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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 Impact Analysis NarrativeOXY USA WTP LP Pond 10 Impact Analysis Narrative Garfield County Limited Impact Land Use Application, 2014 Page 1 of 4 Impact Analysis Narrative Section 4-203 (G) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction The following section addresses the requirements for the Impact Analysis under Section 4-203 of the Garfield County Land Use and Development Code (LUDC). 2.0 Required Exhibits The Impact Analysis shall provide a description of the impacts that this proposed land use change may cause, based upon the standards that the proposed use must satisfy. This section includes exhibits and descriptions of how OXY USA WTP LP (OXY) will ensure that impacts will be mitigated and standards will be satisfied. 2.1 Adjacent Property Landowners An address list of real property adjacent to parcel 2169-214-00-026, the mailing address for each of the property owners and the appropriateAportionAofAaAGarfieldACountyA ssessor’sAMapAshowingAtheA project site location and all public and private landowners adjacent to the subject parcel are provided in the Impact Analysis Tab. lso,AinAaccordanceAwithAGarfieldACounty’sA§24-65.5-101, a copy of the mineral interest owner of the subject property is located in the Impact Analysis Tab. OXY USA is the sole mineral owner for the subject parcel. 2.2 Adjacent Land Use Existing use of adjacent property and neighboring properties are natural resources extraction, public lands, and agricultural. Adjacent parcels are zoned resource lands or public lands. No additional impact would occur to the abutting property owners from the construction and/or operation of the Pond 10. The proposed site is located on a 7732 acre parcel. 2.3 Site Features There are no streams, areas subject to flooding, high ground water areas, and lakes within the perimeter of the site. Conn Creek is located 300 feet west of the proposed site location. Ditches exist outside the perimeter of the site and will not be impacted by the development of the site. The Surface Water figure is located in the Grading and Drainage Plan tab. Groundwater is expected to be 40 feet below ground surface based on area water well records from the Colorado Division of Water Resources for nearby wells. Three monitoring wells will be installed to monitor groundwater. The location of the monitoring wells and sampling plan will be determined by the COGCC once the Form 28 is approved. A figure showing possible monitoring wells locations is provided in the Grading and Drainage Plan tab. A retention pond and sediment traps will be constructed at the site for Stormwater controls. 95% of the site was previously graded and the site was designed to minimize impacts. Grading plans are located in the Grading and Drainage Plan tab. The area consists of grasslands and sagebrush vegetation. The project area is mostly disturbed and no evidence of use by wildlife was observed. The Environmental Impact Assessment can be located in the Impact Analysis tab. Descriptions of existing flora and fauna habitat, and migration routes present in the vicinity of the project site can be found in the report. OXY USA WTP LP Pond 10 Impact Analysis Narrative Garfield County Limited Impact Land Use Application, 2014 Page 2 of 4 Climate of the area is arid with an average annual precipitation of 11.58 inches according to the Western Regional Climate Center. Site photos are provided in the Impact Analysis Tab. 2.4 Soil Characteristics The proposed site is underlain by soils mapped by the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service as the Happle very channery sandy loam, which is a deep, well-drained soil found on alluvial fans occupying 3 percent to 12 percent slopes, at elevations of 5,200 to 6,000 feet. It is formed in alluvium derived dominantly from the Tertiary Green River Formation. The surface layer is typically light gray very channery sandy loam in the upper 7 inches and grades into a very pale brown. Permeability is moderate, and the available water capacity is low in the Happle soil. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Soil details and maps are located in the Natural and Geologic Hazard Report, provided in the Impact Analysis tab. 2.5 Geology and Hazard The bedrock underlying the proposed Site is composed of the lower part of the Green River Formation. These units are composed of claystone, siltstone, shale, and marlstone. Geologic hazards were identified outside the perimeter of the Oxy Pond 10 Site. These include steep slopes and potential landslides, debris flow, and rock fall. The site has been designed to mitigate these potential hazards. Berms are located on the eastern perimeter of the site. The Geologic Hazard report is located in the Impact Analysis tab. The Grading and Drainage Plan is located in the Grading and Drainage Plan tab. Photos and constructed mitigation features are detailed in the Rockslide and Landslide Assessment prepared by Jon Hilton, Oxy Operations Engineer, located in the Impact Analysis tab. 2.6 Groundwater and Aquifer Recharge Areas The 100-year floodplain boundaries are well outside the immediate vicinity of the Pond 10 site. Floodplain and flood fringe delineations are depicted in the Floodplain Figure located in the Grading and Drainage tab. OXY has prepared and utilizes the state approved Cascade Creek Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP). Implementation of the SWMP ensures that activities comply with stormwater management as required by Garfield County, the State of Colorado, and the EPA. Implementation of the plan also mitigates the potential for OXY to pollute surface runoff, stream flow, or groundwater. The Cascade Creek Development Stormwater Plan, Permit, and extension letter are provided in the Grading and Drainage tab. Three monitoring wells will be installed to monitor groundwater. The location of the monitoring wells and sampling plan will be determined by the COGCC upon Form 28 approval. Approved form 28 will be provided to Garfield County. A figure showing possible monitoring well locations is provided in the Grading and Drainage Plan tab. 2.7 Environmental Effects Determination of the existing environmental conditions on the parcel to be developed and the effects of development on those conditions, including: a. Determination of the long-term and short-term effect on flora and fauna; b. Determination of the effect on designated environmental resources, including critical Wildlife Habitat; OXY USA WTP LP Pond 10 Impact Analysis Narrative Garfield County Limited Impact Land Use Application, 2014 Page 3 of 4 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; Oxy contracted ERO Resources Corporation (ERO) to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment for the Pond 10 site. The assessment determined the location of the water impoundment site will not cause significant disturbance to flora or fauna since majority of the site location has been previously graded. The proposed site location will be constructed on previously disturbed ground and is located within an area of similar development. The Environmental Impact Assessment, prepared by ERO, can be located in the Impact Analysis tab. Descriptions of existing flora and fauna habitat, wildlife and migration routes present in the vicinity of the project site can be found in the report. d. Evaluation of any potential radiation hazard that may have been identified by the State or County Health Departments; and No potential radiation hazard has been identified by the state or County Health Department. 2.8 Nuisance Nuisance from noise, lighting, and dust is not anticipated. No lighting or utilities will be installed at the proposed site. Temporary lighting will be used during completions activities, approximately 5 days. All temporary lighting will be directed inward, towards the interior of the proposed site. All lighting will adhere to the Lighting Standards stated in Article 7 of the Garfield County LUDC. A natural gas powered generator will provide electricity to the site. The generator will be located within a sound minimizing building. The generator engineering design is located in the Maps and Plans tab. A Noise Analysis was conducted for the site and determined the noise created by the operation of the generator is in compliance with the applicable COGCC standards. Per COGCC Rule 802.c.(1), noise measurements shall be measured at 350 feet or the property line, whichever is greater. Therefore, the expected noise levels were analyzed at 570 feet (nearest property boundary) from the generator. Noise levels were calculated to be within the permissible level. The Noise Analysis is provided in the Impact Analysis tab. A building permit will be submitted to the Garfield County Building Department in tandem with the subject Limited Impact Review application. An air permit exemption was issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for the natural gas generator. The exemption is valid through June 2016. The CDPHE exemption letter is located in the Impact Analysis tab. OXY assessed and determined the proposed Pond 10 does not qualify for an Air Quality permit. OXY conducted quarterly sampling of the previous ponds and analytical results concluded the hydrocarbons were less than 1%. Pond 10 operations are not considered commercial facilities since Oxy will be the sole user of the pond. The proposed pond qualifies for the CDPHE Reg 3, II.D.1.uuu exemption, which states: Surface water storage impoundment of non-potable water and storm water evaporation ponds, with the exceptions of oil and gas production water impoundments (including produced water tanks) OXY USA WTP LP Pond 10 Impact Analysis Narrative Garfield County Limited Impact Land Use Application, 2014 Page 4 of 4 containing equal to or more than one percent by volume crude oil on an annual average and commercial facilities that accept oil and gas production wastewater for processing. Oxy will continue to perform quarterly sampling of Pond 10 to monitor compliance with the CDPHE Air Permit exemption. The site will be accessed by a private lease road currently owned and maintained by OXY. The site is located on a 7732 acre parcel, surrounding by public land and other resource lands parcels. The construction phase will be approximately 13 weeks. Average daily traffic during this construction period will be eight vehicles. Approximately 5 percent of these vehicles will consist of large trucks. The traffic report, located in the Impact Analysis tab, determined that the increase in traffic is negligible and no significant improvements to the county roads are warranted. The site will generate 4-14 vehicles on average per daily, 33% of vehicles are classified as trucks. 2.9 Hours of Operation The Pond 10 will not have personnel staffed at the site on a regular continuous basis. During completions activities, personnel will access and operate the facility full time until completion activities are finalized. The anticipated completion activities take approximately 5 days to complete. Completion activities occur and are not a daily event at the site. The proposed storage areas will not be manned on a continuous basis with personnel only being present during unloading and loading of equipment and supplies. Access to the site will be infrequent, but allow access full time to accommodate other facilities. The site is not located in close proximity to any residences and is located in and adjacent to the Resource Lands zone district. Adjacent land uses include natural resource activities and public lands.