| Planning | Form: (02A )
402060368
3/19/2020 | Prior to submittal of the COGCC Form 2A, TEP conducted onsite meetings with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the associated private landowners. These onsite meetings were held to discuss TEP’s proposed development plan for the drilling pit planned on the RWF 21-18 pad. Changes were made to the proposed development plan based on feedback received from all stakeholders and included in the COGCC Form 2A, Oil and Gas Location Assessment. The RWF 21-18 pad was included as part of the Balzac Gulch Phase 2 Master Development Plan Environmental Assessment, which was approved by the BLM on September 4, 2018.
The development plan for the RWF 21-18 pad was prepared to minimize surface impacts to the greatest extent possible utilizing an existing oil and gas location. During discussion with BLM it was mentioned that utilizing this site would ultimately reduce the steep slopes along the cut sides of the pad and improve reclamation of the site long-term. The minimal new disturbance begin proposed along the east side of the pad was also agreed upon during the onsites to improve reclamation of the location.
Planned operations on the RWF 21-18 pad are detailed in the Proposed Drill Cuttings Management Plan. Please refer to this document for specific details related to transportation of drill cuttings from the PA 44-13 Pad to the proposed drilling pit on the RWF 21-18 pad and the management of drill cuttings on this location. |
| Pre-Construction | Form: (02A )
402060368
3/19/2020 | Prior to commencement of construction activities, TEP will hold a pre-construction meeting with contractors to review proposed site construction and installation of stormwater control measures. The site will be staked for construction prior to pre-construction meeting. Staking will identify the boundaries of the proposed site to protect existing vegetation in areas that should not be disturbed. |
| General Housekeeping | Form: (02A )
402060368
3/19/2020 | All garbage and trash will be stored in enclosed bear proof trash containers and transported to an approved disposal facility. No garbage or trash will be disposed of on location. The well site and access road will be kept free of trash and debris at all time. |
| Wildlife | Form: (02A )
402060368
3/19/2020 | The RWF 21-18 pad location is not located within any CPW mapped sensitive wildlife habitat boundaries or within any mapped restricted surface occupancy areas. However, BLM will be imposing a Timing Limitation (“TL”) for Big Game Winter Range from December 1st through April 30th annually. TEP is currently planning to construct and operate this facility for cuttings disposal activities outside the TL for Big Game Winter Range. In the event that construction activities on the RWF 21-18 pad are projected to extend into the TL for Big Game Winter Range, TEP will consult with BLM and CPW and provide compensatory mitigation to offset impacts to Big Game.
TEP agrees to report any bear conflicts immediately to CPW. TEP will implement Rule 1204.a.1 by utilizing bear proof dumpsters and trash receptacles for all food related trash. TEP will preclude from the use of aggressive CPW-identified non-native grasses and shrubs in mule deer and elk habitat and will reclaim the site using CPW-identified native shrubs, grasses and forbs appropriate to the ecological site disturbed. |
| Storm Water/Erosion Control | Form: (02A )
402060368
3/19/2020 | Stormwater BMP’s will be in place during all phases of development to control stormwater runoff in a manner that minimizes erosion, transportation of sediment offsite, and site degradation. Stormwater BMP’s will include perimeter controls such as sediment traps, diversion ditches, check dams, waddles, and others control measures necessary to control stormwater run-on and run-off and minimized offsite movement of sediment. Stormwater BMP’s will also include site degradation control measures such as grading, slope stabilization methods (i.e. seeding, mulching, surface roughening), perimeter berms, surfacing materials (i.e. gravel), and others necessary to minimize site degradation. Stormwater controls will be installed with consideration given to worker safety, wildlife, and site access. A post-construction stormwater program will be developed for the facility as required per Rule 1002.f.(3). Stormwater is also addressed under a field-wide Stormwater Management Plan (CDPHE Certification COR404624). |
| Storm Water/Erosion Control | Form: (02A )
402060368
3/19/2020 | Prior to construction activities, TEP’s contractor will construct the storm water control features as depicted on the attached exhibits. Surface drainage moves from the steep slopes north and west of the pad in the easterly and south easterly direction onto the pad and then into a diversion ditch where it transported to the sediment trap south of the pad. Surface drainage moves from the slopes along the east side of the pad in the northwesterly direction into a diversion ditch located along the pad edge and is transported to the sediment trap south of the pad. During construction and drill cuttings disposal operations diversion ditches will be in place along the east side of the pad, the west side of the access road, and the western edge of the excess stockpile. An earthen berm, approximately two and one half foot (2.5’) in height, will be constructed along the southeastern edges of the drilling pit to ensure containment of drill cuttings and to ensure stormwater doesn’t migrate into the drilling pit from the pad. A drive over berm will be constructed at the pad entrance. The existing sediment pond at the south end of the site will be place and maintained. Any storm water that migrated into the drilling pit from the north west cut slopes will be pumped out of the pit to ensure only de minimis amount of fluids are present within the drilling pit. Following closure of the drilling pit and pad reclamation storm water control measures will be in place as shown on the attached reclamation layout. Diversion ditches will be constructed along the perimeter of the working pad surface. A sediment trap will be installed near the pad entrance and the existing sediment trap will be maintain along the south end of the pad disturbance. |
| Dust control | Form: (02A )
402060368
3/19/2020 | Fugitive dust control measures will be employed during all phases of development to minimize dust pollution. Dust control measures include but are not limited to the application of fresh water via water truck along access road during construction, drilling, and completion operations, speed restrictions, periodic road maintenance, and road surfacing (i.e. gravel). Dust control measures will be employed on an as needed based during all phases of development. |
| Construction | Form: (02A )
402060368
3/19/2020 | All construction equipment and materials will be contained within the proposed limits of the oil and gas location or access roads. A 2.0’ high berm will be constructed along the eastern edge of the drilling pit to ensure containment of cuttings within the drilling pit and to minimize stormwater entering the drilling pit. Topsoil will be stripped from all proposed disturbance areas of the site and segregated from subsoil for reuse during pad reclamation. Fugitive dust control measures will be implemented as described in the dust control section of this document above. |
| Drilling/Completion Operations | Form: (02A )
402060368
3/19/2020 | Planned operation on the RWF 21-18 pad are detailed in the Proposed Drill Cuttings Management Plan. Please refer to this document for specific details related to transportation of drill cuttings from the PA 44-13 Pad to the proposed drilling pit on the RWF 21-18 pad and the management of drill cuttings on this location.
The drilling pit at this location will be a dry cuttings disposal trench that will be open and filled with cuttings during the drilling process, which is a 24/7 operation. After construction of the pit, fencing will be installed around the perimeter of the pit. Netting will not be necessary. |
| Interim Reclamation | Form: (02A )
402060368
3/19/2020 | Please refer to the Proposed Drill Cuttings Management Plan for details on the proposed drill cuttings sampling program and final placement of cuttings for disposal prior to pad reclamation activities.
Certified weed-free native seed in seed mixes, except for non-native plants that benefit wildlife will be used. TEP will use certified, weed free grass hay, straw, hay or other mulch materials used for the reseeding and reclamation of disturbed areas. Soil amendments may be added to topsoil during reclamation actives to promote vegetation growth. |