing conditions for geology and minerals in the analysis area. Information in this section is summarized in part from the Geology and Mineral Resources Report for the Sevier Playa Project (CH2M HILL 2013a).

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12 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

6.1 Regional Geology

The analysis area lies in the Basin and Range physiographic province. This region contains more than 100 mountain ranges, mostly oriented north-south, and separated by intervening basins. The Basin and Range extends south from southeastern Oregon between the Sierra Nevada in the west and the Wasatch Range in the east, and extends east from the Peninsular Ranges of southern California as far as the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas. The portion of this region where the Project is located, lying primarily in Nevada and western Utah, is called the Great Basin. Hydrologically speaking, waterways in the Great Basin drain internally to basins that commonly contain playas or remnant salt lakes.

Much of the analysis area is below the elevation of the surface of paleo-Lake Bonneville. Prominent shoreline features incised by wave action on the slopes of the San Francisco and Cricket Mountains represent the last few high stands of what was episodically a vast freshwater lake through the Middle and Late Pleistocene that was comparable to the Great Lakes in surface area. Shoreline features associated with these lake “still stands” include long-shore bars, spits, and gravel beach ridges, while tufa (carbonate deposits typical of high-bicarbonate lake waters) encrusts nearby bedrock. The last high stand of Lake Bonneville ended about 13,900 years ago, but between that time and about 10,000 years ago there was sufficient runoff from the Beaver and Sevier Rivers to maintain a freshwater lake in the Sevier Basin named Lake Gunnison (Oviatt 1988, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a), with a sustained high stand of about 4,559 feet elevation (presently about 5,159 feet elevation because of crustal rebound after Lake Bonneville desiccation (Oviatt et al. 1992, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). Since about 10,000 years ago, runoff from the Beaver and Sevier Rivers has not been sufficient to maintain a positive water budget in what has become known as the Sevier Playa, and modern playa environments formed. However, wet periods where the lake has returned have been observed over the last 150 years. Gilbert (1890, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a) reported a maximum water depth of 15 feet in 1872. Periods of water observed on the lakebed during the 1900s and 2000s are described later in this section.

The Sevier Lake Basin was formed by east-west extension of continental crust and normal faulting and associated volcanism that uplifted north-south-trending mountains (horsts) and down-dropped intervening sediment-filled valleys (grabens). The terminal Sevier Playa in which the Sevier River empties was formed in one of the north-south-trending, sediment-filled valleys.

The north-trending Black Hills / House Range and Cricket Mountains, located to the west and east of Sevier Playa, respectively, are up-thrown horst blocks lying adjacent to the down-thrown graben occupied by the present-day playa. Between the Sevier Playa and the Cricket Mountains to the east is a major north-south-trending normal fault zone (the East Sevier Lake Fault Zone), which has a total vertical displacement of over 4,000 feet (Case and Cook 1979, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). This fault zone forms the east margin of the east-tilted Sevier Playa graben and the west margin of the east-tilted Cricket Mountains horst. The Sevier Playa graben is bordered on the west by the West Sevier Lake Fault Zone. Gravity data indicate a maximum thickness of approximately 4,600 feet of basin-fill sediments in the eastward tilted Sevier Lake Basin (Case and Cook 1979, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). The uplift of the mountains surrounding the Sevier Playa during Basin and Range extension exposed Precambrian rocks in the northern San Francisco Mountains located to the south of the playa. The Cricket Mountains in the east contain exposed Cambrian-age quartzite and limestone, while the Black Hills / House Range mountains in the west are composed of Cambrian through Ordovician-age dolomite. The nearest exposure of basement rocks is located in the Mineral Mountains to the south of the analysis area (Hintze and Davis 2003).

The Pleistocene period was characterized by the development of lacustrine shore deposits from Lake Bonneville along the high-lying areas surrounding Sevier Playa. As Lake Bonneville receded from its maximum extent (from southern Idaho to southwestern Utah), a fresh water lake (Lake Gunnison) remained in the Sevier Desert Basin. The continued decline in Lake Gunnison water levels ended with the

13 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals present day isolation of the Great Salt Lake in the north and the Sevier Playa in the south. The brine deposit at Sevier Playa began to form because of desert (drought) conditions that have persisted in the area over recent (Quaternary) geologic time. Lithologic logs of holes drilled to 497 feet deep in lake sediments describe mainly fine-grained, gray-green to brown clays, with minor amounts of gypsum, sand, silt, salt, and carbonaceous and vegetal material from surface to total depth. These unconsolidated clay and marl sediments, when coupled with persistent drought and evaporative conditions, led to brine accumulation by concentrating ions including sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), chloride (Cl), and sulfate (SO4) in groundwater. It is believed that capillary wicking from the water table through the shallow playa sediments has created the brines through evaporative enrichment of playa groundwater (CPM 2018b). The capillary wicking provides a source of water for near-surface evaporation.

Aside from ephemeral washes, the Sevier River is the only substantial surface water and near-surface (shallow ground water) source for the playa. Since the late nineteenth century, surface water inflow from the Sevier River to the Sevier Playa has progressively diminished because of the expansion of irrigation in the area upstream. Surface water flows only rarely exceed upstream demands and provide inflow to the lake. This inflow occurs only during periods of higher than normal precipitation or upstream reservoir releases. Since the early 1900s, inflow from the Sevier River in sufficient quantities to cause some filling of the playa has been documented in 1913–15, 1922–1923, 1983–1987, and 2000 (Gwynn 2006, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). Inflow was also observed in 2011 during field activities (CH2M HILL 2013a). For most of the twentieth century, the Sevier Playa was dry (Wilberg 1991, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a).

6.1.1 Sevier Lake Basin Stratigraphy

The Sevier Lake Basin is composed of consolidated bedrock such as the Notch Peak and Prospect Mountain formations, unconsolidated basin fill deposits including alluvial and colluvial sediments, and terminal basin-fill playa deposits (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

The consolidated rocks consist of metamorphic, volcanic, clastic, and carbonate sedimentary rocks. The character (for example, sequence thickness, grain size, and mineralogy) of the alluvial and colluvial sediment depends on the proximity to the bedrock supplying the sediment, where distance from the source equates to transport time (the playa interior is several miles from the surrounding colluvial sediment sources) and increased weathering. For example, drilling locations close to Sevier Playa have alluvial and colluvial sediment sequences consistent with playa clay and marl deposits, whereas locations closer to the source areas have a wide range of alluvial and colluvial sediments consisting of gravels, cobbles, sands, and silt and clay.

6.1.2 Sevier Playa Stratigraphy

More than 400 boreholes have been drilled on the Sevier Playa, providing extensive characterization of the upper 100 feet of basin-fill deposits, which consist of the three units (CPM 2018b).

• Fat Clay Zone (FCZ): A plastic (fat) clay with low hydraulic conductivity. This dense gray clay is capped by a thin salt crust that is typically several inches thick, but can range up to 18 inches thick in certain areas. The FCZ averages approximately 12.8 feet in thickness.

• Marl Clay Zone (MCZ): A gray, bedded, granular clay averaging 16.67 feet in thickness. The granular texture arises from what is observed to be silt-size granules of smaller clay particles loosely bound by a soft calcareous or gypsiferous matrix.

14 Nighthawk Miller Canyon Glitter Gulch Glass Ocean SN3-12-049 Guzzler North Cricket Elev. 4,804.36’ Reservoir Elev. 4,561.92’ Elev. 4,527.98’ Elev. 4,523.80’ Elev. 4,966.81’ Elev. 5,083.78’ Depth 780’ Elev. 4,699.22’ Depth 201’ Depth 101’ Depth 100’ Fat Clay Confining Layer Depth 425’ Depth 780’ WLE 4,427.39’ Depth 315’ WLE - - WLE 4,524.61’ WLE 4,526.36’ ≈ 0’ - 12’ bgs WLE 4,590.58’ WLE 4,583.95’ Cricket TDS 744 mg/l WLE 4,430.37’ TDS 33,000 mg/l TDS 103,000 mg/l TDS - - TDS 472 mg/l TDS 480 mg/l Mountains K 0.9 ft/d TDS 1,150 mg/l K - - K - - K - - Upper Brine Zone in Fissured Marl K 0.9 ft/d K 35 ft/d ≈ 12’ - 35’ bgs K 8 ft/d A’

Lower Brine Zone in Siliceous Clay ≈ 35’ - 75’ bgs

SN3-12-045 5,200’ Elev. 4,524.23’ A Depth 99.5’ Prospect WLE 4,529.48’ Mountain TDS - - Quartzite K - - 4,800’ Groundwater Level Notch Peak Formation

4,400’

Unconsolidated Basin Fill Deposits (Clay, Silt, Sand, and Gravel)

4,000’

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Fault Showing Direction of Movement

Key Figure 2 Well Showing Screened Interval Elev. Collar Elevation Cross Section A-A’ of Sevier Lake Basin and Water Level Elevation (WLE July 2015) Depth Well Depth WLE Water Level Elevation Sevier Playa Project TDS Total Dissolved Solids Groundwater Potentiometric Surface K Hydraulic Conductivity Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

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16 Black Hills Laceration PUC Shoal SN3-12-270 SN3-12-126 Erehwon Provo Monument Point Elev. 4,638.12’ Elev. 4,532.10’ Elev. 4,524.32’ Elev. 4,522.00’ Elev. 4,522.08’ Elev. 4,534.76’ Elev. 4,575.75’ Elev. 4,891.30’ Depth 560’ Depth 203’ Depth 11’ Depth 82.9’ Depth 61’ Depth 203’ Depth 460’ Depth 1,215’ WLE 4,430.79’ WLE 4,537.00’ WLE 4,519.60’ Fat Clay Confining Layer WLE 4,527.62’ WLE 4,522.87’ WLE 4,527.44’ WLE 4,525.81’ WLE 4,593.66’ TDS 536 mg/l TDS 117,000 mg/l TDS 38,200 mg/l ≈ 0’ - 12’ bgs TDS - - TDS - - TDS - - TDS 33,000 mg/l TDS 400 mg/l K 5 ft/d K - - K - - K - - K - - K - - K 0.01 ft/d K 1.3 ft/d Upper Brine Zone in Fissured Marl Coyote Red Boat Machine Gun ≈ 12’ - 35’ bgs SN2-11-400-4 Nautilus Headlight Gap Bonneville Elev. 4,784.27’ Elev. 4,560.63’ Elev. 4,531.54’ Elev. 4,523.98’ Elev. 4,531.34’ Elev. 4,549.94’ Elev. 4,772.15’ Depth 765’ Depth 200’ Depth 102’ Depth 497’ Depth 24.8’ Depth 207’ Depth 315’ WLE 4,431.08’ WLE - - WLE 4,520.31’ WLE 4,547.73’ WLE 4,525.95’ WLE 4,543.71’ WLE 4,591.31’ TDS 528 mg/l TDS 76,000 mg/l TDS 58,100 mg/l Lower Brine Zone in Siliceous Clay TDS 95,700 mg/l TDS 109,000 mg/l TDS 122,000 mg/l TDS 1,060 mg/l K 0.9 ft/d K - - K - - ≈ 35’ - 75’ bgs K - - K - - K - - K - -

B’ 5,200’

B

4,800’

4,400’

Groundwater Level Prospect Mountain Quartzite 4,000’

Notch Peak Formation Unconsolidated Basin Fill Deposits (Clay, Silt, Sand, and Gravel)

3,600’ 0’ 6,000’ 12,000’ 18,000’ 24,000’ 30,000’ 36,000’ 42,000’ 48,000’ 54,000’ West East EXPLANATION Cross Section B-B’ Key (Vertical Exageration 15:1) Elev. Collar Elevation Figure 3 Well Showing Depth Well Depth Groundwater Fault Showing Screened Interval WLE Water Level Elevation Cross Section B-B’ of Sevier Lake Basin and Water Level Potentiometric Direction of Surface Movement TDS Total Dissolved Solids Sevier Playa Project Elevation K Hydraulic Conductivity (WLE July 2015) Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

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18 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

• Siliceous Clay Zone (SCZ): An olive gray, quartz-rich clay with a relatively low carbonate content, averaging approximately 30 percent carbonates, noticeably lower than the overlying MCZ. The base of the SCZ is marked by the presence of a dull red, dry, hard clay.

Layers of sand and gravel up to approximately 10 feet in thickness were observed in the SCZ in the far northern part of Sevier Playa, likely reflecting sediment influx from the Sevier River. Localized sand lenses a few feet thick were also observed in the southern part of Sevier Playa, near mapped sand and gravel spits created by former lacustrine processes.

6.1.3 Metallic and Non-Metallic Resources

Sevier Playa brine has been recognized as a potential non-metallic economic resource since 1969. Episodic work exploring the brine resource of the Sevier Playa has continued to the present time. In 1969, the Utah Geological and Mineralogical Survey drilled three boreholes between 20 and 50 feet and sampled the brine, stating that “the subsurface brines represent a possible exploitable saline deposit” (Whelan 1969, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). Between 1979 and 1982, M.C. Godbe III, representing Crystal Peak Minerals Corporation (CPMC) (there is no relationship between CPMC and CPM), drilled over 700 holes to a depth of 20 feet over 133,000 acres of Sevier Playa to explore the extent and composition of brine (Gwynn 2006, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). After this initial investigation, CPMC established small-scale evaporation ponds to study evaporation rates and phase chemistry of brines. Following flooding events in the mid-1980s, a 6-mile-long collection trench and a 3,000-acre evaporation pond was constructed. In 1989 and 1990, CPMC operated sodium chloride and magnesium chloride brine test ponds, producing low-grade potash salts, and was preparing for future production of SOP. In 1993, CPMC relinquished the BLM-issued leases following the death of a financier. In 1997, Salada Minerals LLC (Salada) assembled approximately 15,360 acres of federal sodium leases covering the south end of the playa. Salada also held approximately 1,280 acres of potash leases in five separate sections from the State of Utah.

In 2008, CPM secured their SITLA leases for Sevier Playa, and in 2011, secured the federal leases. Since 2011, CPM has been exploring the Sevier Playa brine resource and produced a Preliminary Economic Assessment (Emerald Peak Minerals 2012), investigated hydrologic baseline conditions of the Sevier Lake Basin (CH2M HILL 2013b), and produced a Preliminary Feasibility Study (CH2M HILL 2013c). Chemical analyses of brine samples collected from more than 400 exploration points indicate that precipitated salts produced from solar evaporation-pond fractional crystallization may be in a form conducive to potash production with subsequent processing.

CPM’s exploration program led to a total Measured plus Indicated in-place brine mineral resource estimate of 6,777 million tons. The total in-place Measured plus Indicated potassium resource is estimated to be 17 million tons. The estimated in-place Measured plus Indicated mineral equivalent compound of SOP totals 38 million tons (CPM 2018a). Other products derived from the brines using the same processes include halite and bitterns (a solution containing calcium and magnesium chlorides that remain after evaporation of salts). Additionally, minor concentrations of bromine, borates, and lithium have been noted in salts crystallized in playa sediments.

Limestone and dolomite, calcite, and oolite mining occurs on the eastern slope of the Cricket Mountains, east of Sevier Playa (UGS 2013a, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). These materials are used in the production of lime for cement. Graymont Western US, Inc. is the operator of the Cricket Mountain Lime Plant and Quarry, located on the east slope of the Cricket Mountains. The Sevier Desert, north of Sevier Playa, has been identified as a region with economic potential for production of stone and silica sand (UGS 2013a, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). Clay mining has occurred along the proposed route of the Natural Gas Pipeline.

19 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

Several historical mineral mining districts are located in the Sevier Playa region, but none are located in the analysis area. Documented mining districts for precious and base metals, carbonates, iron, and miscellaneous trace metals are located in the Cricket Mountains, east of the Sevier Playa, the House Range to the northwest of Sevier Playa, and the San Francisco Mountains to the south-southeast of Sevier Playa (UGS 2013a, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). Based on a Mindat database search, none of these areas are known to be actively mined (Ralph and Chau 2013, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a); however, active mines are present, indicating incomplete online database records.

6.1.4 Energy Resources

Exploitable geothermal resources originate from transport of heat to the surface through several geological and hydrological processes. Geothermal resources commonly have three components: 1) a heat source, 2) relatively high permeability reservoir rock, and 3) water to transfer the heat (Blackett and Wakefield 2002, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). Recent igneous activity in the Sevier Playa region, as well as fractured and faulted bedrock over a relatively thin crust, provides local and high-level heat sources and conduits for geothermal systems.

The Sevier Thermal Area covers a portion of the eastern Basin and Range physiographic province, and part of the Basin and Range-Colorado Plateau transition zone. The area encompasses the Sevier, Black Rock, and Escalante deserts of southwestern Utah, which is characterized by abundant late Cenozoic normal faults, Tertiary plutonic and volcanic rocks and Quaternary basalt, high regional heat flow, and a complex structural history (Wright et al, 1990). This area, which includes the analysis area, contains all of Utah’s known moderate- and high-temperature (above 194 °F) hydrothermal systems, including the Meadow-Hatton Geothermal Area, Cove Fort-Sulphurdale Geothermal Area, Roosevelt Hot Springs Geothermal Area, and the Thermo Hot Springs Geothermal Area.

In the Sevier Thermal Area, clusters of young basaltic rocks, with lesser quantities of rhyolite, form a narrow belt generally aligned with the eastern margin of the Basin and Range. This volcanic assemblage formed in an intra-graben area between the Pavant and Tushar mountains on the east, and the Mineral and Cricket Mountains to the west (Blackett and Wakefield 2002, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). Volcanism here appears to have been concurrent with east-west extension across numerous, small-scale intra-basin faults. Vents and cinder cones mostly lie along high-angle normal faults, suggesting that the faults provided the conduits for movement of magma. Basaltic eruptions began in this region about 2 million years ago, and have continued intermittently since then. The latest eruptions include those at Pavant Butte (approximately 15,300 years ago) and Tabernacle Hill (approximately 14,500 years ago), and the youngest eruption in Utah at Ice Springs (approximately 660 years ago). This group of volcanic rocks, located in the Black Rock Desert of Millard County, also includes White Mountain, dated at about 400,000 years ago, making the flow the youngest exposure of rhyolite in Utah. A grouping of high-silica rhyolite flows and domes situated along the crest and western flank of the Mineral Mountains in Beaver County were erupted between about 800,000 and 500,000 years ago; the same time interval that included basaltic eruptions to the northeast near Cove Fort (Blackett and Wakefield 2002, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a).

There are no known geothermal wells or springs in the analysis area. The nearest developed geothermal resource is the Roosevelt Hot Springs Geothermal Area, home to the Blundell Geothermal Power Station, near Milford, Utah, in Beaver County. Utah Power (now PacifiCorp) has operated the single-flash, geothermal power station since 1984, with the Intermountain Geothermal Company producing geothermal brine for the 34-megawatt power station from wells that tap a geothermal resource in fractured, crystalline rock. The resource depths range generally between 2,100 and 6,000 feet. Resource temperatures are typically between 520 and 600°F.

20 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

No oil or natural gas resources (UGS 2013b, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a) or coal or coalbed methane resources (UGS 2013c, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a) are mapped in the Sevier Playa region.

6.2 Geologic Hazards

This section outlines several geologic hazards that may be present in the analysis area, including earthquakes and seismicity, mass wasting, and sand dune migration.

6.2.1 Earthquakes and Seismicity

The Basin and Range physiographic province is an area of active crustal extension, and the Sevier Playa, as previously mentioned, is bounded on the east and west by normal faults. However, evidence of surface movement during the Holocene is sparse (Blackett and Wakefield 2002, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). According to USGS records, there have been no recorded earthquakes in the analysis area dating back to 1970 (USGS 2018b). The USGS predicts a less than 1 percent chance that all of western Utah, including the analysis area, will experience earthquake damage in any given year (USGS 2017).

A seismic event with a 3.5 percent probability of ground motion exceedance in 50 years was modeled to support design of the mine infrastructure (Intermountain GeoEnvironmental Services 2012, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). Peak Ground Acceleration associated with this event in the Sevier Playa region is estimated to be 0.133 g (g is the acceleration of gravity). Using USGS tools, deaggregated moment magnitude (M) for this event was estimated at M 5.4, with a corresponding seismic source distance of 13 kilometers (8 miles). Based on this result, the House Range Fault located about 12 miles northwest of the Sevier Playa, is expected to have the highest contribution to the seismic hazard at the site (Intermountain GeoEnvironmental Services 2012, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a).

The UGS classified the liquefaction potential of portions of central Utah based on soil types, soil properties, and seismic history (Anderson et al. 1994, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). In general, areas of saturated, loose, sandy soil (typically between the surface and a depth of 30 feet) near active faults are most susceptible to liquefaction (UGS 2013d, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). The Sevier Desert area was classified has having low to very low liquefaction potential, depending upon the depth to groundwater. Those areas with shallow groundwater (less than 10 feet deep) were classified as “low,” and those areas with deeper groundwater were classified as “very low”. However, younger lacustrine and playa deposits, such as those on the Sevier Playa, have a high potential for liquefaction (Anderson et al. 1994, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a).

While the depth to groundwater is typically shallow (less than 10 feet) on the Sevier Playa, clay has been the dominant soil type logged in borings in the playa. Depths to groundwater increase to generally greater than 30 feet in borings greater than approximately 0.25 mile from the playa shore. The liquefaction potential throughout the area, therefore, appears to be very low based on the generally deep groundwater and predominance of clay soil.

The age of the most recent movement along a fault is the primary factor in assessment of potential hazards posed by surface fault rupture. In particular, faults with movement since the beginning of the Quaternary Period (approximately younger than 1.6 million years) comprise potential surface fault rupture hazards (Christensen et al. 2003, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). The USGS maps the Eastern Cricket Mountains fault as last moving in the late Quaternary, about 15,000 years ago (USGS 2018c, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). Potential movement along this fault, therefore, appears to be the primary surface fault rupture hazard in the analysis area.

21 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

6.2.2 Mass Wasting

The UGS has mapped landslides in the Sevier Playa area (UGS 2013e, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). Types of landslides include slides, debris flows, and rock falls (UGS 2013f, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). Mapped slides near the analysis area include:

• In the Black Rock area, near Great Stone Face, approximately 14 miles northeast of Sevier Playa

• Off Frisco Peak, approximately 14 miles south of Sevier Playa

• Near Steamboat Pass, in the Black Hills / House Range, approximately 6.25 miles west of Sevier Playa

• On Black Rock Pass, adjacent to the Crystal Peak Road, approximately 4 miles east-southeast of Sevier Playa

• West of Notch Peak, near Hell ‘n Moriah Canyon, approximately 11.5 miles northeast of Sevier Playa

None of the mapped landslides extend to the Sevier Playa. Small landslides are located on Black Rock Pass near Crystal Peak Road, which is the primary access road between the south end of the Sevier Playa, the rail facilities, and SR 257.

Debris flows consist of debris mixed with water. There are many areas of mapped alluvial fan sediments deposited by streams, sheet flows, flash floods, and debris flows (Hintze and Davis 2002, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). The debris flows originate in drainages in the ranges surrounding the playa and many extend to the margin of the playa. Several of these drainages are crossed by the ROWs on the eastern side of the playa.

Rock fall hazards occur where a rock source exists above slopes steep enough to allow rapid downslope movement of dislodged rocks. Most rock falls originate on slopes steeper than 35 degrees, although rock­ fall hazards can exist on lesser slopes. Rock-fall sources include bedrock outcrops or boulders on steep slopes such as mountainsides, cliffs, bluffs, and terraces. Rock-fall hazards may also exist along road cuts and other excavations (Castleton 2009, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). By these criteria, roadways or other ROWs in the higher-elevation portions of the analysis area near bedrock outcrops of the Cricket Mountains, San Francisco Mountains, and the Black Hills could be susceptible to rock falls. As evidenced by the lack of colluvial rocks, the surface of the playa is unlikely to be affected by rock fall.

6.2.3 Sand Dune Migration

Sand dunes near the mouth of the Sevier River contain a soil type that could potentially affect access roads and power lines at the north end of the playa. The UGS has mapped this area as potentially susceptible to “burial by actively migrating dunes or dunes reactivated by disturbances” (Mulvey 1992, as cited in CH2M HILL 2013a). 7.0 Analysis of Effects

This section describes the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative effects on geology and minerals that could be caused by the construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of the Project. Effects of each alternative are contrasted with the portion of the proposed action they would replace if they were selected.

22 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

7.1 Mitigation

Some of the standard mitigation measures and BMPs introduced in Section 2.1 and listed in full in Appendix J in the EIS were developed to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential effects to geology and minerals. In Appendix J in the EIS, these measures are organized according to the primary resource that would be protected and are not repeated for other resources that would also benefit from their implementation. Some of the mitigation measures and BMPs apply to the entire Project, while others only apply to certain parts of the Project. Additional details can be found in Appendix J in the EIS.

CPM would implement the standard mitigation measures and BMPs regardless of which action alternative or combination of alternatives may be selected. In analyzing the potential effects of the Project on geology and minerals, it was assumed that all of these measures would be implemented and would be effective; thus, the effects described in the remainder of this section are those that would occur despite integration of these measures into the Project. The measures developed specifically to avoid, minimize, or mitigate effects to geology and minerals are listed in Table 3.

7.2 Direct and Indirect Effects

The following sections describe the direct and indirect effects of the proposed action, action alternatives, and no action alternative on geology and minerals. Direct and indirect effects are not separated because it can at times be difficult to distinguish between these two types of effects.

7.2.1 Proposed Action

The potential effects analyzed include removal of mineral resources, geologic hazards (subsidence, landslides, and dune migration), and conflicts with other active mining claims.

7.2.1.1 Removal of Mineral Resources

The Project, by its purpose and design, would extract potassium-based mineral resources as detailed in the Feasibility Study (CPM 2018a) and Mining Plan (CPM and Norwest 2018). These minerals are owned by the federal government and managed by the BLM, or owned by the state of Utah and managed by SITLA. CPM controls the necessary leases to extract those minerals. The outcome of the NEPA analysis, Mining Plan approval, and ROW grant issuance notwithstanding, there are no mineral-related legal or ownership conflicts that would preclude CPM from implementing the Project.

The mineral-rich sediments and brine of the playa are the result of many thousands of years of accumulation. Though the processes that produced these minerals continue, extraction of potassium and other minerals would be far faster than natural replenishment. Total SOP production over the life of the Project is an estimated 10.2 million tons, with 6.8 million tons from playa-sourced brine and 3.4 million tons produced through the muriate of potash reaction (CPM 2018o). At the end of the Project, the commercially viable potassium resource would be exhausted. Therefore, the removal of minerals is a permanent effect, one that cannot be recovered outside the scope and duration of geologic processes. This includes minerals and elements other than potassium, which would also be depleted by the Project. These secondary, other minerals and elements are included in the lease and in the case of locatable minerals would not be available for location via future mining claims.

CPM would remove 250,000 yd3 of aggregate (gravel and similar material) from three gravel pits, two in the lease area and one outside the lease area. Removal of gravel would be a permanent effect; however, the availability of gravel for other uses (such as surfacing of county roads) would not be substantially

23 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals affected because of the abundance of these materials from other sources, including areas immediately adjacent to the proposed gravel pits.

7.2.1.2 Geologic Hazards

Though minor faults can be found throughout southwestern Utah, the closest along the Cricket Mountain, none are active, and no seismic activity has been recorded in nearly 50 years. There is a small probability the Project could be subjected to seismic activity, as with much of the western United States.

Small landslides are common in the basin and range topography, but no substantial slides are known that would affect, or be affected by, the Project. Unmapped slides may be present, and unstable slopes could be made active by construction in steeper, rockier areas.

At the north end of the playa, in the vicinity of the Sevier River Diversion, Perimeter Road, and other access roads (particularly Access Roads A and G and Perimeter Road Spurs 1 and 1A), loose, sandy soils or dunes may shift and affect those facilities. More frequent maintenance of the facilities in this area may be necessary to combat shifting dunes. Although additional maintenance may be needed, shifting dunes are not expected to substantially affect operation of the Project, as evidenced by existing roads in this area, which remain drivable despite long intervals between maintenance.

7.2.1.3 Active Mining Claims

There are no active mining claims in the area leased by CPM for potassium production that would be affected by the proposed action. Off-playa facilities and ROWs may affect the ability of future mining claims to be developed; however, as no conflict currently exists, there would be no effect on active mining claims from construction and operation of the various ROWs. No active mining claims exist where CPM is proposing gravel pits; therefore, there would be no effect.

7.2.2 Alternative 1 - 69-kV Power and Communication Line, North End

The effects of Alternative 1 on geology and minerals would be the same as those for the proposed action because the mineral resources, geologic hazards, and active mining claims that exist along the proposed and alternative segments are essentially the same.

7.2.3 Alternative 2 - 69-kV Power and Communication Line, South End

The effects of Alternative 2 on geology and minerals would be the same as those for the proposed action because the mineral resources, geologic hazards, and active mining claims that exist along the proposed and alternative segments are essentially the same.

7.2.4 Alternative 3 - Natural Gas Pipeline, Black Rock

The effects of Alternative 3 on geology and minerals would be the same as those for the proposed action because the mineral resources, geologic hazards, and active mining claims that exist along the proposed and alternative segments are essentially the same.

7.2.5 Alternative 4 - Natural Gas Pipeline, West End

The effects of Alternative 4 on geology and minerals would be the same as those for the proposed action because the mineral resources, geologic hazards, and active mining claims that exist along the proposed and alternative segments are essentially the same.

24 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

Table 3 Mitigation Measures, Geology and Minerals

Applicability to the Project

* Not applicable within the playa boundary

1

1

Plan # Supplemental Design and Engineering Construction Maintenance EIS / Appendix J # J Appendix / EIS Operation and

Measure Decommissioning Project facilities would be designed, constructed, maintained, and reclaimed to avoid or minimize the 39 N/A ✔ potential for land subsidence and landslides. ✔ ✔ ✔ * Not applicable within the playa boundary. 1 During operations, maintenance, and decommissioning, some mitigation measures would only apply to the initiation of new activities. N/A: None of the supplemental plans apply specifically to geology and minerals.

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26 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

7.2.6 Alternative 5 - Sevier River Diversion

The effects of Alternative 5 on mineral resources and active mining claims would be the same as those for the proposed action because these resources are the same at the locations of the proposed and alternative diversion features. Both the proposed and alternative diversions, including their access roads, would be located partially in areas that contain loose sandy soils. More frequent or intensive maintenance of the alternative Diversion Channel or Perimeter Road Spur Segment S3 may be required; however, the need for additional maintenance is not expected to be substantially different from the proposed action.

7.2.7 No Action Alternative

Under the no-action Alternative, the Project would not be implemented and no minerals would be extracted from the playa. The targeted potassium and other minerals would remain in place, available for future extraction. At its discretion, CPM may retain its leases and the right to extract minerals from those leases, which would require submittal of a new Mining Plan and Plan of Development, as well as completion of a new NEPA process. The proposed removal of gravel would not occur; the materials would remain in place and would be available for other uses. There would be no effect to any active mining claims or geologic hazards.

7.3 Cumulative Effects

The NEPA requires federal agencies to consider the cumulative effects of proposals under their review. Cumulative effects are defined by the CEQ as “the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (federal or non-federal) or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time” (40 CFR 1508.7).

This section describes, compares, and contrasts the anticipated cumulative effects of the proposed action, action alternatives, and no action alternative on geology and minerals. The primary past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions that would contribute to cumulative effects in conjunction with the direct and indirect effects of the Project are several existing gravel pits used by Millard County as needed to supply gravel for road surfacing or other uses.

7.3.1 Proposed Action

No other past, present, or reasonably foreseeable projects in the analysis area involve extraction of potassium or associated minerals from the Sevier Playa; therefore, the Project would have no cumulative effect on this resource.

Millard County’s existing gravel pit immediately west of the proposed Pass Federal Pit would not be directly affected by removal of gravel by CPM. The 12.47-kV Power and Communication Line and the Natural Gas Pipeline would be constructed between Crystal Peak Road and the County’s pit. While these facilities would not directly affect the gravel resource, access to the pit may be temporarily blocked by construction, which would have a minimal, short-term cumulative effect on the County’s ability to remove gravel from the pit. Access to the County’s other two gravel pits near the analysis area would not be affected; therefore, there would be no cumulative effect. There would be no cumulative effects to any other mining claims because none exist in the analysis area.

Several roads exist in the area of sandy soils and dunes at the north end of the playa. The Project would increase the need for road maintenance to accommodate Project traffic in this area; however, no

27 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals substantial change in the cumulative risk posed by sand dune migration is anticipated. No other cumulative effects to geologic hazards are anticipated.

7.3.2 Alternative 1 - 69-kV Power and Communication Line, North End

Alternative 1 would not have measurably different cumulative effects on geology and minerals, compared with the proposed action, because the direct and indirect effects of the proposed and alternatives segments are essentially the same.

7.3.3 Alternative 2 - 69-kV Power and Communication Line, South End

Alternative 2 would not have measurably different cumulative effects on geology and minerals, compared with the proposed action, because the direct and indirect effects of the proposed and alternatives segments are essentially the same.

7.3.4 Alternative 3 - Natural Gas Pipeline, Black Rock

Alternative 3 would not have measurably different cumulative effects on geology and minerals, compared with the proposed action, because the direct and indirect effects of the proposed and alternatives segments are essentially the same.

7.3.5 Alternative 4 - Natural Gas Pipeline, West End

Alternative 4 would not have measurably different cumulative effects on geology and minerals, compared with the proposed action, because the direct and indirect effects of the proposed and alternatives segments are essentially the same.

7.3.6 Alternative 5 - Sevier River Diversion

Alternative 5 would not have measurably different cumulative effects on geology and minerals, compared with the proposed action, because the direct and indirect effects of the proposed and alternatives diversions are essentially the same.

7.3.7 No Action Alternative

Under the no-action Alternative, there would be no direct or indirect effects to geology or minerals, including removal of mineral resources, geologic hazards, or active mining claims; therefore, there would be no cumulative effects. At their discretion, CPM may retain their leases and the right to extract minerals from those leases, which would require submittal of a new Mining Plan and POD, as well as completion of the NEPA process. 8.0 Conformance with Applicable Land Use Plans, Policies, and Controls

The Project would be consistent with the WSRA RMP (BLM 1987) because the Sevier Playa is designated for mineral extraction. The Leasing Environmental Assessment (BLM 2011) found the underlying leasing action, including subsequent exploration and development, to be consistent with other plans, programs, and policies of affiliated Tribes, other federal agencies, and state and local governments. Authorization of the Project would also be consistent with the provisions of the MLA and FLPMA.

Through submittal of a Mining Plan (including the supplemental Reclamation Plan) by CPM, and its approval by BLM and State of Utah, the Project would conform with federal requirements at 43 CFR

28 Sevier Playa Potash Project Resource Report: Geology and Minerals

3590, Solid Minerals (Other than Coal) Exploration and Mining Operations and State of Utah requirements in UCA Title 40 Chapter 8, Utah Mined Land Reclamation Act. Sale of mineral materials would be consistent with WSRA RMP (BLM 1987), specifically pages 48 and 49, that provide for such sales, as wells as the governing regulations at 43 CFR 3600.

9.0 References

Anderson, L. R., J. R. Keaton, and J. D. Rice. 1994. Liquefaction Potential Map for Central Utah Complete Technical Report. Contract Report 94-10. Blackett, R. E., and S. I. Wakefield. 2002. Geothermal Resources of Utah: Digital Atlas of Utah’s Geothermal Resources. Utah Geological Survey. Available online at: http://geology.utah.gov/emp/geothermal/pdf/utgtherm.pdf. Accessed on August 15, 2013. Bureau of Land Management. 2011. Sevier Lake Competitive Potash Leasing Proposal. Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-UT-W020-2010-014-EA. BLM Fillmore Field Office. February 2011 Bureau of Land Management. 1987. Warm Springs Resource Area. The Resource Management Plan. Record of Decision and Rangeland Program Summary. Case, R. W., and K. L. Cook. 1979. A Gravity Survey of the Sevier Lake area, Millard County, Utah. Utah Geology. Vol. 6, No. 1. pp. 55–76. Castleton, J. J. 2009. Rock-Fall Hazards in Utah. Utah Geological Survey Public Information Series 94. Available online at http://geology.utah.gov/online/pi/pi-94.pdf. Accessed on August 22, 2013. Christensen, G. E., L. E. Batation, and C. V. Nelson. 2003. Guidelines for Evaluating Surface-Fault- Rupture Hazards in Utah. Utah Geological Survey Miscellaneous Publication 03-6. 14p. Available online at http://geology.utah.gov/online/mp/mp03-06.pdf. Accessed on August 22, 2013. CH2M HILL. 2013a. Geology and Minerals Report for the Sevier Playa Project. Prepared for Peak Minerals, Inc. October 2013. CH2M HILL 2013b: Water Resources Report for the Sevier Playa Project. Prepared for Peak Minerals, Inc. October 2013. CH2M HILL. 2013c. NI 43-101 Technical Report. Preliminary Feasibility Study of the Sevier Lake Playa Sulphate of Potash Project. Millard County, Utah. November 2013. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018a. Draft Plan of Development for Off-Lease Facilities for the Sevier Playa Potash Project. August 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018b. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Adaptive Wildlife Management Framework Plan. June 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018c. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Blasting Framework Plan. August 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018d. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Cultural Resources Framework Plan. August 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018e. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Environmental Compliance Inspection Framework Plan. August 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018f. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Fugitive Dust Control Plan. July 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018g. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Noxious and Invasive Weed Management Framework Plan. August 2018.

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Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018h. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Reclamation Framework Plan. August 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018i. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Site Safety Framework Plan. June 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018j. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Solid and Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials Management Framework Plan. August 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018k. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Framework Plan. August 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018l. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Surface Water Pollution Prevention Framework Plan. August 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018m. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Transportation and Traffic Management Framework Plan. August 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018n. Sevier Playa Potash Project. Water Monitoring Framework Plan. October 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc. 2018o. NI 43-101 Technical Report Summarizing the Feasibility Study for the Sevier Playa Potash Project, Millard County, Utah. Prepared for Crystal Peak Minerals Inc. by Novopro Projects Inc. and Norwest Corporation. Report Date: February 21, 2018. Effective Date: January 11, 2018. Crystal Peak Minerals, Inc., and Norwest Corporation. 2018. Mining Plan for the Sevier Playa Potash Project. BLM Case File Number UTU-88387. August 2018. Emerald Peak Minerals. 2012. Preliminary Economic Assessment Sevier Dry Lake, Utah. NI 43-101 Technical Report. Prepared by Marsh Consulting Associates Inc., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in cooperation with Norwest Corporation. November 2012. Gilbert, G. K. 1890. Lake Bonneville. U. S. Geological Survey. Washington – Government Printing Office. Gwynn, J. W. 2006. History and Mineral Resource Characterization of Sevier Lake, Millard County, Utah. Utah Geologic Survey; Miscellaneous Publication 06-6. Hintze, L. F., and F. D. Davis. 2002. Geologic Map of the Wah Wah Mountains North 30’ x 60’ Quadrangle and Part of the Garrison 30’x60’ Quadrangle, Southwest Millard County and Part of Beaver County, Utah. Hintze, L. F., and F. D. Davis. 2003. Geology of Millard County, Utah. Bulletin 133, Utah Geologic Survey. Intermountain GeoEnvironmental Services. 2012. Geotechnical Investigation Design Report, Evaporation Pond and Extraction Trench Design, Related to Sevier Dry Lake Potash Mining, Sevier Dry Lake, Millard County, Utah. Peak Minerals. October 2012. Mulvey, W. E. 1992. Soil and Rock Causing Engineering Geologic Problems in Utah. Special Study 80. Oviatt, C. G. 1988. Late Pleistocene and Holocene lake fluctuations in the Sevier Lake Basin, U.S.A. Journal of Paleolimnology 1: 9-21. Oviatt, C. G., D. R. Currey, and D. Sack. 1992. Radiocarbon chronology of Lake Bonneville, Eastern Great Basin, USA. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 99: 225-241. Ralph, J., and I. Chau. 2013. Mindat.org - The Mineral and Locality Database. Available online at http://www.mindat.org. Accessed on August 22, 2013.

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U. S. Geological Survey. 2018a. Mineral Commodity Summary. Potash. January 2018. Available online at: https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/potash/mcs-2018-potas.pdf. Accessed on July 19, 2018. U. S. Geological Survey. 2018b. Database search for seismic activity in the vicinity of the Sevier Playa 1970-2018. Database available online at: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/search. Accessed on March 20, 2018. U. S. Geological Survey. 2018c. U.S. Quaternary Faults and Folds Database. Interactive Fault Map Available at: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/hazards/qfaults. Accessed on March 21, 2018. U. S. Geological Survey. 2017. USGS Forecast for Damage from Natural and Induced Earthquakes in 2017. Figure available online at: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/usgs-forecast-damage­ natural-and-induced-earthquakes-2017. Accessed on February 6, 2017. Utah Geological Survey. 2013a. Geologic Resource Maps. Available online at: http://geology.utah.gov/maps/georesmap/index.htm. Accessed on August 15, 2013. Utah Geological Survey. 2013b. Oil and Gas. Available online at: http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/energy/oilgas/index.htm. Accessed on August 16, 2013. Utah Geological Survey. 2013c. Coal and Coalbed Methane. Available online at: http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/energy/coal/index.htm. Accessed on August 16, 2013. Utah Geological Survey. 2013d. Liquefaction. Available online at: http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/hazards/liquefy.htm. Accessed on August 22, 2013. Utah Geological Survey. 2013e. 2010 Landslide Maps by 30' x 60' Quadrangle. Available online at: http://geology.utah.gov/maps/geohazmap/landslide30x60.htm. Accessed on August 16, 2013. Utah Geological Survey. 2013f. Landslides: Events & Information. Available online at: http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/hazards/landslide/. Accessed on August 22, 2013. Whelan, J. A. 1969. Subsurface brines and soluble salts of subsurface sediments, Sevier Lake, Millard County, Utah. Utah Geological and Mineralogical Survey Special Studies 30. Wilberg, D. E. 1991. Hydrologic Reconnaissance of the Sevier Lake Area, West-Central Utah. State of Utah, Department of Natural Resources, Technical Publication No. 96. Prepared by U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Rights.

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