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PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
APPLICANT: Northwest Pipeline Corporation
REQUEST: Special Use Permit
OWNER: Bureau of Land Management/Young
Ranches
LOCATION: A remote area three (3) miles west
of State Highway 139 (Douglas
Pass), in the general area of South
Canyon.
SITE DATA: To install and operate three (3)
natural gas transmission lines that
will tie three new wells into an
existing transmission line.
ACCESS: Via State Highway 139 (Douglas
Pass)
ZONING: All private lands are zoned A/I,
all BLM lands are zoned O/S
I. RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
The proposal is in an area shown as unclassified lands in the
Comprehensive Plan.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL:
A. Site Description: The sites are located in the roughed terrain
surrounding the East Branch West Salt Creek.
B. Project Description: The project consists of three separate 4 1/2"
natural gas transmission pipelines that will connect three natural gas
wells to the Foundation Creek natural gas transmission pipeline in the
area. The following is a breakdwon of the three lines:
Young 32-3
USA 33-5
LATERAL A-35
Width
60 ft.
35 ft. -60 ft.
40 ft.
Length
3498 ft.
3085.5 ft.
4103.5 ft.
The application covers a combination of private and public lands. Actual
construction is anticipated to take 10 to 14 days, depending upon weather
with approximately 25 construction workers involved.
III. MAJOR ISSUES AND CONCERNS:
A. Comprehensive Plan: Plan policy has the requirement that an area that
is unclassified be given a management district designation. Given the
fact that these are expansions of existing uses that will not
intensify any land use for an extended period, it seems unnecessary to
develop a management district for this area presently.
B. Review Comments:
1. Mr. Harold Young, Young Ranch, responded to the public notice to
ask for some clarification on the project. When it was explained
to him, he stated that he had no objections.
C. Staff Comments:
1. The applicant has already obtained and submitted, as a part of
the application, all right-of-way agreements with the BLM and the
Young Ranch.
2. The applicant has submitted a construction schedule that
details:
a. Notification of intent to start construction;
b. Route preparation, including vegetation and tree removal
techniques;
c. Construction techniques;
d. Revegetation and site rehabilitation plans;
e. Special considerations for cultural resources, and
threatened and endangered species.
3. There are no identified adverse environmental impacts associated
with the project. -6-
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IV. FINDINGS
1. That proper posting, publication and public notice was provided as
required by law for the hearing before the Board of County
Commissioners.
2. That all hearings before the Board of County Commissioners was
extensive and complete, that all pertinent facts, matters, and issues
were submitted and that all interested parties were heard at that
hearing.
3. That the proposed special use conforms to Section 5.03, concerning the
Approval or Disapproval of a Petition for a Special Use, of the
Garfield County Zoning Resolution.
4. That the proposed land use will be compatible with existing and
permitted land uses in all directions.
5. That for the above stated and other reasons, the proposed special use
is consistent with the best interests of the health, safety, morals,
convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the citizens of Garfield
County.
V. RECOMMENDATION:
That the Board approve the Special Use Permit with the following
condition:
1. All written proposals of the applicant shall be considered conditions
of approval.
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