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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.08 Land suitability analysis narrative.pdfMiddle Fork Water Recycling Facility Expansion Land Suitability Analysis Land Suitability Analysis TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Required Exhibits 1 2.1 Public Access and Access to Adjoining Roadways 1 2.2 Easements 1 2.3 Topography and Slope Determination 1 2.4 Natural Features 1 2.5 Drainage Features 1 2.6 Water 1 2.7 Floodplain 2 2.8 Soils 2 2.9 Hazards 2 2.10 Natural Habitat 2 2.11 Resource Areas 3 Middle Fork Water Recycling Facility Expansion Land Suitability Analysis 1.0 INTRODUCTION The following section addresses the requirements for the Land Suitability Analysis under Section 4 -502 of the Garfield County Unified Land Use Resolution of 2008. 2.0 REQUIRED EXHIBITS The Site Plan located under the Maps and Plan Tab depict the requirements for the Land Suitability Analysis. These requirements include or address the following: the location of public access, access to adjoining roadways, easements, topography and slope, natural and drainage features, water issues, floodplain and flood fringe delineations, soils, geologic hazards, habitat and resource areas. 2.1 Public Access and Access to Adjoining Roadways The Middle Fork Water Recycling Facility (MFWRF) is located on Encana's NPR property, where only authorized personnel are permitted to enter and public access is prohibited. Admission into the NPR property is regulated by a manned guard shack at the end of County Road 215, where the private road begins, as depicted on the Vicinity Map under the Maps and Plans Tab. All roads within the NPR property are solely private roads maintained by Encana. 2.2 Easements There is a 15 -foot wide existing easement for the 36 -inch Piceance Creek Pipeline depicted on the Existing Site Plan. A copy of the Right of Way Grant is located under the Land Suitability Analysis Tab. 2.3 Topography and Slope Determination The topography of the site is illustrated in the Site Plan found in the Maps and Plans Tab. Based on the description provided in Section 3 -101 of the Garfield County Unified Land Use Resolution of 2008, the slope determination for the site has been sub - classified as Gentle Slopes and Lower Valley Floor (RLGS) in the Resource Lands Zone District. 2.4 Natural Features No significant natural features have been identified in the vicinity of the project site. 2.5 Drainage Features Encana has prepared and utilizes the North Parachute Ranch SWMP and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan (SPCCP). Implementation of these plans ensures that activities comply with stormwater management and spill prevention controls and countermeasures as required by Garfield County, the State of Colorado, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Implementation of these plans also mitigates the potential for Encana to pollute surface runoff, stream flow, or groundwater. A copy of the SWMP is located under the Maps and Plans Tab and the SPCCP under the Land Suitability Analysis Tab. 2.6 Water The expansion of the MFWRF would require a workforce of approximately 25 to 35 personnel over a period of six to nine months. Expansion construction operations would occur on a five to six -day work schedule, with the normal working hours being from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM. The MFWRF would remain in operation for approximately 30 years and the water recycling facility Middle Fork Water Recycling Facility Expansion A1-1 Land Suitability Analysis would operate 24 hours per day. During the operations phase of the project, personnel necessary at the site would be one to two operators, who normally work between the hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM on a five- or six -day work schedule. Their presence onsite would be to conduct equipment inspections and maintenance, for the duration of only a few hours per day. No full - time employees would be housed onsite. Due to the minimal presence of employees onsite, water use will not meet the volume demand criteria of Section 7 -105 of the Garfield County Unified Land Use Resolution of 2008, which states, "This section shall apply to all development permits which require a water demand in the amount of at least 8 (eight) single- family equivalents where 1 (one) single - family equivalent equals 250 gallons of water per day." Fresh water necessary for Encana's natural gas exploration operations in the area will be drawn from the Colorado River in accordance with the enclosed Water Decree located under the Land Suitability Analysis Tab. Please note, the restrooms and sewer lift station depicted on the site plan are not part of this review. Future expansion outside the scope of this permit, including the proposed installation of restroom facilities and sewer lift station will utilize Garfield County's Impact Review Amendment process of the Unified Land Use Resolution of 2008. 2.7 Floodplain Floodplain and flood fringe delineations are depicted in the 100 -year Floodplain Area Map located under the Land Suitability Analysis. The 100 -year floodplain boundaries are well outside the immediate vicinity of the Laydown Yard site. 2.8 Soils Stated in Section 6.2 of the SPCCP located under the Land Suitability Analysis Tab is information from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS) which identifies the soils in the area of the Laydown Yard are of the Nihill channery loam type, which is described as follows: The Nihill series consists of very deep, well drained soils formed in gravelly alluvium from mixed sources. Nihill soils are on late Pleistocene terraces and terrace remnants. Runoff rates are medium to high and permeability is moderate. A geotechnical engineering study and an Integrated Vegetation and Noxious Weed Management Plan were also completed for the project site. Additional details of the soil characteristics were identified in these two studies and copies are provided under the Land Suitability Analysis Tab. 2.9 Hazards There are no known geologic hazards onsite and adjacent to the site. 2.10 Natural Habitat Encana contracted WestWater Engineering Inc. to prepare a Wildlife Impact Assessment and Sensitive Areas Report for the MFWRF, which is included in the Land Suitability Analysis Tab. The assessment determined the MFWRF location and immediate vicinity was poor quality wildlife habitat. Several well pads and small and large pipelines are presently mixed throughout 2 Middle Fork Water Recycling Facility Expansion Land Suitability Analysis the local landscape causing the level of wildlife activity to decrease. Recommendations were made in the report to further mitigate against wildlife disturbances and loss of habitat. A few suggestions include limiting major work activities during wildlife seasonal critical periods, reduce to the minimum level possible soil disturbing activities, keep all trash and food waste in bear -proof containers and reseeding temporary and permanent disturbances with native grasses. Detailed descriptions of existing flora and fauna habitat, wetlands and migration routes present in the vicinity of the project site can be found in the report. 2.11 Resource Areas The project site was previously disturbed with current natural gas exploration activities. Any archaeological, paleontological and historical areas obvious to the biologists conducting the survey were identified in the Wildlife Impact Assessment and Sensitive Areas report. None of the previously mentioned were found at the project site as well as the immediate vicinity. Middle Fork Water Recycling Facility Expansion 3