Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem) Ethane Cracker, Markham Ethylene Pipeline, and San Patricio Pipeline Project Biological Assessment Prepared for: Occidental Chemical Corporation 5 Greenway Plaza, Suite 110 Houston, TX, 77046 (713) 215-7000 Prepared by: Tetra Tech 285 Ellicott Street Buffalo, NY, 14203 (716) 849-9419 Tetra Tech Project No. 112C04710 DRAFT February 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF APPENDICES ............................................................................................................ vii LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................... viii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. i 1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Purpose and Need ............................................................................... 3 1.2 Purpose and Objective of Biological Assessment............................................. 3 1.3 Permits and Regulatory Requirements ............................................................. 3 1.3.1 Clean Air Act .......................................................................................................... 4 1.3.2 Endangered Species Act ....................................................................................... 6 1.3.3 Migratory Bird Act................................................................................................... 7 1.3.4 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act .................................................................. 7 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................... 8 2.1 Existing Shoreline Structures ........................................................................... 8 2.2 Project Facilities ............................................................................................... 8 2.2.1 Ethane Cracker Facility .......................................................................................... 8 2.2.1.1 Thermal Oxidizers ................................................................................ 10 2.2.1.2 Emergency Ground Flare .................................................................... 11 2.2.1.3 Material Storage .................................................................................. 11 2.2.1.4 Staging Areas ...................................................................................... 11 2.2.1.5 Wastewater Management .................................................................... 12 2.2.1.6 Stormwater Management .................................................................... 12 2.2.2 Pipelines ............................................................................................................... 12 2.2.2.1 Pipelines .............................................................................................. 12 2.2.2.2 Measurement and Regulation Stations ............................................... 12 2.2.2.3 Additional Temporary Work Space and Storage Areas ....................... 12 2.2.2.4 Access Roads ...................................................................................... 13 2.3 Construction ....................................................................................................13 2.3.1 Construction Schedule ......................................................................................... 13 2.3.2 Ethane Cracker Facility ........................................................................................ 13 2.3.2.1 Construction Elements ......................................................................... 13 2.3.2.2 Ethane Cracker Facility Construction Sequencing .............................. 14 2.3.2.3 Ethane Cracker Facility Best Available Control Technology ............... 14 2.3.3 Pipeline Construction ........................................................................................... 17 2.3.3.1 Construction and Sequencing of Soil Disturbing Activities .................. 17 2.3.3.2 Surveying and Staking ......................................................................... 18 2.3.3.3 Clearing and Grading ........................................................................... 18 2.3.3.4 Temporary Environmental Controls ..................................................... 19 2.3.3.5 Topsoiling ............................................................................................ 19 2.3.3.6 Trenching ............................................................................................. 19 i 2.3.3.7 Pipe Stringing and Bending ................................................................. 19 2.3.3.8 Pipe Assembly and Field Welding ....................................................... 20 2.3.3.9 Nondestructive Examination, Inspection, and Weld Repair ................ 20 2.3.3.10 Pipe Coating, Inspection, and Repair .................................................. 20 2.3.3.11 Lowering-In, Padding, and Rough Backfill........................................... 20 2.3.3.12 Pressure Testing and Final Tie-ins ...................................................... 21 2.3.3.13 Cleanup, Restoration, and Revegetation ............................................. 21 2.3.3.14 Specialized Pipeline Crossings and Methods...................................... 21 2.3.3.15 Environmental Training ........................................................................ 22 2.3.4 Construction Noise Levels ................................................................................... 22 2.4 Operation and Maintenance Information .........................................................23 2.4.1 Ethane Cracker Facility ........................................................................................ 23 2.4.2 Pipeline Facilities ................................................................................................. 23 2.5 Safety Controls ...............................................................................................23 2.5.1 Ethane Cracker Facility ........................................................................................ 23 2.5.1.1 Spill Containment ................................................................................. 23 2.5.1.2 Hazard Detection System .................................................................... 23 2.5.1.3 Fire Protection System ........................................................................ 23 2.5.2 Pipeline Facilities ................................................................................................. 24 2.5.2.1 Training and Licensing......................................................................... 24 2.5.2.2 Corrosion Protection and Detection Systems ...................................... 24 2.5.3 Emergency Response Procedures ...................................................................... 24 3.0 ACTION AREA, SPECIES LIST, AND HABITAT, AIR, AND WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................25 3.1 Action Area .....................................................................................................25 3.2 Species List ....................................................................................................27 3.3 Habitat Analysis ..............................................................................................28 3.4 Waterbodies Traversed by the MEP Centerline ..............................................48 3.5 Air Quality Analysis and Results .....................................................................49 3.5.1 Estimated Annual Emission Rate ......................................................................... 50 3.5.2 Area of Impact Dispersion Modeling Methodology .............................................. 50 3.5.3 Dispersion Modeling ............................................................................................ 50 3.6 Water Quality Analysis ....................................................................................53 3.6.1 Chemical Discharge ............................................................................................. 53 3.6.2 Thermal Discharge ............................................................................................... 55 4.0 EFFECTS OF ACTION ...............................................................................................56 4.1 Gulf Coast jaguarundi (Herpailurus yaguarondi cacomitli) ...............................56 4.1.1 Distribution ........................................................................................................... 56 4.1.2 Endangerment Factors ........................................................................................ 56 4.1.3 Life History Requirements .................................................................................... 56 4.1.4 Field Survey Results ............................................................................................ 56 4.1.5 Impact Analysis ...................................................................................................