APPENDIX J 

WINTER CONSTRUCTION PLAN 
KERN RIVER GAS TRANSMISSION COMPANY

Appendix 1F

Winter Construction Plan

Docket No. CP10-14

Kern River Gas Transmission

Apex Expansion Project

November 2009
KERN RIVER APEX EXPANSION PROJECT WINTER CONSTRUCTION PLAN

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction.................................................................................................... 1-1

1.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................... 1-5

1.2 Overview of Winter Construction Plan.............................................................. 1-5

2. Winter Construction Procedures .................................................................. 2-1

2.1 Snow Removal and Site Preparation................................................................ 2-1

2.2 Excavation and Backfilling ............................................................................... 2-1

2.2.1 East Canyon Creek (MP 5.40) ......................................................................... 2-2

2.2.2 I-15 Corridor Crossing, Jordan River and City Drain Canal (MPs 25.66,

27.16 and 27.48).............................................................................................. 2-3

2.3 Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Measures....................................... 2-4

2.3.1 Equipment Bridges........................................................................................... 2-4

2.3.2 Sediment Barriers ............................................................................................ 2-4

2.3.3 Trench Breakers .............................................................................................. 2-5

2.3.4 Waterbars ........................................................................................................ 2-5

2.3.5 Temporary Mulch and Erosion Control Matting ................................................ 2-6

2.4 Access Road Usage ........................................................................................ 2-6

3. Environmental Management ......................................................................... 3-1

3.1 Winter Inspection and Monitoring Procedures.................................................. 3-1

3.2 Training............................................................................................................ 3-2

3.3 Staffing and Contacts....................................................................................... 3-2

3.4 Reporting ......................................................................................................... 3-3

4. References ..................................................................................................... 4-1
KERN RIVER APEX EXPANSION PROJECT WINTER CONSTRUCTION PLAN

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List of Tables

Table 2-1 Water Bars Spacing Guidelines............................................................................... 2-5

Table 3-1 Winter Construction Contact Information................................................................. 3-3
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Acronym List

ATWS Additional Temporary Workspace

cfs cubic feet per second

Dth/d Dekatherms per day

EI Environmental Inspector

FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

ft feet/foot

hp horsepower

MP Milepost

ROW/ROWs Right(s)-of-Way

USGS United States Geological Survey
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1. INTRODUCTION

Kern River Gas Transmission Company (Kern River) is proposing to construct, own and

operate facilities necessary to expand its existing interstate pipeline system, which extends from

southwestern Wyoming to southern California. The expansion, referred to as the “Apex

Expansion Project (Project),” will provide an additional 266,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of

incremental firm transportation service from existing receipt points in southwestern Wyoming to

existing delivery points in southern Nevada. The incremental capacity will increase Kern River’s

summer design capacity to 2,142,126 Dth/d. The increased capacity will serve new and existing

electric generation facilities near Las Vegas, Nevada. The facilities required to provide this

service include approximately 28.01 miles1 of 36-inch-diameter pipeline in an unlooped section

of Kern River’s pipeline system through the Wasatch Mountains in northern Utah (Wasatch

Loop), 78,000 horsepower (ISO hp) of additional compression at three existing compressor

stations and one new compressor station. In order to maximize operational efficiency under the

expansion design conditions, three existing boost compressor will be restaged and a fourth will

be replaced. No new meter station facilities are required. Other aboveground facilities will

include two mainline block valves, pig launchers/receivers and a branch connection to provide

an existing meter facility with a redundant supply from the Wasatch Loop pipeline. Specifically,

the Project includes the following:

■ Wasatch Loop (Morgan, Davis and Salt Lake Counties, Utah). Approximately 28.01

miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline, looping the existing Kern River mainline;

■ Coyote Creek Compressor Station (Uinta County, Wyoming). An additional 16,000 hp

compressor unit at Kern River’s existing Coyote Creek compressor station and the restaging

of the existing boost compressor;

■ Elberta Compressor Station (Utah County, Utah). An additional 16,000 hp compressor

unit at Kern River’s existing Elberta compressor station and the restaging of the existing

boost compressor;

■ Fillmore Compressor Station (Millard County, Utah). Replacement of a boost

compressor at Kern River’s existing Fillmore compressor station;

■ Milford Compressor Station (Beaver County, Utah). A new single-unit 30,000 hp

compressor station; and

1

The horizontal survey length of the proposed Wasatch Loop alignment is 28.01 miles. All documentation supporting this

application (alignment sheets, feature tables, drawings and other related information) is based upon that alignment length and the

associated milepost references. Exhibits G and G-II reflect a pipeline length of 28.7 miles, which includes an additional 0.69

miles of pipeline that will be required to traverse dramatic elevation changes along that alignment.
KERN RIVER APEX EXPANSION PROJECT WINTER CONSTRUCTION PLAN

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■ Dry Lake Compressor Station (Clark County, Nevada). An additional 16,000 hp

compressor unit at Kern River’s existing Dry Lake compressor station and the restaging of

the existing boost compressor.

Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2010, with all facilities placed in-service by

November 1, 2011. Along with this in-service date, Kern River intends to complete all of the

primary reclamation work including clean-up, finish grading, permanent erosion and sediment

control work and dormant seeding by the end of the fall of 2011 for the Wasatch Loop in

accordance with its Reclamation Plan (Resource Report 7, Appendix 7D). While the bulk of the

compression and pipeline construction work will occur during the spring/summer/fall of 2011,

there are definite advantages to performing certain construction activities in advance. Having

the flexibility to schedule compression and pipeline construction activities during this full 13-

month construction period provides Kern River with opportunities to 1) minimize localized

environmental impacts; 2) take advantage of the best construction weather available across the

system; 3) reduce the scope of work to be performed and lessen the strain on available

construction and Project support resources in 2011; 4) tie-in new facilities and modify existing

facilities with minimum impact to on-going operations and available capacity; and 5) to maximize

the probability of completing the Project in time to meet contractual service commitments. To

realize these benefits, Kern River will endeavor to perform Project construction activities as

described in the paragraphs that follow.

The work at the Fillmore compressor station involves the replacement of an existing

boost compressor and associated piping modifications. This unit has a high utilization, and its

availability is critical to Kern River operations. As such, it is important to schedule the

construction work during an operational window that minimizes system impact during the fall of

2010 or the early spring of 2011. Because all of the work at Fillmore will be within the existing

fenced yard and most of it will be inside of the compressor building, inclement weather will have

little impact on construction activities and will not increase environmental impacts.

The Milford compressor station is a greenfield facility and has the longest construction

schedule of the compressor station additions associated with the Project. Any civil site work

that can be accomplished in advance of the winter of 2010/2011 will expedite construction in the

spring/summer/fall of 2011, reduce the risk of schedule slip and increase operational flexibility

when the balance of the expansion facilities are being commissioned and tested.

The Dry Lake compressor station location is not subject to climate conditions that would

require special measures to work during the winter months, nor does it have the potential for

additional environmental impact or incremental mitigation requirements in the winter. In fact,
KERN RIVER APEX EXPANSION PROJECT WINTER CONSTRUCTION PLAN

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given the high ambient temperatures that occur in southern Nevada, there are numerous

benefits from avoiding summer construction. Kern River intends to commence construction

activities at Dry Lake during the fall of 2010 and work through the winter to complete

construction activities in the spring of 2011.

Kern River intends to proceed with construction of certain Wasatch Loop pipeline

facilities in the late fall/early winter of 2010 to take advantage of favorable conditions, reduce

environmental impacts and realize construction efficiencies. While construction in these

locations presents constraints due to winter conditions, there are also potential advantages

associated with construction in the fall or early winter. Specific areas where work will occur and

the reasons for performing construction during late fall/early winter of 2010 are identified below.

■ East Canyon Creek crossing (MP 5.40)

- Installing the East Canyon Creek crossing during the late fall/early winter provides the

advantage of working during the period when groundwater levels and surface flow at

East Canyon Creek are historically lowest. United States Geological Survey (USGS)

flow records over the previous 10 years show the lowest in-stream flows occur in the

late-fall and early winter. In-stream flows from November to January averaged 6.3 cubic

feet per second (cfs) compared to an average flow of 98 cfs during May through August

(USGS 2009).

- This timing would avoid the spring spawning season for the Bonneville cutthroat trout, a

fish species of concern, and would also avoid clearing and grubbing of vegetation during

spring nesting season for migratory birds.

- Installing the East Canyon Creek crossing under partially frozen or frozen soil conditions

and with an insulating base of snow cover may result in less impact to the adjacent

wetland area than would be expected under wetter conditions. Impacts in this area

would be associated with the additional temporary workspace (ATWS) within the wetland

that is required for the crossing.

■ Jordan River crossing (MP 27.16) and City Drain Canal crossing (MP 27.48)

- While flow at the Jordan River and City Drain Canal is relatively uniform throughout the

year, working while groundwater levels are low in the Salt Lake Valley is advantageous.

Construction of the Jordan River and City Drain Canal crossings in late-fall, when

groundwater levels are low, would result in better bore pit stability and less disturbance

to the vegetative matter and topsoil in the adjacent wetlands.

■ Interstate 15/Highway 89/Frontage Road crossing (MP 25.66)

- This area includes a series of conventional bores that cross major north/south

transportation infrastructure. Since boring operations are not significantly impacted by

winter weather and boring equipment will already be in the area to make river and canal

crossings described above, some construction efficiencies will be realized.

■ Agriculture Lands between Interstate 215 (MP 27.59) and the western tie-in (MP 28.01)

- Crossing irrigated cropland used for alfalfa production between Interstate 215 and the

western tie-in during the non-growing season would minimize impacts to agricultural

activities. Construction in fall of 2010, after the harvest and when irrigation activities are
KERN RIVER APEX EXPANSION PROJECT WINTER CONSTRUCTION PLAN

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not occurring, would avoid impacts to a greater portion of the field and would avoid

impacts during the 2011 growing season.

Kern River also intends perform certain preparatory activities during the late fall and

early winter of 2010 to facilitate pipeline construction in the following year. Those activities may

include installing temporary equipment bridges across more sensitive stream crossings and

riparian areas, preparing laydown yards, establishing a construction grade at the Wasatch Fault

crossing, and clearing and grubbing along the pipeline route.

■ Equipment Bridges at Sheep Creek (MP 6.25) and Hardscrabble Creek (MP 11.82)

- Kern River proposes to install equipment bridges at two creeks outside of the July 15 to

September 30 in-water work window for streams to maximize the efficiency in

constructing the pipeline through these areas, while minimizing adverse impacts to these

streams. The proposed bridges would be constructed from railcars (or similar type of

portable bridge) stretching from bank to bank, thus limiting any disturbance to the stream

channel.

■ Laydown Yards at Hardscrabble Road and Bountiful Boulevard

- Kern River proposes to prepare a laydown yard approximately 1.6 miles directly north of

MP 8.7, or 4.1 miles northeast of MP 11.9, along Hardscrabble Road; these locations

are along Hardscrabble Road in existing open areas. Kern River also proposes to

prepare a laydown yard near Bountiful Boulevard, approximately 2.6 miles directly west

of MP 16. This location is at the base of the mountains, where pipe can be readily

trucked in and then lifted via helicopter to the right-of-way (ROW). Preparation would

include establishing grade, installing erosion control measures and putting up perimeter

fencing.

■ Wasatch Fault Crossing Area between MP 25.42 and MP 25.64

- Significant earthwork must be performed prior to installing the pipeline through the

Wasatch Fault crossing area. Accomplishing the cut/fill work in late 2010 to establish a

working grade will facilitate pipeline construction in 2011. This earthwork would be

performed at a time when local construction equipment and personnel are readily

available.

■ General Clearing and Grubbing

- Kern River may proceed with clearing and grubbing along the portions of the Wasatch

Loop in the fall of 2010 to the extent possible to minimize impacts to nesting migratory

birds. Based on discussions with USFWS and UDNR, clearing in the fall is preferred to

avoid impacting active nests of migratory birds; however, these agencies recognize it is

impractical to clear the entire 28.01-mile route in the late fall of 2010. While it is

probably not possible to clear and grub the entire pipeline ROW before weather that

prohibits clearing sets in, Kern River will continue to coordinate with USFWS, UDNR and

USFS to determine which areas have the highest potential benefit to minimize the

impacts to migratory birds.

While Kern River intends to complete all primary reclamation work by the end of the fall

of 2011, it is recognized that this may not be possible at some locations along the Wasatch

Loop, at due to weather conditions. Factors affecting work cessation for the winter include early

freezing of soils, snow accumulation on slopes and the effect these have on safe access. In
KERN RIVER APEX EXPANSION PROJECT WINTER CONSTRUCTION PLAN

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such cases, the measures specified in Sections 2.2 and 2.3 of this Winter Construction Plan

shall apply for stabilization and temporary erosion control until the final reclamation can be

completed as needed in the spring/early summer of 2012. These areas will be limited and

would only be known based upon actual construction and weather patterns going into the fall of

2011.

1.1 PURPOSE

Kern River has developed this Winter Construction Plan for the following purposes:

■ to provide guidelines for addressing the special considerations and concerns associated

with construction and reclamation efforts conducted during winter conditions at the above

locations;

■ to describe the ROW stabilization and temporary erosion control measures Kern River will

implement where final clean-up and reclamation activities, including tie-ins are postponed

until the spring, summer or fall of 2011 or may be delayed until the spring of 2012 at specific

locations in the higher elevation segments of the Wasatch Loop due to weather; and

■ to describe the environmental program that Kern River will implement during the winter

months.

The Winter Construction Plan also describes the approach and approximate schedule

Kern River will follow in the spring/summer/fall of 2011 to:

■ identify and repair any conditions on the ROW, ATWS, or access roads that occur during the

winter as required (e.g., erosion, bank, ditchline or bore pit settlement, etc.), and

■ complete final clean-up and reclamation that was not completed during the winter due to

unfavorable soil and ROW conditions (e.g., partially frozen soil, residual snow cover or

wetness) and associated with tie-ins and hydrostatic testing of the remainder of the Wasatch

Loop.

1.2 OVERVIEW OF WINTER CONSTRUCTION PLAN

The components of the Winter Construction Plan are presented in the following sections:

■ Section 1 describes the scope and purpose of the Winter Construction Plan.

■ Section 2 addresses winter construction procedures and special concerns, including snow

removal and site stabilization measures that will be implemented where tie-ins, clean-up and

reclamation activities are delayed until the summer of 2011.

■ Section 3 presents the Environmental Program that Kern River will implement.
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2. WINTER CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURES

2.1 SNOW REMOVAL AND SITE PREPARATION

Snow will be removed from the construction workspace where necessary to provide safe

and efficient working conditions and to expose soils for grading and excavation. Snow will also

be removed where necessary along Project access roads to allow safe access to the ROW.

The snow will typically be bladed or pushed off the access roads and ROW with a motorgrader,

snowplow, or bulldozer and stockpiled along the outer portions of the construction ROW or

ATWS. Care will be taken when removing snow from the access roads and ROW to avoid or

minimize mixing of soil with snow (some limited mixing of soil with snow may not be

preventable). The Environmental Inspector (EI) will evaluate snow storage locations with

consideration for thaw and runoff. Snow will be stockpiled in a manner that prevents

uncontrolled runoff, and resulting erosion and sediment loss. If snow removal is the first

construction activity, installation of gates at livestock fence crossings will be done at this time in

accordance with landowner requirements to facilitate movement through these areas for snow

removal while maintaining the function of livestock enclosures.

Other site preparation activities will then proceed as presented in Section 1.4 –

Construction Procedures and Schedule in Resource Report 1 and in the site-specific crossing

plan for East Canyon Creek (Drawing No. 1601.25-100) attached to this Winter Construction

Plan. These procedures include installation of temporary erosion and sediment control

measures according to Kern River Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation

Procedures (Kern River’s Procedures or Procedures), and include sediment barriers and

temporary equipment bridges at East Canyon Creek and the City Drain Canal. A temporary

equipment bridge is not planned for the Jordan River Crossing. The temporary bridges at

Sheep Creek and Hardscrabble Creek will also be installed during this time. The bridges will

span the crossings utilizing a flat railroad car frame or similar type of portable bridge.

2.2 EXCAVATION AND BACKFILLING

The East Canyon Creek crossing will utilize the flume and trench crossing (see sitespecific crossing plan attached) method. The crossing of the Jordan River and City Drain Canal

will use conventional boring methods. Conventional construction will be utilized for other

segments between 25.50 to 28.01 which do not involve bored crossings, similar to summer

construction, except for mechanical removal of snow accumulations in the pipeline trench prior
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to lowering-in and backfilling. Excavation and backfill procedures are further addressed below

for these crossings.

2.2.1 East Canyon Creek (MP 5.40)

It is anticipated that the crossing of East Canyon Creek will require a total of two to three

weeks, with the period of in-stream disturbance from trenching limited to that necessary to

excavate the trench, install the pipe section and backfill the trench. Prior to excavation, Kern

River will assess the weather conditions and forecasts to minimize the risk of a storm or major

thaw event affecting the critical period for trenching, lowering-in the pipe section and backfilling.

Flume pipes of sufficient number and size to accommodate flows of at least 30 cfs will

be installed. Temporary flow diversion or dam structures will be constructed utilizing sand bags

with select clean fill material. In-stream disturbance will be limited only to installation of these

temporary flow control structures. The remainder of the work will be conducted within the

stream bed once the flow has been diverted.

The trench and banks will be excavated using excavators working from the construction

ROW on the sides of the crossing. The pipe section will have been fabricated in the ATWS prior

to trenching. The excavated material will be stockpiled at least 10 feet (ft) back from the stream

bank. Sediment control barriers will be used. Trench dewatering will be done as needed, and

water will be released to the adjoining upland area through a sediment barrier. The trench will

be inspected and padded as necessary prior to lowering in the pipe. The pipe will be lowered in

from the construction ROW outside of the stream and/or temporary equipment bridge. The

ends of the pipe section near the beginning of the sag bend will be capped until tie-ins can be

completed later in 2011.

Trench/ditch breakers will be installed on each side of the East Canyon Creek crossing

and the trench and banks will be backfilled to restore the channel and banks to stable slopes

and contours. Where the backfill material may have become partially frozen, portable dieselfired heating units may be used for thawing and removing ice and snow prior to backfill to avoid

the potential for excessive settling or clean fill will be imported. The banks will be stabilized with

cobbles or boulders to provide protection from hydraulic erosion in higher flow periods until

permanent seeding and installation of erosion control matting is completed in the 2011

construction season. The temporary equipment bridge will remain in place for the 2011

construction season. The bridge will be removed when reclamation of adjacent portions of the

ROW and ATWS has been completed. Leaving the bridge in place is not expected to result in
KERN RIVER APEX EXPANSION PROJECT WINTER CONSTRUCTION PLAN

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increased risk of disturbance by unauthorized third-parties because the existing access road to

East Canyon Creek crossing area is locked and secured by the landowner.

Temporary mulch will be applied to the disturbed portion of the construction ROW and

ATWS as further addressed in Section 2.3. The sediment barriers will be left in place and

inspected as described in Kern River’s Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation and Maintenance

Plan (Kern River’s Plan, or Plan) and Procedures or during and immediately following a period

of thawing and higher runoff, and will be maintained as necessary.

2.2.2 I-15 Corridor Crossing, Jordan River and City Drain Canal (MPs 25.66, 27.16 and

27.48)

Excavation of bore pits is expected to proceed similarly to that for conventional nonwinter construction. Frozen soils near the surface are not expected to impede excavation or

use of conventional equipment. Topsoil and subsoil will be stockpiled separately within the

ATWS or construction ROW. The bore pits will be located on the outside of existing levees and

the levees will not be disturbed during construction. Dewatering of the bore pits will be

accomplished as described above for East Canyon Creek.

In areas where snow accumulates in the bore pits, the Contractor will be responsible for

removing it to allow visual inspection of the trench and bore pits and to allow safe working

conditions in the bore pits. The spoil may be covered with Visqueen or a similar product to

protect it from excessive snow accumulation and from mixing with the snow removed from the

bore pits. As noted above for East Canyon Creek, portable heating units may be used to thaw

and remove snow and ice from the spoil prior to backfilling the bore pits to prevent excessive

settling or clean topsoil material will be imported if required to restore the original contours. The

ends of the pipe section will be capped and marked and the bore pits backfilled. They will be reexcavated later in 2011 to complete tie-ins with the adjacent pipe segments and restored with

the adjacent segments of the ROW and ATWS in accordance with Kern River’s Reclamation

Plan.

Final clean-up and reclamation efforts will not be completed until the 2011 construction

season, when the surrounding pipeline has been installed and the segments have been tied-in.

Until that time, the ROW and ATWS will be left in a roughened condition with temporary mulch

applied to reduce the potential for erosion during snowmelt and other runoff.

These same procedures will apply if final tie-in areas need to be restored in the spring of

2012 because conditions would not allow them to be completed in the fall of 2011. In no cases

will sections of trench be left in an open condition throughout the winter and early spring. In

such cases, the trench will be backfilled and temporary erosion control measures applied as
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specified in Section 2.3 of this Winter Construction Plan. Final reclamation will be performed

when conditions permit in the following season.

2.3 TEMPORARY EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL MEASURES

Temporary erosion and sediment control measures will be installed and maintained

during construction in all areas where final clean-up and reclamation efforts have not been

completed. The goal of the temporary erosion and sediment control measures is to protect

against accelerated erosion and sedimentation of waterbodies and other off ROW areas.

Temporary erosion and sediment control measures will include installation of sediment

barriers (such as silt fence and straw bale barriers), temporary slope breakers (waterbars),

application of mulch or installation of erosion control matting, temporary seeding and installation

of other sediment control measures where necessary and where identified by the EI and

described in the Kern River Plan. These areas will be monitored until reclamation has been

completed and the ROW has been stabilized. The erosion and sediment controls will be

maintained and repaired as necessary as identified in Kern River’s Plan and Procedures.

2.3.1 Equipment Bridges

During construction, a temporary bridge will be installed at East Canyon Creek, Sheep

Creek, Hardscrabble Creek and the City Drain. No temporary equipment bridge is required for

the Jordan River. The temporary equipment bridges across East Canyon Creek, Sheep Creek

and Hardscrabble Creek will be maintained and monitored for continued use for construction

access throughout the 2011 construction season. The temporary equipment bridge across the

City Drain will be removed immediately after the bored crossing is completed. Installation and

maintenance of the temporary bridges will be in accordance with Kern River’s Procedures and

will not involve in-stream disturbance. Mats will be installed across the wetlands adjacent to

East Canyon Creek and the Jordan River to prevent excessive rutting and to protect the

vegetative mat and topsoil.

2.3.2 Sediment Barriers

Sediment barriers (i.e., silt fence, straw bales, earthen berms) will be installed and

maintained across the ROW at all waterbodies, wetlands and paved road crossings where a

slope greater than five percent exists adjacent to these areas, as specified in Kern River’s Plan

and Procedures and Reclamation Plan. Additional sediment barriers and erosion control

measures will be installed at the direction of the EI and will be fortified as necessary (e.g., extra

stakes, straw bale backing, etc.) to withstand potential sediment loads during the spring thaw
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and runoff. Sediment barriers will be left in place and maintained according to the Kern River

Plan until final clean-up and reclamation can be completed.

2.3.3 Trench Breakers

On slopes where natural drainages parallel the pipeline alignment, trench breakers will

be installed prior to backfilling the trench. Trench breakers are typically sandbags, foam plugs,

or bentonite packed in and around the pipeline to minimize the movement of water along the

pipeline trench and to prevent gulley erosion and pipeline exposure. These are described in

Section 6.3 of Kern River’s Reclamation Plan.

2.3.4 Waterbars

Temporary waterbars or earthen berms will be constructed on slopes greater than five

percent or where beneficial to divert snow melt and spring runoff. These will function as

temporary erosion control measures where final clean-up and installation of permanent erosion

and sediment control measures are to be completed in the spring of the following season. The

temporary waterbars used to winterize the ROW will be installed using the spacing guidelines in

Table 2-1. This spacing will be used as a guide, but actual spacing and configuration of

waterbars will be based upon field conditions to accommodate site-specific conditions, such as

slope contours, runoff areas and locations of stable outfall areas, or as determined by the land

managing agency.

Table 2-1

Water Bars Spacing Guidelines

Percent Slope Spacing Interval

1 – 5 % only as needed

5 – 15% 300 ft

15 – 30% 200 ft

+30% 100 ft

The outfall of each waterbar will be directed to a stable, well vegetated area or an

energy dissipating device will be constructed at the end of the waterbar and off the construction

ROW. The outfall will be positioned to prevent the discharge of sediment into wetlands,

waterbodies, or other sensitive resources. These temporary waterbars will be installed adjacent

to East Canyon Creek as needed based on field determinations at the time of completion of the

crossing.
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2.3.5 Temporary Mulch and Erosion Control Matting

Temporary mulch will be applied to disturbed areas on all slopes greater than five

percent and within 100 ft of waterbodies and wetlands where final clean-up and reclamation

need to be deferred until the following season. Kern River will use straw mulch and a crimping

or punching device to aid in stabilizing soils and to minimize sedimentation in wetlands and

waterbodies by binding loosened soils and providing that area with an instant soil cover. The

straw will be blown or hand spread onto erodible soils, then crimped or punched into the soils

with shovels or a sheepsfoot roller pulled by a tractor. The spreading and punching process will

be conducted in two applications. The first application, spread at a rate of 1.5 tons per acre, will

be placed prior to punching in. Following the punching in procedure, a second application,

spread at a rate of 1.5 tons per acre, will take place. This will result in a total of 3 tons per acre2

of straw mulch cover. If significant snow cover exists on the ROW, the decision to apply straw

mulch to the ROW will be determined by the EI. The soil will hold the straw in place, and the

straw in turn reduces wind and water erosion potential, and provides an environment conducive

to water retention. This process leaves small depressions in the soil surface, which aid in

decreasing the wind velocity at the soil surface.

The crimper should leave a non-directional depression pattern and not leave furrows

trending downslope, which can channelize stormwater flows. If waterbars are to be installed,

they should be built prior to crimper use, then inspected and repaired afterward because

equipment use may flatten portions of the water bars making them ineffective.

Erosion control matting will be installed on the banks of East Canyon Creek following

permanent seeding in 2011. As specified in Section 2.2.1 of this plan, Kern River will armor the

banks of East Canyon Creek with cobbles or boulders to protect the banks until final reclamation

is completed in 2011.

2.4 ACCESS ROAD USAGE

The areas planned for winter construction will be accessed using private and public

roads and highways. The access roads identified by Kern River will be used during winter

construction. Kern River will maintain all access roads in accordance with applicable permit and

landowner requirements. An approximately 400-ft temporary access road will be constructed at

MP 27.5 from the Utah Department of Natural Resources ATV Road. Temporary sediment

erosion control measures will remain on place and the temporary access road will be removed

2 Mulch rates for final cleanup are 2 tons per acre. However, heavier mulch rates (3 tons per acre) will be used for temporary

erosion control due to the limited success anticipated with the crimping effort, or as otherwise specified in Kern River’s

Reclamation Plan.
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and restored following completion of all construction in 2011. All other access roads are

existing and will require relatively little or no maintenance. Access roads and maintenance

requirements are identified in Table 1.3-3 of Resource Report 1. Snow removal activities will

take special care to avoid grading into the existing road beds or damaging culverts.
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3. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Kern River is committed to executing its Winter Construction Plan and performing the

construction of the entire Project to ensure environmental protection, compliance with all

conditions of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) certificate, compliance with

other permit conditions and to ensure the safety of workers and the public. Kern River will

reinforce these commitments through implementation of inspection, training and reporting

procedures as summarized below.

3.1 WINTER INSPECTION AND MONITORING PROCEDURES

Kern River will maintain at least one EI for winter pipeline construction in addition to a

chief and other craft inspectors. The EI will coordinate with the agencies as necessary

regarding spring remediation activities. The EI will work closely with the construction inspectors,

the contractor and Kern River’s management to ensure that activities remain in full compliance

with Project permits and conditions, to ensure that corrective actions are promptly initiated in

non-compliance situations and to ensure that appropriate action is taken in the event of other

external factors such as major storm events.

The Kern River ROW and temporary use areas will be inspected on a regular basis

throughout the winter months to verify that erosion control measures are maintained. Damage to

existing erosion control measures will be noted and repaired, as necessary.

Inspection will be prioritized based on weather conditions and precipitation amounts (i.e.,

significance and duration of periods of thaw and runoff) and the actual schedule of construction

work activities. Monitoring will also be prioritized for the sensitive water resources associated

with the East Canyon Creek crossing. In areas where the contractor has completed work and

demobilized for the winter, after necessary erosion controls are put in place and approved by

the EI, the ROW will not be continually inspected. Once the soil becomes frozen and snow

covered, the need for frequent inspection is reduced since ROW conditions will either be hidden

from view or stabilized in a frozen state. Once winter work is complete, Kern River will

discontinue snow removal along the access roads. However, these areas will be monitored biweekly. When the snow cover melts, the ground thaws or the ground becomes saturated during

winter thaws, the potential for erosion will increase and these sites will be inspected to

determine if maintenance or remedial erosion control efforts are needed.

Areas requiring maintenance or remedial activities will be repaired as soon as possible,

but in no case more than one week from the time the issue is identified. This will provide
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adequate time for Kern River to coordinate with its contractor and to mobilize crews to the

locations requiring repairs. Best management practices will be implemented to ensure that

repairs do result in increased erosion and sedimentation during spring runoff.

The EI will cover all other environmental permit conditions, plans and general

housekeeping including fuel handling, as is done under a normal construction schedule.

Kern River will monitor weather forecasts as far in advance as possible to plan for work

suspensions and securing the work areas in the event of an impending major winter storm or

increased monitoring and maintenance of erosion controls in the event of a winter thaw.

Securing the work areas will include removal of equipment, including pumps, at least 100 ft from

the waterbody crossing or wetland. Kern River will particularly monitor the weather forecast to

determine the opportune time for installation of the East Canyon Creek crossing, where the

actual excavation, installation and backfilling are expected to be accomplished in a limited time

period.

Similarly, Kern River will closely monitor weather and soil condition into the fall of 2011

for the Wasatch Loop, particularly in the higher elevation sections and where safe access may

become limited. The amount of open trench will be monitored against current construction to

ensure that all backfilling, including temporary backfill as necessary, can be completed and the

temporary erosion control measures installed before access is restricted.

3.2 TRAINING

All project personnel involved in winter construction will be required to participate in a

focused environmental training program presented by Kern River that will address

environmental requirements and responsibilities specific to the construction program and sites.

This training will be supplemented with tail gate briefings provided by the EI.

3.3 STAFFING AND CONTACTS

At least one Kern River EI will be assigned to the Project to monitor the ROW for erosion

and the continued effectiveness of erosion and sediment control measures and compliance with

other permit conditions and Kern River plans. Due to the location of the East Canyon Creek

crossing with respect to construction in the Salt Lake Valley, it is expected that two EIs may be

utilized at periods of peak activity to provide full coverage of the in-stream work.

In the case of the 2011 construction on the Wasatch Loop, the EIs will remain full-time

until all construction, temporary erosion control work and permanent reclamation work are

complete. An EI, supplemented by Kern River’s regular aerial patrols will further observe the
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adequacy of the erosion control measures along other portions of the Wasatch Loop, and

determine if additional stabilization measures may be necessary in advance of spring runoff.

The EI will be fully supported by Kern River management. Personnel will be identified

and the contact information in Table 3-1 will be completed when the contractor environmental

training is conducted.

Table 3-1

Winter Construction Contact Information

Name Role Location Contact Number

To be completed Construction Manager Salt Lake City, Utah TBD

Craig Fantozzi Project Manager Salt Lake City, Utah (801) 937-6052 (office)

(307) 708-2545 (mobile)

Doug Gibbons Project Manager –

Land, Environment & Public Involvement Salt Lake City, UT (801) 937-6347 (office)(801) 209-7261 (mobile)

To be completed Environmental Inspector(s) Salt lake City, Utah TBD

3.4 REPORTING

Kern River will prepare a weekly summary of winter construction activities to keep the

FERC and other involved agencies informed of the progress of construction activities, incidents

involving potential non-compliance or other problems and corrective actions taken or scheduled.

These weekly reports will continue and extend through construction during 2011 and until the

reclamation work is completed.

The Kern River Landowner Hotline (1-888-222-1897) will continue to operate throughout

the winter and through the duration of spring remediation activities. Landowners will have

continued access to Kern River land representatives.
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4. REFERENCES

United States Geological Survey (USGS). 2009. USGS water data for the nation.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis (accessed August 2009).