HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 Staff ReportApril 30, 2007
EnCana Oil and Gas (USA) Inc.
% Preston Nelson
2717 Garfield County Road 215, Suite 100
Parachute, CO 81635
Garfield County
BU/WING & PLANNING DEPARTMENT
RE: EnCana North Parachute Ranch, North Trunk #1
Dear Preston,
Staff has reviewed the Pipeline Development Plan Application for the EnCana North
Parachute Ranch, North Trunk# 1 Project submitted to this office on February 131h, 2007.
EnCana Oil and Gas (USA), Inc. plans to construct an approximate 3.6 mile 12-inch trunk
diameter natural gas pipeline, two Central Delivery Point (CDP) meters and two CDP
discharge pipelines (for collection from drilling operations). The proposed North Trunk is
approximately 18,965 feet with approximately 2,242 feet located on BLM property. The
ramaining portion of 15, 782 feet will be located on EnCana's North Parachute Ranch
(NPR) and approximately 941 feet located on fee property. The pipeline alignment
parallels Divide Road and EnCana'a 36-inch Piceance Gathering Pipeline right-of-way
(ROW) along the watershed divide between Parachute Creek and Piceance Creek.
This proposed pipeline is intended to transport unprocessed natural gas from multiple well
pad locations within the NPR to the existing American Soda Pipeline. This activity
requires an Administrative Pipeline Permit from Garfield County.
The Application 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. The proposed
pipeline is to be located in sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 T5S/R96W and Sections 33 and 34
T4S/R96W.
108 Eighth Street, Suite 401 • Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 945-8212 • (970) 285-7972 •Fax: (970) 384-3470
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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. Garfield County Road and Bridge Department: No comments received
B. Countv Vegetation Management: Staff consulted with the Director and comments
are incorporated here and as conditions of approval:
>-Weed Management-the applicant has provided a noxious weed survey. In
Attachment 7, page 8, the applicant states that the county-listed noxious weed,
Spotted knapweed, was noted in the vicinity of the project during the summer of
2006. The applicant also recommends that "the proposed alignment should be
108 Eighth Street, Suite 401 •Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 945-8212 • (970) 285-7972 •Fax: (970) 384-3470
2
Garfield County
BUILDING & PLANNING DEPARTMENT
surveyed during the growing season prior to construction activities to identify
areas of noxious weed infestation. All noxious weeds discovered should be
treated and monitored according to the Vegetation Plan .... submitted by
Westwater."
>-Staff recommendation: It is suggested that the applicant provide Garfield
County with a weed survey done during the growing season.
>-The revegetation security amount was determined prior to the review of this
document by the Vegetation Management Department. The security has been
posted with the Treasurer's office and is acceptable.
>-The reclamation plan is acceptable. Staff does request that the applicant make
the seed tags available to Gariield County upon completion of the reseeding
efforts.
C. Assistant Countv Administrator: No Comments Received
D. Garfield CountvAttornev: Reviewed
Determination of Review
Staff has made a determination of Aooroval with Conditions for the North Parachute
Ranch North Trunk #1. The specific conditions include the following:
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. The applicant shall provide Garfield County Vegetation Management with a weed
survey completed during the growing season.
5. The Applicant shall provide a copy of all seed tags to Garfield County Vegetation
Management upon completion of the reseeding efforts.
108 Eighth Street, Suite 401 •Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 945-8212 • (970) 285-7972 •Fax: (970) 384-3470
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Garfield County
BUI WING & PLANNING DEPARTMENT
6. 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.
7. The Applicant shall provide the County with a digital alignment of the pipeline once
constructed in a format readable to the County.
8. In no case shall an operator engage in activities which impact Federal or State
threatened and endangered species.
9. 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.
10.All operations shall comply with all applicable Federal and State Public Health and
Environment, Noise, and Air and Water Quality Control standards.
11. Should an abandoned pipeline be removed, it will be subject to the original
revegetation and weed management requirements in the original application.
Finally, this determination shall not be final and no permit shall be issued, for 14 calendar
days after the date of the determination (May 141h, 2007) in order to allow time for the
Applicant to appeal, or for the Board of County Commissioners to call up the determination
for further review, pursuant to Sections 9.07.08 and 9.07.09 of the Pipeline Resolution.
This determination shall become final, and permits applied for in accordance with the
determination may be issued, only after the expiration of this 14-day period, and only if the
determination is not reviewed and acted upon by the Board of County Commissioners at a
subsequent appeal or call-up hearing. 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 within the next 14 days.
Do not hesitate to contact this office if you have any questions.
Best regards,
Craig Richardson
Senior Planner
Building and Planning Department
970.945.8212
108 Eighth Street, Suite 401 •Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
(970) 945-8212 • (970) 285-7972 •Fax: (970) 384-3470
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