Soils and Geological Resources (including Seismicity and Geological Hazards) Mitigation Measures
Mitigation measures to avoid or reduce impacts to soils and geological resources from biomass energy development.
The following are examples of mitigation measures that could be applied to reduce impacts of a project on soils and geological resources depending upon site- and project-specific conditions. Impacts to soils and geological resources are related to the project activities (e.g., land disturbance, erosion) and the extraction of raw materials for project use. Many impacts can be reduced or avoided when taken into account during the siting and design phase.
Develop a final set of mitigation measures for any project in consultation with the appropriate federal resource management agencies and stakeholders. Conduct these consultations early in the project development process and preferably prior to final project siting and design.
Siting and Design Mitigation Measures
Siting and design considerations that mitigate impacts include:
Identify and avoid areas with unstable slopes and local factors that can cause slope instability (groundwater conditions, precipitation, seismic activity, slope angles, and geologic structure).
Identify soil properties, engineering constraints, and facility design criteria.
Develop a site grading and management plan to identify areas of disturbance, areas of cut and fill, slope during and after grading, existing vegetation, and measures to protect slope, drainages, and existing vegetation in the project area.
Develop an erosion control and revegetation plan to delineate measures to minimize soil loss and reduce sedimentation to protect water quality.
Minimize the amount of land disturbed as much as possible. Use existing roads, disturbed areas, and borrow pits and quarries when possible. Minimize vegetation removal. Stage construction to limit the exposed area at any one time.
Place access roads to follow natural topography, and avoid or minimize side hill cuts. New roads should avoid going straight up grades in excess of 10%. Design roads with eventual reclamation in mind.
Pave roads for construction traffic, if feasible.
Locate facility structures to comply with the setback requirements of the site grading and drainage plan to avoid disturbing natural watercourses.
Design runoff control features to minimize soil erosion.
Construct drainage ditches only where necessary.
Use appropriate structures at culvert outlets to prevent erosion.
Use special construction techniques in areas of steep slopes, erodible soils, and stream crossings.
General Mitigation Measures
General mitigation practices and principles that could apply to any or all phases of a biomass energy project include:
Use dust abatement techniques on unpaved, unvegetated surfaces to minimize windblown erosion.
Provide temporary stabilization of disturbed areas that are not actively under construction.
Apply erosion controls (e.g., jute netting, silt fences, and check dams) to prevent/minimize soil erosion from vehicular traffic and during construction activities.
Maintain vegetative cover within road rights-of-way (ROWs) to prevent erosion and periodically monitor ROWs to assess erosion.
Clean and maintain catch basins, drainage ditches, and culverts regularly.
During all phases of the project, keep equipment and vehicles within the limits of the initially disturbed areas.
Conduct routine site inspections to assess the effectiveness of and the maintenance requirements for erosion and sediment control systems.
Project Phase-Specific Mitigation Measures
Mitigation measures specific to a particular phase of a biomass energy project include:
Biomass Production
Displace annual crops with perennial biomass crops to decrease soil erosion.
Utilize no-till agriculture to reduce soil erosion.
Avoid harvesting biomass in forested areas with steep slopes.
Construction
Avoid creating excessive slopes during excavation and blasting operations.
