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

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