HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.10 Noxious Weed Mgmt'" YALERUS Noxious Weed Management Plan I u
Noxious Weed Management Plan for the Valerus Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Garfield County, Colorado Prepared for Valerus Com pression Services, LP 919 Milam, Snite 1000 Houston, TX
77002-5386 and Garfield County 108 8th Street Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Prepared by ERO Resources Corporation 29844 Stingley Gulch Road Hotchkiss, CO 81419 October 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS Nu, .. Jus Weed Management Plan Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Garfield County, Colorado Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................... " ... ,', ........................................
............................. , ...... , .... 1 1.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .................. " .. ,', .. ,', .......................................................... 1 1.2 GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES ....................................................... , ........................... , 1 1.3 STATE AND LOCAL GUIDANCE .....................................................................
.... 2 2.0 NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT .............................................................................. 3 2.1 IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEM AREAs... ............................................
............. 4 2.2 PREVENTATIVE MEASURES .......................... ,."., ............ ,', .... , .. , .... " .......... , ....... 4 2.3 TREATMENT METHODS ...........................................
............................................ 4 3.0 MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING .................... , .................................................... 6 4,0 REFERENCES ............................
.... ,"', .. , .. , ....................................................................... 7 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1 Garfield County Noxious Weed List. ..........................................
..................................... 2 ii fRO Resources [orporolion
) ) 1.0 INTRODUCTION L Olls Weed Managemenl Plan fllInler Mesa Compressor SIal ion Garfield Counly, Colorado Noxious weeds are officially designated as non-native plant species that
are invasive and/or can become monocultures, and can cause harm to land value, native ecology, agricultural interests, wildlife habitat, livestock forage, riparian resources, and aesthetic
and visual values ofland. This Noxious Weed Management Plan is intended to address weed management at the proposed Valerus Hunter Mesa Compressor Station in Garfield County, Colorado.
The proposed project would disturb approximately 1.62 acres, of which 1.37 would be long-term (occupied by facilities and graveled travel surfaces) and about 0.25 would be short-term
(revegetated slopes and stormwater management facilities). 1.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Valerus Compression Services LP (Valerus) is proposing to construct and operate a 5-unit natural gas
compressor station located in southwestern Garfield County, Colorado. The proposed uses are interrelated and in close proximity to each other. They are as follows: I) Compressor Station
2) Storage: Supplies, Machinery, Equipment or Products The project purpose is to improve the flow of gas from an existing natural gas field to ) nearby transmission lines. Pipeline connections
to nearby pipelines have not been determined. The proposed compressor station would have a 50 mJ11cf/d (million cubic fool per day) capacity. The proposed project consists of the compressor
site construction. The proposed project area is on property owned by B1M, LTD. The proposed site is located in Township 6 South, Range 92 West, SW Y. Section 30 (see Figure I). An existing
400 foot access road on Parcell provides access to the project area from CR 333, and has an existing driveway permit (Antero permit GRB-07-D-51). 1.2 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES This plan provides
methods to manage and prevent the introduction and spread of noxious weeds and other invasive plant species during and following the construction of the proposed compressor station.
Valerus would be responsible for implementing the methods described in this plan. The objectives of this plan are to ensure the following: • All personnel working on the property comply
with Best Management Practices (BMPs) as described in the Reclamation Plan to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of noxious weeds; and • A structured monitoring plan following
construction is available to quickly identify and mitigate for the presence of noxious weed species within the vicinity of the compressor facility. fRO Resources Corporation
) 1.3 STATE AND LOCAL GUIDANCE I N&, .. JUS Weed Management Pian Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Garfield County, Colorado In recognition of the ecological and economic impacts of noxious
weeds, the General Assembly of the State of Colorado passed the Colorado Noxious Weed Act in 1996 to prevent the introduction of invasive species and provide for their control. The act
requires landowners and managers to manage noxious weeds if they are li ke ly to damage the neighboring lands and requires that each county in Colorado adopt and implement a noxious
weed management plan. Colorado maintains an official state list of weed species that are designated as noxious species. Weeds are prioritized on three lists (Lists A, B, and C), depending
on noxious and invasive tendencies. List A species are noxious weeds that have the potential to pose a significant threat to local economies, ecosystems, and habitats. Typically, List
A species require eradication by local and county weed management programs. List B species are noxious weeds for which the state is currently developing management plans, but that do
not require treatment at this time. List C species are weeds commonly found throughout the state. While the state does not require treatment of weeds on Lists Band C, control of these
species may be required at the county level. Garfield County includes 21 species, 19 of which are listed on the state list. Of these species, 2 are listed on the state List A, 14 are
listed on the state List B, and 3 are listed on the state List C. An additional two species, Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) and Oxeye Daisy (Chlysanthemum leucantheum), are on the
Garfield County Noxious Weed List but are not on the Colorado State List (Table I). An ERO biologist surveyed the project area on in April, May, and July 20 I 0 and found three Stateandlor
County-listed noxious weed populations in or adjacent to the site (see Figure 1). Table 1. Garfield County Noxious Weed List. Common Name Scientific Name Colorado Occurrence in State
List Project Area Leafy Spurge Euphorbia esula B No Russian Knapweed Acroptilon repens B No Yellow Starthistle Centallrea solstitalis A No Plumeless Thistle Carduus acanthoides B No
Houndstongue Cynoglossllm ojJicinale B No Common Burdock Arcliu11l minus C No Scotch Thistle Onopordllm acanthillm B Yes Canada Thistle Cirsiul1l arvense B No Spotted Knapweed Centallrea
maclliosa B No Diffuse Knapweed Centaurea diffusa B No Dalmatian Toadflax Linaria dalmatica B No Yellow Toadflax Linaria vulgaris No Hoary Cress Cm'daria draba B Yes Salt Cedar (2 species)
Tamarix parvijlora B No Tamarix ramosissima No 2 ERO Resources Corporation ) )
) Common Name Scientific Name Oxeye Daisy Chrysanthemum leucantheull1 Jointed Goatgrass Aegi/ops cylindrica Chicory Cichorium intyblls Musk Thistle Cardlilis milans Purple Loosestrife
Lylhrllll1 salicaria Russian Olive Elaeagnlls angllslifolia ious Weed Management Plan Hunler Mesa Compressor Sial ion Garfield County, Colorado Colorado Occurrence ill State List Project
Area No C No C Yes B No A No B No Source: Colorado Department of Agnculture 2010 and Garfield County 2007 Figure 1. Location of observed noxious weeds. 2.0 NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT Noxious
weeds are spread by a variety of means, including vehicles, construction equipment, construction and reclamation materials, and wildlife. Implementation of preventative measures to control
the introduction and spread of noxious weeds is the most cost-effective management approach. 3 fRO Resources (Of po rot ion
) 2.1 IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEM AREAS 1 Nu-..Jus Weed Management Plan Hunter Mesa COli/pressor Station Gar[ield County, Colorado A survey for noxious weeds within the project area will
be conducted during the growing season to identify any potential areas of infestation. Weeds mapped in 20 I 0 include minor thistle (rosette; not identified to species, may be Scotch
thistle) and chicory. Weed infestations would be mapped and marked on-site with flagging prior to construction. Personnel would be alerted to any locations of infestations to implement
weed control measures prior to and during construction to minimize potential for spreading, and for postconstruction monitoring. 2.2 PREVENTATIVE MEASURES The following preventative
measures would be used in an attempt to prevent the introduction of noxious weeds along roadways and construction sites: • Conduct a noxious weed survey and identify any existing populations
of noxious weeds prior to surface-disturbing activities. • Pre-treat or contain identified weed infestations prior to construction, if construction begins during the growing season.
• Conduct equipment washing on ingress and egress during construction and grading activities. • Segregate topsoil stockpiles and cleared vegetation from identified noxious weed infestations
to eliminate the transport of soil-borne weed seeds, roots, or rhizomes. • Ensure all straw and hay bales used as mulch or sediment control are certified weed free and obtained from
approved certified sources. • Ensure surface disturbances is kept to 1.62 acres, the minimum size possible. This would discourage the encroachment of weedy species. In areas where disturbance
is unavoidable, revegetation with native grasses and forbs would be prescribed. Appropriate certified weed free seed mixes recommended by the local Natural Resource Conservation Service
(NRCS) office and/or Colorado State University Cooperative Extension would be used for revegetation to inhibit the invasion of noxious weed species and improve wildlife habitat. • Implement
the reclamation of disturbed lands immediately following construction as outlined in the Reclamation Plan and Storm Water Management Plan. Continuing revegetation efforts would ensure
adequate vegetative cover. An aerial coverage of 70% as compared to adjacent undisturbed areas would be used to determine sufficient vegetation coverage. 2.3 TREATMENT METHODS Despite
preventative measures, undesired weed species may become established. In the event of a noxious weed infestation, control measures would be implemented. Specific biological, chemical,
cultural, and/or mechanical treatment methods outlined in the Garfield 4 fRO Resouues Corporation )
xious Weed Management Plan Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Garfield County, Colorado County Noxious Weed Management Plan (Garfield County 2002) would be adhered to and may include: •
Herbicide application is an effective means of reducing the size of noxious weed populations. Herbicide applications would be coordinated with the Garfield County Vegetation Management
Department and applications would be controlled to minimize the impacts to the surrounding vegetation. In areas of dense infestation, a broader application would be used and a follow-up
seeding program implemented. The specific herbicide treatment would be chosen based on weed species and areaspecific conditions (e.g., proximity to water, riparian areas, agriculture,
and time of year). • Herbicide application may be supplemented by mechanical methods that include mowing, discing, hand pulling, or cutting. Mechanical treatments would be conducted
prior to seed maturation, where possible. If this method is used, subsequent seeding would be conducted to reestablish a desirable vegetative cover. • Biological and other alternative
noxious weed control methods, if used, would be coordinated with the Garfield County weed supervisor and the landowner. 5 fRO Resources (orporatian
3.0 MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING I Nih .. <.JUS Weed Management Plan HUllter Mesa Compressor Station Garfield County, Colorado The construction site and ROW would be monitored regularly
for noxious and other undesirable weeds after development of the sites. Valerus would hire a qualified firm to identify and treat noxious weed infestations. Surveys would be conducted
as early in the year as possible to identify and treat noxious weeds before they seed. If management objectives are not being met, weed control and reclamation actions may be modified
to address a particular problem or issue. Areas where surveys would be conducted every year include: I) all roads used by construction equipment, particularly those leading to the compressor
station site and on the compressor station site; 2) sites adjacent to any known infestations; and 3) areas previously treated for noxious weeds. Recommended treatment methods for known
infestations include: I) Repeated hand pulling or grubbing of small infestations to cut and dig out roots and eliminate seed production (Scotch thistle); 2) Spray with 2, 4-D, Chlorsulfuron,
Clopuralid, Dicama, Fluroxypyr, and Metsulfuron methyl (Scotch thistle) 3) Repeat mowing or tilling prior to seed-set (Chicory, Hoary Cress) 4) Spray with 2, 4-D, Chlorsulfuron, Dicamba,
Fluroxypyr, Glyphosate, Imazapzr, Isoxaben, Metsulfuron methyl, and Sulfometuron methyl (Chicory, Hoary Cress). 6 ERO Resources Corporation )
) 4.0 REFERENCES l ious Weed Management Plan Hunter Mesa Compressor Station Garfield County, Colorado Colorado Department of Agriculture. 2010. Available at: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?blob
col=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpd f&blobheadername I =Content -Disposition&blobheadername2=MDTType&blobheadervalue I =inline%3B+filename%3D 150%2F I 52%2FWeed+list+ 11-17 -09.
pdf&blobheadervalue2=abinary%3 B+charset%3 DUTF-8&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere= 125160260 1181 &ssbinary=true. Last accessed: April 28, 2010. Garfield County. 2002. Garfield
County Noxious Weed Management Plan. Prepared by Garfield County Vegetation Management and the Garfield County Weed Advisory Board. Adopted by the Board of County Commissioners May 1,
2000, Revegetation Guidelines and Reclamation Standards Amended May 7, 2001. Resolution #2002-94. 46 p. Garfield County. 2007. Garfield County Noxious Weed List. Available at: http://www.garfield-cou
nty.com//ndex.aspx?page=607. Last accessed: April 28, 2010. 7 fRO Resources Corporation