United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management And, United Stated Department of Agriculture Forest Service Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-CO-S050-2015-0029-EA Dual Operator Proposal: Development of 25 Federal Natural Gas Wells and Associated Infrastructure on 5 Multi-well Pads Location: Western Gunnison County, Colorado. June 2015 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Department of Agriculture Bureau of Land Management Forest Service Southwest District Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest Uncompahgre Field Office Paonia Ranger District 2465 South Townsend Avenue 403 N. Rio Grande Ave., PO Box 1030 Montrose, CO. 81401 Paonia, CO. 81428 Phone: (970) 240-5300 Phone: (970) 527-4131 It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................................. 3 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 6 1.1 IDENTIFYING INFORMATION .................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION .......................................................................................................................... 10 1.4 AUTHORITIES ..................................................................................................................................................... 12 1.5 DECISIONS TO BE MADE ...................................................................................................................................... 12 1.6 CONFORMANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAND USE PLANS ................................................................................................. 13 1.7 SCOPING AND IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES ................................................................................................................ 15 1.7.1 Scoping and Public Involvement .......................................................................................................... 15 1.7.2 Issues .................................................................................................................................................... 16 2 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVE(S) .................................................................................................. 19 2.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 19 2.2 PROPOSED ACTION ............................................................................................................................................. 19 2.2.1 Design Features of the Proposed Action .............................................................................................. 20 2.2.2 Existing Infrastructure .......................................................................................................................... 25 2.2.3 Project Construction ............................................................................................................................. 31 2.2.4 Well Drilling, and Completion .............................................................................................................. 43 2.2.5 Water Use ............................................................................................................................................ 44 2.2.6 Transportation ..................................................................................................................................... 51 2.2.7 Handling of Waste Materials ............................................................................................................... 54 2.2.8 Production Facilities ............................................................................................................................. 58 2.2.9 Operation and Maintenance ................................................................................................................ 59 2.2.10 Reclamation .................................................................................................................................... 60 2.2.11 Workforce ....................................................................................................................................... 61 2.2.12 Schedule .......................................................................................................................................... 62 2.3 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE .................................................................................................................................... 62 2.4 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM DETAILED STUDY .......................................................................... 63 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ........................................................... 64 3.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 64 3.1.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts Analysis .................................................................................................... 66 3.1.2 Cumulative Impacts Analysis ............................................................................................................... 67 3.2 DIRECT AND INDIRECT IMPACTS ANALYSIS TO RESOURCES .......................................................................................... 77 3.2.1 Air Quality and Climate ........................................................................................................................ 77 3.2.2 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................................... 86 3.2.3 Native American Religions Concerns.................................................................................................... 87 3.2.4 Soils ...................................................................................................................................................... 88 3.2.5 Vegetation Management ..................................................................................................................... 90 3.2.6 Invasive, Non-Native Species ............................................................................................................... 96 3.2.7 Threatened, Endangered (ESA), Sensitive Species................................................................................ 97 3.2.8 Migratory Birds .................................................................................................................................. 112 3.2.9 Wildlife, Terrestrial ............................................................................................................................ 114 3.2.10 Wildlife, Aquatic ............................................................................................................................ 120 3.2.11 Riparian Zones and Wetlands ....................................................................................................... 121 3.2.12 Floodplains .................................................................................................................................... 122 3.2.13 Hydrology (Surface Water Resources) ........................................................................................... 122 3.2.14 Hydrology (Ground Water Resources) ........................................................................................... 127 3.2.15 Wastes (Hazardous or Solid) ......................................................................................................... 132 3.2.16 Socioeconomics ............................................................................................................................. 137 3.2.17 Access and Transportation ............................................................................................................ 140 3.2.18 Realty Authorizations .................................................................................................................... 143 3.2.19 Livestock Grazing/Rangeland Health ............................................................................................ 145 3.2.20 Noise ............................................................................................................................................. 149 3.2.21 Recreation ..................................................................................................................................... 154 3.2.22 Visual Resources Management ..................................................................................................... 155 3.2.23 Geology and Mineral Resources .................................................................................................... 157 3.3 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS BY RESOURCE ..................................................................................................................