Upload
trihydro-corporation
View
402
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Presentation for 2013 EORI CO2 Conference in Casper, WY July 9, 2013. Jana White, Ph.D. Ecologist for Trihydro, has nearly 15 years of experience working on diverse environmental projects. Her expertise includes biogeochemistry, botany, fate and transport modeling, and systems hydrology.
Citation preview
SURFACE DISTURBANCES AND ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSOCIATED WITH OIL & GAS DEVELOPMENTJana White, PhD EcologistJuly 9, 2013
Presentation Outline:1. Current status and future
challengesa. Key regulations b. Case studies
2. Future industry directions and potential hurdles
‐ Using ecosystem services metrics for development prioritization
Ecological Resources
Vegetation Wetlands Sensitive habitats T&E Species Raptors Sage Grouse
What do operators encounter when an area is proposed for development?
Regulations – The Big Ones
NEPA (1969) Endangered Species Act (1973) Clean Water Act (1977) State of Wyoming Executive Order 2011‐5 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (1940) WY Environmental Quality Act BLM, Forest Service, State, Local Statutes
Vegetation Management and Revegetation
Agency‐specific Based on mineral rights ownership State and private mineral rights –WOGCC, WDEQ
Federal mineral rights –BLM
Reclamation plan required as part of POD, APD, or master development plan
Vegetation Management and Revegetation
Sustainable DevelopmentInterim reclamationminimize impacts of development on other resources and uses
Final reclamationcharacter and productivity of the land and water are restored
Wyoming BLM photo, BMP Guide
Vegetation Management and Revegetation
Pre‐development Planning Data for cover and species prior to development
Assist in setting reclamation goals
Wildlife Regulations – T&E Species
Wyoming: 18 listingsColorado: 35 listings
Wyoming Toad Photo: US FWS
Wildlife Regulations – T&E Species 1973 Endangered Species Act Affects all sites – public and private Initial T&E Species Evaluation Required on Proposed Oil and Gas Permits
Wyoming: 20 listings
Black‐footed ferret, FWS photoBlowout penstemon, FWS photo
Wildlife Regulations State‐listed species, species of concern
Hierarchy of EvaluationFederally listed T&E SpeciesBLM Sensitive SpeciesState‐listed
Mountain Plover, FWS photo/Fritz Knopf
Wyoming Pocket Gopher,FWS photo
Pygmy Rabbit
Wildlife Regulations – Raptors Migratory Bird Treaty Act Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
Protects birds, eggs, and nests
Wildlife Regulations – Raptors (WY)Raptors of Conservation Concern
Common NameSpatial buffer
(miles) Seasonal buffer Golden Eagle 0.5 January 15 ‐ July 31Ferruginous Hawk 1 March 15 ‐ July 31 Swainson's Hawk 0.25 April 1 ‐ August 31Bald Eagle see our Bald Eagle information web pagePrairie Falcon 0.5 March 1 ‐ August 15Peregrine Falcon 0.5 March 1 ‐ August 15Short‐eared Owl 0.25 March15‐ August 1Burrowing Owl 0.25 April 1 – September 15Northern Goshawk 0.5 April 1 ‐ August 15
Seasonal noise limitations, buffers, and timing restrictions to reduce the impacts of construction, operations, and noise.
Raptor Case Study What do we do if a raptor nest is present?
Wildlife Regulations – Sage GrouseState of Wyoming Executive Order (EO) 2011‐5.
Management and regulations focused on Core Population Areas and identified leks. Maximum permissible disturbance Density of O&G development
FWS photo
Wildlife Regulations – Sage Grouse
Source: WY Game and Fish Department
Wildlife Regulations – Sage Grouse
Source: WY Game and Fish Department
Wetlands & Waters of the U.S.The Challenge: What is a wetland? Is it jurisdictional?
Wetlands & Waters of the U.S.The Challenge: What is a wetland? Is it jurisdictional?
Intermittent & Ephemeral Wetlands and Streams
Wetlands & Waters of the U.S.Regulatory Jurisdiction: Section 10 Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 Section 404 Clean Water Act of 1977
Wetlands & Waters of the U.S.
Types of Permits:1) Individual Permits
‐ wetland removal
2) General/Nationwide Permits‐minor road projects, utility line installation, dam reconstruction activities
Wetland Case Study
Future Industry Directions
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BES)
Guidance document drafted by 2 global industry groups which formed the Biodiversity Working GroupFundamental Question:What is the business case for protecting and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services?
Future Industry DirectionsBES Categories:
Source: www.ipieca.org
Future Industry DirectionsFuture development prioritization based on ecological resource and ecosystem services assessments
Example – Pipeline Construction• Proper pipeline location can significantly reduce or
eliminate impacts to cultural, scenic, biological, and other environmental factors
• Right of Way should be selected by considering 4 BES categories (Regulating, Provisioning, Cultural, and Supporting)
Contact Information:Jana [email protected]/745‐7474