Lands in the Planning Area have been classified as having low to negligible potential for geothermal development, with the exception of lands surrounding the known hydrothermal spring areas near Thermopolis and Cody (BLM 2009j). Due to current policy direction guiding the development of renewable energy resources on public lands, there could be increased interest in geothermal exploration and development in the Planning Area over the next 10 to 20 years. The Reasonable Foreseeable Development Scenario for Geothermal, Bighorn Basin Planning Area (BLM 2009j) provides more information and related studies on geothermal resources and development potential in the Planning Area.

The definition of direct/indirect, beneficial/adverse, and short-term/long-term impacts described in Section 4.2.5 Leasable Minerals - Oil and Gas would be the same for geothermal exploration and development. In addition, adverse impacts to geothermal resources result from management that may limit or prohibit public use of geothermal resources (hot springs). Beneficial impacts would result from management that maintains or increases public use and access to geothermal resources.

Managing geothermal leasing on split-estate lands (federal mineral ownership and private surface ownership) would not limit or prohibit the use of warm water or normal-temperature geothermal systems for nonutility-grade home heating or other applications.