UPLAND EROSION CONTROL, REVEGETATION, AND · conservation authorities or land management agencies regarding permanent erosion control and revegetation specifications. 2. Develop specific

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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UPLAND Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan

May 2013 Version

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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Documents

UPLAND EROSION CONTROL, REVEGETATION, AND · conservation authorities or land management agencies regarding permanent erosion control and revegetation specifications. 2. Develop specific