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Home My WebLink About2.0 Staff ReportMay 16, 2008 Renata Busch Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. 2717 CR 215, Suite 100 Parachute, CO 81635 RE: Encana East Dry Hollow Loop Phase I Pipeline Dear Renata, As you are aware the Application to amend EnCana's East Dry Hollow Loop Phase I administrative pipeline was deemed technically complete on September 4th, 2008 and has been reviewed against the submittal requirements required in Resolution 2005 — 53 and required in Section 9.07 of the Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended. This letter shall constitute Garfield County's review of the project. EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. Amendment- East Dry Hollow Loop Phase 1 Sections 3, 4 8(10, T7S, R91W, 6th P.M. Garfield County, Colorado I. GENERAL STAFF COMMENTS The original application was reviewed by Fred Jarman and approved May 16th, 2008. In order to increase the length of the approved pipeline you were required to submit a new application. The proposed change increases the length of the previously approved pipeline by 8,296 feet. This is the only change represented in the new submittal. II. REFERRAL COMMENTS Staff referred the new Application to the following Agencies / Departments all comment included in the May 16th, 2008 review letter are still applicable: A. Garfield County Road and Bridge Department: "Everything is ok to proceed with the extension of the pipeline." B. County Vegetation Management: Integrated Vegetation and Weed Management • The submitted vegetation and weed management plan are acceptable. • Staff requests that the applicant treat all inventoried noxious weeds in the project area prior to construction activities using the information of weed locations provided in Appendix A. Please forward a copy of the application records to: Garfield County Vegetation Management POB 426 Rifle CO 81650 • 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 tamarisk, chicory, and Russian knapweed seeds. Washing stations located in areas of mapped noxious weeds will help prevent the spread of noxious weeds. The applicant alludes to the spread of noxious weeds via construction equipment on page two of attachment 5 of the original application. Reclamation • The applicant has quantified the surface area to be disturbed and provided a revegetation security. • The applicant shall provide the Vegetation Management Department with the original tags from each seed bag. The seed mix in the Plan shall match the seed mix used in the field. Do not use a seed mix containing yellow sweet clover (Melilotus offcinalis) or annual yellow sweetclover (M. indicus). 2 • The security shall be held by Garfield County until vegetation has been successfully reestablished according to the Reclamation Standards in the Garfield County Weed Management Plan. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the County, upon successful revegetation establishment, to request an inspection for security release consideration. • The extension will cover an additional 11 acres; therefore we recommend an additional security of $27,500. Erosion control • Any straw or hay bales used in erosion control shall be certified weed free. III. SUMMARY OF REVIEW The proposed change to East Dry Hollow Loop Phase I Pipeline is an extension of 8,295 feet and finds all requirements in Resolution 2005 — 53 and required in Section 9.07 of the Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended have been met. Staff has included the specific conditions included in the original approval with and included the increase in revegetation security required: 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. 3 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 an abandoned pipeline be removed, it will be subject to the original revegetation and weed management requirements in the original application. 11. There will be no entrances to any County roads for the project and the only impact 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 Director as follows: 13. Staff requests that the applicant treat all inventoried noxious weeds in the project area prior to construction activities. Please forward a copy of the application records to: Garfield County Vegetation Management, PO Box 426, Rifle CO 81650 14. 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 tamarisk, chicory, and Russian knapweed seeds. Washing stations located in areas of mapped noxious weeds will help prevent the spread of noxious weeds. The applicant alludes to the spread of noxious weeds via construction equipment on page two of attachment 5. 15. The applicant shall provide the Vegetation Management Department with the original tags from each seed bag. The seed mix in the Plan shall match the seed mix used in the field. Do not use a seed mix containing yellow sweet clover (Melilotus offcinalis) or annual yellow sweetclover (M. indicus). 4 16. The security shall be held by Garfield County until vegetation has been successfully reestablished according to the Reclamation Standards in the Garfield County Weed Management Plan. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the County, upon successful revegetation establishment, to request an inspection for security release consideration. 17. Any straw or hay bales used in erosion control shall be certified weed free. This determination has been sent to the Board of County Commissioners to determine if they wish to call up the matter. Staff will let you know if this matter is called up by September 24, 2008. (Note, the permit cannot issue and no work can be commenced until all conditions have been met.) Do not hesitate to contact this office if you have any questions. Best Regards, Craig Richardson Senior Planner 970.945.8212 5