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Reclamation Planning for Energy Development Projects: Wamsutter, WY; A Case Study

Reclamation Planning for Energy Development Projects: Wamsutter, WY; A Case Study. C. Driessen, B. Teson, D. Marshall, R. Antsotegui. June 3, 2013. Outline. Background Wamsutter Field Reclamation Challenges Regulatory Framework Pre-Construction Planning Components of a Reclamation Plan

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Reclamation Planning for Energy Development Projects: Wamsutter, WY; A Case Study

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  1. Reclamation Planning for Energy Development Projects: Wamsutter, WY; A Case Study C. Driessen, B. Teson, D. Marshall, R. Antsotegui June 3, 2013

  2. Outline • Background • Wamsutter Field Reclamation Challenges • Regulatory Framework • Pre-Construction Planning • Components of a Reclamation Plan • Case Studies • Conclusions

  3. Wamsutter Natural Gas Field

  4. Reclamation Challenges • Climate • Soils • Invasive species • Grazing

  5. Problem • Construction process often reduces soil suitability • Mixing of salts and clays into surface soils • Loss of soil structure • Compaction • Dilution of organic matter

  6. Solutions • Pre-construction planning • Determine soil quality and plant community types prior to surface disturbing activities • Create a site-specific reclamation plan based on pre-construction assessment

  7. Pre-Construction Planning • Wyoming Reclamation Policy (BLM, 2009) • 10 reclamation requirements for proposed disturbances • Rawlins Reclamation Guidance (BLM, 2011) • Describes how to meet the 10 requirements

  8. Reclamation Plan • Site description • Map soils and vegetation communities • Soil salvage plan • Seed mix • Weed management • Monitoring plan

  9. Site Description • Legal description • Size/shape • Landowner • Land use • Slope/aspect • Other features • General observations on soil and vegetation

  10. Soil and Vegetation Communities • Strongly influenced by: • Geology • Topography

  11. Correlation of Soil Chemistry and Plant Community • Sagebrush, grass • Suitable soils • Grass, saltbush, sagebrush • Slightly-Moderately Saline soils • Saltbush, Grass • Saline (or sodic) soils • Greasewood • Sodic, (or saline/sodic) Abundant Suitabilityfor Plant Growth Moderate Minimal

  12. Soil and Vegetation Communities • Map soil/vegetation communities • Within each community: • Soil samples • Species composition and cover • Ecological Site Description (ESD)

  13. Soil/Vegetation Communities

  14. Develop Soil Salvage Plan

  15. Develop Seed Mixes • Species present • Species adapted to local conditions

  16. Monitoring and Weed Management • Monitoring schedule • Reporting • Weed management: • Prevention • Monitoring • Control • Reporting

  17. Case Study 1 • Saltbush-grass community

  18. Case Study 1 • Salvage 6 inches of soil

  19. Case Study 1

  20. Case Study 2 • Sagebrush (A) and saltbush-grass (B) communities A B

  21. Case Study 2 • Salvage 12 inches in sagebrush community (A) • Salvage 6 inches in saltbush-grass community (B)

  22. Case Study 2

  23. Conclusions • Over 150 pre-construction assessments completed • Few proposed well pads have been built and reclaimed • Proper soil salvage maximizes suitable material for reclamation • Communication of soil salvage plan

  24. Conclusions • Effective Pre-construction Planning… • Maximizes suitable material • Reduces mixing • Reduced need for soil amendments • Leads to faster revegetation

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