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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.04 Plan of developmentI. Introduction 1.1 Purpose and need for the POD 1.2 Overview of the POD Components 1.3 Project Overview 1.4 Purpose and Need 1.5 Regulatory Permit Requirements 1.5.1 Environmental Compliance Activities 2. Project Participants 2.1 Primary Project Participants 2.1.1 ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC. Project Personnel 2.1.2 Construction Personnel 2.1.3 Agency Personnel 3. Project Facilities 3.1 Permanent Project Facilities 3.1.1 Facility Sitings, Engineering, and Design 4. Construction Activities 4.1 Construction Schedule 4.2 Project Area Surveying and Staking 4.2.1 Pre-Construction Phase 4.2.1.1 Buried Utility Crossings 4.2.1.2 River, Stream, and Wetland Crossings 4.2.2 Construction Phase 4.3 Pipeline Construction Sequence 4.3.1 Clearing and Grading 4.3.1.1 Clearing and Grading Requirements 4.3.2 Trenching 4.3.2.1 Trenching Requirements 4.3.3 Boring 4.3.4 Pipe Installation 4.3.4.1 Stringing 4.3.4.2 Bending 4.3.4.3 Welding 4.3.4.4 X-Ray Inspection 4.3.4.5 Coating 4.3.4.6 Lowering-in and Padding 4.3.5 Backfilling 4.3.5.1 Backfilling Requirements 4.3.5.2 Backfilling Requirement Variance Request 4.3.6 Pressure Testing 4.3.6.1 Pressure Testing Requirements 4.3.7 Cleanup and Restoration 4.3.7.1 Cleanup and Restoration Requirements 4.3.8 Residential Areas 4.3.9 Livestock Barrier and Other Livestock Issues 4.3.9.1 Livestock Related Requirements 4.3.10 Health and Safety 4.3.10.1 Health and Safety Requirements 4.3.11 Waste Disposal 4.3.11.1 Waste Disposal Requirements 5. Operation and Maintenance Activities I. INTRODUCTION This Plan of Development (POD) describes measures to be taken by the ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC (Company) and its contractors (Contractor) during construction, operations, and maintenance of the 2.6 mile proposed Tee Pee Park Pipeline Project (project). Preparation of the POD is required by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with the primary objective being to establish procedures for mitigation of potential environmental impact associated with the project. 1.1 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE POD The purpose of this POD is to provide guidelines for the construction and future operations and maintenance of the project in compliance with mitigation measures set forth in the project's Final Environmental Impact Statement (FElS). The audience for the POD consists of construction contractors, environmental and construction inspectors, and operations and maintenance personnel. The POD contains general information on the project and is not intended as a stand-alone document. Detailed information concerning specific project-related activities, such as fire prevention and suppression, soil conservation and erosion control, and stream crossing and wetlands protection are provided in the POD appendices. 1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE POD COMPONENTS The POD contains an introduction, and a detailed discussion of the proposed construction activities. In addition, the following environmental compliance plans are attached to the POD as appendices. • Appendix A: Environmental Management • Appendix B: Soil Conservation, Sedimentation, and Erosion Control Plan • Appendix C: Stream Crossing and Wetland Protection Plan • Appendix D: Pressure Testing Plan • Appendix E: Reclamation Plan • Appendix F: Fire Prevention and Suppression Plan • Appendix G: Hazardous Materials Management and Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Plan • Appendix H: Safety Plan • Appendix I: Storm Water Discharge Permit • Appendix J Project Maps 1.3 PROJECT OVERVIEW The project consists of approximately 2.6 miles of 16 inch and 4 inch diameter, buried within a common trench, steel, natural gas and water pipelines and related facilities. The pipelines begins at an existing 12" pipeline interconnect located in Section 1, Township 7S, Range 94W and terminates at the southern boundary of property owned by Laramie II located in Section 24, Township 7S, Range 94W. The pipelines will reside totally within Garfield County, Colorado. Of the total 2.6 miles of pipelines, approximately 0.1 miles will be installed on BLM lands. The remaining 2.5 miles will be installed within rightsof-ways acquired from private landowners. The project will require the relocation of approximately 10,852 feet of Garfield County Road 317.This action will be taken at the request of the private landowners, Garfield County Road & Bridge and will help to reduce the possibility of incidents occurring near Beaver Creek. Construction will occur with one construction spread and is scheduled to start in the earliest possible approval date. The completion of construction is anticipated to end 4 weeks following commencement of work. ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC has requested a 30ft permanent ROW width along with an additional 30ft of temporary construction ROW. The pipelines will be installed within the proposed utility corridor in the road relocation section. ROW agreements have currently been obtained from the private landowners for the pipelines. The pipelines will be installed at an appropriate depth to allow for future road upgrades. No staging areas will be required for the construction of the pipelines. The pipelines will be operated on a year-round basis. 1.4 PURPOSE AND NEED NEED FOR PROPOSED ACTION: ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC has a contractural obligation to gather producer's dedicated gas within Beaver Creek and the surrounding area. ETC Canyon Pipeline is proposing to install a 16-inch gas gathering pipeline along with a 4 inch water to serve these and other potential producers in the future.. The proposed natural gas pipeline is designed to gather and transport -45 million to 100 million standard cubic feet per day and will provide adequate capacity to handle future production development without the need for pipeline looping. The actual gas volumes will be dependant upon available produced gas and operating pressures. The proposed pipeline will interconnect with ETC's existing pipeline system which currently carries gas produced from area operators. The steel, water pipeline will allow for the transfer of produced water from the well sites to a central point, which will reduce the need for truck hauling, particularly during the winter months. Automated controls and valves will be installed to immediately isolate the pipelines in the event of a breach in any section of the pipeline. The pipelines will be pressure tested and all welds will be X-rayed to insure the integrity of the lines. TRAFFIC IMP ACT: Traffic along county roads will increase due to construction activities. Measures will be taken to minimize this impact through scheduling and limiting access to the pipeline right-of-way. Actual construction of the pipeline will take place in four (4) phases. Anticipated "Traffic Impact" for each phase is as follows: Phase # I -Right -of-Way Clearing and Trenching: Construction personnel = 9 Vehicles = 3 Inspection personnel = 2 Vehicles = 2 Heavy haul Trucks = 2 Trips = 4 ea. Phase #1 Duration = I week (6days/week, 10 hrs/day) Percent of County Rd. 317 impact = 100% Percent of County Rd. 320 impact = 100% Phase #2 -Weld and Install Pipeline Construction personnel = 20 Vehicles = 8 Inspection personnel = 2 Vehicles = 2 Heavy haul Trucks = 4 Trips = 6 ea. Phase #2 Duration = 2 weeks (6 days/week, 10 hrs/day) Percent of County Rd. 317 impact = 100% Percent of County Rd. 320 impact = 100% Phase #3 -Nitrogen-test Pipeline: Construction personnel = 3 Vehicles = I Inspection personnel = I Vehicles = I Nitrogen Transport Trucks = 2 Phase #3 Duration = I Day Percent of County Rd. 317 impact = 100% Percent of County Rd 320 impact = 100% Phase #4 -Right-of-Way Cleanup and Reseeding Construction personnel = 3 Vehicles = I Inspection personnel = 2 Vehicles = 2 Heavy haul Trucks = I Trips = 2 ea. Phase #4 Duration = I week (6 days/week, 10 hrs/day) Percent of County Rd. 317 impact = 100% Percent of County Rd. 320 impact = 100% All vehicles will be licensed to meet DOT regulations. All pennits will be obtained as required by Garfield County for trucking of heavy and/or wide loads. Dust control will be a daily construction activity taken to mitigate any public impact. STAGING AREAS: No staging areas will be required for this project. NITROGEN REOUIRED FOR PRESSURE-TEST: Nitrogen will be trucked to the ROW by a qualified service company to load and pressure up the pipeline to the required test pressure. The test pressure will be in accordance with DOT specifications in order to achieve a maximum operating pressure (MAOP) of 900 psi. Once the pressure test has been successfully completed, the nitrogen will be discharged into the atmosphere. 1.5 REGULATORY PERMIT REQUIREMENTS The following sections outline the basic regulatory process that the project must complete prior to the start of construction. Table I contains a list of agency pennits and actions. A detailed listing of highway crossing pennits and other non-discretionary pennits is not included. 1.5.1 Environmental Compliance Activities ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC applied to the U.S. Department of the Interior, BLM for ROW grants and permits to cross federal lands managed by the BLM. The BLM in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is preparing an Environmental Assessment addressing construction and operations impacts and appropriate mitigation measure requirements. Agency Permits and Actions Agency Name Permit! Action Task driving task Bureau of Land Management Finding of No Application Preparation Significant Impact (FONSI) I Notice to Proceed Bureau of Land Management Finding of No Plan of Development Significant Impact (FONS!) I Notice to Proceed Bureau of Land Management Finding of No Threatened and Endangered Significant Impact Resource Clearances (FONSI) I Notice to Proceed Bureau of Land Management Finding of No Cultural Resource Clearances Significant Impact (FONSI) I Notice to Proceed Bureau of Land Management Finding of No Paleontology Clearances Significant Impact (FONSI) I Notice to Proceed US Am1Y Corps of Engineers 404 CW A Pem1it Verification of coverage under NWP#12 Garfield County Administrative Application to include Plan of Pem1it (If pIpe Development and required diameter is greater documentation than 12") & Road & Bridge Road Crossing Pem1its City of Rifle Watershed Pem1it Application to include Plan of Development and required documentation StOm1 Water Discharge Pem1it State of Colorado Approved Pem1it On File CDPHE During construction, operations, and tem1ination of the project, a copy of the complete BLM ROW Grant, including all stipulations and the approved POD, will be available at the construction office. Also, the Environmental Inspector will carry a copy of the complete BLM ROW Grant including all stipulations and the approved POD. The Company will obtain all required federal, state, and local pem1its. In addition to complying with the requirements in these pem1its, the project will also abide by the valid existing rights of all pem1ittees, licensees, ROW holders, leases, mining claimants, and any other holders of valid authorizations on BLM lands traversed by the project. During construction, should the Contractor identify an area requiring additional workspace not previously authorized, the Contractor will provide the company with the necessary infom1ation for submittal to the BLM for a Temporary Use Pem1it or other authorization as applicable. Contractor will limit ROW clearing and usage to the minimum required area for construction operations. 2. PROJECT PARTICIPANTS 2.1 PRIMARY PROJECT PARTICIPANTS Key participants in the project will include personnel from ETC Canyon Pipeline, the BLM (the lead agency), and the Contractor. 2.1.1 Project Personnel ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC. has identified specific positions and personnel for the project with authority to receive, act upon, and implement instructions from the BLM. Overall management of the project will be performed by ETC Canyon Pipeline. The ETC Project Manager will be responsible for all consultants and actions relating to the environmental management program. ETC's Construction Inspector will be responsible for all inspection activities except environmental inspection. 2.1.2 Construction Personnel The pipeline spread will be constructed by a pipeline contractor who will have a Construction Manager located at the spread's construction yard. The pipeline Construction Manager will coordinate with the ETC Project Manager. 2.1.3 Agency Personnel The Glenwood Springs Field Offices of the BLM is responsible for all activities on the federal lands. The Glenwood Springs Field Office Authorized Officer is the contact person for the Project. 3. PROJECT FACILITIES The project consists of permanent project facilities as well as temporary project facilities that will be necessary only during construction of the project. A 60-foot wide work area will be required on BLM land during construction, of which 30 feet will be maintained as a permanent pipeline ROW. On private land and Garfield County right of way, a 60-foot wide work area will be required during construction, of which 30 feet will be maintained as a permanent pipeline ROW. Other permanent project facilities include launchers, receivers, block valves, pipeline markers, and CP test stations. Permanent project facilities are discussed in greater detail below. 3.1 PERMANENT PROJECT FACILITIES 3.1.1 Facility Siting, Engineering, and Design The pipeline route has been selected to avoid as many areas of special concern as possible. These special areas include areas of critical environmental concern, cultural resource areas, paleontology resource areas, and areas of high visual quality. Other specific measures that have been implemented during the routing of the ROW include the following. • The pipeline will be installed within existing or newly developed road corridors. • When engineering and routing conditions pennit, streams will be crossed perpendicular to the channel to minimize length of disturbance. • The pipeline has been sited so that it is not within 50 feet of a residence in residential areas. • Current land uses along the ROW include primarily forest, agricultural and pasture lands. The pipeline ROW does cross public land. The design of the project's pipeline will be in confonnance wit the requirements of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 192, "Regulations for the Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards" u.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. 4. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES The following section provides a description of each phase of standard construction along the ROW. 4.1 CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE Construction activities will occur over an estimated 4 week period. Construction will begin with pipeline ROW clearing as soon as pennits have been granted and end with pressure testing 4 weeks later. Assuming a reasonable construction kickoff date, expedient construction progress, and limited weather-related delays, the reclamation and restoration of the ROW should be completed in 2008. 4.2 PROJECT AREA SURVEYING AND STAKING 4.2.1 Pre-Construction Phase Infonnation from pre-construction surveys was used to help locate project facilities. Resources identified include: sensitive plant populations; cultural, archeological, paleontological resources; and wetlands and streams. Mitigation for sensitive areas that cannot be avoided is addressed in environmental compliance plans included in this document (e.g., Reclamation Plan, Stream Crossing and Wetland Protection Plan, and other general and site-specific enviromnental compliance plans). 4.2.1.1 Buried Utility Crossings Buried utility crossings may require extra workspace in order to store the additional subsoil material removed to place the pipe below the existing utility. Required utility line separations are determined on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the affected utility company prior to construction. 4.2.1.1 River, Stream, and Wetland Crossings There will be no additional width or staging areas permitted on federal surface. No wetlands or perennial streams will be crossed on federal surface managed by the BLM .. This procedure is in the POD for crossings on non-federal land only. River, stream, and wetland crossings typically require staging areas on both sides of the crossing. Staging areas are required for pipe storage and additional subsoil storage resulting from grading down of banks. Staging areas are also necessary when additional pipe burial depths require deeper trenches, and therefore additional subsoil storage requirements. On perennial stream and wetland crossings on private and state lands, staging areas will be located at least 50 feet from the stream bank or wetland boundary to maintain a buffer zone and avoid water. 4.2.2 Construction Phase The civil engineering surveys will be performed by Wagon Wheel Consulting, Inc. to identify the centerline of the pipeline and the boundaries of both sides of the approved working limits before construction activities occur in an area as follows: • On private lands -Chaining stakes will be set at 200-foot intervals along the centerline. In addition to the stakes, flagged or painted lath will be set at 400-foot intervals (maximum), or as required to maintain line of sight, along the proposed centerline. The edges of the work limits will be marked at 200-foot intervals (maximum), or as required to maintain line of sight, with flagged or painted lath. All extra workspace will be marked in a similar fashion and all four comers of each extra workspace will be marked by a flagged or painted lath. • On federal lands -Chaining stakes will be set at 200-foot intervals along the centerline. In addition to the stakes, flagged or painted lath will be set at 400-foot intervals (maximum), or as required to maintain line of sight, along the proposed centerline. The edges of the work limits will be marked at 100-foot intervals (maximum), or as required to maintain line of sight, with flagged or painted lath unless greater spacing is granted by the Authorized Officer's field representative. Extra workspace will be marked in a similar fashion and all four will be marked by a flagged or painted lath. Extra workspace on steep slopes (greater than 40 percent) and at staging areas (stream, wetland, and river crossings) will be staked at 50-foot intervals. Environmental Inspectors will be responsible for verifying that the limits of authorized construction work areas are staked and approved access roads are signed prior to construction. 4.3 PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE The following sections include general descriptions of the various pipeline construction phases. Also included in these sections are specific applicable mitigation requirements that will be implemented by the Contractor. The following operations are typical in a construction spread. 4.3.1 Clearing and Grading Clearing, grading, and other disturbance of soil and vegetation will be limited to the minimum area required for safe construction operations within the approved ROWand extra workspaces. Root systems will be left in place where feasible and where they so not pose a safety concern for workers or an impediment to equipment or rubber-tired vehicle access. The herbaceous vegetative crown will be maintained to the extent possible where blading of the ROWand extra workspaces are not necessary. Once clearing has been performed to remove any obstacles or debris, grading will follow to remove the topsoil and surface rock, and stockpile it within the edge of the ROW for redistribution following construction. All brush and other materials that are cleared will be windrowed within the ROW or in temporary use areas. Following construction, these materials will be dispersed over the ROW to impede future access along the ROWand to provide wildlife habitat unless ROW stipulations dictate otherwise. Trees will be voided of dirt and strategically placed on ROW to impede future access. 4.3.1.1 Clearing and Grading Requirements The Environmental Inspector will ensure that the Contractor implements the following mitigation measures during clearing and grading operations: • Clearing will be performed to preserve roots to the extent practicable, stockpile or dispose of vegetation wastes to maintain stability of the site, and provide erosion control. Trees will be cut with chain saws and/or mechanical shears/saws. Brush will generally be cut with a chain saw or similar equipment. Steep slopes will be graded properly to minimize erosion. Specific erosion control measures to be implemented are detailed in the Soil Conservation, Sedimentation, and Erosion Control Plan. • Vegetation cut during clearing operations will be stockpiled on the ROW (timber, etc.). In some cases trees, stumps, or slash may be scattered back over the ROW after seeding to aid in erosion control, and to block access along the ROW. • In order to reduce the amount of soil exposed to erosion, the Contractor will I} minimize cuts and fills, and 2} will not use cut and fill construction techniques unless slopes exceed three percent where feasible. Topsoiling requirements are included in the Soil Conservation, Sedimentation, and Erosion Control Plan. • Cleared vegetation will be disposed of as directed by the BLM's field representative on federal lands. Where feasible and when agreed to by the BLM field representative, the Contractor may use slash for onsite reclamation. Placement of slash will not interfere with other reclamation activities including seeding and planting. • On state and private lands, cleared vegetation will be disposed of as requested by the property owner and approved by the Environmental Inspector. • Pinyon or Juniper tree removal on BLM land may require a permit. The environmental inspector will coordinate with BLM to determine necessity of said permit. 4.3.2 Trenching Construction methods used to excavate a trench will vary depending on soils, terrain, and related factors. Where possible, rotary-trenching machines will be used. In situations such as steep slopes, unstable soils, high water table, or deep or wide trench requirements, conventional track type backhoes will generally be used. Measures will be taken to ensure that access is provided for property owners or tenants to move vehicles, equipment, and livestock across the ditch where necessary. Adequate precautions will also be taken to ensure that livestock are not prevented from reaching water sources because of the open ditch. Measures to be taken include contacting livestock operators, providing adequate crossing facilities, or other measures as needed. Contractor will also ensure that every half-mile that there is either a natural egress ramp in the trench (stream or road crossing) or a soft or hard plug ramp for wildlife and cattle to escape from the ditch. A typical ditch will be excavated approximately 36 inches wide at the bottom and the sides will be sloped to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) specifications. The depth of the ditch will be approximately 72 to 84 inches deep; however, it will vary with the conditions encountered. The cover from top of pipe to ground level as graded to finish ROW will be in confonnance with DOT regulations. Occasionally, the ditch will be excavated to depths greater than the minimum values specified. Greater depths of cover will be required at unpaved road crossings, foreign pipeline crossings, streams, or other obstructions. As a minimum, the ditch will be excavated to a depth to allow a clearance of 24 inches between the ETC pipeline and other pipelines or underground facilities. Machine excavation will not be perfonned closer than 10 feet from any existing pipeline encountered in the ROW unless authorized by the pipeline owners/operators. Existing pipeline locations will be marked in the field and 48-hour prior notification given to the operator of the underground utility. Pipeline crossings of unsurfaced, lightly traveled, or rural roads will be made with a mechanical ditching machine or a backhoe. Installation at these locations, including cleanup and restoration of road surfaces, will usually be completed within one day. In such cases, provisions will be made to detour or control passage of traffic during construction. Where rock is encountered, tractor-mounted mechanical rippers or rock trenching equipment may be used to facilitate excavation. 4.3.2.1 Trenching Requirements ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC Environmental Inspector will ensure that the Contractor implements the following mitigation measures during trenching operations: • Trenching will be perfonned to minimize disturbance to soils generally by using a backhoe or trenching machine. Topsoiling requirements are included in the Soil Conservation, Sedimentation, and Erosion Plan. • No trench within 250 feet of a residence will be left open for more than three days. 4.3.3 Boring Boring techniques will generally be used under paved highways to avoid disrupting traffic in accordance with the governing agency requirements and pennitting agreements. For both cased and uncased crossings, the auger boring technique and the directional boring technique described below will be implemented. The auger boring technique involves excavating a bore pit on one side of the crossing and a receiving pit on the other side and utilizes an auger and power unit mounted on rails or a side boom suspended boring machine attached to a deadman. The power unit drives the auger inside a heavy wall pipe casing segment until the power unit reaches the leading edge of the bore pit. The power unit is disconnected from the auger, backed up, and a segment of the carrier pipe is welded to the casing segment already driven. Additional auger and carrier pipe segments are added successively until the bore reaches the other side of the crossing in the receiving pit. Soil excavated by the auger is removed from the pit by a backhoe. Once through, the power unit backs out the auger one segment at a time, leaving the gas pipeline in place under the crossing. In the receiving pit, the casing segment is removed for use at the next crossing. The directional boring technique involves using a hydraulic powered machine to drill a near horizontal bore hole for great distances. This method utilizes conventional drill bits attached to drill pipe in order to drill a bore hole for the required length. Drilling muds (Bentonite) are pumped through the drill bit and in tum carry cuttings back along the drill pipe and are then recovered into tanks located at the power unit. All drilling muds are then filtered and recycled. Once the bore hole has been drilled to the desired length, the drill bit is removed and a backreamer is attached to the drillpipe. The backreamer is pulled back through the bore hole to clean and size the hole. Multiple sizes of backreamers are pulled through the borehole until the desired hole size is achieved. Once the final backreamer has been pushed through, the pre-welded and tested carrier pipe is then attached to the backreamer and pulled through the bore hole. The carrier pipe is then welded to the main pipeline at each end. 4.3.4 Pipe Installation Pipe installation will include stringing, bending for horizontal or vertical angles in the alignment, welding the pipe segments together, x-ray/inspection, coating the joint areas to prevent corrosion, and then lowering-in and padding as described in greater detail below. 4.3.4.1 Stringing Line pipe will be shipped directly from the manufacturer by trucks to the ROW. Each individual joint of pipe will be unloaded by cranes or tractors equipped with side booms and slings, and strung parallel to the ditch. Sufficient pipe for road or stream crossings will be stockpiled at staging areas near the crossings. Stringing operations will be coordinated with trenching and installation activities to properly manage the construction time at a particular tract of land. Gaps will be left at access points across the ditch to allow crossing of the ROW. 4.3.4.2 Bending After the joints of pipe are strung along the ditch but before the joints are welded together, individual joints of the pipe will be bent to accommodate horizontal and vertical changes in direction. Field bends will be made utilizing a hydraulically operated bending machine. Where the deflection of a bend exceeds the allowable limits for a field-bent pipe, factory (induction) bends will be installed. 4.3.4.3 Welding After the pipe joints are bent, the pipe is lined up end-to-end and clamped into position. The pipe is then welded in conformance with 49 CFR Part 192, Subpart E. "Welding of Steel Pipelines" and API 1104, "Standard for Welding Pipelines and Related Facilities," latest edition. 4.3.4.4 X-Ray Inspection All welds will be visually inspected by a qualified inspector and by nondestructive radiographic methods. At a minimum, radiographic inspection will be conducted in accordance with DOT requirements. A specialized contractor, certified to perform radiographic inspection, will be employed to perform this work. Any defects will be repaired or cut out as required under the specified regulations and standards. 4.3.4.5 Coating To prevent corrosion, the pipe will be externally coated with fusion bonded epoxy coating prior to delivery. After welding, field joints will be coated with a synergy coating. Before the pipe is lowered into the ditch, the pipeline coating will be visually inspected and tested with an electronic detector, and any faults or scratches ("holidays") will be repaired. 4.3.4.6 Lowering-In and Padding Once the pipe coating operation has been completed, a section of the pipe will be lowered into the ditch. Side-boom tractors will be used to simultaneously lift the pipe, position it over the ditch, and lower it in place. Inspection will be conducted to verify that minimum cover is provided; the trench bottom is free of rocks, debris, etc.; external pipe coating is not damaged; and the pipe is properly fitted and installed into the ditch. Specialized padding machines will be used to sift soil fines from the excavated subsoils to provide rock-free pipeline padding and bedding. In rocky areas, padding material or rock shield will be used to protect the pipe. 4.3.5 Backfilling Backfilling will begin after a section of the pipe has been successfully placed in the ditch and final inspection has been completed. Backfill will be conducted using a bulldozer, rotary auger backfiller, padding machine or other suitable equipment. Backfilling the trench will generally use the subsoil previously excavated from the trench, except in rocky areas where imported select fill material maybe needed. Backfill will be graded and compacted, where necessary for ground stability, by being tamped or walked in with a wheeled or track vehicle. Compaction will be performed to 95% maximum density as determined by AASHTO T -99. Backfill of trenches will not be performed where the soil is frozen to the extent that large consolidated masses are formed that will not "break down". Contractor will then re-spread the topsoil to return the surface to its original grade. In agricultural areas, the Environmental inspector will test the backfill to ensure that it has been replaced at the same compaction density as the adjacent undisturbed soil. Any excavated materials or materials unfit for backfill will be utilized or properly disposed of in conformance with applicable laws or regulations. 4.3.5. I Backfilling Requirements ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC, Construction Inspector and Environmental Inspector will ensure that the Contractor implements the following mitigation measures during backfilling operations: • Trench breakers, to prevent groundwater migration, will be constructed as defined in the project's Soil Conservation, Sedimentation, and Erosion Control Plan. The project's Construction Inspectors will approve locations in the field sites. 4.3.5.2 Backfilling Requirement Variance Request The Contractor will place a mound over the trench approximately 0.5 feet to account for subsidence. On federal lands, a variance is required to eliminate the mound. On private lands, written authorization from the property owner is required to eliminate the mound. 4.3.6 Pressure Testing The entire pipeline will be tested in compliance with DOT regulations (49 CFR Part 192). Prior to filling the pipeline for a pressure test, the pipeline will be cleaned by passing reinforced poly pigs through the interior of the line. The pipeline will then be filled with nitrogen, pressurized, and held for the duration of the test. Nitrogen for the pressure test will be provided by a qualified company. In Colorado, nitrogen may be discharged directly into the atmosphere. Notification to all nearby residents as well as the Garfield County Dispatch Center will be made prior to the pressure test and blow down. 4.3.6.1 Pressure Testing Requirements ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC, Environmental and Construction Inspectors will ensure that the Contractor implements the following mitigation measures during pressure testing operations: • Test nitrogen will be procured from an approved service company .. • Depressurization will be performed in accordance with measures defined in the Pressure Test Plan and project permits. 4.3.7 Cleanup and Restoration Cleanup and restoration of the surface along the ROWand any temporary workspaces will be performed by removing any construction debris and by performing final grading to the finished contour. Steps will be taken to minimize erosion, restore the natural ground contour, and account for trench settling as described in the Soil Conservation, Sedimentation, and Erosion Control Plan. Restoration seeding and planting will also be performed in accordance with landowner or BLM requirements and as described in the project's Reclamation Plan. 4.3.7.1 Cleanup and Restoration Requirements ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC Environmental Inspector will ensure that the Contractor implements the following mitigation measures during cleanup and restoration activities: • The Contractor will ensure that rocks larger than four inches in any shape or dimension are removed from all segregated topsoil in agricultural and residential areas. • Rocks on the ROW will be removed by the Contractor to approximate pre-construction conditions. Rocks left on the ROW will be scattered in a random manner. Rocks removed from the ROW will be disposed at a project approved disposal site. • All existing improvements, such as fences, gates, irrigation ditches, and cattle guards, will be maintained and repaired by the Contractor to at least preconstruction condition and to the satisfaction of the landowner or BLM field representative to minimize disturbance to the public. • No topsoil will be used for pipeline padding. • No tailings from the proposed boring areas will be spread or stored on federal surface. 4.3.8 Residential Areas Special construction activities will be enacted when crossing through residential areas. The following construction practices will be implemented: • If the trench is left open overnight within 250 feet of a residence, it will be fenced to mitigate safety concerns. • Owners of private roads along the route will be notified at least 24 hours in advance of planned road crossings. • Private road crossings will be completed within three hours and roads will be restored to pre-construction condition or better. • Access to and from residences will be maintained at all times unless expressed authorization is obtained from the landowner. • Construction activities, except for pressure testing, will only occur between the hours of 7 AM and 5 PM, six days a week (usually Monday to Saturday) in residential areas. • No trench within 250 feet of a residence will be left open for more than three days. If the trench is left open overnight within 100 feet of a residence. Contractor will fence the area to mitigate safety concerns. • In residential areas, topsoil replacement (i.e., importation of topsoil) is an acceptable alternative to topsoil segregation. 4.3.9 Livestock Barrier and Other Livestock Issues: Prior to construction, Wagon Wheel Consulting, Inc. will meet with affected ranchers to discuss their concerns and to explain pipeline construction activities that may impact livestock. Fences crossing the ROW will be braced, cut, and temporarily fitted with gates to permit passage. Prior to cutting the fences, the Company will notify the ranchers in order to give them the opportunity to be present when the fence is cut. During construction, the opening will be controlled as necessary to prevent the escape of livestock. Existing fences will be replaced and braces left in place upon completion of construction activities. During construction, Contractor will take care not to obstruct or damage gates or cattleguards. Those damaged or made inoperable will be repaired to the agency and/or landowner satisfaction. Wagon Wheel Consulting will ensure that livestock barriers are in place where the pipeline construction has created possible problems. The preferred method is to create rock faces or other natural barriers where available. Where this will not or may not work in the opinion of the Authorized Officer, a 4-wire let down fence will be constructed as specified in the Reclamation Plan. 4.3.9.1 Livestock Related Requirements ETC Environmental and Construction Inspectors will ensure that the Contractor implements the following mitigation measures relating to fencing: • The Contractor will repair all damaged livestock facilities (fences, water sources) to the landowner's satisfaction. These facilities will be left in as good as or better condition than the pre-construction condition. The Contractor will install temporary fences when necessary to prevent livestock movement across fences temporarily removed for construction. 4.3.10 Health and Safety 4.3.10.1 Health and Safety Requirements ETC's Construction Inspectors will ensure that the measures included in the Safety Plan and the following measures and relating to health and safety are implemented: • Contractor will comply with requirements contained in the Fire Prevention and Suppression Plan. • Contractor will cease normal pipeline construction activities by sunset. Nighttime construction will not be permitted unless approved by ETC and the BLM field representative. • The Contractor in accordance with federal, state, or local requirements will provide water, or other means, to control dust. Contractor will comply with federal, state, and local air quality emission standards and regulations. • Contractor will provide dust control in construction areas within 500 feet of residences and highways as directed by the project's Construction and Environmental Inspectors. • If the trench is left open overnight within 100 feet of a residence, Contractor will fence the area to mitigate safety concerns. • No dredged or fill material will be discharged in the proximity of a public water supply intake (municipal watersheds). • The Contractor will ensure that equipment is properly maintained to reduce emissions. 4.3.11 Waste Disposal ETC's Construction Inspectors will ensure that the following measures relating to waste disposal are implemented: 4.3.11.1 Waste Disposal Requirements • No littering will be allowed on the ROW. Construction and operations sites will be maintained in a sanitary condition at all times. Waste materials at these sites will be disposed of promptly at an appropriate waste disposal site. Contractor will dispose of excess or unsuitable materials at commercial disposal sites, commercial recycling centers, and/or disposal sites. • Contractor will comply with the hazardous waste disposal requirements included in the Hazardous Materials Management and Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Plan. • Human wastes, temporarily located within self-contained facilities (port-o-pots), will be removed from the ROWand disposed of in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. 5. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC will be responsible for the monitoring of the operations of the pipeline once construction is completed. Maintenance and operating personnel will be coordinated from the district office along the system so that any area can be reached within a short period in case of an emergency or malfunction. These personnel will be qualified and trained employees of ETC Canyon Pipeline, LLC.