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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.01 NarrativeNorth Parachute Ranch Laydown Yards Garfield County Special Use Permit Narrative December 2008 Applicant; EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. 2717 CR 215, Suite 100 Parachute, CO 81635 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Project Overview 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Description 1 1.3 Purpose and Need 1 1.4 Location 1 1.5 Project Design 2 1.6 Attachments 2 2.0 Section 5.03 Conditional and Special Uses 3 2.1 Water and Sanitation Utilities 3 2.2 Access 3 2.3 Neighborhood Character 4 3.0 Section 5.03.07 Industrial Operations 4 3.1 Existing Lawful Use of Water 4 3.2 Generation of Vapor, Dust, Smoke, Noise, Glare or Vibration 4 3.3 Wildlife and Domestic Animals 5 3.4 Traffic Impacts 5 3.5 Abutting Property 6 3.6 Reclamation Plan 6 3.7 Emergency Response Plan 6 4.0 Section 5.03.08 Industrial Performance Standards 6 4.1 Sound Volume 7 4.2 Vibration 7 4.3 Smoke and Particulate Matter 7 4.4 Heat, Glare, Radiation, and Fumes 7 4.5 Storage 7 4.6 Water Pollution 8 ATTACHMENTS Application Tab Maps Tab Ownership Tab Deed & Lea1 Tab Supporting Documentation Tab Environmental Tab Stotmwater Tab Emergency Response Tab Financial Tab Reclamation Tab North Parachute Ranch Laydown Yards 1.0 PROJECT OVERVIEW 1.1 Background EnCana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc. (EnCana) requests a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for an Industrial Support Facility (North Parachute Ranch [NPR] Laydown Yards) for storage of equipment and supplies for operations both on the NPR and on other properties owned by EnCana. 1.2 Description The NPR Laydown Yards will consist of three yards with a combined acreage of 4.7 acres. They will be used to store supplies and equipment related to the production of natural gas for EnCana's operation in the Piceance Basin. 1.3 Purpose and Need In order to complete its natural gas production activities in a safe and efficient manner, EnCana proposes the use of three laydown yards on its NPR property to store equipment and parts pertinent to its drilling and completions operations. EnCana anticipates that this project will not only increase efficiency, but that it will also have a positive impact on safety and the environment. Transporting equipment and supplies in bulk and storing them on site allows for a reduction of traffic, both on county roads and on the NPR. This reduces emissions and the potential for harm to human health and the environment. The three proposed locations have been chosen for their ease of access, both to Garfield County Road 215 and to locations where equipment and supplies are needed on the NPR. 1.4 Location The NPR Laydown Yards will consist of three locations, all of which are located on EnCana's property. The NPR Laydown Yards (Yard #1, Yard #2 and Yard #3) are located in the NORTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 4 T6S R96W, SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 30 T5S R95W, NORTHWEST QUARTER OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 31 T5S R95W, the NORTHWEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 30 T5S R95W, the SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 30 T5S R95W, and the NORTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 25 T5S R96W, all of the 6°i Principal Meridian. The NPR Laydown Yards are located approximately 8.7, 10.5, and 11 miles north of Parachute, Colorado. Survey information for the NPR Laydown Yards is included in the Maps Tab. The survey package includes a vicinity map, driving directions from the Town of Parachute, and detailed site plans of each of the facilities. The NPR Laydown Yards are located on land zoned Resource Lands. Special Use Permit Narrative 1 December 2008 North Parachute Ranch Laydown Yards The NPR consists of 45,000 -acres of land owned by EnCana. EnCana, being the surface owner in all cases as it pertains to this project, is acting on its own behalf. The specific deeds to the locations listed above are contained in the Deed & Legal Tab. 1.5 Project Design EnCana is proposing to establish three laydown yards associated with the drilling and completion needs of the NPR and other nearby property owned by EnCana. Storage Yard #1 comprises 0.9-acres and is located approximately 8.7 miles north of Parachute, Colorado. EnCana does not plan to construct any buildings on this location. If the need for a building is identified, EnCana will proceed with permitting as required by Garfield County. Storage Yard #2 comprises 0.6 -acres and is located approximately 10.5 miles north of Parachute. Yard #2 will consist of a storage yard and water filling station, which is located on the northern portion of this yard. The water filling station consists of a portable pump and a stand pipe for filling water trucks out of the creek. EnCana does not plan to construct any buildings on this location. Storage Yard #3 comprises 3,2 acres and is located approximately 11 miles north of Parachute. EnCana does not plan to construct any buildings on this location. Currently, there are no anticipated power needs for the NPR Laydown Yards. EnCana currently anticipates meeting any future potential power needs with diesel and /or natural gas - powered generators. 1.6 Attachments Application Tab Garfield County Special Use Permit Application Agreement to Pay Statement of Authority Narrative Tab Detailed Narrative Maps Tab Vicinity Maps Detailed Driving Directions From the Town of Parachute GPS Coordinates Site Plan Assessors Map Ownership Tab List of Adjacent Landowners 2 Special Use Permit Appliccition December 2008 North Parachute Ranch Laydown Yards Deed & Legal Tab Site - Specific Schedule Deeds Environmental Tab Wildlife Impact Assessment and Sensitive Areas Report Laydown Yard #1 Integrated Vegetation and Noxious Weed Management Plan Laydown Yard #1 Wildlife Impact Assessment and Sensitive Areas Report Laydown Yard #3 Integrated Vegetation and Noxious Weed Management Plan Laydown Yard #3 Supporting Documentation Tab Environmental Sound Level Measurement Survey Phase III Middle Fork Compressor Station Quit Claim Deed (Water Rights) Stormwater Tab North Parachute Ranch Stormwater Management Plan Financial Tab Reclamation Bond Emergency Response Tab Emergency Response Plan for the North Parachute Ranch Reclamation Tab Reclamation Plan for the North Parachute Ranch 2.0 SECTION 5.03 CONDITIONAL AND SPECIAL USES The following sections address impacts as required by Section 5.03 of the Garfiold County Ladd Use and Zoning Regulations. 2.1 Water and Sanitation Utilities Personnel will not be stationed at the laydown yards and personnel are not anticipated to be working exclusively at these locations. As a result, a potable water system and a wastewater system are not considered necessary for this project. 2.2 Access The NPR Laydown Yards are located 8.7, 10.5 and 11 miles north of Parachute, Colorado at the end of Garfield County Road 215. The proposed driveway to Yard #1 is located in a relatively straight section of Garfield County Road 215, which will allow good visibility of upcoming traffic along the county road. EnCana will construct a driveway approach off of Garfield County Road 215 acceptable to the permit conditions required by the Garfield County Road and Bridge Department. Yards #2 and #3 are accessed via existing roads used to access the NPR. Special Use Permit Narrative 3 December 200$ North Parachute Ranch Laydown Yards 2.3 Neighborhood Character The NPR Laydown Yards are located in an oil and gas industrial setting and minimal visual impact would occur to the general public or adjacent property owners from any construction and/or operation of these yards. The nearest residence is approximately 1.5- miles to the south of Yard #1, and the other adjacent property owners are also involved in and currently operating natural gas processing and mineral extraction facilities. The NPR Laydown Yards would not change the existing neighborhood character. 3.0 SECTION 5.03.07 INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS The following sections address impacts as required by Section 5.03.07 of the Garfield County Land Use and Zoning Regulations. 3.1 Existing Lawful Use of Water No water depletion would occur as part of this project. EnCana has prepared and utilizes the North Parachute Ranch Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) and the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan (SPCCP) for Gas Gathering Facilities. Implementation of these plans ensures that activities associated with the NPR Laydown Yards comply with stormwater management and spill prevention controls and countermeasures as required by Garfield County, the State of Colorado, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Implementation of these plans also mitigates the potential for EnCana to pollute surface runoff, stream flow, or groundwater. Copies of the SWMP and SPCCP are provided in the Stormwater Tab. A Quit Claim Deed delineating EnCana's water rights is contained in the Supporting Documentation Tab. 3.2 Generation of Vapor, Dust, Smoke, Noise, Glare or Vibration EnCana does not foresee the generation of vapor or smoke. Equipment operation such as mobile loading equipment within the yards and trucks loading and unloading equipment and supplies from the yards may produce vapor or smoke similar to vehicles traveling on roads, which is a standard by- product of equipment operation. EnCana would apply water, gravel, tackifier, or other equivocal measures as necessary to prevent fugitive dust emissions from vehicles traveling in the project area. EnCana has completed a sound level study for the existing Middle Fork Compressor Station, which is co- located with Yards #2 and #3. The survey results confirm the existing facilities (with 30,000 horsepower of electric- driven compressor units runnipg) are in compliance with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) noise regulations. The survey indicated that the sound levels for the Middle Fork 4 Special Use Permit Application December 2008 North Parachute Ranch Laydown Yards Compressor Station were, "completely inaudible at all of the property -line and residential measurement locations ". A report on the results of the sound level survey is provided in the Supporting Documentation Tab. The only noise generated at the NPR Laydown Yards will be from trucks delivering or retrieving equipment and supplies. Noise will be far less than the drilling and natural gas processing operations already occurring on the NPR. Therefore, noise impacts to adjacent land are not anticipated. EnCana does not anticipate any lighting for the NPR Laydown Yards; however, if lighting were to be installed for this facility it would be directed inward and downward so as to minimize glare to the extent possible. Minor vibration may occur from operation of tire- mounted equipment; however, vibrations would not be noticeable at the property line. 3.3 Wildlife and Domestic Animals EnCana contracted WestWater Engineering Inc. (WestWater) to prepare an Integrated Vegetation and Noxious Weed Management Plan and a Wildlife Impact and Sensitive Areas Report for the NPR Laydown Yards, which is included in the Environmental Tab for Yard #1 and Yard #3. WestWater will survey Yard #2 in the spring due to it being covered in snow. The Integrated Vegetation and Noxious Weed Management Plan for Yard #1 and Yard #3 identified noxious weeds in the area as well as Best Management Practices (BMPs) to confine the noxious weeds to the surveyed area. These include cleaning the soil off equipment before leaving the site and minimizing surface impact. Herbicide treatments will be used to control noxious weeds and a recommended seed mix will be used for revegetation. The Wildlife Impact Assessment and Sensitive Areas Report for Yard #1 and Yard #3 re- emphasized minimizing a surface impact. Species present were identified. Mitigation, such as fence types and recommended seed mixes, was listed in the report. The impact to Wildlife and Domestic Animals is anticipated to be minimal. 3.4 Traffic Impacts Activity at the NPR Laydown Yards is anticipated to be sporadic. It is anticipated that the bulk of truck traffic into and out of the laydown yards would be between the hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM on a five- or six -day work schedule. No full -time employees will be housed on -site. Use of the laydown yards would not result in any additional vehicular impacts to county roads. The overall volume of traffic would not increase, but the direction would increase to and from the specific locations of the laydown yards. This would decrease potential vehicle /wildlife encounters on Garfield County Road 215. Special Use Permit Narrative 5 December 200$ North Parachute Ranch Laydown Yards 3.5 Abutting Property The nearest residence is approximately 1.5 miles to the south of the closest NPR Laydown Yard (Yard #1). The remaining abutting property owners are also involved and currently operating natural gas processing or mineral extraction facilities, so no additional impact would occur to the abutting property owner from the construction and /or operation of the laydown yards. 3.6 Reclamation Plan Prior to abandonment of the NPR Laydown Yards, EnCana would contact the Garfield County Planning Director to arrange for a meeting and joint inspection of the yards. This meeting and inspection would take place a minimum of 30 days prior to abandonment, and would be held so that an agreement on an acceptable abandonment plan can be reached. EnCana will complete final reclamation measures in areas that are not necessary for operation of laydown yards. The majority of the disturbed areas at the laydown yards will be hard - scaped with gravel. EnCana has developed the North Parachute Reclamation Plan as a guide for reclaiming disturbed areas as a result of constructing well pads, access road, compressor stations, facilities and pipelines. The North Parachute Reclamation Plan is included in the Reclamation Tab. 3.7 Emergency Response Plan The NPR Laydown Yards will comply with all EnCana safety practices and emergency response procedures. EnCapa's Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and emergency contact numbers are provided in the Emergency Response Tab. The ERP describes the functional roles and accountabilities for life safety, property damage, and environmental response. The ERP also describes the communication and notification protocols to engage support, based on the nature and complexity of the emergency. A survey package for the proposed NPR Laydown Yards is included in the Maps Tab. The survey package includes a vicinity map, a Garfield County Assessors Map, detailed driving directions from the Town of Parachute, and GPS coordinates. EnCana will provide a copy of the survey package to the Garfield County Sheriff's Office, Dispatch, Planning Department, and to the Grand Valley Fire Protection District. EnCana will reimburse the appropriate emergency service provider for costs incurred in connection with emergency response for activities associated with this project. 4.0 SECTION 5.03.08 INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS All operations at the NPR Laydown Yards would comply with applicable county, state, and federal regulations regulating water, air, and noise pollution and would not be conducted in a manner constituting a public nuisance or hazard. Operations would be conducted in a manner as to minimize heat, dust, smoke, vibration, glare and odor and all 6 Special Use Permit Application Decenzber 2008 North Parachute Ranch Laydown Yards other undesirable environmental effects beyond the boundaries of the property. The following section address compliance with the standards set forth in Garfield County Zoning Regulations 5.03.08. 4.1 Sound Volume As previously described in detail in Section 3.2 above, EnCana is confident that sound levels from the NPR Laydown Yards would be in compliance with COGCC regulations. 4.2 Vibration Minor vibration may occur from operation of tire- mounted equipment; however, vibrations would not be noticeable at the property line. EnCana would provide vibration mitigation to meet all vibration regulation requirements. Vibrations would not be noticeable at the fenced property boundary of the NPR Laydown Yards. 4.3 Smoke and Particulate Matter EnCana would apply water, gravel, tackifier, or other equivocal measures as necessary to prevent fugitive dust emissions from equipment and/or vehicles traveling in the project area. 4.4 Heat, Glare, Radiation, and Fumes No heat generation is anticipated at the NPR Laydown Yards and would not be detectable at the property boundaries. Potential glare from installation of lighting (currently not anticipated) will be minimized by directing any outside lighting downward and inward to the facility. No radiation would be produced and the only potential fumes would be from vehicles driven on the NPR Laydown Yards. Adjacent property would not be affected and a public nuisance or hazard would not be created. 4.5 Storage As Laydown yards, the intent of these facilities is to store equipment and supplies for use as part of rtaturaI gas production activities. • Any storage of flammable or explosive solids or gases will be in accordance with accepted standards and laws and will comply with the national, state, and local fire codes and written recommendations /comments from the local protection district regarding compliance with the appropriate codes. • Any waste material generated will be disposed of at a licensed disposal facility. No materials or wastes would be deposited on -site. • Heavy equipment may be stored at the NPR Laydown Yards. If heavy equipment is stored, it will be in compliance with Section 5.03.08 (5) (D) of Garfield County's Supplementary Regulations, which include : restrictions on lot size, storage of Special Use Permit Narrative 7 December 2008 North Parachute Ranch Laydown Yards equipment no closer than 300 -feet from any existing residential dwelling, installation of screening at least eight -feet in height, repair or maintenance activities conducted between the hours of 8:OOAM to 6:OOPM, Monday through Friday, and loading and unloading of vehicles on private property (not on public right -of -way). • If lighting is utilized at the NPR Laydown Yards, it will be directed downward and inward to prevent direct reflection on adjacent property. 4.6 Water Pollution EnCana has prepared and utilizes the North Parachute Ranch SWMP and SPCCP. Implementation of these plans ensures that activities comply with stormwater management and spill prevention controls and countermeasures as required by Garfield County, the State of Colorado, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Implementation of these plans also mitigates the potential for EnCana to pollute surface runoff, stream flow, or groundwater. Copies of the SWMP and SPCCP are provided in the Stormwater Tab. 8 Special Use Per, ii Appliccition December 2008