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Home My WebLink About2.0 CorrespondenceAPPLICANT: REPRESENTATIVE: MEMORANDUM ENCANA OIL & GAS (USA), INC. JASON ECKMAN, ENCANA PERMIT & RIGHT-OF- W A Y COORDINATOR GENERAL LOCATION: ENCANA'S NORTH PARACHUTE RANCH (T 4S, R 96W, T SS, R96W, T 4S, R 97W) PIPELINE WIDTH & PIPELINE LENGTH: COMPRESSOR STATION: DATE: 20 INCH DIAMETER GAS (15.9 miles) 6 INCH DIAMTER PRODUCED WATER 12 INCH 3-PHASE UNPROCESSED GAS (18.3 miles) 12 INCH WATER SUPPLY PIPELINE (25.8 miles) NO COMPRESSOR STATIONS ARE INCLUDED IN APPLICATION May 16, 2008 Re: Administrative Pipeline Development Plan Permit for a Centralized Area Plan submitted by EnCana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc. for Phase II of the CoP Pipeline Project Upon an initial review, the Application was deemed technically complete on April 17, 2008 and has been reviewed against the submittal requirements required in Resolution 2005-53 and required in Section 9.07 of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended. This letter shall constitute Garfield County's review of the project. A location map is attached at the end of the report. I. GENERAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION Staff has reviewed the Pipeline Development Plan Application for "Phase II of the CoP Pipeline Project" for EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. Staff understands that this project generally consists of the construction of 15.9 miles up to 2-inch diameter gas and up to 6- inch diameter produced water, 18.3 miles up to 12-inch 3-phase unprocessed gas and 25.8 miles up to 12-inch water supply pipeline. EnCana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc. has entered into a third party farm-out agreement with the Conoco Phillips Company (CoP) to develop gas reserves on EnCana's North Parachute Ranch, Double Willow and Story Gulch lease units. The agreement involves CoP developing the road infrastructure and well drilling and EnCana will be constructing the gathering system and metering facilities. Phase II of the CoP Pipeline Project involves the construction, operation and maintenance of 19 well connect pipelines; that will 1 include the pipelines described above and all installed within the same trench. Phase II of the CoP Pipeline Project will also involve the construction, operation and maintenance of eight up to 20-inch diameter, natural gas trunk pipelines, eight up to 6-inch diameter, produced water pipelines, and eight up to 12-inch water supply pipelines constructed along eight pipeline routes, and eleven new central delivery point metering and separation facilities at ten locations. The proposed right-of-way will consist of 55-feet of work area for temporary construction of the well connect pipelines and after the completion of the project the right-of-way will revert back to a 30-foot permanent easement for operation of the pipeline. The trunk pipelines will require a right-of-way of70-feet in width. EnCana has selected routes that will primarily parallel existing road right-of-ways, two track roads or existing utility corridors. The proposed pipelines will mostly be constructed at the edge of adjacent road right-of-way where possible, however in some areas it will be necessary to construct through undisturbed land. The total disturbed acreage for Phase II of the CoP Pipeline Project will disturb approximately 179.6 acres; of which 44.3 acres will be disturbed on BLM administrated lands, 41 acres will be disturbed on fee lands, and 94.3 acres will be disturbed on EnCana property. The application states that construction activities will take approximately 50 to 65 weeks and will begin upon approval from Garfield County Planning Director. Working hours will normally range from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Approximately 52 percent of the project is located on EnCana property, 25 percent is located on land administered by BLM White River Field Office, and approximately 23 percent is located on fee-owned land. The Oldland property is the only fee-owner that is not a party of the mineral rights. EnCana has existing surface use agreements with Oldland and EnCana has notified the fee-owner about the construction of the proposed pipeline. A copy of agreement is included in the application submittal. All surface owners within 200 feet of the proposed project are also affected surface owners with existing agreements with EnCana. There are no building located within 350 feet of the proposed project. II. REVIEW AGENCY COMMENTS: Staff referred the Application to the following Agencies I Departments whose comments are included here for review and attached to this letter which is required by Resolution 2005-53: A. Grand Valley Fire Protection District: In a response received on May 7, 2008 from David Blair, Fire Chief, GVFPD he states "I am assuming that there will be access to the location if an emergency arises. This would be in place so that all the heavy equipment can place the pipeline and will have access roads for EnCana needs as well. Therefore the District will not need any extra accommodations 2 made during the duration of this project". David Blair did look over the EAP as well and all looks great and he doesn't see any need for changes. B. Town of Parachute: No comments received. C. Garfield County Road & Bridge Department: Comments were received from Jake Mall of the Garfield County Road & Bridge Department on April 24, 2008 which state they have no objection to this application but have made the following comments: I.) If any driveway accesses other than those specified on this application are used, Garfield County R&B Department shall be notified and if not permitted accesses a new driveway access permit will be requested by EnCana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc. 2.) All vehicles hauling equipment and materials for this project shall abide by the Garfield County's oversize/overweight system. All vehicles requiring oversize/overweight permits shall have a letter on file with Garfield County R&B Department from EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. stating these can obtain permits under their road bond on file with the County 3.) All vehicles hauling equipment and materials for this project shall abide by the posted speed limit of35 MPH on County Road 215 and obey no passing zones. 4.) Due to the large volume of traffic on CR 215 EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc may be required to participate in a road improvements program for CR 215. D. Garfield County Vegetation Management: Comments were received from Steve Anthony, Garfield County Weed Management on May 13, 2008. His comments are as follows: Noxious Weeds !.) Weed Management The weed management plan is acceptable. It is recommended that the applicant initiate weed management activities prior to the start of construction. This is especially critical in.regards to spotted knapweed which is mentioned as being found in the East Fork of Stewart Creek.. In areas of mapped county listed noxious weeds, during construction, before leaving the site, all off road major construction equipment (graders, dozers, etc) working in areas of mapped noxious weeds should be power washed to remove seeds, soil, and vegetative matter. Again, this is only in areas of mapped county listed noxious weeds. Cheatgrass is not a county listed noxious weed. We are primarily concerned about spreading spotted knapweed seeds. Washing stations located in areas of mapped noxious weeds will help prevent the spread of noxious 3 1) Any equipment used in construction or operation of a pipeline must comply with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Rules and Regulations, Section 802, Noise Abatement. Additionally, all power sources used in pipeline operations shall have electric motors or muffled internal combustion engines. 2) Pipeline operations shall be located in a manner to minimize their visual impact and disturbance of the land surface. Facilities shall be painted in a uniform, non- contrasting, non-reflective color, to blend with the adjacent landscape. Right-of- way shall be located in existing disturbed areas unless safety or visual concerns or other adverse surface impacts clearly dictate otherwise. 3) All access and oversize or overweight vehicle permits shall be obtained from the County Road & Bridge Department prior to beginning operation. Any new roads or intensified driveway accesses created as a result of the pipeline construction, intended to be permanent for maintenance and repair operations shall be placed behind a locked gate or other barriers preventing use by recreational vehicles. Any gates or barriers need to be consistent with the surface owner's preferences. 4) All vehicles working within Garfield County Right of Ways will be licensed and registered in the State of Colorado. All vehicles hauling equipment and materials for the pipeline construction will abide by Garfield County Road & Bridge Departments oversize/overweight regulations. All vehicles requiring an oversize/overweight permit will send a letter showing proof that they can operate under a known bond holder on file with Garfield County Road & Bridge Department before a permit will be issued. 5) The Applicant shall provide the County with a digital alignment of the pipeline once constructed in a format readable to the County Geographic Information System (GIS) analyst. 6) In no case shall an operator engage in activities which impact Federal or State threatened and endangered species. 7) Air contaminant emissions shall be in compliance with the applicable permit and control provisions of the Colorado Air Quality Control Program, Title 25, Resolution 7, C.R.S. 8) All operations shall comply with all applicable Federal and State Public Health and Environment, Noise, and Air and Water Quality Control standards. 9) Any proposed waste disposal or treatment facilities shall comply with all requirements of the County Individual Sewage Disposal System Regulations. 10) Should any abandoned pipeline be removed, it will be subject to the original revegetation and weed management requirements in the original application. 6 11) There will be no entrances to any County roads for the project and the only to the County road system will be during the construction of the pipeline project. 12) That the Applicant satisfy the comments from the County Vegetation Manager as follows: a.) The Applicant shall initiate weed management activities prior to the start of construction. This is especially critical in regards to spotted knapweed which is mentioned as being found in the East Fork of Stewart Creek. b.) In areas of mapped county listed noxious weeds, during construction, before leaving the site, all off road major construction equipment (graders, dozers, etc) working in areas of mapped noxious weeds should be power washed to remove seeds, soil, and vegetative matter. c.) All seed tags must be saved and made available to the Vegetation Management Department for verification. d.) While a bond has been submitted, it is inadequate to cover 135-acres. Please recalculate surety bond and submit a corrected copy to the Garfield County Planning Department. 13.) That the Applicant satisfies the Mountain Cross Engineering comments as follows: a.) A completed environmental study with surveys for staging area should be provided to the Garfield County Planning Department as they are obtained. b.) An approved Permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers must be submitted to the Garfield County Planning Department as a condition of approval. 'Whether or not any of the jurisdictional drainages also have mapped floodplains is not discussed. Garfield County flood plain permits may be required. c.) Applicant needs to identify what will be used for water and sewer facilities. This determination has been sent to the Board of County Commissioners to determine if they will to call up the matter. Staff will let you know if this matter is called up by May 30, 2008. (Note, no activity can be done on the project until all conditions have been met.) Do not hesitate to contact this office if you have any questions. s~ , Cathi Edinger ~ 7 cc: Fred Jarman, B&P Director Planning Technician (970) 945-8212 8