Protecting Biodiversity in Pipeline Construction

Introduction

Overview of Natural Gas Intrastate Pipeline Permitting and Construction

Intrastate natural gas pipelines play a crucial role in delivering energy to local markets. These pipelines are the backbone of energy infrastructure, connecting production sites to distribution networks that serve homes, businesses, and industries.

The Nationwide 12 permit is a streamlined process established by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to authorize activities required for the construction, maintenance, and repair of pipelines. This permit is critical for oil and gas pipelines, as it simplifies the approval process while ensuring that environmental considerations are met.

Within the Nationwide 12 permitting process, environmental assessments (“EAs”) and biological opinions (“BOs”) are conducted for many reasons, but in part in order to evaluate the potential impacts of pipeline construction on local environments and ecosystems. These assessments are vital for identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies to protect biodiversity.

What Is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms within a given ecosystem, region, or the entire planet, encompassing species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance and resilience of ecosystems ultimately ensuring, among other things, clean air, water, and fertile soil.

High levels of biodiversity contribute to the stability and productivity of ecosystems enabling them to recover from disturbances and adapt to changes. Protecting biodiversity is essential for sustaining the natural resources that many ecosystems, as well as human societies, rely upon, making it a fundamental component of environmental conservation efforts.

Impact of Construction on Ecosystems with Nationwide 12 Permitting

Biodiversity protection is a key consideration in the pipeline permitting processes, especially within the Nationwide 12 permitting process.

Nationwide 12 permitting refers to a specific type of general permit under the Clean Water Act in the United States. The history of Nationwide Permit 12 is tied to the regulatory efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to streamline the permitting process for certain activities that involve linear infrastructure construction activities, which include the construction, maintenance, repair, and removal of utility lines, pipelines, power lines, and telecommunications cables.

The permit also covers both the construction and the associated structures needed for these utilities, like access roads, substations, and other infrastructure components.

Understanding Pipeline Permitting and Construction Practices

Planning and Design Phase

The planning and design phase is a crucial first step in pipeline construction, setting the stage for success and environmental stewardship. Routing decisions should prioritize avoiding sensitive habitats, protected species, and critical ecosystems.

It employs advanced geospatial analysis to pinpoint the best route, considering terrain, land use, and sensitive areas. This approach minimizes environmental and community impacts.

Environmental surveys are crucial, evaluating risks to wildlife, water, and cultural sites. These assessments inform strategies to reduce adverse effects and comply with regulations. Engineering design focuses on the pipeline’s structural and safety aspects, such as pipe diameter and pressure ratings, ensuring a reliable system.

Risk assessments are vital helping to identify and mitigate potential hazards. This proactive approach reduces the likelihood of incidents during construction and operation. The phase also includes obtaining permits and engaging with stakeholders to foster community support and address concerns.

Co-location with Existing Utilities

Co-locating pipelines within existing utility corridors can significantly reduce costs and streamline infrastructure planning. It also minimizes environmental impacts. By using established rights-of-way, such as those for power lines or roads, operators can minimize new land acquisition and vegetation clearing. This approach reduces habitat fragmentation and minimizes disturbance to local communities.

However, successful co-location requires careful planning and coordination with utility companies. This ensures compatibility, safety, and regulatory compliance. Pipeline designers must consider several factors, including:

• Separation distances between utilities
• Cathodic protection to prevent corrosion
• Future maintenance access
• Compliance with local, state, and federal regulations

Permitting Process with Nationwide 12 for Gas Pipelines With US Army Corps of Engineers

The permitting process for gas pipelines under Nationwide 12 involves several steps, including pre-construction notices and consultations with regulatory bodies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Intrastate gas pipeline projects use the Nationwide 12 permitting process.

Nationwide 12 permits, revalidated every 5 years (this period from March 15, 2021, to March 14, 2026), permits the construction, upkeep, repair, and removal of oil and gas pipelines. Among its many features and objectives, the permit ensures these activities do not exceed the loss of more than 1/2-acre of US waters. This permit also covers discharges of dredged or fill material into US waters for pipeline-related tasks, including:

• Construction, maintenance, or expansion of oil or natural gas pipeline substations
• Construction of foundations for above-ground oil or natural gas pipelines in all US waters
• Construction of access roads for oil or natural gas pipelines with limitations on impact to US waters

Preconstruction Notices with Nationwide 12 Permitting Process

The preconstruction notification (“PCN”) is a crucial step in the Nationwide 12 permit process for oil and natural gas pipeline projects. It’s required when a project meets specific criteria, such as needing a Section 10 permit or affecting over one-tenth of an acre of U.S. waters. The PCN details the project’s purpose, location, and how it will impact U.S. waters.

Developers must outline mitigation strategies to lessen environmental harm in the PCN. These strategies might include using horizontal drilling, narrowing construction areas, and restoring habitats. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reviews these plans and may add more conditions or require compensation for unavoidable damage.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works with other federal and state agencies to ensure projects follow the law. This includes protecting water quality, habitats, and endangered species. Coordination is key to safeguarding the environment during pipeline construction.

Role of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Section 9 Consultation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is crucial in the pipeline project permitting process under Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act. Through the Nationwide 12 permit, project developers must detail the presence of endangered species and their habitats. If these resources might be affected, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must consult formally with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Recent changes to the Endangered Species Act Section 9 regulations by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service have significantly altered the consultation process.  These changes include redefining the environmental baseline, interpreting action effects, and considering compensatory mitigation. Such revisions may make biological assessments for projects more complex.

Field Surveys and Biological Assessments

Field surveys and biological assessments are vital in the Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation for pipeline projects. Environmental consultants use methods such as visual observations, trapping, and acoustic monitoring to detect species and assess habitats. This helps determine the impact of the pipeline on listed species and their habitats.

The data from these surveys supports a detailed biological assessment. This analysis looks at how the pipeline might affect species and their habitats. It considers disturbance magnitude, species traits, and mitigation effectiveness. The assessment guides the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in their permitting decisions.

Environmental Assessments

Under the National Environmental Policy Act, federal agencies must evaluate the environmental impacts of their actions. This includes the issuance of permits for pipeline projects. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has already conducted an environmental assessment for Nationwide 12 Permits.

An alternatives analysis is vital within the environmental assessment. It evaluates different project alternatives to find the least environmentally damaging option. This analysis considers ecological sensitivity, cultural resources, socioeconomic conditions, and cumulative impacts.

The EA document thoroughly examines the project’s effects on various resources. These include:

• Water quality and hydrology
• Air quality and greenhouse gas emissions
• Wildlife and threatened or endangered species
• Wetlands and riparian habitats
• Cultural and historical resources
• Land use and visual impacts
• Socioeconomic conditions and environmental justice

Biological Opinion from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

As mentioned previously, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finds a pipeline project might affect listed species or critical habitat, it must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The USFWS then prepares a Biological Opinion.

This opinion evaluates if the project could jeopardize listed species or harm their critical habitat. If the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concludes there’s no jeopardy, it issues an incidental take statement. This statement outlines the expected harm and sets out measures to minimize it.

Endangered Species Act Compliance and Mitigation Strategies

Adhering to the Endangered Species Act is crucial for natural gas pipeline projects. Pipeline companies like Woodway Energy Infrastructure adopt various strategies that include avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating effects on listed species and their habitats.

For avoidance, selecting routes carefully, using horizontal directional drilling, and timing construction are key. This helps to reduce surface disturbance and avoid periods when species are most vulnerable.

Through proactive planning and working with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pipeline companies can navigate the Endangered Species Act permitting successfully. This helps protect endangered species and their habitats.

Construction Practices For Biodiversity Protection

In the United States, over 3 million miles of natural gas transmission pipelines deliver about 27.6 trillion cubic feet of gas to 77.7 million people every year. These pipelines are key to our energy needs. To keep them safe and green, companies follow strict rules and use the best ways to protect nature during construction.

Habitat Restoration and Rehabilitation

Pipeline construction activities often need to take over land, which has the potential to harm natural habitats. To lessen these effects, pipeline companies must focus on protecting nature. They do this by restoring and rehabilitating habitats. This includes reforestation, revegetation, reseeding, soil care, and controlling erosion.

Soil Stabilization and erosion control

Ensuring soil stability and preventing erosion is crucial for habitat preservation. Effective methods include:

• Installing silt fences and sediment traps
• Applying mulch and erosion-control blankets
• Building systems to manage stormwater
• Planting native plants in damaged areas

These measures significantly reduce construction-related environmental harm. Woodway Energy collaborates with local stakeholders to address issues such as drainage and safety. We implement solutions during and post-construction to protect the environment.

Watercourse and Wetland Protection

Preserving watercourses and wetlands is vital for maintaining ecological health and adhering to legal requirements during pipeline projects. This is done through buffer zones, protective barriers, sediment control measures, and horizontal directional drilling.

Buffer Zones and Protective Barriers

Creating buffer zones and barriers around water and wetlands is crucial for pipeline safety and the environment. These steps help keep aquatic habitats safe and let ecosystems work as they should.

Sediment Control Measures

Managing sediment is vital for protecting water and wetlands during pipeline work. Using tools like silt fences, sediment basins, and erosion control blankets stops sediment from getting into water.

Horizontal Directional Drilling

Horizontal directional drilling is a modern way to build pipelines with less harm to sensitive areas. It drills under water and wetlands, avoiding the damage of open-cut methods.

Protecting water and wetlands is paramount in pipeline projects. Techniques like buffer zones, sediment control, and horizontal directional drilling are crucial. These methods reduce the environmental footprint of construction, ensuring the long-term sustainability of ecosystems.

Minimizing Disturbance to Wildlife

Natural gas pipeline construction must prioritize environmental and wildlife protection. This approach helps mitigate the ecological impact of construction activities. Noise and light pollution can disrupt wildlife habitats, leading to increased mortality rates. It is essential to implement noise reduction and light mitigation strategies.

Reducing noise involves the use of quieter machinery and construction during less sensitive times. This approach helps minimize disruptions to animal breeding and other critical activities.

Light mitigation, such as avoiding artificial lighting in natural areas, is crucial for protecting nocturnal species.

Integrating wildlife corridors and crossings into pipeline projects is vital. These features enable animals to safely traverse the construction zone. They are particularly important when pipelines intersect with animal migration routes. Structures like roads can pose significant threats to species such as amphibians and small mammals.

Wildlife crossings, including underpasses and overpasses, facilitate safe animal migration. Guide walls and escape ladders or mesh further enhance safety. These measures demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship and animal welfare, making oil and gas pipeline construction projects more sustainable.

Conclusion

Protecting biodiversity during pipeline construction is a complex but essential task. By adhering to regulatory requirements, implementing best practices, and continually monitoring and managing environmental impacts, pipeline companies can contribute to the preservation of ecosystems while fulfilling their role in energy transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nationwide Permit 12, and how does it relate to pipeline construction?

Nationwide Permit 12 is a general permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that authorizes activities related to pipeline construction, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

How do pipeline companies ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act?

Pipeline companies ensure Endangered Species Act compliance by consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service within the Nationwide Permit 12 process, conducting biological assessments, and implementing mitigation measures to protect endangered species.

What are some common mitigation measures for protecting wildlife during construction?

Common mitigation measures include habitat conservation plans, species relocation, and seasonal restrictions on construction activities.