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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.3.15 Wildlife Mitigation PlanWildlife Mitigation Plan for Well Pad PA 41-9 Williams has implemented the following BMPs on a field wide level or at the PA 41-9 well pad. While each BMP employed on a pad often provides multiple environmental benefits, those listed here are specifically expected to mitigate impacts to wildlife. Field Wide BMPs: General • Prepare plans and studies to support wildlife conservation and protection • Contribute to and participate in wildlife studies and research efforts related to oil and gas activity's relationship to wildlife • Treat/control noxious weeds/plants including Tamarisk • Assist CDOW in obtaining access to private lands for wildlife research and conservation • Focus BMPs on critical wildlife seclusion and "crucial habitats' • Contribute to organizations that acquire/manage habitat • Continue to Support Operation Game Thief • Continue to support CDOW sportsman's programs • Participate in wildlife seminars and conferences (e.g. AFWA) • Focus Ranch and Property Management (Williams' owned/managed properties) on wildlife resources • Identify conservation easement opportunities on Williams-owned/managed properties • Acquire water rights and irrigate key habitat areas • Restrict and/or manage grazing to benefit wildlife • Fence and restrict activities in locations that provide high value habitat • Construct habitat improvement projects as practical • Enforce policies to protect wildlife (e.g., no poaching, no firearms, no dogs on location, no feeding of wildlife, etc.). • Inventory, monitor and remove obsolete, degraded, or hazardous fencing on Williams owned property • Support research to test the effectiveness of specific Best Management Practices Planning • Locate pads along existing roads where possible. Construction • Salvage topsoil from all road construction and other rights-of-way and re -apply during interim and final reclamation. • Strip and segregate topsoil prior to construction. Appropriately configure topsoil piles and immediately seed to control erosion, prevent weed establishment and maintain soil microbial activity Production/Reclamation • Gate access roads where necessary to minimize/control access to "crucial habitats" • Install automated emergency response systems (e.g., high tank alarms, emergency shut- down systems, etc.). • Implement fugitive dust control program • Locate above -ground facilities to minimize the visual effect (e.g., low profile equipment, appropriate paint color, vegetation screening in wooded areas, etc.). • Skim and eliminate oil from produced water ponds and fluid pits at a rate sufficient to prevent oiling of birds or other wildlife that could gain access to the pit. • Apply an aggressive, integrated, noxious and invasive weed management plan. Utilize an adaptive management strategy that permits effective responses to monitored findings and reflects local site and geologic conditions • Use early and effective reclamation techniques, including interim reclamation to accelerate return of disturbed areas for use by wildlife • Remove all unnecessary infrastructure during the production phase. • Reclaim reserve pits as quickly as practical after drilling and ensure that pit contents do not contaminate soil. • Remediate hydrocarbon spills on disturbed areas prior to reclamation. • Perform interim reclamation to final reclamation species composition and establishment standards. • Perform interim reclamation on all disturbed areas not needed for active support of production operations • Remove and properly dispose of degraded silt fencing and erosion control materials after their utility has expired • Control weeds in areas surrounding reclamation areas in order to reduce weed competition • Educate employees and contractors about weed issues • Conduct necessary reclamation and invasive plant monitoring. • Census and assess the utilization of the reclaimed areas by the target species • Maintain pre and post development site inspection records and monitor operations for compliance Site Specific BMPs employed at the PA 41-9 Well Pad: Planning • Maximize the utility of surface facilities by developing multiple wells from a single pad (directional drilling), and by co -locating multipurpose facilities (for example, well pads and compressors) to avoid unnecessary habitat fragmentation and disturbance of additional geographic areas. • Minimize newly planned activities and operations within 300 feet of the ordinary high water mark of any reservoir, lake, wetland, or natural perennial or seasonally flowing stream or river. • Locate roads outside of drainages where possible and outside of riparian habitat. • Avoid constructing any road segment in the channel of an intermittent or perennial stream. • Minimize the number, length, and footprint of oil and gas development roads; • Combine utility infrastructure (gas, electric, and water) planning with roadway planning to avoid separate utility corridors • Where possible, consolidate pipeline and existing roadways, or roadways that are planned for development • Place roads to avoid obstructions to migratory routes for wildlife, and to avoid displacement of wildlife from public to private lands. • Design roads with visual and auditory buffers or screens (e.g., topographic barriers, vegetation, and distance). Production/Reclamation • Install exclusionary devices to prevent bird and other wildlife access to equipment stacks, vents and openings. • Reduce visits to well -sites through remote monitoring (i.e. SCADA) and the use of multi -function contractors. • Install and use locked gates or other means to prevent unauthorized vehicular travel on roads and facility rights-of-way.