ConglomerateA conglomerate is a corporation whose multiple business units operate in different, often unrelated, areas.
ConiferA plant commonly having needlelike, persistent leaves and a woody cone for a fruit.
Consumptive use(1) Any use of water that permanently removes water from the natural stream system.
ContrastThe difference between the brightness of an object compared to that of its immediate background.
Contrast levelA description of the relative amount of visual contrast resulting from a change in the visible landscape.
Corona dischargeElectrical discharge accompanied by ionization of surrounding atmosphere around high-voltage transmission lines, occurring mostly under wet conditions.
Corona/corona noiseThe electrical breakdown of air into charged particles. The phenomenon appears as a bluish-purple glow on the surface of and adjacent to a conductor when…
CorridorA strip of land through which one or more existing or potential facilities may be located.
coverNatural or manmade objects on the bottom of lakes, rivers, or impoundments, especially those that influence fish behavior.
CraterA steep-sided, usually circular depression formed by either explosion or collapse at a volcanic vent.
Creep (rate)Relatively slow movement along a fault. It is sometimes called "seismic creep" to distinguish it from the slumping of rock or soil on slopes (which is…
CrescentsQuarter-moon-shaped (hence crescent) artifacts that may have been in the form of blades, scrapers, or projectile points.
Criteria air pollutantsSix common air pollutants for which National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) have been established by the U.S.
Critical habitatThe specific area within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed as endangered or threatened.
Crucial winter rangeThe portion of the winter range to which a wildlife species is confined during periods of heaviest snow cover or that portion of the year-long range which…
CrustaceansAquatic animals with hard external skeletons and segmented limbs, belonging to the class Crustacea; include cladocerans, shrimp, crayfish, fairy shrimp…
Crustal spreading centerA linear zone in the Earth's crust whose opposite sides are moving away from one another.
Cryptogamic soil crustsA soil crust dominated by a community of algae, lichens, or mosses. See also Biological soil crusts
CSPA type of tumor found in breast or prostate tissue. It is often large and bulky and grows quickly.
CuestaAn elongated ridge formed by gently tilting sedimentary strata. The landform has a steep slope (escarpment or cliff) where the strata are exposed on their…
Cultural modificationAny human-caused change in the land form, water form, vegetation, or the addition of a structure which creates a visual contrast in the basic elements (e.
Cultural resourcesArchaeological sites, structures, or features; traditional use areas; and Native American sacred sites or special use areas that provide evidence of the…
Cumulative impactsThe impacts assessed in an environmental impact statement that could potentially result from incremental impacts of the action when added to other past…
Cut-and-fillThe process of earth grading by excavating part of a higher area and using the excavated material for fill to raise the surface of an adjacent lower area.
CyanobacteriaBlue-green algae, prokaryotic, photosynthetic organisms that generally have a blue-green tint and lack chloroplasts.
Day-night average noise levelTwenty-four-hour average noise level, obtained after the addition of a 10-dB penalty for environmental noise occurring from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Daytime mean rural background levelDaytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) average sound level in the rural environment, from all sources other than a particular noise that is of interest.
Debris flowA mixture of water-saturated rock debris that flows downslope under the force of gravity (also called lahar or mudflow).
Debris flow fansAlluvial fans prone to debris flows; a mixture of water and debris, such as mudslides, mudflows, or debris avalanches.
Decibel (dB)(dB)A standard unit for measuring the loudness or intensity of sound. In general, a sound doubles in loudness with every increase of 10 decibels.
Decibel, A-weighted (dBA)(dBA)A measurement of sound approximating the sensitivity of the human ear and used to characterize the intensity or loudness of a sound.
DeciduousPlants that shed their leaves annually. Not evergreen.
DecommissioningThe process of removing a power plant, apparatus, equipment, building, or facility from operation.
Deep-cycle batteryA battery with large plates that can withstand many discharges to a low state of charge.
DeltaThe relationship between an option's price and the price of the underlying stock or futures contract is called its delta.
Demand-side managementSpecific actions taken by utility companies, their regulators, and other entities to induce, influence, or compel consumers to reduce their energy…
DemographicRelated to the vital statistics of human populations (size, density, growth, distribution, etc.) and the effect of these on social and economic conditions.
DepletionNet loss of water through consumption, export, and other uses to a given area, river system, or basin.
DepositAn amount of money paid to the court. Hennepin County Housing Court can only accept cash and certified checks; personal checks, third-party checks, and…
DesertArid region receiving less than 10 inches of precipitation annually.
Desert benchA relatively flat terrace elevated above the surface of a desert alluvial feature, such as an ephemeral stream or wash.
Desert duneA wind-created ridge or mound of sand that is found in deserts or near oceans and lakes.
Desert focal bird speciesBird species whose requirements define spatial attributes, habitat characteristics, and management regimes representative of a healthy desert system.
Desert pavementA surface layer of closely packed, loosely cemented pebbles. See also Pediment
Desert riparian habitatHabitats characterized as dense groves of low shrublike trees, or tall shrubs to woodlands of small to medium-sized trees.
Desert scrubThe desert scrub community is characterized by plants adapted to seasonally dry climate.
Desert varnishThe thin red to black coating found on exposed rock surfaces in arid regions. Varnish is composed of clay minerals, oxides, and hydroxides of manganese…
Desert washA usually dry desert streambed that flows only after periods of heavy rain.
DesiccationThe process of removing moisture; involves evaporation.
Design basisThe set of conditions, dimensions, needs, and requirements used to design a solar energy facility.
Design featuresMeasures or procedures incorporated into the proposed action or alternatives which could avoid or reduce adverse impacts.
Designated Roads and TrailsSpecific roads and trails identified by the agencies where some type of motorized vehicle use is appropriate and allowed, either seasonally or yearlong.
DetritusLoose natural materials, such as rock fragments or organic particles, that result directly from disintegration of rocks or organisms.
DewateringThe separation of free water from the solids portion of spent mash, sludge, or whole stillage by screening, centrifuging, filter pressing, or other means.
DiagnosticAn item that is indicative of a particular time and/or cultural group.
Differential compactionMay occur over a large area when the compaction of soil or deeper sediments occurs at different rates and degrees.
DioriteA coarse-grained intrusive (or plutonic) igneous rock, less mafic than gabbro, but more mafic than granite and granodiorite; the plutonic equivalent of…
DipThe angle that a planar geologic surface, for example, a fault, is inclined from the horizontal.
Direct current (DC)(DC)A steady current that flows in one direction only. The current from batteries is an example of direct current.
Direct effectsEffects on the environment which occur at the same time and place as the initial cause or action.
Direct impactsImpacts occurring at the place of origin and at the time of the proposed activity.
Direct Normal Insolation (DNI)(DNI)Sunlight that directly strikes a surface. DNI does not include refracted sunlight that strikes clouds, dust, or the ground first.
Directional drillingThe practice of drilling non-vertical wells. Also called slant drilling.
Discharge(DIS-charj) In medicine, a fluid that comes out of the body. Discharge can be normal or a sign of disease.
Dish engineThe dish engine is a concentrating solar power (CSP) technology that produces electricity, typically in the range of 3 to 25 kilowatts, by using a…
Dispatchable power (dispatchability)The ability of a power-producing facility to provide required amounts of power (at or below the facility's nameplate rating) on demand of the grid…
DisposalA term used in some countries, including the U.S., to mean that an application has been abandoned, denied (rejected) or allowed (granted).
Distance zonesA subdivision of the landscape as viewed from an observer position. The BLM defined zones include foreground, middleground, background, and seldom seen.
Distributed GenerationA term used by the power industry to describe localized or on-site power generation.
DiversionThe process of removing some minor criminal, traffic or juvenile cases from the full judicial process, on the condition that the accused undergo some sort…
Domestic water useWater used for household purposes such as drinking; food preparation; bathing; washing clothes, dishes, and dogs; flushing toilets; and watering lawns and…
Dry cooling systemAlso known as dry closed-loop cooling; a technology for rejecting heat from the steam condensate of a thermoelectric plant.
Dry lakeAn ephemeral lake of an arid or semiarid region, typically found at low elevation points in desert valleys.
Dry washA natural drainage channel that is typically dry, but conveys water following significant rainfall events and is subject to rapid flow during flash…
DuneMounds of unconsolidated sand grains shaped by wind. Often temporary and nonstationary.
DunnageSupports for air conditioning and other equipment above the roof of a building.
DuripanA subsurface soil horizon cemented by silica (usually derived from a volcanic source such as ash).
Earthern cattle tankA watering area or basin for cattle that is usually created in a natural drainage area by obstructing natural water flows with berms of soil.