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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.0 PC Staff Report 07.14.1982PROJECT NAME: •OJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF C NS h odes ManniCorr m, -►y-82. Construction and Operation of Northwest Pipeline's Union Sales Lateral (Special Use Permit) PLANNER/ENGINEER: Gary Brough Northwest Pipeline LOCATION: In Garfield County, the project extends northwesterly from the junctions of Parachute Creek and the west fork of Parachute Creek to the Garfield County/Rio Blanco county lines. The total length of the pipeline is 25.6 miles with 8.6 miles in Garfield County and the balance to be constructed in Rio Blanco County. See map, Page 11 EXISTING ZONING: R/L-Resource Lands I. RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The proposed pipeline lies within Districts C, D, and F (Rural Areas with minor moderate and severe environmental constraints) of the county Comprehensive Plan. The proposal also falls within an "unclassified lands" section of the plan. The proposal is part of the on-going Union Oil Shale mining and processing project. The current activities are consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the Comprehensive Plan for industrial/commercial projects. II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL: The proposal is to construct and operate a buried steel 8 5/8 inch pipeline with necessary appurtenances for the transportation and delivery of natural gas. The proposed pipeline will be placed on a right-of-way 50 feet in width within the La Sal Corridor. Existing roads will be used for access to the right-of-way, and the right-of-way itself for access along the pipeline. Principal public roads used will be Highway 6 and Garfield County Road 215. Additional access will be over roads maintained by Union Oil Company and by Exxon Company and Tosco Corporation. The purpose of the proposed pipeline is to supply approximately 17 MMCF per day of natural gas to Union Oil Company's shale oil project. The project will extend from Northwest's existing Piceance Creek compressor station in Rio Blanco county to Union's site. The installation of one natural gas metering station, complete with flow measurement and gas sampling equipment will be located at the shale oil site. The proposed pipeline will require a 50 foot permanent right-of-way within the La Sal Corridor, with an additional 25 feet used temporarily during construction. The disturbed area along the 8.6 mile stretch.in Garfield County will therefore comprise approximately 78 acres of surface area. The proposed meter station on Union's property will require .23 acre. The meter station will consist of one 15' x 35' metal building and one 10' x 10' metal building. All above ground facilities will be painted an environmentally sensitive color to minimize visual impact and reduce glare. The project will be completed in approximately three months, with a planned start date of August 20, 1982, and -4 completion date of November 20, 1982. The peak construction workforce for the pipeline will be approximately 250 people, who will be supplied by the construction contractor. These workers are expected to stay in local motels for the short duration of the project. Operation of the pipeline will utilize existing Northwest personnel in the area. Clearing and grading of the work areas:Twill take.place;iwhere vegetation_couer.or the terrain makes it impassable to construction equipment. The 50 foot permanent right-of-way will be kept clear of trees and large shrubs for operation and main- tenance purposes, and otherwise reclaimed to surface owners specifications. The 25 foot temporary right-of-way will be returned to its natural state after construction. Page 6 • • III. STAFF COMMENTS: A. 1. Northwest will be testing the pipeline by sending pressurized water through the system. This water will either by discharged into the Piceance Creek and Parachute Creek drainages, or into settling ponds. The applicant should note location of these ponds; or if the water is discharged into the creek drainages, the applicant should submit to the Planning Department a copy of their discharge permit from the State Department of Health. 2. The applicant will obtain the test water either from the Piceance Creek in Rio Blanco County or from private landowners. The applicant needs to indicate the status of these negotiations for water, and provide evidence of the agreements for this water usage. 3. The peak construction workforce is projected to reach 250 workers. The applicant should address the question of necessary housing for these temporary workers. 4. The applicant has submitted evidence of agreement with all necessary landowners for the pipeline to cross their properties. B. Reviewing Agency Comments: Division of Wildlife: no comments at the time the agendas were mailed. IV. FINDINGS: 1. That proper posting, publication, and public notice was provided as required by law for the hearing before the Board of County Commissioners. 2. That all hearings before the Planning Commission was extensive and complete, that all pertinent facts, matters, and issues were submitted and that all interested parties were heard at that hearing. 3. That the proposed special use conforms to Section 5.03, concerning the Approval or Disapproval of a Petition for a Special Use, of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution. 4. That the proposed land use will be compatible with existing and permitted land uses in all directions. V. RECOMMENDATION: Approval with the following conditions: 1. All proposals of the applicant shall be considered conditions of approval unless stated otherwise by the Board of County Commissioners. 2. The applicant shall submit a copy of their Bureau of Land Management right- of-way agreement to the Planning Department prior to issuance of the Special Use Permit. The applicant shall submit evidence of available housing for 800 of their projected peak workforce prior to issuance of the Special Use Permit. The applicant shall submit evidence of agreements for water use prior to issuance of the Special Use Permit. The applicant shall note the location of the potential ponds in their application prior to the hearing with the Board of County Commissioners. If the water is to be discharged into the Piceance and Parachute Creek drainages, copies of all appropriate State discharge permits shall be filed with the Planning Department. APS � Z - � - an() /1 r7 i if:> C L Gpt'Oti oi'S. Page 7