APPENDIX 12

APPENDIX 12

STANDARD PRACTICES, BEST MANAGEMENT

PRACTICES, AND GUIDELINES

FOR SURFACE DISTURBING ACTIVITIES

This appendix describes the practices utilized to mitigate 

adverse effects caused by surface disturbing activities. 

Standard practices applied to surface disturbing activities 

are statements of guidelines and techniques for establishing 

statewide (or national) consistency in avoiding and mitigating 

environmental impacts and resource conflicts. These practices have been developed through field experience, through 

planning analyses, and from legal or regulatory directives. 

They emphasize the responsibility of the BLM to ensure that 

good construction practices are used on public lands, and they 

apply to all surface disturbing activities. 

Best management practices (BMPs) are developed by 

State agencies in cooperation with Federal agencies to control 

nonpoint sources of pollution. Section 303(e) of the Clean 

Water Act and 40 CFR 130.5 require states to maintain a 

“Water Quality Management Planning Continuing Planning 

Process.” The process must establish procedures for adoption 

and appeals which, among other items, address BMPs. BMPs 

are advisory rather than regulatory. BMPs are a key element 

in a State Nonpoint Source Management Plan with which the 

Federal Government must comply under Executive Orders 

12088 and 12372, and Clean Water Act Sections 319(k) and 

301(k). The standard practices in this document are designed 

to meet the intent of the State’s BMPs, and may therefore be 

subject to revision when the State BMPs are finalized. 

The State of Wyoming has released draft lists of BMPs 

which address silviculture and hydrology, and has issued a 

policy statement in lieu of BMPs for minerals and oil and gas. 

The State has not yet released a draft of BMPs for grazing. The 

State has adopted the policy that the rules and regulations 

promulgated for oil and gas exploration, mineral extraction, 

and underground storage tanks shall be considered as the 

BMPs for these activities. 

The Wyoming BLM policy on reclamation assumes that an 

area can and shall be ultimately reclaimed, and requires that 

every surface disturbance on public lands receive attention for 

short-term stabilization and long-term reclamation. Mitigation measures reduce to the extent possible the amount of 

reclamation that ultimately must take place. The BLM must 

apply reasonable mitigation and provide guidance for all 

authorizations. The permit or authorization is the means 

provided for ensuring that mitigation measures are implemented. Compliance inspections during operations ensure 

that COAs and/or stipulations are being followed. Compliance inspections upon completion of work ensure that both 

surface and subsurface reclamation procedures have been 

properly followed. 

Standard practices may develop through the NEPA process into stipulations prior to lease or grant issuance, or they 

may serve as a basis for COAs. If these practices (or newly 

developed techniques) are already incorporated into plans for 

development submitted by a permittee, such plans may be 

approved without the addition of any COAs. The BLM would 

consider any project proposal, however the burden is on the 

applicant to describe the design and construction techniques. 

If a project’s design, scheduling, and construction techniques 

can mitigate environmental concerns, construction may be 

allowed without any COAs. 

STANDARD PRACTICES 

The following are standard practices applied to surface 

disturbing activities. These practices are applied, when necessary, to reduce environmental impacts. Large projects may 

require construction use plans and/or erosion control, revegetation, and restoration plans (Appendix 5-3) which would 

incorporate these practices. The standard practices in this 

document are designed to meet the intent of the State’s BMPs, 

and may therefore be subject to revision when the State BMPs 

are finalized. 

Although the headings below address specific resources or 

types of development, these practices apply to all surface 

disturbing activities. These practices have been developed 

through experience working with surface disturbances in the 

Rock Springs District. Therefore, these are believed to be the 

best practices available to address a variety of surface disturbance problems. These are not stipulations, but represent 

concerns that must be addressed in any acceptable proposed 

surface disturbing activity. Operators are encouraged to 

review these practices, incorporate them where appropriate, 

and where possible develop better methods for achieving the 

same goals. 

Air Quality 

BLM actions must comply with all applicable air quality 

laws, regulations, and standards. As projects are proposed 

that include possible major sources of air pollutant emissions, 

air quality protection related stipulations are added to BLM 

permits and rights-of-way grants. In addition, the BLM 

coordinates with the Wyoming Department of Environmental 

Quality/Air Quality Division during the process of analysis. 

This coordination results in the technical review of applications for permits and(or) identification of additional stipulations to be applied to these permits. 

The release of hazardous air contaminants, particularly the 

emissions from sour natural gas sweetening plants (a process 

used to remove H2S from natural gas resulting in the emission 

of sulfur dioxide), is a public concern. BLM requires industry 

703
APPENDIX 12

to prepare analyses of risks involved with the development of 

sour gas pipelines and treatment facilities. These analyses are 

designed to project impacts both to the public and to resource 

values. To aid in achieving air quality goals BLM would 

consult with the State of Wyoming, the U.S. Forest Service, 

industry, and the public to ensure that the most technically 

sound, environmentally balanced, and economically feasible 

decisions are made. 

Additional Stipulations: The emission of fugitive dust shall 

be limited by all persons handling, transporting, or storing any 

material to prevent unnecessary amounts of particulate matter 

from becoming airborne to the extent that ambient air standards described in these regulations are exceeded. Control 

measures described as follows or any equivalent method shall 

be considered appropriate for such control: 

(i) Use, where possible, of water or chemicals for control 

of dust in the demolition of existing buildings, or 

structures, construction operations, the grading of 

roads or the clearing of land; 

(ii) Application of asphalt, oil, water, or suitable chemicals on dirt roads, materials stockpiles, and other 

surfaces which can give rise to airborne dusts; 

(iii) Installation and use of hood, fans and fabric filters to 

enclose and vent the handling of dusty materials; 

adequate containment methods shall be employed 

during sandblasting or other similar operations; 

(iv) Covering, at all times when in motion, open bodied 

trucks, transporting materials likely to give rise to 

airborne dust; 

(v) Conduct of agricultural practices such as tilling of 

land, application of fertilizers, etc. in such a manner as 

to prevent dust from becoming airborne; 

(vi) The paving of roadways and their maintenance in a 

clean condition; 

(vii)The prompt removal of earth or other material from 

paved streets onto which earth or other material has 

been transported by trucking or earth moving equipment, erosion by water, or other means (Wyoming Air 

Quality Standards and Regulations, 1989, Section 14, 

Control of Particulate Emissions). 

Based upon improved modeling, reductions in nitrogen 

oxide emissions at the Naughton Power Plant near Kemmerer, 

and the timing, duration and magnitude of visibility impacts 

from the projected wells and compression, the cumulative 

effects of nitrogen oxide emissions (as modeled for the Pinedale 

Anticline Project EIS) will remain within visibility and lake 

acidity acceptable levels. Monitoring and emissions tracking 

for the protection of wilderness air quality related values of 

visibility and lake acidification will continue and reporting 

will be done on an annual basis. 

The WDEQ-AQD emissions tracking will continue, on an 

annual basis, to report changes in permitted potential NOx 

emission levels since January 1, 1996. In accordance with the 

Joint Agreement between the BLM, Wyoming DEQ, USDA 

Forest Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, in 

maintaining diligence in the monitoring for the protection of 

wilderness air quality related values of visibility and lake 

acidification, the BLM, in consultation with the Wyoming 

DEQ-AQD, will track emissions for the Pinedale Anticline 

and the Jonah II projects on an annual basis. Any development 

within the Jack Morrow Hills Coordinated Activity Planning 

area will also be included in the tracking because of its 

proximity to the Bridger Wilderness area. 

The construction and installation of compressors on BLMadministered lands will be coordinated with the Wyoming 

DEQ-AQD and all the Operators. Before right-of-way grants 

or sundry notices will be issued for any compressor site on 

BLM-administered lands, additional site-specific environmental analysis will be required to address site-specific 

surface resource concerns and mitigation of unnecessary and 

undue impacts (e.g., cultural, wildlife, visual, noise impacts at 

dwellings, sage grouse leks, etc.). Sites that are less than four 

miles from a dwelling will require additional hazardous air 

pollutant analysis. 

Candidate Plants 

Mitigation options to avoid or reduce impacts to rare plants 

may be limited due to specific habitat requirements, or lack of 

necessary biological information to make such an assessment. 

Most of the common techniques such as off-site compensation 

or habitat restoration have proven largely unsuccessful, although seedbanking is commonly performed in order to 

attempt off-site propagation. Mitigation plans for areas where 

impacts to these species cannot be avoided are designed to 

provide special management actions that minimize the overall 

impact to the species. However, due to the difficulties of 

providing successful mitigation options, impacts to candidate 

plants are considered less than significant only if no net loss 

of population size or habitat quality results. “No net loss” is 

intended to mean that BLM must “ensure that [actions authorized, funded, or carried out by BLM]...affecting the habitat of 

candidate species are carried out in a manner that is consistent 

with the objectives for managing those species. BLM shall not 

carry out any actions that would cause any irreversible or 

irretrievable commitment of resources or reduce the future 

management options for the species involved” (BLM Manual 

6840). 

Fire 

Guidelines for buffer areas (an area in which fire cannot 

spread) have been prepared to protect developed facilities and 

areas of highly erodible soils from the impacts of fire. 

If the development is located in a grass community, a 15-

foot buffer is recommended. 

If the development is located in a sagebrush community, a 

25-foot buffer is recommended. 

In a juniper/tall brush community (serviceberry, aspen, 

cottonwood, willow), a 50-foot buffer is recommended. 

In a conifer community (lodgepole, spruce fir), a buffer 

area of 25 feet plus the height of the surrounding trees is 

recommended. 

704
APPENDIX 12

The emissions which may be created directly by BLM 

activities are mitigated by applying best management practices. For example, prescribed fires are conducted to reduce 

emissions by burning only at appropriate fuel moistures and 

wind speeds (among other factors) which reduce as much as 

possible the smoke created. All BLM activities that may 

potentially cause undesirable air quality impacts are also 

coordinated with the Wyoming Department of Environmental 

Quality, Air Quality Division (WDEQ,ADQ). Permits to 

conduct these activities are secured (where necessary) before 

the activity begins, to insure compliance with all Federal, 

state, and local air quality laws. 

In support of prescribed fire activities, the BLM may 

temporarily close areas to facilitate operations and to provide 

for public safety. 

Pipelines and Communication Lines 

On ditches exceeding 36 inches in width, 6 to 12 inches of 

surface soil should be salvaged where possible on the entire 

right-of-way. When pipelines and communication lines are 

buried, there should be at least 30 inches of backfill on top of 

the pipe. Backfill should not extend above the original ground 

level after the fill has settled. Guides for construction and 

water bar placement are found in “Surface Operating Standards for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development” (USDI 

1978). Bladed surface materials would be re-spread upon the 

cleared route once construction is completed. Disturbed areas 

that have been reclaimed may need to be fenced when the 

route is near livestock watering areas. 

Existing crowned and ditched roads would be used for 

access where possible to minimize surface disturbances. Where 

possible, clearing of pipeline and communication line rightsof-way would be accomplished with the least degree of 

disturbance to topsoil. Where topsoil removal is necessary, it 

would be stockpiled (wind-rowed) and re-spread over the 

disturbance after construction and backfilling are completed. 

Vegetation removed from the right-of-way would also be 

required to be re-spread to provide protection, nutrient recycling, and a seed source. 

To promote soil stability, the compaction of backfill over 

the trench would be required (not to extend above the original 

ground level after the fill has settled). Water bars, mulching, 

and terracing would be required, as needed, to minimize 

erosion. Instream protection structures (e.g., drop structures) 

may be required in drainages crossed by a pipeline to prevent 

erosion. The fencing of linear disturbances near livestock 

watering areas may be required. 

Reclamation 

Current BLM policy recognizes that there may be more 

than one correct way to achieve successful reclamation, and a 

variety of methods may be appropriate to the varying circumstances. BLM should continue to allow applicants to use their 

own expertise in recommending and implementing construction and reclamation projects. These allowances still hold the 

applicant responsible for final reclamation standards of performance. 

BLM reclamation goals emphasize: 1) protection of existing native vegetation; 2) minimal disturbance of existing 

environment; 3) soil stabilization through establishment of 

ground cover; and 4) establishment of native vegetation 

consistent with land use planning. 

All reclamation is expected to be accomplished as soon as 

possible after the disturbance occurs with efforts continuing 

until a satisfactory revegetation cover is established and the 

site is stabilized (3 to 5 years). 

Only areas needed for construction would be allowed to be 

disturbed. Reclamation (by the lessee or grant holder) would 

be initiated as soon as possible after a disturbance occurs. 

On all areas to be reclaimed, seed mixtures would be 

required to be site-specific, composed of native species, and 

would be required to include species promoting soil stability. 

A pre-disturbance species composition list must be developed 

for each site if the project encompasses an area where there are 

several different plant communities present. Livestock palatability and wildlife habitat needs would be given consideration in seed mix formulation. BLM guidance for native seed 

use is BLM Manual 1745 (Introduction, Transplant, Augmentation, and Reestablishment of Fish, Wildlife, and Plants), and 

Executive Order No. 11987 (Exotic Organisms). 

Interseeding, secondary seeding, or staggered seeding may 

be required to accomplish revegetation objectives. During 

rehabilitation of areas in important wildlife habitat, provision 

would be made for the establishment of native browse and 

forb species, if determined to be beneficial for the habitat 

affected. Follow-up seeding or corrective erosion control 

measures may be required on areas of surface disturbance 

which experience reclamation failure. 

Trees, shrubs, and ground cover (not to be cleared from 

rights-of-way) would require protection from construction 

damage. Backfilling to preconstruction condition (in a similar 

sequence and density) would be required. The restoration of 

normal surface drainage would also be required. 

Any mulch used would be free from mold, fungi, or 

noxious weed seeds. Mulch may include native hay, small 

grain straw, wood fiber, live mulch, cotton, jute, synthetic 

netting, and rock. Straw mulch should contain fibers long 

enough to facilitate crimping and provide the greatest cover. 

The grantee or lessee would be responsible for the control 

of all noxious weed infestations on surface disturbances. 

Aerial application of chemicals would be prohibited within 1/ 

4 mile of special status plant locations, and hand application 

would be prohibited within 500 feet. Control measures would 

adhere to those allowed in the Rock Springs District Noxious 

Weed Control EA (USDI 1982a) or the Regional Northwest 

Area Noxious Weed Control Program EIS (USDI 1987). 

Herbicide application would be monitored by the BLM authorized officer. 

Roads 

Roads would be constructed as described in BLM Manual 

9113. New main artery roads would be designed to reduce 

705
APPENDIX 12

sediment, salt, and phosphate loading to the Green River. 

Where necessary, running surfaces of the roads would be 

graveled if the base does not already contain sufficient aggregate. 

Existing roads would be upgraded where necessary. 

Recognized roads, as shown on the Rock Springs District 

Office Transportation Plan, would be used when the alignment is acceptable for the proposed use. Generally, roads 

would be required to follow natural contours; provide visual 

screening by constructing curves etc.; and be reclaimed to 

BLM standards. 

To control or reduce sediment from roads, guidance involving proper road placement and buffer strips to stream 

channels, graveling, proper drainage, seasonal closure, and in 

some cases, redesign or closure of old roads would be developed when necessary. Construction may also be prohibited 

during periods when soil material is saturated, frozen, or when 

watershed damage is likely to occur. 

On newly constructed roads and permanent roads, the 

placement of topsoil, seeding, and stabilization would be 

required on all cut and fill slopes unless conditions prohibit 

this (e.g., rock). No unnecessary side-casting of material (e.g., 

maintenance) on steep slopes would be allowed. Snow 

removal plans may be required so that snow removal does not 

adversely affect reclamation efforts or resources adjacent to 

the road. 

Reclamation of abandoned roads would include requirements for reshaping, recontouring, resurfacing with topsoil, 

installation of water bars, and seeding on the contour. The 

removal of structures such as bridges, culverts, cattleguards, 

and signs usually would be required. Stripped vegetation 

would be spread over the disturbance for nutrient recycling, 

where practical. Fertilization or fencing of these disturbances 

would not normally be required. Additional erosion control 

measures (e.g., fiber matting) and road barriers to discourage 

travel may be required. 

Main artery roads, regardless of primary user, would be 

crowned, ditched, drained, and surfaced with gravel to reduce 

sediment, salt, and phosphate loading to the Green River. 

Road closures may be implemented during crucial periods 

(e.g., wildlife winter periods, spring runoff, and calving and 

fawning seasons). 

Soils 

If clay soils are used as pit lining, they should have a liquid 

limit greater than 30 and a Plasticity Index of at least 20. 

Assuming that bentonite in drilling fluids would sufficiently 

seal a pit is not good procedure because the bentonite would 

not be compacted, and uniform coverage and density would 

not be achieved. Bentonite is also subject to cracking if it is 

not designed properly. 

Uncontrolled or designed settlement of clay particles does 

not provide a consistently adequate seal on a pit liner. Compaction or permeability testing should be used to determine pit 

characteristics. 

Current objectives focus on soil conservation planning for 

surface disturbance actions. Soil conservation should be 

addressed during the initial phase of any surface disturbing 

action, thereby maintaining soil productivity and stability 

levels through the use of existing guidelines and techniques. 

Some areas may require more thorough soil management 

practices than others, however, this is dependent on the type 

and duration of the action and the effect on site-specific soil 

characteristics. 

Some examples of standards applied throughout the Field 

Office area based on soil management criteria are: 

1. Closures due to saturated soil conditions when soil resource damage would occur due to wheel rutting or 

compaction on wet soils. 

2. Salvage and subsequent replacement of topsoil whenever 

possible on surface disturbing activities. 

3. Limiting disturbance on slopes greater than 25 percent. 

Emphasis should continue to be placed on the reduction of 

soil erosion and sediment into the Green River Basin watershed. Of particular importance would be those areas with 

saline soils such as the Little Colorado Desert or those areas 

with highly erodible geology and soils such as Red Creek 

drainage. 

Management of the soil resource would continue to be 

based upon the following: 1) Evaluation and interpretation of 

soils in relation to project design and development; 2) Identification and inventory of soils for baseline data; and 3) 

Identification and implementation of methods to reduce accelerated erosion. 

Evaluation and interpretation involves identification of 

soil properties which would influence their use and recommendations for development while minimizing soil loss. 

Projects would be examined on a site-specific basis, evaluating the potential for soil loss and the compatibility of soil 

properties with project design. Stipulations and mitigating 

measures are provided on a case-by-case basis to ensure soil 

conservation and practical management. Projects requiring 

soil interpretations include: construction of linear right-ofway facilities (i.e., pipelines, roads, railroads, and power 

transmission lines); construction of water impoundments; 

rangeland manipulation through fire or mechanical treatments; construction of plant site facilities, pump stations, well 

pads and associated disturbances; and reclamation projects. 

The current Order 3 soil survey is designed to update 

general soils information and provide data to those areas 

lacking soil inventories. A baseline soil inventory is ongoing 

to provide information on productivity, soil engineering properties, and soil erosion potentials. Proposed “I” category 

allotments and areas impacted by oil and gas projects receive 

priority in the soil survey process. 

Identification of critical erosion condition areas would 

continue during soil surveys, monitoring, site specific project 

analysis, and activity plan development for the purpose of 

avoidance and special management. 

706
APPENDIX 12

Before a surface disturbing activity is authorized, topsoil 

depth would be determined. The amount of topsoil to be 

removed, along with topsoil placement areas, would be specified in the authorization. The uniform distribution of topsoil 

over the area to be reclaimed would be required, unless 

conditions warrant a varying depth. On large surface-disturbing projects (e.g., gas processing plants) topsoil would be 

stockpiled and seeded to reduce erosion. Where feasible, 

topsoil stockpiles would be designed to maximize surface area 

to reduce impacts to soil microorganisms. Stockpiles remaining less than two years are best for soil micro-organism 

survival and native seed viability. It is recommended that 

stockpiles be no more than 3 to 4 feet high. Areas used for 

spoil storage would be stripped of topsoil before spoil placement. The replacement of topsoil after spoil removal would 

be required. 

Temporary disturbances which do not require major excavation (e.g., small pipelines and communication lines) may be 

stripped of vegetation to ground level using mechanical treatment, leaving topsoil intact and root mass relatively undisturbed. 

In support of the BLM’s mission, soil management is 

committed to sustaining the productivity of soils. 

Watershed 

The entire land surface should be considered for nonpoint 

pollution control with specific attention being given to areas 

where the flow of water is concentrated, including roads, well 

pads, and stream channels. 

Stream sediment, phosphate, and salinity load would be 

reduced where possible. 

In areas where ground water exists 20 feet or less from the 

surface (Wyoming Oil & Gas Commission), produced water 

from oil and gas operations would be disposed of in an 

approved closed storage system or by other acceptable means 

complying with Onshore Order #7. 

Where depth to groundwater is less than 100 feet and soil 

permeability is more than 0.1 foot/day, plants, mills, or 

associated tailings ponds and sewage lagoons would not be 

allowed. 

To protect watershed resources during wet periods, vehicle 

travel, particularly large or heavy truck traffic, would not be 

allowed unless travel occurs on roads that are graveled for allseason use. 

Crossings of ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streams 

associated with road and utility line construction would generally be restricted until after spring runoff and normal flows 

are established. 

Vegetative buffer strips of at least 100 feet should be left 

intact next to a perennial stream during controlled burning. 

The inner gorge of intermittent and ephemeral drainages 

should be burned in such a manner as to leave unburned 

patches of vegetation. At no time should the burn consume 

more than 50 percent of the cover within the inner gorge area. 

The use of herbicides for vegetative manipulation should 

proceed with great care when done in the proximity of willows, cottonwoods, or aspens so as not to damage such stands 

unless the prescription actually calls for such removal. 

Herbicide loading sites would be located at least 500 feet 

from live water, floodplains, riparian areas, and all special 

status plant locations and would be utilized in accordance with 

the guidelines in Appendix 9-2. Treatments would adhere to 

all label directions. 

Floatable stream stretches should be managed so that there 

is no more than a 10 percent increase in fecal coliform count. 

Vegetative buffer strips should be maintained between 

developed recreational facilities and live water. 

Prior to installing toilet facilities associated with recreation, ground water protection would be provided for. 

Installation of instream structures for fisheries, watershed, 

or irrigation enhancement must be completely engineered if 

the high flow for the stream exceeds 10 CFS (cubic feet/ 

second). 

Floodplains by their very nature are unsafe locations for 

permanent structures. With an inundation of flood waters, 

soils disturbed by construction could experience a rate of 

erosion greater than undisturbed sites. There is an additional 

concern over the potential for flood waters to aid in the 

disbursal of hazardous materials that may be stored within 

such structures. Therefore, floodplains should have no permanent structures constructed within their boundaries unless 

it can be demonstrated on a case-by-case basis that there is no 

physically practical alternative. In cases where floodplain 

construction is approved, additional constraints could be 

applied. 

Section 2.a.(2) of Executive Order 11988 states in summary that “...if the HEAD OF THE AGENCY finds that the 

only practicable alternative consistent with the law and with 

the policy set forth in the Order requires siting in a floodplain, 

the agency shall, prior to taking action, 1) design or modify its 

action in order to minimize potential harm...and 2) prepare 

and circulate a notice containing an explanation of why the 

action proposed is to be located in the floodplain. 

Also, Section 3 of Executive Order 11988, in reference to 

Federal real property and facilities states that agencies shall, 

if facilities are to be located in a floodplain (i.e., no practicable 

alterative), flood protection measures are to be applied to new 

construction or rehabilitate existing structures, elevate structures rather than fill the land, provide flood height potential 

markings on facilities to be used by the public, and when the 

property is proposed for lease, easement, right of way, or 

disposal, the agency has to attach restriction on uses in the 

conveyance, etc., or withhold from such conveyancy. 

Disturbances to the soils, such as roads and well pads, can 

easily concentrate the flow of water increasing its erosive 

potential. A 500-foot buffer provides an opportunity for such 

flows to be disbursed before they reach a stream and often 

precludes construction in riparian zones. Therefore, there 

should be no construction within 500 feet of a stream unless 

707
APPENDIX 12

it can be demonstrated on a case-by-case basis that there is no 

physically practical alternative. In cases where construction 

within the 500-foot zone is approved, additional constraints 

could be applied. 

All surface disturbance, permanent facilities, etc., shall 

remain a minimum of 500 feet away from the edge of surface 

waters, riparian areas, wetlands, and 100-year floodplains 

unless it is determined through site specific analysis and the 

Field Manager approves in writing, that there is no practicable 

alternative to the proposed action. If such a circumstance 

exists, then all practicable measures to mitigate possible harm 

to these areas must be employed. These mitigating measures 

would be determined case by case and may include, but are not 

limited to, diking, lining, screening, mulching, terracing, and 

diversions. 

To minimize long-term surface disturbances within the 

vegetated sand dunes under this alternative, options such as 

directional drilling, smaller well pads, and surface lines should 

be considered. To enhance reclamation success through 

surface stability, techniques to reduce wind erosion should be 

considered as standard procedures within this area. These 

methods could include snow fences, soil tackifiers, and erosion control matting. 

Well Pads and Facilities 

Dumping of produced water on roads would not be allowed 

unless TDS is less than 400 mg/l (State standard for the 

Colorado River drainage) and the water does not contain 

hazardous material. No produced water would be allowed on 

roads in Sublette County. 

Both produced water and reserve pits should be constructed to ensure protection of surface and ground water. The 

review to determine the need for installation of lining material 

should be done on a case-by-case basis and consider soil 

permeability, water quality, and depth to ground water. Oilbased muds used for drilling operations should be environmentally acceptable. 

Pits would be fenced as specified in individual authorizations. Any pits with harmful fluids in them shall be maintained in a manner that would prevent migratory bird mortality. 

Abandoned sites must be satisfactorily rehabilitated in 

accordance with a plan approved by the BLM. Soil samples 

may be analyzed to determine reclamation potential, appropriate reseeding species, and nutrient deficits. Tests may 

include: pH, mechanical analysis, electrical conductivity, and 

sodium content. Terraces or elongated water breaks would be 

constructed after slope reduction. Disturbances should be 

reclaimed or managed for zero runoff from the location until 

the area is stabilized. All excavations and pits should be 

closed by backfilling and contouring to conform to surrounding terrain. On well pads and larger locations, the surface use 

plan would include objectives for successful reclamation 

including: soil stabilization, plant community composition, 

and desired vegetation density and diversity. 

On producing locations, operators would be required to 

reduce slopes to original contours (not to exceed 3:1 slopes). 

Areas not used for production purposes should be backfilled 

and blended into the surrounding terrain, reseeded, and erosion control measures installed. Erosion control measures 

would be required after slope reduction. Facilities would be 

required to approach zero runoff from the location to avoid 

contamination and water quality degradation downstream. 

Mulching, erosion control measures, and fertilization may be 

required to achieve acceptable stabilization. 

Reserve pits would not be located in areas where groundwater is less than 50 feet from the surface and soil permeability 

is greater than 10-7cm/hr. 

Produced water from oil and gas operations would be 

disposed of in accordance with the requirements of Onshore 

Oil and Gas Order #7. 

Any produced water pit or drilling fluids pit that shows 

indications of containing hazardous wastes would be tested 

for the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure constituents. If analysis proves positive, the fluids would be disposed 

of in an approved manner. The cost of the testing and disposal 

would be borne by the potentially responsible party. 

No surface disturbance is recommended on slopes in 

excess of 25 percent unless erosion controls can be ensured 

and adequate revegetation is expected. Engineering proposals and revegetation and restoration plans would be required 

in these areas. 

No sour gas lines would be located closer than one mile to 

a populated area or sensitive receptor. The applicants must 

use the best available engineering design (e.g., alignment, 

block valve type and spacing, pipe grade), and best construction techniques (e.g., surveillance, warning signs) as approved by the Authorized Officer to minimize both the probability of rupture and radius of exposure in the event of an 

accidental pipeline release of sour gas. A variance from the 

one-mile distance may be granted by the Authorized Officer 

based on detailed site-specific analysis that would consider 

meteorology, topography, and special pipeline design and(or) 

construction measures. This analysis would ensure that 

populated areas and sensitive receptors would not be exposed 

to an increased level of risk. 

Wilderness 

A controlled surface use stipulation would be applied for 

activities within 1/4 mile or the visual horizon of the WSA 

boundary. Actions within or adjacent to the WSAs would be 

evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if appropriate 

mitigation would be necessary. 

Wildlife 

Mountain Plover (proposed for listing) 

Surveys will be conducted within suitable plover habitat by 

a qualified biologist in accordance with USFWS guidelines (a 

copy of the guidelines may be obtained from the USFWS, 

BLM, or WGFD). Surveys will be conducted to determine the 

708
APPENDIX 12

presence or absence of breeding plovers (i.e., displaying 

males and foraging adults). 

Surveys to determine presence or absence of plovers should 

be conducted between May 1 and June 15 throughout the 

breeding range. 

The survey type chosen for a project and the extent of the 

survey area (i.e., beyond the edge of the construction or 

operational right of way) will depend on the type of project 

activity being analyzed (e.g., construction, operation) and the 

users intent. Some techniques common to each survey method 

are: 

Surveys will be conducted during early courtship 

and territorial establishment. Throughout the 

breeding range, this period extends from approximately mid-April through early June. However, 

the specific breeding period depends on latitude, 

elevation, and weather. 

Conduct surveys between local sunrise and 10:00 

a.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to sunset (periods of 

horizontal light to facilitate spotting the white 

breast of the adult plovers). 

Drive transects within the project area to minimize early flushing. Flushing distances for mountain plovers may be within 3 meters (9 to 10 feet) 

for vehicles, but plovers often flush at 50 to 100 

meters (164 to 328 feet) when approached by 

humans on foot. 

For all breeding birds observed, conduct additional surveys immediately prior to construction 

activities to search for active nest sites. 

If an active nest is located, an appropriate buffer 

area should be established to prevent direct loss of 

the nest or indirect impacts from human-related 

disturbance. The appropriate buffer distance will 

vary, depending on topography, type of activity 

proposed, and duration of disturbance. For disturbances including pedestrian foot traffic and 

continual equipment operations, a 200-meter (656-

foot) buffer is recommended. 

Where nesting plovers are found, activity within 636 feet 

would be restricted from April 10 to July 10. 

Surveys would be conducted prior to and as close to the 

actual date of construction initiation as possible, but no more 

than 14 days prior to the date actual ground-disturbance 

activities begin. If more than one survey is required, they 

would be made at least 14 days apart, with the last survey no 

more than 14 days prior to start-up date. 

Where roads or well pads have been constructed prior to the 

mountain plover nesting season and use of these areas has not 

been initiated for development action, the BLM would require 

site investigations of these areas prior to use to determine 

whether mountain plovers are using these areas. In the event 

that mountain plover nesting is occurring, the BLM may 

require delays in planned activities until nesting is complete. 

709