APPENDIX N: 

BLM WIND ENERGY 

DEVELOPMENT 

PROGRAM POLICIES AND 

BEST MANAGEMENT 

PRACTICIES 
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Jarbidge Draft RMP/EIS Appendix N 

APPENDIX N: BLM WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT 

PROGRAM POLICIES AND BEST MANAGEMENT 

PRACTICES 

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) wind energy development program policies and best 

management practices (BMPs) can be found on pages A-8 through A-26 in Attachment A of the 2005 

Record of Decision for Implementation of a Wind Energy Development Program and Associated Land 

Use Plan Amendments (BLM, 2005c) and are reprinted below. 

The BLM’s Wind Energy Development Program established a number of policies and BMPs, provided 

below, regarding the development of wind energy resources on BLM-managed lands. The policies and 

BMPs are applicable to all wind energy development projects on BLM-managed lands. The policies 

address the administration of wind energy development activities, and the BMPs identify required 

mitigation measures that would need to be incorporated into project-specific Plans of Development 

(PODs) and right-of-way (ROW) authorization stipulations. Additional mitigation measures will be applied 

to individual projects, in the form of stipulations in the ROW authorization as appropriate, to address sitespecific and species-specific issues. 

These policies and BMPs were formulated through preparation of the Final PEIS on Wind Energy 

Development on BLM-Administered Lands in the Western United States (BLM, 2005a). The preliminary 

environmental impact statement (PEIS) included detailed, comprehensive analysis of the potential 

impacts of wind energy development and relevant mitigation measures; reviews of existing, relevant 

mitigation guidance; and reviews of comments received during scoping and public review of the Draft 

PEIS. 

Policies
 	 The BLM will not issue ROW authorizations for wind energy development on lands on which wind 

energy development is incompatible with specific resource values. Lands that will be excluded from 

wind energy site monitoring and testing and development include designated areas that are part of 

the National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) (e.g., Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study 

Areas, National Monuments, NCAs, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Historic and Scenic Trails), 

and Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). Additional areas of land may be excluded 

from wind energy development on the basis of findings of resource impacts that cannot be mitigated 

and/or conflict with existing and planned multiple-use activities or land use plans. 

	 To the extent possible, wind energy projects shall be developed in a manner that will not prevent 

other land uses, including minerals extraction, livestock grazing, recreational use, and other ROW 

uses. 

	 Entities seeking to develop a wind energy project on BLM-administered lands shall consult with 

appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies regarding specific projects as early in the planning 

process as appropriate to ensure that all potential construction, operation, and decommissioning 

issues and concerns are identified and adequately addressed. 

	 The BLM will initiate government-to-government consultation with Indian Tribal governments whose 

interests might be directly and substantially affected by activities on BLM-managed lands as early in 

the planning process as appropriate to ensure that construction, operation, and decommissioning 

issues and concerns are identified and adequately addressed. 

	 Entities seeking to develop a wind energy project on BLM-administered lands, in conjunction with 

BLM Washington Office (WO) and FO staff, shall consult with the US Department of Defense (DoD) 

regarding the location of wind power projects and turbine siting as early in the planning process as 

appropriate. This consultation shall occur concurrently at both the installation/field level and the 

Pentagon/BLM WO level. An interagency protocol agreement is being developed to establish a 

consultation process and to identify the scope of issues for consultation. Lands withdrawn for military 

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purposes are under the administrative jurisdiction of the DoD or a military service and are not
 

available for issuance of wind energy authorizations by the BLM. 

	 The BLM will consult with the FWS as required by Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 

(ESA). The specific consultation requirements will be determined on a project-by-project basis. 

	 The BLM will consult with the SHPO as required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 

Act of 1966 (NHPA). The specific consultation requirements will be determined on a project-by-project 

basis. If programmatic Section 106 consultations have been conducted and are adequate to cover a 

proposed project, additional consultation may not be needed. 

	 The level of environmental analysis to be required under NEPA for individual wind power projects will 

be determined at the FO level. For many projects, it may be determined that a tiered environmental 

assessment (EA) is appropriate in lieu of an EIS. To the extent that the PEIS addresses anticipated 

issues and concerns associated with an individual project, including potential cumulative impacts, the 

BLM will tier off of the decisions embedded in the PEIS and limit the scope of additional projectspecific NEPA analyses. The site-specific NEPA analyses will include analyses of project site 

configuration and micrositing considerations, monitoring program requirements, and appropriate 

mitigation measures. In particular, the mitigation measures discussed in Chapter 5 of the PEIS may 

be consulted in determining site-specific requirements. Public involvement will be incorporated into all 

wind energy development projects to ensure that all concerns and issues are identified and 

adequately addressed. In general, the scope of the NEPA analyses will be limited to the proposed 

action on BLM-managed public lands; however, if access to proposed development on adjacent nonBLM-managed lands is entirely dependent on obtaining ROW access across BLM-managed public 

lands and there are no alternatives to that access, the NEPA analysis for the proposed ROW may 

need to assess the environmental effects from that proposed development. The BLM’s analyses of 

ROW access projects may tier off of the PEIS to the extent that the proposed project falls within the 

scope of the PEIS analyses. 

	 Site-specific environmental analyses will tier from the PEIS and identify and assess any cumulative 

impacts that are beyond the scope of the cumulative impacts addressed in the PEIS. 

	 The Categorical Exclusion (CX) applicable to the issuance of short-term ROWs or land use 

authorizations may be applicable to some site monitoring and testing activities. The relevant CX, 

established for the BLM in the DOI Departmental Manual 516, Chapter 11, Sec. 11.5, E(19) (USDI, 

2004), encompasses “issuance of short-term (3 years or less) rights-of-way or land use authorizations 

for such uses as storage sites, apiary sites, and construction sites where the proposal includes 

rehabilitation to restore the land to its natural or original condition.” 

	 BLM will require financial bonds for all wind energy development projects on BLM-administered public 

lands to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the rights-of-way authorization and the 

requirements of applicable regulatory requirements, including reclamation costs. The amount of the 

required bond will be determined during the rights-of-way authorization process on the basis of sitespecific and project-specific factors. BLM may also require financial bonds for site monitoring and 

testing authorizations. 

	 Entities seeking to develop a wind energy project on BLM-administered public lands shall develop a 

project-specific Plan of Development (POD) that incorporates all BMPs and, as appropriate, the 

requirements of other existing and relevant BLM mitigation guidance, including the BLM’s interim offsite mitigation guidance (BLM, 2005b). Additional mitigation measures will be incorporated into the 

POD and into the ROW authorization as project stipulations, as needed, to address site-specific and 

species-specific issues. The POD will include a site plan showing the locations of turbines, roads, 

power lines, other infrastructure, and other areas of short- and long-term disturbance. 

	 BLM will incorporate management goals and objectives specific to habitat conservation for species of 

concern (e.g., sage-grouse), as appropriate, into the POD for proposed wind energy projects. 

	 BLM will consider the visual resource values of the public lands involved in proposed wind energy 

development projects, consistent with BLM VRM policies and guidance. BLM will work with the ROW 

applicant to incorporate visual design considerations into the planning and design of the project to 

minimize potential visual impacts of the proposal and to meet the VRM objectives of the area. 

	 Operators of wind power facilities on BLM-administered public lands shall consult with BLM and other 

appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies regarding any planned upgrades or changes to the 

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wind facility design or operation. Proposed changes of this nature may require additional 

environmental analysis and/or revision of the POD. 

	 The BLM’s Wind Energy Development Program will incorporate adaptive management strategies to 

ensure that potential adverse impacts of wind energy development are avoided (if possible), 

minimized, or mitigated to acceptable levels. The programmatic policies and BMPs will be updated 

and revised as new data regarding the impacts of wind power projects become available. At the 

project level, operators will be required to develop monitoring programs to evaluate the environmental 

conditions at the site through all phases of development, to establish metrics against which 

monitoring observations can be measured, to identify potential mitigation measures, and to establish 

protocols for incorporating monitoring observations and additional mitigation measures into standard 

operating procedures and project-specific stipulations. 

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

The BMPs will be adopted as required elements of project-specific PODs and/or as ROW authorization 

stipulations. They are categorized by development activity: site monitoring and testing, development of 

the POD, construction, operation, and decommissioning. The BMPs for development of the POD identify 

required elements of the POD needed to address potential impacts associated with subsequent phases of 

development. 

Site Monitoring and Testing 

 The area disturbed by installation of meteorological towers (i.e., footprint) shall be kept to a minimum. 

 Existing roads shall be used to the maximum extent feasible. If new roads are necessary, they shall 

be designed and constructed to the appropriate standard. 

	 Meteorological towers shall not be located in sensitive habitats or in areas where ecological 

resources known to be sensitive to human activities (e.g., prairie grouse) are present. Installation of 

towers shall be scheduled to avoid disruption of wildlife reproductive activities or other important 

behaviors. 

	 Meteorological towers installed for site monitoring and testing shall be inspected periodically for 

structural integrity. 

Plan of Development Preparation 

General 

	 BLM and operators shall contact appropriate agencies, property owners, and other stakeholders early 

in the planning process to identify potentially sensitive land uses and issues, rules that govern wind 

energy development locally, and land use concerns specific to the region. 

	 Available information describing the environmental and sociocultural conditions in the vicinity of the 

proposed project shall be collected and reviewed as needed to predict potential impacts of the 

project. 

	 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-required notice of proposed construction shall be made as 

early as possible to identify any air safety measures that would be required. 

	 To plan for efficient use of the land, necessary infrastructure requirements shall be consolidated 

wherever possible, and current transmission and market access shall be evaluated carefully. 

	 The project shall be planned to utilize existing roads and utility corridors to the maximum extent 

feasible, and to minimize the number and length/size of new roads, lay-down areas, and borrow 

areas. 

	 A monitoring program shall be developed to ensure that environmental conditions are monitored 

during the construction, operation, and decommissioning phases. The monitoring program 

requirements, including adaptive management strategies, shall be established at the project level to 

ensure that potential adverse impacts of wind energy development are mitigated. The monitoring 

program shall identify the monitoring requirements for each environmental resource present at the 

site, establish metrics against which monitoring observations can be measured, identify potential 

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mitigation measures, and establish protocols for incorporating monitoring observations and additional 

mitigation measures into standard operating procedures and BMPs. 

	 “Good housekeeping” procedures shall be developed to ensure that during operation the site will be 

kept clean of debris, garbage, fugitive trash or waste, and graffiti; to prohibit scrap heaps and dumps; 

and to minimize storage yards. 

Wildlife and Other Ecological Resources 

	 Operators shall review existing information on species and habitats in the vicinity of the project area 

to identify potential concerns. 

	 Operators shall conduct surveys for Federal and/or State-protected species and other species of 

concern (including special status plant and animal species) within the project area and design the 

project to avoid (if possible), minimize, or mitigate impacts to these resources. 

	 Operators shall identify important, sensitive, or unique habitats in the vicinity of the project and design 

the project to avoid (if possible), minimize, or mitigate impacts to these habitats (e.g., locate the 

turbines, roads, and ancillary facilities in the least environmentally sensitive areas; i.e., away from 

riparian habitats, streams, wetlands, drainages, or critical wildlife habitats). 

	 The BLM will prohibit the disturbance of any population of Federally listed plant species. 

	 Operators shall evaluate avian and bat use of the project area and design the project to minimize or 

mitigate the potential for bird and bat strikes (e.g., development shall not occur in riparian habitats 

and wetlands). Scientifically rigorous avian and bat use surveys shall be conducted; the amount and 

extent of ecological baseline data required shall be determined on a project basis. 

	 Turbines shall be configured to avoid landscape features known to attract raptors, if site studies show 

that placing turbines there would pose a significant risk to raptors. 

	 Operators shall determine the presence of bat colonies and avoid placing turbines near known bat 

hibernation, breeding, and maternity/nursery colonies; in known migration corridors; or in known flight 

paths between colonies and feeding areas. 

	 Operators shall determine the presence of active raptor nests (i.e., raptor nests used during the 

breeding season). Measures to reduce raptor use at a project site (e.g., minimize road cuts, maintain 

either no vegetation or nonattractive plant species around the turbines) shall be considered. 

	 A habitat restoration plan shall be developed to avoid (if possible), minimize, or mitigate negative 

impacts on vulnerable wildlife while maintaining or enhancing habitat values for other species. The 

plan shall identify revegetation, soil stabilization, and erosion reduction measures that shall be 

implemented to ensure that all temporary use areas are restored. The plan shall require that 

restoration occur as soon as possible after completion of activities to reduce the amount of habitat 

converted at any one time and to speed up the recovery to natural habitats. 

	 Procedures shall be developed to mitigate potential impacts to special status species. Such 

measures could include avoidance, relocation of project facilities or lay-down areas, and/or relocation 

of biota. 

	 Facilities shall be designed to discourage their use as perching or nesting substrates by birds. For 

example, power lines and poles shall be configured to minimize raptor electrocutions and discourage 

raptor and raven nesting and perching. 

Visual Resources 

	 The public shall be involved and informed about the visual site design elements of the proposed wind 

energy facilities. Possible approaches include conducting public forums for disseminating information, 

offering organized tours of operating wind developments, and using computer simulation and 

visualization techniques in public presentations. 

	 Turbine arrays and turbine design shall be integrated with the surrounding landscape. Design 

elements to be addressed include visual uniformity, use of tubular towers, proportion and color of 

turbines, nonreflective paints, and prohibition of commercial messages on turbines. 

	 Other site design elements shall be integrated with the surrounding landscape. Elements to address 

include minimizing the profile of the ancillary structures, burial of cables, prohibition of commercial 

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symbols, and lighting. Regarding lighting, efforts shall be made to minimize the need for and amount 

of lighting on ancillary structures. 

Roads 

	 An access road siting and management plan shall be prepared incorporating existing BLM standards 

regarding road design, construction, and maintenance such as those described in the BLM 9113 

Manual (BLM, 1985) and the Surface Operating Standards for Oil and Gas Exploration and 

Development (i.e., the Gold Book)(USDI and USDA, 2007). 

Ground Transportation 

	 A transportation plan shall be developed, particularly for the transport of turbine components, main 

assembly cranes, and other large pieces of equipment. The plan shall consider specific object sizes, 

weights, origin, destination, and unique handling requirements and shall evaluate alternative 

transportation approaches. In addition, the process to be used to comply with unique state 

requirements and to obtain all necessary permits shall be clearly identified. 

	 A traffic management plan shall be prepared for the site access roads to ensure that no hazards 

would result from the increased truck traffic and that traffic flow would not be adversely impacted. 

This plan shall incorporate measures such as informational signs, flaggers when equipment may 

result in blocked throughways, and traffic cones to identify any necessary changes in temporary lane 

configuration. 

Noise 

	 Proponents of a wind energy development project shall take measurements to assess the existing 

background noise levels at a given site and compare them with the anticipated noise levels 

associated with the proposed project. 

Noxious Weeds and Pesticides 

	 Operators shall develop a plan for control of noxious weeds and invasive species, which could occur 

as a result of new surface disturbance activities at the site. The plan shall address monitoring, 

education of personnel on weed identification, the manner in which weeds spread, and methods for 

treating infestations. The use of certified weed-free mulching shall be required. If trucks and 

construction equipment are arriving from locations with known invasive vegetation problems, a 

controlled inspection and cleaning area shall be established to visually inspect construction 

equipment arriving at the project area and to remove and collect seeds that may be adhering to tires 

and other equipment surfaces. 

	 If pesticides are used on the site, an integrated pest management plan shall be developed to ensure 

that applications would be conducted within the framework of BLM and DOI policies and entail only 

the use of EPA-registered pesticides. Pesticide use shall be limited to nonpersistent, immobile 

pesticides and shall only be applied in accordance with label and application permit directions and 

stipulations for terrestrial and aquatic applications. 

Cultural and Historic Resources 

	 BLM will consult with Indian Tribal governments early in the planning process to identify issues 

regarding the proposed wind energy development, including issues related to the presence of cultural 

properties, access rights, disruption to traditional cultural practices, and impacts to visual resources 

important to the tribe(s). 

	 The presence of archaeological sites and historic properties in the area of potential effect shall be 

determined on the basis of a records search of recorded sites and properties in the area and/or, 

depending on the extent and reliability of existing information, an archaeological survey. 

Archaeological sites and historic properties present in the area of potential effect shall be reviewed to 

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determine whether they meet the criteria of eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic 

Places (NRHP). 

	 When any ROW application includes remnants of a NHT, is located within the viewshed of an NHT’s 

designated centerline, or includes or is within the viewshed of a trail eligible for listing on the NRHP, 

the operator shall evaluate the potential visual impacts to the trail associated with the proposed 

project and identify appropriate mitigation measures for inclusion as stipulations in the POD. 

	 If cultural resources are present at the site, or if areas with a high potential to contain cultural material 

have been identified, a cultural resources management plan (CRMP) shall be developed. This plan 

shall address mitigation activities to be taken for cultural resources found at the site. Avoidance of the 

area is always the preferred mitigation option. Other mitigation options include archaeological survey 

and excavation (as warranted) and monitoring. If an area exhibits a high potential, but no artifacts 

were observed during an archaeological survey, monitoring by a qualified archaeologist could be 

required during all excavation and earthmoving in the high-potential area. A report shall be prepared 

documenting these activities. The CRMP also shall (1) establish a monitoring program, (2) identify 

measures to prevent potential looting/vandalism or erosion impacts, and (3) address the education of 

workers and the public to make them aware of the consequences of unauthorized collection of 

artifacts and destruction of property on public land. 

Paleontological Resources 

	 Operators shall determine whether paleontological resources exist in a project area on the basis of 

the sedimentary context of the area, a records search for past paleontological finds in the area, 

and/or, depending on the extent of existing information, a paleontological survey. 

	 If paleontological resources are present at the site, or if areas with a high potential to contain 

paleontological material have been identified, a paleontological resources management plan shall be 

developed. This plan shall include a mitigation plan for collection of the fossils; mitigation could 

include avoidance, removal of fossils, or monitoring. If an area exhibits a high potential but no fossils 

were observed during survey, monitoring by a qualified paleontologist could be required during all 

excavation and earthmoving in the sensitive area. A report shall be prepared documenting these 

activities. The paleontological resources management plan also shall (1) establish a monitoring 

program, (2) identify measures to prevent potential looting/vandalism or erosion impacts, and (3) 

address the education of workers and the public to make them aware of the consequences of 

unauthorized collection of fossils on public land. 

Hazardous Materials and Waste Management 

	 Operators shall develop a hazardous materials management plan addressing storage, use, 

transportation, and disposal of each hazardous material anticipated to be used at the site. The plan 

shall identify all hazardous materials that would be used, stored, or transported at the site. It shall 

establish inspection procedures, storage requirements, storage quantity limits, inventory control, 

nonhazardous product substitutes, and disposition of excess materials. The plan shall also identify 

requirements for notices to federal and local emergency response authorities and include emergency 

response plans. 

	 Operators shall develop a waste management plan identifying the waste streams that are expected to 

be generated at the site and addressing hazardous waste determination procedures, waste storage 

locations, waste-specific management and disposal requirements, inspection procedures, and waste 

minimization procedures. This plan shall address all solid and liquid wastes that may be generated at 

the site. 

	 Operators shall develop a spill prevention and response plan identifying where hazardous materials 

and wastes are stored on site, spill prevention measures to be implemented, training requirements, 

appropriate spill response actions for each material or waste, the locations of spill response kits on 

site, a procedure for ensuring that the spill response kits are adequately stocked at all times, and 

procedures for making timely notifications to authorities. 

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Storm Water 

	 Operators shall develop a storm water management plan for the site to ensure compliance with 

applicable regulations and prevent off-site migration of contaminated storm water or increased soil 

erosion. 

Human Health and Safety 

	 A safety assessment shall be conducted to describe potential safety issues and the means that would 

be taken to mitigate them, including issues such as site access, construction, safe work practices, 

security, heavy equipment transportation, traffic management, emergency procedures, and fire 

control. 

	 A health and safety program shall be developed to protect both workers and the general public during 

construction, operation, and decommissioning of a wind energy project. Regarding occupational 

health and safety, the program shall identify all applicable federal and state occupational safety 

standards; establish safe work practices for each task (e.g., requirements for personal protective 

equipment and safety harnesses; Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] standard 

practices for safe use of explosives and blasting agents; and measures for reducing occupational 

electric and magnetic fields [EMF] exposures); establish fire safety evacuation procedures; and define 

safety performance standards (e.g., electrical system standards and lightning protection standards). 

The program shall include a training program to identify hazard training requirements for workers for 

each task and establish procedures for providing required training to all workers. Documentation of 

training and a mechanism for reporting serious accidents to appropriate agencies shall be 

established. 

	 Regarding public health and safety, the health and safety program shall establish a safety zone or 

setback for wind turbine generators from residences and occupied buildings, roads, ROWs, and other 

public access areas that is sufficient to prevent accidents resulting from the operation of wind turbine 

generators. It shall identify requirements for temporary fencing around staging areas, storage yards, 

and excavations during construction or decommissioning activities. It shall also identify measures to 

be taken during the operation phase to limit public access to hazardous facilities (e.g., permanent 

fencing would be installed only around electrical substations, and turbine tower access doors would 

be locked). 

	 Operators shall consult with local planning authorities regarding increased traffic during the 

construction phase, including an assessment of the number of vehicles per day, their size, and type. 

Specific issues of concern (e.g., location of school bus routes and stops) shall be identified and 

addressed in the traffic management plan. 

	 If operation of the wind turbines is expected to cause significant adverse impacts to nearby 

residences and occupied buildings from shadow flicker, low-frequency sound, or EMF, site-specific 

recommendations for addressing these concerns shall be incorporated into the project design (e.g., 

establishing a sufficient setback from turbines). 

	 The project shall be planned to minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) (e.g., impacts to radar, 

microwave, television, and radio transmissions) and comply with Federal Communications 

Commission [FCC] regulations. Signal strength studies shall be conducted when proposed locations 

have the potential to impact transmissions. Potential interference with public safety communication 

systems (e.g., radio traffic related to emergency activities) shall be avoided. 

	 The project shall be planned to comply with FAA regulations, including lighting regulations, and to 

avoid potential safety issues associated with proximity to airports, military bases or training areas, or 

landing strips. 

	 Operators shall develop a fire management strategy to implement measures to minimize the potential 

for a human-caused fire. 

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Construction 

General 

	 All control and mitigation measures established for the project in the POD and the resource-specific 

management plans that are part of the POD shall be maintained and implemented throughout the 

construction phase, as appropriate. 

	 The area disturbed by construction and operation of a wind energy development project (i.e., 

footprint) shall be kept to a minimum. 

	 The number and size/length of roads, temporary fences, lay-down areas, and borrow areas shall be 

minimized. 

	 Topsoil from all excavations and construction activities shall be salvaged and reapplied during 

reclamation. 

	 All areas of disturbed soil shall be reclaimed using weed-free native grasses, forbs, and shrubs. 

Reclamation activities shall be undertaken as early as possible on disturbed areas. 

	 All electrical collector lines shall be buried in a manner that minimizes additional surface disturbance 

(e.g., along roads or other paths of surface disturbance). Overhead lines may be used in cases where 

burial of lines would result in further habitat disturbance. 

	 Operators shall identify unstable slopes and local factors that can induce slope instability (such as 

groundwater conditions, precipitation, earthquake activities, slope angles, and the dip angles of 

geologic strata). Operators also shall avoid creating excessive slopes during excavation and blasting 

operations. Special construction techniques shall be used where applicable in areas of steep slopes, 

erodible soil, and stream channel crossings. 

	 Erosion controls that comply with Federal, State, and county standards shall be applied. Practices 

such as jute netting, silt fences, and check dams shall be applied near disturbed areas. 

Wildlife 

	 Guy wires on permanent meteorological towers shall be avoided, however, may be necessary on 

temporary meteorological towers installed during site monitoring and testing. 

	 In accordance with the habitat restoration plan, restoration shall be undertaken as soon as possible 

after completion of construction activities to reduce the amount of habitat converted at any one time 

and to speed up the recovery to natural habitats. 

	 All construction employees shall be instructed to avoid harassment and disturbance of wildlife, 

especially during reproductive (e.g., courtship and nesting) seasons. In addition, pets shall not be 

permitted on site during construction. 

Visual Resources 

	 Operators shall reduce visual impacts during construction by minimizing areas of surface disturbance, 

controlling erosion, using dust suppression techniques, and restoring exposed soils as closely as 

possible to their original contour and vegetation. 

Roads 

	 Existing roads shall be used, but only if in safe and environmentally sound locations. If new roads are 

necessary, they shall be designed and constructed to the appropriate standard and be no higher than 

necessary to accommodate their intended functions (e.g., traffic volume and weight of vehicles). 

Excessive grades on roads, road embankments, ditches, and drainages shall be avoided, especially 

in areas with erodible soils. Special construction techniques shall be used, where applicable. 

Abandoned roads and roads that are no longer needed shall be recontoured and revegetated. 

	 Access roads and on-site roads shall be surfaced with aggregate materials, wherever appropriate. 

	 Access roads shall be located to follow natural contours and minimize side hill cuts. 

	 Roads shall be located away from drainage bottoms and avoid wetlands, if practicable. 

	 Roads shall be designed so that changes to surface water runoff are avoided and erosion is not 

initiated. 

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	 Access roads shall be located to minimize stream crossings. All structures crossing streams shall be 

located and constructed so that they do not decrease channel stability or increase water velocity. 

Operators shall obtain all applicable Federal and State permits. 

	 Existing drainage systems shall not be altered, especially in sensitive areas such as erodible soils or 

steep slopes. Potential soil erosion shall be controlled at culvert outlets with appropriate structures. 

Catch basins, roadway ditches, and culverts shall be cleaned and maintained regularly. 

Ground Transportation 

	 Project personnel and contractors shall be instructed and required to adhere to speed limits 

commensurate with road types, traffic volumes, vehicle types, and site-specific conditions, to ensure 

safe and efficient traffic flow and to reduce wildlife collisions and disturbance and airborne dust. 

	 Traffic shall be restricted to the roads developed for the project. Use of other unimproved roads shall 

be restricted to emergency situations. 

	 Signs shall be placed along construction roads to identify speed limits, travel restrictions, and other 

standard traffic control information. To minimize impacts on local commuters, consideration shall be 

given to limiting construction vehicles traveling on public roadways during the morning and late 

afternoon commute time. 

Air Emissions 

	 Dust abatement techniques shall be used on unpaved, unvegetated surfaces to minimize airborne 

dust. 

	 Speed limits (e.g., 25 mph [40 km/h]) shall be posted and enforced to reduce airborne fugitive dust. 

	 Construction materials and stockpiled soils shall be covered if they are a source of fugitive dust. 

	 Dust abatement techniques shall be used before and during surface clearing, excavation, or blasting 

activities. 

Excavation and Blasting Activities 

	 Operators shall gain a clear understanding of the local hydrogeology. Areas of groundwater discharge 

and recharge and their potential relationships with surface water bodies shall be identified. 

	 Operators shall avoid creating hydrologic conduits between two aquifers during foundation excavation 

and other activities. 

	 Foundations and trenches shall be backfilled with originally excavated material as much as possible. 

Excess excavation materials shall be disposed of only in approved areas or, if suitable, stockpiled for 

use in reclamation activities. 

	 Borrow material shall be obtained only from authorized and permitted sites. Existing sites shall be 

used in preference to new sites. 

	 Explosives shall be used only within specified times and at specified distances from sensitive wildlife 

or streams and lakes, as established by the BLM or other federal and state agencies. 

Noise 

	 Noisy construction activities (including blasting) shall be limited to the least noise-sensitive times of 

day (i.e., daytime only between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.) and weekdays. 

	 All equipment shall have sound-control devices no less effective than those provided on the original 

equipment. All construction equipment used shall be adequately muffled and maintained. 

	 All stationary construction equipment (i.e., compressors and generators) shall be located as far as 

practicable from nearby residences. 

	 If blasting or other noisy activities are required during the construction period, nearby residents shall 

be notified in advance. 

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Cultural and Paleontological Resources 

	 Unexpected discovery of cultural or paleontological resources during construction shall be brought to 

the attention of the responsible BLM authorized officer immediately. Work shall be halted in the 

vicinity of the find to avoid further disturbance to the resources while they are being evaluated and 

appropriate mitigation measures are being developed. 

Hazardous Materials and Waste Management 

	 Secondary containment shall be provided for all on-site hazardous materials and waste storage, 

including fuel. In particular, fuel storage (for construction vehicles and equipment) shall be a 

temporary activity occurring only for as long as is needed to support construction activities. 

	 Wastes shall be properly containerized and removed periodically for disposal at appropriate off-site 

permitted disposal facilities. 

	 In the event of an accidental release to the environment, the operator shall document the event, 

including a root cause analysis, appropriate corrective actions taken, and a characterization of the 

resulting environmental or health and safety impacts. Documentation of the event shall be provided to 

the BLM authorized officer and other federal and state agencies, as required. 

	 Any wastewater generated in association with temporary, portable sanitary facilities shall be 

periodically removed by a licensed hauler and introduced into an existing municipal sewage treatment 

facility. Temporary, portable sanitary facilities provided for construction crews shall be adequate to 

support expected on-site personnel and shall be removed at completion of construction activities. 

Public Health and Safety 

	 Temporary fencing shall be installed around staging areas, storage yards, and excavations during 

construction to limit public access. 

Operations 

General 

	 All control and mitigation measures established for the project in the POD and the resource-specific 

management plans that are part of the POD shall be maintained and implemented throughout the 

operational phase, as appropriate. These control and mitigation measures shall be reviewed and 

revised, as needed, to address changing conditions or requirements at the site, throughout the 

operational phase. This adaptive management approach would help ensure that impacts from 

operations are kept to a minimum. 

	 Inoperative turbines shall be repaired, replaced, or removed in a timely manner. Requirements to do 

so shall be incorporated into the due diligence provisions of the rights-of-way authorization. Operators 

will be required to demonstrate due diligence in the repair, replacement, or removal of turbines; failure 

to do so could result in termination of the ROW authorization. 

Wildlife 

	 Employees, contractors, and site visitors shall be instructed to avoid harassment and disturbance of 

wildlife, especially during reproductive (e.g., courtship and nesting) seasons. In addition, any pets 

shall be controlled to avoid harassment and disturbance of wildlife. 

	 Observations of potential wildlife problems, including wildlife mortality, shall be reported to the BLM 

authorized officer immediately. 

Ground Transportation 

	 Ongoing ground transportation planning shall be conducted to evaluate road use, minimize traffic 

volume, and ensure that roads are maintained adequately to minimize associated impacts. 

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Jarbidge Draft RMP/EIS Appendix N 

Monitoring Program 

	 Site monitoring protocols defined in the POD shall be implemented. These will incorporate monitoring 

program observations and additional mitigation measures into standard operating procedures and 

BMPs to minimize future environmental impacts. 

	 Results of monitoring program efforts shall be provided to the BLM authorized officer. 

Public Health and Safety 

	 Permanent fencing shall be installed and maintained around electrical substations, and turbine tower 

access doors shall be locked to limit public access. 

	 In the event an installed wind energy development project results in electromagnetic interference, the 

operator shall work with the owner of the impacted communications system to resolve the problem. 

Additional warning information may also need to be conveyed to aircraft with onboard radar systems 

so that echoes from wind turbines can be quickly recognized. 

Decommissioning 

General 

	 Prior to the termination of the rights-of-way authorization, a decommissioning plan shall be developed 

and approved by the BLM. The decommissioning plan shall include a site reclamation plan and 

monitoring program. 

	 All management plans, BMPs, and stipulations developed for the construction phase shall be applied 

to similar activities during the decommissioning phase. 

 All turbines and ancillary structures shall be removed from the site. 

 Topsoil from all decommissioning activities shall be salvaged and reapplied during final reclamation. 

 All areas of disturbed soil shall be reclaimed using weed-free native shrubs, grasses, and forbs. 

 The vegetation cover, composition, and diversity shall be restored to values commensurate with the 

ecological setting. 

Works Cited 

BLM. (1985). BLM Manual 9113, Roads: USDI, Bureau of Land Management. 

BLM. (2005a). Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on Wind Energy Development on 

BLM-Administered Lands in the Western United States (No. FES 05-11): USDI, Bureau of Land 

Management. 

BLM. (2005b). Interim Offsite Compensatory Mitigation for Oil, Gas, Geothermal and Energy Rights-ofWay Authorizations (Instruction Memorandum No. 2005-069). Washington DC: USDI, Bureau of 

Land Management. 

BLM. (2005c). Record of Decision - Implementation of a Wind Energy Development Program and 

Associated Land Use Plan Documents. Washington, D.C.: USDI, Bureau of Land Management. 

USDI. (2004). Chapter 11 in "Manging the NEPA Process - Bureau of Land Management," Department 

Manual 516, National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (pp. 9). 

USDI and USDA. (2007). Surface Operating Standards and Guidelines for Oil and Gas Exploration and 

Development (No. BLM/WO/ST-06/021+3071/REV 07). Denver, CO: USDI, Bureau of Land 

Management. 

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