HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 BOCC Staff Report 11.13.1991RtrQUEST:
APPLICATION:
LOCATION:
SITE DATA:
]MATER:
SE]iIER:
ACCESS:
EXISTING ZONING:
ADJACENT ZONING:
PROJECT INFORMATTON AND STAFF COMMENTS
BOCC lln3tgl
Special Use Permit to allow the
upgrade of an existing natural gas
compressor station and construct a
natural gas gathering system.
Northwest Pipeline Corporation.
A tract oiland located in the NE%
of Section 13, T65, R94W and rights
of way extending through Section
13,24,25,35 and 36, T65, R94W
and Section 1,2,4,9,10,11and 12,
T7S, R94W of the 6th P.M.
The compressor site consists of
approximately one (l) acre.
N.A.
N.A.
Compressor site is accessed offC.R.
264.
R/L, A/ruRD, O/S
R/L, A/R/RD, O/S
I.RFT TTONSHIP TO THTiCOMPRFI]ENSIVE PLAN
The compressor site is located in District C - Rural Areas with Minor Environmental
Constraints and the pipeline traverses District C, District D - Rural Areas with
Moderate Environmental Constraints and District F - River/Floodplain with Severe
Environmental Constraints asdesignated on the Garfield County Comprehensive Plan
Management Districts' map.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL
A. Site Description: The compressor site is located in an industrialized area west
of Rifle. The facility is unmanne<l and operates 24 hours/day, year-round. The
site is rough-graded, relatively flat and fenced, absent of any vegetation.
Currently, there are three comprcssors on the site. Ancillary facilities include
two dehydrators, ond natural gas condensate storage tank, and a storage dock.
In addition, there are two evaporation pits on the site.
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The pipeline alignment extends southward from the compressor site, crosses
Highway 6 and 24,thentraverses t Inion Carbi<le property, crosses I-70 and then
crosses the Colorado River. The pipeline runs southwards crossing public and
private lands, crossing and/or paralleling C.R. 321, 320,334,325,350 and329.
A complete copy of the application is contained on pages Ll -3''l
B. Proiect Description: The applicants are proposing to replace two Ajax gas fired
reciprocating engines currently located outside on the site with two larger
permanentengines, one to supporl production of theproposed Porcupine Ridge
gathering system and the second to replace the Ajax units. These units will be
placed in pre-fabricated metal buildings relocated from the previous sites of the
compressor engines. No other changes in the physical layout or operations of
the site are being proposed.
The applicants are proposing to construct pipeline to gather natural gas from
seven (7) wells owned by Barrett and Fuelco, to be delivered to the transmission
line at the compressor site. The proposed pipeline will consist of approximately
15,000 feet of 8 inch piping, 31,500 feet of 6 inch piping and 25,000 feet of 3 inch
aluminum piping. Right of way widths will be 50 feet and 15 feet depending on
piping size. Construction is anticipated to take approximately eight (8) weeks.
The pipeline will traverse lands owned by 13 private parties, BLM, Highway
Department and D&RGW railroad.
MAJOR ISSUES AND CONCERNS
l. No new site area is being disturber.l at the compressor station. The only changes
are the removal and replacement of the two (2) compressor motors.
i2. The new compressoriengines will result in a substantial increase in regulated
emissions, namelynittogen oxides andcarbonmonoxides. However, thesitewill
not exceed the 250ltons/year allowed under a minor source designation. No
emissions permit has,been issued to date.
The new compressor gngines will result in only a slight increase in noise levels.
Based on the anticipated levels, the combined noise output should not exceed
state and county maximum levels.
The proposed pipeline will cross the Colorado River and Porcupine Creek as
well as numerous perennial stream courses. The Colorado River crossing is
regulated by the Army Corps of Iingineers. This activity will not require a404
permit and will be conducted under a nationwide permit. Corps approval
includes a referral to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for consideration of
threatened and endangered species. Porcupine Creek and the lesser stream
crossings are subjectjto state or lederal review unless wetlands are affected.
County floodplain rdgulations does not address these drainages.
Reclamation will va(y depending on the requests of the surface landowners.
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Considerable portions of the proposed pipeline will be located within County
road rights of way. Permits havc been issued for this work. Dust mitigation,
front protection, and reclamation are addressed in these permits. A $100,000
bond will be required to protect County roads.
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IV.ST]GGESTED FINDINGS
l. That proper publication and public notice was provided as required by law for
the hearing belore the Board of Clounty Commissioners.
That the hearing before the Board of County Commissioners was extensive and
complete, that all pertinent facts, rnatters and issues were submitted and that all
interested parties were heard at the hearing.
That the application is in compliance with the Garfield County Zontng
Rqsolution of 1978, as amended.
For the above stated and other reusons, the proposecl use is in the best interest
of the health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the
citizens of Garfield County.
V. RECOMMENDATION
APPROVAL, subject to theifollowing conditions:
1. All proposals of the applicant shallbeconsidered conditions of approval unless
stated otherwise by the Board olCounty Commissioners.
The applicant shall have 120 days from the date of the Resolution of
Conditional Approval to meet all conditions set lorth in the Resolution. The
Special Use Permit shall be issuecl when all conditions are met and shall expire
120 days after issuance, unless construction or use has commenced.
The compressor lacility shall be operated in accordance with State noise
standards.
4. The applicants shall be responsible for maintaining the site in a weed-free
manner in accordance with State and County regulations.
The compressor facility shall be operated in accordance with state and federal
air quality standards. A C.D. o[I I. permit for a gas compressor station shall be
furnished prior to the operation of the compressor.
Prior to the commencement of construction on any portion of the pipeline, the
applicants shall provide to County staff right of way and reclamation
agreements for each individual landowner. This shall include private
landowners, BLM, Highway Departmetrt and the railroad.
The applicant shall provicle written verification lrom the Army Corps of
En gineers waiving 404 permit rcq ui rements and authorizing use of a nationwide
permit prior to the commencement of any river crossing.
Only certihed weed-free seed shall be used in reclamation efforts.
The applicant shall provide a $100,000 bond prior to commencement of any
work within the County right o[ way.
All required building permits shall be obtained.
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