Erosion and Sediment Control

for natural gas pipeline projects

Presented By

Lauren R. Parker, P.E.

Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.

May 13, 2014
Federal Regulations

► Acts, Regulations, Laws, and Guidance Documents.........

▪ The Water Pollution Control Act of 1948

▪ The Clean Water Act was enacted in 1972 

▪ Section 402 of the Act established the National Pollutant Discharge 

Elimination System (NPDES). 

▪ Energy Policy Act of 2005, which was published as a final rule by 

the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on June 12, 2006
State Regulations

► Pennsylvania 

▪ Erosion, Sediment, and Stormwater General Permit (ESCGP-2)

► WV 

▪ Construction Stormwater General Permit (done completely online)

► New York

▪ Moratorium on drilling, so no permit in place

► Maryland

▪ Moratorium on drilling, so no permit in place

► Ohio 

▪ Does not have a specific earth disturbance permit for natural gas projects. 
Planning

► Pipeline Due Diligence Checklist

▪ Obtain the approximate pipeline route, right-of-way width, access 

road locations (are there existing roads that can be utilized?), extra 

work space areas, permanent pad locations (meter, launcher, drip, 

etc.) and desired study corridor from the Owner/Operator

▪ Identify streams and wetlands and the methods to be used for the 

crossings (open cut or bore)

▪ Identify any cultural resource field issues

▪ Identify any issues related to threatened and endangered species

▪ Identify road crossings and the methods to be used for crossings 

(open cut or bore)
Planning (contd.)

► Pipeline Due Diligence Checklist

▪ Identify utility markers, utility poles, and overhead lines, and other potential 

conflicts (existing well pads, impoundments, etc.). Notify utility service 

providers in the area of the proposed project and request additional 

information on their service in the area of the project. Complete a One Call 

Notification in accordance with State Requirements.

▪ Present findings and identified issues with the pipeline route to the 

Owner/Operator.

▪ Modify and develop final route (frequently involves additional field work)

▪ Present pipeline layout and grading plan with the Owner/Operator

▪ Prepare erosion and sedimentation control design
Construction Schedule

► When possible, avoid 

construction in winter and 

early spring

► Try to construct during the 

dry summer months

► Winter construction - can’t 

get vegetation established 

and frozen soil
Construction Sequence

► Reduce the amount of 

area disturbed at any 

one time
Stabilize Immediately

► Install erosion control blankets, sprayed 

hydroseeding/mulch, and seed and mulch 

immediately.

► This helps to prevent soil from being 

eroded through wind, rain drops, 

stormwater runoff

► Right of way restoration is key to 

eliminating erosion and subsequent 

sedimentation
Rock Construction Entrance

► Used at all entry and exit points

► Knocks dirt off of vehicles before they enter the public 

roadway

WRONG CORRECT
Compost Filter Sock & Silt Fence

► Install compost filter sock 

or silt fence parallel to 

contours to intercept 

sediment laden runoff prior 

to leaving the project area

Not working
Trench Plugs

► Breaks the trench into smaller segments to limit the 

stormwater inside the open trench which can cause scour. 

► Additionally, trench plugs are used to prevent water within 

the open trench from flowing in a stream or wetland and to 

prevent the stream or wetland from draining into the trench

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Soil 

and Water Resources Pipeline Standard and Construction 

Specifications (12-3-13)

Pennsylvania Department of 

Environmental Protection, Erosion 

and Sediment Pollution Control 

Program Manual (March 2012)
Waterbars

► When the right of way is running 

perpendicular to contour, waterbars

act to split up the slope into smaller 

drainage areas. This diverts the 

runoff off of the right of way prior to 

it becoming concentrated which can 

cause erosion

► Water bars should outlet to a 

compost filter sock, straw bales, or 

other E&S control BMP to filter 

sediment out of the runoff

Waterbars not working
Filter bag

► Removes sediment from runoff.

► Used in conjunction with a pump

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Erosion and Sediment 

Pollution Control Program Manual (March 2012)

Photo from: Pennsylvania Department of 

Environmental Protection, Erosion and 

Sediment Pollution Control Program 

Manual (March 2012)
Reduced right of way at stream and wetland crossings

► Reduce the right of way if possible to 

limit impacts

► Bore if necessary

► Use timber mats or wetlands mats for 

equipment crossing

► For streams, complete in 24 or 48 hours 

per PADEP E&S Manual
Maintenance and Removal of E&S Controls

After the site is stabilized, 

don’t forget to remove the 

E&S controls!!

Controls won’t function properly if 

they aren’t maintained
Conclusion

► Design professionals practicing in the oil and natural gas 

industry need to be aware of and very familiar with many 

federal, state, and local regulations. Upfront planning and 

proper design by design professionals is paramount to 

assisting the oil and natural gas industry in completing 

their projects in a timely and environmentally sound 

manner. 

► QUESTIONS?