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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.03 Reclamation PlanReclamation Plan Ursa Operating Company, Battlement Mesa Partners, and Battlement Mesa Land Investments Pipeline Grading Permit Application Battlement Mesa PUD Phase I OAProject No. 014-1829 Ursa COOPERATING G 792 Buckhorn Dr. Rifle, CO 81650 RECLAMATION PLAN U.S. OPERATIONS PICEANCE BASIN May, 2013 -Rev: 1 LJrsa CNIPAr Y 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 '/2 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 Cl Battlement Mesa C2 North Gravel Trend/Roan C3 Gravel Trend C4 Castle Springs/Wolf Creek 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. 1 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. 2 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. 3 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 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 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. Al -A9, available online at: http ://pubs.water.usgs. gov/twri9A 8 Morrisania Underwood Watson Ranch Ridge Station Ursa MMPAN Battlement Mesa Field Field Asset Highways El Planned Asset = County Roads Field Boundary - Local Roads 0 0.25 0.5 Miles Author: M. Spinelli SIA Revision: 0 Date: 10/1/2014 }Er Coup, TA sor hr Ilksa OPERATING Rate will be doubled for hand broadcast seeding Low Elevation Salt -Desert Scrub Seed Mix (BLM) Species Ursa Dry Land Pasture Mix Lbs/acre PLS (Pure Live Seed) Species Indian Ricegrass lbs/ace PLS (Pure Live Seed) Timothy Galleta 1.5 4.5 Smooth Brome 2.5 Alkali Sacaton 4.5 Tall Fescue Streambank Wheatgrass Sandberg Bluegrass 3.5 Annual Rye 1.8 2.5 0.3 Total lbs/acre 15.0 lbs/acre Rate will be doubled for hand broadcast seeding Low Elevation Salt -Desert Scrub Seed Mix (BLM) Species Species Lbs/acre PLS (Pure Live Seed) Fourwing Saltbush Indian Ricegrass 1.9 Shadscale Galleta 1.5 Galleta Bluebunch Wheatgrass 2.5 Alkali Sacaton Muttongrass 0.2 Streambank Wheatgrass Sandberg Bluegrass 2.5 Slender Wheatgrass 1.8 Sandberg Bluegrass 0.3 11.7 lbs/acre Total lbs/acre 10.7 lbs/acre Rate will be doubled for hand broadcast seeding Rate will be doubled for hand broadcast seeding Mixed Mountain Shrubland Seed Mix (BLM) Pinyon -Juniper Woodland Seed Mix (BLM) Species Lbs/acre PLS (Pure Live Seed) Lbs/acre PLS (Pure Live Seed) Indian Ricegrass 3.4 1.9 Galleta 3.7 2.5 Bluebunch Wheatgrass 2.7 2.8 Muttongrass 3.3 3.3 Sandberg Bluegrass 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 Total lbs/acre 11.7 lbs/acre Rate will be doubled for hand broadcast seeding Mixed Mountain Shrubland Seed Mix (BLM) Species Lbs/acre PLS (Pure Live Seed) Thickspike Wheatgrass 3.4 Bluebunch Wheatgrass 3.7 Bottlebrush Squirreltail 2.7 Slender Wheatgrass 3.3 Canby Bluegrass 0.6 Mutton Bluegrass 0.6 Letterman Needlegrass 1.7 Columbia Needlegrass Total lbs/acre 1.7 Indian Ricegrass 1.9 Junegrass 0.1 Total lbs/acre 19.7 Rate will be doubled for hand broadcast seeding Spruce-Fur/Mountain Meadow Seed Mix (BLM) Species Lbs/acre PLS (Pure Live Seed) Mountain Brome 5.8 Slender Wheatgrass 3.3 Letterman Needlegrass 3.5 Blue Wildrye 4.8 Thickspike Wheatgrass 3.4 Idaho Fescue 1.2 Wheeler Bluegrass 0.6 Total lbs/acre 22.6 Rate will be doubled for hand broadcast seeding Appendix C-1 Battlement Mesa C.1.1 Site Location Battlement Mesa starts in Township 7 South Range 96 West along the west boundary of sections 23 and 26 to the east boundary of Township 7 South Range 95 West and from Interstate 70 south to the south boundary of sections 25-30 in Township 7 South Range 95 West and sections 25-26 in Township 7 South Range 96 West. C.1.2 Soil Characteristics According to the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the project area of Battlement Mesa consists of the following soils: • Arvada loam, (6-20%): This deep, well drained, sloping soil is on fans and high terraces. Elevation ranges from 5,100 to 6,200 feet. Average annual precipitation is 12 inches. Average annual air temperature is about 48 degrees F and the average frost free period is 120 days. Permeability is very slow and available water capacity is high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is moderately rapid and the hazard of water erosion is severe. • Bucklon-Inchau loams, (25-50%): These moderately sloping to very steep soils are on ridges and mountainsides. Elevation ranges from 7,000 to 9,500 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 18 inches, the average annual air temperature is about 40 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is less than 75 days. The Bucklon soil is shallow and well drained. Permeability of the Bucklon soil is slow and available water capacity is very low. The effective rooting depth is 10 to 20 inches. Runoff is medium and the hazard of water erosion is severe. The Inchau soil is moderately deep and well drained. Permeability of the Inchau soil is moderate and available water capacity is moderate. The effective rooting depth is 20 to 40 inches. Runoff is medium and the hazard of water erosion is severe. • Ildefonso stony loam, (6-25%): This deep, well drained, moderately sloping to hilly soil is on mesas, benches, and sides of valleys. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 6,500 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 14 inches, the average annual air temperature is about 46 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is 125 days. Permeability is moderately rapid and available water capacity is low. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium and the hazard of water erosion is moderate. • Idefonso stony loam, (25-45%): This deep, well drained, hilly to steep soil is on mesa breaks, sides of valleys, and alluvial fans. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 6,500 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 14 inches, the average annual air temperature is about 46 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is 125 days. Permeability is moderately rapid and available water capacity is low. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium and the hazard of water erosion is moderate. • Morval loam, (3-12%): This deep, well drained, gently sloping to rolling soil is on mesas and sides of valleys. Elevation ranges from 6,500 to 8,000 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 15 inches, the average annual air temperature is about 44 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is 100 days. Permeability is moderate and available water capacity is moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow and the hazard of water erosion is slight. • Morval-Tridell complex, (6-25%): These moderately sloping to hilly soils are on alluvial fans and sides of mesas. Elevation ranges from 6,500 to 8,000 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 15 inches, the average annual air temperature is about 44 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is 100 days. The Morval soil is deep and well drained. Permeability of the Morval soil is moderate and available water capacity is moderate. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow and the hazard of water erosion is slight. The Tridell soil is deep and well drained. Permeability of the Tridell soil is moderately rapid and available water capacity is low. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium and the hazard of water erosion is moderate. • Nihill channery loam, (1-6%): This deep, well drained, nearly level to gently sloping soil is on alluvial fans and sides of valleys. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 6,500 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 13 inches, the average annual air temperature is about 48 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is 125 days. Permeability is moderately rapid and available water capacity is low. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow and the hazard of water erosion is moderate. • Potts loam, (3-6%): This deep, well drained, moderately sloping soil is on mesas, benches, and sides of valleys. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 14 inches, the average annual air temperature is about 46 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is 120 days. Permeability is moderate and available water capacity is high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow and the hazard of water erosion is moderate. • Potts loam, (6-12%): This deep, well drained, moderately sloping to rolling soil is on mesas, benches, and sides of valleys. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 14 inches, the average annual air temperature is about 46 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is 120 days. Permeability is moderate and available water capacity is high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium and the hazard of water erosion is severe. • Potts-Ildefonso complex, (12-25%): These strongly sloping to hilly soils are on mesas, alluvial fans, and sides of valleys. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 6,500 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 14 inches, the average annual air temperature is about 46 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is 120 days. The Potts soil is deep and well drained. Permeability of the Potts soil is moderate and available water capacity is high. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium and the hazard of water erosion is moderate. The Ildefonso soil is deep and well drained. Permeability is moderately rapid and available water capacity is low. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is medium and the hazard of water erosion is moderate. • Torriorthents-Camborthids-Rock outcrop complex, (steep): This broadly defined unit consists of exposed sandstone and shale bedrock, loose stones, and soils that are shallow to deep. Torriorthents are shallow to moderately deep. Camborthids are shallow to deep. The Rock outcrop is mainly Mesa Verde sandstone and Wasatch shale. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 8,500 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 10 to 15 inches, the average annual air temperature is 39 to 46 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is 80 to 105 days. • Torriorthents-Rock outcrop complex, (steep): This broadly defined unit consists of exposed sandstone and shale bedrock, and stony soils that are shallow to moderately deep. Torriorthents are shallow to moderately deep. The Rock outcrop is mainly Mesa Verde sandstone and Wasatch shale. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 8,500 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 10 to 15 inches, the average annual air temperature is 39 to 46 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is 80 to 105 days. • Wann sandy loam, (1-3%): This deep, somewhat poorly drained, nearly level to gently sloping, low-lying soil is on terraces and bottom land in valleys. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 6,500 feet. The average annual precipitation is about 12 inches, the average annual air temperature is about 48 degrees F, and the average frost -free period is 120 days. Permeability is moderately rapid and available water capacity is high. The effective rooting depth varies with the level of the water table but is about 2 feet. Runoff is slow and the hazard of water erosion is moderate.