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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.06 Land suitability analysisLand Suitability Analysis Encana Oil and Gas (USA) Inc South Middle Fork Water Facility OLSSON ASSOCIATES OA Project No. 012-0400 826 21 '/2 Road 1 Grand Junction, CO 81505 1 TEL 970.263.7800 1 FAX 970.263.7456 Encana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc. South Middle Fork Water Facility Land Suitability Analysis Article IV, 4-502 D.1. Public Access Access to the facility has historically been via a private access road off of County Road 215, located approximately 120 feet north of the County Road 215/Wheeler Gulch intersection. County Road 215 currently provides access to several natural gas related operations in the area and the proposed project will not interfere with operation or public access in general. County Road 215 is a two-lane roadway with a posted speed limit of 35 MPH. The Colorado Department of Transportation (COOT) Access Category Classification classifies County Road 215 as Rural Highway, Category R -B. The RB category is appropriate for use on highways that have the capacity for moderate to high travel speeds and moderate traffic volumes. As detailed in the Auxiliary Lane Analysis prepared by River City Consultants and included in the supplemental section of this report, access to the facility is proposed to be relocated approximately 120 feet to the south of the current access location. This access will be the fourth leg of the County Road 215/Wheeler Gulch Road intersection. The existing access will be eliminated when the new access is constructed and the Water Facility is completed. Further details regarding the proposed access relocation are found in Sheet C1 — Site Plan, Sheet C2, County Road 215 Plan and Profile, and Sheet C3 — County Road 215 Striping and Signing Plan. Encana will obtain all applicable access and utility permits in regards to this proposed access relocation. There are no historic access points to public lands within the property boundaries. A diagram detailing the proposed access including roadways within 1 mile of the proposed facility is included in the supplemental section of this application package. Article IV, 4-502 D.2. Access to Adjoining Roadways Access to the subject property is proposed via a new access to County Road 215. The proposed water impoundment facility will not adversely impact adjoining roadways due to the anticipated low traffic volumes. Sight distance does not appear to be an issue along this section of CR 215. According to AASHTO-Geometric Design of Highways and Streets and CDOT Roadway Design Guide, required sight distances are 250' for stopping sight distance, 525' for decision sight distance and 1280' for passing sight distance. The existing roadway is straight with minimal grade change to the north of the proposed intersection while to the south, there is a horizontal curve that crests a hill approximately 900' from the intersection. The existing roadway is marked to restrict passing. Land Suitability Analysis Page 1 Article IV, 4-502 D.3. Easements All easements within the vicinity of the project area are described in the provided deed. The proposed water impoundment facility will not impact existing easements found on the subject property. Additionally, a drawing related to access for the proposed facility and information related legal access for the proposed facility are provided in an attachment accompanying this application. Text describing the proposed access is also provided as part of the Project Narrative accompanying this submittal. Article IV, 4-502 D.4. Topography and Slope The water impoundment facility will be located on relatively flat terrain with an approximate 0- 2% slope. There are minimal slope/topography issues in the area. The facility has been designed and appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be utilized to manage stormwater runoff and prevent potential impacts created by the surrounding topography. Article IV, 4-502 D.S. Natural Features The project area is located within a relatively flat portion of the subject property. No significant natural features are located in close proximity to the project area. Article IV, 4-502 D.6. Drainage Due to the limited footprint associated with this facility, no drainage features will be impacted by the construction or operation of the facility. Disturbance associated with the water impoundment construction will be addressed by the area wide Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) and the details provided in the Grading Plan as well as the Construction Erosion Control Plan Article IV, 4-502 D.7. Water The proposed project will store only water produced from Encana's natural gas wells in the area, therefore, no supply of water is required and no demand will be placed on local surface or subsurface water resources. Details specific to the non -tributary nature of the water that will be delivered to the proposed facility are provided in an attachment accompanying this submittal. Water will be delivered to and removed from the new impoundments at South Middle Fork via the pipeline connecting the South Middle Fork Water Treatment Facility and the new South Middle Fork Impoundments. Article IV, 4-502 D.B. Floodplain The project site is not located within a floodplain. Article IV, 4-502 D.9. Soils According to information prepared by the Natural Resources Conservation Commission Soil Survey soils in these sections have been mapped as Arvada loam (3), Halaquepts (27), and the Olney loam, (50). Arvada loam (3), soils are developed on 1 percent to 6 percent slopes, and Land Suitability Analysis Page 2 consist of well drained soils on terraces, and fans. Elevations range from 5,100 feet to 6,200 feet above mean sea level. The parent material of this soil is highly saline alluvium derived from sandstone and shale. The Halaquepts (27) is developed on 0 percent to 6 percent slopes, at elevations of 5,400 to 7,400 feet. Found in landform setting of terraces, fans, and valleys. The parent material of this soil is alluvium. The Olney loam (50) soils are developed on 3 to 6 percent slopes, and consist of well drained soils on valley sides, and alluvial fans at elevations of 5,000 to 6,500 feet. These soils are alluvium derived from sandstone and shale. A copy of the Custom Soil Resource Report is included under the supplemental material tab. Article IV, 4-502 D.10. Hazards A Geotechnical Investigation for the proposed facility has been prepared by Yeh and Associates, Inc. and included in the supplemental materials. As described in the report, the project area is located at the confluence of Parachute Creek Road (County Road 215), Wheeler Gulch and Riley Gulch approximately 4 miles northwest of Parachute, Colorado. Parachute Creek is located west of the site. This area is located in the Piceance Basin of western Colorado, a complex of numerous anticlines and synclines and a major gas production area. The asymmetrical, arc -shaped basin is 100 miles long by 50 miles wide and is oriented northwest -southeast and is deepest on the east edge. It is bounded structurally on the northeast by the Axial Uplift, on the east by the White River Uplift/Grand Hogback and the Elk Mountains, on the south by the Uncompahgre Uplift and on the west by the Douglas Creek Arch. Exposed in the project area is Tertiary age sedimentary rocks including the ledge forming red, gray, and brown sandstone and siltstone and the slope forming variegated (purple, gray and brown) claystone of the Wasatch Formation. The surficial deposits include alluvium and flood plain deposits of mud, silt, sand and gravel and coalescing alluvial fans and sheetwash deposits of locally derived materials. Other deposits observed at the site included artificial fill in the stockpiles. No geologic hazards have been mapped by Garfield County in this area and no faults or other hazards are evident on the Geologic Map of Colorado. No other hazards have been observed by Encana. Article IV, 4-502 D.11. Natural Habitat Given the limited construction activity of the proposed facility, there will be minimal impacts to natural habitat as a result of construction and operation of the water impoundment facility. To mitigate impacts to the natural habitat associated with the proposed project Encana will adhere to the recommendations included in the Wildlife and Vegetative Impact Analysis Report. The site is located on private lands north of Parachute, CO in Sections 33 and 34, Township 6 South, Range 96 West, 6th Principal Meridian. Access to the project area is available via Garfield County Road 215 (Parachute Creek Road). The current primary land uses of the area include rangeland, wildlife habitat, and natural resource extraction including natural gas development. Land Suitability Analysis Page 3 Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. Waters of the U.S. (WoUS) include wetlands and drainages under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). Perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams and drainages are considered WoUS if they exhibit evidence of flow (i.e. ordinary high water mark) and are hydrologically connected to a perennial stream. In addition to hydrology, a jurisdictional wetland will also demonstrate the unique soil and vegetation characteristics that result from inundation or saturation. The proposed project site is located on the relatively level valley floor. U.S. Geological Survey mapping indicates that no potential WoUS cross the project area and no drainages exhibiting an ordinary high water mark were observed. Analysis has determined that no jurisdictional wetlands or drainages would be affected by the project. The project would be located within a historically irrigated agricultural area that has begun to revert to a xeric plant community. The affected vegetation on the project site consists of rabbitbrush and greasewood with an understory of mixed of native and non-native grasses and forbs. Native vegetation in undisturbed areas surrounding the site is composed of greasewood and sagebrush shrublands, pinyon -juniper woodlands, and a riparian area along Parachute Creek. Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plant Species A review of soils and terrain at the project site, previous surveys, and of the Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide indicated that no sensitive plant species would be expected near the site. Noxious Weeds Noxious weeds and nuisance plants such as kochia, Russian thistle, and poverty sumpweed were present as scattered to dense infestations throughout the area. Noxious weed species within the project boundaries included cheatgrass, field bindweed, jointed goatgrass, redstem filaree, Russian knapweed, and tamarisk. Jointed goatgrass, Russian knapweed, and tamarisk are listed by Garfield County. Cheatgrass is common in and around the project area. Redstem filaree and field bindweed are common and widespread in the subject area. WILDLIFE Raptors Potential tree nesting raptor habitat occurs in the riparian corridor along Parachute Creek. The pinyon -juniper woodlands east of County Road 215 are not of sufficient height or density to provide valuable nesting habitat. Potential habitat for Burrowing Owl exists in a prairie dog colony southeast of the proposed water treatment facility and would be affected by the proposed access road, although no owl sign was observed on the burrows during the surveys. There is no cliff nesting habitat within the survey area. Raptors almost certainly forage for prairie dogs and other small mammals on the site. Survey timing was early in the typical nesting and brood rearing season for the majority of raptor species expected near the project, which for most species normally occurs between April 1st and August 15th. Eagles and some owls begin nesting as early as February. Three potential Land Suitability Analysis Page 4 raptor nests were discovered within 0.25 miles of the proposed project, and the presence of an aggressive male Cooper's Hawk may indicate nesting will occur on one of these nests. Migratory, Non -migratory, and Birds of Conservation Concern (other than raptors) Professional biologists surveyed the project area for the presence of any bird species or habitat that could potentially be affected by the project based on literature review of species distribution and presence. Particular attention was given to searching for birds that are listed as sensitive by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the CPW. Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) are species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that are priorities for conservation action (USFWS 2008). The goal is to prevent or remove the need for additional Endangered Species Act (ESA) bird listings by implementing proactive management and conservation actions. The project site was formerly an irrigated pasture that has since been abandoned for that purpose, and vegetative cover is sparse. This lack of cover precludes nesting by most bird species other than ground nesters. The survey took place early in the typical nesting season for birds in western Colorado and no bird nests were observed within 100 feet of the project. The riparian corridor and pinyon -juniper woodlands in the surrounding area provide nesting and foraging habitat for various migratory and non -migratory bird species, depending on the season of the year. American Crow, American Robin, Black -billed Magpie, Brewer's Sparrow, Common Raven, European Starling, Great Blue Heron, Mallard Duck, Mountain Bluebird, Northern Flicker, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, and Western Meadowlark, were observed within 0.25 miles of the site. American Elk and Mule Deer The project area is located within mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) critical winter range and an American EIk (Cereus canadensis) winter concentration area. The project disturbance is One potential Cooper's Hawk nest site occurs within 0.25 miles of the site, although nest occupancy could not be ascertained at the time of the survey. Potential Burrowing Owl habitat exists in the prairie dog colony, although inspection of the burrows revealed no sign of owls. No potential nest trees would be removed. Foraging habitat for raptors would be lost within the project footprint. Due to the scale and continuity of human activity in the area, indirect impacts related to human presence, vehicle traffic, and equipment operation are not expected. American EIk and Mule Deer The additional human activity associated with construction of the project may affect mule deer and elk in the surrounding area by creating avoidance areas if construction takes place during the winter and early spring months. The site was previously cleared of native vegetation, but some plants that have re-established on the site are being utilized by big game. Approximately 26.3 acres of foraging habitat would be removed within the project footprint. Due to sparse vegetation that is dominated by plants with low forage value for big game, the project would result in a small additional loss of habitat value. Due to the scale and continuity of other human activities nearby, the indirect disturbance from operation of the water treatment facility is probably low, as big game animals have become at least partially accustomed to human presence. Land Suitability Analysis Page 5 Black Bear and Mountain Lion No vegetation will be lost in habitats that are important for black bear or mountain lion. Indirect effects from construction disturbance should not affect either species. Black bear encounters with construction personnel could occur if garbage or food is available on the site. If bears learn to associate human activity with creation of a food source, the resulting encounters sometimes result in the euthanasia of offending bears by the CPW. Small Mammals, Birds (including BCC), Reptiles, and Amphibians Approximately 0.49 acres of an occupied prairie dog colony would be removed by the proposed access road to the facility, and mortality from vehicles can be expected. Effects of habitat loss to other species are expected to be low due to poor habitat conditions resulting from previous development of the project area and the large amount of habitat available in the surrounding area. No aquatic habitats would be directly impacted by the project. Article IV, 4-502 D.12. Resource Areas Given the limited construction activity and small footprint of the proposed facility, no protected or registered archaeological, cultural, paleontological or historic resources will be impacted. See the Cultural Resources Report for additional details. Land Suitability Analysis Page 6