2011-05-12_PERMIT FILE - M2011028 (2)

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Operation of the NGL pipelines would not affect the razorback sucker. If a leak or break occurs, most of the NGL would volatilize and evaporate, and the remainder would become soluble and dilute in Ridges Basin Reservoir. Materials would not be expected to reach occupied or critical habitat of razorback sucker. Appropriate avoidance measures would be taken to minimize the risk of a leak or break in these lines, including pipe wall thickness and strength that equals that of the pipeline at stream crossings and in proximity of reservoirs for the Questar, Williams, and Kern River pipeline (Interior 2001). Petroleum product spills from the 10-inch-diameter MAPCO petroleum product pipeline may affect razorback sucker, if sufficient volume of material were to reach occupied or critical habitat. If a spill occurred into Ridges Basin Reservoir, the petroleum product would be diluted by the volume of water in the reservoir, and further diluted by the volume of water in the Animas River, if the spill escaped into the Animas River. A petroleum product spill in Ridges Basin Reservoir could be contained by not allowing water releases from the reservoir. This would negate any possibility for petroleum product to reach occupied or critical habitat of razorback sucker. If petroleum product reached the Animas River and eventually occupied or critical habitat of razorback sucker in the San Juan River, the most toxic fractions would be evaporated, including benzene, hexane, octane, and decane. The amount of residue reaching these downstream areas would be small and greatly diluted. The fraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), also known as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAs), is small in refined petroleum product, and the volume reaching occupied or critical habitat of razorback sucker is expected to be insignificant. 4.1.3 Bald Eagle Bald eagles currently do not occur in the immediate project area, and construction activities associated with the relocation project would not affect the bald eagle. Bald eagles use nearby stream courses (e.g., Animas River, La Plata River) in winter, where they feed primarily on fish. These birds are likely to be attracted to Ridges Basin Reservoir during winter, once the reservoir is filled and stocked with fish. This would occur after pipeline construction. Critical habitat is not designated for bald eagles. Operation of the NGL pipelines is not likely to affect the bald eagle. Bald eagles are expected to occur in the project area only in winter and after Ridges Basin Reservoir is filled and stocked with fish. If a leak or break occurs in winter, volatilization may be slowed by cold temperatures, but most of the material would be expected to eventually evaporate. If a spill occurred in winter, when bald eagles are present, no adverse effect is expected from ingestion of materials, either directly or through the food chain. All avoidance measures would be taken to minimize the risk of a leak or break from the three pipelines. Activities to repair the line could disturb eagles in the area of the reservoir. Appropriate measures would need to be taken to minimize this disturbance. Conversion of the 10-inch-diameter MAPCO pipeline from NGL to petroleum product would introduce the risk of a spill to Ridges Basin Reservoir. A petroleum product spill into Ridges Basin Reservoir could affect bald eagles attracted to fish as a food source (Ridges Basin Reservoir would be managed as a recreational trout fishery). The petroleum product in the 10-inch-diameter MAPCO line would be refined product without additives. This product is composed primarily of low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons that are high volatilized and quickly evaporate; it also lacks the dense residue of crude oil. Petroleum product in the reservoir could affect bald eagles by directly soiling feathers of birds diving for fish, or through ingesting contaminated fish. Some residual is expected to become soluble in water. Bald eagles may become ill from ingesting petroleum residues on fish either caught live or found dead along the shoreline. Weeminuche Construction Authority B-12 P.O. Box AA - Towaoc, CO 81334 fil`?IKLaS c?LAerEtZ G-?1ZAV6L • !? `I- i:-?JGf l t pvt i ' t4 ° PEE 14