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Экология ВИЭ / СЭС / Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Solar Energy Development.pdf
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1 4.7 GEOLOGIC SETTING AND SOIL RESOURCES

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4 4.7.1 Geologic Setting

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6The six-state study area encompasses several physiographic provinces. From east to west,

7the physiographic provinces are (1) the Pacific Border and the Lower California provinces;

8 (2) the Cascade-Sierra Mountains province; (3) the Basin and Range province; (4) the Columbia-

9Snake River Plateau (mostly in Oregon and Idaho, but with a small portion overlapping northern

10Nevada); (5) the Colorado Plateau; (6) the Middle and Southern Rocky Mountains provinces;

11(7) the Wyoming Basin; and (8) the Great Plains province, covering eastern Colorado and New

12Mexico.

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14Information provided in the Draft Solar PEIS remains valid; there are no updates for this

15section.

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18 4.7.2 Geologic Hazards

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20Geologic hazards occurring in the six-state study area include seismicity, liquefaction and

21landslide susceptibility, volcanic activity, mass wasting (landslides and debris flows), and land

22subsidence.

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Data provided in the Draft Solar PEIS remain valid, with the following update:

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• In Section 4.7.2.3.2 (Debris Flows), note that some investigators, such as

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House (2005), have had success in using geologic information to improve

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flood-hazard management on alluvial fans in desert areas. Methods such as

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those employed by House could be of great value in delineating significant

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flood areas.

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4.7.3 Soil Resources

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35Soils in the six-state study area belong to eight soil orders (Aridisols, Mollisols, Entisols,

36Alfisols, Inceptisols, Andisols, Vertisols, and Ultisols). Most of the SEZs are located in alluvial

37basins on soils that are predominantly Aridisols. Biological soil crusts are commonly found in

38semiarid and arid environments, such as those throughout the study area, and occur on all types

39of soils. Biological soil crusts are highly susceptible to disturbance, especially in sandy soils.

40Desert pavement is a type of surface armor that forms on the ground in hot desert environments,

41such as those covering the southern portion of the six-state study area. Desert pavements consist

42of a thin layer of closely packed, angular to sub-rounded coarse rock fragments and are

43associated with alluvial fans and other unsorted alluvial deposits.

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45The soils of desert environments within the six-state study area are highly vulnerable to

46erosion by wind. Airborne dust is generated when wind forces exceed the ability of stabilizing

Final Solar PEIS

4-4

July 2012