UNDERSTANDING and PROTECTING the THERMAL RESOURCE

1. UNDERSTANDING and PROTECTING the THERMAL RESOURCE by Chuck Pettee, Water Resources Division, National Park Service

2. UNDERSTANDING and PROTECTING the THERMAL RESOURCE • TAKE HOME INFORMATION • Global Resource • Basic Resource Parameters • Protection Mechanisms • Communication Issues by Chuck Pettee, Water Resources Division, National Park Service

3. Thermal Resources Source: Geothermal Education Office www.geothermal.marin.org

4. Near-Surface Thermal Resources Source: Geothermal Education Office www.geothermal.marin.org

5. Near-Surface Thermal Resources

6. The Hydrothermal Resource Cycle Source: Geothermal Education Office www.geothermal.marin.org HEAT – PRESSURE - WATER

7. Regulation of Thermal Resources Geothermal Steam Act (on federal ownership) • Hot water or hot brine • Heat (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

8. 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)

9. Communication Issues • Commercial vs Conservation use • Problems with scientific uncertainty about hydrothermal system and effects • Notification of development actions • Leases • Water right Permits • Non-leasables (warm temperatures, private) • Small water uses • Oil and Gas drilling

10. 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

11. Geothermal Steam Act Congressional moratorium on leasing in KGRA’s and Island Park Area Significant thermal features listed for Yellowstone – “entire park unit” USGS report for Corwin Springs Area incl. the warm well – Some development may be possible NPS report to the Secretary Likely connection – allow use of only surface thermal flows Old Faithful Protection Act designated a protection zone and required notification and standards for examining actions Some features monitored but no park-wide monitoring plan

12. 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

13. Hydrothermal Criteria • Temperature below 60 degrees F • Cold water development not limited – protected by land use (Park or National Forest Wilderness) • Temperature over 59 degrees F • Burden 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.

14. 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