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A natural gas exploration company selected approximately 400 square miles in western Merced County, in the San Joaquin Valley, for large-scale seismic testing to investigate the potential existence of a natural gas field in the area. The technique they planned to use included drilling 30-foot test holes on a ¼-mile grid, setting an underground explosion in each hole, and measuring and analyzing the seismic waves produced by the explosions to generate a sub-surface map of geologic features. This map would be used to predict where gas reserves were located. The area was characterized by agricultural uses (primarily row crops), fields flooded by private duck clubs and used as hunting preserves, and wetlands. Because of the presence of wetlands and habitat of endangered species, permits for potential disturbances and/or accidental takes would be needed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service respectively before drilling of test holes could occur. North Fork Associates was retained to locate and map wetland and biological resources and to assist the exploration company with the various permitting processes. North Fork used high-resolution aerial photographs to identify and locate potential wetland and biological resource areas and then ground-truthed approximately 15-20% of the potential project area. From this information, North Fork produced wetland resources and biological habitat maps, which assisted the client in reducing the target area from 400 to approximately 270 square miles. North Fork also assisted the client in developing a proposed process for determining potential impacts to wetlands and habitats during the exploration process. The wetlands assessment map and proposed process was submitted to the Corps of Engineers, and North Fork accompanied the agency on a two-day field assessment. After thorough review, the Corps agreed that the applicants' map was an accurate representation of the wetland resources present and that the proposed process for determining impacts was adequate and acceptable. The Corps of Engineers initiated a Section 7 consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service regarding several species including the blunt-nose leopard lizard, the giant garter snake, and fairy shrimp. After a significant amount of negotiation with the Service, and discussions with the state-operated San Luis Wildlife Refuge and the federally-operated Los Banos Wildlife Refuge regarding conditions for access, Section 7 permits for accidental takes were issued. The exploration company has completed identification of specific areas for testing and has drilled several test wells, none of which has yet met production expectations. The company intends to continue exploration of the area over the next several years. |
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