HomeMy WebLinkAbout20121412.tiff United States Forest Pawnee 660"O"Street
USDA Department of Service National Grassland Greeley,CO 80631
Agriculture Voice: (970)346-5000 TDD: (970)346-5015
Web: www.fs.usda.gov/arp
Fax: (970)346-5014
File Code: 1950/2820
Date: August 3, 2012
Dear Interested Party:
The US Forest Service proposes to concur with the Bureau of Land Management to authorize
Ward Petroleum Corp. to use and occupy National Forest System lands in the Pawnee National
Grassland to drill a new oil and gas well approximately 16.5 miles northeast of Nunn, CO.
The enclosed document provides information about the proposed action and associated decision
to be made under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.
Comments on this proposed action may be submitted orally or in writing via letter, fax, or email.
Oral comments may be submitted by calling 970-346-5000, Monday through Friday, between the
hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time. Written comments may be mailed to: WPC
Federal 14-5 Oil and Gas Well Project, Pawnee National Grassland, 660 "O" Street, Greeley, CO
80631. Written comments may also be faxed to 970-346-5014 or submitted via email to
comments-rocky-mountain-arapaho-roosevelt-pawnee@fs.fed.us. Comments received via email
should have the name of the project(WPC Federal 14-5 Oil and Gas Well Project) included in
the subject line. For emailed comments, the sender should receive an automated electronic
acknowledgement from the US Forest Service as confirmation of receipt. If the sender does not
receive this automated reply, it is the sender's responsibility to ensure timely submission of
comments by other means.
This comment period coincides with public scoping and will be the only opportunity to comment
offered. Comments must be submitted per 36 CFR 215. Those who comment may be eligible to
appeal. Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication of a legal notice in the Denver
Post on August 4, 2012, or shortly thereafter.
My office is currently accepting comments for more than one project, so please be sure to put the
name of the project somewhere in your comments.
If you would like additional information about this project,please contact Vern Koehler at 970-
346-5005 or by email at vkoehler@fs.fed.us.
Sincerely,
:U
/s/Lori A. Bell - 1 - nt
LORI A. BELL R w rn n
District Ranger E az
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cc: Vernon E Koehler a 4id N-c
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OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COMMENT
WPC FEDERAL 14-5 OIL AND GAS WELL PROJECT
US FOREST SERVICE
PAWNEE NATIONAL GRASSLAND
WELD COUNTY,COLORADO
Purpose
Ward Petroleum Corp. (WPC)has applied to the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) and
the US Forest Service (Forest Service) for use and occupancy of National Forest System
(NFS) lands in the Pawnee National Grassland(PNG)to drill an oil and gas well called
WPC Federal 14-5; construct a new road and improve an existing road for access to this well
for daily operation and maintenance; and, construct underground pipelines to carry oil and
gas from the proposed well to a nearby storage facility.
II. Project Area
• The project area is located approximately 16.5 miles northeast of Nunn, CO.
• The legal description of the project area is:
Township 10 North, Range 64 West, Sixth Principal Meridian,
section 14,NEY S W'/<.
• The last page of this document is a Project Area Map.
III. Proposed Action
The Forest Service proposes to recommend that the BLM authorize WPC to do the
following activities on approximately 4.0 acres of NFS lands:
1. WPC would use heavy earth-moving machinery to create a level, rectangular pad
(drilling location) from the ground surface approximately 2.5 acres in size. This
drilling location would accommodate the vehicles, equipment and supplies needed
for drilling and testing the proposed well.
2. If WPC determines the well would be capable of producing oil and gas, WPC would
also:
a. Install above-ground pumping equipment (pumpjack) at the drilling location
to extract oil and gas from the well. The pumpjack would be powered by an
internal combustion engine housed in a small shed-like structure (motor shed)
next to the pumpjack. The pumpjack, motor shed and the surrounding area
needed for day-to-day operation and maintenance of the well would occupy
approximately 0.5 acre.
b. Reclaim all portions of the drilling location not needed for day-to-day
operation of the well (about 2.0 acres)to approximate pre-disturbance
conditions (i.e., only native vegetation would be established on surface
contours which would blend in with similar, adjacent, and undisturbed areas).
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c. Construct a single trench approximately 1,200 feet long by about 12 inches
wide and about 5 feet deep in which to bury two pipelines: a 2-inch pipeline
and a 1-inch pipeline.
i. The 2-inch pipeline would transport produced oil, water and natural
gas from the proposed well to an existing oil and gas facility(the
Federal 14 Tank Battery), which is operated under permit by WPC.
ii. The 1-inch pipeline would transport propane from storage tanks at the
Federal 14 Tank Battery to the proposed well's pumpjack motor,
which would be fueled by propane.
iii. The two pipelines would connect to existing pipelines of the same
type at an oil and gas well, Colorado Energy 14-4, which WPC
operates under permit.
iv. Approximately 0.3 acre would be disturbed during construction of
this pipeline trench.
v. This trench would be parallel to and only a few feet from the well
access roads described in 2d and 2e below.
vi. All areas on the surface that would be disturbed during pipeline
construction would be reclaimed to approximate pre-disturbance
conditions (i.e., only native vegetation would be established on
surface contours which would blend in with similar, adjacent, and
undisturbed areas).
d. Reconstruct approximately 1,300 feet of an existing NFS road.
i. This road segment currently has a driving surface of native vegetation
and soil (a two-track road) about ten (10) feet wide and occupies
approximately 0.3 acre.
ii. Approximately 0.6 acre would be disturbed during construction
activities to upgrade this road.
iii. After reconstruction, this road segment would be a crowned and
ditched gravel road with a driving surface approximately 14 feet wide.
iv. All areas disturbed during the road upgrade outside the road's driving
surface would be reclaimed to approximate pre-disturbance conditions
(i.e., only native vegetation would be established on surface contours
which would blend in with similar, adjacent, and undisturbed areas).
The upgraded road segment, after this reclamation was complete,
would occupy approximately 0.5 acre.
v. WPC employees would use this road segment to access the well for
operation and maintenance activities approximately 365 days per
year.
e. Construct approximately 1,200 feet of new road.
i. Approximately 0.6 acre would be disturbed during construction of
this new road.
ii. This new road would be a crowned and ditched gravel road with a
driving surface approximately 14 feet wide.
iii. This road would connect to the upgraded NFS road (described in 2d
above) at an oil and gas well, Colorado Energy 14-4, which WPC
operates under permit.
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iv. All areas disturbed during construction of the new road outside the
road's driving surface would be reclaimed to approximate pre-
disturbance conditions (i.e., only native vegetation would be
established on surface contours which would blend in with similar,
adjacent, and undisturbed areas). The new road, after this reclamation
was complete, would occupy approximately 0.5 acre.
v. WPC employees would use this new road to access the well for
operation and maintenance activities approximately 365 days per
year.
Additional information about the project:
• This well would not be hydraulically fractured.
• All non-potable water used for the construction and drilling of the proposed well
(including construction of the pipeline trench, reconstruction of the NFS road and
construction of the new well access road)would come from privately-owned, State-
permitted water wells located near Grover, CO. These wells have been determined
by the Colorado Division of Water Resources to be"non-tributary"with respect to
the South Platte River watershed. That is, the water from these wells is disconnected
from any waters, above ground or subsurface, which might ever flow into or
otherwise reach the South Platte River. Use of water from these water wells for the
project, therefore,would neither result in any depletion from the South Platte River
nor would it infringe upon any water right associated with this River,its tributaries,
or any water bodies into which it flows.
• If, at any time after drilling, WPC would determine that the well is not capable of
producing oil and gas, the well bore would be plugged in accordance with Federal
and State regulations. All areas disturbed during construction and operation would
be reclaimed to approximate pre-disturbance conditions (i.e., only native vegetation
would be established on surface contours which would blend in with similar,
adjacent, and undisturbed areas).
• The NFS road proposed for reconstruction is not open to the public and is used for
administrative purposes and by WPC to access oil and gas operations on NFS lands
in the area. That type of use would continue after implementation of this project
unless changed by a separate Forest Service action.
• To minimize effects upon mountain plovers, no project construction activities would
occur on NFS lands during the breeding and nesting season of April 10-July 10
unless and until the Forest Service has confirmed no nesting birds are in the area.
• A Surface Use Plan of Operation and Conditions of Approval (COA) would be part
of the permit and would include appropriate mitigation and best management
practices (BMPs)to address potential resource effects. The latest edition of Surface
Operating Standards for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development (The Gold
Book) will be used as a source for this mitigation and BMPs. The latest edition of
The Gold Book may be found on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/energy/oil_and_gas/best_management_Practices/gold_book.html.
• The proposed well would drain oil and gas located beneath NFS lands in Township
10 North, Range 64 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, section 14. The rights to the oil
and gas are held by the United States of America. WPC is the operator of record for
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an authorized, Federal oil and gas lease (COC 51609) issued by the BLM. WPC,
therefore, has the legal right to develop the oil and gas beneath this parcel of NFS
lands, subject to applicable laws, regulation,policy, etc.
IV. Authorizing Activities Associated with the Proposed Action
As the oil and gas rights associated with the proposed well are held by the USA,the BLM
has the sole authority to authorize WPC to drill the proposed well. However, as the Forest
Service manages the surface (NFS lands),the Forest Service has the responsibility to
analyze the effects to surface resources and prepare a decision as required by the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended(NEPA).
After signing the decision,the Forest Supervisor for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National
Forests and Pawnee National Grassland(ARP) would send a letter to the BLM Authorized
Officer(Field Office Manager for the Royal Gorge Field Office in Canon City, CO). That
letter would concur with the BLM Authorized Officer's decision to permit the drilling of the
proposed well and all other proposed actions associated with this well that would occur on
Federal oil and gas lease COC 51609. The BLM Authorized Officer would authorize the
well to be drilled, subject to the Forest Service's Conditions of Approval (COAs). These
COAs would be developed from the resource analyses necessary for the ARP Forest
Supervisor to make a NEPA decision(see Section VI below).
All activities associated with the proposed action will ultimately be authorized by the BLM
Authorized Officer.
The Colorado Oil &Gas Conservation Commission and Colorado Department of Public
Health and Environment would also issue permits to WPC for various aspects of the
proposed action to ensure that WPC complies with applicable State and Federal laws that lie
outside the jurisdiction of the Forest Service and the BLM. These include, but are not
limited to, Colorado Revised Statutes as well as Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)
regulations pertaining to the Clean Air Act of 1970, as amended(CAA) and the Clean Water
Act(CWA).
V. Findings Required by and/or Related to Other Laws and Regulations
A Forest Service Inter-Disciplinary Team(IDT) has reviewed the proposed action in the
context of the applicable laws, Forest Service policy, and other guidance which includes, but
is not limited to,those listed below. The IDT has determined that the proposed action would
be consistent with or would comply with this direction.
National Forest Management Act of 1976(NFMA)
NFMA requires the development of long-range Land and Resource Management Plans
(LRMP). LRMP direction for PNG is found in the 1997 Revision to the Land and Resource
Management Plan for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National
Grassland(Forest Plan). The Forest Plan was prepared as required by NFMA. The Forest
Plan provides guidance for all natural resource activities on PNG. NFMA requires that all
projects and activities be consistent with the Forest Plan.
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Management Indicator Species (MIS) in the Forest Plan—Potential effects upon habitat
viability and population from the proposed action were considered for the following MIS as
required by NFMA: ferruginous hawk, mountain plover, lark bunting, black-tailed prairie
dog and western burrowing owl. The IDT has concluded that: 1) across the Planning Area
(PNG), the proposed action would not result in loss of habitat viability for any MIS listed
above; and, 2) across the Planning Area, the proposed action would not result in a downward
trend for populations of any of the MIS listed above.
Water Quality
Section 313 of the CWA requires Federal agencies to comply with all Federal, State,
interstate and local requirements, administrative authority and process and sanctions with
respect to the control and abatement of water pollution. Executive Order (EO) 12088 also
requires the Forest Service to meet the requirements of the CWA. Activities associated with
this proposed action would comply with the CWA and Colorado State Water Quality
Control Commission standards. The proposed action would incorporate mitigation for
reasonable soil and water conservation practices, avoid channel degradation, and comply
with the Forest Plan.
Air Quality
Air quality within the project area is within National Ambient Air Quality Standards
described in the CAA. The project area is not within any EPA-designated Non-Attainment
Areas. In addition, emissions within the project area from this activity are expected to be
well below any State or Federal emission standards and would not pose a threat to Class 1 or
Class 2 airsheds, wildlife, vegetation or human populations.
Environmental Justice
As directed by EO 12898, there would be no disproportionately high or adverse human
health or environmental effects to minority or low-income populations through the
implementation of this proposed action.
Prime Lands per US Dept. of Aviculture Departmental Regulation 9500-3
PNG does not contain any designated Prime Lands. The proposed action would therefore
comply with the Secretary of Agriculture's Memo 1827 on the management of designated
Prime Lands. In addition, Federal lands would be managed with the appropriate
consideration to the effects on adjacent lands.
Energy Requirements and Conservation Potential of Actions Connected With Decision
The energy required to implement the proposed action, in terms of petroleum products,
would be insignificant when viewed in light of the production costs and effects on the
national and worldwide petroleum reserves. Also, this project has the potential to contribute
to the nation's petroleum reserves.
Invasive Species
Land actions that disturb the ground have the potential to contribute to the spread of noxious
weeds and other non-native plants. Because there would be new ground disturbing
activities, the proposed action may be a vector for introducing and spreading noxious weeds.
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As directed by EO 13112,noxious weed prevention and management would be required in
the permits.
VI. Documenting a Decision per NEPA
Responsible Official: Forest Supervisor,Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and
Pawnee National Grassland (ARP)
Responsible Official's Decision
Given the Federally-managed mineral rights beneath NFS lands and WPC's valid right to
develop those minerals under an authorized Federal oil and gas lease, the Responsible
Official will not decide whether or not WPC can drill the proposed well,but under what
circumstances the well may be drilled. Therefore, so long as a Categorical Exclusion may
be applied to the proposed action and a Decision Memo used to document the decision, a
"no-action" alternative will not be considered.
Applicable Categorical Exclusion
The project activities meet the requirements described in 36 CFR 220.6(e)(17): "Approval
of a Surface Use Plan of Operations for oil and natural gas exploration and initial
development activities associated with or adjacent to a new oil and/or gas field or area, so
long as the approval will not authorize activities in excess of any of the following: (i) One
mile of road construction; (ii) One mile of road reconstruction; (iii) Three miles of
individual or co-located pipelines and/or utilities disturbance; or (iv)Four drill sites." Use
of this Categorical Exclusion requires a Planning Record and Decision Memo for
documentation.
Evaluation of the Potential for Extraordinary Circumstances per NEPA
• Threatened or Endangered Species and Forest Service Sensitive Species—The IDT
has analyzed the potential effects that would result from this proposed action in
accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(ESA). The IDT also evaluated the proposed action under other applicable
regulations and Forest Service policy.
o For all species listed as threatened or endangered under ESA as well as all
species proposed for such listing,the IDT has concluded:
✓ The proposed action would not jeopardize the continued existence of
any such species.
✓ The proposed action would not adversely modify the designated or
proposed critical habitat of any such species.
o For all Forest Service sensitive species, the proposed action would not cause
a trend towards listing under ESA for any such species.
• Flood Plains and Wetlands—There are no flood plains or wetlands within the
project area. Activities associated with the proposed action would comply with
direction in EO 11988 and EO 11990 for these types of areas.
• Municipal Watersheds—Activities and facilities of the proposed action would not be
located within any designated municipal watershed and would thus have a negligible
effect on any public water supply.
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• Congressionally-Designated Areas such as Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas,
Wild and Scenic River, National Recreation Areas, etc. —Activities associated with
the proposed action would not be located in or near any Congressionally-designated
areas of this type nor would they be within or near an area proposed for such
designation.
• Inventoried Roadless Areas—Activities associated with the proposed action would
not take place within or adjacent to an Inventoried Roadless Area.
• Research Natural Areas—The proposed action would not be located within or
adjacent to a Research Natural Area.
• Native American Cultural Sites and Archaeological Sites or Historic Properties or
Areas—
o A cultural resource inventory was conducted by a qualified,permitted third-
party archaeologist in accordance with Forest Service regulations,policies
and all applicable State and Federal laws.
o Within the Area of Potential Effect for this project, no archaeological sites or
areas or historic properties that are eligible or potentially eligible for listing
on the National Register of Historic Places would be adversely affected.
Further, no Native American Cultural Sites would be affected.
Based upon the resource analyses that have been completed by the IDT for the proposed
action,there would be no conditions that would constitute an extraordinary circumstance
related to documenting the decision for the proposed action using the Categorical Exclusion
described above. Accordingly, a Decision Memo would be prepared per requirements of
NEPA, Council on Environmental Quality regulations and Forest Service policy.
VII. Scoping and Comment
Comments and feedback received during the 30-day public scoping and comment period
will be used to ensure that the level of documentation required by NEPA for the decision is
adequate and to ensure that no important issues were overlooked during analysis of the
proposed action.
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VIII. Project Area Map
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LEGEND Disclaimer The US Forest Service uses the most current and
complete data available. GIS data and product accuracy may
WPC Federal 14-5 vary. They may be. developed from sources of differing accuracy.
accurate only at certain scales,based on modeling or interpretation,
- New Access Road incomplete while being sealed or revised.etc. Using GIS products
for purposes other than those for which they were created, may
---- Pipeline Trench yield inaccurate or misleading results. The US Forest Service
reserves the right to correct. update. modify. or replace GIS
ewe"' Existing
Roads products wit out notification For more Information, contact the
• Existing Oil 8 Gas Wells Arapaho E Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National
Grassland at(970)2955600.
r-._.-+ ' Well Pad
—
Upgrade of NFS Road Map created by Vernon E. Koehler on 7/26/2012.
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