Proposed Kilauea middle east rift geothermal resource subzone: Puna Forest Reserve, island of Hawaii

Abstract

CONTENTS Preface iii Acknowledgment iv Introduction 1 Assessment of Geothermal Resource 3 Community Input 6 Social Impacts 7 Potential Economic Benefits 16 Environmental Impacts from Geothermal Development 19 Geologic Hazards 36 Land Use Compatibility 41 Conclusion and Recommendation 44 APPENDIX A - Decision and Order of the Board of Land and Natural Resources A-1 APPENDIX B - References B-l CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION The Department of Land and Natural Resources, pursuant to a Decision and Order rendered by the Board of Land and Natural Resources on December 28, 1984, conducted an assessment of the Kilauea middle east rift zone in and adjacent to the Puna Forest and Wao Kele 'O Puna Natural Area Reserve. This land area located between the western boundary of the Kamaili geothermal resource subzone and the eastern boundary of Kahaualea was examined for resource potential and evaluations were made on geologic hazards, social, economic, and environmental impacts and compatibility of geothermal development. The potential geothermal resource area was evaluated on the basis of potential and real impacts which may occur within the identified area and consideration of statutory state energy objectives and policies. The potential geothermal resource area was assessed to have a greater than 90% probability of locating a high temperature resource. Potential impacts were identified and considerations given to mitigation measures and other requirements that may be imposed on a site-specific, case-by-case basis during subsequent State and County permitting . Geologic hazards are present throughout the entire Kilauea east rift zone. Decentralization of facilities, strategic siting, and lava diversion platforms and barriers may mitigate damage from future lava flows. Development permits should require that all potential economic losses are to be assumed by developers. The State Department of Health has proposed air quality standards and promulgated underground injection control regulations which will control geothermal emissions and effluent injections. Development permits should either prohibit or control surface water disposals. Geothermal noise levels have been regulated in exploration permits and such noise regulation is expected to continue throughout the development process. Assuming the exchange of State and Campbell Estate lands is feasible and that Kahaualea is redesignated as a Natural Area Reserve, the proposed Kilauea middle east rift GRS will provide a 2000-foot buffer between the GRS and Kahaualea to mitigate any possible effects on the substantial prime native forest and wildlife at Kahaualea. Those scattered areas of prime native forest which are contained within the proposed GRS can be protected throughout the permitting process by requiring that development activities avoid these sensitive areas and that developers utilize directional drilling of potential underground reservoirs. The State has established an objective ol energy self-sufficiency and geothermal energy is viewed as a key to attaining this objective. Protection of the environment is also an area of high priority. The Division of Water and Land Development believes that both goals of geothermal development and environmental protection can be attained by permitting controlled development within the proposed Kilauea middle east rift GRS. This assessment has resulted in the identification of approximately 11,745 acres of the Kilauea middle east rift zone as a potential geothermal resource area and recommends that it be considered for designation as a geothermal resource subzone by the Board of Land and Natural Resources under authority of Act 296, SLH 1983 and Act 151, SLH 1984.