Basalt Canyon Geothermal Exploration Project

Map of Basalt Canyon Exploration Sites

PROJECT:  The Basalt Canyon Exploration Project is located in an area west of Highway 395, north of State Route 203, and east of Shady Rest Park, and entirely on public lands within the Inyo National Forest. 

Mammoth Pacific has been authorized to both (1) drill and monitor up to five small-diameter observation holes, and (2) drill, complete and test up to two large-diameter geothermal exploration wells from a total of six potential sites. 

STATUS:  The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) prepared an environmental assessment in conformance with requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.  Mammoth Pacific conducted a public tour of the sites on October 6, 2001.  After consultation with various interested parties, the two agencies approved the Basalt Canyon Plan of Exploration in 2002.  The project will utilize best management practices, implement various mitigation measures, and result in no significant impacts. 

A small observation hole was drilled in 2002 at the site marked 12-31 on the map. While preliminary results were encouraging, Mammoth Pacific is considering drilling a large-diameter exploration well at the same site to obtain additional information.

In order to allow sufficient time for a thorough public review process, Mammoth Pacific is also working on a parallel track to permit a pipeline to bring new geothermal fluid to Mammoth Pacific’s existing power plants.  The proposed pipeline would connect production wells in the Basalt Canyon area to the existing pipeline system, should the geothermal resource prove sufficient for energy production.  This pipeline would optimize electrical production at the existing facilities and enable aging, less efficient wells to be shut down.  The pipeline route was carefully chosen in order to reduce visibility and minimize any potential environmental impacts.  See Basalt Canyon Plan of Development for more information on the pipeline.

• Basalt Canyon Exploration Project Fact Sheet
• Basalt Canyon Plan of Exploration for Slim Holes (dated: August 2001, 47 pages)
• Basalt Canyon Plan of Exploration for Geothermal Wells (dated: July 2001, 64 pages)
• Basalt Canyon Plan of Exploration Environmental Assessment for Slim Holes and Geothermal Wells (dated: December 2001, 90 pages)
• Decision of Record (dated: February 2002, 21 pages)