HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.04 Reclamation Plan
Article 4-203.E.18
Reclamation Plan
Ursa Operating Company LLC
Speakman A Injection Well
OA Project No. 013-3151
792 Buckhorn Dr.
Rifle, CO 81650
RECLAMATION PLAN
U.S. OPERATIONS
PICEANCE BASIN
May, 2013-Rev: 1
792 Buckhorn Dr.
Rifle, CO 81650
Reclamation Plan
U.S. Operations
Piceance Basin
May 2013 –Rev:1
PREPARED BY:
HRL COMPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.
2385 F ½ Road
Grand Junction, CO 81505
970.243.3271
1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1
2.0 Site Characteristics ..................................................................................................... 3
3.0 Final Reclamation ....................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Stage One (Removal and Disposal) ...................................................................... 4
3.2 Stage Two (Substrate Preparation) ...................................................................... 5
3.3 Stage Three (Planting/Timing) ............................................................................. 6
4.0 Storm Water Mitigation ............................................................................................. 7
4.1 Best Management Practices (BMPs) .................................................................... 7
4.2 Reclamation Monitoring ....................................................................................... 7
5.0 References .............................................................................................................................. 8
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A MAP OF LOCATION(S)
APPENDIX B APPROVED SEED MIXES
APPENDIX C SITE SPECIFICS
C1 Battlement Mesa
C2 North Gravel Trend/Roan
C3 Gravel Trend
C4 Castle Springs/Wolf Creek
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1.0 Introduction
This Reclamation Plan (Plan) describes procedures necessary for reclamation of Ursa
Operating Company LLC’s (Ursa) field wide resources located in Garfield County, Pitkin
County, and Mesa County, Colorado. Ursa began operating in the Rifle/Silt area on April
1, 2013. The resources include Battlement Mesa field, North Gravel Trend field, Gravel
Trend field, and Castle Springs field. The Roan resources are included in the North
Gravel Trend field and the Wolf Creek resource is included in the Castle Springs field.
Fields cover most of Township 7 South Ranges 91 and 95 West, Township 8 South
Range 90 West, Township 5 South Ranges 91-93 West, and Township 6 South Ranges
90-93 West.
This Plan will cover re-contouring, reseeding, noxious weed treatment, storm water
mitigation and monitoring of the well pads, Rights of Way (ROWs), and other
infrastructures required for natural gas operation. This plan is twofold: interim
reclamation of a site once a site has been constructed and final reclamation of the site
when the pad/ROW is no longer in operation and has been plugged and abandoned (P &
A).
The reclamation of disturbed land is a critical component when creating a system where
ecological functions and values are restored once the ground disturbance activities have
ceased. Rehabilitation of the disturbed area assists the natural ecological processes to
move towards a self-promoting condition. Once a self-supporting environment has been
established, the natural processes of the location can take over and continue the
rehabilitation processes with minimal intervention from outside parties. The costs
associated with the rehabilitation process will be minimized to the operator if proper
treatments are applied initially to ensure the best environment possible for rehabilitation
treatments to succeed.
Bonding is required for oil and gas lease operations (43 CFR 3104, 36 CFR 228 E). The
bond will cover the activities the operator performs including, but not limited to:
plugging leasehold wells, surface reclamation, and cleanup of abandoned operations.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) 1000 Series
Reclamation Regulations declare that “all disturbed areas affected by drilling or
subsequent operations, except areas reasonably needed for production operations or for
subsequent drilling operations to be commenced within 12 months, shall be reclaimed as
early and as nearly practical to their original conditions. This plan is designed to provide
guidance concerning reclamation activities for Ursa land managers once the site of
concern is no longer utilized for operations.
The area to be reclaimed shall be kept as weed free as practicable of all undesirable
noxious weed species. Weed control measures shall be conducted in compliance with the
Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. 35-5.5-101.et.seq). Storm water mitigation will be
in compliance with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE)
Water Quality Division General Permit Series COR-030000 and COGCC 1002.f
regulations.
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Procedures identified in this plan apply only to all Ursa Fields. All COGCC, CDPHE and
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) procedures (site specific Conditions Of Approval or
COAs) will be followed. Personnel working on this project should be familiar with the
reclamation plan and its contents prior to preliminary construction activities.
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2.0 Site Characteristics
There are several communities located near the resource areas. Parachute, Battlement
Mesa, and Rulison, are located in or near the Battlement Mesa field, (Township 7 South
Range 95 West). Rifle, Silt, and New Castle, are located along the boundaries of the
North Gravel Trend and Gravel Trend fields. Glenwood Springs is located approximately
27 miles to the east (Township 6 South Range 89 West).
The resources range in elevation from 5,000- 9,500 feet and receive between 10-18
inches of precipitation per year. The frost free period ranges from 75 to 125 days,
creating a growing season of approximately two and a half to four months. Each location
has a site specific plan with details of soils, seed mix, and phase. Refer to Appendix C.
COAs will be included in Appendix C for all sites located on federal lands.
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3.0 Reclamation
This plan covers: interim reclamation of a site once the site has been constructed and is in
production, and final reclamation of the site when the location is no longer in operation
and the well(s) have been plugged and abandoned (P & A). Interim reclamation and final
reclamation will be in compliance with CDPHE and COGCC regulations.
Construction and reclamation activities will be in accordance with the individual county
noxious weed management plan (please refer to the Ursa Noxious Weed Plan). Dust
suppression measures are required under the county grading permits and Federal land,
and will be implemented as applicable. Each stage will be applied to the reclamation of
the locations undergoing reclamation. Interim reclamation will be completed as stated in
the Field Wide Storm Water Management Plan(s).
All equipment used on reclamation projects will be cleaned and inspected prior to
entering location to ensure noxious weed seeds are not being transported onto the site.
3.1 Stage One (Removal and Disposal)
During reclamation of any site, once the pad/ROW/access road has been constructed, all
wooden stakes used to secure wattles and straw bales, and other waste associated with
construction of the site will be disposed of properly. This includes any trash left behind
on location such as pipe fittings, used lumber or miscellaneous items that have been
discarded. Petroleum products if on site should be contained in secondary containment.
Interim Reclamation:
• Pads – The initial footprint of the pad will be reduced, leaving enough room for
everyday operations to occur on site in a safe manner and will be in compliance
with COGCC 1003. All temporary storm water controls will be removed and
permanent BMPs will be installed. Disturbed areas will be drill or broadcast
seeded as applicable to the topography of the site. Seeding rate and mix will be
determined by land owner. Certified weed free straw will be utilized at 2 tons per
acre and crimped into place.
• Pipelines – Pipelines will be seeded with the site specific seed mix per land
owner requests. As applicable, certified weed free straw will be used as mulch at
2 tons per acre, and will be crimped into place. ROW will be monitored and
permanent storm water best management practices (BMPs) will be installed to
control erosion and sedimentation.
• Roads – The access roads to a site will be properly graveled and stabilized. The
cut and fill slopes of the access roads will be seeded and mulched as applicable to
the individual site.
Final Reclamation:
• Pads – Pads in final reclamation will be plugged and abandoned (P & A), all
temporary BMPs will be removed and replaced with permanent BMPs if
necessary, and the surface area will be recontoured and seeded. Drill or broadcast
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seeding methods will be used at the appropriate rate and depth. Surface
roughening will be implemented to retain water and eliminate rilling.
• Pipelines – Pipelines will be considered finally stabilized upon reaching 70% pre-
disturbance vegetative cover, per the CDPHE general permit COR030000.
• Roads – All access roads in final reclamation will be graveled and considered
stable, with the sides of the roads are vegetated or stabilized. Closure of a road
will consist of recontouring to existing topography, seeding, mulching and in
some cases transplanting (using the trackhoe bucket) sagebrush and small trees on
the edge of the road.
During final reclamation of the site, when the pad is no longer in operation, all manmade
structures will be removed from the site by means of backhoe, bulldozer, skidsteer or
other appropriate heavy machinery. Structures may include, but are not limited to:
compressor engines, generators, steel structures, cement foundations and other equipment
used for the extraction of natural gas. Petroleum waste products if on site should be
contained in secondary containment and disposed of properly. Gravel, road base and
large cobbles installed on site for surface stabilization controls will be removed. Disposal
and/or reuse method of gravel will be left to the discretion of the operator.
3.2 Stage Two (Substrate Preparation)
In both phases of reclamation, the condition of the soil is very important for the
establishment of a healthy self-sustaining environment. Locations where the soil has
noticeable spills will have the contaminated soil removed or remediated, and disposed of
in accordance with County and COGCC waste management regulations (refer to Ursa
waste management plan).
In the phase of final reclamation when active operations have ceased the substrate void of
chemical presence, and gravel that was applied to the location during operations
removed, reclamation efforts will take place.
To alleviate soil compaction, the substrate will be cross ripped to a depth of 18 inches.
Cross ripping will take place when the soil moisture is below 35 percent of field capacity.
The cross ripping is specified by the COGCC under the 1000 Series Rules. The substrate
shall be contoured to emulate the surrounding lands topography. Pre-disturbance
photographs and visual extrapolations are to be used to create this contour. The soil used
to contour the landscape will be applied in accordance to the order it was removed (i.e.
first off, last on). This practice will ensure that the soil is applied to the appropriate
horizon from which it was taken initially. Salvaged topsoil will be distributed across the
entire disturbed area at a depth of six (6) to twelve (12) inches depending upon the
landowner use agreement if possible. Should there be a shortage of topsoil available on
site, the contractor will be responsible for replacement of lost or degraded topsoil with
topsoil imported from an approved and certified weed-free source.
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3.3 Stage Three (Planting/Timing)
In both phases of reclamation, seedbed preparation will consist of scarifying, tilling or
harrowing seedbed to a depth of three (3) to four (4) inches post ripping. This will occur
just prior to seeding. Drill seeding will be performed at a depth of 0.5 inches, seed will be
covered with soil and lightly compacted to ensure good seed to soil contact. Seed will be
applied using a rangeland seed drill with a seed release and agitation mechanism
sufficient to allow seeds of various size and density to be planted at the proper seeding
depth. The seed mix for each reclamation project will be an approved Seed Mix
(Appendix B). Certified weed free straw will be applied at a rate 2,000 lbs/acre and
crimpled in place following drill seeding.
Ideally planting will occur in the fall, before the first snow of the season. Early October is
optimal. If possible, planting should occur in conjunction with a predicted precipitation
event. By positioning the seed below the snow fall or rain, the seed will receive good
contact with the soil and utilize the benefits of the precipitation. Spring planting can be
conducted after the frost line is gone from the soil. During both phases of final
reclamation, the seed mix associated with this site will be used.
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4.0 Storm Water Mitigation
4.1 Best Management Practices (BMPs)
To avoid erosion of topsoil and seed transport from storm events, Best Management
Practices (BMPs) will be installed where applicable on the perimeter of any location
being reclaimed. Given the location of the site, surface roughening and pocking will
reduce storm water impact and capture and retain precipitation. This will aid in the
germination of the seed and increase seedling survival.
4.2 Reclamation Monitoring
Monitoring of the vegetative progress is vital to ensure that proper procedures were
implemented on the location. Monitoring will allow for early response to potential
problems encountered during the reclamation process. Identifying challenges to the
reclamation goals at an early stage will allow for adequate time to formulate a response to
the situation. By identifying potential complications early in the process, the future costs
associated with rehabilitation will be minimized for the operator.
If the treatments do not show the desired outcome, additional actions will be taken to
reach reclamation goals. After the source of the problem is identified, careful attention
will be paid to the timing of the supplemental treatment. If treatments such as seeding are
not carried out at the proper time, the treatment will not be effective and to the operator
will be increased rehabilitation costs.
Monitoring activities will examine several parameters including: the condition of
implemented BMPs, growth state and success rate of areas seeded, presence and location
of noxious weeds, and possible sources of failure for reclamation processes. Photo
documentation is required for all the above parameters for high-quality progress tracking.
After the initial reclamation amendments are applied, and CDPHE requirements of 70
percent pre-disturbance levels have been met as well as COGCC requirements of 80
percent vegetative cover, a tri-annual monitoring scheme will be implemented.
Monitoring activities will occur in the spring, summer and fall. Qualified individuals will
carry out visual surveys and transects on site. Monitoring will occur until COGCC
requirements of 80% desired vegetation has been reached.
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5.0 References
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). 2008. Rule 1000 series
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), variously dated, National field manual for the collection
of water-quality data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources
Investigations, book 9, chaps. A1-A9, available online at:
http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A