HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.06 Impact Analysis.pdfImpact Analysis
OXY USA WTP LP
Core Pad Storage
OLSSON
ASSOCIATES
OA Project No. 013 -0867
760 Horizon Drive, Suite 102 1 Grand Junction, CO 81506 1 TEL 970.263.7800 1 FAX 970.263.7456
O\OLSSON
ASSOCIATES
ARTICLE 4 — IMPACT ANALYSIS
OXY USA WTP LP
CORE PAD STORAGE AREA
SECTION 4- 203.G. IMPACT ANALYSIS
1. Adjacent Property
See Adjacent Property Owners section for complete list of Adjacent Property Owners.
2. Mineral Owners
See Adjacent Property Owners section for complete list of Mineral Rights Owners.
3. Adjacent Land Use
Land uses adjacent to the project site are predominately natural gas operations and
seasonal cattle grazing. The project site is located within a 7,732 acre parcel. Land
uses on adjacent properties also include natural gas and agricultural operations.
4. Site Features
The proposed site is located at an approximate elevation of 8,300 feet above sea level.
The project area is also located above Cascade Canyon and the Conn Creek drainage.
Prior to being disturbed for a well pad, the site contained a mix of scrub -shrub upland
habitat dominated by sagebrush and Gambel oak. The site was originally graded to
provide a flat surface for gas wells and is approximately 1.49 acres.
5. Soil Characteristics
The soil at this location consists of 55- Parachute - Irigul complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes
and 56- Parachute — Irigul — Rhone association, 25 to 50 percent slopes. The majority of
the actual storage area is located on the 55- Parachute - Irigul complex soil type. Both soil
types are considered to exhibit "well drained" qualities with no frequency of flooding or
ponding. The characteristics of these soils will not create restrictions on the storage of
equipment.
6. Geology and Hazard
A Geological and Soil Hazard Report is included with this application under a separate
tab. According to this report, the Surficial Geology Map provided by Garfield County,
760 Horizon Drive, Suite 102 TEL 970.263.7800
Grand Junction, CO 81507
FAX 970.263.7456 www.olssonassociates.com
OXY
Core Pad Storage Area
Colorado — GIS Department website does not include the area of this project, but no
alluvial fan deposits are present in the project area, and no landslide, mudflow,
mudflow /slide areas are likely within the boundary of this geologic study.
7. Groundwater and Aquifer Recharge Areas
The proposed project site is not located in any mapped floodplain. An individual septic
disposal system (ISDS) will not be used at this site, so soils will not have to support
waste disposal. The site has been graded for use as a well pad. BMPs will be
implemented to control stormwater run -off and soil erosion.
8. Environmental Impacts
a. Determination of long -term and short -term effects on flora and fauna
The use of the site will not have a significant effect on the local flora and fauna. The
site has been previously disturbed and graded for a well pad. No critical wildlife
habitat will be lost due to the conversion of the pad site to a storage area. Noxious
weeds will be controlled on the site during the life of the project. The site will be
reclaimed after it is no longer required for natural gas field operations.
Oxy commissioned ERO Resources Corporation (ERO) to prepare a biological
resources survey of the site, and it is included as an attachment to this application.
According to ERO, the site has the potential for only one federally threatened,
proposed and candidate species to occur in the project area. ERO surveyed the
project site for the potential habitat for the greater sage grouse. They found the area
to be poor habitat for this species. This conclusion corresponds with the Suitable
Habitat Results map of the adopted Garfield County Greater Sage- Grouse
Conservation Plan.
The project area is not located in an elk winter concentration area. ERO determined
that there was no potential for raptor nests near the project area. The proposed site
is within one - quarter mile of mapped peregrine falcon nesting habitat. ERO found
that it is unlikely that peregrines would forage in or near the project area.
b. Determination of the effect on designated environmental resources, including
critical Wildlife Habitat
As stated above, the site has been previously disturbed and graded for a well pad.
No critical wildlife habitat will be lost due to the conversion of the pad site to a
storage area. Noxious weeds will be controlled on the site during the life of the
project. The site will be reclaimed after it is no longer required for natural gas field
operations.
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OXY
Core Pad Storage Area
c. Impacts on wildlife and domestic animals through creation of hazardous
attractions, alteration of existing native vegetation, blockade of migration
routes, use patterns, or other disruptions
The proposed storage area will not create hazardous attractions or alter existing
native vegetation. The site does not block wildlife migration routes or use patterns.
d. Evaluation of any potential radiation hazard that may have been identified by
the State or County Health Departments
The proposed site is not located on or near a Uranium Mine Tailings Radiation
Control Act (UMTRCA) Site or other known radiation hazard site. Radon is a
naturally occurring, odorless and colorless radioactive gas that is produced by the
radioactive decay of radioactive minerals present in the soils and bedrock.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE),
Colorado has a moderate to high radon potential. Since the site is a facility that does
not have buildings or an area that is occupied throughout the work day, the potential
presence of radon is not expected to represent a geologic hazard or a significant
worker exposure issue.
9. Nuisance
Adjacent lands will not be impacted by the generation of vapor, dust, smoke, glare or
vibration. In accordance with Oxy's Fugitive Dust Mitigation Plan, water will be used for
dust suppression during construction and operation of the facility. Any temporary or
emergency lighting on -site will be down cast.
10. Hours of Operation
The Core Pad Storage Area will be accessible to Oxy personnel 24 hours a day, year
around. No personnel will be stationed at the facility on a regular basis.
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OXY
Core Pad Storage Area
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