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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.7 604-12-13 Environmental Impact ReportERQ ERO Resources Corp. Denver 1842 Clarkson St. Denver, CO 80218 303.830.1 188 Boise 3314 Grace St. Boise, ID 83703 208.373.7983 Durango 1015'/ 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 October 23, 2014 Katy Middleton Blue Sky Permitting and Planning, LLC 9321 54 Road Mesa, CO 81643 (Email -delivered) RE: Environmental Impact Report OXY USA WTP LP Proposed 604-12-13 Storage Area Dear Ms. Middleton, On October 7, 2014, ERO Resources Corporation (ERO) conducted a biological resource survey for the proposed 604-12-13 storage area in the Grand Valley Field on behalf of OXY USA WTP LP (Oxy). 604-12-13 is located approximately 15 miles north of DeBeque in Garfield County, Colorado. This document is intended to supplement a Land Use application to Garfield County. Location and Existing Conditions For the purposes of the proposed project, the survey area was defined as approximately 4.2 acres surrounding the existing project envelope (Figure 1). The legal location of the approximate center of the project area is Sections 4 and 5, T6S, R97W; 6th PM; UTM NAD 83: Zone 12N; 737760mE, 4381851mN; Latitude, Longitude: 39.553423°N, 108.23276°W; USGS Circle Dot Gulch, CO Quadrangle; Garfield County, Colorado. Oxy is the surface owner. Proposed Project The site's main function will be to provide a storage site for oil and gas equipment and supplies with existing disturbance footprint. The site previously was developed with a pad built and a plugged well located within the site perimeter. No new grading or surface disturbance would be required. Stormwater features currently exist on-site. The proposed storage area will not require lighting, utilities, water, or wastewater. The site will not be manned and will be occupied only for un/loading of equipment and supplies. The site will not store waste, hazardous materials, or any materials that may cause odors or nuisances to adjacent parcels. Environmental Setting An ERO natural resource specialist completed a site review of the proposed project area on October 7, 2014. The site review was conducted for environmental permitting or clearance issues, including wetlands and waters of the U.S., threatened and endangered species habitat, migratory birds, and noxious weeds. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) habitat and species/nest occurrence maps were referenced prior to Consultants in Natural Resources and the Environment Page 2 and during field surveys. ERO also reviewed the most recent aerial photography (2011), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Information, Planning, and Conservation documents (USFWS 2014), State of Colorado (Colorado Department of Agriculture 2014) and the Garfield County Noxious Weed Lists (Garfield County 2014). National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS 2014) soil maps were also referenced prior to site review. The 604-12-13 proposed project area is located at an approximate elevation of 8,500 feet above sea level (Figure 2). The existing pad footprint and access road are maintained gravel surfaces containing minimal to no vegetation. The surrounding area consists of mixed mountain scrub -shrub habitat dominated by sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata sp. wyomingensis) and Gambel's oak (Quercus gambelii). The sagebrush and oak stands belong to a mostly mature age class. The northern edge of the existing pad is excavated rock/cliff habitat. Table 1 lists common vegetation observed within the project area. Table 1. Vegetation observed within project area. Common Name Scientific Name Common yarrow Achillea millefolium Paintbrush Castilleja sp. Serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia Big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata Lupine Lupinus sp. Intermediate wheatgrass Thinopyrum intermedium Gambel oak Quercus gambelii Rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa Salsify Tragopogon sp. ERO Resources Corporation Photo 1. Looking west toward existing site (10.7.14). Photo 2. Looking northwest toward existing site (10.7.14). ERO Resources Corporation Page 3 Page 4 Noxious Weeds Two State of Colorado noxious weeds were observed within the project area: cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus). Both species are listed on the State of Colorado Noxious Weed List "C" (Colorado Department of Agriculture 2014) but not the Garfield County Noxious Weed List (Garfield County 2014). Noxious weed species on the State of Colorado "C" List are species for which "no plans have been implemented to stop continued spread, but to provide additional education, research, and biological control resources, and resources to jurisdictions that choose to require management." Table 2. Noxious weeds observed in the project area. Common Name Scientific Name Garfield County Noxious Weed List State of Colorado List Cheatgrass Bromus tectorum No List C Halogeton Halogeton glomeratus No List C Source: Colorado Department of Agriculture 2014 and Garfield County 2014 Federally Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, and Candidate Species Table 2 lists the federally threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate (TEPC) species with the potential to occur in the project area, as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information, Planning, and Conservation (IPaC) mapper. Table 3. TEPC species with the potential to occur in the project area. Common Name Scientific Name USFWS Status CPW Status Potential to Occur? Birds Greater sage -grouse Centrocercus urophasianus C SC No Mexican spotted owl Strix occidentalis lucida T ST No Yellow -billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus C SC No Fish Bonytail chub Gila elegans E SE No Colorado pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius E ST No Greenback cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki stomias T ST No Humpback chub Gila cypha E ST No Razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus E SE No Plants Ute ladies' -tresses Spiranthes diluvialis T - No FRO Resources Corporotioi Page 5 Common Name Scientific Name USFWS Status CPW Status Potential to Occur? DeBeque phacelia Phacelia submutica T - No Parachute beardtongue Penstemon debilis T - No E = Federal Endangered; T = Federal Threatened; C = Federal Candidate; P = Federal Proposed; PE = Federal Proposed Endangered; PT = Federal Proposed Threatened; SE = State Endangered; ST = State Threatened; SC = State Special Concern. Source: USFWS 2014 There is potential for one species with ESA "candidate status" — greater sage - grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) — to occur near the project area. According to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) maps developed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the project area is located within greater sage grouse preliminary priority habitat (COGCC 2014; ERO Figure 3). However, the project area does not contain suitable sage -grouse habitat; no sage -grouse habitat would be impacted by proposed activities The site was carefully reviewed and no visible evidence of greater sage grouse — scat, secal dropping, tracks, and/or feathers — was observed during the site visit. The site is completely disturbed/graded and devoid of natural vegetation. General Wildlife Wildlife species such as coyote, deer, mice, raccoon, fox, various snakes, hawks, ground squirrels, and lizards occur throughout the project vicinity. Most species have adapted to human -caused disturbances in the region. Oxy's wildlife policy states that Oxy employees and contractors will not harm or harass wildlife. The COGCC online wildlife map identifies no big game areas within 1.0 mile from the project area. No raptor nests or substrates were observed near the project vicinity at the time of the site visit. No visual or vocal raptor observations were detected. In general, the adjacent stands of trees are unhealthy and provide poor raptor nesting habitat. Migratory Birds Most birds in Colorado — with the exception of grouse and the non-native house sparrows, starlings, and rock pigeons — are protected by the MBTA. The regulatory definition of the MBTA prohibits, among other things, the act [or attempt] to pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect migratory birds, and applies to both live and dead birds as well as any part of their anatomy, nests, or eggs. However, the MBTA does not contain a prohibition that applies to the destruction of a migratory bird's habitat or the destruction of an inactive nest, as long as the nest or its contents are not collected. Nest destruction that results in the unpermitted take of migratory birds or their eggs is illegal and fully prosecutable under the rules of the MBTA (Migratory Bird Permit Memorandum, USFWS, April 15, 2003). The active nesting season for most migratory birds in Colorado occurs between April 1 and August 31, which coincides with the peak construction season. Several ERO Resources Corporation Page 6 state and federal agencies have adopted general species avoidance strategies, such as vegetation removal outside of the breeding season, to preclude violating the MBTA. Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. Based on USFWS National Wetland Indicator (NWI) Map and ERO's site review, there are no wetlands or waters of the U.S. within the proposed project area. Impact Analysis The following sections evaluate the potential impacts of project implementation. ERO believes that the proposed impacts can be completely mitigated. The approach to mitigate impacts is summarized in the following "Recommendations" section. Noxious Weeds Two State of Colorado noxious weeds (see Appendix A for complete list), cheatgrass and halogeton, were observed within the project area. No Garfield County listed noxious weeds were observed in the project area (see Table 4 for complete list). Proposed activities can increase the distribution of noxious weeds via seeds trapped in equipment tires and crevices or personnel shoes and clothing. Table 4. Garfield County Noxious Weed List. Common Name Scientific Name Documented in Project area Canada thistle Cirsium (Breea) arvense no Chicory Cichorium intybus no Common burdock Arctium minus no Dalmatian toadflax Linaria dalmatica no Diffuse knapweed Centaurea (Acosta) diffusa no Hoary cress/whitetop Cardaria draba no Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale no Jointed goatgrass Aegilops cylindrica no Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula no Musk thistle Carduus nutans no Oxeye daisy Chrysanthemum leucanthemum no Plumeless thistle Carduus acanthoides no Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria no Russian knapweed Centaurea repens no Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia no Scotch thistle Onopordum acanthium no FRO Resvirres Corporation Page 7 Common Name Scientific Name Documented in Project area Spotted knapweed Centaurea maculosa no Tamarisk/salt cedar Tamarix parviflora, T. ramosissima no Yellow starthistle Centaurea solstitialis no Yellow toadflax Linaria vulgaris no Oxy monitors and treats noxious weeds seasonally typically with bare ground treatments in the early spring followed by hand -spray applications upon detection of noxious weeds. Oxy tracks noxious weed treatment in compliance with Oxy's Noxious Weed Management Plan. Federally threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate Species No federally threatened, endangered, proposed, candidate or sensitive species occur in the project area. There are no anticipated impacts to this category of species. General Wildlife The proposed project activities would result in a continuation of existing conditions for general wildlife species; no new impacts are anticipated. Oxy's wildlife policy states that Oxy employees or contractors will not harm or harass wildlife. Migratory Birds No new surface disturbance in nesting areas is anticipated to result from proposed activities at the 604-12-13 project area; therefore no permanent impacts to migratory birds are anticipated. The proposed project activities would result in a continuation of existing conditions. Radiation and Other Hazards No radiation or hazardous materials, including liquids would be stored at the site. Recommendations • No wildlife or raptors were observed during the site visit in October 2014. Based on this site review, it is unlikely that raptors would be disturbed by construction at the site due to lack of nearby habitat. However, ERO understands that a follow-up site visit may be necessary post October 2015. • ERO recommends additional weed surveys and treatment be conducted prior to work at the site, in compliance with Oxy's Noxious Weed Management Plan. • Any new temporary disturbance areas or unused areas should be reseeded with an appropriate seed mix similar to the mix shown in Table 5. Oxy will utilize the seeding mix identified in the SWMP. ERO Resources Corporation Page 8 • Activities would adhere to Oxy policies, including traffic regulations and posted speed limits (25 mph in project area). Table 5. Sample Montane Seed Mix. Common Name Scientific Name Variety Percent of Mix PLS lbs/ac Western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii Arriba, Rosana 27 9 Sandberg bluegrass Poa secunda VNS 24 1 Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides Paloma or Rimrock 25 6 Bluebunch wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata var. inermis Secar, Anatone, P-7 or Goldar 24 6.5 TOTAL 100 22.5 Please feel free to contact me at (970) 872-3020 or apowers@eroresources.com if you have any questions. Sincerely, Aleta Powers Principal, Environmental Specialist Attachments: Figures 1 through 3 ERO Resources Corporation Page 9 References Colorado Department of Agriculture. 2014. Noxious Weed List. Available at: http : //www. Colorado. gov/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2F pdf&blobheadername 1=Content-Disposition&blobheadername2=MDT- Type&blobheadervalue 1=inline%3B+filename%3D 150%2F 152%2FWeed+list+11- 17-09.pdf&blobheadervalue2=abinary%3B+charset%3DUTF- 8&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1251602601181 &ssbinary=tr ue. Last Accessed: October 2014. Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). 2014. COGCC GIS Online Wildlife Map. Available: http://cogcc.state.co.us/infosys/Maps/wildlifemap.cfm. Accessed: October 2014. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). 2014. Natural Diversity Information Source (NDIS). Available: http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/. Accessed: October 2014. Garfield County. 2014. Noxious Weed List. Available at: http://www.garfield- county. com/vegetation-management/noxious-weed-list.aspx. Last accessed: October 2014. U.S. Department of Agriculture; Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2014. Web Soil Survey. Available at: http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx. Last Accessed: October 2014. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2014. IPaC: Information, Planning and Conservation Program. Available at: http ://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/wizard/trustResourceList !prepare. action. Last Accessed: October 2014. ERO Resources Corporation Page 10 Appendix A: Colorado Noxious Weed List List A - Statewide Eradication African rue (Peganum harmala) Camelthorn (Alhagi pseudalhagi) Common crupina (Crupina vulgaris) Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria) Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) Meadow knapweed (Centaurea pratensis) Mediterranean sage (Salvia aethiopis) Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput -medusae) Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum) Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea) Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) Squarrose knapweed (Centaurea virgata) Tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) List B - Prevent Further Spread Absinth wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) Bouncingbet (Saponaria officinalis) Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) Chinese clematis (Clematis orientalis) Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) Common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) Corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) Cutleaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus) Dalmatian toadflax, broad-leaved (Linaria dalmatica) Dalmatian toadflax, narrow -leaved (Linaria genistifolia) Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis) Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) Hoary cress or whitetop (Cardaria draba) Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale) Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) Mayweed chamomile (Anthemis cotula) Moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria) Musk thistle (Carduus nutans) Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) Tall whitetop (Lepidium lat(folium) Plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoides) Quackgrass (Elytrigia repens) Redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium) Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) Russian -olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) Salt cedar (Tamarix chinensis, T.parviflora, and T. ramosissima) Scentless chamomile (Matricaria perforata) Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) Scotch thistle (Onopordum tauricum) Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa)G Spurred anoda (Anoda cristata) Sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) Venice mallow (Hibiscus trionum) Wild caraway (Carum carvi) Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) List C - Localized Concern Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Common burdock (Arctium minus) Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum) Downy brome or cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) Halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus) Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) Perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis) Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) Wild proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) Source: Colorado Department of Agriculture 2014. ER0 Resources Corporation 604-12-13 Annex Sections 4 and 5, T6S, R97W; 6th PM UTM NAD 83: Zone 12N; 737760mE, 4381851mN Latitude, Longitude: 39.553423°N, 108.23276°W USGS Circle Dot Gulch, CO Quadrangle Garfield County, Colorado 0 750 1,500 feet N Figure 1 Vicinity Map Prepared for: OXY USA File: 5754 Figure 1 604-12-13.mxd [dit] October 14, 2014 ERG) ERO Resources Corp. Portions of this document include intellectual property of ESRI and its licensors and are used herein under license. Copyright © 2014 ESRI and its licensors. All rights reserved. 604-12-13 Annex Project Area 0 100 200 feet N Figure 2 Project Area Prepared for: OXY USA File: 5754 Figure 2 604-12-13.mxd [dIH] October 14, 2014 ERC) ERO Resources Corp. Aerial Image: © Copyright 2014 Google Earth 604-12-13 Annex Project Area '/2 -Mile Project Area Buffer One -Mile Project Area Buffer Greater Sage Grouse Preliminary Priority Habitat 0 Elk Production Area 1,000 2,000 feet N Figure 3 Natural Resources Prepared for: OXY USA File: 5754 Figure 3 604-12-13.mxd [dIH] October 15, 2014 ERC) ERO Resources Corp. Aerial Image: © Copyright 2010 Microsoft; Data Source COGCC 2013