UPLAND EROSION CONTROL, REVEGETATION, AND · conservation authorities or land management agencies...

UPLAND EROSION CONTROL,

REVEGETATION, AND

MAINTENANCE PLAN

Federal energy regulatory Commission

oFFiCe oF energy ProjeCts

Table of Contents

I. ApplIcAbIlIty.......................................................1II. SupervISIonAndInSpectIon ................................... 3 A. environmental insPeCtion......................................3 B. resPonsibilities oF environmental insPeCtors...3III.preconStructIonplAnnIng.................................7 A. ConstruCtion work areas ................................7 B. drain tile and irrigation systems .....................7 C. grazing deFerment ...........................................8 D. road Crossings and aCCess Points ....................8 E. disPosal Planning ............................................8 F. agenCy Coordination .......................................9 G. sPill Prevention and resPonse ProCedures .....10 H. residential ConstruCtion ...............................10 I. winter ConstruCtion Plans ............................10IV. InStAllAtIon ...........................................................11 A. aPProved areas oF disturbanCe...........................11 B. toPsoil segregation..............................................13 C. drain tiles...............................................................14 D. irrigation................................................................15 E. road Crossings and aCCess Points.....................15 F. temPorary erosion Control...............................15 1. TemporarySlopeBreakers.................................... 16 2. TemporaryTrenchPlugs....................................... 17 3. SedimentBarriers................................................... 17 4. Mulch...................................................................... 18

V. reStorAtIon .......................................................... 20 A. CleanuP.................................................................... 20 B. Permanent erosion Control deviCes..................21 1. TrenchBreakers.............................................................. 21 2. PermanentSlopeBreakers............................................22 C.soil ComPaCtion mitigation.................................24 D.revegetation............................................................24 1. General...........................................................................24 2. SoilAdditives.................................................................25 3. SeedingRequirements...................................................25

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I.aPPliCability

A. TheintentofthisPlanistoassistprojectsponsorsbyidentifyingbaselinemitigationmeasuresforminimizingerosionandenhancingrevegetation.ProjectsponsorsshallspecifyintheirapplicationsforanewFERCauthorizationandinpriornoticeandadvancenoticefilings,anyindividualmeasuresinthisPlantheyconsiderunnecessary,technicallyinfeasible,orunsuitableduetolocalconditionsandfullydescribeanyalternativemeasurestheywoulduse.Projectsponsorsshallalsoexplainhowthosealternativemeasureswouldachieveacomparablelevelofmitigation.

Onceaprojectisauthorized,projectsponsorscanrequestfurtherchangesasvariancestothemeasuresinthisPlan(ortheapplicant’sapprovedplan).TheDirectoroftheOfficeofEnergyProjects(Director)willconsiderapprovalofvariancesupontheprojectsponsor’swrittenrequest,iftheDirectoragreesthatavariance:

1. providesequalorbetterenvironmentalprotection;

2. isnecessarybecauseaportionofthisPlanisinfeasibleorunworkablebasedonproject-specificconditions;or

3. isspecificallyrequiredinwritingbyanotherfederal,state,orNativeAmericanlandmanagementagencyfortheportionoftheprojectonitslandorunderitsjurisdiction.

VI. off-roAdvehIclecontrol .................................27

VII. poSt-conStructIonActIvItIeSAndreportIng ..27 A.monitoring and maintenanCe............................ 27 B.rePorting................................................................. 29

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II.suPervision and insPeCtion

A. ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTION 1. AtleastoneEnvironmentalInspectorisrequiredfor

eachconstructionspreadduringconstructionandrestoration(asdefinedbysectionV).ThenumberandexperienceofEnvironmentalInspectorsassignedtoeachconstructionspreadshallbeappropriateforthelengthoftheconstructionspreadandthenumber/significanceofresourcesaffected.

2. EnvironmentalInspectorsshallhavepeerstatuswithallotheractivityinspectors.

3. EnvironmentalInspectorsshallhavetheauthoritytostopactivitiesthatviolatetheenvironmentalconditionsoftheFERC’sOrders,stipulationsofotherenvironmentalpermitsorapprovals,orlandownereasementagreements;andtoorderappropriatecorrectiveaction.

B. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTORS

Ataminimum,theEnvironmentalInspector(s)shallberesponsiblefor:

1. InspectingconstructionactivitiesforcompliancewiththerequirementsofthisPlan,theProcedures,theenvironmentalconditionsoftheFERC’sOrders,themitigationmeasuresproposedbytheproject

SponsorsofprojectsplannedforconstructionundertheautomaticauthorizationprovisionsintheFERC’sregulationsmustreceivewrittenapprovalforanyvariancesinadvanceofconstruction.

Project-relatedimpactsonwetlandandwaterbodysystemsareaddressedinthestaff’sWetlandandWaterbodyConstructionandMitigationProcedures(Procedures).

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dewateringactivitiesifsuchdepositionisoccurringandensuringthedesignofthedischargeischangedtopreventreoccurrence;andverifyingthatdewateringstructuresareremovedaftercompletionofdewateringactivities;

8. Ensuringthatsubsoilandtopsoilaretestedinagriculturalandresidentialareastomeasurecompactionanddeterminetheneedforcorrectiveaction;

9. AdvisingtheChiefConstructionInspectorwhenenvironmentalconditions(suchaswetweatherorfrozensoils)makeitadvisabletorestrictordelayconstructionactivitiestoavoidtopsoilmixingorexcessivecompaction;

10. Ensuringrestorationofcontoursandtopsoil;

11. Verifyingthatthesoilsimportedforagriculturalorresidentialusearecertifiedasfreeofnoxiousweedsandsoilpests,unlessotherwiseapprovedbythelandowner;

12. Ensuringthaterosioncontroldevicesareproperlyinstalledtopreventsedimentflowintosensitiveenvironmentalresourceareas(e.g.,wetlands,waterbodies,culturalresourcesites,andsensitivespecieshabitats)andontoroads,anddeterminingtheneedforadditionalerosioncontroldevices;

13. Inspectingandensuringthemaintenanceoftemporaryerosioncontrolmeasuresatleast:

a. onadailybasisinareasofactiveconstructionor

sponsor(asapprovedand/ormodifiedbytheOrder),otherenvironmentalpermitsandapprovals,andenvironmentalrequirementsinlandownereasementagreements.

2. Identifying,documenting,andoverseeingcorrectiveactions,asnecessarytobringanactivitybackintocompliance;

3. Verifyingthatthelimitsofauthorizedconstructionworkareasandlocationsofaccessroadsarevisiblymarkedbeforeclearing,andmaintainedthroughoutconstruction;

4. Verifyingthelocationofsignsandhighlyvisibleflaggingmarkingtheboundariesofsensitiveresourceareas,waterbodies,wetlands,orareaswithspecialrequirementsalongtheconstructionworkarea;

5. Identifyingerosion/sedimentcontrolandsoilstabilizationneedsinallareas;

6. Ensuringthatthedesignofslopebreakerswillnotcauseerosionordirectwaterintosensitiveenvironmentalresourceareas,includingculturalresourcesites,wetlands,waterbodies,andsensitivespecieshabitats;

7. Verifyingthatdewateringactivitiesareproperlymonitoredanddonotresultinthedepositionofsand,silt,and/orsedimentintosensitiveenvironmentalresourceareas,includingwetlands,waterbodies,culturalresourcesites,andsensitivespecieshabitats;stopping

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III. PreConstruCtion Planning Theprojectsponsorshalldothefollowingbefore

construction:

A. CONSTRUCTION WORK AREAS 1. Identifyallconstructionworkareas(e.g.,construction

right-of-way,extraworkspaceareas,pipestorageandcontractoryards,borrowanddisposalareas,accessroads)thatwouldbeneededforsafeconstruction.Theprojectsponsormustensurethatappropriateculturalresourcesandbiologicalsurveysareconducted,asdeterminednecessarybytheappropriatefederalandstateagencies.

2. Projectsponsorsareencouragedtoconsiderexpandinganyrequiredculturalresourcesandendangeredspeciessurveysinanticipationoftheneedforactivitiesoutsideofauthorizedworkareas.

3. Planconstructionsequencingtolimittheamountanddurationofopentrenchsections,asnecessary,topreventexcessiveerosionorsedimentflowintosensitiveenvironmentalresourceareas.

B. DRAIN TILE AND IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

1. Attempttolocateexistingdraintilesandirrigationsystems.

2. Contactlandownersandlocalsoilconservation

equipmentoperation;

b. onaweeklybasisinareaswithnoconstructionorequipmentoperation;and

c. within24hoursofeach0.5inchofrainfall;

14. Ensuringtherepairofallineffectivetemporaryerosioncontrolmeasureswithin24hoursofidentification,orassoonasconditionsallowifcompliancewiththistimeframewouldresultingreaterenvironmentalimpacts;

15. KeepingrecordsofcompliancewiththeenvironmentalconditionsoftheFERC’sOrders,andthemitigationmeasuresproposedbytheprojectsponsorintheapplicationsubmittedtotheFERC,andotherfederalorstateenvironmentalpermitsduringactiveconstructionandrestoration;

16. Identifyingareasthatshouldbegivenspecialattentiontoensurestabilizationandrestorationaftertheconstructionphase;and

17. VerifyingthatlocationsforanydisposalofexcessconstructionmaterialsforbeneficialreusecomplywithsectionIII.E.

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compliancewithallapplicablesurvey,landownerorlandmanagementagencyapproval,andpermitrequirements.

F. AGENCY COORDINATION Theprojectsponsormustcoordinatewiththeappropriate

local,state,andfederalagenciesasoutlinedinthisPlanand/orrequiredbytheFERC’sOrders.

1. Obtainwrittenrecommendationsfromthelocalsoilconservationauthoritiesorlandmanagementagenciesregardingpermanenterosioncontrolandrevegetationspecifications.

2. Developspecificproceduresincoordinationwiththeappropriateagenciestopreventtheintroductionorspreadofinvasivespecies,noxiousweeds,andsoilpestsresultingfromconstructionandrestorationactivities.

3. Developspecificproceduresincoordinationwiththeappropriateagenciesandlandowners,asnecessary,toallowforlivestockandwildlifemovementandprotectionduringconstruction.

4. Developspecificblastingproceduresincoordinationwiththeappropriateagenciesthataddresspre-andpost-blastinspections;advancedpublicnotification;andmitigationmeasuresforbuildingfoundations,groundwaterwells,andsprings.Useappropriatemethods(e.g.,blastingmats)topreventdamagetonearbystructuresandtopreventdebrisfromenteringsensitiveenvironmentalresourceareas.

authoritiestodeterminethelocationsoffuturedraintilesthatarelikelytobeinstalledwithin3yearsoftheauthorizedconstruction.

3. Developproceduresforconstructingthroughdrain-tiledareas,maintainingirrigationsystemsduringconstruction,andrepairingdraintilesandirrigationsystemsafterconstruction.

4. Engagequalifieddraintilespecialists,asneededtoconductormonitorrepairstodraintilesystemsaffectedbyconstruction.Usedraintilespecialistsfromtheprojectarea,ifavailable.

C. GRAZING DEFERMENT Developgrazingdefermentplanswithwillinglandowners,

grazingpermittees,andlandmanagementagenciestominimizegrazingdisturbanceofrevegetationefforts.

D. ROAD CROSSINGS AND ACCESS POINTS Planforsafeandaccessibleconditionsatallroadway

crossingsandaccesspointsduringconstructionandrestoration.

E. DISPOSAL PLANNING

Determinemethodsandlocationsfortheregularcollection,containment,anddisposalofexcessconstructionmaterialsanddebris(e.g.,timber,slash,mats,garbage,drillcuttingsandfluids,excessrock)throughouttheconstructionprocess.Disposalofmaterialsforbeneficialreusemustnotresultinadverseenvironmentalimpactandissubjectto

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ThisfilingrequirementdoesnotapplytoprojectsconstructedundertheautomaticauthorizationprovisionsoftheFERC’sregulations.

Theplanshalladdress:

1.winterconstructionprocedures(e.g.,snowhandlingandremoval,accessroadconstructionandmaintenance,soilhandlingundersaturatedorfrozenconditions,topsoilstripping);

2.stabilizationandmonitoringproceduresifgroundconditionswilldelayrestorationuntilthefollowingspring(e.g.,mulchinganderosioncontrols,inspectionandreporting,stormwatercontrolduringspringthawconditions);and

3.finalrestorationprocedures(e.g.,subsidenceandcompactionrepair,topsoilreplacement,seeding).

IV.installation

A. APPROVED AREAS OF DISTURBANCE 1. Project-relatedgrounddisturbanceshallbelimitedto

theconstructionright-of-way,extraworkspaceareas,pipestorageyards,borrowanddisposalareas,accessroads,andotherareasapprovedintheFERC’sOrders.Anyproject-relatedgrounddisturbingactivitiesoutsidetheseareaswillrequirepriorDirectorapproval.Thisrequirementdoesnotapplytoactivitiesneededto

G. SPILL PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PROCEDURES

Theprojectsponsorshalldevelopproject-specificSpillPreventionandResponseProcedures,asspecifiedinsectionIVofthestaff’sProcedures.AcopymustbefiledwiththeSecretaryoftheFERC(Secretary)priortoconstructionandmadeavailableinthefieldoneachconstructionspread.ThefilingrequirementdoesnotapplytoprojectsconstructedundertheautomaticauthorizationprovisionsintheFERC’sregulations.

H. RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION Forallpropertieswithresidenceslocatedwithin50feet

ofconstructionworkareas,projectsponsorsshall:avoidremovalofmaturetreesandlandscapingwithintheconstructionworkareaunlessnecessaryforsafeoperationofconstructionequipment,orasspecifiedinlandowneragreements;fencetheedgeoftheconstructionworkareaforadistanceof100feetoneithersideoftheresidence;andrestorealllawnareasandlandscapingimmediatelyfollowingcleanupoperations,orasspecifiedinlandowneragreements.Ifseasonalorotherweatherconditionspreventcompliancewiththesetimeframes,maintainandmonitortemporaryerosioncontrols(sedimentbarriersandmulch)untilconditionsallowcompletionofrestoration.

I. WINTER CONSTRUCTION PLANS Ifconstructionisplannedtooccurduringwinterweather

conditions,projectsponsorsshalldevelopandfileaproject-specificwinterconstructionplanwiththeFERCapplication.

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a. thelocationofeachadditionalareabystationnumberandreferencetopreviouslyfiledalignmentsheets,orupdatedalignmentsheetsshowingtheadditionalareas;

b. identificationofthefilingatFERCcontainingevidencethattheadditionalareaswerepreviouslysurveyed;and

c. astatementthatlandownerapprovalhasbeenobtainedandisavailableinprojectfiles.

PriorwrittenapprovaloftheDirectorisrequiredwhentheauthorizedconstructionright-of-waywidthwouldbeexpandedbymorethan25feet.

B. TOPSOIL SEGREGATION 1. Unlessthelandownerorlandmanagementagency

specificallyapprovesotherwise,preventthemixingoftopsoilwithsubsoilbystrippingtopsoilfromeitherthefullworkareaorfromthetrenchandsubsoilstoragearea(ditchplusspoilsidemethod)in:

a. cultivatedorrotatedcroplands,andmanagedpastures;

b. residentialareas;

c. hayfields;and

d. otherareasatthelandowner’sorlandmanagingagency’srequest.

2. Inresidentialareas,importationoftopsoilisanacceptablealternativetotopsoilsegregation.

complywiththePlanandProcedures(i.e.,slopebreakers,energy-dissipatingdevices,dewateringstructures,draintilesystemrepairs)orminorfieldrealignmentsandworkspaceshiftsperlandownerneedsandrequirementsthatdonotaffectotherlandownersorsensitiveenvironmentalresourceareas.Allconstructionorrestorationactivitiesoutsideofauthorizedareasaresubjecttoallapplicablesurveyandpermitrequirements,andlandownereasementagreements.

2. Theconstructionright-of-waywidthforaprojectshallnotexceed75feetorthatdescribedintheFERCapplicationunlessotherwisemodifiedbyaFERCOrder.However,inlimited,non-wetlandareas,thisconstructionright-of-waywidthmaybeexpandedbyupto25feetwithoutDirectorapprovaltoaccommodatefullconstructionright-of-waytopsoilsegregationandtoensuresafeconstructionwheretopographicconditions(e.g.,side-slopes)orsoillimitationsrequireit.Twenty-fivefeetofextraconstructionright-of-waywidthmayalsobeusedinlimited,non-wetlandornon-forestedareasfortruckturn-aroundswherenoreasonablealternativeaccessexists.

Projectuseoftheseadditionallimitedareasissubjecttolandownerorlandmanagementagencyapprovalandcompliancewithallapplicablesurveyandpermitrequirements.Whenadditionalareasareused,eachoneshallbeidentifiedandtheneedexplainedintheweeklyorbiweeklyconstructionreportstotheFERC,ifrequired.Thefollowingmaterialshallbeincludedinthereports:

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andrepairs.

4. Fornewpipelinesinareaswheredraintilesexistorareplanned,ensurethatthedepthofcoveroverthepipelineissufficienttoavoidinterferencewithdraintilesystems.Foradjacentpipelineloopsinagriculturalareas,installthenewpipelinewithatleastthesamedepthofcoverastheexistingpipeline(s).

D. IRRIGATION Maintainwaterflowincropirrigationsystems,unless

shutoffiscoordinatedwithaffectedparties.

E. ROAD CROSSINGS AND ACCESS POINTS 1. Maintainsafeandaccessibleconditionsatallroad

crossingsandaccesspointsduringconstruction.

2. Ifcrushedstoneaccesspadsareusedinresidentialoragriculturalareas,placethestoneonsyntheticfabrictofacilitateremoval.

3. Minimizetheuseoftrackedequipmentonpublicroadways.Removeanysoilorgravelspilledortrackedontoroadwaysdailyormorefrequentasnecessarytomaintainsaferoadconditions.Repairanydamagestoroadwaysurfaces,shoulders,andbarditches.

F. TEMPORARY EROSION CONTROL Installtemporaryerosioncontrolsimmediatelyafterinitial

disturbanceofthesoil.Temporaryerosioncontrolsmustbeproperlymaintainedthroughoutconstruction(onadailybasis)andreinstalledasnecessary(suchasafter

3. Wheretopsoilsegregationisrequired,theprojectsponsormust:

a. segregateatleast12inchesoftopsoilindeepsoils(morethan12inchesoftopsoil);and

b. makeeveryefforttosegregatetheentiretopsoillayerinsoilswithlessthan12inchesoftopsoil.

4. Maintainseparationofsalvagedtopsoilandsubsoilthroughoutallconstructionactivities.

5. Segregatedtopsoilmaynotbeusedforpaddingthepipe,constructingtemporaryslopebreakersortrenchplugs,improvingormaintainingroads,orasafillmaterial.

6. Stabilizetopsoilpilesandminimizelossduetowindandwatererosionwithuseofsedimentbarriers,mulch,temporaryseeding,tackifiers,orfunctionalequivalents,wherenecessary.

C. DRAIN TILES 1. Marklocationsofdraintilesdamagedduring

construction.

2. Probealldrainagetilesystemswithintheareaofdisturbancetocheckfordamage.

3. Repairdamageddraintilestotheiroriginalorbettercondition.Donotusefilter-covereddraintilesunlessthelocalsoilconservationauthoritiesandthelandowneragree.Usequalifiedspecialistsfortesting

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2. TemporaryTrenchPlugs

Temporarytrenchplugsareintendedtosegmentacontinuousopentrenchpriortobackfill.

a. Temporarytrenchplugsmayconsistofunexcavatedportionsofthetrench,compactedsubsoil,sandbags,orsomefunctionalequivalent.

b. Positiontemporarytrenchplugs,asnecessary,toreducetrenchlineerosionandminimizethevolumeandvelocityoftrenchwaterflowatthebaseofslopes.

3. SedimentBarriers

Sedimentbarriersareintendedtostoptheflowofsedimentsandtopreventthedepositionofsedimentsbeyondapprovedworkspacesorintosensitiveresources.

a. Sedimentbarriersmaybeconstructedofmaterialssuchassiltfence,stakedhayorstrawbales,compactedearth(e.g.,driveablebermsacrosstravelways),sandbags,orotherappropriatematerials.

b. Ataminimum,installandmaintaintemporarysedimentbarriersacrosstheentireconstructionright-of-wayatthebaseofslopesgreaterthan5percentwherethebaseoftheslopeislessthan50feetfromawaterbody,wetland,orroadcrossinguntilrevegetationissuccessfulasdefinedinthisPlan.Leaveadequateroombetweenthebaseoftheslopeandthesedimentbarriertoaccommodate

backfillingofthetrench)untilreplacedbypermanenterosioncontrolsorrestorationiscomplete.

1. TemporarySlopeBreakers

a. Temporaryslopebreakersareintendedtoreducerunoffvelocityanddivertwaterofftheconstructionright-of-way.Temporaryslopebreakersmaybeconstructedofmaterialssuchassoil,siltfence,stakedhayorstrawbales,orsandbags.

b. Installtemporaryslopebreakersonalldisturbedareas,asnecessarytoavoidexcessiveerosion.Temporaryslopebreakersmustbeinstalledonslopesgreaterthan5percentwherethebaseoftheslopeislessthan50feetfromwaterbody,wetland,androadcrossingsatthefollowingspacing(closerspacingshallbeusedifnecessary):

Slope(%) Spacing(feet)

5-15 300

>15-30 200

>30 100

c. Directtheoutfallofeachtemporaryslopebreakertoastable,wellvegetatedareaorconstructanenergy-dissipatingdeviceattheendoftheslopebreakerandofftheconstructionright-of-way.

d. Positiontheoutfallofeachtemporaryslopebreakertopreventsedimentdischargeintowetlands,waterbodies,orothersensitiveenvironmentalresourceareas.

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(2)constructionorrestorationactivityisinterruptedforextendedperiods,suchaswhenseedingcannotbecompletedduetoseedingperiodrestrictions.

d. Ifmulchingbeforeseeding,increasemulchapplicationonallslopeswithin100feetofwaterbodiesandwetlandstoarateof3tons/acreofstraworequivalent.

e. Ifwoodchipsareusedasmulch,donotusemorethan1ton/acreandaddtheequivalentof11lbs/acreavailablenitrogen(atleast50percentofwhichisslowrelease).

f. Ensurethatmulchisadequatelyanchoredtominimizelossduetowindandwater.

g. Whenanchoringwithliquidmulchbinders,useratesrecommendedbythemanufacturer.Donotuseliquidmulchbinderswithin100feetofwetlandsorwaterbodies,exceptwheretheproductiscertifiedenvironmentallynon-toxicbytheappropriatestateorfederalagencyorindependentstandards-settingorganization.

h. Donotusesyntheticmonofilamentmesh/nettederosioncontrolmaterialsinareasdesignatedassensitivewildlifehabitat,unlesstheproductisspecificallydesignedtominimizeharmtowildlife.Anchorerosioncontrolfabricwithstaplesorotherappropriatedevices.

pondingofwaterandsedimentdeposition.

c. Wherewetlandsorwaterbodiesareadjacenttoanddownslopeofconstructionworkareas,installsedimentbarriersalongtheedgeoftheseareas,asnecessarytopreventsedimentflowintothewetlandorwaterbody.

4. Mulch

a. Applymulchonallslopes(exceptincultivatedcropland)concurrentwithorimmediatelyafterseeding,wherenecessarytostabilizethesoilsurfaceandtoreducewindandwatererosion.Spreadmulchuniformlyovertheareatocoveratleast75percentofthegroundsurfaceatarateof2tons/acreofstraworitsequivalent,unlessthelocalsoilconservationauthority,landowner,orlandmanagingagencyapprovesotherwiseinwriting.

b. Mulchcanconsistofweed-freestraworhay,woodfiberhydromulch,erosioncontrolfabric,orsomefunctionalequivalent.

c. Mulchalldisturbeduplandareas(exceptcultivatedcropland)beforeseedingif:

(1)finalgradingandinstallationofpermanenterosioncontrolmeasureswillnotbecompletedinanareawithin20daysafterthetrenchinthatareaisbackfilled(10daysinresidentialareas),asrequiredinsectionV.A.1;or

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3. Rockexcavatedfromthetrenchmaybeusedtobackfillthetrenchonlytothetopoftheexistingbedrockprofile.Rockthatisnotreturnedtothetrenchshallbeconsideredconstructiondebris,unlessapprovedforuseasmulchorforsomeotheruseontheconstructionworkareasbythelandownerorlandmanagingagency.

4. Removeexcessrockfromatleastthetop12inchesofsoilinallcultivatedorrotatedcropland,managedpastures,hayfields,andresidentialareas,aswellasotherareasatthelandowner’srequest.Thesize,density,anddistributionofrockontheconstructionworkareashallbesimilartoadjacentareasnotdisturbedbyconstruction.Thelandownerorlandmanagementagencymayapproveotherprovisionsinwriting.

5. Gradetheconstructionright-of-waytorestorepre-constructioncontoursandleavethesoilintheproperconditionforplanting.

6. Removeconstructiondebrisfromallconstructionworkareasunlessthelandownerorlandmanagingagencyapprovesleavingmaterialsonsiteforbeneficialreuse,stabilization,orhabitatrestoration.

7. Removetemporarysedimentbarrierswhenreplacedbypermanenterosioncontrolmeasuresorwhenrevegetationissuccessful.

B. PERMANENT EROSION CONTROL DEVICES 1. TrenchBreakers

a. Trenchbreakersareintendedtoslowtheflowof

V. restoration

A. CLEANUP 1. Commencecleanupoperationsimmediatelyfollowing

backfilloperations.Completefinalgrading,topsoilreplacement,andinstallationofpermanenterosioncontrolstructureswithin20daysafterbackfillingthetrench(10daysinresidentialareas).Ifseasonalorotherweatherconditionspreventcompliancewiththesetimeframes,maintaintemporaryerosioncontrols(i.e.,temporaryslopebreakers,sedimentbarriers,andmulch)untilconditionsallowcompletionofcleanup.

Ifconstructionorrestorationunexpectedlycontinuesintothewinterseasonwhenconditionscoulddelaysuccessfuldecompaction,topsoilreplacement,orseedinguntilthefollowingspring,filewiththeSecretaryforthereviewandwrittenapprovaloftheDirector,awinterconstructionplan(asspecifiedinsectionIII.I).ThisfilingrequirementdoesnotapplytoprojectsconstructedundertheautomaticauthorizationprovisionsoftheFERC’sregulations.

2. AtravellanemaybeleftopentemporarilytoallowaccessbyconstructiontrafficifthetemporaryerosioncontrolstructuresareinstalledasspecifiedinsectionIV.F.andinspectedandmaintainedasspecifiedinsectionsII.B.12through14.Whenaccessisnolongerrequiredthetravellanemustberemovedandtheright-of-wayrestored.

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b. Constructandmaintainpermanentslopebreakersinallareas,exceptcultivatedareasandlawns,unlessrequestedbythelandowner,usingspacingrecommendationsobtainedfromthelocalsoilconservationauthorityorlandmanagingagency.

Intheabsenceofwrittenrecommendations,usethefollowingspacingunlesscloserspacingisnecessarytoavoidexcessiveerosionontheconstructionright-of-way:

Slope(%) Spacing(feet)

5-15 300

>15-30 200

>30 100

c. Constructslopebreakerstodivertsurfaceflowtoastableareawithoutcausingwatertopoolorerodebehindthebreaker.Intheabsenceofastablearea,constructappropriateenergy-dissipatingdevicesattheendofthebreaker.

d. Slopebreakersmayextendslightly(about4feet)beyondtheedgeoftheconstructionright-of-waytoeffectivelydrainwateroffthedisturbedarea.Whereslopebreakersextendbeyondtheedgeoftheconstructionright-of-way,theyaresubjecttocompliancewithallapplicablesurveyrequirements.

subsurfacewateralongthetrench.Trenchbreakersmaybeconstructedofmaterialssuchassandbagsorpolyurethanefoam.Donotusetopsoilintrenchbreakers.

b. Anengineerorsimilarlyqualifiedprofessionalshalldeterminetheneedforandspacingoftrenchbreakers.Otherwise,trenchbreakersshallbeinstalledatthesamespacingasandupslopeofpermanentslopebreakers.

c. Inagriculturalfieldsandresidentialareaswhereslopebreakersarenottypicallyrequired,installtrenchbreakersatthesamespacingasifpermanentslopebreakerswererequired.

d. Ataminimum,installatrenchbreakeratthebaseofslopesgreaterthan5percentwherethebaseoftheslopeislessthan50feetfromawaterbodyorwetlandandwhereneededtoavoiddrainingawaterbodyorwetland.Installtrenchbreakersatwetlandboundaries,asspecifiedintheProcedures.Donotinstalltrenchbreakerswithinawetland.

2. PermanentSlopeBreakers

a. Permanentslopebreakersareintendedtoreducerunoffvelocity,divertwaterofftheconstructionright-of-way,andpreventsedimentdepositionintosensitiveresources.Permanentslopebreakersmaybeconstructedofmaterialssuchassoil,stone,orsomefunctionalequivalent.

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2. SoilAdditives

FertilizeandaddsoilpHmodifiersinaccordancewithwrittenrecommendationsobtainedfromthelocalsoilconservationauthority,landmanagementagencies,orlandowner.IncorporaterecommendedsoilpHmodifierandfertilizerintothetop2inchesofsoilassoonaspracticableafterapplication.

3. SeedingRequirements

a. Prepareaseedbedindisturbedareastoadepthof3to4inchesusingappropriateequipmenttoprovideafirmseedbed.Whenhydroseeding,scarifytheseedbedtofacilitatelodgingandgerminationofseed.

b. Seeddisturbedareasinaccordancewithwrittenrecommendationsforseedmixes,rates,anddatesobtainedfromthelocalsoilconservationauthorityortherequestofthelandownerorlandmanagementagency.Seedingisnotrequiredincultivatedcroplandsunlessrequestedbythelandowner.

c. Performseedingofpermanentvegetationwithintherecommendedseedingdates.Ifseedingcannotbedonewithinthosedates,useappropriatetemporaryerosioncontrolmeasuresdiscussedinsectionIV.Fandperformseedingofpermanentvegetationatthebeginningofthenextrecommendedseedingseason.Dormantseedingortemporaryseedingofannualspeciesmayalsobeused,ifnecessary,toestablishcover,asapprovedbytheEnvironmentalInspector.

C. SOIL COMPACTION MITIGATION 1. Testtopsoilandsubsoilforcompactionatregular

intervalsinagriculturalandresidentialareasdisturbedbyconstructionactivities.Conducttestsonthesamesoiltypeundersimilarmoistureconditionsinundisturbedareastoapproximatepreconstructionconditions.Usepenetrometersorotherappropriatedevicestoconducttests.

2. Plowseverelycompactedagriculturalareaswithaparaploworotherdeeptillageimplement.Inareaswheretopsoilhasbeensegregated,plowthesubsoilbeforereplacingthesegregatedtopsoil.

Ifsubsequentconstructionandcleanupactivitiesresultinfurthercompaction,conductadditionaltilling.

3. Performappropriatesoilcompactionmitigationinseverelycompactedresidentialareas.

D. REVEGETATION 1. General

a. Theprojectsponsorisresponsibleforensuringsuccessfulrevegetationofsoilsdisturbedbyproject-relatedactivities,exceptasnotedinsectionV.D.1.b.

b. Restoreallturf,ornamentalshrubs,andspecializedlandscapinginaccordancewiththelandowner’srequest,orcompensatethelandowner.Restorationworkmustbeperformedbypersonnelfamiliarwithlocalhorticulturalandturfestablishmentpractices.

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VI. oFF-road vehiCle Control

Toeachownerormanagerofforestedlands,offertoinstallandmaintainmeasurestocontrolunauthorizedvehicleaccesstotheright-of-way.Thesemeasuresmayinclude:

A. Signs;

B. Fenceswithlockinggates;

C. Slashandtimberbarriers,pipebarriers,oralineofbouldersacrosstheright-of-way;and

D. Conifersorotherappropriatetreesorshrubsacrosstheright-of-way.

vii. Post-ConstruCtion aCtivities and rePorting

A. MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE 1. Conductfollow-upinspectionsofalldisturbedareas,as

necessary,todeterminethesuccessofrevegetationandaddresslandownerconcerns.Ataminimum,conductinspectionsafterthefirstandsecondgrowingseasons.

2. Revegetationinnon-agriculturalareasshallbeconsideredsuccessfulifuponvisualsurveythedensityandcoverofnon-nuisancevegetationaresimilarindensityandcovertoadjacentundisturbedlands.Inagriculturalareas,revegetationshallbeconsidered

Lawnsmaybeseededonascheduleestablishedwiththelandowner.

d. Intheabsenceofwrittenrecommendationsfromthelocalsoilconservationauthorities,seedalldisturbedsoilswithin6workingdaysoffinalgrading,weatherandsoilconditionspermitting,subjecttothespecificationsinsectionV.D.3.athroughV.D.3.c.

e. BaseseedingratesonPureLiveSeed.Useseedwithin12monthsofseedtesting.

f. Treatlegumeseedwithaninoculantspecifictothespeciesusingthemanufacturer’srecommendedrateofinoculantappropriatefortheseedingmethod(broadcast,drill,orhydro).

g. Intheabsenceofwrittenrecommendationsfromthelocalsoilconservationauthorities,landowner,orlandmanagingagencytothecontrary,aseeddrillequippedwithacultipackerispreferredforseedapplication.

Broadcastorhydroseedingcanbeusedinlieuofdrillingatdoubletherecommendedseedingrates.Whereseedisbroadcast,firmtheseedbedwithacultipackerorrollerafterseeding.Inrockysoilsorwheresiteconditionsmaylimittheeffectivenessofthisequipment,otheralternativesmaybeappropriate(e.g.,useofachaindrag)tolightlycoverseedafterapplication,asapprovedbytheEnvironmentalInspector.

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6. Effortstocontrolunauthorizedoff-roadvehicleuse,incooperationwiththelandowner,shallcontinuethroughoutthelifeoftheproject.Maintainsigns,gates,andpermanentaccessroadsasnecessary.

B. REPORTING 1. Theprojectsponsorshallmaintainrecordsthatidentify

bymilepost:

a. methodofapplication,applicationrate,andtypeoffertilizer,pHmodifyingagent,seed,andmulchused;

b. acreagetreated;

c. datesofbackfillingandseeding;

d. namesoflandownersrequestingspecialseedingtreatmentandadescriptionofthefollow-upactions;

e. thelocationofanysubsurfacedrainagerepairsorimprovementsmadeduringrestoration;and

f. anyproblemareasandhowtheywereaddressed.

2. TheprojectsponsorshallfilewiththeSecretaryquarterlyactivityreportsdocumentingtheresultsoffollow-upinspectionsrequiredbysectionVII.A.1;anyproblemareas,includingthoseidentifiedbythelandowner;andcorrectiveactionstakenforatleast2yearsfollowingconstruction.

TherequirementtofilequarterlyactivityreportswiththeSecretarydoesnotapplytoprojectsconstructedundertheautomaticauthorization,priornotice,oradvancednoticeprovisionsintheFERC’sregulations.

successfulwhenuponvisualsurvey,cropgrowthandvigoraresimilartoadjacentundisturbedportionsofthesamefield,unlesstheeasementagreementspecifiesotherwise.

Continuerevegetationeffortsuntilrevegetationissuccessful.

3. Monitorandcorrectproblemswithdrainageandirrigationsystemsresultingfrompipelineconstructioninagriculturalareasuntilrestorationissuccessful.

4. Restorationshallbeconsideredsuccessfuliftheright-of-waysurfaceconditionissimilartoadjacentundisturbedlands,constructiondebrisisremoved(unlessotherwiseapprovedbythelandownerorlandmanagingagencypersectionV.A.6),revegetationissuccessful,andproperdrainagehasbeenrestored.

5. Routinevegetationmowingorclearingoverthefullwidthofthepermanentright-of-wayinuplandsshallnotbedonemorefrequentlythanevery3years.However,tofacilitateperiodiccorrosion/leaksurveys,acorridornotexceeding10feetinwidthcenteredonthepipelinemaybeclearedatafrequencynecessarytomaintainthe10-footcorridorinanherbaceousstate.InnocaseshallroutinevegetationmowingorclearingoccurduringthemigratorybirdnestingseasonbetweenApril15andAugust1ofanyyearunlessspecificallyapprovedinwritingbytheresponsiblelandmanagementagencyortheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.

notes notes

notes

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