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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.06 Wildlife ReportBiological Sensitive Areas Report Grand River Gathering LLC High Mesa Compressor Station OA Project No. 012-0732 826 21 ½ Road | Grand Junction, CO 81505 | TEL 970.263.7800 | FAX 970.263.7456 ENCANA OIL & GAS (USA) INC. High Mesa Compressor Site Impact Analysis: Section 4-502 E (8) Environmental Effects Garfield County Unified Land Use Resolution 2008 Cover Photo: View of Encana’s existing High Mesa Compressor site in March 2012. Prepared for: Encana Oil & Gas Inc. 10654 County Road 215 Parachute, CO 81635 Prepared by: WestWater Engineering, Inc. 2516 Foresight Circle #1 Grand Junction, CO 81505 In cooperation with: Olsson Associates 826 21 ½ Road Grand Junction, CO 81505 March 2012 WestWater Engineering Page 1 of 8 March 2012 INTRODUCTION At the request of Olsson Associates (Olsson) on behalf of Encana Oil & Gas Inc. (Encana), WestWater Engineering (WWE) biologists conducted assessments of wildlife, wildlife habitats, and sensitive plant species for Encana’s existing High Mesa Compressor Site (Cover Photo; Figure 1). This document reports the results and analysis of the findings that are pertinent to Garfield County Land Use regulations (2008) that apply to this project. The project area is located in Section 36, T7S, R96W, 6th Principal Meridian. The elevation is approximately 6,250 feet. The site is accessed via Garfield County Road 300 and private roads in the vicinity of Pete and Bill Creek (Figure 1). SURVEY METHODS A preliminary review of the project area using aerial photographs was conducted to familiarize biologists with the project area and as an aid to help determine the potential presence of wildlife and any threatened, endangered, or sensitive species including plants. Field data collected during the survey were documented and/or recorded with the aid of a handheld global positioning system (GPS) receiver utilizing NAD83 map datum, with all coordinate locations based on the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system in Zone 13. WWE biologists conducted a site visit in the project area on March 7, 2012 to identify and document wildlife species, wildlife sign, vegetative communities, and wildlife habitats. Thorough raptor nest surveys were conducted within 0.25 miles of the compressor in April 2011 using call-playback and walk- through methodology with transect intervals of approximately 50 meters (WWE 2011). Vegetation types were determined through field identification of plants, aerial photography, and on-the-ground assessments of plant abundance. Biologists evaluated the habitat conditions for threatened, endangered, and sensitive plants within 100 meters of project features. Weed surveys were conducted within an approximate 100 foot radius of the project site. Photographs were taken of the general project area. SECTION 4-502 E. - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WATERS OF THE U.S.--Army Corps of Engineers WWE biologists determined that no wetlands or drainages showing characteristics of Waters of the U.S. (WOUS) were located on the site. VEGETATION Unaltered native vegetation near the site consists of pinyon-juniper woodlands, mountain shrub, and sagebrush communities consistent with similar communities found throughout the region. Native plants observed near the site are presented in Table 1. Table 1. Native plant species observed near the site in unaltered vegetation communities. Common Name Scientific Name Astragalus spp. Astragalus spp. Bitterbrush Purshia tridentata Gambel oak Quercus gambelii Indian ricegrass Oryzopsis hymenoides Mountain mahogany Cercocarpus montanum Needlegrass spp. Achnatherum spp. WestWater Engineering Page 2 of 8 March 2012 Table 1. Native plant species observed near the site in unaltered vegetation communities. Common Name Scientific Name Penstemon spp. Penstemon spp. Bluegrass spp. Poa spp. Sagebrush Artemesia tridentata Serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia Smooth brome Bromus intermis Snowberry Symphoricarpos oreophilus Wheatgrass, intermediate Thinopyrum intermedium Wild rose Rosa woodsii Yarrow Achillea millefolium Yellow rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus nauseosus Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive Plant Species A review of the Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide (Spackman et. al. 1997) indicated that no threatened, endangered, or sensitive plant species would be expected near the site. Noxious Weeds Noxious weed surveys did not detect any State or Garfield County listed noxious weed species with the exception of widely scattered cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum—State C list). Noxious weed control efforts on the compressor site, access road, and adjacent well pad appear to be adequate, although non-native nuisance species such as kochia, tumble mustard, and Russian thistle are abundant and negatively impact revegetation and reclamation efforts. WILDLIFE Threatened & Endangered Wildlife No threatened, endangered, or candidate species of wildlife or suitable habitat for these species exists within the survey area or would be affected by this project. Raptors At a minimum, eleven raptor species have potential to inhabit the area surrounding the site and are listed in Table 2. The most common raptor species observed in the area include American Kestrel, Cooper’s Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk. Table 2. Raptor species that may be present in the project area. Common Name Scientific Name BCC* American Kestrel Falco sparverius No Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii No Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus No Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Yes Flammulated Owl Otus flameolus Yes Long-eared Owl Asio otus No Northern Goshawk§ Accipiter gentilis No Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus No Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus No Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis No WestWater Engineering Page 3 of 8 March 2012 Table 2. Raptor species that may be present in the project area. Common Name Scientific Name BCC* Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus No * BCC = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bird of Conservation Concern (USFWS 2008). § BLM Sensitive Species No raptor nests were detected within 0.25-mile of the site. The vegetation within the raptor survey area is composed of pinyon-juniper woodlands, sagebrush, and mountain shrub communities (Figure 1). Raptor nesting habitat in the pinyon-juniper woodlands is mostly poor quality due to low tree height and an open canopy, although some pockets of more suitable raptor nesting habitat exist. Migratory, Non-migratory, and Birds of Conservation Concern (other than raptors) WWE biologists conducted pedestrian surveys and reviewed existing literature to determine the potential for the presence of any bird species that could potentially be affected by the project. Particular attention was given to identifying birds that are listed as sensitive by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Birds of Conservation Concern (BBC) are species listed by the USFWS that are priorities for conservation action (USFWS 2008). The goal is to prevent or remove the need to list additional species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by implementing proactive management and conservation actions. Species with potential to occur in the project area are listed in Table 3. Table 3. BLM Sensitive birds and Birds of Conservation Concern that may occur within the project area. Species Common Name Species Scientific Name Status Habitat Description Habitat and Species Observations Brewer’s Sparrow Spizella breweri BCC BLM Inhabits sagebrush dominated shrublands. Habitat-Yes Species-Not observed. Cassin’s Finch Carpodacus cassinii BCC Occurs in open conifer woodlands, including pinyon-juniper. Habitat-Yes Species-Not observed. Juniper Titmouse Baeolophus griseus BCC Pinyon-juniper woodlands. Habitat-Yes Species-Not observed. Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus BCC Pinyon-juniper woodlands. Habitat-Yes Species-Not observed. The woodlands, sagebrush, and mountain shrublands in the area surrounding the project site provide nesting and foraging habitat for various migratory and non-migratory bird species, depending on the season of the year (Andrews & Righter 1992). The area immediately surrounding the High Mesa Compressor is composed of sagebrush and pinyon-juniper woodlands which provide valuable foraging habitat and nesting habitat for a multitude of bird species. American Elk and Mule Deer The site is located in CPW Game Management Unit (GMU) 42. The compressor site is within CPW- NDIS mapped mule deer and American elk winter ranges (Figures 2 & 3) (NDIS 2011). The site is located within a mule deer winter concentration area and is approximately 0.34 miles from mule deer severe winter range. The compressor site is within an elk winter concentration area. The area provides valuable winter habitat for migrating and resident big game year-round. WestWater Engineering Page 4 of 8 March 2012 Black Bear and Mountain Lion CPW-NDIS mapping shows the site to be within overall range for black bear and mountain lion, but not within a human conflict area with either species (NDIS 2011). Both species could be observed within the general area year-round, though black bear typically hibernate from mid-November through May. Small Mammals Common small mammal species in the project area include coyote (Canis latrans), cottontail (Sylvilagus spp.), least chipmunk (Tamias minimus), and a multitude of additional rodent species. Reptiles Western terrestrial garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans) would be the most common snakes expected in the vicinity (Hammerson 1999). Midget faded rattlesnake (BLM Sensitive – Crotalus viridis concolor) may inhabit the area but have not been observed. Several lizard species could inhabit the area. Amphibians Since there are no permanent water sources near the site no amphibian species are expected to occupy the area and none would be potentially affected. SECTION 4-502 (8) (a) Determination of Long and Short-term Effects on Flora and Fauna FAUNA Raptors Approximately 1.84 acres of pinyon-juniper woodlands was removed for construction of the compressor station. Judging from woodland characteristics surrounding the site, the trees removed likely provided poor raptor nesting habitat. There is a low possibility for effects related to the increased human presence and activity associated with operation and maintenance of the compressor in the midst of other activities in the area including agriculture and natural resource production. American Elk and Mule Deer Human presence and activity may affect animal distribution or have temporal affects on habitat use. The direct loss of approximately 1.84 acres of mixed shrubland/woodland in this area likely has little if any affect on big game given the amount of undisturbed rangeland and agricultural pastures nearby. Black Bear and Mountain Lion Potential encounters of black bear with personnel could occur if garbage or food is available to bears and incidences of human-black bear interactions sometimes result in the euthanasia of offending bears by the CPW. Mountain lion would not be affected. Small Mammals, Birds (BCC), and Reptiles Human presence and activity may affect animal distribution or have temporal affects on habitat use. The affects of 1.84 acres of vegetation removal include loss of nesting habitat for birds and loss of foraging habitat for all species. FLORA Approximately 1.84 acres of native vegetation has been affected for the development of the High Mesa Compressor site. No TESS plants have been affected. It appears that the current noxious weed management strategy has been effective although non-native invasive species have become well established and affect revegetation and reclamation efforts. WestWater Engineering Page 5 of 8 March 2012 SECTION 4-502 (8) (c) (1) Determination of the effect on significant environmental resources-- critical wildlife habitat Potential issues are outlined below. Loss of nesting habitat for migratory birds, forage for big game and other wildlife: Construction of the compressor station has removed approximately 1.84 acres of nesting and foraging habitat for migratory birds, including BCC species. The vegetation removal has also resulted in a reduction in forage availability for big game and other wildlife. Indirect construction effects: In addition to direct removal of vegetation, operation of the facility and increased human presence and noise creates an avoidance area surrounding the site resulting in an indirect loss of habitat. Since the site exists amid significant human presence related to other activities in the area, the additional disturbance from this project is low but does contribute to cumulative effects. Big Game winter range and migration corridors: The compressor site is situated within deer and elk winter ranges including a deer winter concentration area and elk winter concentration area. No specific deer or elk migration corridors are affected, though migration occurs in and around the site. Potential affects could result from vehicle collisions, direct loss of forage, and indirect habitat loss due to avoidance areas. REFERENCES Andrews, R., and R. Righter. 1992. Colorado Birds: A Reference to Their Distribution and Habitat. Denver Museum of Natural History, Colorado. Garfield County. 2008. Garfield County Unified Land Use Resolution. Final Draft dated July 1, 2008. Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Hammerson, G. A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado, Second Edition. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver. NDIS. 2011. Natural Diversity Information Source—Colorado Parks and Wildlife. http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/wildlife.asp. Accessed November 2011. Spackman, S., B. Jennings, J. Coles, C. Dawson, M. Minton, A. Kratz, and C. Spurrier. 1997. Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide, Prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. USFWS. 2008. Birds of Conservation Concern 2008. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Arlington, Virginia. WWE. 2011. Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. High Mesa 16-inch discharge pipeline raptor survey report. April 2011. Grand Junction. c::J 1/4 Mile Survey Area c::J Comp ressor Ex pansion D Rapto r Habitat 0 BLM Figure 1 Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. High Mesa Compressor Garfield County Limited Impact Review Location and Raptor Habitat ~~estWater Engineering -::;;I Consu lting En gin eers & Scien tists 0.15 Miles 0.3 WestWater Engineering Page 1 of 11 November 2011 CJ 1t4 Mile Surve y Area CJ Compressor Expansion m Mule Deer Winte r Concentration Area D Mule Deer Seve re Winter Range 0BLM Figure 2 Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. High Mesa Compressor Garfield County Limited Impact Review Mule Deer Activities ~~estWater Engineering -::;;I Consu lting Engineers & Scientists 0.15 Miles 0.3 WestWater Engineering Page 2 of 11 November 2011 c::J 1/4 Mile Survey Area c::J Compr essor Ex pansion IZ:I Elk Win ter Concentration Area 0 BLM Figure 3 Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. High Mesa Compressor Garfield County Limited Impact Review Elk Activiti es ~~estWater Engineering -::;;I Consu lting En gin eers & Scien tists 0.15 Miles 0.3 ENCANA OIL & GAS (USA) INC. HIGH MESA COMPRESSOR SITE Section 7-202 Protection of Wildlife Habitat Areas Garfield County Unified Land Use Resolution 2008 Cover Photo: View of Encana’s existing High Mesa Compressor site in March 2012. Prepared for: Encana Oil & Gas Inc. 10654 County Road 215 Parachute, CO 81635 Prepared by: WestWater Engineering, Inc. 2516 Foresight Circle #1 Grand Junction, CO 81505 In cooperation with: Olsson Associates 826 21 ½ Road Grand Junction, CO 81505 March 2012 WestWater Engineering Page 1 of 2 March 2012 WILDLIFE Raptors Activities associated with the compressor site have minimal potential to impact raptor populations as the small amount of nesting habitat directly affected is of poor quality due to tree height and canopy cover, and no occupied raptor nests have been documented near the site in 2011. Activities assoiciated with operation of the compressor will have little indirect effect on raptors given the cumulative scale of ongoing activities in the area and the large amount of unaffected habitat surrounding the site. American Elk and Mule Deer The area surrounding the compressor is of high value to big game species. Noxious weed control strategies appear effective and unused areas around the compressor have been revegetated, further reducing the chance for noxious weed establishment and ensuring forage availability to the greatest extent possible. Several species of invasive, non-native nuisance weeds have become established on the site, however, and reduce the value of the revegetated areas for wildlife. These species include kochia, tumble mustard, and Russian thistle, and control of these species would benefit big game. Human activities at the site should be limited to the daylight hours as much as possible, particularly during winter months, to reduce stress on big game animals during the important foraging hours near dawn and dusk. Speed limits on the access roads are low (approximately 15-20 miles-per-hour) and maintaining these low speed limits would prevent collisions with wildlife. Black Bear Black bear may forage near the compressor during all but the winter months. Personnel may be unfamiliar with wildlife in the area and should be informed of the potential for bear interactions. Bears that become habituated to human presence and unnatural food sources are often euthanized if they become a threat to humans. Personnel should not feed bears at any time. Bears should not be approached if encountered in the project area. Bear-proof dumpsters were noted on the compressor site and are a good mitigation measure to prevent conflicts with bears. All other garbage and any food items should be removed from the site on a daily basis. Mitigation of Habitat Loss to Birds Approximately 1.84 acres of vegetation removal has occurred within a mixed shrubland/woodland area. This type of habitat has high nesting and foraging habitat value for many passerine birds in this area. The current noxious weed control strategies appear effective and unused areas around the compressor have been revegetated, further reducing the chance for noxious weed establishment and ensuring forage availability to the greatest extent possible. Small Mammals and Reptiles There are no seasonal restrictions or special requirements for development related to these species. PRESERVATION OF NATIVE VEGETATION The compressor site has resulted in the removal of approximately 1.84 acres of native vegetation from the site. Revegetation of disturbed areas surrounding the compressor consists of a combination of native and non-native grasses, and some shrub species have become established. WestWater Engineering Page 2 of 2 March 2012 The current revegetation efforts appear adequate for mitigating erosion and with increased control of non-native invasive species habitat loss will have been mitigated to the fullest extent possible. Treatment and Control of Noxious Weed Infestations Current weed management strategies appear to be adequate and should be maintained. The highest priority for noxious weed management is to prevent the establishment of any noxious weed infestation of the project site. Noxious weeds aggressively compete with native vegetation. Most have come from Europe or Asia, either accidentally or as ornamentals that have escaped. Once established they tend to spread quickly because the insects, diseases, and animals that normally control them are absent. Prevention is especially valuable in the case of noxious weed management. Noxious weeds are spread by man, animals, water, and wind. Prime locations for the establishment of noxious weeds include roadsides, construction sites, wetlands, riparian corridors, and areas that are overused by animals or humans. Subsequent to soil disturbances, vegetation communities can be susceptible to infestations of invasive or exotic weed species. Vegetation removal and soil disturbance during construction can create optimal conditions for the establishment of invasive, non-native species. Construction equipment traveling from weed- infested areas into weed-free areas could disperse noxious or invasive weed seeds and propagates, resulting in the establishment of these weeds in previously weed-free areas. Several simple practices should be employed to prevent most weed infestations. The following practices should be adopted for any activity to reduce the costs of noxious weed control through prevention. The practices include: Prior to delivery to the site, equipment should be thoroughly cleaned of soils remaining from previous construction sites which may be contaminated with noxious weeds. If working in sites with weed-seed contaminated soil, equipment should be cleaned of potentially seed-bearing soils and vegetative debris at the infested area prior to moving to uncontaminated terrain. All maintenance vehicles should be regularly cleaned of soil. Avoid driving vehicles through areas where weed infestations exist.