HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.3 Application Part 4Reclamation Plan
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
1.2 Goals & Objectives
1.3 Environmental Training
1.4 Related Plans / Maps
1.5 Responsibilities
1.5.1 The Company
1.5.2 The Contractor
1.5.3 The Environmental Inspector
2. Reclamation Process
2.1 Reclamation Activities
2.2 Rock Disposal
2.3 Final Cleanup
2.4 Topsoil Restoration
2.5 Miscellaneous Agriculture Features
2.6 Seedbed Preparation
2.7 Soil Supplements
2.8 Revegetation
2.8.1 Species Selection and Source
2.8.2 Seed Application Rates & Viability
2.8.3 Seeding Methods & Procedures
2.8.3.1 Drill Seeding
2.8.3.2 Broadcast Seeding
2.9 Permanent Erosion Control
3. Noxious Weed Control
3.1 Weed Control Measures During Construction
4. Worker Safety and Spill Reporting
5. Reclamation Schedule and Documentation
6. Post -Construction Monitoring and Evaluation
6.1 Revegetation and Erosion Control Monitoring
6.2 Evaluating Reclamation Success
1. INTRODUCTION
This Reclamation Plan (plan) describes measures to be taken by ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC
(Company) and its construction contractors (Contractor) for topsoil restoration, reseeding,
planting, noxious weed control and reclamation monitoring.
1.1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this plan is to describe in text and on drawings the prescribed methods for
topsoil replacement, reseeding, planting noxious weed control, and monitoring for
reclamation success. This plan is applicable to the construction on right-of-way (ROW)
and extra workspace locations.
1.2 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The short-term goals of reclamation are to control erosion and sedimentation and to
minimize impacts to adjacent land uses. Properly executed construction practices and
optimum scheduling will mitigate short-term impacts. Long term goals include
controlling erosion and sedimentation; protecting water resources and soils; limiting the
introduction and spread of noxious weeds; and returning disturbed areas to pre-existing
condition. Monitoring during construction and post -construction will ensure that these
goals are achieved.
1.3 ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING
The Company will conduct environmental training for all project personnel. Training
will include topsoil protection measures and methods for controlling the spread of
noxious weeds (e.g., maintaining clean vehicles and equipment).
1.4 RELATED PLANS / MAPS
The following documents include additional requirements specifically related to the
reclamation of the ROW and ancillary areas:
• Soil Conservation, Sedimentation and Erosion Control Plan
• Stream Crossing and Wetland Protection Plan
• Hazardous Materials Management and Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Plan
• Alignment Sheets
1.5 RESPONSIBILTIES
Responsibilities are detailed below:
1.5.1 The Company
The Company will be responsible for ensuring that the Contractor meets the
standards defined in this plan to restore all disturbed areas to pre -construction
conditions and to ensure long-term monitoring of restoration success. The
Company will take remedial actions as necessary to restore and maintain a stable
vegetative cover on the ROW. The Company will provide the Contractor with the
appropriate blended seed mixes developed through consultation with agency
representative and landowners.
1.5.2 The Contractor
The pipeline Contractor will be responsible for post -construction re -seeding of the
ROW, extra workspaces, and off -ROW ancillary sites following their construction
activities. Reclamation will be conducted according to this plan as specified for
the Contractor.
1.5.3 The Environmental Inspector
The Environmental Inspector will have the responsibility to ensure field activities
are performed in accordance with this reclamation plan by the Contractor and in
compliance with all other permits and agreements. The Environmental Inspector
will have the authority to make site-specific field changes in certain reclamation
procedures within the guidelines of this plan in consultation with the landowner.
2. RECLAMATION PROCESS
The following sections outline the pre -construction planning and sequential steps for restoring
the ROW and extra workspaces following installation of the pipe and backfilling of the trench.
However, one of the most important factors relating to successful reclamation takes place during
the initial grading of the ROW. Topsoil salvage requirements and methods are discussed in
detail in the Soil Conservation, Sedimentation, and Erosion Control Plan.
2.1 RECLAMATION ACTIVITIES
The Environmental Inspectors, Soil Conservation Authority and Landowners will work to
determine depth of topsoil, salvage, appropriate seed mixes, and seeding methods.
2.2 ROCK DISPOSAL
"Excess rock" is defined as all rock that cannot be returned to the existing rock profile in
the trench or graded cuts, or is not needed to restore the ROW surface to a condition
comparable to that found adjacent to the ROW. This does not include tailings from
boring operations. Excess rock will be randomly distributed across the ROW, piled or
windrowed to create or enhance wildlife habitat, or arranged to block use of the ROW by
motor vehicles. If not practical, the Contractor will remove other excess rock from the
ROW and haul it to an approved disposal site. The Company will coordinate with
landowners regarding the methods of disposal.
2.3 FINAL CLEANUP
Within 30 days after backfilling the trench, the Contractor will make every effort to
complete final cleanup and installation of permanent erosion control structures.
The ROW and other project -related areas where soil has been disturbed will be restored
as close to pre -excavation grades, compaction, and other conditions as possible, unless a
specific exemption has been granted by the landowner. No solid waste, trash, or
vegetative matter will be buried on the ROW.
Final compaction of disturbed areas will be returned to approximate pre -construction
conditions. In cases where this is not possible, e.g., steep slopes or rocky areas where
full -ROW width topsoil salvage was not required, compaction will not vary more than 10
percent from adjacent off -ROW conditions. The Company will test soil compaction to a
depth of 18 inches, if possible, at regular intervals using hand-held penetrometers or
equivalent testing equipment and procedures.
The Contractor will take remedial action as directed by the Company at all locations
where compaction is not within the previously described 10 -percent limit. The
Contractor will decompact excessively compacted areas with a paraplow, "Vibrashank,"
or other deep tillage implement. In areas where topsoil has been segregated, the subsoil
will be decompacted prior to re -spreading the topsoil.
In areas with a pre-existing rocky surface material, the Contractor will spread rock over
the ROW to maintain a surface appearance similar to that of adjacent undisturbed terrain.
Spreading rock on the surface will not be used as a method to dispose of excess rock
except as described in Section .2.2.
Where approved by the landowner and environmental Inspector, the Contractor will
randomly distribute any windrowed shrubs or other remaining vegetation debris over the
ROW. However, this must be accomplished by hand or light equipment (e.g., all -terrain
vehicles) after seeding of the ROW so the spread material will not interfere with the
performance of seeding equipment and to prevent disturbance of the seedbed.
2.4 TOPSOIL RESTORATION
After the trench has been backfilled and the ROW regarded, the Contractor will
redistribute topsoil to the approximate location from which it was originally removed.
Restored topsoil will be left in a roughened condition to discourage erosion and enhance
the quality of the seedbed. Topsoil will not be handled during excessively wet or frozen
conditions as determined by the Environmental or Construction Inspector.
Topsoil will be redistributed as close to original salvage depths as possible. Salvage
methods are discussed in Section 2.2 of the Soil Conservation, Sedimentation, and
Erosion Control Plan. Segregation of subsoil and topsoil will be maintained throughout
final cleanup procedures. The Contractor will be responsible for replacement of lost or
degraded (mixed) topsoil with topsoil imported from a Company -approved and weed -free
source.
Additional erosion control and soil stabilization will be required in areas adjacent to or
within drainages. See the Soil Conservation, Sedimentation, and Erosion Control Plan
and Stream Crossing and Wetland Protection Plan for additional information.
2.5 MISCELLANEOUS AGRICULTURAL FEATURES
All irrigation ditches, drain tiles, cattle guards, fences, and artificial and natural
livestock/wildlife water sources will be maintained and repaired to at least pre -
construction conditions. Temporary measures will be provided, as agreed with the
landowner, for any of these facilities that are disrupted during the construction or
reclamation process.
All drain tiles crossed by the trench line will be located and restored to the satisfaction of
the landowner. Since the exact location or even the existence of drainage system may not
be known prior to excavation, all drain tiles unearthed during excavation by the
Contractor will be reported to the Company in writing.
2.6 SEEDBED PREPARATION
The Contractor will scarify, till, or harrow the seedbed to a depth of 3 to 4 inches or as
determined by the Environmental Inspector prior to seeding where needed to improve
revegetation potential. Those sites where seedbed preparation is not practical (e.g., steep
lopes, rocky areas, etc.) will be left with adequate roughness following topsoil placement
to create micro -environments for seed germination and growth, and to reduce the
potential for soil movement.
2.7 SOIL SUPPLEMENTS
Generally, fertilizer will not be used unless requested by the landowner or recommended
by either the Environmental Inspector or a soil conservation authority. At this time, no
areas have been identified that require fertilizer.
2.8 REVEGETATION
The Contractor will be responsible for seeding the ROW and off -ROW ancillary sites
using Company -supplied seed mixes, appropriate seeding methods, and approved
application rates. The seeding requirements and scheduling of reclamation activities will
be determined in coordination with the Soil Conservation Authority or the appropriate
landowner.
2.8.1 Species Selection and Sources
Selection of grass and shrub species for revegetation will be based on pre -
construction community composition and soil types as well as establishment
potential, soil stabilizing qualities, commercial availability of regional varieties,
post -construction land use objectives, and agency recommendations. Native
species will be utilized to the extent possible unless non -natives are specifically
requested by a private landowner or land managing agency. Project seed will be
purchased from the blended by qualified producers and dealers.
Certified weed -free or "blue -tagged" seed will be purchased for use on the
project, but this status is only available for those native species with named
varieties. All other seed will be free of primary noxious weeds. ETC Canyon
Pipeline, LLC Oil & Gas (U.S.A.) Inc. will submit the seed for independent
testing prior to its use. The Contractor will be responsible for providing all seed
tags to the Environmental or Construction Inspector at the end of each day.
On range lands, the following seed mix will be used:
Pounds pure live seed (PLS)/Acre
Luna Pubescent Wheatgrass 3.0
Paloma Indian Ricegrass 3.0
Arriba Western Wheatgrass 2.0
Rincon Rour-wing Saltbrush 1.0
Shadscale 1.0
Total 10.0 lbs PLS/Acre
2.8.2 Seed Application Rates and Viability
Species ratios and Pure Live Seed (PLS) application rates will be developed in
consultation with Landowners, agency specialists and other regional revegetation
consultants. Seeding rates will be determined in PLS pounds per acre and seeds
per square foot based on drilled application rates. Broadcast seeding rates will be
twice the drill rate.
Seed will be used within 12 months of testing to assure seed viability. If
additional seeding is required in the year following construction, additional
viability test will be conducted to determine any need for adjustment of
application rates.
The Contractor will seed wetlands, when necessary as determined by the
Environmental Inspector. Successful recolonization by wetland species is
generally related to effective topsoil salvage methods and sources of seed and
rhizomes in adjacent areas.
Streambanks will be seeded immediately upon completion of final cleanup as
described in the Stream Crossing and Wetland Protection Plan and independent of
other reclamation activities
2.8.3 Seeding Methods and Procedures
The Contractor will employ broadcast or drill seeding as determined in the field
by the Company. Seeding activities will be contingent upon weather and soil
conditions, and subject to evaluation by the Environmental Inspector. Seeding
will not be permitted if there is more than 2 inches of snow on the ground unless
approved by the Environmental Inspector. Where approved by the landowner or
land managing agency, the Contractor will randomly distribute any windrowed
shrubs or other remaining vegetation debris over the ROW by hand or light
equipment so as not to disturb the seedbed.
2.8.3.1 Drill Seeding
Drill seeding will be employed wherever soil characteristics and slope
allow effective operation of a range drill. Drill seeding will be performed
perpendicular to the slope unless otherwise directed by the Environmental
Inspector. The drill will have a seed release mechanism sufficient to allow
seeds of various sizes and densities to be planted at the proper seeding
depth.
2.8.3.2 Broadcast Seeding
Broadcast seeding will be employed in all areas where drill seeding cannot
be performed. Seed will be applied using manually operated cyclone -
bucket spreaders, mechanical spreaders, blowers or hydroseeders. Seed
will be uniformly broadcast over disturbed areas. Immediately after
broadcasting, the seed will be uniformly raked, chained, harrowed, or
cultipacked to incorporate seed to a sufficient seeding depth. If it is not
possible to cover the seed with mechanical methods, the seeding rates will
be doubled.
2.9 PERMANENT EROSION CONTROL
Permanent erosion control methods will be utilized as needed for stabilization of slopes
and soils as described in the Soil Conservation, Sedimentation, and Erosion Control Plan.
Permanent erosion control measures will be installed within 30 days after the trench is
backfilled to aid in site stabilization wherever required.
3. NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL
Noxious weeds are spread through the dispersal of seeds or the transport of propagative plant
parts. It is therefore important to reduce the sources of seed and viable plant material prior to
construction disturbance and to prevent its transport or importation during construction. The
combination of methods described below will be employed to minimize the potential for
expansion of noxious weed populations via the pipeline route.
3.1 WEED CONTROL MEASURES DURING CONSTRUCTION
The Company will require that all Contractor vehicles and equipment arrive at the work
site clean, to prevent the importation of noxious weeds from a previous work site. Only
after the Environmental Inspector has determined it to be free of soil, debris, or other
potential sources of noxious weeds will any piece of equipment be allowed initial
transport or access to the ROW.
4. WORKER SAFETY AND SPILL REPORTING
All contracted herbicide contractors will obtain and have readily available copies of the
appropriate application permits and the Environmental Protection Agency Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDS) for the herbicides being used. All reasonable precautions will be taken to avoid
spilling herbicides. However, a spill kit will be carried in all herbicide applicator's vehicles to
facilitate quick and effective response to a spill, should one occur. Herbicide spills will be
reported in accordance with the requirements described in the project's Hazardous Material
Management and Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Plan
5. RECLAMATION ASCHEDULE AND DOCUMENTATION
Reclamation activities will be determined in part by construction schedules and seasonal climatic
conditions. Seeding and planting will be coordinated with other reclamation activities to occur
as soon after seedbed preparation as possible. Ideally, the Contractor will complete permanent
reclamation activities prior to the end of the typical fall planting season (September 1st -
October 31st ).
Upon completion of reclamation, the Company's Construction Inspector, Environmental
Inspector, and Land Agents, will perform a final inspection of the ROW and ancillary facilities
to verify that pre -construction commitments have been satisfied. A copy of the post -reclamation
inspection form will be transmitted to the Contractor is any deficiencies or a need for remedial
action is noted.
6. POST -CONSTRUCTION MONITORING AND EVALUATION
6.1 REVEGETATION AND EROSION CONTROL MONITORING
During the first growing season following construction and reclamation, qualified
specialists will conduct intensive surveys to assess revegetation success and determine
the need for further reclamation.
Revegetation monitoring will include evaluation of the following parameters as compared
to adjacent (off -ROW) vegetation:
• percent total herbaceous cover (seeded species plus desirable volunteers), and
• species composition
Where applicable, the following will be evaluated:
• new or expanded populations of noxious weeds.
Areas with poor germination and/or growth will be evaluated to determine, if possible,
the cause of the problem. Reclamation techniques will be modified as necessary to
address any identified problems and appropriate remedial measures will be undertaken.
The Contractor will be responsible for remediating any problem areas identified by the
Company for the first growing season following construction. Thereafter, the Company
will be responsible for obtaining a reclamation contractor to perform any necessary work.
Erosion control monitoring will be performed in response to significant weather events
and/or concurrently with the revegetation monitoring during the first year following
construction. Success criteria for both are discussed in Section 6.2.
Both erosion control and revegetation monitoring will be conducted routinely throughout
the life of the pipeline to evaluate long-term survival of reestablished vegetation and the
effectiveness of erosion control measures with specific attention to problem sites.
6.2 EVALUATING RECLAMATION SUCCESS
The Company is responsible for the stability and revegetation of all areas disturbed as a
result of construction for the life of the pipeline. As discussed in Section 6.1, the
Company will conduct intensive monitoring after the first growing season and routinely
thereafter to assess soil stability and revegetation success.
The Contractor will reseed any portion of the ROW that does not exhibit 50 percent total
herbaceous cover (comprised of seeded species plus desirable volunteers) relative to
adjacent (off -ROW) vegetation after the first complete growing season. Additional
seeding will be completed during the next seeding season (fall or spring). In the event
that first year revegetation is affected by precipitation amounts significantly below the
annual average, the Company may request deferment of additional seeding activities until
the following seeding window.
The reclaimed ROW will be considered stable when the surface appears similar to
adjacent undisturbed land and the following accelerated erosion indicators do not exist:
• Perceptible soil movement (exceeding pre -construction conditions)
• Head cutting in drainages
• Flow pattern development resulting in large (greater than 12 inches in depth) rills or
gullies
• Trench subsidence or slumping
Revegetation will be considered successful when the following criteria are met:
• Total herbaceous (seeded species plus desirable volunteers) cover is at least 75
percent of that on adjacent land,
• Species composition comprised of a mix of seeded species and desirable volunteers
from adjacent communities, and
Fire Prevention
&
Suppression
1. Introduction
2. Purpose
3. Responsibilities and Coordination
4. Fire Prevention
4.1 Pre-construction & Construction
4.1.1 Training
4.1.2 Smoking
4.1.3 Spark Arrestors
4.1.4 Parking, Vehicle operation & Storage Areas
4.1.5 Equipment
4.1.6 Road Closures
4.1.7 Refueling
4.1.8 Burning
4.1.9 Fire Guard
4.1.9.1 Fire Guard Communications
4.1.10 Welding
4.1.11 Restricted Operation
4.1.12 Monitoring
5. Fire Suppression
5.1 Suppression
5.2 Monitoring
6. Notification
6.1 Notification Procedures
1. INTRODUCTION
The Fire Prevention and Suppression Plan (plan) identifies measures to be taken by ETC Canyon
Pipeline, LLC (Company) and its contractors (Contractor) to ensure that fire prevention and
suppression techniques are carried out in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Measures identified in this plan apply to work within the project area defined as the right-of-way
(ROW), access roads, all work and storage areas, and other areas used during construction of the
project.
2. PURPOSE
The risk of fire danger during pipeline construction is related to smoking, refueling activities,
operating vehicles and other equipment off roadways, welding activities and the use of
flammable liquids. During pipeline operation, risk of fire is primarily from unauthorized entry
onto the ROW. During maintenance operations, risk of fire is from vehicles and pipeline
maintenance activities that require welding.
This plan establishes standards and practices that will minimize the risk of fire danger and, in
case of fire, provide for immediate suppression.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES AND COORDINATION
This plan will be implemented by the Company and the Contractor on the project. The Company
and the Contractor have the responsibility for providing all necessary fire -fighting equipment on
the project site to their respective employees, and operating under the requirements of this plan.
Prior to construction, the Company will contact the appropriate authorities to establish
communications, obtain permits (if applicable), and/or fulfill other obligations as directed by fire
control authorities. In addition to the above, the Company will:
• Ensure that prevention, detection, pre -suppression, and suppression activities are in
accordance with this fire plan and federal, state and county laws, ordinances, and regulations
pertaining to fire.
• Accompany agency representatives on fire tool and equipment inspections and take
corrective action upon notification of any fire protection requirements that are not in
compliance; and
The fire prevention and suppression measures described in this plan will be in effect from June 1
to the end of construction. These dates may change by advance written notice by fire control
authorities. However, required tools and equipment will be kept in serviceable condition and be
immediately available for fire suppression at all times.
4. FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES
4.1 PRECONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION
Methods and procedures that will be implemented prior to and during the construction
period to minimize the risk of fire are described below.
4.1.1 Training
Contractor will train all personnel about the measures to take in the event of a fire.
Contractor will also inform each construction crewmember of fire dangers,
locations of extinguishers and equipment, and individual responsibilities for fire
prevention and suppression during regular safety briefings. Smoking and fire
rules will also be discussed with the Contractor and all field personnel during the
project's environmental training program.
4.1.2 Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in areas cleared and graded a minimum of 10 feet in
diameter to mineral soil. All buming tobacco and matches will be extinguished
before discarding. Smoking is also prohibited while operating equipment or
vehicles, except in enclosed cabs or vehicles.
4.1.3 Spark Arresters
During construction, operation, maintenance, and termination of the ROW, all
Contractor and Company equipment operating with an internal combustion engine
will be equipped with federally approved spark arresters. Spark arresters are not
required on trucks, buses and passenger vehicles (excluding motorcycles) that are
equipped with an unaltered muffler or on diesel engines equipped with a
turbocharger. A Garfield County fire prevention officer will have full authority to
inspect spark arresters on project equipment prior to its use on the project on
federal lands and periodically during the construction project.
4.1.4 Parking, Vehicle Operation and Storage Areas
In no case will motorized equipment, including worker transportation vehicles be
driven or parked outside of the designated and approved work limits. Equipment
parking areas, the ROW, staging areas, designated vehicle -parking areas, and
small stationary engine sites, where permitted, will be cleared of all flammable
material. Clearing will extend a minimum of 10 feet beyond the edge of the area
to be occupied, but not beyond the boundaries of the approved ROW, extra
workspace, or ancillary site. Glass containers will not be used to store gasoline or
other flammables.
4.1.5 Equipment
All motor vehicles and equipment will carry one long -handled (48 -inch
minimum) round -point shovel, and one dry chemical fire extinguisher (5 pounds
minimum). Individuals using power saws and grinders will have a shovel as
described above, and an 8 -ounce capacity fire extinguisher immediately available.
The Fire Guard will operate a truck equipped with a 125 gallon slip-on pump unit
designed for wildlife firefighting. All equipment will be kept in a serviceable
condition and readily available.
4.11 Restricted Operations
The Contractor will restrict or cease operation on federal lands during periods of
high fire danger at the direction of the responsible Garfield County Officer. The
Contractor will restrict or cease operations during periods of high fire danger at
the direction of the Garfield County Sheriff's Office Fire Marshal. Restrictions
may vary from stopping certain operations at a given time to stopping all
operations. The company may obtain approval to continue some or all operations
if acceptable precautions are implemented.
4.12 Monitoring
Construction and Environmental Inspectors for the Company will inspect the job
site and the Contractor's operations for compliance with all provisions of this
plan. In addition, federal, state, and local fire control agencies may perform
inspections in areas under their jurisdiction at their discretion.
4.2 PIPELINE OPERATION
During pipeline operation, the risk of fire danger is minimal. The primary causes of fire
on the ROW result from unauthorized entry by individuals utilizing the ROW for
recreational purposes and from fires started outside of the ROW. In the latter case, the
ROW can be used by authorities as a potential fire break. During pipeline operation,
access to the ROW will be restricted, in accordance with landowner requirements, to
minimize recreational use of the ROW.
4.3 PIPELINE MAINTENANCE
During maintenance operations, the Company or its Contractor will equip personnel with
basic fire -fighting equipment including fire extinguishers, and shovels as described in
Section 4.1.5 Equipment. Maintenance crews will also carry emergency response/fire
control contact phone numbers.
5. FIRE SUPPRESSION
5.2 SUPPRESSION
Contractor will take the following actions should a fire occur within the project area
during construction.
• Take immediate action to suppress fires using all available manpower and
equipment. Notify the Fire Guard.
• Immediately notify the nearest fire suppression agency of the fire location, action
taken, and status (refer to Fire Suppression Contacts for a list of fire suppression
agencies and emergency phone numbers).
• Relinquish the Fire Guard's direction of fire suppression activities to agency fire
management officers upon their arrival.
If a reported fire is controlled, the Fire Guard will note the location and monitor the
progress in extinguishing the fire. The Fire Guard, or their designee, will remain at the
fire scene until it is fully extinguished. The extinguished fire will be monitored in
accordance with procedures described in Section 5.2 below.
Fire Suppression Contacts
Construction
Phone Number
Office Location
Garfield County
Garfield County
(970) 625-8095
Garfield County Dispatch Center
Private and State Lands, Colorado
Garfield County
(970) 285-9127
Garfield County Sheriff's Office in Parachute
5.2 MONITORING
Contractor will mark the location and boundaries of all extinguished fires. The
extinguished fire site will be monitored by the Contractor for a minimum of 24 hours.
Monitoring includes walking the fire site perimeter, as well as crossing through the site.
The Fire Guard will maintain a log of all extinguished fire locations for future reference.
6. NOTIFICATION
6.1 NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
Construction crewmembers will report all fires, whether extinguished or uncontrolled, to
the Fire Guard. If the fire is uncontrolled, Contractor's Fire Guard will call the nearest
fire suppression agency (refer to Fire Suppression Contacts), and the Company.
Information regarding the location of the fire, property ownership, and closest access
roads should be provided to the Dispatch Office and the Company.
If a reported fire is controlled, but not extinguished, the Fire Guard will call to notify the
nearest fire suppression agency to alert them of the situation. The status of the fire will
be monitored by the Fire Guard and when extinguished, the nearest fire suppression
agency will be notified. See table for a list of fire suppression contacts.
Hazardous Material Management
&
Spill Prevention
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose of Plan
1.2 Overview of the Plan's Components
1.3 Plans and Maps Related to the HazMat Plan
1.4 Regulatory Overview
2. Contractor's Guidelines for Developing the HazMat Plan
2.1 Certifications, Acknowledgements, and Designation of Coordinator Responsible
Person
2.1.1 Certifications
2.1.2 Amendments
2.1.3 Responsible Person(s)
2.2 Facilities' Description & Inventory of Materials
2.2.1 Site Map
2.2.2 Inventory
3. Hazardous Materials Management
3.1 Overview of Hazardous Materials Proposed for Use
3.2 Training
3.3 Vehicle Refueling and Servicing
3.4 Equipment Inspection and Decontamination
3.5 Transportation of Hazardous Materials
3.6 Storage of Hazardous Materials
3.6.1 Physical Storage Requirements
3.6.2 Container Labeling Requirements for Hazardous Wastes
3.7 Disposal of Hazardous Materials
3.8 Contaminated Containers
3.9 Waste Oil Filters
3.10 Used Lubricating Oil
3.11 Inspection and Record Keeping
4. Potentially Contaminated Sites
5. Spill Control and Countermeasures
5.1 Physical and Procedural Response Measures
5.1.1 On Site Equipment
5.2 Employee Spill Prevention/Response Training and Education
6. Notification and Documentation of Spill
6.1 Required Notification
6.1.1 Agency Notification
6.1.2 Land Owner Notification
6.1.3 Reporting Criteria
6.2 Documentation
1. INTRODUCTION
This Hazardous Materials Management and Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Plan
(HAZMAT Plan) describes measures to be taken by the ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC (Company)
and its contractors (Contractor) to reduce the risks associated with the use, storage,
transportation, production, and disposal of hazardous materials (including hazardous substances
and wastes) and petroleum products. In addition, this plan outlines the required spill prevention
and response (cleanup) procedures for the project.
The HAZMAT Plan prepared as part of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan as required by
the project's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for stormwater
discharges. This plan was prepared in accordance with good engineering practices.
In general, hazardous materials and clean-up equipment will be stored at the construction yard.
Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) will be maintained at the Contractor's yard(s) throughout
the construction period.
The Contractor will prepare and have the Company review and approve a HAZMAT Plan prior
to any storage of hazardous substances or petroleum products. The company will have 10 days
to review submitted plans.
1.1 PURPOSE OF PLAN
The purpose of this plan is to provide a description of hazardous materials management,
spill prevention, and spill response/cleanup measures associated with the construction,
operation, and maintenance of the project. In addition this plan provides Contractors
with requirements and guidance for the creation of their own HAZMAT Plan.
1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN'S COMPONENTS
This plan includes the following components: (1) an introduction; (2) a description of the
spill prevention procedures related to vehicle refueling and servicing and the
transportation, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials; (3) guideline for developing
the Contractor's HAZMAT Plan; (4) a description of the physical and procedural
methods for spill control and cleanup; and (5) an overview of the notification and
documentation procedures to be followed in the event of a spill.
1.3 PLANS AND MAPS RELATED TO THE HAZMAT PLAN
Construction Alignment Sheets: These maps show the locations of drainages,
waterbodies (defined as flowing streams and rivers), wetlands, and other sensitive
resource areas.
Fire Suppression and Prevention Plan: This plan details measures to be taken to reduce
the risk of starting a fire, and measures to be implemented in the event a fire does occur
within the project construction area.
Stream Crossing and Wetland Protection Plan: This plan provides detailed information
on measures that will be implemented during construction to avoid and/or minimize
project -related impacts to waterbodies and wetlands.
1.4 REGULATORY OVERVIEW
Major legislation pertaining to hazardous materials includes the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compliance, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act.
Numerous other federal, state, and local regulations also govern the use, storage,
transport, production, and disposal of hazardous materials. Some of the key requirements
of these laws are outlined in the following:
• Title 29, CFR, Part 1910.1200 (Hazardous Communication Standard). Title 27,
CFR, Part 55 (storage and use of explosives)
• Title 40, CFR, Parts 112, 260 to 263, and 279 (hazardous wastes definitions,
standards for hazardous waste generators, and requirements for Spill Prevention
Control and Countermeasure Plans)
• Title 49, CFR, Part 171-180 (hazardous materials transportation)
• Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III, Section 301-303
(emergency planning), Section 304 (emergency release notification), and Section
311/312 (community right -to -know reporting requirements)
This plan is intended to comply with and compliment existing regulations pertaining to
the safe use of hazardous materials. Persons responsible for handling hazardous
materials for this project will be trained in the proper use/management of the materials
and will be familiar with all applicable laws, policies, procedures, and best management
practices (BMP's) related to them.
2. CONTRACTOR'S GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING THE HAZMAT PLAN
The following sections provide specific guidelines for the preparation of the HAZMAT Plan by
Contractor.
2.1 CERTIFICATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND DESIGNATION OF
COORDINATOR RESPONSIBLE PERSON(S)
2.1.1 Certifications
Contractor will certify that all of the information provided in the HAZMAT Plan
is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge. Contractor will also
certify that they are committed to implementing the HAZMAT Plan as written.
As per the requirements of 40 CFR, Part 112, Contractor will have the HAZMAT
PLAN reviewed and certified by a registered Professional Engineer.
2.1.2 Amendments
In completing this certification, Contractor will agree to make all necessary and
appropriate amendments to the plan and submit any such amendment to the
Company and the appropriate county, state, and/or federal authorities within 7
days of finding an amendment is necessary. Amendments to the plan will be
necessary under any of the following circumstances:
• 100 percent or more increase of a previously disclosed material,
• any handling of a previously undisclosed hazardous material subject to
inventory requirements,
O a change of business address, name, or ownership.
2.1.3 Responsible Person(s)
Contractor is responsible for contacting county representatives to determine
county requirements for Hazardous Materials Business/Management Plans.
Generally counties will provide guidelines and forms for completion and
submittal to the county. As required on the applicable county forms that the
Contractor will obtain, Contractor will designate a primary emergency
coordinator for hazardous materials management and emergency response. Two
alternates will also be identified. Business, residential, and cellular or pager
telephone numbers will be provided for all three persons as necessary, to allow for
contact on a 24-hour basis. Primary and alternate emergency coordinators will be
knowledgeable of the chemicals and processes involved in Contractor's operation.
They will have full access to all facilities, including locked areas, and must have
the authority to commit company resources. They will also have stop work
authority to prevent impacts (potential or actual) to environmental resources.
2.2 FACILITIES' DESCRIPTION AND INVENTORY OF MATERIALS
Contractor's submittals will be provided to the Environmental Inspector. The
Environmental Inspector will provide submitted information to the jurisdictional agencies
as appropriate.
2.2.1 Site Map
Contractor will complete the relevant county forms related to business
information and description. The Contractor is also required to provide a site
map/facility map for each construction yard indicating storage and safety
precautions for hazardous materials and hazardous wastes. The Contractor's site
map will, at a minimum, indicate the following:
• orientation and scale
• total land area in square feet
• access and egress points
• building and/or temporary trailers
• parking lots
• adjacent land uses (if business, indicate business name)
• surrounding road, storm drains, ad waterways (including waterbodies and
wetlands)
• locations of hazardous materials and hazardous waste storage
• underground and above ground tanks
• containment or diversion structures (dikes, berms, retention ponds)
• shutoff valves and/or circuit breakers
• location of emergency response materials and equipment
• location of MSDS and HAZMAT PLAN
• location of emergency assembly area
• location of clean up equipment within the yard
As noted in Section 3.6 — Storage of Hazardous Materials, hazardous materials
will be stored only in designated staging areas 100 feet from streams (dry and
wet) and wetlands (dry and wet) and equipment storage yards. Temporary pumps,
diesel powered generators, etc., will be located at least 100 feet from the edge of
streams (dry and wet), wetlands (including dry or seasonal wetlands), and other
sensitive areas defined by the project's Environmental Inspectors. If storage areas
cannot be located at least 100 feet from streams and wetlands because of
topographic conditions or space, the Contractor will also provide a sketch of
where the materials will be stored in relation to the waterbody and location of
clean up equipment. Include measures to be implemented for secondary
containment as specified in Section 3.6.1, Physical Storage Requirements.
2.2.2 Inventory
Contractor will provide a complete inventory to the Company of all hazardous
substances that will be used (refer to Title 40, CFR, Parts 116 and 302). All
inventory forms required by the relevant county will be provided by the
Contractor as part of their HAZMAT Plan.
3. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
Construction, operation, and maintenance of the project will require the use of certain potentially
hazardous materials such as fuels, and herbicides. By definition, hazardous materials
(substances and wastes) have the potential to pose a significant threat to human health and the
environment based upon their quantity, concentration, or chemical composition. Generally,
hazardous materials will be stored in the Contractor's yard and not on the right-of-way (RO).
When stored, used, transported, and disposed of properly as described below, the risks associated
with these materials can be reduced substantially.
3.1 OVERVIEW OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PROPOSED FOR USE
The following project -specific measures pertain to all vehicle refueling and servicing
activities as well as the storage, transportation, production and disposal of hazardous
materials (substances/wastes). These measures are intended to prevent the discharge of
fuels, oils, gasoline, and other harmful substances to waterbodies, groundwater aquifers,
and/or other sensitive resource areas during project construction.
Hazardous materials (substances) used during project construction may include solvents
and other substances. In addition, petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel,
lubricating oils, and hydraulic fluid will be used. Some of these materials will be used in
relatively large quantities at staging areas, in storage yards, and on the ROW to operate
and maintain equipment during construction. Smaller quantities of other materials such
as: herbicides, paints, and other chemicals will be used to control noxious weeds and
facilitate revegetation on the row, and to operate and maintain meter stations during the
life of the project.
Additional materials will be necessary at other locations along the ROW (e.g., river
crossing, hydrostatic test stations) and at off -ROW construction yards. Listings of other
hazardous materials that will be used during construction, operation, and maintenance of
the project in other locations will be identified on the Contractor's Hazardous Substances
Inventory form included in Attachment 1. The Company will compile all Contractor's
submittals and update Attachment 1 prior to start of construction. The Company will
update the inventory of hazardous materials used/stored on the project as needed
throughout the life of the project. This information will be provided to the appropriate
regulatory agencies as required.
3.2 TRAINING
All project personnel will be required to receive basic spill prevention training. The
Company is required to maintain a record of those workers who have received
environmental training and ensure that only trained employees are allowed to work on the
project. In addition all Contractor personnel who will be involved with the transportation
and storage of fuels or hazardous substances, equipment maintenance, and spill response
will be required to attend a higher level training class given by the Contractor as
described in Section 5.2.
3.3 VEHICLE REFUELING AND SERVICING
Construction vehicles (e.g., trucks, bulldozers, etc.) and equipment (e.g., pumps,
generators, etc.) will be fueled/serviced in designated upland staging areas at least 100
feet from waterbodies and wetlands (including dry streams and dry or seasonal wetlands,
refer to the stream and wetland crossing list in the Stream Crossing and Wetland
Protection Plan). If pumps, generators, etc. cannot be located at least 100 feet from
streams and wetlands because of topographic conditions or space limitations, special
precautions (e.g., placing pumps and small refueling cans in secondary containment
structures) will be taken to prevent the spill or release of hazardous materials into the
waterway. Fueling will not occur within 200 feet of private wells or 400 feet of
municipal wells. When selecting refueling areas, consideration will be given to slopes
and other topographic conditions. Refueling locations will generally be flat to minimize
the chance of spilled substance reaching a waterbody. In most cases, rubber -tired
vehicles will be refueled and serviced at local gas stations or equipment yards off the
ROW. Tracked vehicles will typically be refueled and serviced by fuel/service vehicles
on the ROW. Every effort will be made to minimize the threat of a fuel spill during
refueling and servicing. Fuel/service vehicles will carry extra plastic, a bucket or plastic
pan to catch fuel, and minimum of 20 pounds of suitable absorbent material to handle
potential spills. In addition, all vehicles will be inspected for leaks prior to being brought
on-site and regularly throughout the construction period. In the event that a leak(s) is
found, equipment will not be allowed to operate until all leaks have been repaired.
Vehicles will also be equipped with fire fighting equipment as specified in the Fire
Prevention and Suppression Plan.
Construction equipment requiring maintenance which might result in the draining or
leaking of fluids will be serviced only after a 12 mil plastic liner has been installed
between the equipment and the soil. This liner must be placed in such a manner that all
fluid is contained.
Washing of construction vehicles (such as concrete trucks) will be allowed only in
construction staging areas at least 100 feet from waterbodies and wetlands (including dry
streams and dry or seasonal wetlands). Washing areas will be contained with berms or
barriers to prevent migration of wastewater and/or sediments into waterbodies. Waste
concrete material will be removed and properly disposed of once it has hardened.
3.4 EQUIPMENT ISPECTION AND DECONTAMINATION
Prior to moving equipment onto the ROW, the Environmental Inspector will check
equipment for leaks while also inspecting the equipment for weeds. All equipment will
be cleaned and weed -free prior to being moved to the ROW. Equipment contaminated
from fuel or hydraulic line breaks will be cleaned with diapers and the diapers will be
disposed of properly.
3.5 TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Procedures for loading and transporting fuels and other hazardous materials will meet the
minimum requirements established by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and other
pertinent requirements. At all times, hazardous materials will be transported in DOT
approved containers. Prior to transporting hazardous materials, appropriate shipping
papers will be completed. Vehicles carrying hazardous materials will be equipped with
shovels, barriers tape, 4 to 6 mil plastic bags, personal protective clothing, and spill pads
to contain a small spill should one occur during transport. In addition, vehicles
transporting such materials will be properly signed (placarded) and/or marked. Prior to
transporting hazardous materials, vehicles will be inspected for leakage and other
potential safety problems. The Contractor will ensure that vehicle drivers are properly
trained to respond to and report spills, leakage, and/or accidents involving hazardous
materials (see Section 5.2 of this plan).
All hazardous materials used for the project will be properly containerized and labeled at
all times, including during transportation. Smaller DOT approved containers will be used
on-site to transport needed amounts of hazardous materials to a specific location.
Transfer of materials from large to small containers will not be done by hand pouring, but
will be accomplished using appropriate equipment including pumps, hoses, and safety
equipment. These smaller ("service") containers will also be clearly labeled.
3.6 STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Hazardous materials will be stored only in designated staging areas 100 feet from streams
(dry and wet) and wetlands (dry and wet) and equipment storage yards. Temporary
pumps, diesel powered generators, etc., will be located at least 100 feet from the edge of
streams (dry and wet), wetlands (including dry or seasonal wetlands), and other sensitive
areas defined by the project's Environmental Inspectors. If storage areas cannot be
located at least 100 feet from streams and wetlands because of topographic conditions or
space limitations, special precautions will be taken to prevent the spill or release of
hazardous materials into the waterway. These precautions will include limiting the
quantity and amount of time such materials are stored near the stream or wetland,
providing secondary containment, and using trained personnel to monitor activities at the
storage site. Storage of greater than 55 gallons of hazardous materials will not be
permitted within 100 feet of streams or wetlands. Cleanup materials, including absorbent
spill pads and plastic bags, will also be stored in these areas. Hazardous materials will
not be stored in areas subject to flooding or inundation.
3.6.1 Physical Storage Requirements
Security: Hazardous materials will be stored in secure areas to prevent damage,
vandalism, or theft. During construction hours, hazardous materials may be
stored temporarily on the ROW but overnight storage on the ROW will be
prohibited. All storage containers will remain sealed when not in use and storage
areas will be secured (gated, locked, and/or guarded) at night and/or during non -
construction periods.
Storage Containers: Containers will be compatible with the hazardous materials or
wastes stored. If the container leaks or becomes damaged, the substance must be
transferred to a container in good condition. Contractor will inspect containers at
least weekly to discover any leaks in the containers or the containment systems.
Containers used for transportation must comply with the DOT requirements,
including those in Title 49, CFR, Part 173.
Secondary Containment: Secondary containment will consist of bermed or diked
areas that are lined and capable of holding 110 percent of the volume of the stored
material plus any potential precipitation accumulation, and will be provided for
fuel and oil tanks stored on-site [e.g., in Contractor's yard(s)].
Container Management: Containers holding hazardous substances will be kept
closed during transfer and storage, except when it is necessary to add or remove
the substance.
Incompatible Wastes: Wastes that are incompatible with other wastes will not be
placed in the same container, nor in an unwashed container, that previously held
an incompatible material.
Ignitable or Reactive Substances: Substances that may ignite or are reactive must
be located at least 50 feet from the construction yard boundary. "NO SMOKING"
signs will be conspicuously placed wherever there is a hazard from ignitable or
reactive waste. Examples of ignitable wastes are: paint wastes, certain degreasers,
thinners and solvents (petroleum distillates), epoxy resins, and adhesives.
Examples of reactive wastes that may be found at construction yards include
permanganate and manganese wastes from dry cell batteries.
Storm Water: It may be necessary to drain accumulated storm water from within
the secondary containment areas that contain the fuel storage tanks. If the storm
water has been contaminated, absorbent pads or booms will be used to remove
floating petroleum products. After the contamination has been removed, the
storm water will be left to evaporate, if possible, otherwise it will be disposed of
in an appropriate manner. Prior to disposal, the Environmental Inspector will
check for sheen or other evidence of contamination.
3.6.2 Container Labeling Requirements for Hazardous Wastes
Contractor will comply with the following labeling requirements for any on-site
container (including tanks) used to store accumulated hazardous wastes. The
containers will be labeled as required in Title 40 CFR, Part 262 and will contain at
least the following information:
• chemical name (oil, diesel, etc.),
• the accumulation start date and/or the date the 90 -day storage period began;
and
• the words "Hazardous Waste" and warning words indicating the particular
hazards of the waste, such as "flammable", "corrosive", or "reactive."
3.7 DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTES
Contractor will be responsible for ensuring that all hazardous wastes generated during
their operations are collected regularly and disposed of in accordance with all applicable
laws. Contractor will determine details on the proper handling and disposal of hazardous
waste, and will assign responsibility to specific individuals prior to construction of the
project.
Hazardous wastes typically include chemicals, spent batteries, and other items.
Contractor will ensure that every effort will be made to minimize the production of
hazardous waste during the project including, but not limited to, minimizing the amount
of hazardous materials needed for the project; using alternative non -hazardous substances
when available; recycling usable materials such as paints and batteries to the maximum
extent; and filtering and reusing solvents and thinners whenever possible.
Any Contractor (generator) producing more than 100 kilograms per month of hazardous
waste must apply for an EPA Identification Number. Contractor (generator) producing
less than 100 kilograms per month are considered conditionally exempt small quantity
generators. A generator can store hazardous wastes on-site for a period of up to 90 days
without having to obtain a permit as a storage facility, or as a small quantity generator up
to a total of 1000 kilograms.
3.8 CONTAMINATED CONTAINERS
Containers that once held hazardous materials as products or which held hazardous
wastes must be considered as potential hazardous wastes due to the residues of hazardous
contents that may persist. In order for the container to be handled as non -hazardous
waste, regulations require that the container be essentially empty and that certain
handling requirements for the empty container be followed, including the following:
• The containers must be empty, which means as much of the contents as possible
have been removed so that none will pour out in any orientation and that they contain
less than 1 pound and require special handling because of the waste type.
• If the empty containers are less than five gallons, they may be disposed of as non-
hazardous solid waste or scrapped.
• If the empty containers are greater than five gallons, they must be handled in the
following manner:
o Returned to the vendor for re -use,
o Sent to a drum recycler for reconditioning, or — used or recycled on-site.
3.9 WASTE OIL FILTERS
Used, metal canister oil filters can be managed as solid waste as long as they are
thoroughly drained of "free flowing" oil (oil exiting drop -by -drop) is not considered "free
flowing"); the filters are accumulated, stored, and transferred in a closed, rainproof
container. Waste oil filters are best drained by puncturing and gravity draining while the
filter is still hot.
3.10 USED LUBRICATING OIL
Waste lubrication oil, including contaminated soil and rags, have specific requirements
for storage, transportation, and disposal. Contractors are considered "Used Oil
Generators" and as such must meet the following requirements:
• Have a HAZMAT Plan certified by a registered Professional Engineer and approved
by the Company.
• Conduct spill prevention briefings frequently enough to assure adequate
understanding by all workers.
• Label all storage containers "Used Oil".
• Ensure storage containers do not have visible leaks
3.11 INSPECTION AND RECORD KEEPING
Contractor will inspect all storage facilities on a regular basis, but not less than weekly.
The Weekly Hazardous Materials/Wastes Inspection Log in Attachment 2, will be used to
record the condition of the facility. In addition to the weekly log, Contractor will
maintain records for hazardous materials and hazardous wastes as required by all
applicable federal, state, and local regulations and permit conditions. Record keeping
requirements include:
• hazardous material/waste inspection log
• transportation documents
• bills of lading
• manifests
• shipping papers
• training records
• release report forms
• spill history
Environmental Inspectors will monitor, inspect, document, and report on Contractor's
compliance with all hazardous materials and hazardous waste management practices.
4. POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED SITES
This general procedure is included as a contingency in the event that unexpected or unknown
(pre-existing) contaminated sites are encountered during the course of construction. During the
course of construction, some potential exists for encountering contaminated soils, groundwater,
or other materials. Should such a situation develop where there is a reasonable basis for
believing that contaminated materials have been encountered (where contamination is suggested
by visible indications or unusual odors), the Contractor will stop work and immediately notify
the Environmental Inspector or the Construction Supervisor. The Environmental Inspector or
Construction Supervisor will determine next steps, including notification requirements. The
Contractor may not commence work without authorization.
5. SPILL CONTROL AND COUNTERMEASURES
The measures described in Section 3.0 of this plan are intended to prevent the spill of hazardous
materials during normal project construction, operation and maintenance activities. However,
not all potential spill situations can be reasonably foreseen or prevented. In accordance with
Section 6.1 — Reporting Criteria, the Environmental Inspector will make a note of minor spills
and cleanup in their daily logs. These minor spills will be documented in the daily report taken
in the event of a major spill. In general, the Contractor will perform all cleanup activities
including: (1) specifying in their HAZMAT PLAN specific containment and cleanup
procedures; (2) providing necessary materials and labor; and (3) performing all reporting and
documentation, as required. Notification and documentation of spills is discussed in greater
detail in Section 6.0 of this plan.
5.1 PHYSICAL AND PROCEDURAL RESPONSE MEASURES
Physical response actions are intended to ensure that all spills are promptly and
thoroughly cleaned up. However, the first priority in responding to any spill is personnel
and public safety. Construction personnel will be notified of evacuation procedures,
including evacuation routes, to be used in event of a spill emergency. In general, the first
person on the scene will:
• attempt to identify the source, composition, and hazard of the spill or stain;
• isolate and stop the spill and begin clean up of the spill or stain, if possible (i.e., if it
is safe).
• contain spills or stains, of unknown substances, in a barrel or plastic to prevent
migration if rain occurs,
• properly store, and
• obtain a sample of the unknown substance for laboratory analysis
• Notify appropriate personnel and initiate reporting actions; and
• Initiate evacuation of the area if necessary.
Persons should only attempt to clean up or control a spill if they have received proper
training. Untrained individuals will immediately notify the Contractor's primary or
alternate emergency coordinators.
If there is a spill of an unknown substance and its identity cannot be determined by
observing obvious clues (i.e., labels on containers), or observing obvious sources (e.g.,
hydraulic lines, fuel tanks, etc.), it would not be considered safe for the average person to
contain the spill and obtain sample for laboratory analysis. Any spill of an unknown
substance should be treated as a hazard and should be approached, contained and sampled
by trained emergency response personnel. General construction personnel should be
instructed to contain and cleanup spills of only those substances they can safely identify
and that can be safely approached (from upwind an upgradient) and handled, after
identifying the materials from a safe distance and location.
In general, expert advice will be sought to properly clean up major spills (defined as any
spill over the reportable quantity for that substance). For spills on land, berms will be
constructed to contain the spilled material and prevent migration of hazardous materials
or petroleum products toward waterways. Dry materials will not be cleaned up with
water or buried. Contaminated soils will be collected using appropriate machinery,
stored in suitable containers, and properly disposed of in appropriately designated areas
off-site. After contaminated soil is recovered, all machinery utilized will be
decontaminated, and recovered soil will be treated as used oil if contaminated with
petroleum products or hazardous waste is contaminated with hazardous waste.
Contaminated cleanup materials (absorbent pads, etc.) and vegetation will be disposed of
in a similar manner. For major spills, cleanup will be verified by sampling and
laboratory analysis.
If spilled materials reach water, booms and skimmers will be used to contain and remove
contaminants. Other actions will be taken as necessary to clean up contaminated waters.
In areas where construction activity will cross a small slowing waterbody (25 feet or
less), absorbent booms will be placed on the water surface downstream of the
construction zone, prior to construction. Clean-up materials including absorbent spill
pads and plastic bags will be placed on site at flowing streams and "wet" wetlands when
construction is occurring within 100 feet of these areas. For river crossings over 25 feet,
cleanup materials will be located on both banks.
5.1.1 On -Site Equipment
The following equipment will be maintained on site with each crew using heavy
equipment for use in cleanup situations.
• shovels
• absorbent pads/materials
• personal protective gear
• fire fighting equipment
• medical first-aid supplies
• phone list with emergency contact numbers
• storage containers
• communications equipment
5.2 EMPLOYEE SPILL PREVENTION/RESPONSE TRAINING AND
EDUCATION
Contractor will provide spill prevention and response training to appropriate construction
and inspection personnel. Persons accountable for carrying out the procedures specified
herein will be designated prior to construction and informed of their specific duties and
responsibilities with respect to environmental compliance and hazardous materials.
Contractor is required to maintain a record of those workers who have received training.
Note that this training is in addition to the environmental training that will be conducted
by the Company. Contractor's training will be provided to inform appropriate personnel
of site-specific environmental compliance procedures. At a minimum, this training will
include the following:
• a review of the Company and Contractor HAZMAT Plan, and discussion of
individual responsibilities;
• an overview of all regulatory requirements;
• methods for the safe handling/storage of hazardous materials and petroleum
products;
• spill prevention procedures;
• operation and location of spill control materials;
• inspection procedures for spill containment equipment and materials;
• emergency response procedures;
• use of personal protective equipment (PPE);
• use of spill cleanup equipment;
• procedures for coordinating with emergency response teams;
• standard information regarding a spill to be provided to Company for agency
notification (see Section 6.1);
6. NOTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF SPILL PROCEDURES
Notifications and documentation procedures for all spills that occur during project construction,
operation, or maintenance will conform to applicable federal, state, and local laws. Adherence to
such procedures will be the top priority once initial safety and spill response actions have been
taken. The following sections describe the notification and documentation procedures, and
should be implemented in conjunction with the response procedures listed in other sections of
this plan.
6.1 REQUIRED NOTIFICATION
Notification will begin as soon as possible after discovery of a release. The individual
who discovers the spill will contact a Company Construction or Environmental Inspector.
If the Environmental Inspector determines that the spill meets the criteria for immediate
verbal notification of government agencies (see Section 6.1.3, Reporting Criteria) and/or
determines that the spill may threaten human health or the environment, he/she will
immediately notify Company's Field Supervisor who will make the required agency
notifications as described below. On federal lands, all spills greater than 1 gallon will be
reported. Prior to beginning the notification process, the individual initiating notification
should obtain as much information as possible to clearly document and communicate the
situation. See Section 6.1.1 for standard information that will be requested by agencies.
The following mandatory notifications will be made by the Environmental Inspector.
• 911 will be called if the spill is deemed to be an emergency
• National Response Center (800) 424-8802 (for amounts exceeding the reportable quantity
for that material (see section 6.1.3, Reporting Criteria)
• Colorado Department of Health and Environment (303) 692-3500 non -emergency (303)
756-4455 emergency
• Grand Junction State Patrol/State Hazardous Materials Team, for spill occurring on State
Highway rights-of-way (970) 248-7278
• Local Emergency Planning Committee — notified at the following numbers.
• Garfield County (Glenwood Springs, CO) (970) 945-9151
6.1.1. Agency Notification
When notifying a regulatory agency, the Environmental Inspector will provide the
following information:
• current threats to human health and safety, including known injuries, if
any; spill location (legal land description if available), including landmarks
and nearest access route; reporter's name and phone number; time the spill
occurred;
• type and estimated amount of hazardous materials involved;
• potential threat to property and environmental resources, especially
waterbodies and wetlands; and
• status of response actions.
On-site personnel should always consult the Environmental Inspector to clarify
regulatory requirements.
6.1.2 Landowner Notification
When a spill poses a direct and immediate threat to health and safety and/or property,
the landowners potentially affected by the spill will be directly notified by the
Company. The Alignment Sheets delineate land ownership along the entire ROW
and will be used to determine affected landowners. Immediate notification of
landowners is required for all situations in which the spill poses a direct and
immediate threat to health and safety and/or property.
6.1.3 Reporting Criteria
The Contractor will report to the Company Environmental Inspector all hazardous
substance releases regardless of size and petroleum product spills which threaten or
enter any waterbody, or that are over 1 quart in size. Verbal reports are required
immediately following a major spill when doing so would not delay clean up or
administration of urgent medical care. The Company Environmental Inspector will
determine if the spill meets the following criteria for immediate agency notification.
Any release of hazardous material over the applicable reportable quantities (List of
Reportable Quantities), or a petroleum product spill which threatens or enters a
waterbody must of reported immediately to the National Response Center (NRC),
the BLM, state, and local authorities. On federal lands, all spills greater than 1
gallon will be reported. For petroleum spills over 25 gallons which occur in upland
areas notification will be made to the, state, and local authorities.
Environmental Reportable Quantities for Select Compounds
Compound Release
Minimum Amt.
Verbal Report Written Report
Brine Water
Condensate
Corrosion Inhibitors
Crude Oil
Diesel Fuel
Diethylamine
Diglycolamine
Ethylene Glycol
Gasoline
Lube Oil
Methanol
Methyl Mercaptan
Mono -ethanolamine
Natural Gas Liquids
Produced Water
RCRA Hazardous Waste
Sodium Chromate
Surfatron
Triethylene Glycol
Waste Oil
210 gal. or 5 bbl
210 gal. or 5 bbl
Consult MSDS
210 gal. or 5 bbl
25 gal
100 Ib (13.3 gal)
Consult MSDS
5,000 lbs (545 gal)
25 gal
25 gal
5,000 lbs (750 gal)
IOOlbs (14.1 gal)
100 lbs (15.6 gal)
25 gal
210 gal or5bbl
100 lbs.
10 lbs. (0.81 gal)
MSDS
Consult MSDS
25 gal
6.2 DOCUMENTATION
24 hours
24 hours
24 hours
24 hours
24 hours
hnmediately
24 hours
Immediately
24 hours
24 hours
Immediately
Immediately
Immediately
24 hours
24 hours
Immediately
Immediately
24 hours
24 hours
I nmediately
10 days
10 days
30 days
10 days
30 days
30 days
30 days
30 days
30 days
30 days
30 days
30 days
30 days
30 days
10 days
24 days
30 days
30 days
30 days
30 days
Contractors will maintain records for all spills. Agencies that the Company verbally
notified of a release will be given written notification by the Company within 30 days.
Contractor will provide a written report of all reportable spills requiring agency
notification within 24 hours (see Attachment 1).
The Contractor will record spill information in a daily log. The following is a list of
items that should be included in the daily log (as appropriate, based on the spill incident):
• time and date of each log entry;
• name of individual recording log entry;
• list of all individuals notified, including time and date;
• type and amount of material spilled;
• resources affected by spill;
• list of response actions taken, including relative success;
• copies of letters, permits, or other communications received from government
agencies throughout the duration of the spill response;
• copies of all outgoing correspondence related to the spill; and
• photographs of the response effort (and surrounding baseline photographs if
relevant).
Maintaining detailed and organized records during a spill incident is an important and
prudent task. One Contractor representative should be designated to manage the records
for an incident. If extensive spill response and cleanup operations are required, the
Contractor may choose to assign a bookkeeper to assist in the documentation process.
The Contractor's on-site bookkeeper will track and manage all expenditures (i.e.,
equipment, personnel/labor hours, and associated resources) and will help supplement the
information provided in the daily log book.
Safety Plan
1. Introduction
1.1 Responsibilities
1.1.1 The Company
1.1.2 The Contractor
1.2 Related Plans
2. Health and Safety Requirements
2.1 Safety Training
2.2 General Requirements
2.3 Working Hours
2.4 Incident Reporting
2.5 Transportation
2.6 Safe Procedures for Prevention of Mechanical Damage to Underground Facilities
2.7 Damaged Pipe
2.8 High Voltage Hazard and Mitigation of Induced Voltage Effects
2.9 Cold Weather Construction
1. INTRODUCTION
This Safety Plan (plan) identifies measures to be taken by ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC
(Company) and its construction contractors (Contractor) to minimize hazards to persons working
on and visiting the project and to comply with all applicable safety requirements and regulations.
The plan also describes safety standards and practices that will be implemented to minimize
health and safety concerns related to construction of the project.
1.1 RESPONSIBILITIES
1.1.1 The Company
The Company will comply and ensure compliance by its employees, suppliers and
visitors with all applicable occupational safety and health laws and regulations.
The Company will observe and monitor the Contractor's practices and procedures
and will inform the Contractor of violations to the above-mentioned laws and
regulations. If the Company becomes aware of a violation that presents
immediate danger to human life or property, then the Company Representative
(Company employee or Construction Inspector) will order an immediate stoppage
of work until unsafe conditions or practices are corrected.
1.1.2 The Contractor
The Contractor will comply and ensure compliance by its employees,
subcontractors, suppliers, and visitors with all applicable occupational safety and
health laws and regulations and with all of the Company's safety specifications.
The Contractor will also take reasonable additional measures necessary to prevent
property damage, injury, and death to Company employees, Contractor
employees, and general public.
1.2 RELATED PLANS
• Fire Prevention and Suppression Plan
• Hazardous Material Management and Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Plan
• Hydrostatic Testing Plan
2. HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
2.1 SAFETY TRAINING
Prior to starting the work, the Company will arrange a meting between the Contractor's
Site Supervisors and the Company's Construction Staff to discuss safety aspects of the
work, safety hazards particular to the work site, and to outline safety responsibility and
authority of the Contractor and Company personnel. It will be the responsibility of the
Contractor's supervisory personnel to train workers and keep them up-to-date regarding
safety matters. The Contractor will provide pre job orientation to all workers engaged on
the project and ensure all workers are competent to perform any job requested. The
Contractor will also make all of its workers available for any required Company
orientation or safety training.
2.2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The Company Construction Inspectors will ensure that the following measures relating to
health and safety are implemented:
• Contractor will ensure that all construction sites are maintained in a sanitary
condition.
• Contractor will cease normal pipeline construction activities by sunset. Night time
construction will not be permitted unless approved by the Company and the
jurisdictional agency(s).
• The Contractor, in accordance with federal, state, or local requirements, will provide
water, or other means, to control dust. Contractor will comply with federal, state,
and local air quality emission standards and regulations.
• Contractor will provide dust control in construction areas within 500 feet of
residences and highways as directed by the project's Construction and
Environmental Inspectors.
• If the trench is left open overnight within 100 feet of a residence, Contractor will
fence the area to mitigate safety concerns.
• No dredged or fill material will be discharged in the proximity of a public water
supply intake (municipal watersheds).
• The Contractor will ensure that equipment is properly maintained to reduce
emissions.
• All pipeline construction activities will occur within the ROW, approved access
routes, and approved workspace.
• No firearms will be allowed on Company property or the ROW. Hunting is
prohibited by construction personnel on the ROW, temporary use areas, and off -
ROW project facilities.
• All construction personnel will drive defensively and safely, especially on mountain
roads and blind curves. Contractors will be expected to discipline or remove
personnel who fail to comply.
• The possession or use of intoxicants or drugs is prohibited on Company property or
the ROW.
• The Contractor will ensure that its employees use the proper personal protective
equipment as appropriate, including, but not limited to: eye protection, hearing
protection, safety harness, and respiratory protection, where needed.
• When radiographic equipment is to be used, the Contractor will ensure that the area
is clear and that all personnel are at a safe distance from the radiation source.
Radiation warning signs will be placed at the edges of the safe area.
• The Contractor will abide by and adhere to all OSHA, federal, state, county and local
trenching regulations.
• The Contractor will comply with all federal, county, and local fire regulations
pertaining to the prevention of uncontrolled fires. See the Fire Prevention and
Suppression Plan for additional information.
• The Contractor will ensure that all hazardous and potentially hazardous materials are
transported, stored, and handled in accordance with all applicable legislation. See
the Hazardous Materials Management and Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Plan
for additional information.
• Safety precautions will be taken during pressure testing as described in the
Hydrostatic Testing Plan.
2.3 WORKING HOURS
Working hours will generally be from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday.
2.4 INCIDENT REPORTING
All injuries, fires, and accidents will be recorded and reported to the required regulatory
agencies within the required time frames.
2.5 TRANSPORTATION
At all road crossings or construction near road crossings where crew and equipment are
working, approaching traffic will be cautioned to reduce speed by road signs and flag
persons. Where lanes of traffic are reduced or impaired by construction activities, flag
persons will be employed.
2.6 SAFE PROCEDURES FOR PREVENTION OF MECHANICAL DAMAGE TO
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
The Contractor will give adequate advance notification of all work that will be performed
within existing pipeline easements, ROW, or property so that site preparation and
supervision can be provided. Before commencing any excavation, the Contractor will
receive authorization to commence excavating from the Company Representative.
The Company Representative, or his delegate, will locate and stake the centerline and
limits of all underground facilities in the area of proposed excavation.
The Company Representative will be assigned to monitor all mechanical excavation
being carried out within 10 feet of buried or above ground pressurized gas piping.
2.7 DAMAGED PIPE
Any dents, gouges, scratches or other similar defects will be brought to the attention of
the Company as soon as they are detected. Detrimental defects will not be accepted and
will be repaired or cut out of the line as directed by the Company, regardless as to when
or how they may have occurred. Grinding to remove defects within dented areas will not
be permitted.
Gouges, grooves, scratches, or tears may be removed by grinding provided that the wall
thickness is not reduced to less than 95 percent of the specified nominal wall thickness.
Dents other than those described above will be permitted provided they do not exceed the
following maximum levels specified for each case.
• As delivered from the pipe mill: maximum depth of 0.5 percent of the pipe diameter
and 25 percent of the pipe diameter in any other dimension.
• Allowable damage in the field prior to backfill: maximum depth of 1 percent of' the
pipe diameter and 50 percent of the pipe diameter in any other dimensions.
• Allowable damage in the field after backfill: maximum depth of 2 percent of the
pipe diameter and 75 percent for the pipe diameter in any other dimension.
Pounding or jacking to remove dents is prohibited.
Defects greater than those noted above will be cut out as a cylinder and replaced by
welding a pup joint to the line.
2.8 HIGH VOLTAGE HAZARD AND MITIGATION OF INDUCED VOLTAGE
EFFECTS
Generally work will be stopped if one or more of the following conditions prevail:
• during local electrical storms denoted by visible lightning or the sound of thunder;
during high winds, wet snow, or freezing rain;
2.9 COLD WEATHER CONSTRUCTION
The Contractor will be aware of the special considerations that must be made with respect
to cold weather construction including exposure, hypothermia, frostbite, heavy clothing,
and adverse driving conditions and will account for these in the completion of the work
in order to eliminate personal injury and property damage.
STATE OF COLORADO
Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor
James B. Merlin, Executive Director
Dedicated to protecting and improving the health and environment of the people of Colorado
4300 Cherry Greek Dr. S. Laboratory Services Division
Denver, Colorado 80246-1530 8100 Lowry Blvd.
Phone (303) 692-2000 Denver, Colorado 80230-6928
TDD Line (303) 691-7700 (303) 692-3090
Located in Glendale, Colorado
http://www.cdphediate.co.us
2/28/2008
Brian Peters, Dir Eng & Ops
E T C Canyon Pipeline LLC,
1600 Broadway Ste 1900
Denver, CO 80202
720/225-4000
RE: Final Permit, Colorado Discharge Permit System — Stormwater
Certification No: COR -038333
Parachute
Garfield County
Local Contact: Scott Pierce, Field Supervisor
970/263-0934
Dear Sir or Madam:
Colorado Department
of Public Health
and Environment
Enclosed please find a copy of the permit and certification which have been issued to you under the
Colorado Water Quality Control Act.
Your Certification under the permit requires that specific actions be performed at designated times.
You are legally obligated to comply with all terms and conditions of the permit.
Please read the permit and certification. If you have any questions please visit our website at :
www.cduhe.state.co.us/wo/petmitsunit/stonnwater or contact Matt Czahor at (303) 692-3517.
Sincerely,
) Ca- —
Kathryn Dolan
Stormwater Program Coordinator
Permits Unit
WATER QUALITY CONTROL DIVISION
xc: Regional Council of Governments
Local County Health Department
District Engineer, Technical Services, WQCD
Permit File
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
RULISON TO ENTERPRISE PIPELINE
HOLMS MESA COMPRESSOR STATION
Construction activities are scheduled to commence immediately upon approval
of all permit applications.
Construction will progress in the following phases:
PIPELINE COMPRESSOR STATION
1 Mobilization
2 Right-of-way Clearing
3 Trenching
4 Stringing & Bending of Pipe
5 Welding of Pipe
6 Lowering In & Padding of Pipe
7 Backfilling of Trench
8 Pressure Testing Pipeline
9 Commissioning of Pipeline
10 Right-of-way Cleanup
11 Reseeding
1. Mobilization
2. Site Clearing & Grading
3. Concrete Construction
4. Equipment & Building Installation
5. Commissioning
6. Cleanup & Reclamation
Assuming a reasonable start date, the completion of the pipeline project is
anticipated to be approximately 12 weeks following startup. A February, 2009
commission date is expected. Reseeding will be accomplished in early spring
2009, weather permitting. Construction schedules are dependant upon limited
weather related delays.
The Pipeline and Compressor Station Contractors plan to work a six day work
weeks, Monday through Saturday, with each day's construction activities to
begin at 7:OOam and end at 5:OOpm. Should unforeseen delays occur, the work
week may be altered to include a seventh day. Efforts will be made to limit work
on the seventh day to areas where impacts to any local residents or
communities can be minimized.
Report on the Class I Cultural Resource Inventory
for a
Sensitive Area Study on Private Lands
for the Proposed Rulison to Enterprise Pipeline
in Garfield County, Colorado,
for
ETC Canyon Pipeline
GRI Project No. 2828
24 April 2008
Prepared by
Carl E. Conner (Principal Investigator) and Barbara Davenport
Grand River Institute
P.O. Box 3543
Grand Junction, Colorado 81502
State of Colorado Antiquities Permit No. 2008-63
Submitted to
Board of County Commissioners
Garfield County, Colorado
Abstract
At the request of ETC Canyon Pipeline (as represented by WestWater Engineering),
Grand River Institute conducted a Class I cultural resources inventory for a Sensitive Area
Study in relation to an anticipated Special Use Permit Application with Garfield County for
the proposed Rulison to Enterprise Pipeline project. The study is for a linear route of 10.2
miles that is located between Parachute and Rulison, which, except for about two miles on
the east end where it tums south, is located north of the Colorado River and I-70.
The Class I inventory was undertaken to ensure the project's compliance with county,
state, and federal laws and regulations goveming the identification and protection of cultural
resources on privately owned lands that will be affected by a government action. This work
was performed under State of Colorado Antiquities Permit No. 2008-63. The purpose of the
cultural resources investigation was to identify previously recorded resources within or near
the project area that may be adversely affected by the proposed action and to evaluate the
potential of additional such resources in the project area.
The Class I files search and report preparation were performed during April 2008.
The pipeline will be used to transport natural gas to an existing pipeline infrastructure owned
by Enterprise Pipeline. The pipeline will be placed in an existing Right -of -Way (ROW)
adjacent to pipelines owned by Williams Production RMT. Surface disturbance will occur in
a 30 -foot permanent ROW and a 30 -foot temporary ROW, as well as three 2 -acre staging
areas. Although sites occur near the project area, no significant resources (eligible to the
National Register of Historic Places) have been recorded within 100 meters of the proposed
pipeline. Accordingly, a determination of "no effect" for the project is recommended
pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR 800).
Of concern, however, is site 5GF1135 that is classified as "not eligible—officially" and
by estimation lies about 200 feet south of the proposed pipeline. Despite its evaluation, it is
apparently a EuroAmerican grave and as such is protected under the Colorado Revised
Statute of Historical, Prehistorical and Archaeological Resources, Unmarked Human Graves
[Section 1, 24-80-401 (1), 1988 Ret. Vol., as amended]. The grave's location should be
verified by an archaeologist, clearly marked, and avoided by any construction.
ii
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Location of the Project Area 1
Environment 1
Figures 1-3. Project location maps 2-4
Paleoclimate 5
Files Search Results 6
Archaeological Assessment of Cultural Resources 6
Relevant Historical Background post -1880 8
Summary and Recommendations 9
References 11
Appendix A: List of Previously Recorded Sites within about 0.5 mile of the Proposed
Pipeline and Bibliographic List of Previous Inventories in the Near Vicinity. A.1
iii
Introduction
At the request of ETC Canyon Pipeline (as represented by WestWater
Engineering), Grand River Institute conducted a Class I cultural resources inventory for a
Sensitive Area Study in relation to an anticipated Special Use Permit Application with
Garfield County for the proposed Rulison to Enterprise Pipeline project. The study is for a
linear route of 10.2 miles that is located between Parachute and Rulison, which, except for
about two miles on the east end where it turns south, is located north of the Colorado River
and I-70. This work was performed under State of Colorado Antiquities Permit No. 2008-62.
Carl E. Conner, Principal Investigator, was assisted by archaeologist Barbara J. Davenport.
The Class I files search and report preparation were performed during the first two weeks of
April 2008.
The Class I inventory was undertaken to ensure the project's compliance with state
and federal legislation governing the identification and protection of cultural resources on
privately owned lands that will be affected by a government action. It was done to meet
requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act (as amended in 1992), the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321), the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701), and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act
of 1979 (16 U.S.C. 470aa et seq., as amended), and Article 80.1, Colorado Revised Statutes.
These laws are concerned with the identification, evaluation, and protection of fragile, non-
renewable evidence of human activity, occupation, and endeavor reflected in districts, sites,
structures, artifacts, objects, ruins, works of art, architecture, and natural features that were of
importance in human events. Such resources tend to be localized and highly sensitive to
disturbance. All work was performed according to guidelines set forth by the Office of
Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) of the Colorado Historical Society.
Location of the Project Area
The proposed pipeline is located on private lands that lie between the town of
Parachute, Colorado, and Holms Mesa to the south of Rulison. It lies in T. 6 S., R. 95 W.,
Sections 25, 26, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36; T. 7 S., R. 95 W., Sections 1, 5, and 6; T. 7 S.,
R. 96 W., Sections 1 and 2; 6th P.M. (Figure I)
Environment
The project area is within the Piceance Creek Basin, one of the major geologic
subdivisions of Colorado. The Piceance Creek Basin is an elongate structural downwarp of
the Colorado Plateau province that apparently began its subsidence approximately 70 million
years ago during the Laramide Orogeny. Sediments from surrounding highlands were
deposited in the basin, accumulating to a thickness of as much as 9000 feet by the lower
Eocene epoch, when subsidence ceased. Regional uplift occurred in the Late Tertiary, and
1
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erosion of the area has continued since (Young and Young 1977:43-46). The Wasatch
formation underlies the study area. It consists of a series of interbedded variegated
mudstones, sandstones, and siltstones of varying colors --brick red, tan, white, and purple.
Forming after a period of erosion, the Wasatch is the first extensive continental deposit
following those of the Cretaceous -age Mesaverde Group. Sediments are stream, floodplain,
and swamp deposits. In the west 1.0 mile portion of the study area, Quaternary gravel
deposits overlay the Wasatch formation.
The project area rests on benchland. Elevations range from about 5120 to 6220 feet.
This relatively low elevation is host to a cool semiarid climate where temperatures can drop
to -10 degrees F during the winter and summer temperatures may reach 100 degrees F; there
is a maximum of 120 frost free days and the annual precipitation is about 12 inches. The
surrounding higher elevations are characterized as cooler and moister. Annually, the high
mountain temperatures could average 5 degrees cooler and the precipitation as much as 14
inches greater than the surrounding low elevations (USDA 1978:244).
There are several generalized vegetation communities in the area including riparian
along the river, big sage and saltbush shrubland in the valley bottom, and juniper/oak
woodland on the surrounding mountain slopes. However, the prehistoric streamflow and
habitats along the Colorado River have been significantly altered by historic EuroAmerican
water diversions, reservoirs, and irrigation of agricultural fields. The valley bottom has also
changed due to infringement by pipelines, gravel operations, roadways and bridges. Ground
visibility ranges from 20% in the relatively undisturbed areas to about 90% along the roads
and pipelines.
These communities support a variety of wildlife species. Mule deer, elk, coyote, and
black bear are common, as are cottontail rabbits, and various rodents. Mountain lion, bobcat,
fox, skunk, badger, and weasel are also likely inhabitants. Bird species observed in the area
include the wild turkey, jay, raven, red -shafted flicker, long-eared owl, and various raptors.
Although the present day land use of the project area (including energy development, grazing,
ranching and farming) has pushed some of the large mammals into the surrounding
mountains, deer and wild turkeys make heavy use of the cultivated fields during the months
of colder temperatures.
Paleoclimate
Relatively small changes in past climatic conditions altered the exploitative potential
of an area and put stress upon aboriginal cultures by requiring adjustments in their
subsistence patterns. Therefore, reconstruction of paleoenvironmental conditions is essential
to the understanding of population movement and cultural change in prehistoric times (Euler
et al. 1979). To interpret whatever changes are seen in the archaeological record, an account
of fluctuations in past climatic conditions must be available or inferences must be made from
5
studies done in surrounding area. Generally, only gross climatic trends have been established
for western North America prior to 2000 BP (Antevs 1955; Berry and Berry 1986; Mehringer
1967; Madsen 1982; Wendlund and Bryson 1974; Peterson 1981). Scientific data derived
from investigations of prehistoric cultures and geoclimatic and bioclimatic conditions on the
southem Colorado Plateau over the past two millennia have achieved a much greater degree
of resolution (Dean et al. 1985).
Files Search Results
Cultural resource investigations in the region have yielded surface diagnostic artifacts
and excavated cultural materials consistent with the regional cultural history. Evidence
provided by chronometric diagnostic artifacts and radiocarbon analyses indicate regional
occupation during the Paleoindian Era, Archaic Era, Formative Era, and Protohistoric Era.
Historic records suggest occupation or use of the region by EuroAmerican trappers, settlers,
miners, and ranchers as well. Overviews of the prehistory and history of the region are
provided in documents published by the Colorado Council of Professional Archaeologists
entitled Colorado Prehistory: A Context for the Northern Colorado Plateau (Reed and
Metcalf 1999), and by the Colorado Historical Society entitled Colorado Plateau Country
Historic Context (Husband 1984).
A file search for known cultural resources within the project area was made through
the Colorado Historical Society's Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. This
review identified thirty-six reports that have been done in the general area, which are listed in
Table A-1 (Appendix A). The files search identified fifty-nine sites that occur within about
0.5 mile of the study area (Table A-2). No significant cultural resources (designated eligible
for listing on the National Register of Historic Places) occur within 100 meters of the
proposed pipeline. One prehistoric open camp (5GF1136) and one isolated find (5GF1146) —
both evaluated as not eligible by the State Historic Preservation Officer— occur within 100
feet of the proposed pipeline. Site 5GF1135, a human burial also classified as not
eligible—officially, lies about 200 feet south of the proposed pipeline.
Archaeological Assessment of Prehistoric Cultural Resources
Previous archaeological studies in the general vicinity have suggested regional
occupation for as long as 8000 years, although recently an inventory of block units east of
this study area within the Doghead GAP (Conner et al. 2006) provided direct evidence of the
presence of Foothill -Mountain Paleoindian occupation at 5GF1323, which pushes the
regional prehistoric occupation dates back to about 10,000 yr BP. Historic records also
indicate a permanent Euro -American presence in the region began as early as the late 1880's.
Notably, the prehistoric sites in the river corridor have been impacted by the 130 year
occupation and use of the area by EuroAmericans. Notably, many of the newly and
6
previously recorded resources in the general area indicate it was intensively occupied during
the Protohistoric Era. Unfortunately for many of the sites where wickiups were present, post -
cutting and wood collection by the Historic EuroAmerican settlers and ranchers over the past
125 years has nearly wiped out evidence of their presence. Also, surface collection of
diagnostic artifacts has impacted the sites and affected the assignment of cultural/temporal
associations.
In general, although the study area was probably not continuously occupied
prehistorically, it seems to have offered an attractive environment for gathering, floral
processing, hunting, as well as lithic procurement and processing. Site density in the
surrounding mesa areas is high, probably due to two factors: good access to permanent water,
and strategic topographical positioning on the ridge tops and open benches. Such camp
placement provided a good view of the surrounding lower elevations for purposes of hunting
and protection. The heavily vegetated canyon bottoms were accessed for reasons of acquiring
water and for the procurement of floral and faunal resources.
The apparent differences in the characteristics of the upland and lowland sites may be
due to factors other than cultural selection. The lowland sites are subjected to more artifact
collecting than the uplands, and the areas along the Colorado River have been subject to few
cultural resource surveys. The upland area exhibits a very thick vegetation cover that may be
limiting discovery of features and additional artifacts.
Lowland sites exhibit greater variability in site types. While the uplands are limited to
isolated finds, open camps, and lithic scatters; the lowlands contain these site types and open
architectural sites, sheltered sites, and a single tool stone procurement area. The lowland sites
contain higher frequencies of cultural features or evidence of features. These features include
fire -cracked rock scatters, charcoal stains, hearths, stone structures, and wickiups. All of the
prehistoric sites contain low numbers of artifacts, including very limited numbers of debitage,
bifacial tools and expedient tools. This suggests conservation, curation, and reuse of flaked
stone tools in an area where tool material sources are limited.
Lowland sites tend to be situated in the pinyon -juniper vegetation community in
greater frequencies than is suggested by the relative proportion of the pinyon juniper to other
vegetation communities. The sites in the uplands are distributed proportionally to the size of
the vegetation communities, with the mountain shrub and sagebrush communities exhibiting
the highest site density.
Too little is known of the age of the sites to make any definitive statements. The
distribution of site ages based on projectile points and ceramics is generally the same as
portrayed in Reed and Metcalf (1999), but the lack of absolute dating precludes any
conclusions in this area. Lithic scatters exhibit a smaller site size than open camps in both
the lowland and upland settings. Isolated finds are distributed across a wider range of slopes
than lithic scatters or open camps.
7
The differences in the type and distribution of historic sites are: Sites in the uplands
are limited to sheep and cattle raising activities and are primarily post -1889. Sites in the
uplands are distributed proportionally to the size of the vegetation communities, with the
mountain shrub and sagebrush communities exhibiting the highest site density. Sites in the
lowlands display a greater diversity in types and are found mainly in the pinyon juniper and
sagebrush zones. The historic sites in the lowlands are concentrated near transportation
corridors and near permanent water sources, particularly the habitation sites. Sites indicative
of particular economic activities are spread across the landscape.
During 1980, the BLM 's Glenwood Springs Resource Area was subject to an
archaeological survey that randomly sampled three percent of its managed lands. A total of
17,400 acres was surveyed for cultural resources. As a result, 58 prehistoric sites and 2
historic sites were recorded, an average of about 2 sites per section (.0034/acre). Three types
of prehistoric sites were distinguished by the study; limited activity areas, short-term camps,
and large habitation sites. These were classified on the basis of site size and the diversity of
artifacts/activities represented. Notably, the sites were unevenly distributed and varied by
vegetation community. The highest site density, about 5.0 sites/section (.0078/acre),
occurred in pinyon/juniper and sagebrush communities. Concurrently, the greatest number of
sites located during the survey tended to occur in or near the pinyon/juniper community.
Other environmental factors found to be important during the statistical analysis of the
settlement patterns included 1) vertical distance between the site and the primary water
source is a greater controlling factor than the horizontal distance, 2) sites tend to be near or
on points of vantage, 3) sites tend to be located in forested areas, preferably with a southern
exposure and, 4) sites tend to occur on flat ground (less than 40% grade) in areas of relatively
low surface relief (Burgess et al. 1980:108-120, 138-139). In general, the region exhibits a
relatively low site density and sites tend to cluster near permanent water sources.
Relevant Historical Background post -1880
The Ute people occupied large areas of Western Colorado until about 1881. Due to
the White River Ute's discontent that led to the "Meeker Massacre," as the incident became
known, a congressional investigation led to the Treaty of 1880 that stipulated the removal of
the White River bands to the Uintah Reservation in northeastern Utah. The Uncompahgre
band was to be given a small reservation in the vicinity of the confluence of the Colorado and
Gunnison Rivers. Aware of the value of these agricultural lands, however, the commission
charged with enforcing the terms of the treaty, under the direction of Otto Mears,
manipulated the location process using a loophole in the treaty language, and the
Uncompahgres were given lands in Utah near the Uintah Reservation. The Southern Ute
bands were left on the small reservation in southwestern Colorado that had been given them
by the Treaty of 1873. On 1 September 1881, the last of the Utes were moved to their new
reservations in Utah, and western Colorado was completely opened to the whites.
8
Interest in the potential agricultural lands of western Colorado (namely the
Uncompahgre, Gunnison, Colorado, Dolores, San Miguel, White, and La Plata River valleys)
had been growing for some time prior to the Utes' banishment, and by the spring of 1881
frontier towns closest to the Ute lands were "crowded with people, anxious to enter the
Reservation and take possession of the most desirable locations (Haskell 1886:2)." Only
days after the last of the Utes had been expelled, settlers began rushing onto the reservation
lands. Settlement activity spread quickly --during the autumn months of 1881 land claims
were staked, townsites were chosen, and railroad routes were surveyed (Haskell 1886,
Borland 1952, Rait 1932). However, because the former reservation lands were not officially
declared public lands until August 1882, the first year of settlement activity was marked by a
degree of uncertainty regarding the legality of land claims. When finally announced, the 1882
declaration did not allow homestead entries on the newly opened lands, but only pre-
emptions, or cash entries, at the rate of $1.25 per acre for agricultural land, $5.00 per acre for
mineral land (Borland 1952:75).
By 1895, the major portion of the land along the River and its tributaries had been
claimed, mostly under Cash Entry patents. The settlers raised their own food and availed
themselves of the plentiful game in the area. Gardens, hay fields, and orchards were
planted, and irrigation ditches were dug to divert the creek's water to cultivated fields.
Large herds of cattle and sheep were accumulating, grazing the valley floor and the vast
open range above, driven to the uplands via trails leading up the various gulches.
Because the area was still fairly remote, competition for lands had not yet begun.
Travel in and out of the Rifle area was restricted to horse and/or wagon. There were several
well-developed Ute trails, and in the early 1880s, the federal government had built the
aforementioned road between the White and Grand Valleys. In 1885, a toll road opened
along the Grand River between Rifle and Grand Junction; prior to the building of this road
through DeBeque Canyon, the route to Grand Junction had been a two-week journey
"through the Cedar Hills, up Kimball Creek...down the "Sawtooth Range to Fruita and then
back to Grand Junction" (Murray 1973:5). But, despite this network of trails and roads,
Parachute remained pretty much isolated.
With the coming of the D&RG railroad in 1890, however, new pressures were
brought to the area. More and more settlers arrived, competing not only for arable land but
also for grazing privileges on the unpatented public domain of the surrounding uplands.
Increasing numbers of cattle and sheep were imported, some being run as commission cattle
for outside investors (ibid:84). Open warfare between cattle and sheep ranchers ensued,
resulting in the slaughter of thousands of animals. Four thousand sheep belonging to Messrs.
Starkey and Charlie Brown were killed by masked men who tried to drive the animals over
cliffs at the head of a Clear Creek tributary and above the Granlee Schoolhouse (LaPoint et
al. 1981:3-51). Another 4000 sheep belonging to J.B. Hurlburt were driven to their deaths
above Ben Good Creek, a tributary of East Fork. The animosity between cattlemen and
sheepmen continued into the 1900s. Finally, Congress passed the Taylor Grazing Act in
9
1934, bringing to an end to the free range by providing for regulated grazing and an end to
the Sheep -Cattle Wars.
Cash Entry, Desert Land, and Homestead patents continued to be granted into the
1920s and 30s. Ranching and farming were still the most important economic activities in
the Parachute area and remained so until the 1960s and 1970s when many of the farms and
ranches of the region were bought up by large companies interested in the large-scale
extraction of oil shale and natural gas.
Summary and Recommendations
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) directs that federal agencies
protect cultural resources that possess significant values. Significance is a quality of cultural
resource properties that qualifies them for inclusion in the NRHP. The statements of
significance included in this report are field assessments that support management
recommendations to the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). The final determination
of site significance is made by the controlling agency in consultation with the SHPO.
The Code of Federal Regulations was used as a guide for site evaluations. Titles 36
CFR 50, 36 CFR 800, and 36 CFR 64 are concerned with the concepts of significance and
(possible) historic value of cultural resources. Titles 36 CFR 65 and 36 CFR 66 provide
standards for the conduct of significant and scientific data recovery activities. Finally, Title
36 CFR 60.6 establishes the measure of significance that is critical to the determination of a
site's NRHP eligibility, which is used to assess a site's research potential:
The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture is
present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects of State and local importance that
possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and
association, and a) that are associated with events that have made a significant contribution
to the broad patterns of history; or b) that are associated with the lives of persons significant
in our past; or c) that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of
construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or
that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual
distinction; or d) that have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in the
prehistory or history.
The eligibility determination and consultation process is guided by Section 106 of the
NHPA (36 CFR 60, 63, and 800). Final determinations of National Register eligibility and
effect are made by the controlling agencies in consultation with the State Historic
Preservation Officer.
The Class 1 files search and report preparation were performed during April 2008.
The pipeline will be used to transport natural gas to an existing pipeline infrastructure owned
10
by Enterprise Pipeline. The pipeline will be placed in an existing Right -of -Way (ROW)
adjacent to pipelines owned by Williams Production RMT. Surface disturbance will occur in
a 30 -foot permanent ROW and a 30 -foot temporary ROW, as well as three 2 -acre staging
areas. Although sites occur near the project area, no significant resources (eligible to the
National Register of Historic Places) have been recorded within 100 meters of the proposed
pipeline. Accordingly, a determination of "no effect" for the project is recommended
pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR 800).
Of concern, however, is site 5GF1135 that is classified as "not eligible—officially" and
by estimation lies about 200 feet south of the proposed pipeline. Despite its evaluation, it is
apparently a EuroAmerican grave and as such is protected under the Colorado Revised
Statute of Historical, Prehistorical and Archaeological Resources, Unmarked Human Graves
[Section 1, 24-80-401 (1), 1988 Ret. Vol., as amended]. The grave's location should be
verified by an archaeologist, clearly marked, and avoided by any construction.
References
Antevs, E.
1955 Geologic -climate dating in the west. American Antiquity 20:317-355.
Borland, Lois
1952 Ho for the reservation; settlement of the Western Slope. Colorado Magazine
29(1):56-75.
Berry, Claudia F. and Michael S. Berry
1986 Chronological and Conceptual Models of the Southwestern Archaic. In:
Anthropology of the Desert West, ed. by Carol J. Condie and Don D.
Fowler, pp. 253-327. University of Utah Anthropological Papers No. 110.
Salt Lake City.
Burgess, Robert J.; Kenneth L. Kvamme; Paul R. Nickens, Alan D. Reed; and Gordon C.
Tucker
1980 Class II cultural resource inventory report of the Glenwood Springs Resource
Area, Grand Junction District, Colorado. Ms on file, Bureau of Land
Management, Grand Junction.
Conner, Carl E., James C. Miller and Nicole Darnell
2006 Class III (intensive) cultural resource inventory of three block acreages within
the South Parachute Geographic Area Plan (GAP) domain in Garfield County,
Colorado, for Williams Production RMT. Ms on file, BLM Glenwood.
11
Dean, Jeffery S.; R. C. Euler; G. J. Gumerman; F. Plog; R. H. Hevly; and T. N.V. Karlstrom
1985 Human behavior, demography and paleoenvironment on the Colorado Plateau.
American Antiquity 50(3):537-554.
Euler, Robert C.; G. J. Gumerman; Thor N.V. Karlstrom; J, S. Dean; and Richard H. Hevly
1979 The Colorado Plateaus: Cultural dynamics and paleoenvironment. Science
205(4411):1089-1101.
Haskell, Charles W.
1886 History and Description of Mesa County, Colorado. Edited and published by
the Mesa County Democrat, Grand Junction.
Husband, Michael B.
1984 Colorado Plateau Country Historic Context. Colorado Historical Society,
Denver.
LaPoint, Halcyon, Brian Aivazian, and Sherry Smith
1981 Cultural resources inventory baseline report for the Clear Creek Property,
Garfield County, Colorado, Volume I. Laboratory of Public Archaeology,
Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
Madsen, David B.
1982 Great Basin paleoenvironments: summary and integration. In:Mand and
Environment in the Great Basin, D.B. Madsen and J.F. O'Connell, editors.
Society of American Archaeology Papers No. 2, pp.102-104. Washington,
D.C.
Mehringer, Peter J.
1967 Pollen analysis and the alluvial chronology. The Kiva 32:96-101.
Murray, Erlene D.
1973 Lest We Forget—A Short History of Early Grand Valley, Colorado, Originally
called Parachute, Colorado. Quahada, Inc., Grand Junction.
Peterson, Kenneth P.
1981 10,000 years of change reconstructed from fossil pollen, La Plata Mountains,
southwestern Colorado. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, Department of
Anthropology, Washington State University, Seattle.
Rait, Mary
1932 History of the Grand Valley. M.A. thesis, University of Colorado, Boulder.
12
Reed, Alan D. and Michael D. Metcalf
1999 Colorado Prehistory: A Context for the Northern Colorado River Basin.
Colorado Historical Society, Denver.
USDA Soil Conservation Service
1978 Technical Guide 11E: Range Site Descriptions.
Wendlund, Wayne M. and Reid A. Bryson
1974 Dating climatic episodes of the Holocene. Quaternary Research 4:9-24.
Young, Robert G. and Joann W.
1977 Colorado West, Land of Geology and Wildflowers. Wheelwright Press, Ltd.
13
Appendix A: List of Previously Recorded Sites within about 0.5 mile of the Proposed
Pipeline and Bibliographic List of Previous Inventories in the Near Vicinity
A.1
Site ID
Site Type
Assessment
5GF.121
Historic, Structure/ Foundation/
Alignment
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.127
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.128
Open Camp
Eligible - Field
5GF.129
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.130
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.263
Open Camp
Needs Data - Field
5GF.392
Historic, Trail/ Road
Needs Data - Officially
5GF.419
Historic, Bridge
None
5GF.421
None
None
5GF.654.2
Historic, Water Control
Eligible - Field
5GF.654.3
Historic, Water Control
Within Existing District -
Contributing
5GF.777
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.806
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.904
Quarry
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.908
Open Lithic
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.910
Historic, Habitation
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.914
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.917
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.920
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.927
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1134
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.1135
Burial
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.1136
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.1137
Open Architectural
Eligible - Officially
5GF.1138
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Officially
A.2
Site ID
Site Type
Assessment
5GF.1139
Open Camp
Needs Data - Field
5GF.1140
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1141
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1142
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1143
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1144
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1145
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
50F.1146
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1183
Habitation
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1188
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1191
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1603
Open Camp, Sheltered Camp
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.1604
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1749
Open Lithic
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.1772
Open Camp
Eligible - Field
5GF.I773
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.2116.1
Historic, Water Control
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.2182
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.2183
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.2185
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.2186
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.2188
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.2189
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.2190
Open Camp
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.2200
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.2202
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
5GF.2203
Isolated Find
Not Eligible - Field
A.3
Site ID
Site Type
Assessment
5GF.2204
Historic, Trash Dump
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.2205
Historic, Trash Dump
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.2206
Historic, Habitation
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.2207
Historic, Habitation
Not Eligible - Officially
5GF.2208
Historic, Logging
Eligible - Officially
5GF.2828
Open Camp
Needs Data - Officially
5GF.2946.1
Historic, Water Control
Not Eligible - Officially
Project #
Title/ Author/ Date/ Contractor
GF.PA.R1 0
Title: An Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey Foe the Colony
Development Operation's Shale -related Activities in Garfield County,
Colorado
Author: Jennings, Calvin H., Gerald A. Bair and Robert J. Burgess
Date: 12/01/1974
Contractor: Laboratory of Public Archeology for the Colony
Development Operation
GF.LM.R199
Title: Archaeological Reconnaissance of the Riley Gulch -Logan Wash
Electric Transmission Line, Garfield County, Colorado (S#191)
Author: Jennings, Calvin H.
Date: 06/01/1975
Contractor: Laboratory of Public Archeology, Colorado State University
for Colorado Public Service Company and the Bureau of Land
Management
GF.LM.R200
Title: A Cultural Resource Inventory of the Union Oil Company Property
in Parachute Creek, Garfield County, Colorado
Author: Jennings, Calvin H. and Carl W. Ritchie
Date: 06/01/1975
Contractor: Laboratory of Public Archeology for Bechtel Corporation
and the Bureau of Land Management
GF.LM.R198
Title: Final Environmental Baseline Report Parachute Shale Oil Project
Cultural Resource Section
Author: Hall, H. Dan and James Grady
Date: 01/01/1983
Contractor: Western Cultural Resources Management for Mobil Oil
Corporation and the Bureau of Land Management
A.4
Project #
Title/ Author/ Date/ Contractor
GF.AE.R197
Title: Union Oil Parachute Creek Shale Oil Program, Phase Ii -cultural
Resources Study
Author: Conner, Carl E. and Diana L. Langdon
Date: 08/01/1983
Contractor: Grand River Institute
GF.LM.NR12
Title: Cultural Resource Management Report, Barrett Energy Company,
Grand Valley No. 1, Garfield County, Colorado
Author: O'Neil, Brian P. and Marcia J. Tate
Date: 05/30/1984
Contractor: Powers Elevation for Barrett Energy Company and the
Bureau of Land Management
GF.LM.NR198
Title: Cultural Resources Inventory Report on the Proposed W-37-1 Well
Location and New Access in Garfield County, Colorado for Barrett
Energy Co.
Author: Langdon, Danni L.
Date: 02/17/1987
Contractor: Grand River Institute
GF.H.R1
Title: Battlement Mesa Area Cultural Resources Study
Author: Conner, Carl E., Langdon, Danni L.
Date: 12/01/1987
Contractor: Grand River Institute
GF.AE.R1
Title: Survey and Monitor During Construction of Portions of a New
Pipeline for Unocal
Author: Conner, Carl E.
Date: 04/28/1988
Contractor: Grand River Inst.
GF.AE.NR1
Title: Cultural Resources Inventory Report on a Survey and Monitor
During Construction of Portions of a Proposed New Pipeline for Unocal
of Parachute, Colorado
Author: Conner, Carl E.
Date: 04/28/1988
Contractor: Grand River Institute
GF.LM.NR302
Title: Negative Cultural Resource Inventory of Naval Oil Shale Reserve
Natural Gas Well 2-W-27 in Garfield County, Colorado (S#1053)
Author: Sokal, Dan
Date: 04/06/1989
Contractor: Natural Resource Specialist for the Bureau of Land
Management, Glenwood Springs Resource Area
A.5
Project #
Title/ Author/ Date/ Contractor
GF.LM.NR310
Title: A Negative Cultural Resource Inventory for Naval Oil Shale
Reserve (NOSR) Natural Gas Well 1-W-32 in Garfield County, Colorado
Author: Sokal, Dan
Date: 08/09/1989
Contractor: Natural Resource Specialist for the Bureau of Land
Management, Glenwood Springs Resource Area
GF.LM.NR306
Title: A Negative Cultural Resource Inventory for Naval Oil Shale
Reserve Natural Gas Well 1-W-26 in Garfield County, Colorado (S#1057)
Author: Sokal, Dan
Date: 08/09/1989
Contractor: Natural Resource Specialist for the Bureau of Land
Management, Glenwood Springs Resource Area
GF.FS.NR31
Title: a Cultural Resource Inventory of 14,300 Feet of the Proposed Main
Pipeline of the Parachute Gas Gathering System for the D.O.E. in Garfield
County, Colorado
Author: Kight Bill
Date: 10/06/1989
Contractor: BLM Glenwood Springs Resouce Area
GF.LM.NR519
Title: Department of Energy Natural Gas We11, #1-M-32, on the Naval
Oil Shale Reserve, Garfield County, Colorado (S#1158)
Author: Sokal, Daniel R.
Date: 12/24/1990
Contractor: Natural Resource Specialist for the Bureau of Land
Management, Glenwood Springs Resource Area
GF.LM.NR550
Title: Water Disposal Pit for the Department of Energy on the Naval Oil
Shale Reserve (1179)
Author: Sokal, Dan
Date: 11/04/1991
Contractor: Natural Resource Specialist for the Bureau of Land
Management
GF.LM.R48
Title: Cultural Resources Inventory Report on the My 37-32 Well
Location and Related Access in Garfield County Colorado for Barrett
Energy, Inc.
Author: Conner, Carl E.
Date: 03/23/1992
Contractor: Grand River Institute
A.6
Project #
Title/ Author/ Date/ Contractor
GF.LM.NR350
Title: Cultural Resources Inventory Report on Four Proposed Well
Locations (MV# 38-33, MV# 32-4, MV# 28-4 AND MV# 39-3) and
Related Access in Garfield County, Colorado
Author: Conner, Carl E.
Date: 08/08/1992
Contractor: Grand River Institute
GF.E.R2
Title: Cultural Resource Inventory Report on the Proposed Doe 2-w-26
Well Location and Related Access in Garfield County, Colorado -for Fd
Services (Gri 9307a)
Author: Conner, Carl E. and Rebecca L. Hutchins
Date: 05/03/1993
Contractor: Grand River Institute
GF.E.R4
Title: Doe 1-m-31 Well Location, Access Road, and Pipeline, Garfield
County, Colorado
Addendum
Author: Harrison, Cheryl A.
Date: 11/08/1993
Contractor: Powers Elevation for the Department of Energy
GF.LM.NR388
Title: Cultural Resource Inventory Report on the Proposed GR#1-35SH
Well Location and Related Short Access in Garfield County, Colorado for
Barrett Energy, Inc.
Author: Conner, Carl E. and Rebecca L. Hutchins
Date: 11/24/1993
Contractor: Grand River Institute
GF.LM.R68
Title: Cultural Resources Inventory Report on the Proposed Gr#24-35
Pipeline Route in Garfield County, Colorado for Barrett Resources, Inc.
Author: Hutchins, Rebecca L.
Date: 05/02/1994
Contractor: Grand River Institute
MC.LM.R96
Title: Greasewood Compressor Station to Parachute Creek , a Class Iii
Cultural Resource Inventory on Phase I of a Proposed Pipeline for
Colorado Interstate Gas Company, Rio Blanco and Garfiled Countues,
Colorado
Author: Mcdonald, Kae and Michael D. Metcalf
Date: 11/01/1994
Contractor: Metcalf Archaeological Consultants for the Blm
GF.E.R8
Title: Report of the 1995 Cultural Resource Inventory of Naval Oil Shale
Reserve Lands Garfield County, Colorado
Author: Reed, Alan D. and Jonathon C. Horn
Date: 10/01/1995
Contractor: Alpine Archaeological Consultants for Department of Energy
A.7
Project #
Title/ Author/ Date/ Contractor
GF.E.R10
Title: Final Report of the Cultural Resource Inventory of Naval Oil Shale
Reserve Lands, Garfield County, Colorado
Author: Tickner, Paul A., Alan D. Reed, and Jonathon C. Horn
Date: 12/01/1996
Contractor: Alpine Archaeological Consultants, Inc. for U.S. Department
of Energy
MC.CH.R96
Title: Interstates 25, 70, 225, and 270, U.S. Highways 13 and 470 for the
Proposed Adesta Communications Fiber Optic System (C SW00-102)
Author: Sherman, Stephen A. Tania R. Metcalf, Mary W. Painter, D.
Chadwick Jones, Chistian J. Zier
Date: 03/01/2000
Contractor: Centennial Archaeology for the Colorado Department of
Transportation
GF.LM.R163
Title: a Class III Cultural Resource Inventory of the Western Geophysical
Rulison 3-D Seismic Grid in Garfield County, Colorado (North Platte
Project 2001-2) (Original and Addendum)
Author: Frizell, Jon P., Jeffrey Derks and Elizabeth Frizell
Date: 05/21/2000
Contractor: North Platte Archaeological Services for Western
Geophysical and the Bureau of Land Management
GF.LM.R159
Title: Paleontological Report for the Western Geophysical Corporation
Rulison Extension 3-D Seismic Survey, Garfield County, Colorado
Author: Murphey, Paul C., Sue Ann Bilbey and Rosanne Humphrey
Date: 04/28/2001
Contractor: Unita Paleontological Associates, Inc. for the Bureau of Land
Management
GF.LM.R177
Title: Williams Production Wheeler to Webster Geographic Area
Proposal 11 Well Pad Locations & Access, Class Iii Cultural Resource
Inventory Garfield County, Colorado (1077-03)
Author: Spath, Carl and Lucy Hackett Bambrey
Date: 11/01/2001
Contractor: Greystone Environmental Consultants, Inc. for Williams
Production and the Bureau of Land Management
GF.LM.R280
Title: a Report of the Class I and HI Inventories, of the Encana 24 Inch
Pipeline from Parachute to Logan Wash, Garfield County, Colorado
Addendum: Negative Class Iii Inventory for Three Re-routes and Two
Block Areas on the Encana Parachute to De Beque 24 Inch Pipeline,
Garfield County, Colorado
Author: Piontkowski, Michael
Date: 01/15/2004
Contractor: Uncompahgre Archaeological Consultants for Cprdilleran
Compliance Services and the Bureau of Land Management
A.8
Project #
Title/ Author/ Date/ Contractor
GF.LM.NR765
Title: Special Recreation Permit for Low Impact Camping along the
Colorado River (GSFO 1004-35)
Author: Kinser, Michael K.
Date: 08/31/2004
Contractor: Rangeland Management Specialist for the Bureau of Land
Management Glenwood Springs Field Office
GF.LM.R322
Title: Class III Cultural Resource Inventory Report for a Proposed Short
Access Road in Garfield County, Colorado for Williams Production Rmt
(Gri No. 2605)
Author: Darnell, Nicole and Carl E. Conner
Date: 03/03/2006
Contractor: Grand River Institute
GF.LM.NR811
Title: Class III Cultural Resource Inventory for the Proposed Wells at the
Proposed Pa #41-25 Well Site in Garfield County, Colorado for Williams
Production Rmt [Gri #2683, 08/10/06]
Author: Conner, Carl E.
Date: 08/10/2006
Contractor: Grand River Institute
GF.LM.NR803
Title: Class III Cultural Resource Inventory for the GM24-36 Equipment
Fracturing Site and Condensate Tank Farm in Garfield County, Colorado
(BLM GSFO# 1107-7)
Author: Conner, Carl E.
Date: 11/03/2006
Contractor: Grand River Institute
GF.LM.NR801
Title: Class III Cultural Resource Inventory of the Proposed Short (1540
Feet) Access Road to the Pa 331-2 Well Location in Garfield County,
Colorado for Williams Production RMT [0121 #26131, 11/09/06]
Author: Conner, Carl E.
Date: 11/09/2006
Contractor: Grand River Institute
GF.LM.NR827
Title: Class III Cultural Resource Inventory for Three Proposed Well
Locations (Doe 1-m-29, Pa-13-28 and Pa 11-33) and Access Roads in
Garfield County, Colorado (Gri No. 2765)(Blm-gsfo# 1107-29)
Author: Conner, Carl E.
Date: 06/28/2007
Contractor: Grand River Institute
A.9
INTEGRATED VEGETATION AND NOXIOUS WEED
MANAGEMENT PLAN
RULISON TO ENTERPRISE PIPELINE
GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO
Prepared For:
ETC Canyon Pipeline
Prepared by:
WestWater Engineering
2570 Foresight Circle #1
Grand Junction, CO 81505
In coordination with:
Wagon Wheel Consulting
111 E. 3rd St. Ste 213
Rifle, CO 81650
April 2008
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Description
ETC Canyon Pipeline has requested WestWater Engineering (W WE) in coordination with
Wagon Wheel Consulting to provide an "Integrated Vegetation and Noxious Weed Management
Plan" for a proposed "special use permit" in Garfield County, Colorado. ETC Canyon Pipeline
is seeking the special use permit to install a 24 -inch gas pipeline from Holms Mesa to an existing
interconnect approximately 2 miles north of Parachute, Colorado. The total length of the
pipeline is 10.4 miles. The pipeline will be used to transport natural gas to an existing pipeline
infrastructure owned by Enterprise Pipeline. The pipeline will be placed in an existing Right -of
—Way (ROW) adjacent to pipelines owned by Williams Production RMT. Surface disturbance
will occur in a 30 -foot permanent ROW and a 30 -foot temporary ROW, as well as three 2 -acre
staging areas.
The proposed pipeline is located on private lands that lie between the town of Parachute,
Colorado, and Holms Mesa to the south of Rulison (Figure 1). The proposed pipeline begins at
the gas plant approximately two miles north of Parachute, travels south for about 150 meters, and
then follows an existing pipeline ROW in an easterly path crossing County Road 215 and
ascending a steep hillside to the mesa immediately east of the county road. The pipeline then
proceeds southeast where it parallels Interstate 70 eastward toward Rulison, Colorado. The
pipeline alignment turns southeast crossing I-70, the frontage road south of I-70, the railroad, and
a small power line before crossing the Colorado River. From the Colorado River the pipeline
heads south along the edge of an irrigated alfalfa field, crosses County Road 309, then continues
south to its terminus on Holms mesa. The topography along the pipeline route varies from flat
irrigated meadows and hay fields to steep rocky sections with piton -juniper (PJ) and oakbrush.
The pipeline also crosses the Colorado River and a series of wetlands located in an overflow
channel to the south of the river. Elevations along the pipeline route range from 5,146 feet near
the Colorado River to 6,427 feet on Holms Mesa.
Numerous natural gas well pads are adjacent to the pipeline alignment. Rural residences are
widely spaced in the vicinity of the proposed pipeline alignment along County Road 309 and the
Holms Mesa area. The primary use of the surrounding area of the pipeline is agriculture/
rangeland, wildlife habitat and recent natural gas extraction/development.
2.0 LANDSCAPE SETTING
2.1 Vegetation Communities
Vegetation communities along the pipeline route are categorized as PJ woodlands and mixed
sagebrush and greasewood shrublands. PJ woodlands are dominated by pinon pine (Pinus
edulis) and Utah juniper (Juniperus utahensis) mixed with an understory of mainly Wyoming
sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata wyomingensis), forbs, and grasses. Numerous ephemeral
washes bisect the alignment in the section that parallels Interstate 70, most often in a north to
south flow pattern. Vegetation along the washes consists of greasewood (Sarcobatus
vermiculatus), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), basin big sagebrush (Atermesia
tridentata tridentata), and scattered four -winged saltbush (Atriplex canescens). The shrublands
WestWater Engineering Page 1 of 18 4/9/2008
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Weed Locations
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within the project area are composed primarily of Wyoming big sagebrush, greasewood, and
rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus). Non-native downy brome (Bromus tectorum)
dominates the understory for this shrubland community as well as the PJ woodlands on and
adjacent to Holms Mesa.
Agricultural lands within the pipeline corridor include pasture land located southeast of the gas
plants near County Road 215, pasture land located north of the Colorado River near Rulison,
irrigated alfalfa fields south of the Colorado River near Rulison, and irrigated meadows on the
alignment on Holms Mesa. The pipeline also crosses through riparian and wetlands habitat
found adjacent to the Colorado River. The vegetation in this area is composed primarily of
Fremont cottonwoods (Populus fremontii), sumac (Rhus trilobata), Woods' rose (Rosa woodsii),
and tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima).
2.2 Soil Types
The east terminus of the proposed pipeline sits atop Holms Mesa, primarily on Vale silt loam, 6
— 12% slopes. Native vegetation characteristic of Vale silt loam is Western wheatgrass
(Pascopyrum smithii), prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia), needle and thread grass
(Hesperostipa comata), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), and Utah serviceberry
(Amelanchier utahensis). The pipeline will run north and descend very steep (up to 70%) slopes
of Torriorthents and rock outcrop whose native characteristic vegetation is wheatgrass
(Agropyron sp.), bluegrass (Poa sp.), Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), Wyoming big
sagebrush, (Artemesia wyomingensis), pinon (Pinus edulis), and Utah juniper (Juniperus
utahensis). As the pipeline continues north it descends the less steep flank of Holms Mesa
consisting of Potts loam and Ildefonso stony loam, 12 — 45% slopes. Native vegetation found on
this soil complex includes wheatgrass, needle and thread grass, Indian ricegrass, Utah
serviceberry, piiion, and Utah juniper.
Soils encountered as the pipeline crosses the Colorado River are Arvada loam, Torrifluvents, and
Heldt clay loam. The soils in the riparian area are nearly level, have high water tables, and can
be periodically flooded. Characteristic native vegetation of this soil complex are water tolerant
grasses, sedges, rushes, greasewood, and cottonwood. The pipeline then runs westward, north of
I-70, on primarily only one soil, Arvada loam, 1 — 6% slopes. Characteristic native vegetation
species include; western wheatgrass, alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), inland saltgrass
(Distichlis spicata), winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), and greasewood. The pipeline route
then ascends a hilly area generally consisting of Potts loam and Ildefonso stony loam, 3 — 12 %
slopes. The descent into the Parachute Creek drainage crosses a short very steep area of badland,
sparsely covered with Utah juniper and shrubs. The soils of the western terminus, near
Parachute Creek, are primarily Heldt clay loam and Nihill channery loam on 1 - 6% slopes. The
characteristic native vegetation of those soils are western wheatgrass, needle and thread grass,
rabbitbrush, and basin big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata tridentata).
3.0 NOXIOUS WEEDS
Noxious weeds are plants that are not native to an area. Most have come from Europe or Asia,
either accidentally or as ornamentals that have escaped. Once established in a new environment
they tend to spread quickly since insects, diseases, and animals that normally control them are
WestWater Engineering Page 3 of 18 4/9/2008
absent. Noxious weeds are spread by man, animals, water, and wind. Prime locations for the
establishment of noxious weeds include roadsides, sites cleared for construction, areas that are
overused by animals or humans, wetlands, and riparian corridors. Subsequent to soil
disturbances, vegetation communities can be susceptible to infestations of invasive or exotic
weed species. Vegetation removal and soil disturbance during construction can create optimal
conditions for the establishment of invasive, non-native species. Construction equipment
traveling from weed -infested areas into weed -free areas can disperse noxious or invasive weed
seeds and propagates, resulting in the establishment of these weeds in previously weed -free areas
(Photo 1).
Photo 1. Potential weed vector — accumulated soil on equipment
The Colorado Noxious Weed Act Colorado (8 CCR 1203-19) requires local governing bodies to
develop noxious weed management plans (State of Colorado 2005). Both the State of Colorado
and Garfield County maintain a list of plants that are considered to be noxious weeds. The State
of Colorado noxious weed list includes three categories. List A species must be eradicated
whenever detected (none were found). List B species include weeds whose spread should be
halted (7 species found). List C species are widespread, but the State will assist local
jurisdictions which choose to manage those weeds (3 species found).
The Garfield County Weed Advisory Board has compiled a list of 21 plants from the State list
considered to be noxious weeds within the county (see Appendix A). Six of those weed species
were found in, or near, the project area. The Garfield County Weed Advisory Board has duties
to:
1) develop a noxious weed list;
2) develop a weed management plan for designated noxious weeds; and
WestWater Engineering Page 4 of 18 4/9/2008
3) recommend to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) that identified landowners
submit an integrated weed management plan for their properties.
3.1 Survey Methods
Mapped soil types, as published by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA), were reviewed to determine the soil types and vegetation
characteristics of the plant site and surrounding property (NRCS 2008).
A field inspection of the proposed Rulison - Enterprise pipeline route was conducted by WWE
biologists on March 24 and 25, 2008. WWE biologists surveyed an area 150 feet from the center
line on both sides of the proposed pipeline to identify vegetation communities and to search for,
identify, and map noxious weed species. A snow cover of 12-24 inches prevented accurate
detection and identification of existing weeds on the north flank of Holms Mesa. Only those
plants persisting above the snow were observed and recorded. The remainder of the survey area
was free of snow.
Vegetation types were determined through field identification of plants, aerial photography, and
on -the -ground assessments of plant abundance visible during the survey. Identification of plant
species was aided by using pertinent published field guides (Whitson et al. 2001, CWMA 2007,
Kershaw et al. 1998). Weeds visible above the snows were identified from dried residual
growth. Photographs were taken of the general project location, vegetation and terrain, and other
specific biological findings. Locations of weeds and other features included in this report were
recorded with the aid of a handheld global positioning system instrument (GPS) using
NAD83/WGS84 map datum, with all coordinate locations based on the Universal Transverse
Mercator (UTM) coordinate system in Zones 12S and 13S (Appendix B).
3.2 Observations
The most prevalent listed weeds were Scotch thistle, tamarisk, redstem filaree, and cheatgrass
(Photos 2 and 3). Other problematic, but not listed, weeds noted during the survey were kochia
and Russian thistle.
Kochia and Russian thistle were found scattered in some disturbed areas, but a high
concentration of kochia was found in a silted -in pond at UTM 12S 757183mE 4374161mN
(Appendix C, Photo 5). See Table 1 for the general location of listed weeds. Specific UTM
coordinates of weeds can be found in Appendix B.
3.3 Treatment and Control of Noxious Weed Infestations
Invasive and noxious weeds commonly occur along creek corridors and adjacent drainages,
especially along riparian areas, pipeline routes, disturbed areas such as well pads, roadsides, and
abandoned fields. Six weed species from the Garfield County list were found in or near the
proposed pipeline ROW and are indicated by bold type in Table 2. Included in Table 2 are weed
life cycle type, state listing category, and recommended control method for each weed species.
Those in regular type were also observed during the survey and are listed by the State of
Colorado as noted (CWMA 2007). The locations of these weeds were plotted on the project map
(Figure 1).
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Photo 2. Scotch thistle in existing pipeline ROW
Photo 3. Rcd-stemmed filaree in existing pipeline ROW
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Page 6 of 18
4/9/2008
Table 1. Observed Noxious Weed Locations in the Project Area
Common Name*
Scientific Name
USDA Symbol
General Location and Comments
Bull ThistleB
Cirsium vulgare
CIVU
Very few scattered plants along or near the Colorado River.
Common Mulleins
Verbascum thapsus
VETH
A few patches in disturbed sites along benches on the north slope of Holms
Mesa. Much heavier concentrations along the Colorado River.
Downy Bromes
Bromus tectorum
BRTE
Also known as cheatgrass. Can be found scattered throughout much of the
project area, especially in the valley bottom. There is less downy brome in
the juniper along the north slope of Holms Mesa.
Halogetons
Halogeton glomeratus
HAGL
Scattered very thinly along the valley bottom pipeline route. There are a few
small concentrations where the pipeline route runs north of I-70.
Houndstongue°
Cynoglossum officinale
CYOF
Only one patch of about 6 plants along a ditch at the north base of Holms
Mesa.
Plumeless Thistle
Carduus acanthoides
CAAC
Two small patches separated by about 50 feet an the flank of Holms Mesa
(Appendix C, Photo 9). The northem patch is in a small moist area in
juniper and contains about 30 plants. The southern patch was obscured by
snow but at least 6 rosettes were seen in a disturbed opening (probably an
old roadbed) in the juniper stand.
Redstem FilareeB
Erodium cicutarium
ERCI6
Thickly scattered throughout the pipeline route and extending beyond 150
feet on either side. Can be found primarily in the valley bottoms of the
Parachute Creek and Colorado River drainages and on top of Holms Mesa.
Not found directly in recently plowed/mulched portions of the route but was
found immediately on either side of those portions of the route (Appendix C,
Photo 6 and 7).
Russian Olive°
Elaeagnus angustifolia
ELAN
A cluster of 5 trees along the Colorado River.
Scotch Thistle°
Onopordum acantbiune
ONAC
About 500 plants directly in the pipeline route along a swath 1000 feet long
by 50 feet wide. Almost all are 2"d year rosettes which means that they will
bloom and spread seed this season. Only one first year rosette was seen but
they probably have only begun to sprout from last year's seed (Appendix C,
Photo 8).
Tamarisk°
Tamarix sp.
TARA
Also called Salt Cedar. Common along the Colorado River, near the mouth
of drainages, and along one silted -in pond. A few tamarisks were also found
along a gully on the northwest flank of Holms Mesa (Appendix C, Photo
10).
* Govemment weed listing: Bold - Garfield County, Colorado. Superscript - Colorado State B or C list.
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Page 7 of 18
4/9/2008
Table 2. Weed Control Methods
Common Name*
Scientific Name
USDA Symbol
Type**
Control Methods
Bull Thistle°
Cirsium vulgare
CIVU
B/A
Tilling or, because of the small number of plants, hand
grubbing in the rosette stage. Mow at bolting or early
flowering; Cut and bag mature seed heads. Herbicides in
rosette stage.
Common Mullein`
Verbascum thapsus
VETH
B
Cut and dig rosettes and bolting plants, re -seed with
aggressive grasses. Herbicides if necessary.
Downy Brome`
Bromus tectorum
BATE
A
Eliminate seed source; re -vegetate with native grasses;
herbicide treatment in earlyspringand fall.
Halogeton
Halogeton glomerattrs
HALL
A
Planting competitive salt tolerant perennials or grasses can be
very effective. Susceptible to herbicides in the pre -flowering
stage. Avoid high intensity grazing in early Spring as this has
been shown to significantly increase halogeton (Pavek 1992).
Houndstongue
Cynoglossum officinale
CYOF
B
Re -seed with aggressive grasses, remove at flowering or early
seed, dig or grub at pre -bud or rosette stage or apply herbicides
prior to bud stage.
Plumeless Thistle
Carduus acantboides
CAAC
B/WA
Tillage or, because of the small number of plants, hand
grubbing to sever the tap root below a 2 inch depth. Herbicides
in rosette or early bolting stage. Biological control with
insects is not practical on this small infestation.
Redstem Filaree °
Erodium cicutariurn
ERCI6
B/A
Early Spring tillage before weed emergence in the existing
corridor to a depth of 5 -10 cm. Tillage is not practical in the
thick greasewood or sagebrush land bordering the corridor.
Herbicide application in Spring while plants are small. Thick
infestations adjacent to the pipeline route mean that control of
this weed will be an ongoing task for many years (Trainor and
Bussan 2001).
Russian Olive°
Elaeagnus angustifolia
ELAN
p
Herbicide on cut stumps or on the cut surfaces after girdling
(Colorado State Parks 2005).
Scotch Thistle
Onopordum acanthium
ONAC
B
Tillage, hand grubbing; herbicides in rosette stage; mow at
bolting stage.
Tamarisk°
Tamarix sp.
TARA
p
Repeated flooding prevents seedling establishment. Herbicide
treatment on basal portion of young plants; cut larger plants and
treat with herbicide plus adjuvant within 30 minutes. Plant area
with native species to shade out tamarisk. Biological with
Diorhabda elongata deserticola, the tamarisk leaf beetle, if
available (Tamarisk Coalition 2007).
* Government weed listing: Bold - Garfield County, Colorado. Superscript - Colorado State B or C list.
** Type: A -annual, B -Biennial, P-Perenni I, WA -Winter Annual
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Page 8 of 18
4/9/2008
3.4 Recommended Treatment Strategies
It is important to know whether the target is annual, biennial, or perennial to select strategies that
effectively control and eliminate the target. Treatment strategies are different depending on plant
type, which are summarized in Tables 3 and 4. In Section 3.5, the Life Cycle and Management
Calendars section, (Figure 2) and Table 5, the best timing and strategies are illustrated for the
noxious weeds found. Herbicides should not always be the first treatment of choice when other
methods can be effectively employed.
Table 3. Treatment Strategies for Annual and Biennial Noxious Weeds
Target: Prevent Seed Production
1. Hand grub (pull), hoe, till, cultivate in rosette stage and before flowering or seed maturity. If seeds
develop, cut and bag seed heads.
2. Chop roots with a spade below soil level.
3. Treat with herbicide in rosette or bolting stage, before flowering.
4. Mow biennials after bolting stage, before seed set. Mowing annuals will not prevent flowering but
can reduce total seed production.
irota
Table 4. Treatment Strategies for Perennials
Target: Deplete nutrient reserves in root system, prevent seed production
1. Allow plants to expend as much energy from root system as possible, do not treat when first emerging
in spring, but allow growth to bud/bloom stage. If seeds develop, cut and bag if possible.
2. Herbicide treatment at bud to bloom stage or in the fall (recommended, after August 15 when natural
precipitation is present). In the fall, plants draw nutrients into the roots for winter storage. Herbicides
will be drawn down to the roots more efficiently at this time due to translocation of nutrients to roots
rather than leaves. If the weed patch has been present for a long period of time, another season of seed
production is not as important as getting the herbicide into the root system. Spraying in fall (after
middle August) will kill the following year's shoots, which are being formed on the roots at this time.
3. Mowing usually is not recommended because the plants will flower anyway; seed production should
be reduced. Many studies have shown that mowing perennials and spraying the re -growth is not as
effective as spraying without mowing. Effect of mowing is species dependent; therefore, it is
imperative to know the species and its basic biology. Timing of application must be done when
biologically appropriate, which is not necessarily convenient.
4. Tillage may or may not be effective. Most perennial roots can sprout from pieces only'' h" - 1" long.
Clean machinery thoroughly before leaving the weed patch.
5. Hand pulling is generally not recommended for perennial species unless you know the plants are
seedlings and not established plants. Hand pulling can be effective on small patches but is very labor
intensive because it must be done repeatedly.
irota 2004)
Herbicide treatment with two or more herbicide modes of action in fall (after approximately
August 15 when natural precipitation is present) is the best method to control difficult species.
The resilience and ability to quickly develop immunity to herbicides, particularly those used
incorrectly, makes it imperative to use the proper chemicals at the correct time in the specified
concentration. Most misuse seems centered around excessive use either in frequency or
concentration. This results in mostly top kill and an immune phenotype.
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3.5 Life Cycle and Management Calendars
Figure 2 is a two-year calendar for control and life cycle of biennial thistles, such as bull thistle
and musk thistle. It is also appropriate to control common mullein. One column that should be
added is cutting of rosettes, which can be done any time during growing.
Figure 2. Life Cycle and Management strategies for biennial thistles
Herbicide
Application
K*rb,
Appl.
Year1
Year 2
(1lartzlcr 2006)
Best results the control of thistles and tamarisk can be achieved by following the recommended
timetable presented in Table 5.
Table 5. Noxious Weed Biology
Species Type* Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Houndston ue B rosettes pre -bud Flowering, seed
g set germination
Thistle, Bull - B germination rosettes 4 -i 4 4 -i 4 4
1st year
Thistle, Bull -
13 4 4 4 --> bolting flowering seed set 4 4 rosettes
2nd year
Thistle, WA, rosettes 4 4 4 flowering seed
g -
Plumeless B set germination, rosettes
- Semi- leaves flowering, seed
Tamarisk*P dormancy growth
emerge set
flowering, Semi -dormancy
seed set
A = annual; WA = winter annual; B = biennial; P = perennial; CP = creeping perennial
Shaded areas indicate best control timing.
* Tamarisk control can be done any time of the year, but is easier when leaves are absent and weather is cooler.
(Sirota 2004)
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3.6 Commercial Applicator Recommendations
A certified commercial applicator is a good choice for herbicide control efforts. An applicator
has the full range of knowledge, skills, equipment and experience desired when dealing with
tough noxious weeds.
Reclamation farming services using multiple seed bin range drills and specialized related
equipment is available and should be used for reclamation seeding projects.
Common chemical and trade names may be used in this report. The use of trade names is
for clarity by the reader. Inclusion of a trade name does not imply endorsement of that
particular brand of herbicide and exclusion does not imply non -approval. Certified
commercial applicators will decide which herbicide to use and at what concentration
according to label directions. Landowners using unrestricted products must obey all label
warnings, cautions, and application concentrations. The author of this report is not
responsible for inappropriate herbicide use by readers.
3.7 Best Management Practices — Noxious Weeds
The following practices should be adopted for any construction project to reduce the costs of
noxious weed control. The practices include:
• top soil, where present, should be segregated from deeper soils and replaced as top soil
on the final grade, a process known as live topsoil handling;
• wetland vegetation, if encountered, should be live handled like sod, temporarily watered
if necessary, and placed over excavated sub -soil relative to the position from which the
wetland sod was removed;
• cut-off collars should be placed on all wetland and stream crossings to prevent back
washing or draining of important aquatic resources;
• in all cases, temporary disturbance should be kept to an absolute minimum;
• equipment and materials handling should be done on established sites such as the
northern point of origin to reduce area and extent of soil compaction;
• disturbances should be immediately re -seeded with the recommended mix in the re -
vegetation section;
• topsoil stockpiles should be seeded with non-invasive sterile hybrid grasses, if stored
longer than one growing season;
• prior to delivery to the site, equipment should be cleaned of soils remaining from
previous construction sites which may be contaminated with noxious weeds; and
• if working in sites with weed -seed contaminated soil, equipment should be cleaned of
potentially seed -bearing soils and vegetative debris prior to moving to uncontaminated
terrain.
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In areas with slope greater than 3 percent, imprinting of the seed bed is recommended.
Imprinting can be in the form of dozer tracks or furrows perpendicular to the direction of slope.
When hydro -seeding or mulching, imprinting should be done prior to seeding, unless the mulch
is to be crimped into the soil surface. If broadcast seeding and harrowing, imprinting should be
done as part of the harrowing. Furrowing can be done by several methods, the most simple of
which is to drill seed perpendicular to the direction of slope in a prepared bed. Other simple
imprinting methods include deep hand raking and harrowing, always perpendicular to the
direction of slope.
Herbicides: Difficult species respond better to an application of a combination of two or more
chemical modes of action (biological reason for plant death) rather than one (Boerboom 1999).
It has also been found that use of two different groups of chemicals in the same mode of action
can increase effectiveness on difficult species, e.g., phenoxys and benzoic acids or carboxylic
acids and benzoic acids in a mix. Some come commercially pre -mixed, e.g., Crossbow and
Super Weed -be -Gone Max, which are available over the counter. However, some of the most
effective herbicides are restricted use and available only for licensed applicators.
Professionals or landowners using herbicides must use the concentration specified on the label of
the container in hand. Herbicides generally do not work better at higher concentrations. Most
herbicide failures observed by WWE are related to incomplete control caused by high
concentrations killing top growth before the active ingredient can be transported to the roots
through the nutrient translocation process. Most herbicide applications should use a surfactant if
directed on the herbicide label or other adjuvants as called for on the herbicide label.
Grazing: Grazing should be deferred, in reclaimed areas, until the desired grass species are
established.
Mechanical: Bull thistle was found in low density and is an example where control could be
accomplished mechanically.
Alternative Methods: An alternative method, particularly for downy brome infestations and
poor or destroyed topsoil, is the application of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi typically
referred to as AMF. These fungi, mostly of the genus Glomus are symbiotic with about 80
percent of all vegetation. Endo-mycorrhizal fungi are associated mostly with grasses and forbs
and could be helpful when reclaiming this project. In symbiosis, the fungi increase water and
nutrient transfer capacity of the host root system by as much as several orders of magnitude
(Barrow and McCaslin 1995).
Over-the-counter commercial products, which are better adapted to coating seeds when re-
seeding and treating roots of live seedling trees and shrubs at time of planting, come in powder
form and are available from many different sources. Some also come in granular form to be
spread with seed from a broadcast spreader. The best AMF products should contain more than
one species.
All Colorado State Forest Salida District tree and shrub plantings include the application of
AMF. According to District Forester Crystal Tischler, "AMF is worth it" (Tischler 2006). Most,
if not all, Colorado Department of Transportation re-vegetation/re-seeding projects now require
WestWater Engineering Page 12 of 18 4/9/2008
use of AMF and BioSol, a certified by-product of the penicillin manufacturing process composed
primarily of mycelium. Compacted soils respond well to fossilized humic substances and by-
products called humates. These humates, including humic and fulvic acids and humin were
formed from pre -historic plant and animal deposits and work especially well on compacted soils
when applied as directed.
Biological control in the project area using natural insect agents are either not available for the
large infestations (such as redstem filaree or cheatgrass) or will be of little value for small
infestations (such as plumeless thistle).
4.0 REVEGETATION - RECLAMATION
4.1 Pipeline ROW
The pipeline traverses a variety of terrain including greasewood flats, sagebrush flats, small
intermittent drainages, the riparian area of the Colorado River and drier ridge top areas and
hillsides. The majority of the pipeline route follows an existing gas line that has previously been
disturbed (Photo 4). The pipeline will disturb an area approximately 60 feet in width for a length
of about 10.4 mile resulting in disturbance to previously reclaimed areas and native vegetation.
The vegetation ranges from irrigated grass meadows and alfalfa fields to varying native
vegetation depending on the site. Successful reclamation of the project area is dependent upon
soil type and texture, aspect, slope, proper weed control and revegetation with suitable plant
species.
Photo 4. Existing gas line ROW north of Interstate 70
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Weeds noted during the survey included common mullein, musk thistle, red -stemmed filaree,
downy brome, bull thistle, plumeless thistle, houndstongue, halogeton, Russian olive and
tamarisk. Other problematic weeds noted were Russian thistle and kochia. It is likely that
additional weeds exist in this area because of the previous disturbance, making weed control in
this location an important part of the reclamation. Construction of the new pipeline will create a
new disturbance that could allow additional weeds to gain a foothold unless an effective
monitoring and weed control program is implemented. Based on the soil types, terrain, and the
presence of noxious weeds in the pipeline ROW, successful reclamation is most likely if a seed
mix of grasses is used (Tables 6 and 7). This will allow control of noxious weeds while
establishing vegetation in the disturbed areas. Two seed mixes are presented based on soil type
and available moisture; one for the drier juniper/sagebrush sites and one for the meadow/riparian
sites with more moisture.
For best results and success, the recommended grass mixture reseeding should be done in
late autumn. The reseeding rate should be doubled for broadcast application (CNHP 1998).
Preferred seeding method is multiple seed bin rangeland drill with no soil preparation other than
simple grading to slope and imprinting and waterbars where applicable.
Alternative seeding methods include, but are not limited to:
• harrow with just enough soil moisture to create a rough surface, broadcast seed and re -
harrow, preferably at a 90 degree angle to the first harrow;
• hydro -seeding (most economical in terms of seed cost); and
• hand raking and broadcast followed by re -raking at a 90 degree angle to the first raking.
• These are not the only means of replanting the site. However, these methods have been
observed to be effective in similar landscapes.
After desired grasses are established and control of target weed species is successful, then
shrubs, forbs and trees can be planted without concern for herbicide damage. Few native forb
seeds are available commercially as cultivars. Most are collected from natural populations.
Native shrubs and forbs often do not establish well from seed, particularly when mixed with
grasses. Past experience has shown that stabilizing the soil with grasses, accomplishing weed
control, and then coming back to plant live, containerized woody species in copses has been the
most cost effective method for establishing the woody species component of the plant
community.
For the pipeline ROW, grasses should be drilled after construction activities cease and the
equipment removed from the site. After two years of controlling weeds (with herbicides) and
allowing the grasses to become established, the forbs and woody species should be inter -seeded
or hand -planted to increase the diversity and value of the reclamation plantings.
WestWater Engineering Page 14 of 18 4/9/2008
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Scientific Names
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Poa fendleriana
Poa sandbergii, Poa secunda
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Common Name
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WestWater Engineering
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and Both of the Following (20% Each, 40% Total)
l
N
N
O
and One of the Following (20% Total)
vt
N
1/4o.
cfl
and Two of the Following (15% Each, 30% Total)
^
N
vl
—
CO
—
en
O
Form
Shrub
Shrub
Bunch
(.3
7
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w
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w
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0
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0
u
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Cool
b
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T.
o
Viva florets
b
o
tbO
[n
L.
o
-o
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re
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Nezpar, Paloma,
Rimrock
San Luis, Pryor
Scientific Names
Atriplex canescens
Atriplex confertifolia
Pleuraphis [HilariaJ jamesii
Sporobolus airoides
Elymus lanceolatus ssp. psammophilus,
Agropyron riparium
Pascopyrum [Agropyron] sneithii
Achnatherum [Oryzopsis] hymenoides
Elymus elymoides, Sitanion hystrix
Elymus trachycaulus, Agropyron trachycaulum
Poa sandbergii (Poa secunda)
Common Name
Fourwing Saltbush
Shadscale
a
N
CCI
0
Alkali Sacaton
Streambank Wheatgrass
Western Wheatgrass
Indian Ricegrass
Bottlebrush Squirreltail
Slender Wheatgrass
Sandberg Bluegrass
WestWater Engineering
5.0 REFERENCES
Barrow, J. R., and Bobby D. McCaslin. 1995. Role of microbes in resource management in arid
ecosystems. In: Barrow, J. R., E. D. McArthur, R. E. Sosebee, and Tausch, R. J., comps.
1996. Proceedings: shrubland ecosystem dynamics in a changing environment. General
Technical Report, INT -GTR -338, Ogden, Utah: U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S.
Forest Service, Intermountain Resource Station, 275 pp.
Boerboom, C. 1999. Herbicide mode of action reference. Weed Science, University of
Wisconsin, 5 pp.
CNHP. 1998. Native Plant Re -vegetation Guide for Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage
Program, Caring for the Land Series, Vol. III, State of Colorado, Division of Parks and
Outdoor Recreation, Department of Natural Resources, Denver, 258 pp.
Colorado State Parks. 2005. Best Management Practices — Weed Profile: Russian olive.
URL:
http://parks.state.co.us/NaturalResources/ParksResourceStewardship/NoxiousWeeds/S pe
ciesProfiles
CWMA. 2007. S. Anthony, T. D'Amato, A. Doran, S. Elzinga, J. Powell, I. Schonle, K. Uhing.
Noxious Weeds of Colorado, Ninth Edition. Colorado Weed Management Association,
Centennial.
Garfield County Vegetation Management and Garfield County Weed Advisory Board.
Garfield County Noxious Weed Management Plan. Resolution #2002-94, October 21,
2002.
Hartzler, Bob. 2006. Biennial thistles of Iowa. ISU Extension Agronomy. URL:
http://www.weeds.iastate.edu/mgmt/2006/iowathistles.shtml
Kershaw, L., A. MacKinnon, and J. Pojar. 1998. Plants of the Rocky Mountains. Lone Pine
Publishing, Auburn, Washington.
NRCS. 2008. Web Soil Survey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation
Service, URL: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov
Pavek, Diane S. 1992. Halogeton glomeratus. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire
Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ [2008,
March 31].
Sirota, J. 2004. Best management practices for noxious weeds of Mesa County. Colorado State
University Cooperative Extension Tri River Area, Grand Junction, Colorado. URL:
http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/Weeds/weedmgmt.html
WestWater Engineering Page 17 of 18 4/9/2008
State of Colorado. 2005. Rules pertaining to the administration and enforcement of the Colorado
Noxious Weed Act, 35-5-1-119, C.R.S. 2003. Department of Agriculture, Plant Industry
Division, Denver, 78 pp.
Tamarisk Coalition. 2007. Grand Junction, CO. URL:
http://www.tamariskcoalition.org/tamariskcoalition/index.php
Tischler, Crystal. 2006. District Forester, Colorado State Forest Service, Salida, Colorado.
Personal communication with Bill Clark, WestWater Engineering, Grand Junction,
Colorado.
Trainor, Meghan and Alvin J. Bussan. 2001. Montana State University,
MSU Extension Weed Management, Land Resources and Environmental Sciences
Department, Bozeman, MT. URL: http://weeds.montana.edu/crop/redstem.htm
Whitson, T. D. (editor), L. C. Burrill, S. A. Dewey, D. W. Cudney, B. E. Nelson, R. D.
Lee, and R. Parker. 2001. Weeds of the West - 9th edition. Western Society of Weed
Science in cooperation with Cooperative Extension Services, University of Wyoming,
Laramie
WestWater Engineering Page 18 of 18 4/9/2008
Garfield
List
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
State
"C" List
X
x
x
State "B"
List
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
State "A"
List
x
x
Life
History2
Q
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CO
CI.
¢
d
aamaaaan.maa
O O
LL
LL 0 LL LL LL LL LL
LL
LL
LL
LL LL LL H LL LL LL LL LL H H
Species
Code
ACRE 3 1
AECY
ARMI 2
Q*
U
U
1 CANU 4
M
W
U0—
CEMA 4
CESO 3
1 CHLE 80
Z
CIAR 4 1
CYOF
ELAN
EUES
N
❑J
71 11
LYSA 2 1
ONAC
TAPA4'
TARA
Common name
Russian knapweed
Jointed goatgrass
Common (Lesser) burdock
Hoary cress, Whitetop
Spiny plumeless thistle
Musk (Nodding plumeless) thistle
Diffuse knapweed
Spotted knapweed
Yellow starthistle
Oxeye daisy
Chicory
Canada thistle
Houndstongue, Gypsyflower
Russian olive
Leafy spurge
Dalmatian toadflax, broad-leaved
Yellow toadflax
Purple loosestrife
Scotch thistle
Smallflower tamarisk
Salt cedar, Tamarisk
Species
Acroptilon repens
Aegilops cylindrica
Arctium minus
Cardaria draba
Carduus acanthoides
Carduus nutans
Centaurea diffusa
Centaurea maculosa
Centaurea solstitialis
Chrysanthemum
leucanthemum
Cichorium intybus
Cirsium arvense
Cynoglossum officinale
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Euphorbia esula
Linaria dalmatica
Linaria vulgaris
Lythrum salicaria
Onopordum acanthium
Tamarix parviflora
Tamarix ramosissima
Ta
c
Ti;
U)
N
fl.
a
0
c
II
m
c
c
N
II
0
)
L
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J
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0
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c
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N
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U)
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LL
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0
r
0
C7
Appendix A - 1
WestWater Engineering
APPENDIX B.
Weed Location UTM's
Weed
UTM
Easting
UTM
Northing
Comments
Tamarisk
12S 757183
4374161
Start row of tamarisk
12S 757323
4374169
End row
12S 752017
4372739
Few
12S 756535
4373788
Few
12S 754012
4372384
One tree
12S 753998
4372375
One tree
12S 754492
4372557
One tree
12S 754550
4372633
Two trees
12S 754568
4372652
One tree
12S 754665
4372668
Two trees
12S 754741
4372664
One tree
13S 242110
4374120
20 trees
13S 242078
4374189
One tree
13S 242082
4374209
One tree
13S 242088
4374269
3 trees
13S 242905
4374106
One tree
13S 246515
4372354
Few
13S 242008
4374108
Few
13S 246463
4373644
2 at stock pond
13S 242112
4374341
Start row of 8 tamarisk
13S 242072
4374158
End row
13S 246596
4375001
Start tamarisk along Colorado River
13S 246572
4374933
Continues beyond here along river
12S 754253
4372392
Start of 75+ trees in polygon
12S 754271
4372388
continue polygon
12S 754287
4372389
continue polygon
12S 754304
4372389
continue polygon
12S 754319
4372393
continue polygon
12S 754328
4372403
continue polygon
12S 754341
4372411
continue polygon
12S 754341
4372426
continue polygon
12S 754327
4372418
continue polygon
12S 754312
4372412
continue polygon
12S 754299
4372404
continue polygon
12S 754283
4372404
continue polygon
12S 754272
4372412
continue polygon
12S 754257
4372404
continue polygon
12S 754248
4372394
End polygon
WestWater Engineering
Appendix B - 2
4/9/2008
APPENDIX C
4.
•
• . p •Y Y { �6 � . i. " f.�'Xa x 14 : -•1
Photo 5. Silted -in pond with kochia with tamarisk in left mid -ground
Photo 6. Mulched right-of-way, redstem filaree at right edge
WestWater Engineering
C-1
4/9/2008
Photo 7. redstem filaree
WestWater Engineering
Photo 8. Scotch thistle 2nd year rosette
C-2
4/9/2008
Photo 9. Plunieless thistle, last year's growth
WestWater Engineering
Photo 10. Tamarisk at mouth of unnamed gully
C-3
4/9/2008
WILDLIFE IMPACT AND SENSITIVE AREAS REPORT
RULISON TO ENTERPRISE PIPELINE
GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO
Prepared For:
ETC Canyon Pipeline
Prepared by:
WestWater Engineering
2570 Foresight Circle #1
Grand Junction, CO 81505
In coordination with:
Wagon Wheel Consulting
111 E. 3'd St. Ste 213
Rifle, CO 81650
April 2008
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Description
ETC Canyon Pipeline has requested WestWater Engineering (WWE) in coordination with
Wagon Wheel Consulting to provide a "Wildlife Impact and Sensitive Areas Report" for a
proposed "special use permit" in Garfield County, Colorado. ETC Canyon Pipeline is seeking
the special use permit to install a 24 -inch gas pipeline from Holmes Mesa to an existing
interconnect approximately 2 miles north of Parachute, Colorado. The total length of the
pipeline is 10.4 miles. The pipeline will be used to transport natural gas to an existing pipeline
infrastructure owned by Enterprise Pipeline. The pipeline will be placed in an existing Right -of
—Way (ROW) adjacent to pipelines owned by Williams Production RMT. Surface disturbance
will occur in a 30 -foot permanent ROW and a 30 -foot temporary ROW, as well as three 2 -acre
staging areas.
The proposed pipeline is located on private lands that lie between the town of Parachute,
Colorado, and Holms Mesa to the south of Rulison. The proposed pipeline begins at the gas
plants approximately 2 miles north of Parachute, travels south for about 150 meters and then
follows an existing pipeline ROW in an easterly path crossing County Road 215 ascending a
steep hillside to the mesa immediately east of the county road. The pipeline then proceeds
southeast where it parallels Interstate 70 eastward toward Rulison, Colorado. The pipeline
alignment turns southeast, crossing I-70, to the frontage road south of I-70, the railroad and a
small power line before crossing the Colorado River. From the Colorado River, the pipeline
heads south along the edge of an irrigated alfalfa field, crosses County Road 309, and then
continues south to its terminus on Holms Mesa. The topography along the pipeline route varies
from flat irrigated meadows and hay fields to steep rocky sections with ph -ion -juniper and
oakbrush. The pipeline crosses the Colorado River riparian habitat and a series of wetlands
located in an overflow channel to the south of the river. Elevations along the pipeline route
range from 5,146 feet near the Colorado River to 6,427 feet on Holms Mesa.
Numerous natural gas well pads are adjacent to the pipeline alignment. Rural residences are
widely spaced in the vicinity of the proposed pipeline alignment along County Road 309 and the
Holmes Mesa area. The primary use of the surrounding area of the pipeline is
agriculture/rangeland, wildlife habitat, and recent natural gas extraction/development.
1.2 General Survey Information
In preparation for developing the following report, WWE biologists performed field surveys and
assessments of wildlife, wildlife habitats, and habitats for sensitive plant species on the proposed
pipeline alignment and surrounding area. WWE conducted the surveys on March 24 and 25,
2008. All areas of the survey were free of snow except for the steep north -facing slope below
Holmes Mesa where patches of snow of 1- to 2 -foot depth existed. The purposes of the surveys
were to determine the wildlife and sensitive plant species that occupy the project area at varying
periods during the year and that would potentially be impacted as a result of the pipeline
construction and operational activities. Factors considered include: I) soil type and texture; 2)
existing land management; 3) absence or presence of wildlife and plant species; 4) habitat
designations by Federal and State wildlife agencies; and 5) the present natural vegetation
WestWater Engineering Page 1 of 23 pages April 2008
community. This report provides written documentation that describes survey findings as well as
recommended mitigation measures to help offset potential impacts to wildlife and sensitive
plants that occupy the project site and adjacent area. This assessment and mitigation plan meets
the wildlife requirement of Garfield County Regulation 9.07.04 (10) (Board of County
Commissioners 2006).
2.0 LANDSCAPE SETTING
2.1 Vegetation
Vegetation communities along the pipeline route are categorized as pifion-juniper woodlands and
mixed sagebrush and greasewood shrublands. Pifion-juniper woodlands are dominated by pinon
pine (Pinus edulis) and Utah juniper (Juniperus utahensis) and can be mixed with an understory
of mainly Wyoming sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata wyomingensis), forbs, and grasses (Photo
1). Numerous ephemeral washes bisect the alignment in the section that parallels Interstate 70,
most often in a north to south flow pattern. Vegetation along the washes consists of greasewood
(Sarcobatus vermiculatus), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), basin big sagebrush
(Atermesia tridentata tridentata), and scattered four -winged saltbush (Atriplex canescens). The
shrublands within the project area are composed primarily of Wyoming big sagebrush,
greasewood, and rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus). Non-native downy brome (Bromus
tectorum) dominates the understory for this shrubland community as well as the pinon juniper
woodlands on and adjacent to Holmes Mesa.
Photo 1. Pinon-juniper woodland with sagebrush
WestWater Engineering Page 2 of 23 pages
March 2008
Agricultural lands within the pipeline corridor include pasture land located southeast of the gas
plants near County Road 215, pasture land located north of the Colorado River near Rulison,
irrigated alfalfa south of the Colorado River near Rulison (Photo 2), and irrigated meadows on
the alignment on Holmes Mesa. The pipeline also crosses through riparian and wetlands habitat
found adjacent to the Colorado River. The vegetation in this area is composed primarily of
Fremont cottonwoods (Populus fremontii), sumac (Rhus trilobata), Woods' rose (Rosa woodsii),
and tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima).
Photo 2. Irrigated alfalfa field south of Colorado River
2.2 Soils
The east terminus of the proposed pipeline sits atop Holms Mesa, primarily on Vale silt loam, 6
— 12% slopes. Native vegetation characteristic of Vale silt loam is Western wheatgrass
(Pascopyrum smithii), prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia), needle and thread grass
(Hesperostipa comata), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), and Utah serviceberry
(Amelanchier utahensis). The pipeline will run north and descend very steep (up to 70%) slopes
of Torriorthents and rock outcrop whose native characteristic vegetation is wheatgrass
(Agropyron sp.), bluegrass (Poa sp.), Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), sagebrush,
(Artemesia sp.), pinon (Pinus edulis), and Utah juniper (Juniperus utahensis). As the pipeline
continues north it descends the less steep flank of Holms Mesa consisting of Potts loam and
Ildefonso stony loam, 12 — 45% slopes. Native vegetation characteristic of this soil complex is
wheatgrass, needle and thread grass, Indian ricegrass, Utah serviceberry, pinon, and Utah
juniper.
WestWater Engineering Page 3 of 23 pages March 2008
Soils encountered as the pipeline crosses the Colorado River are Arvada loam, Torrifluvents, and
Heldt clay loam. The soils in the riparian area are nearly level, have high water tables, and can
be periodically flooded. Characteristic native vegetation of this soil complex is water tolerant
grasses, sedges, rushes, greasewood, and cottonwood. The pipeline then runs westward, north of
I-70, on primarily only one soil, Arvada loam, 1— 6% slopes. Characteristic native vegetation is
western wheatgrass, alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), inland saltgrass (Distichlis spicata),
winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), and greasewood. The pipeline route then ascends a hilly
area generally consisting of Potts loam and Ildefonso stony loam, 3 — 12 % slopes. The descent
into the Parachute Creek drainage crosses a short very steep area of badland, sparsely covered
with Utah juniper and shrubs. The soils of the western terminus, near Parachute Creek, are
primarly Heldt clay loam and Nihill channery loam on 1 - 6% slopes. The characteristic native
vegetation of those soils are western wheatgrass, needle and thread grass, rabbitbrush, and basin
big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata tridentata).
3.0 WILDLIFE AND PLANT SURVEYS
3.1 Background Information
Descriptions of critical habitats for federally -listed threatened, endangered and candidate fish and
wildlife species were reviewed in the Federal Register, U. S. Department of the Interior, Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS). Wildlife habitat (activities) maps, provided via the intemet web by
the Colorado Division of Wildlife's (CDOW) "Natural Diversity Information Source" (NDIS),
were reviewed and incorporated into this report in reference to state -listed threatened,
endangered and species of "special concern"(CDOW 2008a).
A list of Birds of Conservation Concern (BOCC) and their habitats for the Southern Rocky
Mountain Region and the Colorado Plateau was reviewed. This list is published by the USFWS
through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the
US Forest Service (USFS), which places high conservation priorities for BOCC species (USFWS
2002). Not all of these BOCC species occur regularly in Colorado, some are present only as
seasonal migrants. Of those known to breed in Colorado, only a portion are known or suspected
to breed within the vicinity of the proposed pipeline. Avian literature sources such as the "Birds
of Westem Colorado Plateau and Mesa Country" (Righter et al. 2004) and the "Colorado
Breeding Bird Atlas" (Kingery 1998) were reviewed to determine the likelihood for species
occurrence within the project area. Bird identification and taxonomic nomenclature are in
accordance with that applied by the Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas Project (Kingery 1998).
Mapped soil types, as published by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U. S.
Department of Agriculture, were reviewed to determine the soil types and vegetation
characteristics of the project site and surrounding property (NRCS 2008).
The determination of the presence/absence of suitable habitat for Threatened, Endangered and
"Sensitive Species" plants (TESS) was based on previous WWE observations of typical habitat
occupied by BLM or USFS sensitive plants, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP)
Rare Plant Field Guide (Spackman et al. 1997), and locations of species documented in the
CNHP statewide database.
WestWater Engineering
Page 4 of 23 pages March 2008
3.2 Survey Methods
A preliminary review of the project area using aerial photography maps was conducted to
familiarize personnel with vegetation types and terrain and as an aid to help determine the
likelihood of the presence of threatened, endangered or sensitive wildlife and plant species.
Field data including general project location, boundaries and reported features were verified
and/or recorded with the aid of a handheld global positioning system instrument (GPS) utilizing
NAD83/WGS84 map datum, with all coordinate locations based on the Universal Transverse
Mercator (UTM) coordinate system within Zones 12S and 13S. WWE biologists physically
surveyed the area within 150 feet of both sides of the pipeline alignment to identify and locate
wildlife species, wildlife sign (tracks, fecal droppings, vegetation disturbance, vegetation
communities and wildlife habitats. Vegetation types were determined through field
identification of plants, aerial photography, and on -the -ground assessments of plant abundance.
Identification of plant species was aided by using pertinent published field guides (Whitson et al.
2004, CWMA 2007, Kershaw et al. 1998). Visual searches for raptor and other bird species
nests were focused on rock cliffs, piton pine, Utah juniper, and Fremont cottonwood trees within
a 0.25 mile distance from the pipeline's centerline. These searches included the rock outcrops
east of Parachute Creek and north of Interstate 70. Nest searches and bird identification were
aided with the use of binoculars and song recognition, where needed. Photographs were taken
of the general project location, surrounding vegetation and terrain, and specific biological
findings.
4.0 RESULTS OF SURVEY
4.1 TESS Plant Species
Special status species of plants that may be present in the project area, and their habitats, are
listed in Tables 1 and 2 in three categories: 1) Federally Listed Threatened or Endangered (1
species), 2) Federal Candidate Species (2 species), and 3) BLM Sensitive Species (5 species).
Nomenclature and habitat descriptions are based on the CHNP literature (Spackman et al. 1997).
Table 1. Potential Federally -listed Threatened, Endangered and Candidate plant species
Scientific Name
Common Name
Status*
Habitat Preference
Penstemon
debilis
Parachute
penstemon
C
Endemic to Garfield County with only five known
occurrences; sparsely vegetated, south facing, steep, white
shale talus in the Mahogany Zone of the Parachute Creek
Member of the Green River Formation. Elev. 7,800-9,000 ft.
P/iacelia
subnnetica
Debeque phacelia
C
Chocolate -brown or Gray clay on Atwell Gulch and Shire
members of the Wasatch Formation; sparsely vegetated steep
slopes. Elev. 4,700-6,200 ft.
Sclerocactus
glaucus
Uinta basin
hookless cactus
T
Typically xeric and fine textured Quaternary and Tertiary
alluvium soils overlain with cobbles and pebbles; cold desert
shrub and pifion-juniper communities along river benches,
valley slimes, and rolling hills.
E= Federal Endange ed, T= Federal Threatened C= Federal Candidate
WestWater Engineering Page 5 of 23 pages
March 2008
Table 2. Potential BLM sensitive plant species
Scientific Name
Common Name
Habitat Preference
Penstemat
harringtonii
Harrington
beardtongue
Rocky loam, rocky clay loam derived from coarse calcareous parent
materials; open sagebrush or, less commonly, pinon-juniper. Found
in Garfield County on Grass Mesa. Elevation: 6500-9,200 ft
Astragalus
debequaeus
Debeque milkvetch
Varicolored, fine textured, seleniferous, saline soils of the Wasatch
formation -Atwell Gulch member. Elevation: 5,100-6,400 ft
Astragalus
naturitensis
Naturita milkvetch
Sandstone mesas, ledges, crevices and slopes in pinon-juniper
woodlands. Elevation: 5,000-7,000 ft
Cirsium
perp/exans
Rocky Mountain
thistle
Barren clay outcrops derived from shales of the Mancos or Wasatch
formations; open and disturbed sites in mixed shrubland and pinon-
junpper woodland. Elevation: 5,000-8,000 ft
Menzelia
rhizomata
Roan Cliffs
blazingstar
Steep eroding talus slopes of shale, Green River formation.
Elevation: 5,800-9,000 ft
Results: No TESS plants were observed during the biological survey. Potential habitat for
Rocky Mountain thistle exists on the mesa east of Parachute creek, but no plants were observed.
Appropriate elevations for Harrington beardtongue existed near Holms Mesa, but correct aspect
and soils type were absent. The steep hillside to the east of County Road 215 has habitat suitable
for Debeque milkvetch; however, none was observed during the survey. The closest known sites
supporting the Debeque milkvetch are found in the northern portion of Sharrard Park and north
of Webster Mesa. No known Debeque milkvetch populations will be affected by the proposed
pipeline alignment. Suitable habitat for the other TESS plants listed in Tables 1 and 2 was not
observed during this survey.
4.2 Federal Listed Threatened, Endangered, Candidate Wildlife Species
No federal listed threatened, endangered or candidate wildlife species known to occupy the area
of the proposed pipeline alignment and, thus, none of these species will be affected as a result of
the proposed project. However, this section of the Colorado River where the pipeline crosses is
designated critical habitat for the Federally endangered Colorado pikeminnow and razorback
sucker. The Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker are discussed in more detail in Section
4.7.2, Fish.
4.3 State Listed Threatened, Endangered Special Concern Wildlife Species
WWE biologists determined that four state listed threatened, endangered or special concern
species may occur within the project area and are listed in Table 3 (CDOW 2008b).
Table 3. Potential State -listed Threatened, Endangered and Special Concern wildlife species
Scientific Name
Common
Name
State
Status
Habitat Preference
Haliaeetus
Ieucocephalus
Bald Eagle
T
Open Water—Lakes, Forested Wetlands, Shrub Dominated
Wetlands, Grass/Forb Dominated Wetlands; occurs in Garfield
County; common winter migrant along stream corridors,
Elevation: 3,000 - 8,000 ft
WestWater Engineering
Page 6 of 23 pages
March 2008
Table 3. Potential State -listed Threatened, Endangered and Special Concern wildlife species
Scientific Name
Common
Name
State
Status
Habitat Preference
Falco peregrinus
anatum
American
Peregrine
Falcon
SC
Rare migrant throughout most of Colorado; local in summer in
mountains, and a few in winter. Breeding pairs nest on cliffs and
forage over adjacent coniferous and riparian forests, and at times
other habitats. Occurs in Garfield County.
Corynorhinus
townsendii
pallescens
Townsend's
Big -eared
Bat
SC
Mesic Upland Shrub, Xeric Upland Shrub, Deciduous Oak
Bitterbrush Shrub, Mountain Big Sage, Wyoming Big Sage
Big Sagebrush, Shrubland, Desert Shrub, Saltbrush Fans & Flats
Greasewood Fans & Flats, Sand Dune Complex (Shrubland)
Disturbed Shrubland, Juniper, Pinyon -Juniper, riparian.
Elevation: 3,000 — 9500 ft
Rana pipiens
Northern
Leopard
Frog
SC
Standing or running water along w/other habitat types, Deciduous
Oak, Bitterbrush Shrub, Mountain Big Sage
Wyoming Big Sage, Big Sagebrush Shrubland, coniferous and
deciduous woodlands; occurs in Garfield County.
Elevation: 3,000-11,000 ft
* E= State Endangered, T= State Threatened, SC = Species of Concern
During the surveys, no state listed threatened or endangered wildlife species were observed in
the area of the proposed pipeline alignment. Bald Eagles are common winter residents on the
Colorado River and utilize the cottonwood trees for night roosts, hunting perches and nesting.
There are several nesting pairs of Bald Eagles on the Colorado River, with the closest nest site
being west of Rifle, Colorado near Webster Hill. The Colorado River and adjacent mesas and
drainages are utilized as hunting areas by the Bald Eagles. The eagles may also visit areas along
Parachute Creek and adjacent mesas and slopes in search of winter forage in the form of fish and
dead animal carcasses. Peregrine Falcons are summer residents in Colorado and the closest
known nesting sites are found in the sheer cliffs of the Parachute and Clear Creek drainages.
Habitats for bat species for roosting, breeding and hibernating, in the form of caves, mine shafts,
walls and cliffs, could occur in the cliff areas to the north of the pipeline between Parachute and
Rulison. Townsend's big -eared bat could occur in the area while foraging (CDOW 2008a).
Potential habitat occurs along the Colorado River and Parachute Creek for northern leopard frog.
Breeding habitat for northern leopard frog, in the form of shallow and quiet areas of water,
occurs in the pipeline crossing at the Colorado River and wetlands complex on the south side of
the river.
4.4 Birds of Conservation Concern (BOCC)
Raptors: Several raptor (birds of prey) species nest, reside, forage or pass through the general
area of the pipeline project. Raptor species that are common to the area include Golden Eagle,
Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Cooper's Hawk, Peregrine Falcon and Great Horned Owl.
The Bald Eagle, a common winter migrant, is discussed in Table 3 of this report. Numerous
pifion pine, Utah juniper and cottonwood trees (Photo 3) encountered along and adjacent to the
pipeline alignment are of sufficient height and density for tree nesting raptors. The rock outcrops
WestWater Engineering
Page 7 of 23 pages March 2008
east of Parachute Creek and southwest of the pipeline also contain suitable areas for nesting
raptors. The cliffs north of the pipeline segment between Parachute and Rulison also contain a
large number of rock outcrops suitable for use as nest sites by raptors.
Photo 3. Raptor nest in Fremont cottonwood
Raptor species that are listed as BOCC in the Southern Rockies and the Colorado Plateau, and
which may occur in the project area, are listed in Table 4. In addition to the BOCC list, seven
other species of raptors that could potentially be found nesting in the pipeline project area are
also listed in Table 4.
Table 4. Raptor species that may be present in the project area
Common
Name
Scientific Name
BOCC
Habitat & Breeding Records
Northern
Harrier
Circus cyaneus
Y
• Grassland, shrubland, agricultural areas, and marshes.
Nests in areas with abundant cover(e.g.,tall
reeds,
cattails, grasses) in grasslands and marshes. Also known
to nest in high -elevation sagebrush.
Cooper's Hawk
Accipiter
cooperii
N
• Cottonwood riparian to spruce/fir forests, including
pifion/juniper woodlands. Nests most frequently in pines
and aspen.
Sharp -shinned
Hawk
Accipiter striates
N
• High density young, or even -aged, stands of coniferous
forest and deciduous forests of aspen or oak brush with
small stands of conifers.
Red-tailed
Hawk
ButeoN
jamaicensis
• Diverse habitats including grasslands, pifion-juniper
woodlands and deciduous, coniferous and riparian
forests. Nests in mature trees (especially cottonwood,
aspen, and pines) and on cliffs and utility poles.
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Page 8 of 23 pages
March 2008
Table 4. Raptor species that may be present in the project area
Common
Name
Scientific Name
BOCC
Habitat & BreedingRecords
Swainson's
Hawk
Buteo swainsoni
Y
• Typically, arid grassland, desert, agricultural areas,
shrublands and riparian forests. Nests in trees in or near
open areas.
Golden Eagle
Aquila
drrysaetos
Y
• Grasslands, shrublands, agricultural areas, pifion-juniper
woodlands, and ponderosa forests. Prefers nest sites on
cliffs and sometimes in trees in rugged areas.
American
Kestrel
Falco sparverius
N
• Coniferous and deciduous forests and open terrain with
suitable perches. Nests in cavities in trees, cliffs and
buildings.
Peregrine
Falcon
Falco peregrines
Y
• Ph -ion -juniper woodlands and coniferous and riparian
forest near cliffs. Nests on ledges of high cliffs away
from human disturbance.
Prairie Falcon
Falco nexicanus
y
• Grasslands, shrublands, and alpine tundra. Nests on cliffs
or bluffs in open areas.
Great Horned
Owl
Bubo virginianus
N
• Occupies diverse habitats including riparian, deciduous
and coniferous forests with adjacent open terrain for
hunting.
Northern Saw-
whet Owl
Aegolius
acadicus
N
• Mountain and foothills forest and canyon country.
Significant use of pinon-juniper woodland and Douglas -
fir.
Long-eared
Owl
Asia otus
N
• Occupies mixed shrublands. Nests and roost in sites in
dense cottonwoods, willows, scrub oak, junipers and
dense forest of mixed conifers and aspens.
Previous surveys had noted an American Kestrel nest in the cottonwood trees of Parachute Creek
immediately west of the pipeline. However, the tree containing the nest site had blown down
and no kestrel activity was observed in the area during this survey. Three raptor nests identified
in previous surveys were observed in the rock outcrops east of Parachute Creek (Figure 1). One
nest (RTHA-4) appeared to be used by ravens, while no activity at the other two nest sites was
observed. One Red-tailed Hawk was seen soaring in the vicinity of RTHA- 3, but no nest
maintenance activity was observed. Use of these nest sites by Red-tailed Hawks is still possible
as it is early in the nesting season and nest initiation is just beginning for red -tails.
Red-tailed Hawk nesting activity was observed at a cliff nest (RTHA-1) previously identified in
the rock outcrop north of the Parachute to Rulison pipeline segment (Figure 1, Photo 4). Birds
were observed carrying stick materials to the nest, an indication of nesting activity. No other
nesting activity was observed at the other nest sites found during this survey. While no nesting
activity was noted, it is still early for most species except owls and eagles. In this portion of
Colorado, the raptor nesting season is generally considered to occur between mid-February and
mid-August. Typically, owls and eagles are the first raptors to begin the annual nesting cycle
followed by members of the Genus Accipiter, Buteo, Circus and Falco. Usually, by mid-August
all young birds have fledged and left the nest.
WestWater Engineering Page 9 of 23 pages March 2008
Photo 4. Active Red-tailed Hawk in rock outcrop
WWE biologists assigned nest sites to specific raptor species based on knowledge of raptor
occurrence in this area, as well as design, location, materials, and configuration of nesting
structures. A complete list of raptor nests observed during this survey is found in Table 5 and
Figure 1.
Table 5. Rulison Enterprise Pipeline — Raptor Nest Locations, March 2008
Number
Zone
Easting
Northing
Photo
Status
AMKE-1
12S
751323
4372846
No
Blown down
RTHA-3
12S
753063
4372227
No
Inactive
RTHA-4
12S
752711
4372368
No
Active - Ravens
RTHA-5
12S
753560
4372205
No
Inactive
COHA-1
13S
242368
4374393
No
Inactive
RTHA-1
12S
757350
4374436
Yes
Active
UNHA 1
13S
246863
4374662
Yes
Inactive
UNHA2
12S
752306
4372580
Yes
Inactive
RTHA 2
13S
246799
4375503
Yes
Active
4.5 Birds of Conservation Concern (BOCC) other than raptors
In addition to raptors discussed above, WWE biologists surveyed the proposed pipeline route for
the presence of sensitive or migratory BOCC that could potentially occur in the project area.
BOCC habitat and nesting records, as described in the Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas (Kingery
1998), Colorado Birds (Andrews and Righter 1992) and Birds of Western Colorado Plateau and
Mesa Country (Righter et al. 2004) in the vicinity of the pipeline are summarized in Table 6.
WestWater Engineering Page 11 of 23 pages April 2008
Table 6. BLM sensitive & migratory bird species that may be present in the project area
Common Name
Scientific Name
Habitat & Breeding Records
Pinion Jay
Gymnorhinus
cyanocephalus
• Pifion-juniper woodlands; nests in pinons or junipers.
• Confirmed breeder in Garfield County in the vicinity of the pipeline.
Black -throated
Gray Warbler
Dendroica
nigrescens
• Mature pifion-juniper woodlands; nests on horizontal branches in
Piiion or juniper.
• Confirmed breeder in Garfield County in the vicinity of the pipeline.
Lewis'
Woodpecker
Melanerpes
lewis
• Open stands of cottonwood and ponderosa pine; nests in cottonwood
in riparian settings, ponderosa pine and aspen.
• Possible breeder in Garfield County.
Virginia's Warbler
Vermivora virginiae
• Dense shrublands and scrub forests of Gambel oak, pifion-juniper,
mountain mahogany or ponderosa pine. Nests on the ground among
dead leaves or on rock or log overhangs.
• Nesting has been confirmed in Garfield Counties, including the Roan
Plateau. Unlikely nester in the project area.
Brewer's
Sparrow
Spizella
breweri
• Sagebrush, greasewood and rabbitbrush in desert valleys; nests in
sagebrush.
• Confirmed breeder in Garfield County in the vicinity of the pipeline.
The species most likely to nest in this project area include the Pinyon Jay and Black -throated
Gray Warblers, which prefer mature pifion-juniper woodlands for nesting. The primary suitable
habitat for nesting would be in the pinon juniper woodlands in the segments of the pipeline near
Parachute and on Holms Mesa. There are suitable patches of sagebrush available for Brewer's
sparrow to nest in within the project area.
The cottonwood riparian vegetation along the Colorado River appears to be suitable nesting
habitat for Lewis' Woodpecker. Virginia's Warbler is an unlikely nester in the project area.
No BOCC species were observed during the surveys since the surveys were not conducted
during the breeding or nesting periods.
4.6 Terrestrial Species
4.6.1 American Elk and Mule Deer
CDOW places the proposed pipeline within Game Management Units (GMU) 32 and 42. In
GMU 32 and 42, the pipeline is situated within mule deer and American elk overall range and
winter range. The west end of the pipeline northeast of Parachute passes through a portion of elk
severe winter range and an elk winter range concentration area (Figure 2). The east end of the
pipeline on Holms Mesa is also classified as elk severe winter range. Mule deer severe winter
range is found on the north side of Interstate 70 on the pipeline segment between Parachute and
Rulison, while the area south of the Interstate is classified as mule deer severe winter range and
as a winter concentration area. The area on Holmes Mesa is classified as a mule deer winter
concentration area (Figure 3).
CDOW defines "winter range" as "that part of the overall range where 90 percent of the
individuals are located during the average five winters out of ten from the first heavy snowfall to
spring green -up". CDOW defines a "winter concentration area" as "that part of the winter range
where densities are at least 200 percent greater than the surrounding winter range density during
WestWater Engineering Page 12 of 23 pages March 2008
the same period used to define winter range in the average five winters out of ten". "Severe
winter range" is defined as "that part of the range of a species where 90 percent of the
individuals are located when the annual snowpack is at its maximum and/or temperatures are at a
minimum in the two worst winters out of ten."
During the surveys, numerous deer, fresh tracks, beds, antler rubs and fecal pellets were
observed in areas where sagebrush and/or pinon pine and juniper trees were present (Photo 5).
Significant browsing by deer on available sagebrush and rabbitbrush was observed where these
plant species occurred, especially in the openings in the pinon juniper and meadow edges.
Evidence of deer and elk use in the meadows east of Parachute Creek, in the riparian corridor of
the Colorado River and on Holms Mesa was observed. Mule deer rely on the existing sagebrush
and shrubs above the snow for their primary food source, while elk rely primarily on available
grasses for food. Adjacent areas of pinon pine and juniper trees provide necessary escape,
thermal and loafing cover for deer and elk (Photo 6). Deer and elk were observed in areas
adjacent to the pipeline throughout the survey.
Photo 5. Deer pellets in sagebrush opening Photo 6. mule deer in pinon-juniper cover
4.6.2 Black Bear and Mountain Lion
CDOW "NDIS" mapping shows the proposed pipeline to be within overall range for black bear
and mountain lion. The vegetation of the proposed project site does not provide adequate food
sources for black bear to be routinely attracted to the area. However, it is not uncommon for
black bear to travel through the surrounding area during periods of short natural food supplies as
bears search for food. During these periods black bears may be attracted to human -related food
sources such as garbage and cooking areas. Mountain lion typically follow migrating deer herds
in search of deer as the primary food source. Mountain lion have large territories and are highly
mobile as they search for food or new territories. Mountain lion prefer to hunt in rocky terrain
with trees or shrubs. This habitat condition occurs within the cliff areas north of the pipeline
between Parachute and Rulison as well as the steep slopes at the south edge of Holms Mesa.
Mountain lion could travel through and hunt in these areas, especially when deer are present
during the winter period.
WestWater Engineering Page 15 of 23 pages January 2008
4.6.3 Small Mammals
Common small mammal species (small game, furbearers, non -game) include mountain
cottontail, coyote, bobcat, striped skunk, porcupine, deer mouse and least chipmunk. Several
cottontails and chipmunks were observed along the pipeline ROW during the survey. Fringed
myotis and spotted bat are two bat species of the area that are considered "sensitive" by the BLM
and could possibly forage for airborne insects through the area of the project (Reid 2006).
Townsend's big -eared bat is previously discussed in the section on "State Listed Threatened,
Endangered Special Concern Wildlife Species". Roosting, breeding and hibernating habitats for
bats in the form of caves, mine shafts, walls and cliffs occur near the pipeline alignment,
especially in the cliff areas to the north of the pipeline segment between Parachute and Rulison.
4.6.4 Other Bird Species
The project areas' sagebrush, pinon pine, Utah juniper, cottonwood riparian, wetlands and grass
under -stories provide nesting and foraging habitats for various other migratory and non -
migratory bird species, depending on the season of the year (Photo 7). Bird species observed
during the survey included House Finch, Black -billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven,
Dark -eyed Junco, Mountain Bluebird, Black -capped Chickadee, Plain Titmouse, White -breasted
Nuthatch, Red -winged Blackbird, Canada geese and numerous species of ducks. The Mourning
Dove is the most common game bird in the area (Righter et al. 2004) and likely nests in trees and
ground settings throughout this area. Habitat for Wild Turkey occurs in the area of the proposed
pipeline (CDOW 2008a) and two birds were observed on the bench above County Road 309
during this survey.
Photo 7. Riparian Vegetation and Wetlands South of Colorado River
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Page 16 of 23 pages
March 2008
4.6.5 Reptiles
Plateau striped whiptail, sagebrush lizard, side -blotched lizard, plateau lizard, bullsnake, and
western rattlesnake are reptiles common to this region and could occur in the vegetation and
terrain of the project property (Hammerson 1999).
4.7 Aquatic Species
4.7.1 Amphibians
Great Basin spadefoot is an amphibian species that could occur on the property since it is
common to the pit -ion -juniper woodland and sagebrush shrublands of the area (Hammerson
1999). This species breeds during summer periods in temporary pools in ravines and drainages
that experience water flow after heavy rain events. Potential habitat for northern leopard frog
occurs along the Colorado River and associated overflow channels and wetlands.
4.7.2 Fish
No fish inventories were conducted as part of this survey. However, the location where the
pipeline crosses is considered part of designated critical habitat for the Federal endangered
Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker. Federally listed, Colorado critical habitat for
Colorado pikeminnow occurs in the upper Colorado River in Mesa and Garfield Counties. It
extends in its 100 -year floodplain from the Colorado River Bridge at exit 90 (Rifle town exit)
north off Interstate 70 (T6S, R93W, section 16 (6th Principal Meridian) to the Colorado -Utah
state line. Additional critical habitat occurs in Utah. The razorback sucker's designated critical
habitat in Colorado includes Mesa and Garfield Counties. The habitat includes the Colorado
River and its 100 -year floodplain from Colorado River Bridge at exit 90 (Rifle town exit) north
off Interstate 70 (T6 S, R93 W, Section 16 (6th Principal Meridian) to WestWater Canyon in
T20S, R25E, Section 12 (Salt Lake Meridian). Other designated habitat includes the Gunnison
River and its 100 -year floodplain from the Redlands Diversion Dam in T1 S, R1 W, Section 27
(Ute Meridian) to the confluence with the Colorado River in T1 S, R1 W, Section 22 (Ute
Meridian).
The present distribution of the Colorado pikeminnow includes the Green River below the
confluence with the Yampa River; the lower Duchesne River in Utah; the Yampa River below
Craig, Colorado; the White River from Taylor Draw Dam near Rangely, Colorado, downstream
to the confluence with the Green River; the Gunnison River in Colorado; and the Colorado River
from Palisade, Colorado, downstream to Lake Powell. The closest known currently occupied
area is located in the Colorado River approximately 30 miles downstream of the proposed
pipeline crossing. Habitat requirements of this species depend on the life stage and time of year.
Young -of -the year and juveniles prefer shallow backwaters, while adults prefer pools, eddies,
and deep runs (Miller et al. 1982).
Throughout most of the year, juvenile, subadult, and adult Colorado pikemirmow utilize
relatively deep, low-velocity habitats that occur in nearshore areas of main river channels.
However, in spring when discharge is high due to snow -melt runoff, Colorado pikeminnow
adults utilize flood plain wetlands, flooded tributary mouths, flooded side canyons, and eddy
habitats that are accessible only during high flows.
WestWater Engineering Page 17 of 23 pages March 2008
The FWS has conducted electro -shocking surveys in the Colorado River from Beaver Tail
Mountain (in Debeque Canyon) to Silt annually since 2004 in an effort to detect the presence of
endangered fish species. According to the FWS in Grand Junction (Burdick pers. comm. 2008),
these surveys have not documented the presence Colorado pikeminnow.
The present distribution of the razorback sucker is limited to the upper Green River in Utah,
lower Yampa River in Colorado, and occasionally the Colorado River near Grand Junction,
Colorado. Habitat requirements for razorback sucker can be met in both riverine and reservoir
environments. General habitat used by adults consist of eddies, pools, and backwaters during the
non -breeding period (July through March) (Maddux et al. 1993). Runs, backwaters, and flooded
off -channel impoundments are used during breeding. Juveniles seem to prefer shallow water in
backwaters, tributary mouths, and off -channel impoundments.
Habitats used by adult razorback suckers in rivers of the Upper Colorado River Basin include
deeper runs, eddies, backwaters, and, at higher discharges, flooded off -channel environments in
spring (the latter apparently including movements from the colder main channel into warmer
habitats, a behavior called "staging," before spawning); runs and pools often in shallow water
associated with submerged sandbars in summer; and low-velocity runs, pools, and eddies in
winter. Young razorback suckers require nursery environments with quiet, warm, shallow water
such as tributary mouths, backwaters, or inundated flood plain habitats in rivers and coves or
shorelines in reservoirs.
The FWS has conducted electro -shocking surveys in the Colorado River from Beaver Tail
Mountain (in Debeque Canyon) to Silt annually since 2004 in an effort to detect the presence of
endangered fish species. According to the FWS in Grand Junction (Burdick pers. comm. 2008),
these surveys have not documented the presence any razorback sucker during this survey period.
Care should be taken during construction to contain any sediment that could enter the river and
affect water quality for fish and other aquatic organisms.
5.0 IMPACTS TO WILDLIFE
5.1 Wildlife Impact Assessment
Construction of the pipeline will cause disturbance within the ROW to native vegetation and
wildlife habitat. Foreseen impacts would be (1) the loss of winter range to a small number of
mule deer and elk that utilize this site, (2) the loss of foraging and nesting vegetation/habitat to a
small number of bird species, and (3) the possible disturbance to raptor nests adjacent to and
within the pipeline corridor. The casual human disturbance that will be associated with the
pipeline construction activities will indirectly cause some wildlife species to avoid the area, at
least during the periods of human activity. Some species will become accustomed to the human
activity while maintaining a distance that is tolerable. The impact to wildlife as a result of the
pipeline installation and operation is relatively minimal and would not affect the overall status of
wildlife populations of the area. The project and its ongoing activities will contribute; however,
to the overall cumulative impacts to the wildlife populations of the area that are experiencing
gradual habitat loss, fragmentation, alteration and displacement through increased development.
WestWater Engineering
Page 18 of 23 pages March 2008
6.0 MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS
The following suggestions for mitigation are presented for maintenance and improvement of
wildlife habitat quality as well as for the prevention of human -caused wildlife losses and/or
conflicts.
6.1 Maintenance and Restoration of Habitat
In the Rocky Mountain Region sagebrush communities have declined over the years and
continue to do so as a result of development and habitat conversion. Sagebrush is a key food
source for wintering mule deer on this project site and provides nesting and foraging habitat for a
variety of migratory birds and small mammals. The grass understory of the current sagebrush,
piflon-juniper vegetation and adjacent meadows provides valuable forage for wintering elk.
After disturbance and removal, it generally takes decades to return sagebrush to its current
condition through natural vegetative succession. Deliberate planting of sagebrush is possible, yet
costly. Native Wyoming and basin big sagebrush should be considered and added to the re -
vegetation plan of disturbed soils once grass/forb plantings have established themselves. Seed
from the existing sagebrush vegetation should be used to create wildlife forage that has a mix of
grasses, forbs and sagebrush. Any further energy exploration and/or development in this area,
such as future pipeline installations, should include efforts to maintain and/or restore the
sagebrush community.
Ongoing control of noxious and invasive weeds is recommended as an additional method to
maintain native vegetation communities and favorable wildlife habitats. An "Integrated
Vegetation and Weed Management Plan" is provided for this project in a separate report.
6.2 Off-site Mitigation
A temporary loss of wildlife habitat will occur as result of habitat alteration for the pipeline
installation. Habitat loss will be permanent in areas where vegetation reclamation is
unsuccessful. Some species of wildlife will benefit when the disturbed vegetation of the pipeline
corridor is reclaimed with introduced plant species; yet other species will not benefit as a result
of a change in the native vegetation complex. For example, disturbance and removal of
sagebrush will cause long term winter habitat loss to mule deer until native sagebrush becomes
re-established. This habitat loss contributes to the overall cumulative impacts to wildlife as a
result of increased development in this region. Efforts to conduct or contribute to off-site habitat
mitigation in the local area, especially for deer and elk winter range, would help offset net habitat
losses to these species. Off-site mitigation could be in the form of habitat improvement or
habitat acquisition that protects key habitats in perpetuity. CDOW is a key agency to contact for
suggestions and recommendations toward off-site wildlife habitat mitigation.
6.3 Planning for Sensitive Time Periods
6.3.1 Mule Deer and Elk
Wintering mule deer and elk would benefit if construction and/or energy exploration/
development activities avoided the critical time for these species from December 1 to April 30.
Energy industry activities are commonly limited during this time period on federal lands of the
WestWater Engineering Page 19 of 23 pages March 2008
area in order to accommodate wintering mule deer and elk. Table 7 displays the most critical
periods for deer and elk in the area of the pipeline project.
Table 7. Seasonal critical periods for Rulison Enterprise Pipeline
Concern
Period
Deer and Elk severe (critical) winter range
December 1 — April 30
Migratory Birds primary nesting season
May 15 — August 1
Raptor nesting season
February 1 — August 15
6.3.2 Migratory Birds
Vegetation clearing activities, in relation to construction and development projects, would have
less impact to migratory birds if conducted outside the primary nesting season of May 15 to
August 1 (Table 7).
6.3.3 Raptors
Activities associated with the proposed project have the potential to impact raptor populations.
In order to reduce the potential for impacts to nesting raptors, it will be important that the project
proponent schedule construction activities such that they do not interfere with breeding, nesting
and brood rearing activities (Table 7). CDOW's (Craig 2002) recommended raptor nest site
avoidance standards for the species observed in this survey are summarized below (Table 8). If
the project cannot be completed prior to, or after, the next nesting season, the known nest should
be re -inventoried by qualified biologists. If any birds are found behaving in a manner consistent
with nesting, every effort should be made to apply the timing limitation and buffer distance
stipulations.
Table 8. Timing Limitations and NSO Recommendations For Active Raptor Nests
Species
Buffer Zone - NSO
Seasonal Restriction
Red-tailed Hawk
0.33 mile
1 March - 15 July
Swainson's Hawk
0.25 mile
1 April - 15 August
Sharp -shinned Hawk
0.25 mile
1 April - 15 August
Cooper's Hawk
0.25 mile
1 April - 15 August
American Kestrel
*
*
Peregrine Falcon
0.5 mile
15 March - 31 July
Prairie Falcon
0.5 mile
15 March - 31 July
Golden Eagle
0.25 mile + alt. nests
1 January - 15 July
Bald Eagle
0.50 mile
15 December - 15 July
Northern Harrier
0.25 mile
1 April - 15 August
Long-eared Owl
0.25 mile
1 March - 15 July
Northern Saw -whet Owl
0.25
1 March —15 July
Great Horned Owl
*
*
• Great Homed Owls and Kestrels are relatively tolerant of human activity. Keep activity to a minimum during breeding season.
WestWater Engineering Page 20 of 23 pages March 2008
6.4 Other Mitigation Practices
6.4.1 Erosion Control and Soil Stability
Efforts to control soil erosion within the project area should be implemented. Disturbed soils
within the pipeline corridor will be highly susceptible to erosion and downstream water quality
could be negatively affected by increased soil erosion. Boring beneath the Colorado River and
associated wetlands for the pipeline stream crossing would minimize disturbance to the soils and
vegetation of the stream bed and banks, thus, reducing downstream silt and sediment loads that
can affect water quality for endangered fish critical habitat areas and other aquatic life.
6.4.2 Fences
Several livestock fences will be dismantled and re -built as part of the pipeline construction
project. Re -built fences that are designed for easy passage of deer and elk can allow these
animals to utilize the native and planted vegetation for forage and move about the adjacent areas
freely as they search for food and cover. In addition, properly designed fences will prevent deer
and elk from being injured or suffering death as a result of becoming entangled as they attempt
to jump over or pass through a fence. Generally, wire fences that do not exceed 42 inches in
height and have 12 -inch spacing between the top two wires will allow deer and elk to pass over a
fence without conflict. The BLM utilizes these fence specifications for livestock fencing on
federal lands (BLM 1989). The publication presented by CDOW, "Fencing with Wildlife in
Mind" provides fence designs that are friendly to wildlife and is available at the CDOW web site
at http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/B0D65D61-6CB0-4746-94F1-
6EE 194E1 C230/0/fencing.pdf.
6.4.3 Traffic
Construction and service vehicle drivers should be encouraged to maintain modest speeds to
reduce the chances of striking wildlife on public and private roads. Advisory signs with this
cautionary message could be placed on roadways of the area. Posting speed limit signs where
collisions with wildlife appear most likely, on County Roads and energy -industry roads, will
help reduce losses to wildlife as a result of vehicle encounters.
6.5 Mitigation Summary
Table 9 briefly summarizes the mitigation measures mentioned in this report, which can help to
reduce impacts to wildlife as a result of the Rulison Enterprise Pipeline project.
Table 9. List of Mitigation Measures for Wildlife
Mitigating Measure
Benefiting Wildlife
Maintain and restore native sagebrush
vegetation
Deer, elk, migratory birds, small mammals,
reptiles, amphibians
Off-site habitat improvement or acquisition
Deer, elk, migratory birds, small mammals,
reptiles, amphibians
Seasonal scheduling of construction and
development (see Table 1)
Deer and elk, migratory birds, raptors
Make livestock and property fencing wildlife
friendly
Deer and elk, large mammals, small mammals
WestWater Engineering
Page 21 of 23 pages
March 2008
Table 9. List of Mitigation Measures for Wildlife
Mitigating Measure
Benefiting Wildlife
Control soil erosion on disturbed soils; bore
beneath Colorado River and wetlands to
install pipeline
Designated critical habitat for Colorado
pikeminnow and razorback sucker plus other
aquatic species of the Colorado River and
associated wetlands
Store food & garbage securely, remove often
Black bears
Educate workers and guests, supervise
children and small pets while outdoors
Mountain lion
Reduce vehicular speeds on access roads
Deer and elk, large mammals, small mammals
REFERENCES
Andrews, R., and R. Righter. 1992. Colorado Birds: A Reference to Their Distribution and
Habitat. Denver Museum of Natural History, Colorado.
BLM. 1989. Bureau of Land Management Manual, Handbook H-1741-1, "Fencing".
http://blm.gov.
Board of County Commissioners. 2006. Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978, amended
October, 2006. Board of County Commissioners, Building and Planning Department,
Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Burdick, Robert 2008. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish Biologist. Personal communication
regarding fish surveys on the Colorado River. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Grand
Junction, Colorado. March 2008.
CDOW. 2008a. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Natural Diversity Information Source.
http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/wildlife.asp.
CDOW. 2008b. Colorado Division of Wildlife. Wildlife Species of Concern. Threatened and
Endangered List. CDOW Web Home Page:
http://wildlife. state. co.us/WildlifeSpecies/SpeciesOfConcern/ThreatenedEndangeredList.
Craig, Gerald R. 2002. Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Colorado
Raptors. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver.
CWMA. 2007. S. Anthony, T. D'Amato, A. Doran, S. Elzinga, J. Powell, I. Schonle, and K.
Uhing. Noxious Weeds of Colorado, Ninth Edition. Colorado Weed Management
Association, Centennial.
Hammerson, G. A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado, Second Edition. Colorado
Division of Wildlife, Denver.
Kershaw, Linda, A. MacKinnon, and J. Pojar. 1998. Plants of the Rocky Mountains. Lone Pine
Publishing, Auburn, Washington.
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Kingery, H. E. 1998. Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas. Colorado Bird Atlas Partnership, Colorado
Division of Wildlife, Denver.
Maddux, H., L. Fitzpatrick, and W. Noonan. 1993. Colorado River Endangered Fishes Critical
Habitat. Biological Support Document. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Utah/Colorado
Field Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, 225 pp.
Miller, W. H., J. J. Valentine, D. L. Archer, H. M. Tyus, R. A. Valdez, and L. R. Kaeding. 1982.
Colorado River Fishery Project Final Report Summary. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Salt Lake City, Utah. 42 pp.
NRCS. 2008. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Web
Soil Survey: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/.
Reid, F. A. 2006. A Field Guide to Mammals of North America, Fourth Edition. Peterson Field
Guides. National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Roger Tory Peterson
Institute, New York.
Righter, R., R. Levad, C. Dexter, and K. Potter. 2004. Birds of Western Colorado Plateau and
Mesa Country. Grand Valley Audubon Society, Grand Junction, Colorado.
Spackman, S., B. Jennings, J. Coles, C. Dawson, M. Minton, A. Kratz, and C. Spurrier. 1997.
Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide. Prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the
U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the Colorado Natural Heritage
Program.
USFWS. 2002. Birds of Conservation Concern 2002. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of
Migratory Bird Management, Arlington, Virginia.
Whitson, T. D. (editor), L. C. Burrill, S. A. Dewey, D. W. Cudney, B. E. Nelson, R. D. Lee, and
Robert Parker. 2004. Weeds of the West, Ninth Edition. Western Society of Weed
Science in cooperation with Cooperative Extension Services, University of Wyoming.
Laramie.
WestWater Engineering
Page 23 of 23 pages March 2008
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
ETC CANYON PIPELINE, LLC
Rulison to Enterprise 24" Pipeline
IN THE EVENT OF:
• Accidental Release of Regulated Substance (e.g., hydrocarbons), Fire, or
Bodily Injury (e.g., heart attack) of Property Damage.
➢ Evacuate degree of non -incidental release.
➢ If Non -Catastrophic notify Superintendent, District Manager and the
Manager of Safety, Health, and Environment to determine the course of
action and make appropriate reporting contacts.
➢ If Catastrophic, conduct Emergency Shutdown (ESD), make appropriate
notifications, evaluate impact of release to employees and public, and
evacuate facility per Emergency Evacuation Plan as necessary. Notify
Superintendent and District Manager to engage Emergency Response
Plan.
• Need For Emergency Response Support:
Art Smith, Engineering Manager of Projects (720) 225-4011 Phone
(303) 888-2843 Mobile
Scott Pierce, Operations Superintedent (970) 263-0934 Phone
(970) 216-1750 Mobile
Jimmy Smith, Construction Manager (970) 625-8433 Phone
Wagon Wheel Consulting, Inc. (303) 726-9070 Mobile
Gregory Norton, Lead Inspector
TBD, Construction Superintendent
Garfield County Sheriff
(970) 625-8433 Phone
(435) 621-0285 Mobile
(970) 625-1899 or 911
Grand Valley Fire Department 911
Rifle Fire Department 911
• Need for Emergency Health Care:
➢ Grand River Medical Center
Located at: 501 Airport Rd., Rifle, Colorado
➢ Ambulance 911
Designated employees trained in Medic 1st Aid are to perform 1s` Aid
procedures on injured employees as applicable.
EVACUATION AND ESCAPE INFORMATION
NOTE: All personnel are responsible for their own evacuation, and should
actively solicit evacuation assistance if needed.
Escape Route:
• PRIMARY ROUTE
WEST PROJECT SECTION: Proceed county road 215, south on county road
215 to Parachute then Muster at Shell parking lot until released.
• EAST PROJECT SECTION: Proceed to Rulison Road to overpass adjacent
to Interstate 70 until released..
Post -Evacuation Employee Accounting:
• Employees are to report by phone (TBD), or in person to the Construction
Office located in Rifle, Colorado.
• The incident Commander will alert emergency responders of any employees
who are unaccounted for after an emergency evacuation, so that rescue
operations can be addressed.
Reporting Emergencies:
• Emergency Phone Contact List on attached page.
Critical Duties
All employees will evacuate during a catastrophic ESD emergency. The
Construction Engineering Manager, Operations Superintendent or Construction
Manager, or Construction Supervisor are the only qualified persons to issue
permission to enter the facility, or response area.
• Activate Emergency Shutdown (ESH) system.
• Activate Emergency Response System by notifying Superintendent or
Engineering Manager of your emergency.
• Render medical assistance to any injured employees. Only persons
trained in First Aid and CPR are qualified to render aid.
• Evacuate right-of-way per this Emergency Evacuation Plan.
• Make appropriate notifications of emergency conditions.
Additional Emergency Plan Information
• Emergency Responses shall occur as follows:
➢ First responder notification: Any facility or field personnel noticing a
release or other potentially hazardous situation shall notify the person in
charge immediately of the nature of the hazardous occurrence. Location,
product involved, release quantity, and status of personnel in the area
shall be communicated.
➢ Personnel identifying the emergency shall evacuate the area as
necessary. Only personnel designated and trained for the particular
function may take actions required to combat the emergency.
➢ The Person in charge will assume the functions of the Site Commander
until emergency responders (EMS) arrive on scene and coordinated this
role. The Site Commander possesses the ability, and has been granted
the authority, to assume control and make decisions when an emergency
arises. The Emergency Coordinator will:
• Notify potentially affected personnel of the emergency.
• Sound any applicable emergency alarms (describe alarm system, if any,
used to alert on-site personnel).
• Determine if Emergency Shutdown (ESD) and/or Evacuation are/is
applicable.
• Take immediate measures as possible to prevent contamination of
waterways or other mechanisms that might impact public safety.
• Determine when off-site emergency responders are needed.
• Notify the Engineering Manager, Operations Manager, Construction
Manager, Lead Inspector, and Construction Superintendent.
• Designate personnel to remain in the vicinity of the incident to monitor
the area for further problems and to assist emergency response
personnel with necessary facility functions/site layout.
• Designate appropriate personnel to coordinate meeting emergency
response vehicles in order to guide them to the site.
• Utilize appropriate section, township, and range as well as nearest
access roads and landmarks or other applicable information when
reporting incident.
• Insure that access is maintained to the right-of-way at all times.
Alarm System (Pipeline)
• Two-way radio or cellular phone
• Note that direct verbal communication of an emergency is satisfactory
for the pipeline if this can be effective in alerting all personnel who may
be on-site.
Non -Evacuation emergency (Pipeline)
• Activate Emergency Shutdown (ESD)
• Notify Person in charge - Site Commander, Lead Inspector and
Construction Superintendent.
Updating Emergency Plan
• This Evacuation Plan will be reviewed at least annually and revised to
reflect relevant changes.
Employee Training
• This Evacuation Plan will be reviewed with all new employees during
their orientation (or first week of employment), and with all employees
on an annual basis.
Cost Reimbursement
• ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC with be responsible for the
reimbursement of any cost associated with the emergency response
of any and all agencies or departments contacted as a result of an
incident requiring services.
SPECIFIC ACTION PLAN FOR ACCIDENTAL RELEASE
Emergency plan decision tree
Hydrocarbon Release
Non -Catastrophic
1. 911 (if required)
2. Notify Superintendent and Foreman
3. Notify Engineering Manager
4. Notify EH&S
5. Assist & assume Site Commander lead until
relieved by Foreman or Superintendent
Catastrophic
1. 911 (if required)
2. ESD Pipeline Operations
3. Notify Foreman, Superintendent
4. Notify Engineering Manager
5. Notify EH&S
6. Assume Role of Site Commander — until
relieved by Foreman or Superintendent
TRAFFIC IMPACT:
PIPELINE
Traffic along county roads will increase due to construction activities. Measures will be
taken to minimize this impact through scheduling and limiting access to the pipeline
right-of-way. Actual construction of the pipeline will take place in four (4) phases.
Anticipated "Traffic Impact" for each phase is as follows:
Phase #1 — Right -of -Way Clearing and Trenching:
Construction personnel = 12 Vehicles = 4
Inspection personnel = 2 Vehicles = 2
Heavy haul Trucks = 3 Trips = 3 ea.
Phase #1 Duration = 5 weeks (6days/week, 10 hrs/day)
Percent of County Rd. 309 impact = 10%
Percent of County Rd. 215 impact = 20%
Percent of US Hwy 6 impact = 70%
Phase #2 — Weld and Install Pipeline
Construction personnel = 72 Vehicles = 10 (includes 2 buses)
Inspection personnel = 2 Vehicles = 2
Heavy haul Trucks = 6 Trips = 1/day x 30 days
Phase #2 Duration = 6 weeks (6 days/week, 10 hrs/day)
Percent of County Rd. 309 impact = 10%
Percent of County Rd. 215 impact = 20%
Percent of US Hwy 6 impact = 70%
Phase #3 — Nitrogen -test Pipeline:
Construction personnel = 9 Vehicles = 3
Inspection personnel = 1 Vehicles = 1
Nitrogen Transport Trucks = 3
Phase #3 Duration = 2 Days
Percent of County Rd. 215 impact = 50%
Percent of US Hwy 6 = 50%
Phase #4 — Right -of -Way Cleanup and Reseeding
Construction personnel = 12 Vehicles = 4
Inspection personnel = 2 Vehicles = 2
Heavy haul Trucks = 3 Trips = 3 ea.
Phase #4 Duration = 3 to 5 weeks (6 days/week, 10 hrs/day)
Percent of County Rd. 309 impact = 10%
Percent of County Rd. 215 impact = 20%
Percent of US Hwy 6 impact = 70%
HOLMS MESA COMPRESSOR STATION
Phase #1 — Site Clearing and Grading
Construction personnel = 6 Vehicles = 3
Inspection personnel = 1 Vehicles = 1
Heavy haul trucks = 2 Trips = 2 ea.
Water Trucks = 1 Trips = 2 per day
Phase #1 Duration = 2 Weeks (6 days/week, 10 Hrs/day
Percent of County Rd. 323 impact = 50%
Percent of County Rd. 301 impact = 50%
Phase #2 — Concrete Pad Construction
Construction personnel = 10 Vehicles = 4
Inspection personnel = 1 Vehicles = 1
Concrete trucks = 2 Trips = 11 ea.
Phase #2 Duration = 2 Weeks (6 days/week, 10 hrs/day)
Percent of County Rd 323 impact = 50%
Percent of County Rd 301 impact = 50%
Phase #3 — Equipment & Building Installation
Construction personnel = 40 Vehicles = 8 (includes 1 bus)
Inspection personnel = 2 Vehicles = 2
Heavy haul trucks = 10 Trips = 1 ea.
Welding trucks = 4 Trips = 1 per/day
Service trucks = 1 Trips = 2 per/week
Phase #3 Duration = 8 weeks (6 days/week, 10 hrs/day)
Percent of County Rd. 323 impact = 50%
Percent of County Rd. 301 impact = 50%
Phase #4 — Cleanup and Reclamation
Construction personnel = 10 Vehicles = 4
Inspection personnel = 1 Vehicles = 1
Heavy haul trucks = 1 Trips = 2 Total
Phase #4 Duration = 1 week (6 days/week, 10 hrs/day)
Percent of County Rd. 323 impact = 50%
Percent of County Rd. 301 impact = 50%
Phase #5 — Facility Operations and Maintenance
Operations personnel = 1 Trips = 2/day (Pickup Truck)
Maintenance personnel = 2 Trips = 2/week (1 ton truck)
Contractor has made arrangements to house personnel in the towns within the
surrounding area. Employees will be bused to the staging areas and then dispursed as
needed along the right-of-way. Construction personnel will return to the staging area
following the completion of work each day. The construction schedule will be a six day
work week (Monday through Saturday) with work commencing at 7:OOam and ending at
5:OOpm each day.
All vehicles will be licensed to meet DOT regulations. All permits will be obtained as
required by Garfield County for trucking of heavy and/or wide loads. Dust control will
be a daily construction activity taken to mitigate any public impact.