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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.06 7-202 Wildlife Standards _Impoundment use_ MASTER Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Denver 1842 Clarkson St. Denver, CO 80218 303.830.1188 Boise 3314 Grace St. Boise, ID 83703 208.373.7983 Durango 1015 ½ Main Avenue Durango, CO 81301 970.422.2136 Western Slope P.O. Box 932 161 South 2nd St. Hotchkiss, CO 81419 970.872.3020 www.eroresources.com ERO Resources Corp. March 20, 2014 Katy Middleton Blue Sky Permitting and Planning, LLC 9321 54 Road Mesa, CO 81643 (Email-delivered) RE: Wildlife Health Standards Analysis OXY Pond 10 (Impoundment) Dear Ms. Middleton, This memo transmits ERO Resources Corporation’s (ERO) analysis of wildlife health standards in relation to proposed modifications to OXY USA WTP LP (Oxy) Pond 10 in the Grand Valley Field in Garfield County, Colorado. ERO surveyed the project area on April 24, 2013. The pond is located approximately 10 miles north of DeBeque, Colorado. Location and Existing Conditions For the purposes of the proposed project, the survey area was defined as a uniform 0.5 mile surrounding the existing project envelope (Figure 1). The legal description of the approximate center of the project area is Sections 5 and 8, T7S, R97W of the 6th PM; UTM NAD 83 Zone 12N, 737050m Easting, 4372373m Northing; Latitude, Longitude: 39.468305°N, -108.244193°W; USGS Red Pinnacle, CO Quadrangle. Oxy is the surface owner. Currently, the site supports an existing produced water storage fenced for security purposes and wildlife exclusion. Flagging deterrents are also installed above the pond to discourage birds from accessing the water. Page 2 Photo 1. Looking southeast from northwest corner of Oxy Pond 10 project area (4.24.13). Photo 2. Looking south from northwest corner of Oxy Pond 10 project area (4.24.13). Proposed Project Oxy proposes to upgrade the existing site with the following modifications to the existing produced water storage impoundment: 1. Regrade existing two-pond layout into a single pond; 2. Install Pond liner system; 3. Upgrade sediment control along east edge of site; 4. Grade new access ramp to pond from west (existing disturbed areas); 5. Improve existing access road from south to include adequate traffic patterns/turning radius, grade, cattleguards, and drainage improvements; 6. Re-install improved 8-foot tall wildlife fence incorporating buried portions for deterring both large and small mammals (Chain link fence, with 1 foot below grade and 2 feet above grade mesh; see attached detail); 7. Replace flagging with bird netting to exclude birds from entering pond; and Page 3 8. Drill 3 new groundwater monitoring wells. Oxy plans to begin grading on or about May 1, with about 10 to 12 weeks required for construction and an additional 2 weeks for site clean-up and installation of fencing, netting, and monitoring wells. Environmental Setting Pond 10 is in a valley bottom at an approximate elevation of 5,800 feet above sea level (Figure 2). The existing pond location and parking, storage, and access areas consist of graveled and maintained surfaces with minimal to no vegetation. East of the pond location is a previously graded area that was disturbed during pad construction and has partially revegetated. These developed areas are immediately surrounded by sagebrush-steppe habitat. Cliff and cottonwood riparian habitat occur within 0.25 mile of the project area. The sagebrush-steppe habitat is dominated by sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata sp.), primarily along the eastern project area boundary. Dominant vegetation in the Pond 10 project area is listed in Table 1. Table 1. Vegetation observed near Pond 10. Common Name Scientific Name Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata sp. Saltbush Atriplex spp. Cheat grass Bromus tectorum Gambel’s oak Quercus gambelii Wheatgrasses Thinopyrum spp. Rye Elymus spp. Crested wheatgrass Agropyron cristatum Rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa Wildlife Habitat Standards Buffers Proposed site modifications will not significantly alter the existing visual and sound buffers. The site’s topographic position in the valley bottom limits the visibility and sound transmittal to surrounding areas. Existing site screening is provided by riparian vegetation along Conn Creek, which will not be disturbed. Locational Controls of Land Disturbance Surface disturbance from proposed grading activities is not anticipated to change animal migration corridors, predation dynamics, and/or animal-vehicle collisions. Site conditions and activities would remain very similar to current conditions. Improvements proposed include bird netting, which represents an improvement over the existing flagging as a bird deterrent. Netting would exclude birds from entering the produced water storage impoundment and would eliminate the harming of birds protected under the Migratory Bird Protection Act. Fencing, specifically a chain link fence with 1 foot below grade and 2 feet above grade mesh (see attached prevent both large mammals (including game species) and small mammals from entering the produced water storage impoundment. Preservation of Native Vegetation Grading activities are anticipated to impact approximately native vegetation along the eastern side of the site for purposes of stormwater control All existing vegetation at the site has been disturbed by grazing and weed infestations; however the eastern portion of the site is relatively undisturbed. grading, the graded portions of the site that will not be occupied by the pond, access roads, or other facilities will be reseed vegetation capable of suppor recommended in the associated Environment Impact Report). In addition, v removed to control noxious weeds is not required to be replaced unless the site requires revegetation to prevent other noxious weeds from becoming establis will adhere to their Noxious Weed Management Habitat Compensation Proposed site modifications are not anticipated to require habitat compensation. Although the project area is mapped as Sensitive Wildlife Habitat (Mule Deer Severe Winter Range; Figure 3 important to mule deer that would be impacted. There would be no effects to riparian areas or agricultural fields along Conn Creek that potentially provide mule deer hiding and forage. Domestic Animal Control Domestic animals and livestock are currently not allowed within the project area; therefore, no domestic animals will be impacted by In addition, wildlife fencing proposed for the site would preclude domestic animals. Please feel free to contact me at (970) 872 you have any questions. Sincerely, Aleta Powers Principal, Natural Resource Specialist fence with 1 foot below grade and 2 feet above grade mesh (see attached prevent both large mammals (including game species) and small mammals from entering the produced water storage impoundment. Preservation of Native Vegetation Grading activities are anticipated to impact approximately 0.75 acres of along the eastern side of the site for purposes of stormwater control All existing vegetation at the site has been disturbed by grazing and weed infestations; however the eastern portion of the site is relatively undisturbed. Following the graded portions of the site that will not be occupied by the pond, access roads, or other facilities will be reseeded with native and/or desirable nonnative vegetation capable of supporting post-disturbance land use (a site-spe recommended in the associated Environment Impact Report). In addition, v removed to control noxious weeds is not required to be replaced unless the site requires revegetation to prevent other noxious weeds from becoming establis will adhere to their Noxious Weed Management Plan for all project activities Habitat Compensation Proposed site modifications are not anticipated to require habitat compensation. Although the project area is mapped as Sensitive Wildlife Habitat (Mule Deer Severe ; Figure 3), there are no vegetation communities or habitat resources important to mule deer that would be impacted. There would be no effects to riparian as or agricultural fields along Conn Creek that potentially provide mule deer hiding Domestic Animal Control Domestic animals and livestock are currently not allowed within the project area; therefore, no domestic animals will be impacted by the proposed site modifications. In addition, wildlife fencing proposed for the site would preclude domestic animals. feel free to contact me at (970) 872-3020 or apowers@eroresources.com if you have any questions. , Natural Resource Specialist Page 4 fence with 1 foot below grade and 2 feet above grade mesh (see attached detail) would prevent both large mammals (including game species) and small mammals from acres of relatively along the eastern side of the site for purposes of stormwater control. All existing vegetation at the site has been disturbed by grazing and weed infestations; Following the graded portions of the site that will not be occupied by the pond, access desirable nonnative specific seed mix is recommended in the associated Environment Impact Report). In addition, vegetation removed to control noxious weeds is not required to be replaced unless the site requires revegetation to prevent other noxious weeds from becoming established. Oxy Plan for all project activities. Proposed site modifications are not anticipated to require habitat compensation. Although the project area is mapped as Sensitive Wildlife Habitat (Mule Deer Severe ), there are no vegetation communities or habitat resources important to mule deer that would be impacted. There would be no effects to riparian as or agricultural fields along Conn Creek that potentially provide mule deer hiding Domestic animals and livestock are currently not allowed within the project area; the proposed site modifications. In addition, wildlife fencing proposed for the site would preclude domestic animals. 3020 or apowers@eroresources.com if Project Area Prepared for: OxyFile: 5449 Figure 1.mxd [GS]March 2014 ± Figure 1Site LocationOxy Pond 10 Portions of this document include intellectual property of ESRI and its licensors and are used herein under license. Copyright © 2012 ESRI and its licensors. All rights reserved. 02,0001,000 Feet COLORADO Location Sections 5 and 8, T7S, R97W; 6th PM UTM NAD 83: Zone 12N; 737050mE, 4372373mNLatitude, Longitude: 39.468305°N, 108.244193°WUSGS Red Pinnacle, CO QuadrangleGarfield County, Colorado Prepared for: OxyFile: 5449 Figure 2.mxd [GS]March 2014 ± Figure 2Project AreaOxy Pond 10 0200100 Feet Project Area Image Source: USDA NAIP, 2013 Prepared for: OxyFile: 5449 Figure 3.mxd [GS]March 2014 ± Figure 3Natural ResourcesOxy Pond 10 01,200600 Feet Elk Winter Concentration Greater Sage Grouse Production Area/Lek Site Mule Deer Critical Winter Range Project Area One-Half Mile Project Area Buffer One Mile Project Area Buffer Image Source: USDA NAIP, 2013; Data Source: COGCC, 2008