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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 Staff ReportGarfield County BUILDING & PLANNING DEPARTMENT August 30, 2007 Philip Vaughan PVCMI — Land Planning Division 1038 County Road 323 Rifle, CO 81650 RE: Bargath, Inc. c/o Williams Production Crawford Trail Gathering Pipeline Dear Philip, Staff has reviewed the Pipeline ROW Application for the Bargath, Inc. c/o Williams Production Crawford Trail Gathering Pipeline Plan submitted to this office on July 24, 2007. Staff understands that the project generally consists of the construction of a 16.8 mile, 20 - inch diameter natural gas pipeline and Parachute Trail Compressor Station. The pipeline is located 3.3 miles northwest of Parachute. The proposal requires an Administrative Pipeline permit from Garfield County. The proposed pipeline will transport natural gas from a central gathering point at the North end to the 30" Bargath Gathering Pipeline. The route will disturb approximately 151.86 acres of Fee Lands for the pipeline and related facilities. The total disturbed acreage is 159.03 acres, including 7.17 acre disturbance proposed on Federal Lands. The pipeline route is situated on Williams, private property, and Federal lands All private property requiring a surface use agreement has been signed and delivered to the County and are in place. Staff understands that the purpose of this proposed pipeline and related facilities is to transfer natural gas from wells included in the Piceance Basin well drilling program to the processing facilities. [Regional map displaying project area northwest of The pipeline will start in the far North at a central Parachute in solid blue line] gathering point. This central gathering point will allow for future tie-ins to the proposed pipeline. Several field gas receipts will tie into the proposed pipeline throughout the Crawford Trail Gathering Pipeline. This pipeline will connect to the Crawford Trail Compressor Station. The natural gas will be transported from the compressor station to the existing 30 -inch Bargath Gathering Pipeline. The proposed pipeline will end at the South end with a connection to the 30 -inch Bargath Gathering Pipeline From the 30 -inch Bargath Gathering Pipeline the gas will be delivered to Parachute Creek Gas Plan I, II, and III facilities for processing and finally delivered to consumers. 108 Eighth Street, Suite 401 • Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 (970) 945-8212 • (970) 285-7972 • Fax: (970) 384-3470 End of 20" Pipeline at Tie-in to Existing 30" Gathering Pipeline [Map of the proposed pipeline project area and related facilities. The proposed pipeline is shown in a solid red line. The Crawford Trail Compressor Station is located between blue diamond mile marker "11" and "12" at mile 11.4.] [This site figure illustrates the layout for the Crawford Trail Compressor Station, composing of compression and dehydration facilities. The new compressor station will provide the adequate horsepower for the proposed pipeline. The layout of the Crawford Trail Compressor Station will allow for future expansions including two (2) more compressor units and one (1) more dehydration system.] The proposed pipeline is located along 6 areas of waters of the U.S. The construction of the pipeline will cause disturbance of 0.0267 acres of waters of the U.S. The applicant states no permanent loss is anticipated. The application states the pipeline is necessary for meeting the demand of the Piceance Basin well drilling program. The proposed pipeline has a larger capacity than current pipelines and will increase efficiently in transporting the gas. The pipeline design was based on future volumes to minimize future disturbances. The proposed pipeline and compressor station will minimize air emissions, visual disturbance, and truck traffic by building fewer, more concentrated, and more efficient facilities. Pipeline construction is expected to take about 15 weeks to complete. The pipeline will be transported to the project area using the construction right-of-way, and County Road #215. Pipeline construction will require 12 truck trips and 70 personal vehicle trips per day. The estimate for the Crawford Trail Compressor Station construction is 5 truck trips and 40 personal vehicle trips per day. All of these trips access County Road #215. Upon an initial review, the Application was deemed technically complete on August 8`s, 2007 and has been substantively reviewed against the submittal requirements required in Resolution 2005 — 53 and required in Section 9.07 of the Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended. This letter shall constitute Garfield County's review of the project. The vicinity of the pipeline in the County is identified by the map below. Staff referred the Application to the following Agencies / Departments whose comments are included here for review and attached to this letter which is required by Resolution 2005 — 53: A. DeBeque Fire District: No Comments Received. B. Grand Valley .Fire Protection District: The Grand Valley Fire Protection District has no objections to this application. Rob Ferguson, Deputy Fire Chief, provided the following comments (See Attachment A): On Thursday August 9, 2007, I drove to the proposed location of this project and found almost all of it will be accessible utilizing existing roads, in the event of an emergency. There are some small sections along the existing pipeline corridor that is not currently accessible, but the distances are short and I'm sure that a temporary work/access road will be build to get equipment in and out. Therefore the District will not need any extra accommodations made during the duration of this project. C. Garfield Canny Oil & Gas: No Comments Received. D. Garfield County Public Health: No Comments Received. Garfzeld County Road & Bridge: Garfield County Road & Bridge Department has no objections to this application with the following comments (See Attachment B): 1. This project will not be in or encroach any County Right of Way. The entrance used to access the area for the pipeline installation is aheady a permitted driveway access. 2. The extra traffic flow generated for this project will be during the construction phase and the personnel required to operate the station will be of minimal impact on Cr. 215. 3. All vehicles hauling materials and equipment for the construction of this project will abide by Garfield County's oversize/overweight system. All vehicles requiring oversize/overweight permits will need to have on file with Garfield County Road Bridge Department a letter stating what companies can acquire permits under whoever is bonded in Garfield County. Williams Corporation is bonded in Garfield County and can let all the subcontractors operate under their bond as long as Garfield County Road & Bridge Department has a letter on file stating the companies that can operate under their bond. Garfield Como Vegetation Man gement Garfield County Vegetation Management provided the following comments for this application (See Attachment C): 1. Noxious Weeds • Weed Management -The applicant has provided a weed management plan. The applicant should be prepared to submit treatment records to the County Vegetation Management Depaninent upon request. • Before leaving the site, all off road major construction equipment (graders, dozers, etc) working in areas of mapped noxious weeds should be power washed to remove seeds, soil, and vegetative matter. 2. Revegetation • Revegetation Plan -The applicant has submitted a revegetation plan that includes a plant materials list. All seed tags must be saved and made available to the Vegetation Management Department for verification. • Revegetation Security -It is the recommendation of this department that the applicant post a revegetation security for the parts of the pipeline that is on private property. The surface area disturbed on private has been quantified as 151.86 acres • It is recommended that a security of $2500 per acre on private land be held. This would bring the total recommended bond amount to $377,500. • The security shall be held by Garfield County until vegetation has been successfully reestablished according to the Reclamation Standards in the Garfield County Weed Management Plan. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the County, upon successful revegetation establishment, to request an inspection for bond release consideration. • The applicant is encouraged to continue working on livestock issues as they pertain to the establishment of vegetation. In the past livestock has impacted the success of initial revegetation efforts, the applicant has addressed that in the plan, hopefully the livestock impacts will be minimal on this project. Mountain Cross Engineering: This office has performed a review of the documents provided for the Crawford Trail Gathering Pipeline. The submittal was found to be thorough and well organized. The following comments, questions, or concerns were generated (See Attachment D): 1. Other pipeline companies appear to share a similar alignment and corridor with the proposed alignment. Acceptability of pipe crossings, separation and construction details with other pipeline companies should be verified by the Applicant. 2. On Sheets 4 through 8 of the pipeline construction drawings, the "Construction and Environmental Materials Details" are marked as "Pending". Applicability of environmental details should be verified by the Applicant. 3. There appears to be drainage crossings near Sta 446+00 and Sta 473+75 that are not listed on the pipeline construction drawings. 4. There is no detail within the pipeline details drawings for the "Extraordinary Terrain" shown on Sheet 7 of the pipeline construction drawings. 5. Whether or not any of the jurisdictional drainages also have mapped floodplains is not discussed. Necessity of any flood plain permits should be verified by the Applicant. 6. An agreement with the Bureau of Land Management has not been executed. E. Town of Parachute: The Town of Parachute provided the following comments for this application (See Attachment E): Bargarth, Inc cin Williams Production RMT Co. Crawford Trail Lathering Pipeline The above Telma' t\ys received by the Town ofParachute regarding development in Ole Parachute urea. This development will he accessed County Road 215 with incoming and outgoing traf lie on both Highway b and the 1-70 Interchange. After and during the construction how much traffic congestion will dlcct the already over crowed intersection:? Are any impact fees being collected by Garfield from developments to address the future cost of highway improvements or to up grade County muds' If the county is not collecting_ from development how can the Town of Parachute hope to expect to fund any improvements. Please consider ibis when approving these applications. Determination of Review Upon substantive review of the documents submitted, Staff has made a determination of approval with conditions for the Bargath, Inc. c/o Williams Production Crawford Trail Gathering Pipeline Plan. The specific conditions include the following: 1. Any equipment used in construction or operation of a pipeline must comply with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Rules and Regulations, Section 802, Noise Abatement. Additionally, all power sources used in pipeline operations shall have electric motors or muffled internal combustion engines. 2. Pipeline operations shall be located in a manner to minimize their visual impact and disturbance of the land surface. Facilities shall be painted in a uniform, non - contrasting, non -reflective color, to blend with the adjacent landscape. Right-of-way shall be located in existing disturbed areas unless safety or visual concerns or other adverse surface impacts clearly dictate otherwise. 3. All access and oversize or overweight vehicle permits shall be obtained from the County Road & Bridge Department prior to beginning operation. Any new roads or intensified driveway accesses created as a result of the pipeline construction, intended to be permanent for maintenance and repair operations shall be placed behind a locked gate or other barriers preventing use by recreational vehicles. Any gates or barriers need to be consistent with the surface owner's preferences. 4. All vehicles working within Garfield County Right of Ways will be licensed and registered in the State of Colorado. All vehicles hauling equipment and materials for the pipeline construction will abide by Garfield County Road & Bridge Departments oversize/overweight regulations. All vehicles requiring an oversize/overweight permit will send a letter showing proof that they can operate under a known bond holder on file with Garfield County Road & Bridge Department before a permit will be issued. 5. Any proposed waste disposal or treatment facilities shall comply with all requirements of the County Individual Sewage Disposal System Regulations. 6. The Applicant shall provide the County with a revegetation security for fee lands in the amount of $377,500 for 151.86 acres disturbed prior to issuance of the pipeline permit. Additionally, the Applicant shall submit the original tags from each seed bag. The seed mix in the Plan shall match the seed mix used in the field. Seed mix containing yellow sweet clover (MeMotus offcinalis) or annual yellow sweetclover (M. indicus) shall not be used. The amount of seed specified to be planted in the Plan shall match the quantity of seed used in the field. The security shall be held by Garfield County until vegetation has been successfully reestablished according to the Reclamation Standards in the Garfield County Weed Management Plan. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the County, upon successful revegetation establishment, to request an inspection for security release consideration. 7. The Applicant should be prepared to submit treatment records to the County Vegetation Management Department upon request. 8. The Applicant shall power wash all off-road major construction equipment (graders, dozers, etc) used in areas of mapped noxious weeds before leaving off site. A designated washing station should be established to remove seeds, soil, and vegetative matter. 9. The Applicant shall provide details of any floodplains in the construction right -of - away. If floodplain permits are required, the permits shall be submitted to the Garfield County Building and Planning Department prior to issuance of the pipeline permit. 10. The Applicant shall submit details within the pipeline details drawings for the "Extraordinary Terrain" area of the pipeline construction drawings. 11. The Applicant shall provide the County with a digital alignment of the pipeline once constructed in a format readable to the County. 12. In no case shall an operator engage in activities which impact Federal or State threatened and endangered species. 13. Air contaminant emissions shall be in compliance with the applicable permit and control provisions of the Colorado Air Quality Control Program, Title 25, Resolution 7, C.R.S. 14. All operations shall comply with all applicable Federal and State Public Health and Environment, Noise, and Air and Water Quality Control standards. 15. Any proposed waste disposal or treatment facilities shall comply with all requirements of the County Individual Sewage Disposal System Regulations, 16. Should an abandoned pipeline be removed, it will be subject to the revegetation and weed management requirements in the original application. Finally, this determination shall not be final, and no permit based upon the determination shall be issued, for 14 calendar days after the date of the determination (September 13`h, 2007) in order to allow time for the Applicant to appeal, or for the Board of County Commissioners to call up the determination for further review, pursuant to Sections 9.07.08 and 9.07.09 of the Pipeline Resolution. This determination shall become fmal, and permits applied for in accordance with the determination may be issued, only after the expiration of this 14 -day period, and only if the determination is not reviewed and acted upon by the Board of County Commissioners at a subsequent appeal or call-up hearing. This determination has been sent to the Board of County Commissioners to determine if they wish to call up the matter. Staff will let you know if this matter is called up within the next 14 days. original Do not hesitate to contact this office if you have any questions. Sincerely,` �'�% Alf /-LtG�crJ%F..� Katy Middleton Planner (970) 945-8212 4,01 ep A GRAND VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT August 10, 2007 1777 S. BATTLEMENT PARKWAY, PO BOX 295 PARACHUTE, CO 81635 PHONE: 285-9119 FAX (970) 285-9748 Katy Middleton Garfield County Planning and Building Department 108 8`" Street, Suite 401 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Subject: Bargath, Inc c/o Williams Production RMT CO. -Crawford Trail Gathering Pipeline Ms. Middleton, On Thursday August 9, 2007, I drove to the proposed location of this project and found almost all of it will be accessible utilizing existing roads, in the event of an emergency. There is some small sections along the existing pipeline corridor that is not currently accessible, but the distances are short and I'm sure that a temporary work/access road will be build to get equipment in and out. Therefore the District will not need any extra accommodations made during the duration of this project. If you have any questions regarding this review, I can he reached at the above listed phone number. Rob Ferguson Deputy Fire Chief — Operations GVFPD Cc: Fire Chief Blair, GVFPD File GARFIELD COUNTY Building & Planning Department Review Agency Form Date Sent: August 02, 2007 Comments Due: August 21, 2007 Name of application: Crawford Trial Gathering Pipeline Sent to: Garfield County requests your comment in review of this project. Please notify the Planning Department in the event you are unable to respond by the deadline. This form may be used for your response, or you may attach your own additional sheets as necessary. Written comments may be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed to:. Garfield County Building & Planning Staff contact: Katy Middleton 109 8th Street, Suite 301 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Fax: 970-384-3470 Phone: 970-945-8212 General Comments Garfield County Road & Bridge Department has no objections to this application with the following comments. This project will not be in or encroach any County Right of Way. The entrance used to access the area for the pipeline installation is already apermitted driveway access. The extra traffic flow generated for this project will be during the construction phase and the personnel required to operate the station will he of minima] impact on Cr. 215. All vehicles hauling materials and equipment for the construction of this project will abide by Garfield Countv's oversize/overweight system. All vehicles requiring oversize/overweight permits will need to have on file with Garfield County Road Bridge Department a letter stating what companies can acquirejermits under whoever is bonded in Garfield County. Williams Cojoration is bonded in Garfield County and can let all the subcontractors operate under their bond as long as Garfield County Road & Bridge Department has a letter on file stating the companies that can operate under their bond. Name of review agency: Garfield County Road and Bridge Dept By: Jake B. Mall Date August 7, 2007 Revised 3/30/00 MEMORANDUM To: Katy Middleton From: Steve Anthony Re: Comments on the Williams Crawford Trail Gathering Pipeline Date: August 23, 2007 Thanks for the opportunity to comment on this permit. My comments are as follows: 1. Noxious Weeds • Weed Management -The applicant has provided a weed management plan. The applicant should be prepared to submit treatment records to the County Vegetation Management Department upon request. • Before leaving the site, all off road major construction equipment (graders, dozers, etc) working in areas of mapped noxious weeds should he power washed to remove seeds, soil, and vegetative matter. 2. Revegetation • Revegetation Plan -The applicant has submitted a revegetation plan that includes a plant materials List. All seed tags must be saved and made available to the Vegetation Management Department for verification. • Revegetation Security-lt is the recommendation of this department that the applicant post a revegetation security for the parts of the pipeline that is on private property. The surface area disturbed on private has been quantified as 151.86 acres • Itis recommended that a security of $2500 per acre on private land be held, This would bring the total recommended bond amount to $377,500. • The security shall be held by Garfield County until vegetation has been successfully reestablished according to the Reclamation Standards in the Garfield County Weed Management Plan. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact the County. upon successful revegetation establishment, to request an inspection for bond release consideration. • The applicant is encouraged to continue working on livestock issues as they pertain to the establishment of vegetation. In the past livestock has impacted the success of initial revegetation efforts. the applicant has addressed that in the plan, hopefully the livestock impacts will he minimal on this project. August 20, 2007 Ms. Katy Middleton Garfield County Planning 108 8th Street, Suite 401 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 RE: Review of Crawford Trail Gathering Pipeline for Bargath, Inc. Dear Katy: This office has performed a review of the documents provided for the Crawford Trail Gathering Pipeline. The submittal was found to be thorough and well organized. The following comments, questions, or concerns were generated: 1. Other pipeline companies appear to share a similar alignment and corridor with the proposed alignment. Acceptability of pipe crossings, separation and construction details with other pipeline companies should be verified by the Applicant. 2. On Sheets 4 through 8 of the pipeline construction drawings, the "Construction and Environmental Materials Details" are marked as `Pending". Applicability of environmental details should be verified by the Applicant. 3. There appears to be drainage crossings near Sta 446+00 and Sta 473+75 that are not listed on the pipeline construction drawings. 4. There is no detail within the pipeline details drawings for the "Extraordinary Terrain" shown on Sheet 7 of the pipeline construction drawings. 5. Whether or not any of the jurisdictional drainages also have mapped floodplains is not discussed. Necessity of any flood plain permits should be verified by the Applicant. 6. An agreement with the Bureau of Land Management has not been executed. Feel free to call if any of the above needs clarification or if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely, Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Chris Hale, PE TOWN OF PARACHUTE PO Box 100 222 Grand Valley Way Parachute, CO 81635 Telephone: (970) 285-7630 Mayor FAX: (970) 285-9146 Roy McClung August 14, 2007 Garfield County Building & Planning Department 108 - 8`" Street, Suite 201 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 RE: REFERRAL FORMS Bargarth, Inc. c/o Williams Production RMT Co. Crawford Trail Gathering Pipeline The above referral was received by the Town of Parachute regarding development in the Parachute area. This development will be accessed County Road 215 with incoming and outgoing traffic on both Highway 6 and the I-70 Interchange. After and during the construction how much traffic congestion will effect the already over crowed intersections? Are any impact fees being collected by Garfield from developments to address the future cost of highway improvements or to up grade County roads? If the county is not collecting from development how can the Town of Parachute hope to expect to fund any improvements. Please consider this when approving these applications. Respectfully, tom_ Roy McClung Mayor