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NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-NV-L060-2026-0010-CE
Project Name: DSA Geotechnical Studies

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-NV-L060-2026-0010-CE
Project Name

DSA Geotechnical Studies
Project Type

CE
NEPA Status

Completed - Completed
Lead Office

Bristlecone Field Office
Last Updated

4/29/2026 5:00:00 PM

Project Description

Proposed Action: 58 Core Penetration Testing(CPT) geotechnical sites-48 within existing roads and 10 outside of existing roads. CPT will be performed to a depth no greater than 30 feet below the existing ground surface or until refusal is encountered. 

Access to investigation sites is planned using existing paved/unpaved roads and two track trails to the maximum extent possible. Overland travel will be minimal avoiding sensitive vegetation, wetlands, riparian, and cultural resources. All access, staging, and testing will occur on existing roads and turnouts except for five (5) CPT locations that are outside previously disturbed areas. No vegetation clearing is proposed. No new permanent disturbance is proposed. Closeout is limited to removing equipment, cleaning the work area, and restoring the surface to pre‑work condition.

Equipment to be used is comprised of: track mounted Geoprobe® 7822DT CPT rig (approx. 70in. width); tow vehicle (pickup truck) and trailer; hand tools; and data acquisition system. Typical rig footprint while deployed is roughly 70 in. by 170 in.; operations do not generate drill cuttings or fluids; the CPT advances by hydraulic push only; the CPT hole diameter is 1.4–2 inches. CPT setup work areas are typically ≤ 150 ft².

For test locations where penetration resistance is high, additional support will be required to advance the cone penetration rod into the subsurface. Temporary ground anchors, positioned on either side of the rig, secure the machine and generate the resistance necessary to advance the probe tip into the soil. These anchors consist of helical rods, approximately 6 inches in diameter, fitted with a helix (blade). Each rod is typically 4 to 6 feet in length and is mechanically screwed into the ground to develop the required holding capacity. Upon completion of testing, the rods are carefully extracted by reversing the installation process (i.e., unscrewing them in the opposite direction). This reverse threading method minimizes disturbance to the surrounding soil and reduces the risk of damage to the area.

Closeout: At each location, the crew will clean the work area and restore the surface to pre work condition (e.g., rake/level Soil). No reclamation or seeding is necessary as CPT does not create an open borehole and requires no sealing. 

Field Electrical Resistivity Testing 
Field electrical resistivity testing, often performed using a multi-electrode array, is a non-invasive geophysical method used to characterize subsurface conditions. The Werner 4-point method involves hammering 4 stakes into the ground at prescribed equal distances of up to 25’ between stakes. An instrument injects a direct or low-frequency current (low voltage) into the ground through a pair of electrodes, while simultaneously measuring the resulting voltage difference between one or more other electrode pairs. By varying the spacing and configuration of the electrodes, the operator can measure the resistance of the earth at different depths and locations.

Seismic Refraction Survey
A seismic refraction survey is performed by generating seismic waves and recording their arrival times at multiple geophones laid out in a line. A seismic source, such as a sledgehammer or weight drop is used to generate the P-waves that travel into the subsurface. The geophones, which are placed at regular intervals along the survey line, are connected to a seismograph that records the seismic wave arrival times. The waves travel through the ground directly as they encounter boundaries between subsurface layers with different seismic velocities, especially where the velocity increases with depth. By using multiple "shots," or impacts, at different points along the line, the time-distance data is collected. This data is then analyzed to calculate the velocities of the different layers and the approximate depth to the layer interfaces, such as the top of bedrock.

What's New

CE Decision signed April 30, 2026

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Baker	Nevada	89311	White Pine

Application Information

Applicant

California Institute of Technology
Case File Number

NVNV106758230
Program

Lands and Realty
Sub-Program

Rights-of-Way

Project Dates

Start Date

3/16/2026
End Date

4/30/2026

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Bristlecone Field Office
Offices

Bristlecone FO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Kelly Higgins
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(775) 289-1809

Contact 2 Name

Greg Gresh
Contact 2 Email

[email protected]
Contact 2 Phone

(775) 289-1872