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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 BOCC Staff Report 06.12.2006Jlune 12,2006 - BOCC Exhibits for Public Hearing of the SUP - Amine Facility Applicant - Hyrup Invesrmenrs LLLp Sraff - Richard Wheeler A Mail Receipts B Proof of Publication C Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended D Staff Report dated 6-t2-2006 E Application for the Special Use Permit F Letter from Mountain Cross Engineering Inc. G Vtr\ plA",- H J r,u r u N c r F g n-iiEsr r.neprI J K L M N o P Exhibit Letter {A to Z} Exhibit BOCC 6-1 2-06 RW PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS REQUEST: Special Use Permit for "Storage, Processing, and Material Handling for an Amine Facility OWNER/APPLICANT: Hyrup lnvestments LLLP. OPERATOR: Noble Energy LOCATION: Approximately eight miles southwest of Parachute, Colorado SITE INFO: 480 acres ACCESS: CR 306 WATER: No proposal for water SEWER: No sewer service is proposed EXISTING ZONING: ARRD (Agricultural Residential Rural Density) 1. BACKGROUND The BuiHing and Planning Department is in receipt of a Special Use Permit (SUP) application for "Storage, Processing, and Material Handling of Natural Resource" for an Amine Facility on a 5.39 acre project site that is part of a 480 acre parcel, leased by Noble Energy. The property is located approximately eight miles southwest of Parachute, Colorado, the NW % of Section 12, T 8 South, R 96 West. The proposal is to add the amine facillty to an existing compressor station that is connected to an 8" pipe that is 1.5 miles in length. The applicant has submitted a Colorado Air Permit Appllcation for a compressor and associated equipment. The actual permit is not submitted with this application. It is unclear if the disturbance of land will be great enough to require the applicant submit a Storm Water Management Plan. lf approved, the applicant shall submit all required Federal and State Permits or Plans prior to issuance of this Special Use Permit. 2. PROPOSAL Hyrup Energy is proposing an amine facility that will tie into an existing compressor station to treat the natural gas by stripping off carbon dioxide that is commonly found as a byproduct of natural gas. The carbon dioxide will be removed from the gas using an amine based process. The carbon dioxide acid gas will be vented in smal! amounts into the atmosphere. 3. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL SPECIAL USE PERMITS 55.03 Conditiona! and Special Uses (Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended) 1. Utilities adequate to provide water and sanitation seruice based on accepted engineering standards and approved by the Board of County Commissioners shall either be in place or shall be constructed in conjunction with the proposed use. Staff Gomments: No permanent office or manned facility is proposed. Once construction is complete, the station will not require water or sewer service. The system will be remotely monitored by Nobel Energy. 2. Sfreef improvements adequate to accommodate traffic volume generated by the proposed use and to provide safe, convenient access to the use shall either be in place or shall be constructed in conjunction with the proposed use. Staff Commenb: Garfield County Road and Bridge Department has issued an access permit for this property. During construction, traffic on CR 306 will increase. After completion of the project, the site will be remotely monitored and traffic should be minimal. The applicant has not stated what the traffic counts to and from the site during and after construction will be. Staff is requesting the applicant submit additional information to adequately address this issue 3. Design of the proposed use is organized to minimize impact on and from adjacent uses of land through installation of screen fences or landscape mateials on the peiphery of the lot and by location of intensively utilized areas, access points, lighting and signs in such a manner as fo protect e sta b I i shed n e ig h borhood ch a racte r. Staff Gomments: The proposed facility is an addition to an existing compressor. This site is fenced and secure from trespass. All fences and gates have been painted as well as all existing tanks have been painted a beige color in an attempt to blend in the area. It is suggested that any new equipment should be painted a similar color. lt is unclear to staff if any other fencing or landscape materials will be needed as to be compatible with existing uses and not detract from the neighborhood character. 55.03.07 Industrial Operations (11 The applicant for a permit for industrial operations shall prepare and submit to the Planning Director ten (10) copr'es of an impact statement on the proposed use descnbing its location, scope, design and construction schedule, including an explanation of its operational charactensfics. One (l) copy of the impact statement shall be filed with the County Commissioners by the Planning Director. The impact statement shalladdress the following: (A) Existing lavvful use of water through depletion or pollution of sufface rttn-off, stream flow or ground water. Staff Comments: The applicant has not submitted any plans as to how storm water runoff will be contained. lf applicable, the applicant will need to submit a copy of the Storm Water Management Plan that was submitted to the State (DCPHE) or show how depletion or pollution of surface run-off, stream flow or groundwater will be mitigated. (B) lmpacfs on adjacent land from the generation of vapor, dust, smoke, noise, glare or vibration, or other emanations. Staff Gomments: The applicant has not directly addressed this issue. lt is unclear to staff how this site will impact adjacent land from the above mentioned impacts. Any exhausted air shall meet all State and Federal guidelines. (C) lmpacts on wildlife and domestic animals through the creation hazardous attractions, alteration of existing native vegetation, blockade migration routes, use pattems or other disruptions. Staff Comments: The proposed site has an existing fence that the applicant states will protect wildlife. No wildlife migration routes have been identified at this site. lt appears the amine facility will not create larger areas that will impact wildlife or domestic animals more than the fenced compressor facility. (D) Affirmatively show the impacts of truck and automobile traffic to and from such uses and their impacfs fo areas in the County. Staff Comments: During the construction phase, vehicles and equipment will be parked on the facility site and will not be allowed to block or hinder normal traffic. Certified flaggers will be utilized to insure safety as part of the Traffic Control Plan. Once construction is complete the applicant has stated that traffic will minimal. No estimated traffic counts have been submitted with this application. lt is unclear to staff what the proposed impact will be. (E) That sufficient distances sha// separate such use from abutting propefty which might otherwise be damaged by operations of the proposed use(s). Staff Gomments: The applicant has stated the site is near a County road and within sight distance of a local residence. Staff has been given no more information as to the separation of this use to abutting uses and whether it wi!! negatively affect near by properties. (F) Mitigation measures proposed for all of the foregoing impacts identified and for the standards identified in Section 5.03.08 of this Resolution. Staff Comments: The applicant has stated there is a fence around the entire perimeter of the site that will provide safety and security. (2) Permits may be granted for those uses with provisions that provide adequate mitigation for the following: (A) A plan for site rehabilitation must be approved by the County Commissioners before a permit for conditional or special use wittbe issued. Staff Gomments: The applicant is proposing the following rehabilitation measures: of of 1. Removal of all surface equipment. 2. Restoration and re-contouring of grade to approximate original condition. 3. Replacement of stockpiled topsoil. 4. Re-vegetation of the site. 5. Compliance with all prevailing COGCC and Garfield County conditions governing final reclamation. The applicant has not submitted a weed inventory or a weed management plan for the site. The site has been cleared and is currently in use as natural gas compressor facility. The applicant has stated that no other soil will be disturbed by the amine facility. A re-vegetation bond shall be required prior to issuance of the Special Use Permit in an amount set forth by the Garfield County Vegetation Department. (B)The County Commissioners may require secuity before a permit for special or conditional use is r'ssue4 if required. The applicant shall fumish evidence of a bank commitment of credit, bond, certified check or other secuity deemed acceptable by the County Commissioners in the amount calculated by the County Commissioners to secure the execution of the site rehabilitation plan in workmanlike manner and in accordance with the specifications and construction schedule established or approved by the County Commissioners. Such commitments, bonds or check shall be payable to and held by the County Commissioners. Staff Gomments: The applicant has submitted a "Blanket Bond" in the amount of $25,000. (C) lmpacfs sef forth in the impact statement and compliance with the standards contained in Section 5.03.08 of this Resolution. (A. 93- 06 1) 55.03.08 lndustrial Performance Standards All industrial operations in the County shall comply with applicable County, Sfafe, and Federal regulations regulating water, air and noise pollution and shall not be conducted in a manner constituting a public nuisance or hazard. Operations sha// be conducted in such a manner as fo minimize heat, dust, smoke, vibration, glare and odor and all other undesirable environmental effects beyond the boundaies of the property in which such uses are located, in accord with the following standards; (1) Volume of sound generated shall comply with the standards set forth in the Colorado Revr'sed Sfafufes at the time any new application is made. (A. 93-06 1) Staff Gomments: The applicant provided information stating the compressors will create noise. lt is unclear to staff what noise levels the amine facility (what is being applied for) will create. Regardless, the applicant shall be aware of all sound volume standards and meet all State requirements. (2) Vibration generated: every use shallbe 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 use is located;. Staff Comments: The applicant has not submitted any information concerning ground vibration. Staff is requesting the applicant submit additional information showing that no vibration will be perceptible at the boundary line of the facility. (3) Emissions of smoke and particulate matter: every use shall be operated so as to comply with all Federal, Sfafe and County air quality laws, regulations and standards. Staff Comments: !f the facility creates smoke or particulate matter, the applicant shall be aware of and meet all Federal and State air quality standards. lf approved, all required Colorado Air Permits shall be approved prior to issuance of the Special Use Permit. (4) Emission of heat, glare, radiation and fumes: every use shallbe so operated that it does not emit heat, glare, radiation or fumes which substantially inteffere with the existing use of adjoining property or which constitutes a public nuisance or hazard. Flaing of gaseg aircraft waming signals, reflective painting of storage tanks, or other such operations which may be required by law as safety or air pollution control measures shallbe exempted from this provision. Staff Gommenb: The applicant has not stated whether the proposed amine facility will create glare, radiation or fumes that will substantially interfere with adjoining property. Staff has not been given enough information to determine if this operation will interfere with adjoining properties. (5) Storage area, salvage yard, sanitary landfill and mineral waste drsposa/ areas (Ae7-112). (A) Sforage of flammable or explosive so/ids or gases shall be in accordance with accepted standards and laws and shall comply with the national, state and local fire codes and written recommendations/comments from the appropriate local protection district regarding compliance with the appropriate codes; (497-112) Staff Comments: Hazardous materials such as lubricating oils, glycol, and methanol will be contained on site and will comply with CEPA rules and regulations. As noted earlier, the site will be surrounded by an existing fence (B) At the discretion of the County Commissioners, all outdoor storage facilities may be required to be enclosed by fence, landscaping or wall adequate to conceal such facilities from adjacent property; (A97- 1 12) Staff Comments: The proposed facility will be in an existing fenced compound. It is unclear whether additiona! screening will be needed. (C) No materials or wastes shall be deposited upon a property in such form or manner that they may be transfened off the property by any reasonably foreseeable natural causes or forces; (A97- 1 12) Staff Comments: lt is unclear whether material wastes will be created and transported off the site. (D) Storage of Heavy Equipment will only be allowed subject to (A) and (C) above and if the following standards: (A97-112) 1. The minimum lot size is five (5) acres and is not a platted subdivision. 2. The equipment storage area is not placed any closer than 300 ft. from any existing residential dwelling. 3. All equipment storage will be enclosed in an area with screening at least eight (8) teet in height and obscured from view at the same elevation or lower. Screening may include berming landscaping, sight obscuring fencing or a combination of any of these. . 4. Any repair and maintenance activity requiring the use of equipment that will generate noise, odors or glare beyond the property boundaries will be conducted within a building or outdoors duing the hours of I a.m. to 6 p.m., Man.-Fi. 5. Loading and unloading of vehicles shall be conducted on private property and may not be conducted on any public right-of-way. Staff Gomments: Once construction is completed it appears that no heavy equipment will be stored on site. Regardless, the applicant will need to directly address this issue. (E) Any storage area for uses nof associated with natural resources sha// not exceed ten (10) acres in size. (497-112) Staff Comments: It appears no additional storage is proposed. (F) Any lighting of storage arca shall be pointed downward and inward to the property center and shaded to prevent direct reflection on adjacent propefty (A97-112). Staff Comments: The applicant has not submitted any lighting plans. Should outdoor lighting be used the applicant shall ensure that all Iighting is downward and inward facing and no light will trespass on adjoining property. (6) 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 fesfs or ground water resource fesfs as may be required by local or Sfafe Health Officers must be met before operation of the facilities may begin. Staff Comments: The applicant has not submitted any information as to the affect this site will have on water pollution. 4. SUGGESTED FINDINGS 1. That proper public notice was provided as required for the hearing before the Board of County Commissioners. Z. That the hearing before the Board of County Commissioners was not extensive and not all pertinent facts, matters and issues were submitted by the applicant. 3. That for the above stated and other reasons, the proposed Special Use Permit is not in the best interest of the health, safety, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the citizens of Garfield County. 4. Thatthe application is not in conformance with the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended. S. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff is recommending the Board continue this item to allow the applicant more time to completely address all of the lndustrial Operations and Standards as set forth in 55.03.07 and $5-03.08. MOUNTAIN CROSS ENGINEERING, INE. Crvt nro EuvtnowtNrel CottsutrtNc nruo DrstcN June 07, 2006 Mr. Richard Wheeler Garfi eld County Planning 108 8th Street, Suite 401 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 RE: Review of Special Use Permit for Hyrup Amine Facility Dear Richard: This office has performed a review of the documents provided for the Special Use Permit (SUP) of the Hyrup Amine Facility. Since the application appears to be adding equipment to an existing facility, that has presumably already obtained a Special Use permit previously, the following comments, questions, or concerns were generated: 1. In review of the permit applications information it is unclear whether the facility will be manned. If the site is to be manned water and sanitation services will be necessary. 2. In review of the application it is unclear whether the for proposed site disturbance, drainage patterns, expansion of the existing facility modify these? If measures will be necessary. existing site and landscaping account and anticipated erosion. Will the so, site drainage and erosion control Feel free to call if any of the above needs clarification or if you have any questions comments. Sincerely, Mountaln CrossU^ Chris Hale, PE EXHIBIT !oo6 826112 Crand Avenue . Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 ! 97O.945.5544 . FAX: 970.945.5558 . www.mountaincross-en8.comPH: HyruP Amine Treating FacilitY Integrated vegetation and Noxious weed Management Plan Garfield County Special Use Permit Application Prepared for: Nobel EnergY,Inc. Prepared by: WestWater Engineering Inc. (In coordination with Wagon Wheel Consulting) March 2006 EXHIBIT ffie Facility from entrancffiuthwest across site. Hyrup Amine Facility Nobel Energy,Inc. Integrated Vegetation and Noxious Weed Management Plan Garfield County Special Use Permit Application lntroduction The Nobel Energy Hyrup Amine Facility project site is located in NW % NW Ya Section 72, T8S, R96W, 6'h PM (Map). The 5.39 acre site is mostly located in a former irrigated pasture and hay field. The entire site has been previously disturbed and no natural plant communities are present. Nearby pinyon pine-rocky mountain juniper woodlands are found in a steep, ephemeral drainage to the northeast and rnixed grass and alfalfa pasture land existis to the south. west and northwest. The gently sloping terace located between Wallace and Spring Creeks south of the 7 47ooonE,7 4900t,m ts,WGS84 Zone 125 758o00hE. -; c I N z E E t\ ; c6,{ ah\o i EI @\o -j c ro \o ; Nro -l E6 o l.r)\oE + \D - 6 avro -: E O rO i Eo B (o -.j 6 v) 747ooomE. 749o00mE. 751000mE. 753oo0mE,wcs84 zone tzs 75800omE,wGS84 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.O 25 3.0 3.J nilct 1"ft,Lt't" 0 i i t a jrm r'.:..,. t'i'r,;' i- ' t_ .)t ..'-' ...t. .1.-.t _:__/t Location Map. Hyrup Amine Facility Nobel Energy Special Use Permit Application Drawn by: WestWater Date: March 8, 2006 Colorado River lies on the north slopes of the Battlements. The site includes a natural gas well, a pipeline compressor, and other process oriented equipment (Photo l). Photo 2. View across facility from southeast corner. Photo 3. View south along east boundary. Site Inspection and Survey A site inspection conducted by WestWater Engineering (WWE) occurred during a period of mild weather on March 7,2006. The perimeter and adjoining lands were surveyed for plant communities, listed noxious weeds, soils and wildlife. Amount of Infested Land Needing Treatment There are no listed noxious weeds on the Hyrup Amine Facility as of March 7,2006. There are nearby areas with temporary and long-term soil and vegetation removal and disturbance. The potential for noxious weeds is considered to be elevated due to the level of soil disturbing activities in the immediate vicinity of the Hyrup Amine Facility. Targeted Noxious Weeds and Control Methods Table I lists Garfield County Noxious Weed Species for which careful and watchful monitoring should be conducted and control initiated if observed. This information is included to facilitate weed monitoring and control by Nobel Energy field staff. Table l. Garfield County Listed Noxious Weeds of Concern for Hyrup Amine Facility, Nobel Energy Common Name*/ Symbol ScientiJic Name Type**Control Methods Common Burdock ARMI2 Arclium ntinus B Crasses compete well. Re-seed with aggressive grasses, cut or dig rosettes and mow bolting plants, herbicides. Thistle, Musk CANU Carduus nutans B Till or hand grub in the rosette stage. mow at bolting or early flowering; apply seed head & rosette weevils, leaf feeding beetles, and/or herbicides in rosette stage. Knapweed. Russian Centaurea repen.s P Re-seeding disturbed sites with fast growing grasses, herbicide Table 1. Garfield County Listed Noxious Weeds of Concern for Hyrup Amine Facility, Nobel Energy Common Name*/ Symbol ScientiJic Name Type**Control Methods ACRE3 in fall (Curtail recommended, use one other MOA), allelopathic - tillage may be necessary Houndstongue CYOF Cynoglossum fficinale B Re-seed with aggressive grasses, remove at flowering or early seed, or apply herbicides at pre-bud or rosette stage. Thistle, Scotch ONAC Onopordunt acanthium Biennial; tillage, hand grubbing, herbicides in rosette stage, mowing at bolting stage State of Colorado. 2000. Colorado Revised Statute 35-5-5, Symbol is US Dept. Ag. Nat. Res. Cons. Service official abbreviated code. +*A - Annual, B - biennial, P -perennial Three species found on the State of Colorado'oC" list at 8CCRI203-19, but not Garfield County, are found on site. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorun't, BRTE), is common on margins (Photo 1) and within disturbed areas for the compressor station and pipe and surplus materials storage yard (Photo 2). As is common in the area, some pasture land and the pinyon pine-Utah juniper plant community nearby also harbor cheatgrass. Other state listed species found on site are Russian thistle (Salsola tragus, SATRI2) and a smallamount of field bindweed (Convolvulus atnensis, coAR4). Due to the intensive industrialnature of the site, it is recommended the 5.39 acre site be bare ground treated with herbicides within the perimeter fence. The presence of production equipment precludes any revegetation potential with the possible exception of areas around the boundary along the access road. There are hundreds of acres of mixed surface ownership land in the vicinity infested with cheatgrass. Due to ownership and biology of cheatgrass it is not practical or recommended by WWE for treatment to be extended to this species within the temporary disturbance area of this project other than indirectly through revegetation of temporary disturbance. The exception would be if the treatment were part of a larger, coordinated integrated vegetation and noxious weed plan on adjoining lands between all affected owners. The following tables summarize the most effective treatment strategies for noxious weeds, depending upon their growth habits. This is particularly applicable to areas outside the perimeter fence. These areas should not be bare ground treated. Table 2 includes annuals and biennials, and Table 3 show strategies for perennial weeds. Table2. Treatment Strategies for Annual and BiennialNoxious Weeds Target: Prevent Seed Productient ol'l L Hand srub (pull), hoe. till. cultivate in rosette stage and before flowering or seed rnaturity. 2. Chop roots 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 may not prevent flowering. lete nutrient reserves in root svstem.ent seed uction Recommendations Revegetation. There is little space for re-vegetation particularly if the temporary footprint is rninimized. Where possible, we recommend that disturbed areas be re-seeded immediately with the following seed rnix which is fonnulated in consideration of soils and plant communities: Seed should be applied imrnediately upon completion of construction by broadcasting at an application rate of approxirnately 47-seeds/square foot onto a roughened surface followed by harrowing. Re-seeding may be required if future monitoring indicates lack of adequate germination. Fall seeding (after October l and prior to ground frost) are generally much more successful than other periods ofthe year. Table 3. Treatment Strategies for Perennials 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. 2. Herbicide treatment at bud to bloom stage or in the fall. 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. Using two or more herbicides with different modes of action is most effective with particularly difficult perennials. 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 the fallwill 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 may be reduced, however. 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; lherefore, it is imperative to know the species and its biology. Table 4. Recommended Seed Mix for Hyrup Amine Fac . Nobel Scientific Name Common Name Seeds/ft.2 Percent of Total by Weieht Application Rate Lbs PLS*/acre Achnatherum hymenoides Indian ricegrass 6 1.9 Penslenton striclus Rckv.Mtn.Penstemon 7 0.50 Elynrus l. lanceolotus Thickspike wheatgrass 6 1.7 Pascopyrunr smithii Western wheatgrass 8 3.2 Poa sanbergii Sandberg bluegrass 10 0.50 Astragulus cicer Cicer Milkvetch 4 1.2 P seudoroegneria s. spicatunt Bluebunch wheatgrass 6 t.9 Totals 4t *tr102 11 .PLS ls Pure Live Seed, "*Due to rounding Monitoring. Monitoring for targeted weeds and re-seeding success should be performed on a weekly basis beginning at spring green-up and continuing through the growing season. Monitoring by qualified personnel should be conducted using Table 5 as a general guide to key plant growth periods and best control periods. Mechanical Observed weeds, particularly rosettes, should be controlled when possible and practical first by mechanical means, primarily by hand grubbing or pulling. Control of listed species in nearby areas is recommended to reduce the risk and rate of infestation in the affected rightof-way. Chemical WestWater recommends bare ground herbicide treatment for the entire site. This is to prevent storage areas and perimeter land frorn becoming a source of contamination for nearby disturbance and due to the highly developed nature of the facility. Spot treating may become necessary and should include areas immediately adjacent to the site on adjoining lands. Chernicals typically used include synthetic auxin growth regulators (e.g.,2,4D; picloram, dicamba, and triclopyr), EPSP synthase inhibitors (e.g., glyphosate) or a mix of these. For Canada thistle, Russian knapweed and other difficult perennials, a mix of two different modes of actions performs best. In all cases, the certified applicator shall deem which chemical(s) and at what concentration(s) shall be used at the time of application. It is anticipated the aforementioned classes of chemicals will be first choice of most Certified Applicators or Qualified Supervisors. It is recommended a private contractor be engaged to conduct the weed control and monitoring, or that a company representative with weed identification capabilities and pesticide application knowledge (preferably with a certified applicator's license) be assigned this function. Additional Information: Table 5 is a guide to timing of key biological processes and the best time for control of the subject species on an annual basis. n' !I Alr d C;i Edf, L r^I /\ ()XI orti 0-)V. AA-.(; 'i t Q)atta)a. ! I 5IJtr dJ '-tn6:,- tvt0+ a!- LJ,uc6>,=>:=/\-^t-u .L (.)c- :a:P ()t0)a=noC>!tL !l,J cll?c- .c-)-.-,-iLnnL..u,,.,ic1abii0.,) ,l 0. ^A/\ /\ llirE,o! a) =/\ / \ r.'t Iii,-A aa.:=t)U::L ==.5Au==aq.=cd9='-) L*.9-E .=c)ma^ze /4ra) t.;jJ 6l-\=? -a2 -v, -r, -6 -::-v:2-,u =)J-.=l- )22.t-it )4)6)oc3ol haattta-.-,L_L+\A<r)nts>.l* n\/ Hyrup Amine Treating Facility Wildlife Assessment and Mitigation Plan Garfield County Special Use Permit Application Prepared for: Nobel Energy, Inc. Prepared by: WestWater Engineering Inc. (In coordination with Wagon Wheel Consulting) March 2006 Photo l. Hyrup Amine Treating Facilify from entrance looking southwest across facilitl,. Hyrup Amine Treating Site Wildlife Assessment and Mitigation Plan Garfield County Special Use Permit Application Introduction The Nobel Energy, lnc. Hyrup Amine Facility project site is located in NW % NW % Section 12, T8S, R96W, 6thPM (Map). The 5.39 acre site is mostly located in a former irrigated pasture and hay field. The entire site has been previously disturbed and no natural plant communities are present. Nearby pinyon pine-rocky mountain juniper woodlands are found in a steep, ephemeral drainage to the northeast and mixed grass and alfalfa pasture land to the south, west and northwest. The gently sloping terrace between Wallace and Spring Creeks south of the Colorado 747000m E.749ooom E.7 53 ooom E.WGS84 Zone 125 758o00mE. i EIe r\ i I A6 r. i L H,.(o i E o rO i E ts rDro FIr\\o -: tn!oEoo 'O -j f! rO -j EI \r) z E tn(o -j C R6 \o 747ononE, 749ooomE, 751ooomE. 7530o0mE.WGS84 Zone 725 758000mE,WGSB4 0.0 0.5 L0 l.J 2.0 25 3.0 3.5 miloe*^u-ttY,"Di)t4jk^ Location Map. Hyrup Amine Facility Site. Nobel Energy Special Use Permit Appl. Drawn by: WestWater Date: March 8, 2006 River lies on the north slopes of the The site includes a natural gas well, (Photo 1). Battlements. a pipeline compressor, and other process oriented equipment Photo 2. View across facility from southeast corner. Photo 3. View south along east boundary. Site Inspection and Survey A site inspection conducted by WestWater Engineering (WWE) occurred during a period of mild weather on March 7,2006. The perimeter and adjoining lands were surveyed for plant communities. listed noxious weeds, soils and wildlife. The table below presents a list of wildlife species which could be expected to be observed in the site vicinity prior to the existing development. The data, obtained from the Colorado Division of Wildlife County Species Occurrence database, was extracted and modified by WWE biologists based on the plant communities present in the site vicinity. Potential Wildlife Occurrence Checklist for Hyrup Evaporation Pond Complex 'Common Name''Scientific Name'tOccurrencet*'Abundance'** Amphibians Great Basin Spadefoot Spea intemtontana Knorvn to occur Uncommon Woodhouse's Toad Bufo woodhousii Known to occur Common Birds American Crow Corvus brachvrhynchos Known to occur Fairly Comnron American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis Known to occur Fairlv Common American Kestrel Falco sparverius Known to occur Fairlv Common American Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus arlatum Known to occur Rare American Robin Turdus migratorius Known to occur Conrrnon Black Rosv Finch Leucosticte atrata Known to occur Unknown Black-billed Maeoie Pica pica Known to occur Common BIack-caoped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus Known to occur Fairlv Common BlackJreaded Grosbeak Pheucticus mel anocephalus Known to occur Fairly Common Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri Known to occur Common Brown-capped Rosy Finch Leucosticte australis Known to occur Uncommon Brown-headed Cou,bid Molothrus ater Known to occur Common Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus Known to occur Uncommon oo Cassin's Finch Carpodacus cassinii Knou.n to occur Fairlv Common Cassin's Kingbird Tvrannus vociferans Known to occur Casual/Accidental Chinnins Soarrow Spizella passerina Known to occur Common Common Raven Corvus corax Known to occur Fairlv Common Cooper's Hawk Accirriter cooperii Known to occur Uncommon Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Known to occur Common Field Spanow Spizella rrusilla Known to occur Unknown Golden E,agle Aquila chrysaetos Known to occur Uncommon Golden-crowned Kinelet Regulus satrapa Known to occur Uncommon Cray Jay Perisoreus canadensis Known to occur Uncommon Grav-crowned Rosv Finch Leucosticte tephrocotis Known to occur linknown Great Homed Owl Bubo virginianus Known to occur LJncommon Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorurus Known to occur Common Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris Known to occur Fairly Common House Finch Camodacus mexicanus Known to occur Common House Wren Troglodytes aedon Known to occur Common .luniper Titmouse Baeolophus griseus Known to occur Fairlv Common Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus Known to occur Fairly Common Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Known to occur Fairlv Common l-oeserhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus Known to occur Uncommon MacGillivrav's Warbler Oporomis tolmiei Known to occur Fairly Common Merlin Falco columbarius Known to occur Unknown Mountain Bluebird Sialia cumrcoides Known to occur Fairlv Common Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambeli Known to occur Common Mourning Dovc Zenaida macroura Known to occur Common Northem Flicker Colaptes auratus Known to occur Fairlv Common Northem Harrier Circus cyaneus Known to occur [Jncommon Pine Grosbeak Pinicola enucleator Known to occur Uncommon Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus Known to occur Common Pinyon Jav Cymnorhinus cyanocephalus Known to occur Common Red-railed Hawk Buteo iamaicensis Known to occur Uncommon Itoueh-leeeed I''lawk Buteo lagopus Known to occur [Jnknown Ruhv-crowncd Kinglet Regulus calendula Known to occur Common Sharp-shinned I-lawk Accipiter striatus Known to occur Uncommon Song Sr;arrow Melospiza melodia Known to occur Fairlv Common Steller's Jav Cvanocitta stelleri Known to occur Fairlv Common Swainson's []awk Buteo swainsoni Known to occur Uncommon Townsend's Solitaire Mvadestes townsendi Known to occur Uncommon Turkey Vulture Cathaftes aura Known to occur Fairlv Common Vesper Spamow Pooecetes gramineus Known to occur Common Westem Bluebird Sialia mexicana Knovrm to occur Rare Westem Kinebird Tyrannus verticalis Known to occur Fairlv Common Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta Known to occur Common Westem Screech-Owl Otus kennicottii Known to occur Unknown Westem Scrub Jay Aphelocoma californica Known to occur Fairly Common Western Tanager Piransa ludoviciana Known to occur Fairlv Common Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus Klown to occur Fairlv Common White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Known to occur Fairlv Common White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys Known to occur Fairly Common White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis Knoun to occur Unknown Wild Turkey Meleagris gallopavo Known to occur Unconrmon Mamnrals American Elk Cenvus elaphus Known to occur Abundant Bie Brown Bat Eptesicus luscus Known to occur Abundant tslack Bear Ursus americanus Known to occur Common Bobcat Lynx rufus Known to occur Common Bushr,-tailed Woodrat Neotoma cinerea Known to occur Fairlv Common Common Porcupinc Erethizon dorsatum Known to occur Uncommon Coyote Canis latrans Known to occur Abundant Deer Mouse Peromvscus maniculatus Knorvn to occur Abundant Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel Spernrophilus lateralis Known to occur Fairly Common Grav Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus Known to occur Fairly Common Kit Fox Vulpes macrotis Likely to occur Unknown Least Chipmunk Tamias minimus Known to occur Common Lons-eared Myotis Mvotis evotis Known to occur Fairlv Common Long-tailed Weasel Mustela frenata Known to occur Common Mountain Lion Felis concolor Known to occur Common Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus Known to occur Abundant Northem Pocket Copher Thomonrvs talooides Known to occur Common Pinvon Mouse Peromvscus truei Known to occur Common Red Fox Vuloes vuloes Known to occur Uncommon Ringtail Bassariscus astutus Known to occur Fairly Common Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis Known to occur Abundant 'fhirteen-lined Cround Squirrel Spemrophilus tridecemlineatus Known to occur Common Westem Spotted Skunk Spiloeale sracilis Known to occur Fairlv Common white-tailed J ackrabbit Lepus townsendii Known to occur Common Reptiles Fence Lizard Scelooorus undulatus Known to occur Common Racer Coluber constrictor Known to occur lJncommon Western Rattlesnake Crotalus viridis Known [o occur Uncommon Westem Terrestrial Garter Snake Thamnonhis elesans Known to occur Fairlv Common itatandnotnecessarilythissiteaseditedbyWestWater.County **Abundance is for where found in Garfield County, not necessarily this site' Discussion The site is adjacent to an open pasture at the junction of three roads including County Road 306. The pinyon pine-Utah juniper woodlands on steeper, rugged slopes to the northeast provide escape cover for mule deer and many of the above listed species. Within the overall landscape, this iite is of low value to most wildlife species listed. Occasionally many species could wander through or pass over the site. Grazing by mule deer or elk on perimeter vegetation is likely. Sorne grazing by cattle was evident at the time of inspection. No wildlife use was observed on the site and none is expected. Although many well pads and small and large ranches are mixed throughout the local landscape, wildlife is generally abundant in the area. During times of peak human activity wildlife will be displaced from the immediate vicinity. Due to the nature of work at the site it has been recommended the site be bare ground treated to reduce the potential for accidental ignition of senescent weedy vegetation. Wildlife Mitigation and Management Recommendations Improve undisturbed sagebrush shrublands. Greater thang5oh of the site is developed and it is a relatively small site compared to the surrounding landscape. Some methods to compensate for the loss of wildlife habitat from development of the site is to improve nearby sagebrush communities. Methods including mechanicalremovalof invasive pinyon pine or Utah juniper, chopping or mowing a portion of the older, more senescent sagebrush, removing all or a portion of domestic livestock grazing, and fertilization could be implemented. Fertilization of 125 lbs available nitrogen/acre has been shown to have a positive affect for sagebrush plant community- dependent wildlife for 5-7 years after fertilization. Mechanicalremovalof invasive woodlands into sagebrush plant communities can have a positive impact for many years. Minimize footprint of temporary disturbance. Reduce to the minimum level possible all soil disturbing activities. Park construction vehicles on previously disturbed lands during construction to further reduce temporary disturbance. Re-seeding. The small temporary disturbances on site have been recommended to be re-seeded with native grasses and shrubs as well as introduced, short-lived but highly wildlife-desirable, non-bloating legumes. Due to the small area of such seeding, it is unlikely to provide significant benefit for wildlife use. However, reducing the potential for noxious weeds is a positive measure for wildlife. These measures are described in the Integrated Vegetation and Noxious Weed Management Plan for this site. Fence Maintenance. The perimeter fence should be rnaintained in a way to reduce the potential for mule deer entrapment from entangling in the fence. Any unnecessary fence should be removed to reduce potential wildlife entrapment in severe winters. Surface Water or Fluid Ponds. Any surface pond containing fluids potentially detrimental for wildlife should be protected by flagging or netting sufficient to deter use by birds or other wildlife.