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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.09 Noise and Light Mitigation PlanCPX Piceance Holdings, LLC 34 S. Wynden Drive, Suite 240 Limited Impact Review Garfield County, Colorado Houston, TX 77056 TPR Well Pad 36A Article 9 Oil and Gas Permit Application Appendix J: Noise and Light Mitigation Plan NOISE AND LIGHT TPR Pad 36A November 2022 The information below describes Lesser Impact Area exemption requests for Plans required under Rule 304.c for CPX Piceance Holdings, LLC (CPX). CPX owns and operates Tepee Park Ranch (TPR) in Garfield County, Colorado, primarily for development of natural gas. CPX has prepared an Oil and Gas Development Plan and Form 2A application for the proposed drilling and production on existing Well Pad 36A (Pad 36A) on TPR. Pad 36A is in the SW ¼ NE ¼ Section 36, Township 7 South, Range 94 West. In accordance with Rule 304.d.(1) and Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission guidance (February 18, 2021), the Lesser Impact Area exemption requests below are based on findings that impacted resources are not present or that impacts will be so mini mal as to pose no concern. Noise Mitigation Plan Requirement Response Exemption Requested Rule 304.c.(2) Noise Mitigation Plan Resource Concern Noise impacts to people and wildlife Exemption Circumstance The impact to the resource is so minimal as to pose no concern. Description TPR proposes continuation of existing land uses, which included historical logging operations and current natural gas production. There are no residential building units (RBUs) within 2,000 feet, or within 1 mile, of Pad 36A, as shown on the Cultural Features Map submitted with the Form 2A application. Mapping data and operator knowledge confirm that the nearest residential building unit is a single residence greater than 1 mile northwest of Pad 36A. The RBU is separated from Pad 36A by aspen and spruce forest. Noise occurring on Pad 36A is anticipated to be imperceptible at the RBU because of its significant distance from the well pad. Pad 36A is not within terrestrial High Priority Habitat. Mapped Rule 1202.d.(2) Elk Production Area High Priority Habitat is 5,050 feet to the east of the Location. The habitat layers are shown on the Wildlife Habitat Drawings submitted with the Form 2A application. The mapped elk habitat is separated from Pad 36A (from west to east) by dense vegetation, a ridgeline, and a drop of approximately 400 feet from the ridge into the next drainage, the Mamm Creek drainage. Based on the distance, intervening topography, and vegetation, it is unlikely that noise would adversely affect wildlife resources. In addition, CPW stated in response to other operations in the area that “…impacts from noise and light are generally less of a concern for mule deer and elk and CPW does not typically make noise limit recommendations for these species or their associated high priority habitats (CPW Northwest Region Energy Liaison to Terra Energy Partners, January 5, 2022). Additional Regulatory Considerations Monitoring points of compliance are required at COGCC Rule 423.a.(5) for noise levels established in Table 423- 1 where the proposed Oil and Gas Location is within 2,000 feet of one or more residential building Units. Well Pad 36A is greater than 1 mile from the nearest RBU and does not require monitoring points of compliance. If Oil and Gas Operations otherwise result in persis tent noise that adversely impacts public welfare, the COGCC Director may require the Operator to take action, according to Rule 423.e. Likewise, if the Director receives a CPX Piceance Holdings, LLC Lesser Impact Exemption Request TPR Pad 36A 2 November 2022 complaint, the Director may require the Operator to measure sound levels at 25 feet from the complainant’s occupied structure, in accordance with Rule 423.c.(2).A. Light Mitigation Plan Requirement Response Exemption Requested Rule 304.c.(3) Light Mitigation Plan Resource Concern Light impacts to people and wildlife Exemption Circumstance The resource concern is not present. Description There are no residential building units (RBUs) within 2,000 feet, or within 1 mile, of Pad 36A, as shown on the Cultural Features Map submitted with the Form 2A application. Mapping data and operator knowledge confirm that the nearest residential building unit is a single residence greater than 1 mile northwest of Pad 36A. The RBU is separated from Pad 36A by aspen and spruce forest. Light used on Pad 36A will be cast downward during drilling and completions. Light is not expected to be perceptible because of the significant distance to the RBU and screening from the intervening more than 1 mile of forest. Pad 36A is not within terrestrial High Priority Habitat. Mapped Rule 1202.d.(2) Elk Production Area High Priority Habitat is 5,050 feet to the east of the Location. The habitat layers are shown on the Wildlife Habitat Drawings submitted with the Form 2A application. The mapped elk habitat is separated from Pad 36A (from west to east) by dense vegetation, a ridgeline, and a drop of an approximately 400 feet from the ridge into the next drainage, the Mamm Creek drainage. Light is not expected to be perceptible to wildlife resources because of the distance, intervening topography, and screening from vegetation. The Location will be unlit during production. Additional Regulatory Considerations Temporary portable lighting is considered approvable under COGCC Rule 424.a.(2).A.iii when necessary for safety reasons during pre-production activity, provided the Operator complies with standards in Rules 424.b-f for lighting equipment, position, intensity, and operation. Well Pad 36A will observe lighting standards in Rules 424.b- f. The location will be unlit during production.