WETLAND AND WATERBODY

CONSTRUCTION AND

MITIGATION PROCEDURES

Federal Energy Regulatory Commissi

Office of Energy P
Table of Contents

I. Applicability ...................................................

II. Preconstruction Filing.................................. 

III. Environmental Inspectors .............................

IV. Preconstruction Planning............................

V. Waterbody Crossings ....................................

A.	notification procedures and permits.............

	 B.	installation ..............................................................8

	 1.	 Time Window for Construction..............................8

	 2.	 Extra Work Areas ......................................................9

	 3.	 General Crossing Procedures ..................................9

	 4.	 Spoil Pile Placement and Control ........................10

	 5.	 Equipment Bridges.................................................11

	 6.	 Dry-Ditch Crossing Methods ................................12

	 7.	 Crossings of Minor Waterbodies ..........................15

	 8.	 Crossings of Intermediate Waterbodies ...............16

	 9.	 Crossings of Major Waterbodies ...........................16

	 10.	 Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control .........17

	 11.	 Trench Dewatering.................................................18

C.	restoration.............................................................18

	 D.	post-construction maintenance.....................

VI. Wetland Crossings .....................................

A.	general.....................................................................21

	 B.	installation ............................................................23

	 1.	 Extra Work Areas and Access Roads .....................23	

	 2.	 Crossing Procedures...............................................24	

	 3.	 Temporary Sediment Control ...............................26

	 4.	 Trench Dewatering.................................................27

C.	restoration.............................................................28

	 D.	post-construction maintenanc&   reporting..............................................................

VII. Hydrostatic Testing .................................. 31

A.notification procedures and permits .........

B.general.................................................................... 32

C.intake source and rate ....................................... 3

 D.discharge location, method, and rate .........
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I.	Applicab

A.	The intent of these Procedures is to assist project sponsors

by identifying baseline mitigation measures for minimizing

the extent and duration of project-related disturbance on

wetlands and waterbodies. Project sponsors shall speci

in their applications for a new FERC authorization, and

in prior notice and advance notice filings, any individual

measures in these Procedures they consider unnecessary,

technically infeasible, or unsuitable due to local conditions

and fully describe any alternative measures they would use.

Project sponsors shall also explain how those alternative

measures would achieve a comparable level of mitigation.

	 	 Once a project is authorized, project sponsors can request

further changes as variances to the measures in these

Procedures (or the applicant’s approved procedures). T

Director of the Office of Energy Projects (Director) will

consider approval of variances upon the project sponsor’s

written request, if the Director agrees that a variance:

	 1.	 provides equal or better environmental protection;

	 2.	 is necessary because a portion of these Procedures

is infeasible or unworkable based on project-specific

conditions; or

	 3.	 is specifically required in writing by another federal,

state, or Native American land management agency

for the portion of the project on its land or under its

jurisdiction.
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II. Preconstruction Fili

A.	The following information must be filed with the

Secretary of the FERC (Secretary) prior to the beginning

of construction, for the review and written approval by the

Director:

	 1.	 site-specific justifications for extra work areas that would

be closer than 50 feet from a waterbody or wetland; and

	 2.	 site-specific justifications for the use of a construction

right-of-way greater than 75-feet-wide in wetlands.

B.	 The following information must be filed with the Secretary

prior to the beginning of construction. These fili

requirements do not apply to projects constructed under

the automatic authorization provisions in the FERC’s

regulations:

	 1.	 Spill Prevention and Response Procedures specified in

section IV.A;

	 2.	 a schedule identifying when trenching or blasting will

occur within each waterbody greater than 10 feet wide,

within any designated coldwater fishery, and within

any waterbody identified as habitat for federally-listed

threatened or endangered species. The project spons

will revise the schedule as necessary to provide FERC

staff at least 14 days advance notice. Changes with

this last 14-day period must provide for at least 48 hours

advance notice;

Sponsors of projects planned for construction under the

automatic authorization provisions in the FERC’s regulations

must receive written approval for any variances in advance of

construction.

Project-related impacts on non-wetland areas are addressed in the

staff’s Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance

Plan (Plan).

B. DEFINITIONS

	 1.	“Waterbody” includes any natural or artificial stream,

river, or drainage with perceptible flow at the time of

crossing, and other permanent waterbodies such as

ponds and lakes:

a.	 “minor waterbody” includes all waterbodies less than

or equal to 10 feet wide at the water’s edge at the time

of crossing;

b.	 “intermediate waterbody” includes all waterbodies

greater than 10 feet wide but less than or equal to 100

feet wide at the water’s edge at the time of crossing;

and

c.	 “major waterbody” includes all waterbodies greater

than 100 feet wide at the water’s edge at the time of

crossing.

	 2.	 “Wetland” includes any area that is not in actively

cultivated or rotated cropland and that satisfies the

requirements of the current federal methodology for

identifying and delineating wetlands.
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IV. Preconstruction Plan

A.	 The project sponsor shall develop project-specific Spill

Prevention and Response Procedures that meet applicable

requirements of state and federal agencies. A copy mu

be filed with the Secretary prior to construction and made

available in the field on each construction spread. Th

filing requirement does not apply to projects constructed

under the automatic authorization provisions in the

FERC’s regulations.

	 1.	 It shall be the responsibility of the project sponsor and

its contractors to structure their operations in a manner

that reduces the risk of spills or the accidental exposure

of fuels or hazardous materials to waterbodies or

wetlands. The project sponsor and its contractors mus

at a minimum, ensure that:

a.	 all employees handling fuels and other hazardous

materials are properly trained;

b.	 all equipment is in good operating order and

inspected on a regular basis;

c.	 fuel trucks transporting fuel to on-site equipment

travel only on approved access roads;

d.	 all equipment is parked overnight and/or fueled at

least 100 feet from a waterbody or in an upland area

at least 100 feet from a wetland boundary. The

activities can occur closer only if the Environmental

Inspector determines that there is no reasonable

	 3.	 plans for horizontal directional drills (HDD) under

wetlands or waterbodies, specified in section V.B.6.d;

	 4.	 site-specific plans for major waterbody crossings,

described in section V.B.9;

	 5.	 a wetland delineation report as described in section

VI.A.1, if applicable; and

	 6.	 the hydrostatic testing information specified in section

VII.B.3.

III.Environmental Ins

A.	At least one Environmental Inspector having knowledge of

the wetland and waterbody conditions in the project area

is required for each construction spread. The number a

experience of Environmental Inspectors assigned to each

construction spread shall be appropriate for the length of

the construction spread and the number/significance of

resources affected.

B. The Environmental Inspector’s responsibilities are

outlined in the Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and

Maintenance Plan (Plan).
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	 2.	 The project sponsor and its contractors must structure

their operations in a manner that provides for the

prompt and effective cleanup of spills of fuel and

other hazardous materials. At a minimum, the proje

sponsor and its contractors must:

a.	 ensure that each construction crew (including

cleanup crews) has on hand sufficient supplies of

absorbent and barrier materials to allow the rapid

containment and recovery of spilled materials

and knows the procedure for reporting spills and

unanticipated discoveries of contamination;

b.	 ensure that each construction crew has on hand

sufficient tools and material to stop leaks;

c.	 know the contact names and telephone numbers

for all local, state, and federal agencies (including,

if necessary, the U. S. Coast Guard and the National

Response Center) that must be notified of a spill; and

d.	 follow the requirements of those agencies in cleaning

up the spill, in excavating and disposing of soils

or other materials contaminated by a spill, and in

collecting and disposing of waste generated during

spill cleanup.

B. AGENCY COORDINATION

	 The project sponsor must coordinate with the appropriate

local, state, and federal agencies as outlined in these

Procedures and in the FERC’s Orders.

alternative, and the project sponsor and its contractors

have taken appropriate steps (including secondary

containment structures) to prevent spills and provide

for prompt cleanup in the event of a spill;

e.	 hazardous materials, including chemicals, fuels,

and lubricating oils, are not stored within 100 feet

of a wetland, waterbody, or designated municipal

watershed area, unless the location is designated for

such use by an appropriate governmental authority.

This applies to storage of these materials and does not

apply to normal operation or use of equipment in

these areas;

f.	 concrete coating activities are not performed within

100 feet of a wetland or waterbody boundary, unless

the location is an existing industrial site designated for

such use. These activities can occur closer only if t

Environmental Inspector determines that there is no

reasonable alternative, and the project sponsor and its

contractors have taken appropriate steps (including

secondary containment structures) to prevent spills

and provide for prompt cleanup in the event of a spill;

g.	 pumps operating within 100 feet of a waterbody or

wetland boundary utilize appropriate secondary

containment systems to prevent spills; and

h.	 bulk storage of hazardous materials, including

chemicals, fuels, and lubricating oils have appropriate

secondary containment systems to prevent spills.
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and

b.	 coolwater and warmwater fisheries - June 1 through

November 30.

	 2.	 Extra Work Areas

a.	 Locate all extra work areas (such as staging areas and

additional spoil storage areas) at least 50 feet away

from water’s edge, except where the adjacent upland

consists of cultivated or rotated cropland or other

disturbed land.

b.	 The project sponsor shall file with the Secretary

for review and written approval by the Director,

site-specific justification for each extra work area

with a less than 50-foot setback from the water’s

edge, except where the adjacent upland consists of

cultivated or rotated cropland or other disturbed

land. The justification must specify the conditions

that will not permit a 50-foot setback and measures

to ensure the waterbody is adequately protected.

c.	 Limit the size of extra work areas to the minimum

needed to construct the waterbody crossing.

	 3.	 General Crossing Procedures

a.	 Comply with the COE, or its delegated agency, permit

terms and conditions.

b.	 Construct crossings as close to perpendicular to the

axis of the waterbody channel as engineering and

routing conditions permit.

V. Waterbody Crossi

A. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES AND PERMITS 

	 1.	 Apply to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), or

its delegated agency, for the appropriate wetland and

waterbody crossing permits.

	 2.	 Provide written notification to authorities responsible

for potable surface water supply intakes located within

3 miles downstream of the crossing at least 1 week

before beginning work in the waterbody, or as otherwise

specified by that authority.

	 3.	 Apply for state-issued waterbody crossing permits and

obtain individual or generic section 401 water quality

certification or waiver.

	 4.	 Notify appropriate federal and state authorities at least

48 hours before beginning trenching or blasting within

the waterbody, or as specified in applicable permits.

B. INSTALLATION

	 1.	 Time Window for Construction

	 	 Unless expressly permitted or further restricted by the

appropriate federal or state agency in writing on a sitespecific basis, instream work, except that required to

install or remove equipment bridges, must occur during

the following time windows:

a.	 coldwater fisheries - June 1 through September 30;
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a.	 All spoil from minor and intermediate waterbody

crossings, and upland spoil from major waterbody

crossings, must be placed in the construction rightof-way at least 10 feet from the water’s edge or in

additional extra work areas as described in section

V.B.2.

b.	 Use sediment barriers to prevent the flow of spoil or

silt-laden water into any waterbody.

	 5.	 Equipment Bridges

a.	 Only clearing equipment and equipment necessary

for installation of equipment bridges may cross

waterbodies prior to bridge installation. Limit t

number of such crossings of each waterbody to one

per piece of clearing equipment.

b.	 Construct and maintain equipment bridges to allow

unrestricted flow and to prevent soil from entering the

waterbody. Examples of such bridges includ

	 (1) equipment pads and culvert(s);

(2) equipment pads or railroad car bridges without

culverts;

(3) clean rock fill and culvert(s); and

(4) flexi-float or portable bridges.

	 Additional options for equipment bridges may be

utilized that achieve the performance objectives

noted above. Do not use soil to construct or stabili

equipment bridges.

c.	 Design and maintain each equipment bridge to

c.	 Where pipelines parallel a waterbody, maintain

at least 15 feet of undisturbed vegetation between

the waterbody (and any adjacent wetland) and the

construction right-of-way, except where maintaining

this offset will result in greater environmental impact.

d.	 Where waterbodies meander or have multiple

channels, route the pipeline to minimize the number

of waterbody crossings.

e.	 Maintain adequate waterbody flow rates to protect

aquatic life, and prevent the interruption of existing

downstream uses.

f.	 Waterbody buffers (e.g., extra work area setbacks,

refueling restrictions) must be clearly marked in the

field with signs and/or highly visible flagging until

construction-related ground disturbing activities are

complete.

g.	 Crossing of waterbodies when they are dry or frozen

and not flowing may proceed using standard upland

construction techniques in accordance with the

Plan, provided that the Environmental Inspector

verifies that water is unlikely to flow between

initial disturbance and final stabilization of the

feature. In the event of perceptible flow, the proje

sponsor must comply with all applicable Procedure

requirements for “waterbodies” as defined in section

I.B.1.

	 4.	 Spoil Pile Placement and Control
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	 (1) The dam-and-pump method may be used without

prior approval for crossings of waterbodies where

pumps can adequately transfer streamflow volumes

around the work area, and there are no concerns

about sensitive species passage.

	 (2) Implementation of the dam-and-pump crossing

method must meet the following performance

criteria:

(i)	 use sufficient pumps, including on-site backup

pumps, to maintain downstream flows;

(ii)	 construct dams with materials that prevent

sediment and other pollutants from entering the

waterbody (e.g., sandbags or clean gravel with

plastic liner);

(iii)	screen pump intakes to minimize entrainment

of fish;

(iv)	 prevent streambed scour at pump discharge; and

(v)	 continuously monitor the dam and pumps

to ensure proper operation throughout the

waterbody crossing.

c.	 Flume Crossing

	 The flume crossing method requires implementation

of the following steps:

	 (1) install flume pipe after blasting (if necessary), but

before any trenching;

	 (2) use sand bag or sand bag and plastic sheeting

withstand and pass the highest flow expected to occur

while the bridge is in place. Align culverts to preve

bank erosion or streambed scour. If necessar

install energy dissipating devices downstream of the

culverts.

d.	 Design and maintain equipment bridges to prevent

soil from entering the waterbody.

e.	 Remove temporary equipment bridges as soon as

practicable after permanent seeding.

f.	 If there will be more than 1 month between final

cleanup and the beginning of permanent seeding

and reasonable alternative access to the right-of-way

is available, remove temporary equipment bridges as

soon as practicable after final cleanup.

g.	 Obtain any necessary approval from the COE, or the

appropriate state agency for permanent bridges.

	 6.	 Dry-Ditch Crossing Methods

a.	 Unless approved otherwise by the appropriate federal

or state agency, install the pipeline using one of the

dry-ditch methods outlined below for crossings of

waterbodies up to 30 feet wide (at the water’s edge

at the time of construction) that are state-designated

as either coldwater or significant coolwater or

warmwater fisheries, or federally-designated as critical

habitat.

b.	 Dam and Pump
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drilling mud would be contained and cleaned up;

and

	 (5) a contingency plan for crossing the waterbody or

wetland in the event the HDD is unsuccessful and

how the abandoned drill hole would be sealed, if

necessary.

	 The requirement to file HDD plans does not

apply to projects constructed under the automatic

authorization provisions in the FERC’s regulations.

	 7.	 Crossings of Minor Waterbodies

	 	 Where a dry-ditch crossing is not required, minor

waterbodies may be crossed using the open-cut crossing

method, with the following restrictions:

a.	 except for blasting and other rock breaking measures,

complete instream construction activities (including

trenching, pipe installation, backfill, and restoration

of the streambed contours) within 24 hours.

Streambanks and unconsolidated streambeds may

require additional restoration after this period;	

b.	 limit use of equipment operating in the waterbody to

that needed to construct the crossing; and

c.	 equipment bridges are not required at minor

waterbodies that do not have a state-designated

fishery classification or protected status (e.g.,

agricultural or intermittent drainage ditches).

However, if an equipment bridge is used it must be

constructed as described in section V.B.5.

diversion structure or equivalent to develop an

effective seal and to divert stream flow through the

flume pipe (some modifications to the stream bottom

may be required to achieve an effective seal);

	 (3) properly align flume pipe(s) to prevent bank

erosion and streambed scour;

	 (4) do not remove flume pipe during trenching,

pipelaying, or backfilling activities, or initial

streambed restoration efforts; and

	 (5) remove all flume pipes and dams that are not also

part of the equipment bridge as soon as final cleanup

of the stream bed and bank is complete.

d.	 Horizontal Directional Drill

	 For each waterbody or wetland that would be crossed

using the HDD method, file with the Secretary for the

review and written approval by the Director, a plan

that includes:

	 (1) site-specific construction diagrams that show the

location of mud pits, pipe assembly areas, and all

areas to be disturbed or cleared for construction;

	 (2) justification that disturbed areas are limited to the

minimum needed to construct the crossing;

	 (3) identification of any aboveground disturbance or

clearing between the HDD entry and exit workspaces

during construction;

	 (4) a description of how an inadvertent release of
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	 	 The Environmental Inspector may adjust the final

placement of the erosion and sediment control

structures in the field to maximize effectiveness.

	 10.	 Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control

	 	 Install sediment barriers (as defined in section IV.F.3.a

of the Plan) immediately after initial disturbance of the

waterbody or adjacent upland. Sediment barriers mu

be properly maintained throughout construction and

reinstalled as necessary (such as after backfilling of the

trench) until replaced by permanent erosion controls

or restoration of adjacent upland areas is complete.

Temporary erosion and sediment control measures

are addressed in more detail in the Plan; however, the

following specific measures must be implemented at

stream crossings:

a.	 install sediment barriers across the entire

construction right-of-way at all waterbody crossings,

where necessary to prevent the flow of sediments

into the waterbody. Removable sediment barrie

(or driveable berms) must be installed across the

travel lane. These removable sediment barriers c

be removed during the construction day, but must be

re-installed after construction has stopped for the day

and/or when heavy precipitation is imminent;

b.	 where waterbodies are adjacent to the construction

right-of-way and the right-of-way slopes toward the

waterbody, install sediment barriers along the edge of

the construction right-of-way as necessary to contain

	 8.	 Crossings of Intermediate Waterbodies

	 	 Where a dry-ditch crossing is not required, intermediate

waterbodies may be crossed using the open-cut crossing

method, with the following restrictions:

a.	 complete instream construction activities (not

including blasting and other rock breaking measures)

within 48 hours, unless site-specific conditions make

completion within 48 hours infeasible;

b.	 limit use of equipment operating in the waterbody to

that needed to construct the crossing; and

c.	 all other construction equipment must cross on an

equipment bridge as specified in section V.B.5.

	 9.	 Crossings of Major Waterbodies

	 	 Before construction, the project sponsor shall file with

the Secretary for the review and written approval by the

Director a detailed, site-specific construction plan and

scaled drawings identifying all areas to be disturbed

by construction for each major waterbody crossing

(the scaled drawings are not required for any offshore

portions of pipeline projects). This plan must 

developed in consultation with the appropriate state and

federal agencies and shall include extra work areas, spoil

storage areas, sediment control structures, etc., as well

as mitigation for navigational issues. The requireme

to file major waterbody crossing plans does not apply to

projects constructed under the automatic authorization

provisions of the FERC’s regulations.
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	 4.	 Install erosion control fabric or a functional equivalent

on waterbody banks at the time of final bank

recontouring. Do not use synthetic monofilame

mesh/netted erosion control materials in areas

designated as sensitive wildlife habitat unless the

product is specifically designed to minimize harm to

wildlife. Anchor erosion control fabric with staples 

other appropriate devices.

	 5.	 Application of riprap for bank stabilization must comply

with COE, or its delegated agency, permit terms and

conditions.

	 6.	 Unless otherwise specified by state permit, limit the

use of riprap to areas where flow conditions preclude

effective vegetative stabilization techniques such as

seeding and erosion control fabric.

	 7.	 Revegetate disturbed riparian areas with native species

of conservation grasses, legumes, and woody species,

similar in density to adjacent undisturbed lands.

	 8.	 Install a permanent slope breaker across the

construction right-of-way at the base of slopes greater

than 5 percent that are less than 50 feet from the

waterbody, or as needed to prevent sediment transport

into the waterbody. In addition, install sedime

barriers as outlined in the Plan.

	 	 In some areas, with the approval of the Environmental

Inspector, an earthen berm may be suitable as a

sediment barrier adjacent to the waterbody.

spoil within the construction right-of-way and

prevent sediment flow into the waterbody; and

c.	 use temporary trench plugs at all waterbody crossings,

as necessary, to prevent diversion of water into

upland portions of the pipeline trench and to keep

any accumulated trench water out of the waterbody.

	 11.	 Trench Dewatering

	 	 Dewater the trench (either on or off the construction

right-of-way) in a manner that does not cause erosion

and does not result in silt-laden water flowing into any

waterbody. Remove the dewatering structures as soon 

practicable after the completion of dewatering activities.

C. RESTORATION 

	 1.	 Use clean gravel or native cobbles for the upper 1 foot of

trench backfill in all waterbodies that contain coldwater

fisheries.

	 2.	 For open-cut crossings, stabilize waterbody banks and

install temporary sediment barriers within 24 hours

of completing instream construction activities. F

dry-ditch crossings, complete streambed and bank

stabilization before returning flow to the waterbody

channel.

	 3.	 Return all waterbody banks to preconstruction contours

or to a stable angle of repose as approved by the

Environmental Inspector.
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VI. Wetland Crossin

A. GENERAL 

	 1.	 The project sponsor shall conduct a wetland delineation

using the current federal methodology and file a

wetland delineation report with the Secretary before

construction. The requirement to file a wetla

delineation report does not apply to projects constructed

under the automatic authorization provisions in the

FERC’s regulations.

This report shall identify:

a.	 by milepost all wetlands that would be affected;

b.	 the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) classification

for each wetland;

c.	 the crossing length of each wetland in feet; and

d.	 the area of permanent and temporary disturbance

that would occur in each wetland by NWI

classification type.

	 	 The requirements outlined in this section do not apply

to wetlands in actively cultivated or rotated cropland.

Standard upland protective measures, including

workspace and topsoiling requirements, apply to these

agricultural wetlands.

	 2.	 Route the pipeline to avoid wetland areas to the

maximum extent possible. If a wetland cannot 

	 9.	 Sections V.C.3 through V.C.7 above also apply to those

perennial or intermittent streams not flowing at the time

of construction.

D.POST-CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE 

	 1.	 Limit routine vegetation mowing or clearing adjacent

to waterbodies to allow a riparian strip at least 25 feet

wide, as measured from the waterbody’s mean high

water mark, to permanently revegetate with native plant

species across the entire construction right-of-way.

However, to facilitate periodic corrosion/leak surveys, a

corridor centered on the pipeline and up to 10 feet wide

may be cleared at a frequency necessary to maintain the

10-foot corridor in an herbaceous state. In additio

trees that are located within 15 feet of the pipeline that

have roots that could compromise the integrity of the

pipeline coating may be cut and removed from the

permanent right-of-way. Do not conduct any routi

vegetation mowing or clearing in riparian areas that are

between HDD entry and exit points.

	 	 Do not use herbicides or pesticides in or within 100 feet

of a waterbody except as allowed by the appropriate land

management or state agency.

	 3.	 Time of year restrictions specified in section VII.A.5

of the Plan (April 15 – August 1 of any year) apply to

routine mowing and clearing of riparian areas.
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written approval by the Director before construction.

This crossing plan shall address at a minimum:

a.	 spoil control;

b.	 equipment bridges;

c.	 restoration of waterbody banks and wetland

hydrology;

d.	 timing of the waterbody crossing;

e.	 method of crossing; and

f.	 size and location of all extra work areas.

	 6.	 Do not locate aboveground facilities in any wetland,

except where the location of such facilities outside

of wetlands would prohibit compliance with U.S.

Department of Transportation regulations.

B. INSTALLATION 

	 1.	 Extra Work Areas and Access Roads

a.	 Locate all extra work areas (such as staging areas and

additional spoil storage areas) at least 50 feet away

from wetland boundaries, except where the adjacent

upland consists of cultivated or rotated cropland or

other disturbed land.

b.	 The project sponsor shall file with the Secretary for

review and written approval by the Director, sitespecific justification for each extra work area with a

less than 50-foot setback from wetland boundaries,

avoided or crossed by following an existing right-ofway, route the new pipeline in a manner that minimizes

disturbance to wetlands. Where looping an existi

pipeline, overlap the existing pipeline right-of-way

with the new construction right-of-way. In additio

locate the loop line no more than 25 feet away from the

existing pipeline unless site-specific constraints would

adversely affect the stability of the existing pipeline.

	 3.	 Limit the width of the construction right-of-way to

75 feet or less. Prior written approval of the Direct

is required where topographic conditions or soil

limitations require that the construction right-of-way

width within the boundaries of a federally delineated

wetland be expanded beyond 75 feet. Early in t

planning process the project sponsor is encouraged

to identify site-specific areas where excessively wide

trenches could occur and/or where spoil piles could be

difficult to maintain because existing soils lack adequate

unconfined compressive strength.

	 4.	 Wetland boundaries and buffers must be clearly marked

in the field with signs and/or highly visible flagging until

construction-related ground disturbing activities are

complete.

	 5.	 Implement the measures of sections V and VI in the

event a waterbody crossing is located within or adjacent

to a wetland crossing. If all measures of sections V a

VI cannot be met, the project sponsor must file with

the Secretary a site-specific crossing plan for review and
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wetland is dry enough to adequately support skids

and pipe.

c.	 Use “push-pull” or “float” techniques to place

the pipe in the trench where water and other site

conditions allow.

d.	 Minimize the length of time that topsoil is segregated

and the trench is open. Do not trench the wetla

until the pipeline is assembled and ready for lowering

in.

e.	 Limit construction equipment operating in wetland

areas to that needed to clear the construction right-ofway, dig the trench, fabricate and install the pipeline,

backfill the trench, and restore the construction rightof-way.

f.	 Cut vegetation just above ground level, leaving

existing root systems in place, and remove it from the

wetland for disposal.

	 The project sponsor can burn woody debris in

wetlands, if approved by the COE and in accordance

with state and local regulations, ensuring that all

remaining woody debris is removed for disposal.

g.	 Limit pulling of tree stumps and grading activities

to directly over the trenchline. Do not grade 

remove stumps or root systems from the rest of

the construction right-of-way in wetlands unless

the Chief Inspector and Environmental Inspector

determine that safety-related construction constraints

except where adjacent upland consists of cultivated

or rotated cropland or other disturbed land. T

justification must specify the site-specific conditions

that will not permit a 50-foot setback and measures

to ensure the wetland is adequately protected.

c.	 The construction right-of-way may be used for

access when the wetland soil is firm enough to avoid

rutting or the construction right-of-way has been

appropriately stabilized to avoid rutting (e.g., with

timber riprap, prefabricated equipment mats, or terra

mats).

	 In wetlands that cannot be appropriately stabilized,

all construction equipment other than that needed

to install the wetland crossing shall use access roads

located in upland areas. Where access roads 

upland areas do not provide reasonable access, limit

all other construction equipment to one pass through

the wetland using the construction right-of-way.

d.	 The only access roads, other than the construction

right-of-way, that can be used in wetlands are those

existing roads that can be used with no modifications

or improvements, other than routine repair, and no

impact on the wetland.

	 2.	 Crossing Procedures

a.	 Comply with COE, or its delegated agency, permit

terms and conditions.

b.	 Assemble the pipeline in an upland area unless the
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the trench). Except as noted below in section VI.B.3.

maintain sediment barriers until replaced by permanent

erosion controls or restoration of adjacent upland areas

is complete. Temporary erosion and sediment control

measures are addressed in more detail in the Plan.

a.	 Install sediment barriers across the entire

construction right-of-way immediately upslope of

the wetland boundary at all wetland crossings where

necessary to prevent sediment flow into the wetland.

b.	 Where wetlands are adjacent to the construction

right-of-way and the right-of-way slopes toward the

wetland, install sediment barriers along the edge of

the construction right-of-way as necessary to contain

spoil within the construction right-of-way and

prevent sediment flow into the wetland.

c.	 Install sediment barriers along the edge of the

construction right-of-way as necessary to contain

spoil and sediment within the construction rightof-way through wetlands. Remove these sedime

barriers during right-of-way cleanup.

	 4.	 Trench Dewatering

	 	 Dewater the trench (either on or off the construction

right-of-way) in a manner that does not cause erosion

and does not result in silt-laden water flowing into any

wetland. Remove the dewatering structures as soon 

practicable after the completion of dewatering activities.

require grading or the removal of tree stumps from

under the working side of the construction right-ofway.

h.	 Segregate the top 1 foot of topsoil from the area

disturbed by trenching, except in areas where

standing water is present or soils are saturated.

Immediately after backfilling is complete, restore the

segregated topsoil to its original location.

i.	 Do not use rock, soil imported from outside the

wetland, tree stumps, or brush riprap to support

equipment on the construction right-of-way.

j.	 If standing water or saturated soils are present, or

if construction equipment causes ruts or mixing of

the topsoil and subsoil in wetlands, use low-groundweight construction equipment, or operate normal

equipment on timber riprap, prefabricated equipment

mats, or terra mats.

k.	 Remove all project-related material used to support

equipment on the construction right-of-way upon

completion of construction.

	 3.	 Temporary Sediment Control

	 	 Install sediment barriers (as defined in section IV.F.3.a

of the Plan) immediately after initial disturbance of the

wetland or adjacent upland. Sediment barriers mu

be properly maintained throughout construction and

reinstalled as necessary (such as after backfilling of
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revegetation and weed control efforts. Provide this pl

to the FERC staff upon request.

	 6.	 Until a project-specific wetland restoration plan is

developed and/or implemented, temporarily revegetate

the construction right-of-way with annual ryegrass

at a rate of 40 pounds/acre (unless standing water is

present).

	 7.	 Ensure that all disturbed areas successfully revegetate

with wetland herbaceous and/or woody plant species.

	 8.	 Remove temporary sediment barriers located at the

boundary between wetland and adjacent upland areas

after revegetation and stabilization of adjacent upland

areas are judged to be successful as specified in section

VII.A.4 of the Plan.

D. POST-CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE AND 

REPORTING 

	 1.	 Do not conduct routine vegetation mowing or clearing

over the full width of the permanent right-of-way in

wetlands. However, to facilitate periodic corrosion/le

surveys, a corridor centered on the pipeline and up to

10 feet wide may be cleared at a frequency necessary to

maintain the 10-foot corridor in an herbaceous state. 

addition, trees within 15 feet of the pipeline with roots

that could compromise the integrity of pipeline coating

may be selectively cut and removed from the permanent

right-of-way. Do not conduct any routine vegetati

C. RESTORATION 

	 1.	 Where the pipeline trench may drain a wetland,

construct trench breakers at the wetland boundaries

and/or seal the trench bottom as necessary to maintain

the original wetland hydrology.

	 2.	 Restore pre-construction wetland contours to maintain

the original wetland hydrology.

	 3.	 For each wetland crossed, install a trench breaker at the

base of slopes near the boundary between the wetland

and adjacent upland areas. Install a permanent slo

breaker across the construction right-of-way at the

base of slopes greater than 5 percent where the base

of the slope is less than 50 feet from the wetland, or as

needed to prevent sediment transport into the wetland.

In addition, install sediment barriers as outlined in

the Plan. In some areas, with the approval of t

Environmental Inspector, an earthen berm may be

suitable as a sediment barrier adjacent to the wetland.

	 4.	 Do not use fertilizer, lime, or mulch unless required in

writing by the appropriate federal or state agency.

	 5.	 Consult with the appropriate federal or state agencies

to develop a project-specific wetland restoration

plan. The restoration plan shall include measur

for re-establishing herbaceous and/or woody species,

controlling the invasion and spread of invasive

species and noxious weeds (e.g., purple loosestrife

and phragmites), and monitoring the success of the
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	 6.	 Within 3 years after construction, file a report with

the Secretary identifying the status of the wetland

revegetation efforts and documenting success as defined

in section VI.D.5, above. The requirement to file wetla

restoration reports with the Secretary does not apply to

projects constructed under the automatic authorization,

prior notice, or advance notice provisions in the FERC’s

regulations.

	 	 For any wetland where revegetation is not successful

at the end of 3 years after construction, develop and

implement (in consultation with a professional wetland

ecologist) a remedial revegetation plan to actively

revegetate wetlands. Continue revegetation efforts a

file a report annually documenting progress in these

wetlands until wetland revegetation is successful.

VII.	 Hydrostatic Test

A. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES AND PERMITS 

	 1.	 Apply for state-issued water withdrawal permits, as

required.

	 2.	 Apply for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination

System (NPDES) or state-issued discharge permits, as

required.

	 3.	 Notify appropriate state agencies of intent to use specific

sources at least 48 hours before testing activities unless

mowing or clearing in wetlands that are between HDD

entry and exit points.

	 2.	 Do not use herbicides or pesticides in or within 100

feet of a wetland, except as allowed by the appropriate

federal or state agency.

	 3.	 Time of year restrictions specified in section VII.A.5

of the Plan (April 15 – August 1 of any year) apply to

routine mowing and clearing of wetland areas.

	 4.	 Monitor and record the success of wetland revegetation

annually until wetland revegetation is successful.

	 5.	 Wetland revegetation shall be considered successful if all

of the following criteria are satisfied:

a.	 the affected wetland satisfies the current federal

definition for a wetland (i.e., soils, hydrology, and

vegetation);

b.	 vegetation is at least 80 percent of either the cover

documented for the wetland prior to construction, or

at least 80 percent of the cover in adjacent wetland

areas that were not disturbed by construction;

c.	 if natural rather than active revegetation was used,

the plant species composition is consistent with

early successional wetland plant communities in the

affected ecoregion; and

d.	 invasive species and noxious weeds are absent, unless

they are abundant in adjacent areas that were not

disturbed by construction.
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written permission.

	 3.	 Maintain adequate flow rates to protect aquatic

life, provide for all waterbody uses, and provide for

downstream withdrawals of water by existing users.

	 4.	 Locate hydrostatic test manifolds outside wetlands and

riparian areas to the maximum extent practicable.

D. DISCHARGE LOCATION, METHOD, AND RATE 

	 1.	 Regulate discharge rate, use energy dissipation device(s),

and install sediment barriers, as necessary, to prevent

erosion, streambed scour, suspension of sediments, or

excessive streamflow.

	 2.	 Do not discharge into state-designated exceptional value

waters, waterbodies which provide habitat for federally

listed threatened or endangered species, or waterbodies

designated as public water supplies, unless appropriate

federal, state, and local permitting agencies grant written

permission.

they waive this requirement in writing.

B. GENERAL 

	 1.	 Perform 100 percent radiographic inspection of all

pipeline section welds or hydrotest the pipeline sections,

before installation under waterbodies or wetlands.

	 2.	 If pumps used for hydrostatic testing are within 100

feet of any waterbody or wetland, address secondary

containment and refueling of these pumps in the

project’s Spill Prevention and Response Procedures.

	 3.	 The project sponsor shall file with the Secretary before

construction a list identifying the location of all

waterbodies proposed for use as a hydrostatic test water

source or discharge location. This filing requireme

does not apply to projects constructed under the

automatic authorization provisions of the FERC’s

regulations.

C. INTAKE SOURCE AND RATE 

	 1.	 Screen the intake hose to minimize the potential for

entrainment of fish.

	 2.	 Do not use state-designated exceptional value waters,

waterbodies which provide habitat for federally listed

threatened or endangered species, or waterbodies

designated as public water supplies, unless appropriate

federal, state, and/or local permitting agencies grant
Notes Not
Note
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