Other Resources

The Draft FMG RMPA/EIS analyzes other resources in addition to air/air quality, cultural resources, fluid minerals, socioeconomics, and water/water quality. How the BLM and BIA would address issues related to these issues are summarized below.

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Geology

How are BLM and BIA are addressing issues related to geology and oil and gas development?

• Surface occupancy would be prohibited in Beechatuda Tongue

• Angel Peak ACEC is open to fluid mineral leasing; however, all 248 acres would have an NSO stipulation in place under all alternatives

• Locations of proposed drilling would be examined for important tribal resources as part of Section 106 consultation, with an emphasis on minimizing impacts

Lands with Wilderness Characteristics

How is the BLM addressing issues related to lands with wilderness characteristics and oil and gas development?

• Require lessee to minimize unnecessary damage to vegetation from the operation authorized by the lease

  Confine vehicle use to approved roads and access

Noise

How are BLM and BIA are addressing issues related to noise and oil and gas development?

• On 54,100 acres associated with wilderness and other legislatively designated areas, there would be no fluid mineral leasing or related activities capable of generating noise above ambient noise levels

• Managing 35,800 acres associated with 13 ACECs as closed to new leasing

• Limiting location of wells around homes and other sensitive noise receptors

Noxious Weeds and Invasive Plants

How are BLM and BIA are addressing issues related to noxious weeds, invasive plants, and oil and gas development?

• Require lessee to minimize unnecessary damage to vegetation from the operation authorized by the lease

• Confine vehicle use to approved roads and access

Paleontology

How are BLM and BIA are addressing issues related to paleontology and oil and gas development?

• Surveys associated with continuing fluid mineral development would be used to increase knowledge of paleontological resources in the planning area

• BLM Special Designated Areas would include stipulations that would restrict some surface uses

• Minimizing surface disturbance as well as restricting vehicles to existing roads and trails

Riparian Areas and Wetlands

How are BLM and BIA are addressing issues related to wetland areas, riparian areas, and oil and gas development?

• Prohibit oil and gas operations in floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas as required in Onshore Order Number 1, Part IV

• Apply conditions of approvals (COAs) to minimize impacts on riparian areas and wetlands and would relocate proposed oil and gas facilities as needed, up to 656 feet, using its authority under BLM regulatory discretion in approval of ROW authorizations to relocate proposed ROWs

Special Status Species

How are BLM and BIA are addressing issues related to special status species and oil and gas development?

• Projects would need to comply with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act if they could impacts federally listed species and the ecosystems upon which they depend

• BLM would apply no surface use, controlled surface use, and timing limitation stipulations for fluid minerals to special status and listed species’ habitat to protect from degradation, modification, and removal associated with proposed fluid mineral development projects

Upland Vegetation

How are BLM and BIA are addressing issues related to upland vegetation and oil and gas development?

• Fluid mineral development projects will provide interim and final reclamation for surface disturbance

• BLM management actions will close areas to fluid mineral leasing; establish no surface use, controlled surface use, and timing limitation stipulations for fluid minerals; and establish right-of-way exclusion areas

Wildlife and Migratory Birds

How are BLM and BIA are addressing issues related to upland vegetation and oil and gas development?

• Requiring pipelines to follow existing roads or ROWs, where feasible, to minimize disturbance to habitats and reduce fragmentation

• Lands and realty mitigation measures to protect or restore wildlife habitat

• BLM to apply leasing stipulations primarily in Special Designated Areas and designated wildlife areas

• For projects on BLM lands proposing 4 acres or more of surface disturbance, no construction activities from May 15 to July 31 would be permitted without a migratory bird nest survey