FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION FIELD INSPECTION REPORT

Transcription

1 FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION FIELD INSPECTION REPORT Date June 20, 2018 Project Northern Natural Gas Company Northern Lights 2017 Expansion Project Rice, Sherburne, and Isanti Counties, Minnesota Docket No.: CP Authority: Section 7(c) Personnel FERC Contractor: FERC Contractor Staff: Company Staff: Tetra Tech, Inc. Mao Lin Terry Plucker (Environmental Compliance), Tony Ross (Environmental Inspector) Inspection Summary 0 Problem Areas 0 Noncompliances No No Follow-Up Letter Required Refer to Enforcement Introduction On June 20, 2018, Mao Lin of Tetra Tech performed a restoration inspection of the Northern Natural Gas Company (NNG) Northern Lights 2017 Expansion Project (Project), under contract to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) and per the request of the FERC Project Manager, S. Xiah Kragie. The Project includes the construction and operation of a total of approximately 4.8 miles of branch line loop extensions, and an additional compressor unit at NNG s existing Faribault Compressor Station (CS). More specifically, the Project consists of: an approximately 2.8-mile-long, 12-inch-diameter pipeline extending west from the end of NNG s existing St. Cloud branch line loop and running adjacent to the St. Cloud branch line in Isanti County, Minnesota (St. Cloud Loop); an approximately 2.0-mile-long, 8-inch-diameter pipeline extending south from the end of NNG s existing Princeton branch line loop and running adjacent to the Princeton branch line in Sherburne County, Minnesota (Princeton Loop); the addition of one new 15,900-horsepower (hp) gas-driven compressor unit (Unit 2) at NNG s existing Faribault CS in Rice County, Minnesota, which will tie into NNG s existing B-line, C- line, and D-line;

2 the removal of short segment of pipeline to accommodate compressor station tie-ins; and other appurtenant facilities. The Project allows NNG to transport an incremental load of approximately 76,000 dekatherms per day through the addition of the pipeline and compression facilities on NNG s existing system. The Princeton Loop was authorized by FERC to commence service on July 17, 2017, the St. Cloud Loop was authorized by FERC to commence service on September 22, 2017, and Unit 2 at Faribault CS was authorized by FERC to commence service on October 26, The purpose of the inspection was to determine NNG s compliance with the environmental conditions of the Commission s January 30, 2017 Order Issuing Certificate for the Project and to inspect the restoration conditions of the pipeline right-of-way (ROW) and aboveground facilities. The findings of the inspection were that no instances of noncompliance or problem areas were identified. Site maps and a photographic record are presented in this report. Inspection On June 20, 2018, weather conditions were partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from 64 F to 82 F in Cambridge, Minnesota near the St. Cloud Loop; partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from 62 F to 82 F in Princeton, Minnesota near the Princeton Loop; and overcast with light showers and temperatures ranging from 62 F to 71 F in Faribault, Minnesota near the Faribault CS site. Cambridge, Princeton, and Faribault received a total of approximately 1.2 inches, 2.7 inches, and 3.5 inches of precipitation, respectively, during the two weeks preceding the inspection. Soil conditions in all three Project areas were moist but stable. The inspection focused on restoration conditions along the St. Cloud Loop (Photo Numbers [Nos.] 1 to 4) and Princeton Loop (Photo Nos. 5 to 8), and at the Faribault CS site (Photo Nos. 9 and 10). St. Cloud Loop Overall, restoration conditions observed along the St. Cloud Loop were acceptable. The inspection of the St. Cloud Loop began at the Loop kickoff and final tie-in site where a workspace and pullback pipe area were restored to agricultural use (Photo No. 1). A portion of the pullback pipe area was not planted by the landowner, and a small forested edge that was disturbed during construction was seeded and revegetation was acceptable. Restoration conditions were acceptable on land near Milepost (MP) 0.5 that is owned by the state (Photo No. 2). NNG stated that it seeded the state land with a meadow seed mix in September 2017, and that some areas have already been mowed by the state. Revegetation was also acceptable along county-owned land (Photo No. 3). NNG stated that the county planned to create and manage a natural meadow, so the county had treated some areas with an herbicide the day before the inspection, and planned to reseed its property with its own native seed mix. Nearby, the banks of a waterbody crossing were stabilized with vegetation, and the adjacent upland ROW was stabilized with natural fiber erosion control blanket. According to NNG, additional seed was broadcast on June 6, The St. Cloud Loop staging area was restored to agricultural use (Photo No. 4). Nearby a valve setting and temporary workspace were revegetating acceptably. Also nearby, Wetlands 36N24W22-W11 and -W08A, and Waterbody 36N24W22-S10, were restored; and slope breakers and other erosion control devices (ECDs) were installed and properly maintained along adjacent upland slopes.

3 Princeton Loop Overall, revegetation and restoration conditions observed along the Princeton Loop were acceptable. At the northern end of the Loop, the ROW, a wetland, and an additional temporary workspace were restored (Photo No. 5). Equipment mats were removed, but silt fence was still in place. A staging area to the north was also restored and revegetation was acceptable. A portion of a residential lawn and horse pasture, that were part of the ROW and used as an additional temporary workspace, were restored acceptably and seeded (Photo No. 6). Nearby, the ROW was returned to agricultural use, and a rock construction entrance (RCE) was removed and a temporary access road was restored. A narrow, forested ROW crossing (Photo No. 7) and a nearby former drill site were also adequately restored; however, a swale above the drill site needed to be stabilized with erosion control blanket, according to NNG, and was now stable with vegetation. Finally, restoration conditions at the valve setting at the southernmost end of the Loop were acceptable (Photo No. 8). The valve site was stabilized with a gravel groundcover, and a permanent driveway was installed. The adjacent ROW was revegetated acceptably. Faribault CS Overall, restoration conditions observed along the Faribault CS site were acceptable. The laydown area was well-vegetated; and a staging area, temporary access road, and agricultural wetland (Wetland 109n21w3-w01) outside the permanent station fence were returned to agricultural use (Photo No. 9). The area around the facility s buildings within the station yard was adequately restored and stabilized with a gravel ground cover or revegetated (Photo No. 10). A rock berm was installed alongside the station fence to prevent gravel from leaving the facility. Conclusions and Recommendations A follow-up letter is not required at this time because no instances of noncompliance were identified. Restoration conditions along the St. Cloud Loop, the Princeton Loop, and at the Faribault CS site were acceptable and revegetation was progressing satisfactorily. No further inspections are anticipated, but may be requested at the discretion of the FERC Project Manager.

4 SITE MAPS MP 2.8 MP 0.0

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7 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2018 FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Company: Northern Natural Gas Company Docket No.: CP Project: Northern Lights 2017 Expansion Loop: St. Cloud Loop Photo No.: 1 MP/Sta. No.: 0.0 Direction: East Comments: Open and Agricultural ROW, St. Cloud Loop. The inspection of the St. Cloud Loop began at the Loop kickoff and final tie-in site where a workspace and pullback pipe area were restored to agricultural use. A portion of the pipe pullback area was not planted by the landowner. A small forested edge (not pictured) that was disturbed during construction was seeded and revegetation was acceptable. Photo No.: 2 MP/Sta. No.: 0.5 Direction: East Comments: Open ROW, St. Cloud Loop. Restoration conditions were acceptable on land owned by the state. NNG stated that a meadow seed mix was applied in September Some areas have since been mowed by the state. Nearby, the banks of a waterbody crossing were stabilized with vegetation (not pictured). The ROW immediately above the waterbody was stabilized with natural fiber erosion control blanket. According to NNG, additional seed was broadcast on June 6, 2018.

8 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2018 FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Company: Northern Natural Gas Company Docket No.: CP Project: Northern Lights 2017 Expansion Loop: St. Cloud Loop Photo No.: 3 MP/Sta. No.: 0.6 Direction: Northeast Comments: Open ROW, St. Cloud Loop. Revegetation was acceptable along the section of ROW that crossed both county (foreground) and state (background) property. NNG was responsible for restoring the state land, but the county planned to reseed with their own native seed mix. The day before the inspection, the county treated some areas with herbicide (not pictured) as part of their plan to create and manage a natural meadow. No problem areas or noncompliances were observed. Photo No.: 4 MP/Sta. No.: ~2.8 Direction: North Comments: Agricultural ROW, St. Cloud Loop, Staging Area, Horizontal Direction Drill 04 Pullback Pipe ROW. The St. Cloud Loop staging area was restored to agricultural use. Revegetation was acceptable at a nearby valve setting and temporary workspace. The Wetlands 36N24W22-W11 and W08A, and Waterbody 36N24W22S10 crossings, and surrounding uplands (near MP ~2.5) were also restored acceptably. Slope breakers and ECDs were installed above the resource complex and properly maintained (not pictured).

9 FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Company: Northern Natural Gas Company Project: Northern Lights 2017 Expansion Docket No.: CP Loop: Princeton Loop Photo No.: 5 MP/Sta. No.: 0.2 Direction: North Comments: Open and Forested ROW, Princeton Loop. At the northern end of the Princeton Loop, the ROW, a wetland, and an additional temporary workspace were adequately restored. Equipment mats were removed, but silt fence was still in place. A staging area to the north was also restored and revegetation was acceptable (not pictured). Photo No.: 6 MP/Sta. No.: ~1.2 Direction: South Comments: Residential and Open ROW, Princeton Loop. A portion of a residential lawn and horse pasture, that were part of the ROW and an additional temporary workspace, were restored acceptably and seeded. Nearby (MP 1.0), the ROW was returned to agricultural use (not pictured). Also, a RCE was removed and a temporary access road was restored (MP ~1.4, not pictured).

10 FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Company: Northern Natural Gas Company Project: Northern Lights 2017 Expansion Docket No.: CP Loop: Princeton Loop Photo No.: 7 MP/Sta. No.: ~1.8 Direction: South Comments: Forested and Agricultural ROW, Princeton Loop. A narrow stretch of forested ROW that was open cut during construction was restored. According to NNG, the ROW was narrowed through the forest crossing at a landowner s request to protect saleable oak trees. Nearby, a drill site and temporary workspace (not pictured) were restored and ECDs were still in place, but a swale above the drill site needed to be stabilized with erosion control blanket, according to NNG, and was now stable with vegetation. Photo No.: 8 MP/Sta. No.: 2.0 Direction: North Comments: Open ROW, Princeton Loop, Valve Setting. The valve setting site at the southernmost end of the Princeton Loop was restored acceptably. The site was stabilized with a gravel groundcover, and a permanent driveway was installed. The surrounding ROW was revegetated.

11 FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Company: Northern Natural Gas Company Project: Northern Lights 2017 Expansion Docket No.: CP Facility: Faribault CS Photo No.: 9 Facility: Faribault CS Direction: Northeast Comments: Aboveground Facility. Revegetation was acceptable at the laydown area for the Faribault CS. NNG anticipated that the permanent facility fence will be moved out 50 feet for new construction in Outside the fence, a staging area, access road, and an agricultural wetland (Wetland 109n21w3-w01) were returned to agriculture (not pictured). The area around the facility s buildings within the station yard was stabilized with a gravel ground cover (not pictured) or revegetated. Photo No.: 10 Facility: Faribault CS Direction: South Comments: Aboveground Facility, Wetland 109N21W2-W02. An agricultural wetland inside the station fence was restored, and temporary ECDs were removed. Revegetation was acceptable. Nearby, a rock berm was installed alongside the station fence to prevent gravel from leaving the facility (not pictured).

12 Document Content(s) CP Restoration.DOCX