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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.0 CorrespondenceFred Jarman From: Steve Anthony Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 9:38 AM To: Fred Jarman Subject: RE: Hi Fred The Middle Fork Compressor Station Veg Plan, including the security amount is acceptable. Do you need a formal memo from me? Original Message From: Fred Jarman Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 2:31 PM To: Steve Anthony Subject: FW: Ei Steve, I am sending you 3 separate weed management plans for old SUPs that are for Encana! Take a look and let me know what you think. Hope you are well down there in New Castle? Fred Original Message From: FRED [mailto:fredjarman@garfield-county.com] Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 11:32 AM To: Fred Jarman Subject: This E-mail was sent from "RNPC9D6E4" (MP 5500/LD255). Scan Date: 01.25.2008 13:32:19 (-0500) 1. ENCANA.. EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. 2717 County Road 215 Suite 100 Parachute, CO 81635 January 3, 2008 Fred Jarman Director Garfield County Building and Planning Department 108 8th Street, Suite 401 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 tel: (970) 285-2667 fax: (970) 285-2691 preston. nelson (a7enca na. cam www.encana.com Re: Special Use Permit for Processing and Material Handling of Natural Resources for the Middle Fork Compressor Station, Resolution 2005-85 Fred: On Monday, August 15, 2005, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the request for a Special Use Permit for Processing and Material Handling of Natural Resources for the Middle Fork Compressor Station based on compliance with certain conditions. EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. (EnCana) is providing this letter and attached documentation as proof of compliance. For your reference, the BOCC conditions appear in italicized font and the EnCana response occurs in normal font. /1" That all representations of the Applicant, either within the application or stated at the hearing before the Board of County Commissioners, shall be considered conditions of approval unless explicitly altered by the Board. EnCana has and will comply with all representations within the application and stated at the hearing before the Board of County Commissioners. That the operation of the facility be done in accordance with all applicable federal, state. and local regulations governing the operation of this type of facility. EnCana operates the compressor station in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing the operation of this type of facility. That the Applicant shall comply with the fire protection provisions included in the rules and regulations of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCCj and the International Fire Code as the Code pertains to the operation of this facility. EnCana complies with the fire protection provisions included in the rules and regulations of the COGCC and the International Fire Code as the Code pertains to the operation of the Middle Fork Compressor Station. A( Prior to this issuance of a Special Use Permit, the Applicant shall submit the following items to the County Vegetation Manager for approval prior to the issuance of the Special Use Permit. a. The applicant shall map and inventory the property for the County Listed Noxious Weeds. b. The Applicant shall provide a Weed Management Plan for the inventoried noxious weeds. c. The Applicant shall augment the site reclamation plan by providing a plant materia! list and planting schedule for the reclamation. EnCana mapped the Middle Fork Compressor Station for County -listed noxious weeds in January 2007 and submitted an Integrated Noxious Weed Management Plan and Reclamation Plan to the County Vegetation Manager on February 12, 2007. Please refer to Attachment 1 for documentation. 5. Volume of sound generated shall comply with the standards set forth in the Colorado Revised Statutes. EnCana completed a sound analysis of the Middle Fork Compressor Station in February 2007 and the facility complies with Colorado Revised Statutes COGCC noise regulations. Refer to Attachment 2 for a copy of the study. 6. Vibration generated: the Compressor shall be so operated that the ground vibration inherently and recurrently generated is not perceptible, without instruments, at any point of any boundary line of the property on which the issue is located. Minor vibrations occur from operation of the compressor engines; however, the nearest property line is approximately 0.75 -miles from the Middle Fork Compressor Station and vibrations are not perceptible at the property line. ✓ 7. Emissions of smoke and particulate matter: the Compressor shall be so operated so as to comply with all Federal, State and County air quality laws, regulations and standards. Smoke is not produced at the Middle Fork Compressor Station. EnCana operates the compressor engines in compliance with air quality permits received from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Air Pollution Control Division. Emissions of heat, glare, radiation, and fumes: the Compressor shall be so operated that it does not emit heat, glare, radiation, or fumes with substantially interfere with the existing use of adjoining property or which constitutes a public nuisance of hazard. Flaring or gases, aircraft warning signals. reflective painting or storage tanks, or other such operations which may be required by law as safety or air pollution control measures shall be exempted from this provision. The Middle Fork Compressor Station does not emit heat, glare, radiation, or fumes under normal operating conditions. Flaring of gas occurs occasionally due to abnormal, emergency, or maintenance conditions; however, fumes do not substantially interfere with the existing use of adjoining property or constitute a public nuisance or hazard. 9. Any storage area for uses not associated with natural resources shall not exceed ten (10) acres in size. There are no storage areas associated with the Middle Fork Compressor Station. v./fa Any fighting of storage area shall be pointed downward and inward to the property center and shaded to prevent direct reflection on adjacent property. The lighting at Middle Fork Compressor Station is pointed downward and inward. 11. Water pollution: in a case in which potential hazards exist, it shall be necessary to install safeguards designed to comply with the Regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency before operation of the facilities may begin. All percolation tests or ground water resource tests as may be required by local or State Health Officers must be met before operation of the facilities may begin. There are no potential hazards at the Middle Fork Compressor Station. EnCana implements a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan (SPCCP). Implementation of these plans ensures that activities comply with stormwater management and spill prevention controls and countermeasures as required by Garfield County, the State of Colorado, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Implementation of these plans ensures EnCana does not pollute surface runoff, stream flow, or groundwater. ,, 12. The Applicant shall provide a copy of the appropriate bond supplied to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) intended to guarantee reclamation of the Compressor site once the life of the Compressor has ended prior to the issuance of the Special Use Permit. Compressor stations are not regulated by the COGCC. EnCana has acquired a revegetation security in the amount of $36,000 that is intended to guarantee reclamation of the compressor station once the life of the facility has ended. Refer to Attachment 3 for a copy of the revegetation security. 13. That all proper building permits are obtained for the structures associated with the operation of the Compressor prior to the issuance of a Special Use Permit. Structures associated with the operation of the compressor station are the building housing the electric compressor engines, the air compressor building, the MCC building, and the power distribution building. Refer to Attachment 4 for copies of the building permits for the aforementioned structures. If you are satisfied that EnCana has met the conditions of approval, please issue the Special Use Permit for this facility. If you need additional information or have any questions, please contact me. Sincerely, Preston Nelson Permit and ROW Coordinator, Piceance Basin Attachment 1 Attachment 2 Attachment 3 — Attachment 4 — -- Integrated Vegetation and Noxious Weed Management Plan — Noise Study Revegetation Security Building Permits Attachment 1 ENCANA. EnCana 011 & Gas (USA) Inc. EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. 2717 CR 215, Suite 100 Parachute, CO 81635 February 12, 2007 Steve Anthony County Vegetation Manager PO Box 426 Rifle, CO 81650 970-285-2608 direct 970-309-8106 cell 970-285-0691 fax Re: Special Use Permit for Processing and Material Handling of Natural Resources for Middle Fork Compressor Station Dear Steve: On Monday, August 15, 2005, the Board of County Commissioners approved the request for a Special Use Permit for Processing and Material Handling of Natural Resources for the Middle Fork Compressor Station based on compliance with certain conditions. EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. (EnCana) is providing this letter and attached documentation as proof of compliance. For your reference, the BOCC conditions appear in italicized font and the EnCana response occurs in normal font. 4. Prior to this issuance ()la Special Use Permit, the Applicant shall submit the following items to the County Vegetation Manager for approval prior to the issuance of the Special Use Permit. a. The Applicant shall map and inventory the property for the County Listed Noxious Weeds. b. The Applicant shall provide a Weed Management Plan for the inventoried noxious i.veeds. c. The Applicant shall augment the site reclamation plan by providing a plant material list and planting schedule pr the reclamation. EnCana mapped the Middle Fork Compressor Station for County -listed noxious weeds in January 2007 and has included an Integrated Noxious Weed Management in Attachment 1. The Middle Fork Compressor Station falls within the lower zone of the North Parachute Ranch property and will be reseeded with the species suggested for planting in the lower zone in the North Parachute Ranch Reclamation Plan, enclosed as Attachment 2. Due to the long-term nature of the facility (+1- 30 years), EnCana does not have a planned reclamation schedule for the facility. Prior to abandonment of the facility, EnCana will schedule a meeting with the County Vegetation Manager to determine appropriate abandonment plan and reclamation schedule. 9. The Applicant shall provide a copy of the appropriate bond supplied to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) intended to guarantee reclamation of the Compressor site once the life of the Compressor has ended prior to the issuance of the Special Use Permit. Compressor stations are not regulated by the COGCC. EnCana has acquired a revegetation security in the amount of $36,000 that is intended to guarantee reclamation of the compressor station once the life of the facility has ended. Refer to Attachment 2 for a copy of the revegetation security. If you are satisfied that EnCana has met the conditions of approval, I would appreciate receiving a letter or email of concurrence. In order to submit the remaining conditions of approval to the Planning Director and BOCC, I am required to have a copy of your approval. If you need additional information or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sinerely, Brenda Linst Lead Permit and ROW Coordinator, Piceance Basin Enc, • • August 16, 2005 Jimmy Smith Wagon wheel Consulting 111 East 3rd Street, Suite 213 Rifle, CO 81650 Garfield County BUILDING & PLANNING DEPARTMENT RE: Special Use Permit request for "Processing and Material Handling of Natural Resources" Dear Jimmy, As you are aware, on Monday, August 15, 2005, the Board approved a Special Use Permit request for Processing and Material Handling of Natural Resources for the Middle Fork Compressor Station located at the North Parachute Ranch with the following conditions: 1. That all representations of the Applicant, either within the application or stated at the hearing before the Board of County Commissioners, shall be considered conditions of approval unless explicitly altered by the Board. 2. That the operation of the facility be done in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing the operation of this type of facility. 3. That the Applicant shall comply with the fire protection provisions included in the rules and regulations of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) and the International Fire Code as the Code pertains to the operation of this facility. 4. Prior to the issuance of a Special Use Permit, the Applicant shall submit the following items to the Count Vegetation Manager for approval prior to the issuance of a Special Use Permit. a. The Applicant shall map and inventory the property for the County Listed Noxious Weeds. b. The Applicant shall provide a Weed Management Plan for the inventoried noxious weeds. 108 8th Street, Suite 201, Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601 (970) 945-8212 (970) 285-7972 Fax: (970) 384-3470 • • As you are also aware, the County will not issue the Special Use Permit until all of the applicable conditions listed above have been satisfied. I look forward to working with you so that these conditions can be met within the next 120 days. Do not hesitate to contact this office in the event you have any questions. Very truly yours, Fred A. Jarman, Al Assistant Planning Director 970.945.8212 3 TO FROM DATE • MEMORANDUM Board of County Commissioners y/J/6J/ n + iV• Building and Planning Department, Fred Jarman July 5Ih, 2005 RE Referral of a Special Use Permit for "Processing and Material Handling of Natural Resource" for a natural gas compressor station 1. BACKGROUND The Building and Planning Department received a Special Use Permit (SUP) application for "Processing and Material Handling of Natural Resource" for a natural gas compressor station on a 27,000 -acre property owned by Encana Oil & Gas USA, Inc located at the end of County Road 215 north of Parachute and is also formerly known as the old UNOCAL property where oil shale processing occurred. The location of the compressor is just beyond the private gate at the end of County Road 215 adjacent to a recently permitted produced water storage facility. More specifically, the Applicant, represented by Wagon Wheel Consulting, requests approval from the Board for a natural gas compressor station which is presently under construction. This compressor will serve as a collector point where gathered natural gas is sent for dehydration and compression of gas collected in the North Parachute Ranch. See the attached "Impact Statement" which describes the proposed use, general design of the compressor, hours of operation, trips generated, noise, vibration, and odor impacts, impacts to wildlife, and life of structure. -•/ V:, • • • In order to send gas to and from the compressor, the Applicant intends to construct three segments of pipeline. The first segment consists of a 10" pipeline (having a length of 1.2 miles) and will bring gas from the existing gathering line network on the NPR to the compressor facility. The discharge pipeline consists of two segments (12" in width and having a length of approximately 1 mile); the first segment will leave the compressor and connect to an existing pipeline owned by Encana purchased from American Soda and then the second segment will run from that line to the Roan Cliff Interconnect which is an existing pipeline connection that delivers natural gas to the Rifle Compressor Station. The total pipeline length of the three segments is approximately 2.2 miles and ranges in width from 10" to 12". II. COMPRESSOR / PIPELINE REGULATIONS This compressor project illustrates two disparate policy issues in the following manner. First, as you will recall, the County did not "regulate" compressors as a stand-alone land use due to a previous determination of the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). However, more recently, the COGCC officially acknowledged that local governments could regulate compressors through their local zoning frameworks. As a result, Encana began construction of the subject compressor under the COGCC's former position which is why Staff discovered the project "under construction" on a site visit for another project. So, technically, Encana could continue construction without a land use permit since construction had already begun, they wish to obtain the proper Special Use Permit for the facility. It should be noted that proper building permits were sought through Garfield County at the correct time for the project. Second, under the newly approved pipeline regulations, this compressor station would require County review if the pipelines to which the compressor station is appurtenant to are greater than 12" in diameter and over 2 miles in length or any width of pipeline over 5 miles in length. In this case, there is 1.2 miles of a 10" pipeline and 1 mile of a 12" pipeline. As a result, these pipeline segments and compressor would not require any review by the County. (Photo below shows compressor under construction as of May 10th, 2005.) • • III. REFERRAL AUTHORITY Section 9.03.04 of the Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended requires that Special Use Permit applications be initially brought to the Board so that the Board may determine if a recommendation from the Planning Commission is necessary. IV. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Based on the recently approved pipeline regulation by the Board of County Commissioners, it appears this compressor station, as an appurtenant structure, does not fall within the County's regulatory purview due to the length and size of pipelines to which it is appurtenant. Therefore, as a result of the newly approved pipeline regulations Staff finds that the County would not regulate such a compressor. If the compressor was to be regulated as a stand-alone land use, Staff finds that due to 1) the limited nature of potential impacts to surrounding properties, 2) the remote location of the property such that it is situated at the end of a dead-end county road which is used primarily for industrial traffic serving the existing industrial uses in the area with very limited general population traffic, 3) and the fact that the site itself will be situated in an industrial area already characterized by intense industrial activity from the oil shale exploration / processing activities, Staff recommends the Board direct Staff to schedule a public hearing for the Board and not refer the matter to the Planning Commission. • • Impact Statement Site location selection for the Middlefork Compressor Facility provides multiple benefits. The proposed location is within a previously disturbed area which was used for oil shale processing on the former Unocal Property. The proposed facility will be in a central location to current and future natural gas wells in the area. The facility will set on approximately 4 acres of a 27,000 acre property solely owned by Encino Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. The site is in a relatively remote area with the nearest residence being approximately 3 miles to the south. The steep terrain surrounding the site on three sides serves as a natural buffer for and potential noise, odor and dust concerns. Due to the remote location of the property, visual impacts from the facility will be extremely limited. The facility will be in continuous use and operation 24 -hours per day, year-round. However, the majority of activity will occur during normal business hours. Remote monitoring of the facility after completion of the construction phase will limit the need for on-site personnel only during the daylight hours. The anticipated traffic impact to Garfield County Road 215 will be approximately 4 pickup trips per day under normal conditions of operation. EnCana's Gas Control Department will have monitoring and control ability from their office facility located just north of Parachute, Co. Gas powered compressors are planned for the initial phase of the facility operations_ These compressors will not exceed the noise or vibration limits set forth by the State of Colorado Revised Statute 25-12-103. Given the remote location of the new facility, noise will not be a nuisance to area residents. EnCana plans to convert the new compressors to electric powered motors as produced natural gas volumes increase and as economics warrant. Negotiations are currently ongoing with Excel Energy to provide three phase power service to the proposed facility site. The facility site has been designed to insure protection of ground water and nearby streams through the development and implementation of a Storm Water Management Plan, specific to the area. Containment facilities are designed into the facility for any ha?ardous material stored or used during operations. There will be no sewage or solid waste generated on the site. A security gate located at the entrance into the subject property precludes public access to the site. The security gate is manned 24 -hours/ 7 days a week in order to limit unauthorized traffic onto the property. According to wildlife distribution maps from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the site is located on winter rangeland for mule deer, elk, and turkey. This facility is by nature incompatible with continued wildlife access; therefore, wildlife will be excluded by fencing the property. EnCana has retained the services of a certified wildlife biologist to insure the safety and protection of wildlife potentially affected by the operations of the facility. • All equipment will be painted with a beige color to match the color of the surrounding area. The expected life of the facility is approximately 20+ years. A comprehensive reclamation plan will be in place to insure return of the site to a natural state once the facility is no longer needed. Garfield County June 15, 2005 Jimmy Smith Wagon wheel Consulting 111 East 3rd Street, Suite 213 Rifle, CO 81650 BUILDING & PLANNING DEPARTMENT RE: Special Use Permit request for "Processing and Material Handling of Natural Resources" for the Middle Fork Compressor Station Dear Jimmy, Thank you for the additional information submitted to this office for the Special Use Permit (SUP) request for "Processing and Material Handling of Natural Resources" on behalf of Encana Oil and Gas USA, Inc. for the Middle Fork Compressor Station north of Parachute, CO. Staff has completed a Technical Compliance review of the application and has found it to be Technically Complete. Please note, this determination is not a determination of approval. It only means you have submitted the information necessary to conduct a substantive review, Staff has scheduled the request to be heard by the Board of County Commissioners (the Board) on July 5th, 2005 at 10:15 AM only to determine if they wish to refer the matter to the County Planning and Zoning Commission (the Commission) for a recommendation. Should the Board recommend the Commission hear the matter, this office will set the schedule for that public hearing and provide you the necessary guidance regarding proper public notification. Should the Board move to hear the matter directly, this office will schedule that public hearing and provide you the necessary guidance regarding proper public notification. This public meeting will be held at the Garfield County Plaza Building in the Commissioners Room on the first floor, The address is 108 8th Street, Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601. Do not hesitate to contact this office in the event you have any questions. Very truly yours, Fred A. Jarman, AICP Assistant Planning Director 970.945.8212 108 8th Street, Suite 201, Glenwood Springs, Colorado 816111 (970) 945-8212 (970) 285-7972 Fax: (970) 384-3470 • ENCANA. EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. June 2, 2005 Fred A. Jarman, AICP Garfield County Building & Planning Department 108 8th Street, Suite 201 Glenwood Springs, CO. 81601 RE: Agent Authorization Mr. Jarman, • 370 17th Sircei Suite 17E0 Denver, CO 80202 RECEIVED JUN 0 2 2005 GARFIELD COUNTY BUILDING & PLANNING a: (3031623-2300 lac (303) 623-2400 w�wl er}ctina.com Wagon Wheel Consulting, Inc. (Jimmy Smith) has been retained by EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. to request a Garfield County Special Use Permit for a Compressor Station Facility at North Parachute Ranch property located north of Parachute, Colorado. I authorize Wagon Wheel Consulting, Inc. to act as agent on my behalf. Please call me at (720)-876-5377 if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Wes Fortik EnCana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc. 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