United States Department of Final Environmental Agriculture Assessment Forest Service January Geothermal Lease Nomination COC-73584 2011 Gunnison Ranger District, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Cooperating Agency: Gunnison Field Office, Bureau of Land Management Gunnison County, Colorado Sections 9, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33 and 34, T 49 N, R 4 E, NMPM The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Geothermal Lease Nomination COC-73584 Environmental Assessment Gunnison County, Colorado Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Land Management Gunnison Field Office Gunnison County Forest Service Authorized Officer: Charles S. Richmond, Forest Supervisor 2250 HWY 50 Delta, CO 81416 For Information Contact: Niccole Mortenson, NEPA Specialist 2250 HWY 50 Delta, CO 81416 Email: [email protected] Phone: 970-874-6616 Environmental Assessment Geothermal Lease Nomination COC-73584 (Intentionally left blank) v Environmental Assessment Geothermal Lease Nomination COC-73584 SUMMARY The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest (GMUG) proposes to consent to the USDI Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to lease the subject lands for geothermal resource recovery with stipulations for the protection of geologic resources; surface and ground water resources; wildlife including Canada lynx, Gunnison sage grouse, bald eagles, raptors and big game; cultural and paleontological resources; special uses; visual resources; and recreation opportunities. The lease nomination is for lands generally located in Sections 9, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33 and 34, T 49 N, R 4 E, NMPM, in Gunnison County, Colorado about 22 miles southeast of the town of Gunnison. This action is needed to facilitate geothermal resource leasing in an environmentally responsible manner to help meet the increasing interest in geothermal development on Federal lands (Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 211) and to further respond to policy directives calling for clean and renewable energy to meet the nation’s increasing demand for energy. Public involvement included two joint BLM-FS public meetings with presentations, handouts and maps of the lease nomination areas on March 11, 2010 and September 2, 2010 at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. Approximately 95 people total attended the meetings. Approximately 125 scoping letters were sent out, published to the internet on the GMUG’s website and the project was listed on the GMUG’s Schedule of Proposed Actions. Fourteen environmental group consortia, individuals/corporations, and state, local and tribal agencies responded during scoping. Using internal and external comments, significant issues were identified for the following broad resources: geologic resources, water, wildlife, special/permitted uses, and visual resources. The leasing analysis was designed to include lease stipulations to protect these and other resources. Leasing in itself has no direct impacts on any resource except socio-economics. Subsequent post-leasing development may have impacts on resources; however, these impacts will be minimized or negated through the application of lease stipulations (restrictions) or through the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) if or when future development is proposed. Any post-leasing development would be subject to additional required analysis. Based upon the effects of the alternatives, the Forest Supervisor must decide whether or not to consent to the BLM leasing NFS lands for geothermal resource development and prescribe the terms and conditions (through lease stipulations) with respect to the use and protection of surface resources. The Gunnison Field Office Manager will make recommendations to the BLM Colorado State Director concerning which parcels to offer for lease, which parcels to withdraw, and which additional stipulations should be placed on a lease to protect resources. vi Environmental Assessment Geothermal Lease Nomination COC-73584 (Intentionally left blank) vii Environmental Assessment Geothermal Lease Nomination COC-73584 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1. Purpose of and Need for Action ....................................................................... 1 1.0 Document Structure .................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Geothermal Leasing Process ...................................................................................... 2 1.3 Purpose of and Need for Action .................................................................................. 3 1.4 Proposed Action Summary ........................................................................................ 4 1.5 Decision Framework ................................................................................................. 6 1.6 Authorities ............................................................................................................... 6 Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 ......................................................................................... 6 Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 ............................................................................ 6 Energy Policy Act of 2005 ............................................................................................... 6 Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ............................................................. 6 Executive Order 13423 .................................................................................................... 6 Policy ............................................................................................................................ 7 GMUG Forest Plan ......................................................................................................... 7 Gunnison Field Office RMP ............................................................................................. 7 1.7 Public Involvement ................................................................................................... 8 1.8 Issues ...................................................................................................................... 8 1.9 Related Actions ...................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 2. Alternatives, Including the proposed action .................................................... 13 2.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Alternatives Considered in Detail ............................................................................. 13 Alternative 1- No Action (Consent to Lease Not Given) .....................................................13 Alternative 2- Proposed Action (Consent to Lease with Stipulations) ...................................13 2.2 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study ....................................... 27 Consent to lease without stipulations to protect surface resources, (i.e. consent to lease with standard lease terms) ......................................................................................................27 Wait to lease until range-wide protections are in place for Gunnison Sage Grouse .................28 No leasing in occupied Gunnison Sage Grouse habitat ........................................................28 No leasing in occupied Gunnison Sage Grouse habitat until RMP revisions are complete .......28 Consider leasing alternative locations rather than the Tomichi Dome ...................................28 2.3 Comparison of Alternatives ..................................................................................... 29 viii Environmental Assessment Geothermal Lease Nomination COC-73584 Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ............................... 35 3.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 35 3.1 Existing Activities in Proposed Lease & Cumulative Effects Areas............................... 35 Range Allotments ..........................................................................................................35 Outfitter Guides .............................................................................................................36 Recreation