UNDERSTANDING and PROTECTING the THERMAL RESOURCE by Chuck Pettee, Water Resources Division,...
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Transcript of UNDERSTANDING and PROTECTING the THERMAL RESOURCE by Chuck Pettee, Water Resources Division,...
UNDERSTANDING and PROTECTING the THERMAL RESOURCE
by Chuck Pettee,Water Resources Division,National Park Service
UNDERSTANDING and PROTECTING the THERMAL RESOURCE
by Chuck Pettee,Water Resources Division,National Park Service
TAKE HOME INFORMATION
Global Resource Basic Resource Parameters Protection Mechanisms Communication Issues
Thermal Resources
Source: Geothermal Education Office www.geothermal.marin.org
Near-Surface Thermal Resources
Source: Geothermal Education Office www.geothermal.marin.org
Near-Surface Thermal Resources
The Hydrothermal Resource Cycle
HEATHEAT – – PRESSUREPRESSURE - - WATERWATER
Source: Geothermal Education Office www.geothermal.marin.org
Regulation of Thermal Resources
Geothermal Steam Act (on federal ownership)
Hot water or hot brineHeat (injection fluid)Pressure (steam)Significant features
(no reasonable likelihood of a significant adverse effect)
Monitor features
Water Law Montana + Wyoming –
cold, warm, hot Idaho (water) – cold + warm Idaho (geothermal) - hot Federal – primary purpose
of the reservation
Unregulated Thermal Resources
Pressure - non-geothermal holes (oil and gas, small water wells)
Heat in non-commercial quantities or temperatures
Brines and Steam on private ownership (Montana and Wyoming)
Communication Issues
Commercial vs Conservation useProblems with scientific uncertainty about hydrothermal system and effectsNotification of development actions
LeasesWater right PermitsNon-leasables (warm temperatures, private)Small water usesOil and Gas drilling
Yellowstone Case Study
Status in 1988
Geothermal Steam Act Two KGRA’s Island Park Area EIS Report to Congress due
Water Rights Adjudication of water rights
in Montana and Idaho Middle Creek (East Entrance)
adjudicated in Wyoming New warm well near the
park at the Royal Teton
Ranch
Geothermal Steam Act
Congressional moratorium on leasing in KGRA’s and Island Park Area
Significant thermal featureslisted for Yellowstone – “entire park unit”
USGS report for Corwin SpringsArea incl. the warm well – Some development may be possible
NPS report to the SecretaryLikely connection – allow useof only surface thermal flows
Old Faithful Protection Actdesignated a protection zoneand required notification andstandards for examining actions
Some features monitored but no park-wide monitoring plan
Water Rights
Montana Compact Right to all hydrothermal
water within the park Controlled groundwater
area Criteria to distinguish
thermal from cold water Requires applicant to
prove no connection Technical Oversight
Committee
• Idaho• Undetermined
• Wyoming• Silent in the Middle Creek watershed• Remainder of Park not yet adjudicated
Hydrothermal Criteria
Temperature below 60 degrees FCold water development not limited – protected by land use (Park or National Forest Wilderness)
Temperature over 59 degrees FBurden is on applicant to demonstrate that the water is not connected to the hydrothermal system in the park
In borderline cases water over but near 59 degrees
can be developed when;• Water temperature is result of normal thermal gradient, and• water has soluble chloride less than 10 ppm, and• Water is not produced from the Madison Formation.
SUMMARY
All parties need education
Develop ongoing relationship with Scientists
Monitor, but it is problematic to rely on monitoring to protect against impacts
Keep your ear to the ground