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United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Alturas Field Office 708 www.ca.blm.gov/alturas Glass Mountain Area Geophysical Studies CA320-NEPA-09-05 Finding of No Significant Impact December 2008 It is my determination that the project does not constitute a major federal action having a significant effect on the human environment. Therefore, an environmental impact statement (EIS) is not necessary and will not be prepared. This conclusion is based on my consideration of the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) criteria for significance (40 CFR §1508.27) regarding the context and intensity of the impacts described in the Glass Mountain Area Geophysical Studies Environmental Assessment (EA). These CEQ criteria include: 1) Impacts can be both beneficial and adverse and a significant effect may exist regardless of the perceived balance of effects. Potential impacts include vegetation removal and soil disturbance, however, these impacts would not be significant because of the small scale of the project. Physical impacts of the project would be minimized through a variety of mitigation measures. The project may have impacts on spiritual beliefs regarding the scientific collection of natural data and the spiritual disturbance that such endeavors may cause, however, these impacts would be expected to be indistinguishable from background levels of impacts associated with day to day forest use and management activity. 2) The degree of the impact on public health or safety. No aspects of the project have been identified as having the potential to significantly and adversely impact public health or safety. 3) Unique characteristics of the geographic area. The project area includes the area surrounding Medicine Lake and includes the Medicine Lake Caldera, however, the analysis in the EA has shown the project to be in compliance with the Medicine Lake Highlands Historic Property Management Plan’s management recommendations. 4) The degree to which the effects on the quality of the human environment are likely to be highly controversial effects. No anticipated effects have been identified that are scientifically controversial. As a factor for determining within the meaning of 40 C.F.R. § 1508.27(b)(4) whether or not to prepare a detailed environmental impact statement, “controversy” is not equated with “the existence of opposition to a use.” Northwest Environmental 5) The degree to which the possible effects on the human environment are likely to be highly uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks. The analysis does not show that this action would involve any unique or unknown risks. 6) The degree to which the action may establish a precedent for future actions with significant effects or represents a decision in principle about a future consideration. The action is related to future geothermal development but is not precedent setting. It is anticipated that data collected through geophysical testing could help to minimize future disturbance related to geothermal development. 7) Whether the action is related to other actions with individually insignificant but cumulatively significant impacts. No other related actions have been identified. 8) The degree to which the action may adversely affect National Historic Register listed or eligible to be listed sites or may cause loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural or historical resources. The proposed project would occur within a National Register eligible district. The project is temporary in nature and would not alter the landscape or the values of the property so as to impact the eligibility of the property to the National Register of Historic Places. 9) The degree to which the action may adversely affect ESA listed species or critical habitat. The EA found that the project, with appropriate mitigation measures, would have no adverse impacts on listed or otherwise sensitive plant or wildlife species. 10) Whether the action threatens a violation of environmental protection law or requirements. There is no indication that this decision will result in actions that will threaten such a violation. Due to the project’s adverse effects relative to the spirituality of the Medicine Lake Highlands, additional formal consultation will be undertaken with the State Office of Historic Preservation prior to the issuance of a decision in this matter. ________________ _________________ Timothy J. Burke Date Manager, Alturas Field Office
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