BLM seeking public comments on Geothermal Exploration Project

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District-Stillwater Field Office, is seeking public comments on a preliminary environmental assessment (EA) for the Coyote Canyon South Geothermal Exploration Project proposed by TGP Dixie Development Company, LLC. The proposed geothermal exploration project is located in Dixie Valley, Churchill County, approximately 50 miles northeast of Fallon, Nevada. The public is invited to submit comments on the EA through close of business on October 24, 2012.

This EA analyzes potential impacts from the proposed exploration activities. The primary objective of the project is to explore for and evaluate the characteristics of the geothermal resources in the Coyote Canyon South Project area. The proposed activities include:

• ·Constructing and upgrading existing access roads (both on and off the lease);
• ·Construction of up to 15 well pads;
• ·Drilling and testing of up to 45 exploration wells (3 possible at each pad);
• ·Flow testing of exploration wells to determine commercial potential;
• ·Extraction of gravel from up to 3 locations;
• ·Construction and use of a temporary personnel camp;

A copy of this EA is available at the Carson City District BLM office and on the webpage at: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_information/nepa.html during the 30-day comment period. Please send written comments to: Angelica Rose, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, Stillwater Field Office, 5565 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701. Comments may also be submitted via email at [email protected] and should include “Coyote Canyon South Geothermal Project” in the subject line. A hardcopy can be provided upon request.

Public comments submitted for this proposed project, including names and addresses of those who commented will be available for public review at the Carson City District BLM office during regular business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment-including your personal information may be publicly available at any time. While you ask us in your comment to withhold personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. After the public review period has ended, comments will be analyzed and considered part of the decision-making process.

For further information please contact Angelica Rose at (775) 885-6008.