Environmental Protections for the National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation Dunkirk Pipeline Proposal

The New York State Department of Public Service has issued a document outlining the proposed water quality certification conditions for the National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation's Dunkirk Pipeline Proposal. The document, dated March 26, 2015, outlines specific conditions to be met to protect streams, waterbodies, and wetlands during the construction, operation, and maintenance of the pipeline project.

Key Takeaways:

• The Permittee/Certificate Holder must minimize disruption to streams and waterbodies during project construction, operation, and maintenance, and implement measures to protect protected streams and water bodies from runoff and sedimentation (Section 1).
• The Permittee/Certificate Holder must provide a detailed mitigation plan that incorporates measures to be taken for the temporary loss of wetland function, and for the permanent conversion of forested wetland and other wetlands (Section 2).
• The Permittee/Certificate Holder must promptly notify DPS Staff and the DEC Region 9 Natural Resources Supervisor if any threatened or endangered animal species or animal species of special concern or rare, threatened or endangered plants are encountered on the Project ROW, access roads, and marshalling yards (Section 3).
• The Permittee/Certificate Holder must take all practicable steps to minimize the introduction and spread of invasive species within the ROW, and apply the construction and maintenance activities included in the Permittee/Certificate Holder's Invasive Species Control Plan (Section 4).
• The Permittee/Certificate Holder must train clearing crews to identify the Asian Long-horned Beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer, and other insects identified by NYSDEC as a potential problem (Section 5).
• The Permittee/Certificate Holder must submit a post-construction invasive species monitoring plan, including 5 years of monitoring, treatment methods, and areas to be covered (Section 6).

Statistics:

• 100 feet will be maintained as a buffer zone from streams and waterbodies or wetlands to prevent disruption and pollution (Section 1).
• The Permittee/Certificate Holder will be required to implement approved procedures for erosion and sediment control, as outlined in the New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control (2005) (Section 1).
• 5 years of monitoring will be required as part of the post-construction invasive species monitoring plan (Section 6).

Sources:

• New York State Department of Public Service. (March 26, 2015). New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Proposed Water Quality Certification Conditions Pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act For the National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation Dunkirk Pipeline Proposal Case # 14-T-0458. Page 1 of 2.