Biological assessment: possible impacts of exploratory drilling in Section 18B, Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 2, Kern County, California on the endangered San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and other sensitive species

Technical Report · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5691821

O'Farrell, T P

The proposed site is thought to provide habitat for the endangered an Joaquin kit fox and blunt-nosed leopard lizard, as well as the giant kangaroo rat and San Joaquin antelope ground squirrel. The objective of this study was to assess the possible impacts of the exploratory drilling on these species and their essential habitats. The proposed project will have four phases: (1) surveying; (2) site preparation; (3) drilling, logging, and testing; and (4) cleanup and restoration. During site preparation approximately 1.5 acres of vegetation and surface soils will be removed for an access road and well pad. During a 20-day drilling, logging, and testing phase, there will be increased vehicular traffic, human activities, noise and ground vibrations, and illumination during the night. Although 1.5 acres of habitat will be disturbed, there is no evidence to indicate any of the species has burrows on-site that will be lost during land clearing. Loss of habitat will be mitigated during the cleanup and restoration phases when disturbed areas will be revegetated. Increased traffic, human activities, noise and ground vibration levels, as well as illumination throughout the night, may disturb the fauna. However, these species have adapted to intensive human disturbances on Elk Hills without obvious negative effects. The most direct threat to the species is the possibility that they might be killed by vehicles. Since the project poses so few threats to individual endangered or sensitive species, and since minor habitat disturbances will be mitigated during a restoration program, it is unlikely that completion of the project jeopardizes the continued existence of any of the species or their essential habitats. (ERB)

• Research Organization: EG and G, Inc., Goleta, CA (USA). Energy Measurements Group
• DOE Contract Number: AC08-76NV01183
• OSTI ID: 5691821
• Report Number(s): EGG-1183-2441; ON: DE82007586
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
DRILLING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LAND RECLAMATION
LIZARDS
HABITAT
MAMMALS
RATS
SITE PREPARATION
SQUIRRELS
WELL LOGGING
CALIFORNIA
ENDANGERED SPECIES
OIL WELLS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
ANIMALS
ECOSYSTEMS
NORTH AMERICA
REPTILES
RODENTS
USA
VERTEBRATES
WELLS
WESTERN REGION
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510500 - Environment
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