i Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sierrita Pipeline Project

Final Environmental Impact Statement

VOLUME I Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................................................... i

LIST OF APPENDICES............................................................................................................................... v

LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................................................................vii

LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................................... ix

TECHNICAL ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS.............................................................................. x

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................ES-1

PROPOSED ACTION............................................................................................................... ES-1

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ....................................................................................................... ES-2

PROJECT IMPACTS AND MITIGATION.............................................................................. ES-3

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ........................................................................................... ES-8

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS......................................................................................................... ES-9

1.0 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................1-1

1.1 PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED.................................................................................1-3

1.1.1 Project Purpose ...................................................................................................1-3

1.1.2 Project Need........................................................................................................1-3

1.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS EIS..........................................................................1-4

1.2.1 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission............................................................1-5

1.2.2 Cooperating Agencies.........................................................................................1-6

1.3 PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT............................................................................1-8

1.4 NONJURISDICTIONAL FACILITIES ........................................................................1-11

1.5 PERMITS, APPROVALS, AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.......................1-16

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION...................................................................2-1

2.1 PROPOSED FACILITIES...............................................................................................2-1

2.1.1 Pipeline Facilities................................................................................................2-1

2.1.2 Aboveground Facilities.......................................................................................2-1

2.2 LAND REQUIREMENTS...............................................................................................2-2

2.2.1 Pipeline Right-of-Way........................................................................................2-2

2.2.2 Aboveground Facilities.......................................................................................2-7

2.2.3 Contractor Yard ..................................................................................................2-7

2.2.4 Access Roads......................................................................................................2-7

2.3 CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURES................................................................................2-8

2.3.1 General Pipeline Construction Procedures .......................................................2-12

2.3.2 Special Pipeline Construction Procedures........................................................2-18

2.3.3 Aboveground Facility Construction..................................................................2-21

2.4 CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE AND WORKFORCE...............................................2-22

2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTION, COMPLIANCE MONITORING, AND 

POST-APPROVAL VARIANCES ...............................................................................2-22

2.5.1 Environmental Inspection.................................................................................2-22

2.5.2 Compliance Monitoring....................................................................................2-23

2.5.3 Post-Approval Variance Process ......................................................................2-23

2.6 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.........................................................................2-24
Table of Contents ii

2.7 FUTURE PLANS AND ABANDONMENT ................................................................2-25

3.0 ALTERNATIVES.......................................................................................................................3-1

3.1 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE.......................................................................................3-1

3.2 INCREASED ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION ................................3-2

3.3 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES..........................................................................3-2

3.4 SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES...........................................................................................3-3

3.5 MAJOR ROUTE ALTERNATIVES...............................................................................3-5

3.5.1 East Route Alternative ........................................................................................3-6

3.5.2 Nogales West Route Alternative.......................................................................3-12

3.5.3 Nogales East Route Alternative........................................................................3-16

3.5.4 Willcox Lateral Route Alternative....................................................................3-19

3.5.5 Yuma Lateral Route Alternative.......................................................................3-22

3.5.6 Tohono O’odham Route Alternative ................................................................3-26

3.5.7 Lukeville East Route Alternative......................................................................3-29

3.5.8 Lukeville West Route Alternative ....................................................................3-32

3.5.9 Major Route Alternatives Conclusions.............................................................3-35

3.6 ROUTE VARIATIONS.................................................................................................3-36

3.6.1 Santa Margarita Route Variation ......................................................................3-36

3.6.2 Sierra Vista Route Variation.............................................................................3-39

3.7 ABOVEGROUND FACILITY SITE ALTERNATIVES .............................................3-43

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS.............................................................................................4-1

4.1 GEOLOGY ......................................................................................................................4-1

4.1.1 Geologic Setting .................................................................................................4-1

4.1.2 Mineral Resources..............................................................................................4-3

4.1.3 Geologic Hazards................................................................................................4-5

4.1.4 Paleontological Resources................................................................................4-11

4.2 SOILS ............................................................................................................................4-11

4.2.1 Standard Soil Limitations .................................................................................4-12

4.2.2 Flash Flooding and Channel Scouring..............................................................4-18

4.2.3 Spill/Contamination Prevention........................................................................4-19

4.2.4 Topsoil Segregation ..........................................................................................4-20

4.2.5 Operation Impacts.............................................................................................4-21

4.3 WATER RESOURCES .................................................................................................4-22

4.3.1 Groundwater .....................................................................................................4-22

4.3.2 Surface Water Resources..................................................................................4-29

4.3.3 Wetlands...........................................................................................................4-50

4.4 VEGETATION..............................................................................................................4-50

4.4.1 Vegetation Resources .......................................................................................4-57

4.4.2 Vegetation Communities of Special Concern...................................................4-59

4.4.3 Riparian Habitats..............................................................................................4-60

4.4.4 Arizona Native Plants.......................................................................................4-61

4.4.5 Noxious Weeds and Other Invasive Plants.......................................................4-61

4.4.6 Fire Regimes.....................................................................................................4-64

4.4.7 Wild Harvesting................................................................................................4-64

4.4.8 Vegetation Construction Impacts and Mitigation .............................................4-65

4.4.9 Operation Impacts.............................................................................................4-83

4.5 WILDLIFE.....................................................................................................................4-84

4.5.1 Wildlife Resources............................................................................................4-84

4.5.2 Wildlife Construction Impacts and Mitigation .................................................4-87
iii Table of Contents

4.5.3 Wildlife Movement Corridors ..........................................................................4-95

4.5.4 Big Game ........................................................................................................4-100

4.5.5 Predators, Furbearers, Game Birds, and Small Game Species .......................4-103

4.5.6 Game Harvesting ............................................................................................4-104

4.5.7 Raptors and Other Migratory Birds ................................................................4-104

4.5.8 Operation Impacts...........................................................................................4-111

4.6 FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES .............................................................4-111

4.7 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND OTHER SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES ...4-111

4.7.1 Federally Listed Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, and Species 

of Concern and Critical Habitat......................................................................4-112

4.7.2 State-Sensitive Species...................................................................................4-145

4.8 LAND USE, SPECIAL INTEREST AREAS, AND VISUAL RESOURCES ...........4-160

4.8.1 General Impacts and Mitigation......................................................................4-160

4.8.2 Land Ownership..............................................................................................4-169

4.8.3 Existing Residences and Planned Developments ...........................................4-176

4.8.4 Recreation and Special Interest Areas ............................................................4-177

4.8.5 Visual Resources.............................................................................................4-180

4.9 ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND UNAUTHORIZED RIGHT-OF-WAY USE.......4-185

4.9.1 Illegal Immigration and Human and Drug Trafficking Activity.....................4-185

4.9.2 Authorized and Unauthorized Right-of-Way Access.....................................4-188

4.10 SOCIOECONOMICS..................................................................................................4-192

4.10.1 Population, Economy, and Employment ........................................................4-193

4.10.2 Housing...........................................................................................................4-194

4.10.3 Public Services................................................................................................4-194

4.10.4 Transportation.................................................................................................4-197

4.10.5 Property Values...............................................................................................4-199

4.10.6 Economy and Tax Revenues...........................................................................4-200

4.10.7 Environmental Justice.....................................................................................4-205

4.11 CULTURAL RESOURCES........................................................................................4-208

4.11.1 Cultural Resources Surveys............................................................................4-208

4.11.2 Tribal Consultation .........................................................................................4-211

4.11.3 Unanticipated Discovery Plan ........................................................................4-218

4.11.4 Compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act...............................4-218

4.12 AIR QUALITY AND NOISE .....................................................................................4-219

4.12.1 Air Quality ......................................................................................................4-219

4.12.2 Noise ...........................................................................................................4-226

4.13 RELIABILITY AND SAFETY...................................................................................4-230

4.13.1 Safety Standards .............................................................................................4-231

4.13.2 Pipeline Accident Data ...................................................................................4-236

4.13.3 Impact on Public Safety..................................................................................4-238

4.13.4 Terrorism ........................................................................................................4-240

4.14 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS.........................................................................................4-240

4.14.1 Geology...........................................................................................................4-246

4.14.2 Soils ...........................................................................................................4-247

4.14.3 Water Resources.............................................................................................4-249

4.14.4 Wetlands.........................................................................................................4-252

4.14.5 Vegetation.......................................................................................................4-252

4.14.6 Wildlife ...........................................................................................................4-253

4.14.7 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources....................................................................4-255

4.14.8 Special Status Species.....................................................................................4-255

4.14.9 Land Use and Visual Resources .....................................................................4-256
Table of Contents iv

4.14.10 Illegal Immigration and Unauthorized Right-of-Way Use .............................4-259

4.14.11 Socioeconomics..............................................................................................4-259

4.14.12 Cultural Resources..........................................................................................4-259

4.14.13 Air Quality and Noise .....................................................................................4-260

4.14.14 Reliability and Safety......................................................................................4-261

4.14.15 Climate Change...............................................................................................4-261

4.14.16 Conclusion ......................................................................................................4-263

4.15 TRANSBOUNDARY EFFECTS................................................................................4-263

5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS......................................................................5-1

5.1 CONCLUSIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ......................................5-1

5.2 FERC STAFF’S RECOMMENDED MITIGATION....................................................5-12
v Table of Contents

VOLUME I – LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX A DISTRIBUTION LIST

APPENDIX B PROJECT ROUTE MAPS

APPENDIX C WOODY VEGETATION STOCKPILE PLACEMENT AREAS BY MILEPOST 

ASSOCIATED WITH THE SIERRITA PIPELINE PROJECT

APPENDIX D ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY WORKSPACES BY MILEPOST

APPENDIX E SIERRITA’S UPLAND EROSION CONTROL, REVEGETATION, AND 

MAINTENANCE PLAN 

APPENDIX F SIERRITA’S WETLAND AND WATERBODY CONSTRUCTION AND 

MITIGATION PROCEDURES 

APPENDIX G RECLAMATION PLAN

APPENDIX H POST-CONSTRUCTION VEGETATION MONITORING DOCUMENT

APPENDIX I NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL PLAN

APPENDIX J FUGITIVE DUST CONTROL PLAN

APPENDIX K BLAST PLAN

APPENDIX L SITE-SPECIFIC HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILL CROSSING PLAN FOR 

THE CAP CANAL

APPENDIX M HDD CONTINGENCY PLAN AND FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX N HYDROSTATIC TESTING BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES PLAN

APPENDIX O SPILL PREVENTION, CONTROL, AND COUNTERMEASURES PLAN

APPENDIX P FIRE PROTECTION PLAN

APPENDIX Q WATERBODIES AND FLOODPLAINS CROSSED BY THE SIERRITA 

PIPELINE PROJECT 

APPENDIX R WATERBODIES WITHIN 50 FEET OF PROPOSED ACCESS ROADS

APPENDIX S DRY WASHES CONNECTED TO AND UPSTREAM OF LIVESTOCK TANKS 

WITHIN 3 MILES OF THE SIERRITA PIPELINE PROJECT AREA

APPENDIX T PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED IN THE SIERRITA PIPELINE PROJECT AREA

APPENDIX U RIPARIAN HABITAT AFFECTED BY THE SIERRITA PIPELINE PROJECT

APPENDIX V LOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF NOXIOUS WEEDS AND OTHER 

INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IN THE SIERRITA PIPELINE PROJECT AREA
Table of Contents vi

APPENDIX W W-1: ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON VIEWS FROM THE 

BABOQUIVARI PEAK WILDERNESS AREA

W-2: VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX X REFERENCES

APPENDIX Y LIST OF PREPARERS

VOLUME II – LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX Z RESPONSES TO COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 

STATEMENT

APPENDIX AA SUBJECT INDEX
vii Table of Contents

LIST OF TABLES

Number Title Page

Table 1.3-1 Environmental Issues and Concerns Raised During Public Scoping for the 

Sierrita Pipeline Project...........................................................................................1-12

Table 1.5-1 Major Permits, Approvals, and Consultations for the Sierrita Pipeline Project ......1-19

Table 2.1.2-1 Aboveground Facilities for the Sierrita Pipeline Project...........................................2-1

Table 2.2-1 Land Requirements for the Sierrita Pipeline Project.................................................2-2

Table 2.2.2-1 Aboveground Facility Land Requirements for the Sierrita Pipeline Project.............2-7

Table 2.2.4-1 Improved Access Roads for the Sierrita Pipeline Project..........................................2-9

Table 3.5-1 Major Route Alternatives for the Sierrita Pipeline Project........................................3-5

Table 3.5.1-1 Comparison of the East Route Alternative to the Proposed Route (MP R33.9 to 

MP 58.0)....................................................................................................................3-8

Table 3.5.1-2 Comparison of Native Protected Plants on the East Route Alternative to the 

Proposed Route .......................................................................................................3-11

Table 3.5.2-1 Comparison of the Nogales West Route Alternative to the Proposed Route ..........3-14

Table 3.5.3-1 Comparison of the Nogales East Route Alternative to the Proposed Route ...........3-18

Table 3.5.4-1 Comparison of the Willcox Lateral Route Alternative to the Proposed Route .......3-21

Table 3.5.5-1 Comparison of the Yuma Lateral Route Alternative to the Proposed Route ..........3-25

Table 3.5.6-1 Comparison of the Tohono O’odham Route Alternative to the Proposed Route....3-28

Table 3.5.7-1 Comparison of the Lukeville East Route Alternative to the Proposed Route .........3-31

Table 3.5.8-1 Comparison of the Lukeville West Route Alternative to the Proposed Route ........3-34

Table 3.6-1 Comparison of the Santa Margarita Route Variation to the Proposed Route

(MP R35.8 to MP 50.4)...........................................................................................3-38

Table 3.6-2 Comparison of the Sierra Vista Route Variation to the Proposed Route (MP 

52.5 to MP 56.5)......................................................................................................3-41

Table 4.1.1-1 Steep/Rugged Areas Crossed by the Sierrita Pipeline Project ..................................4-2

Table 4.1.1-2 Geologic Conditions Crossed by the Sierrita Pipeline Project..................................4-3

Table 4.2.1-1 Soil Limitations for the Sierrita Pipeline Project (acres).........................................4-13

Table 4.3.1-1 Groundwater Wells Within 400 Feet of the Project Work Area .............................4-26

Table 4.3.2-1 Watershed Basins Crossed by the Sierrita Pipeline Project ....................................4-30

Table 4.3.2-2 100-Year Floodplains Crossed by the Sierrita Pipeline Project ..............................4-34

Table 4.3.2-3 Priority Listing by Sub-Watershed Crossed by the Sierrita Pipeline Project..........4-36

Table 4.3.2-4 Surface Water Sources and Discharge Locations for Hydrostatic Testing and 

Dust Control for the Sierrita Pipeline Project..........................................................4-49

Table 4.4-1 Natural Resources Conservation Services Ecological Site Descriptions 

Occurring Along the Sierrita Pipeline Project.........................................................4-52

Table 4.4.2-1 Vegetation Monitoring Transects within 1 Mile of the Sierrita Pipeline Project....4-59

Table 4.4.4-1 Plants Protected by the Arizona Native Plant Law Observed Within the Sierrita 

Pipeline Project Area...............................................................................................4-62

Table 4.4.5-1 Noxious Weeds and Other Invasive Plant Species Identified in the Sierrita 

Pipeline Project Area...............................................................................................4-63

Table 4.4.8-1 Vegetation Communities Affected by Construction and Operation of the 

Sierrita Pipeline Project (in acres)...........................................................................4-66

Table 4.5.1-1 Wildlife Species Common to the Sierrita Pipeline Project Area.............................4-85

Table 4.5.3-1 Wildlife Movement Corridors Crossed by the Sierrita Pipeline Project .................4-96

Table 4.5.4-1 Big Game Habitat Crossed by the Sierrita Pipeline Project ..................................4-100

Table 4.5.4-2 Important Mule Deer Forage in the Project Area..................................................4-101

Table 4.5.5-1 Hunting Seasons for Predator, Furbearer, and Small Game Habitat Crossed by 

the Sierrita Pipeline Project...................................................................................4-103
Table of Contents viii

Table 4.5.7-1 Migratory Birds with the Potential to Occur in the Sierrita Pipeline Project 

Area .......................................................................................................................4-106

Table 4.5.7-2 Raptor Nests Identified Within the Sierrita Pipeline Project Area........................4-109

Table 4.7.1-1 Federal Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, and Species of 

Concern Identified for the Sierrita Pipeline Project ..............................................4-113

Table 4.7.2-1 Arizona Sensitive Species With Potential to Occur in the Sierrita Pipeline 

Project Area...........................................................................................................4-147

Table 4.8.1-1 Land Use Types Affected by Construction and Operation of the Sierrita 

Pipeline Project (in acres)......................................................................................4-162

Table 4.8.1-2 Locations of Existing Adjacent Rights-of-Way in Relation to the Sierrita 

Pipeline Project .....................................................................................................4-162

Table 4.8.1-3 Public Conservation Grazing Lease Areas Crossed by the Sierrita Pipeline 

Project....................................................................................................................4-163

Table 4.8.1-4 Private Grazing Lease Areas Crossed by the Sierrita Pipeline Project .................4-163

Table 4.8.2-1 Land Ownership Impacts Associated with the Sierrita Pipeline Project...............4-169

Table 4.8.4-1 Recreation and Special Interest Areas Crossed by the Sierrita Pipeline Project ...4-178

Table 4.9.2-1 Restoration Measure Criteria and Timing (Listed Sequentially)...........................4-191

Table 4.10.3-1 Existing Public Service Facilities in the Region of Influence for the Sierrita 

Pipeline Project .....................................................................................................4-195

Table 4.10.4-1 Road Crossings Associated with the Sierrita Pipeline Project ..............................4-198

Table 4.10.7-1 Racial/Ethnic Comparison for Areas within the Sierrita Pipeline Project Area....4-206

Table 4.10.7-2 Demographic Data for Census Tracts Affected by the Sierrita Pipeline Project 

(2010) ....................................................................................................................4-206

Table 4.10.7-3 Economic Statistics for the Sierrita Pipeline Project Area ....................................4-206

Table 4.11.1-1 Eligible Cultural Resources Within the Area of Potential Effects (APE) .............4-210

Table 4.11.2-1 Consultations with Federally Recognized Indian Tribes for the Sierrita Pipeline 

Project....................................................................................................................4-212

Table 4.12.1-1 Representative Annual Meteorological Data for the Sierrita Pipeline Project 

Area .......................................................................................................................4-220

Table 4.12.1-2 National Ambient Air Quality Standards..............................................................4-220

Table 4.12.1-3 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Data for the Sierrita Pipeline Project ...............4-221

Table 4.12.1-4 Estimated Project Construction Emissions for the Sierrita Pipeline Project.........4-223

Table 4.12.2-1 Construction Noise from Typical Pipeline Construction Equipment Activities ...4-229

Table 4.12.2-2 HDD Noise Impacts Associated with the Sierrita Pipeline Project.......................4-230

Table 4.13.2-1 Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Significant Incidents by Cause (1993-2012) 4-237

Table 4.13.2-2 Incidents Caused by External Corrosion and Level of Protection (1970 through 

June 1984) .............................................................................................................4-237

Table 4.13.2-3 Outside Forces Incidents by Cause (1993-2012)...................................................4-238

Table 4.13.3-1 Injuries and Fatalities – Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines...............................4-239

Table 4.13.3-2 Nationwide Accidental Deaths..............................................................................4-239

Table 4.14-1 Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Projects or Activities Evaluated for 

Potential Cumulative Impacts ...............................................................................4-243
ix Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES

Number Title Page

Figure 1-1 Project Overview Map...............................................................................................1-2

Figure 2.2.1-1 Typical 100-foot-wide Right-of-Way Configuration ................................................2-4

Figure 2.2.1-1 Typical 130-foot-wide Right-of-Way Configuration ................................................2-5

Figure 2.2.1-1 Typical 150-foot-wide Right-of-Way Configuration ................................................2-6

Figure 2.3.1-1 Construction Sequence Overview ...........................................................................2-13

Figure 3.4-1 System Alternatives...................................................................................................3-4

Figure 3.5.1-1 East Route Alternative...............................................................................................3-7

Figure 3.5.2-1 Nogales West Route Alternative .............................................................................3-13

Figure 3.5.3-1 Nogales East Route Alternative ..............................................................................3-17

Figure 3.5.4-1 Willcox Lateral Route Alternative ..........................................................................3-20

Figure 3.5.5-1 Yuma Lateral Route Alternative .............................................................................3-24

Figure 3.5.6-1 Tohono O’odham Route Alternative.......................................................................3-27

Figure 3.5.7-1 Lukeville East Route Alternative ............................................................................3-30

Figure 3.5.8-1 Lukeville West Route Alternative...........................................................................3-33

Figure 3.6-1 Santa Margarita Route Variation.............................................................................3-37

Figure 3.6-2 Sierra Vista Route Variation ...................................................................................3-40

Figure 4.3.2-1 Watershed Basins....................................................................................................4-31

Figure 4.4-1 Vegetation Resources..............................................................................................4-51

Figure 4.5.3-1 Wildlife Movement Corridors.................................................................................4-98

Figure 4.7.1-1 Jaguar Suitable Habitat..........................................................................................4-119

Figure 4.7.1-2 Jaguar Designated Critical Habitat........................................................................4-122

Figure 4.7.1-3 Lesser Long-Nosed Bat Suitable Habitat ..............................................................4-125

Figure 4.7.1-4 Chiricahua Leopard Frog Suitable Habitat............................................................4-128

Figure 4.7.1-5 Masked Bobwhite Quail Suitable Habitat .............................................................4-131

Figure 4.7.1-6 Pima Pineapple Cactus Suitable Habitat Identified Along the Pipeline 

Corridor.................................................................................................................4-133

Figure 4.7.1-7 Northern Mexican Gartersnake Proposed Critical Habitat....................................4-136

Figure 4.7.1-8 Sonoran Desert Tortoise Suitable Habitat .............................................................4-141

Figure 4.7.1-9 Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Suitable Habitat Identified Along the 

Pipeline Corridor...................................................................................................4-144
Table of Contents x

TECHNICAL ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

μg/m3 microgram per cubic meter

ACHP Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

ADA Arizona Department of Agriculture

ADEQ Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

ADOT Arizona Department of Transportation

ADWR Arizona Department of Water Resources

AESO Arizona Ecological Services Office

AGFD Arizona Game and Fish Department

AQCR air quality control region

ARS Arizona Revised Statute

ASLD Arizona State Land Department

ASTL Arizona State Trust Lands

ATWS additional temporary workspaces

BA Biological Assessment

BANWR Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

BGEPA Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

BLM Bureau of Land Management

CAA Clean Air Act

CAP Central Arizona Project

CBP U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CCP Comprehensive Conservation Plan

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality

Certificate Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

CFE Comisión Federal de Electricidad

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CH4 methane

CO carbon monoxide

CO2 carbon dioxide

CO2e carbon dioxide equivalents

COE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

CWA Clean Water Act

dBA A-weighted decibels

DHS U.S. Department of Homeland Security

DOE U.S. Department of Energy

DOI U.S. Department of Interior

DOT U.S. Department of Transportation

Dth/d dekatherms per day

EIA Energy Information Administration

EI Environmental Inspector

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

ESA Endangered Species Act of 1973

ESD Ecological Site Descriptors

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

FHWA Federal Highway Administration
xi Table of Contents

FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

GHG greenhouse gas

GMU Game Management Unit

GPS global positioning system

HDD horizontal directional drill

HDD Plan HDD Contingency Plan and Feasibility Assessment

IBWC International Boundary and Water Commission

IRA Important Riparian Areas

Ldn day-night equivalent sound level

Leq(24) 24-hour equivalent sound level

MAOP maximum allowable operating pressure

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Memorandum Memorandum of Understanding on Natural Gas Transportation Facilities

MLV mainline valve

MP milepost

MSCP Multi-Species Conservation Plan

N2O nitrous oxide

NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards

NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

NGA Natural Gas Act

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act

NO2 nitrogen dioxide

NOI Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned 

Sasabe Lateral Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

NOx nitrogen oxides

NPS National Park Service

NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRHP National Register of Historic Places

NSA noise sensitive area

NSPS New Source Performance Standards

NWRS National Wildlife Refuge System

O3 ozone

OEP Office of Energy Projects

our Plan Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation and Maintenance Plan

our Procedures Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures

PCDEQ Pima County Department of Environmental Quality

PCRRH Pima County Regulated Riparian Habitat

Plan Sierrita’s Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan

PM10 particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 microns

PM2.5 particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 microns

ppm parts per million

PPV peak particle velocity

Procedures Sierrita’s Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures for 

the proposed Project

PSD Prevention of Significant Deterioration

RFCD Regional Flood Control District
Table of Contents xii

SAVSARP Southern Avra Valley Storage and Recovery Project

Secretary Secretary of the Commission

Security Plan Right-of-Way, Security, and Access Control Plan

SGCN Species of Greatest Conservation Need

SHPO State Historic Preservation Office

SO2 sulfur dioxide

SPCC Plan Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Plan

STATSGO State Soil Geographic

Supplemental NOI Supplemental Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 

the Sierrita Pipeline Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

U.S.C. United States Code

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

VOC volatile organic compounds

WSC Wildlife of Special Concern

WWEC West-wide Energy Corridor