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Spectra Energy PartnersTexas Eastern Transmission, LP
Ohio Pipeline Energy Network Project (OPEN)
Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification
Public HearingNov. 18, 2014
Why Hold a Public Hearing?
To gather public comment relative to the proposed impacts on water quality.
Why Seek a 401 Water Quality Certification?
Anyone wishing to discharge dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. and state, must obtain a Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (U.S. ACE) and a Section 401 Water Quality Certification from Ohio EPA.
General Project Information
Applicant: Texas Eastern Transmission, LP
Location: Columbiana, Carroll, Jefferson, Belmont and Monroe Counties
Purpose: To construct a new 75.8-mile, 30”diameter, underground natural gas pipeline to provide transportation capacity in these counties.
Project Location
Factors Ohio EPA Considers
• Existing stream and wetland quality• Nature and extent of the proposed impacts• Indirect impacts• Attempts to avoid and/or minimize impacts• Justification for proposed impacts• Proposed mitigation for any unavoidable
impacts
Factors Ohio EPA Doesn’t Consider
• Local zoning• Noise• Traffic• Popularity of the project • Labor issues• Private property/property value issues• Materials to be transported in the pipeline
Project Alternatives
Ohio EPA’s review process requires the applicant to submit three project alternatives:• Preferred Alternative – impacts that occur in
the right-of-way• Minimal Degradation Alternative – less impact
than preferred alternative • Non-Degradation Alternative – no impact
Preferred Alternative
• 217 stream crossings (1,930 linear feet [LF] of impacts)
• 279 wetland crossings (18.4 acres of impacts)
Most impacts occur in temporary construction rights-of-way
Minimal Degradation Alternative
• Same alignment• 217 stream crossings (1,930 LF of impacts)• 279 wetland crossings (10.4 acres of impacts)
Reduced construction right-of-way widths
Non-Degradation Alternative
Avoiding all stream and wetland impacts is not technically feasible.
Wetland Mitigation Plan
• 1:1 wetland restoration on-site• Payment into In-lieu Fee Program for
remaining mitigation
Stream Mitigation Plan
• 1:1 stream restoration on-site • Payment into In-lieu Fee Program for
remaining mitigation
What’s Next ?
• Written public comments are due by close of business Nov. 25, 2014.
• The Director makes a decision to either issue or deny Water Quality Certification after considering all submitted information.
• The decision and response to comments are sent to the U.S. ACE and the applicant, and made available to interested parties.
• The decision is appealable to the Environmental Review Appeals Commission (http://erac.ohio.gov/).
Submit Comments to:
Email: [email protected]
or
Ohio Environmental Protection AgencyDivision of Surface WaterAttn: Permits Processing UnitP.O. Box 1049Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049
Deadline for comment submission is November 25, 2014.Be sure to reference Ohio EPA ID #134297
Contacts
Technical issues: Todd Surrena – Northeast District [email protected] or (330) 963-1255
Citizens: Kristopher Weiss – Public Interest [email protected] or (614) 644-2160
