Document ID: EPA-HQ-OW-2002-0068-0205
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2006-01-06T05:00Z

Reasonable
and
Prudent
Practices
For
Stabilization
(
RAPPS)

of
Oil
and
Gas
Construction
Sites
RAPPS

Developed
by
oil
and
gas
industry
representatives
with
assistance
from
an
environmental
consultant

Guidance
document
for
non­
technical
personnel

Developed
with
input
from
field
personnel

Field
tested
by
oil
and
gas
companies
RAPPS
Goals

To
compile
reasonable
and
prudent
practices
commonly
used
in
exploration
and
production

Provide
guidance
for
small
operators
or
construction
personnel,
which
is
readily
understood
and
used

Provide
a
process
to
assess
which,
if
any,

controls
are
needed
for
a
specific
location
RAPPS

Industry
associations
have
endorsed
and
published
on
their
web
sites

TIPRO

IPAA

TAEP

USOGA

DPC

OIPA

Guidance
for
voluntary
use
throughout
the
oil
and
gas
industry
HOW
TO
USE
GUIDANCE
DOCUMENT
1.
Determine
geographical
category
that
best
fits
local
conditions
using
Figure
1
and
field
judgment.

2.
Assure
that
assumptions
for
geographical
category
fit
construction
location.
If
local
conditions
do
not
meet
assumptions,
use
good
judgment
to
select
RAPPS.

3.
Review
area
between
construction
activity
and
regulated
water
body
to
determine
distance
to
the
regulated
water
body,
approximate
slope,
and
approximate
vegetative
cover.

4.
Work
through
decision
tree
utilizing
information
from
step
3.

5.
Select
RAPPS
from
the
alternatives
listed
as
being
effective
for
a
construction
site
under
similar
conditions
of
distance,
slope,
and
vegetative
cover
(
Note:

not
all
RAPPS
alternatives
listed
will
necessarily
be
required
for
effective
storm
water
control).

6.
Implement
RAPPS
in
appropriate
locations.

7.
Begin
construction.

8.
Stabilize
disturbed
areas
following
completion
of
construction.
HOW
TO
USE
GUIDANCE
DOCUMENT
1.
Determine
geographical
category
that
best
fits
local
conditions
using
Figure
1
and
field
judgment.

2.
Assure
that
assumptions
for
geographical
category
fit
construction
location.
If
local
conditions
do
not
meet
assumptions,
use
good
judgment
to
select
RAPPS.

3.
Review
area
between
construction
activity
and
regulated
water
body
to
determine
distance
to
the
regulated
water
body,
approximate
slope,
and
approximate
vegetative
cover.

4.
Work
through
decision
tree
utilizing
information
from
step
3.

5.
Select
RAPPS
from
the
alternatives
listed
as
being
effective
for
a
construction
site
under
similar
conditions
of
distance,
slope,
and
vegetative
cover
(
Note:

not
all
RAPPS
alternatives
listed
will
necessarily
be
required
for
effective
storm
water
control).

6.
Implement
RAPPS
in
appropriate
locations.

7.
Begin
construction.

8.
Stabilize
disturbed
areas
following
completion
of
construction.
XERIC
MOUNTAINS
Description
Generally
mountainous
areas
within
the
western
US;
slopes
exceeding
10%;
variable
vegetation
cover;
shallow
rocky
soils
with
low
erodibility;
and
low
to
moderate
annual
precipitation.

Selection
of
RAPPS
This
region
is
dominated
by
very
rocky,
low­
erodibility
soils
and
typically
only
experiences
rainfall
events
during
warmer
months.
Snowmelt
can
cause
erosion,
but
the
opportunity
for
sediment
in
storm
water
runoff
to
be
discharged
to
a
regulated
water
body
in
undesirable
quantities
is
low
in
comparison
to
the
Mesic
Mountains,
and
distance
and
slope
are
adjusted
accordingly
compared
to
the
Mesic
Mountains.
Therefore,
construction
at
oil
and
gas
sites
will
not
require
the
installation
of
RAPPS
if
one
of
the
following
exists:

1.
The
construction
site
is
located
in
excess
of
150
feet
from
a
regulated
water
body.

2.
The
area
between
the
construction
site
and
a
regulated
water
body
has
vegetative
cover
in
excess
of
75%
AND
the
site
is
in
excess
of
75
feet
from
a
regulated
water
body.

If
neither
of
these
two
conditions
is
met,
the
decision
tree
in
Table
3.5­
1
will
be
useful
in
determining
which
RAPPS
would
be
effective
under
the
given
circumstances.
The
decision
tree
process
for
this
geographical
category
assumes
annual
precipitation
is
low
to
moderate
(
from
10
to
50
inches)
and
soils
are
primarily
rock.
HOW
TO
USE
GUIDANCE
DOCUMENT
1.
Determine
geographical
category
that
best
fits
local
conditions
using
Figure
1
and
field
judgment.

2.
Assure
that
assumptions
for
geographical
category
fit
construction
location.
If
local
conditions
do
not
meet
assumptions,
use
good
judgment
to
select
RAPPS.

3.
Review
area
between
construction
activity
and
regulated
water
body
to
determine
distance
to
the
regulated
water
body,
approximate
slope,
and
approximate
vegetative
cover.

4.
Work
through
decision
tree
utilizing
information
from
step
3.

5.
Select
RAPPS
from
the
alternatives
listed
as
being
effective
for
a
construction
site
under
similar
conditions
of
distance,
slope,
and
vegetative
cover
(
Note:

not
all
RAPPS
alternatives
listed
will
necessarily
be
required
for
effective
storm
water
control).

6.
Implement
RAPPS
in
appropriate
locations.

7.
Begin
construction.

8.
Stabilize
disturbed
areas
following
completion
of
construction.
Xeric
Mountains
Assumptions:

1.
Annual
precipitation
is
between
10
and
50
inches
2.
Soils
are
rocky
with
low
erodability
No
RAPPS
needed:

1.
When
construction
site
is
in
excess
of
150
feet
from
a
regulated
water
body
OR
2.
When
vegetative
cover
exceeds
75%
AND
the
site
is
in
excess
of
75
feet
from
a
regulated
water
body.
The
list
of
RAPPS
for
any
given
pathway
on
the
decision
tree
are
suggestions
of
RAPPS
alternatives,
from
which
one
or
more
of
the
listed
techniques
or
practices
may
be
selected
for
a
given
site
under
site­
specific
circumstances.
Not
all
RAPPS
listed
will
necessarily
be
required
for
any
given
project.

The
list
of
RAPPS
for
any
given
pathway
on
the
decision
may
not
exhaust
all
of
the
available
RAPPS
that
may
be
effective
for
any
given
construction
site.
Other
RAPPS,
not
listed
in
this
flowchart,

may
be
beneficial
for
controlling
surface
water
runoff
from
the
construction
site,
in
addition
to
or
in
lieu
of
the
RAPPS
listed
in
this
document.
HOW
TO
USE
GUIDANCE
DOCUMENT
1.
Determine
geographical
category
that
best
fits
local
conditions
using
Figure
1
and
field
judgment.

2.
Assure
that
assumptions
for
geographical
category
fit
construction
location.
If
local
conditions
do
not
meet
assumptions,
use
good
judgment
to
select
RAPPS.

3.
Review
area
between
construction
activity
and
regulated
water
body
to
determine
distance
to
the
regulated
water
body,
approximate
slope,
and
approximate
vegetative
cover.

4.
Work
through
decision
tree
utilizing
information
from
step
3.

5.
Select
RAPPS
from
the
alternatives
listed
as
being
effective
for
a
construction
site
under
similar
conditions
of
distance,
slope,
and
vegetative
cover
(
Note:

not
all
RAPPS
alternatives
listed
will
necessarily
be
required
for
effective
storm
water
control).

6.
Implement
RAPPS
in
appropriate
locations.

7.
Begin
construction.

8.
Stabilize
disturbed
areas
following
completion
of
construction.
ROCK
BERM
(
RB)

This
technique
is
useful
to
filter
sediment
from
concentrated
flows
and/
or
runoff
of
moderate
grades
and
larger
drainage
areas.
Additionally,
rock
berms
may
be
utilized
to
reduce
velocity
of
flows
within
constructed
channels.

Limitations:
Availability
of
rock
Anchor
rock
into
soil
Difficult
to
remove
after
construction
Require
regular
maintenance
due
to
sediment
build­
up
Installation:

Use
medium
to
large
diameter
rock
May
secure
rock
within
woven
wire
sheathing
but
not
required
Berm
side
slopes
should
be
3:
1
or
flatter
Top
of
berm
should
be
a
minimum
of
2
feet
wide
Construction
Activities:

Access
roads,
well/
tank
battery
pads,
and
flow/
gathering
pipeline
DIVERSION/
EARTHEN
DIKES
(
WATER
BARS)
(
DD)

This
technique
may
be
used
to
collect
runoff
from
undisturbed
areas
and
divert
around
construction
activity.
Additionally,
dikes
are
used
to
limit
the
accumulation
of
water
volume
by
diverting
runoff
from
construction
area
into
a
stabilized
outlet
or
well­
vegetated
area.

Limitations:

Not
for
use
on
concentrated
flows
May
cause
concentrated
flows
from
sheet
flow
Requires
vegetative
cover
or
other
filter
at
discharge
point
Installation:

Pile
and
compact
soil
Dike
sideslopes
should
be
2:
1
or
flatter
Angle
dike
at
approximately
30o
to
slope
Increase
frequency
with
increased
slope
Outlet
dike
into
well­
vegetated
area
or
install
secondary
control
such
as
rock
filter
or
straw
bales
Construction
Activities:

Access
roads,
well/
tank
battery
pads,
and
flow/
gathering
pipelines
ROAD
SURFACE
SLOPE
(
RDSS)

This
technique
sheds
runoff
water
from
road
surface
into
stabilized
ditches
or
vegetation.
Roads
may
be
crowned,
in­
sloped,
or
out­
sloped.

Limitations:

Only
sheds
runoff
collected
from
surface
of
road
May
cause
concentrated
flows
from
sheet
flow
Require
vegetative
ditches,
turnouts,
and/
or
cross­
drains
Installation:
Compact
soil
or
road
base
material
to
direct
runoff
Crowning
design
directs
runoff
to
both
sides
of
the
road
requiring
2
road­
side
ditches
Inslope
design
directs
runoff
toward
the
hillside
and
requires
cross­
drain
installation
Outslope
design
is
most
effective
on
moderate
slopes
with
dense
vegetative
cover
Construction
Activity:

Access
roads
DRAINAGE
DIPS
(
DIP)

This
technique
captures
and
directs
runoff
from
the
road
into
vegetative
filter
strips
or
other
filter
system.
Ridges
and
associated
dips
are
constructed
diagonally
across
and
as
part
of
the
road
surface.
Limitations:

Size
limited
by
the
safe
passage
of
trucks
and
equipment
May
cause
concentrated
flows
from
sheet
flows
Require
vegetative
cover
or
other
filter
at
discharge
point
Installation:

Need
to
be
deep
enough
to
carry
expected
flow
Need
to
be
wide
enough
to
allow
traffic
to
pass
Increase
frequency
with
increase
slope
Pile
and
compact
soil
Angle
dips
up
to
25o
to
slope
Place
rock
at
outlet
Construction
Activity:

Access
roads
ROAD­
SIDE
DITCHES
(
RDSD)

This
technique
requires
constructing
channels
parallel
to
roads.
The
ditches
convey
concentrated
runoff
of
surface
water
from
roads
and
surrounding
areas
to
a
stabilized
area.

Limitations:
Erosion
occurs
within
channel
Channel
does
not
necessarily
filter
sediment
from
runoff
Installation:
Excavate
channel
along
roadside
to
a
width
and
depth
that
can
handle
expected
flows
Slope
channels
so
that
water
velocities
do
not
cause
excessive
erosion
Shape
and
level
channel
removing
excess
spoil
so
water
can
flow
Vegetate
or
line
channel
with
material
to
prevent
erosion
Construction
Activity:

Access
roads
TURNOUTS
OR
WING
DITCHES
(
TO)

These
structures
are
extensions
of
road­
side
ditches
and
will
effectively
remove
run­
off
water
from
the
ditch
into
well­
stabilized
areas.

Limitations:
Gradual
slopes
only
Require
vegetative
cover
or
other
filter
at
discharge
point
Installation:
Slope
turnout
gradually
down
from
bottom
of
road
ditch
Angle
turnout
at
approximately
30o
to
road
ditch
Discharge
turnout
into
well­
vegetated
area
or
install
secondary
control
such
as
rock
filter
or
straw
bales
Space
turnouts
according
to
slope
Construction
Activities:

Access
roads
CONSTRUCTION
MATS
(
CM)

This
technique
spreads
the
weight
of
construction
equipment
over
a
broad
area
to
help
prevent
soil
compaction
and
soil
exposure.

Limitations:
Useful
on
wet,
soggy,
and/
or
inundated
soils
Mats
are
bulky
and
difficult
to
move
Does
not
filter
sediment
from
runoff
Installation:

Mats
are
constructed
of
large
timber
tied
together
Mats
are
placed
ahead
of
operating
equipment
to
provide
stable
work
area
Construction
Activities:

Flow/
gathering
pipelines
CROSS­
DRAIN
CULVERTS
(
CULV)

This
technique
can
be
used
to
direct
road­
side
ditch
flow
across
road
or
may
be
used
to
direct
stream
flow
under
road
or
construction
area.
Culverts
passing
construction
sites
will
allow
for
continued
flow
of
stream
with
minimal
siltation.

Limitations:
Culverts
may
become
clogged
Not
a
sediment
filter
Installation:
Culverts
may
be
steel,
aluminum,
or
concrete
Culverts
should
be
placed
at
surface
grades
to
allow
normal
low­
flow
water
to
be
conveyed
Soil
or
road
base
should
be
compacted
over
culverts
to
a
minimum
of
12
inches
Culvert
size
should
be
adequate
to
convey
anticipated
flow
Ditch
plug
will
be
needed
within
road­
side
ditch
to
direct
water
into
culvert
Culvert
drop
grade
should
be
adequate
to
convey
flows
Increase
frequency
of
culverts
with
increased
slope
Rock
rip­
rap
often
needed
at
outlet
Construction
Activities:

Access
roads
and
flow/
gathering
pipelines
GEOTEXTILES/
EROSION
BLANKETS
(
GEO)

Geotextiles
are
typically
a
porous
fabric
constructed
of
woven
fibers.
They
are
useful
for
stabilizing
and
preventing
erosion
on
slopes,
especially
adjacent
to
streams.

Limitations:
Decompose
Effectiveness
depends
on
proper
installation
Expensive
Installation:
Select
appropriate
fabric
type
for
necessary
purpose
Smooth
soil
prior
to
installation
Fabric
needs
to
be
in
continuous
contact
with
exposed
soil
Anchor
fabric
securely
Apply
seed
prior
to
fabric
installation
for
final
stabilization
of
construction
sites
Construction
Activities:

Well/
tank
battery
pads
and
flow/
gathering
pipelines
HOW
TO
USE
GUIDANCE
DOCUMENT
1.
Determine
geographical
category
that
best
fits
local
conditions
using
Figure
1
and
field
judgment.

2.
Assure
that
assumptions
for
geographical
category
fit
construction
location.
If
local
conditions
do
not
meet
assumptions,
use
good
judgment
to
select
RAPPS.

3.
Review
area
between
construction
activity
and
regulated
water
body
to
determine
distance
to
the
regulated
water
body,
approximate
slope,
and
approximate
vegetative
cover.

4.
Work
through
decision
tree
utilizing
information
from
step
3.

5.
Select
RAPPS
from
the
alternatives
listed
as
being
effective
for
a
construction
site
under
similar
conditions
of
distance,
slope,
and
vegetative
cover
(
Note:

not
all
RAPPS
alternatives
listed
will
necessarily
be
required
for
effective
storm
water
control).

6.
Implement
RAPPS
in
appropriate
locations.

7.
Begin
construction.

8.
Stabilize
disturbed
areas
following
completion
of
construction.
STABILIZATION
Actively
Disturbed
("
Under
Construction")

­
Beginning
of
any
land
disturbing
activities
 
clearing,
grading,
excavation
­
Ends
when
site
is
suitable
for
its
intended
use
and
capacity
­
And
RAPPS
have
been
selected
and
installed
appropriately
Final
Stabilization
(
CGP,
if
needed,
can
be
terminated)

­
Construction
of
road,
well
or
equipment
pad
is
complete
and
stabilized
by
placement
of
base
material
or
compaction
­
Where
no
base
material
is
placed
­
In
wet
areas
­
Vegetative
cover
is
70%
of
native
background
­
In
arid
areas:

­
Active
disturbance
of
the
land
has
ceased
­
RAPPS
have
been
selected
and
installed
appropriately
­
Native
seed
has
been
dispersed
and
expected
to
achieve
70%
of
background
vegetative
cover
within
3
years.
70%
OF
VEGETATIVE
COVER
VEGETATIVE
COVER
Vegetative
cover
is
an
effective
natural
means
of
filtering
runoff
and
preventing
erosion.

Preservation
of
existing
vegetation
to
the
maximum
extent
practicable
keeps
soils
stabilized
and
provides
a
natural
filter.
The
most
effective
vegetative
cover
consists
of
low­
growing,

herbaceous
species
with
a
high
percentage
of
ground
coverage.
Shrubs
and
trees
provide
some
means
of
preventing
erosion;
however,
the
filtering
ability
is
greatly
reduced.

Limitations:

­
Primarily
filters
sheet
flow
­
Minimum
width
of
vegetative
strip
dependent
on
slope
(
greater
slope
requires
wider
strip)

­
Vegetation
must
be
established
­
High
percentage
of
ground
cover
Installation:

­
Limit
vegetation
clearing
to
the
extent
practicable
during
construction
­
Plant
fast­
growing
annual
grasses
for
temporary
controls
­
Plant
perennial
seed
mixes
recommended
by
the
local
soil
conservation
office
Construction
Activities:

­
Access
roads,
well/
tank
battery
pads,
and
flow/
gathering
pipelines
CONSTRUCTION
CROSSING
A
REGULATED
WATER
BODY
Construction
of
crossing
at
regulated
water
bodies
increases
the
opportunity
for
pollution
entering
these
areas.

Several
listed
RAPPS
will
likely
be
necessary
for
water
protection
given
the
particular
circumstances.
Appendix
B
includes
some
general
diagrams
indicating
RAPPS
used
effectively
to
protect
regulated
waters
during
oil
and
gas
construction
activity.
The
general
recommendations
listed
below
should
also
be
considered
to
help
control
discharges
of
sediment
to
the
regulated
water
in
undesirable
quantities
during
construction
at
regulated
water
bodies.

­
Bore
under
regulated
water
body
to
prevent
disturbance.

­
Generally,
construction
activities
should
be
limited
to
the
extent
practicable
within
regulated
waters.

­
Locate
staging
areas
and
spoil
storage
areas
a
minimum
of
10
feet
from
the
water's
edge.
Additionally,

good
vegetative
cover
and/
or
sediment
barriers
will
be
needed
between
the
stored
spoil
and
regulated
water.

­
Operate
tracked
equipment
on
construction
mats
within
regulated
waters
to
limit
soil
compaction
or
disturbance
within
these
areas.

­
Refuel
equipment
a
minimum
of
100
feet
from
the
regulated
water
body.

­
Cut
vegetation
at
ground
level
and
limit
removal
of
root
zones
and
stumps
where
possible.

­
Maintain
the
maximum
amount
of
vegetative
ground
cover
possible.

­
Install
temporary
equipment
crossings
after
initial
clearing
to
allow
for
equipment
access
during
construction.
Flume
pipe
will
be
necessary
at
flowing
streams.

­
Stream
flows
at
crossings
should
be
flumed
or
dammed
and
pumped
past
the
construction
area.

­
Dewater
trench
in
a
manner
to
prevent
sediment­
laden
water
from
entering
the
regulated
water.

Trench
water
should
be
pumped
into
an
area
with
good
vegetative
cover
or
into
a
filter
bag
and
dewatering
structure.

­
Water
body
banks
should
be
stabilized
following
construction
to
prevent
sloughing
or
erosion.
APPENDIX
B
DIAGRAMS
OF
TYPICAL
REGULATED
WATER
BODY
CROSSINGS