Date: November 20, 2003

CONTACT: Diane Hendry at (775) 623-1500

DESERT PEAK 2 GEOTHERMAL PROJECT

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Winnemucca Field Office announces the availability of a finding of no significant impacts/decision record (FONSI/DR; dated October 30, 2003) for an environmental assessment (EA # NV-020-03-26; dated September 10, 2003). The EA was sent out for a 30 day public review and comment period that ended October 10, 2003. 

The EA analyzed environmental impacts as part of a permit to drill application submitted by Western States Geothermal and ORNI 3, LLC to develop underlying geothermal resources. The EA Project Area is located approximately four miles east of Bradys Hot Springs near Fernley in Churchill County, Nevada, and within the Brady Hot Springs Known Geothermal Resource Area.

The EA was modified to reflect public comments received during the public review period. Based on the EA’s findings and public comments, the potential residual environmental impacts, after mitigation, would not be significant. Accordingly, it is the decision of the Winnemucca Field Manager to permit Western States Geothermal and ORNI 3, LLC to proceed with Applications for Permits to Drill for a geothermal production well and a geothermal injection well. 

Copies of the EA and FONSI/DR are available at the Winnemucca Field Office, 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., during regular business hours. For further information, please contact Jeff Johnson, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, at the above address or by calling (775) 623-1500. Thank you for your interest in the public lands.

- BLM -