NRMD Staff Report (STD-87-2C) `
/� 4 <' � TZ} F/� R E PrR /- - S7D - S-7-2(, • /lt�{D ��
• ]-u^Jj� /7 /7�-7 �]
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r
enic�les. The proposed swamp buies wiIl- weih abmut 18, 0@0
when icaed with the "standard drill" co be used and wiII
terra tires (wide tires, see picture, pae 2�, Attachment A).
o. 2n "heavily. vegetated <fores±ed} wetlands" they oropose
to use portable drill= on atc' s or hand carried. Some forested
wetlands they will 'delete' from .the seismic program.
1. 2n Attachment A, page 30, they describe "portable ,
drills" to be used as those that can be broken ucwr into 5-10 ` �
packages of t00-1521 Its each. ,
2. 'Small drills" are defined on babe 30 <attachment
A} to be mounted on trailers 4�F.f x 106 inches} that would de
pullet Py a small four wheel drive tractcr. trailer and tractor .
would have the terra • tires. These would be used in
"environmentally sensitive' areas, primarily in heavily wooded
systems.
NRMD COMMENTS
1. •Staff concerns are twofold. •
a. The current • petition • for seismic testing with its
botertzal • necat1ve impacts.
1. • Destruction of vegetation and routing of wetland
soils.
2. Disruption of wildlife behavior patterns because
of enhanced human activity, vehicles, and
~--.• 1
blasting. Esoecially important • is potential -
effects on protected species.
b. The "Iarger picture" of cumulative impacts on the
wetlands and other habitats, and the protected species,
of an obvious escallation of oil related activities in
a natural preserve and other ecologically important
wetianos.
**************************************************************** .
Both a and t above must be addressed in the ST permitt ind process `
• ir order to assure continued viability of these ecosystems.
**************************************************************** /
2, NR>*0 staff 'has reviewed the petition and 1 :400 scale aerials ,
provided', but nas not had the opportunity to "ground truth" all
of the 45 miles of lines in Collier County.
3. :n early ciscussioms with the petitioner, production of a
Collier County Environmental Impact atonement by Shell Western .
for the prio(osec activities was discussed. The petitioner stated
that they were fairly far along in tne State permitting process
ant reduestec t`at information suomitted to the • I}. E. 'i. te
accepted in Ilea of an E. :. G. D~. E. Proffitt verbally told Dr. (
aerbert trat tnis was nut acceptaole as an E. I. S. , but in the
interests of not undueiy stalling tneir project too far into the .
rainy seasor that ; < 1 } the material submitted to the State
~=� would be ~eviewet; '(2) the petitioner would present at least one
\
workshop session to the 'E. A. C. concernint thei.r proposed
activities • (tais was done} ; a 3) a m !
entficall lnat adoresseo the general effects of
oil-related activities in the Big Cypress Preserve and Area / of
•
1
e- I
ye I
.2,
ee ,
1
1 Critieal State Concern would be produced ant submitted prior or I
a:..dno with any additional ST development petition for oil 1
- eseeted activities that might occur in tee future. No oojection I
was raiser to this at the tima ane thes teis requirement will b I
e stipulaticn of approval of the current 37 petitiorer
[
4. Staff has reviewet two seientiFie papers on the subject of
tie ef.Fer:t,,,, ri-F off rhad vehie ; es, antattented ona seminar on tne , 1
sebject. The pertinent findinps of these studies are semmarizen '.
below. _ , 11
REVl: EW 0 ,--7 SCIEN7 IF : C PAPER tri:: 11
il
A. Duever. Carison„ ant Rio2elip 1S6 ,.- L -Road vei.cles fr
and their ieei,-;:ets In .'zhc-::, E,f..:7 Cypress Nat crel Presprye. Report 7-
tI
614, South '-'lloriea Researce Center._ 214 pb.
Ft
1.. An experiment was condueted to test the impacts of I
roes types of off-road vehieles ',See 7adeie 1,
adaptee from Duever et al. 1961 reprinted on the '
ir
next page of this report ) . (.1
E. One-year recovery of experimental plots in different I
Lieabitats (from eane 17Z and -Fable 113 of the cited paper)
a. The severity of neeative impact varied with: 1
1. the type of the vehiple
Ir
e•-•• a) aireoat, wheeled vehicle ':witeout and with
11
' chains) , and track vehicle J
b) wei7„et of t:!--a vehiele
2. thp number of nesses a divan ve- ele type mate.
3, the type of hapit,Tt, _ . ri
e . .
- .- ' e ' ' .e ii,,' - ''T-I `.1. ,,,, ,,' 1,..,,. ' ,`. .. ':,`:.'t Al, ' , ...f. ..
0, Onezyear habitat reepvery relative tf7]: habitat tyce
1. Pine flatwoots ead the best recovery -, .. .. ..-
. , e
2. Sand marsh reeovered almost es wel/ as pine
flat woods . . , ...._
II.
-
.3. .7,arl marse, small cypress, and peat marsh
habitats:
None of these habitats reeovered
e, , within a year, even under " low impact"
4.:,ne-bass) experimental treatment.
• . c.
Cr;e-veae heeitet .ceeev?ry eje:lative to vehicle tvpe„
::::,a-.; ereatmene allowed virturaily
eemp_e_ e eeeoveey
e. :.2,I1 .:::: .-ria veeicies at eeeiem are eeavy
exeerieentel ieeact levels resulted :en
ets eeat entered east eee
.
y:,..,.. 1- t-i?X7_7: ',—.,. ,:ieY't-, 1 iDe',—.., s.
'--. -
,1-.3. : :::!,,,, i1-) :. level k,:e.le-pass per veniele) . I
. . ...
. a.: 7.4 7 :,:.' 7z;r:-.-.::ot;..—i.:-.i.11-e .-."s c..- Ei 1 I Ccv•':
...-..1/4 more reeovary- than oi.:
ther b ,cg:,-as with
tiree-e - • e tnis may. ee'ie teen an
exterieental ertifact since it would not
• . _
. . ,
, , .,.... . Dperate -.0-1---ailfhabitats.
F-.) No bu2cy consistently alloweb better- ' 1
. ..„
i
1
3
•
ENVIRONMENT,+L _ADVISORY COUNCIL
JUNE 17, 1987
• M�o_Herbert,,
Consultant for Shell Western E & P, Inc. ,
stated he has met with Staff since the last meeting and all con-
cerns have been addressed. He stated they addressed the issue of ,
cumulative negative impacts and have resolved this issue to
everyone's satisfaction. He said the Staff recommendations now
reflect what has been egreed
Natural Resources Management Director Proffitt stated that
after many discussions with Shell Wrn noandutith Staff members,
he would like the EAC to adopt a policy Preserve
involving oil-related activities within the Big Cypress
and Area of Critical State Concern.
Mr. Cardillo stated that these are really two different
issues and suggested that the Board hear the Shell Western peti-
tion and discuss the policy statement issue during the Addenda
portion of the meeting.
Dr. ions
tProffitt stated that however, insteadnoftdemandinglexact
con-
form to the Duever Studies,
PSI's it r limits to Heavy,saidmedium,
newor light reC recommendations alsodefined
requirey
the Dwhenr Group.e
that when there are existing trails, Shell will use those trails;
periodic inspections by NRMD; and language with regard to
restoration.
• In answer to Dr. Benedict, Dr. Proffitt stateo da e NRMD
will.es
review the raw data which Shell is supe Y 9s
and see if they agree. Mr. Herbert statedithatihe t he isecinfident
tthat they will be able to supply
tion he requires. Dr. Benedict stated that this is more or less
a test case.
Mr. Herbert advised that Shell Western
will
abreaseekinngtamper
per-
mit to expend their lines into the Big CyPrwss snd August. He said
and will be doing extensive research in July He
EAC will have that data for evaluation in September. be also to
o
advised that by keeping this time schedule, they
keep a continuous crew. Dr. Proffitt added that Shell will pro-
lines so
vide data fom
evaluaterthetexactrlevels he fist sofcimpact on the
Dr. Benedict moved, seconded by Kr. Below and carr
•
mously, that Petition STD-87-2C, Shell Western E i P, of
requesting permission to conduct abOutrforty:ndve files approval
seismic testing in Collier County,
be subject to the following stipulations:
1. The standard Buggy Drill (18,000 lb. machine) :
Page 3
t)1.)
WW
f;=1,:244
°.-_---^ . . ^
P/a/ifi/� in/5.5 � rr\ (A trin
c:)._„ar,
~� ` . '
'~�
x ' QF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE
' ^ '^ '~'` ~~'`
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION REGARDING PETITION 87-2C° ,
!
SHELL WESTERN E
& P REQUESTING PERMISSION TO CONDUCT
APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES OF SEISMIC TESTING IN AREAS ZONED ST
INCLUDING PORTIONS OF THE BIG CYPRESS AREA OF CRITICAL STATE
' CONCERN. 'r. `.~' • ` � . - `� '
1
� � /
. , / - x � � .` ' . .°
^ ' ` '
NOTE: The recommendations cited tTerein are those adopted by the
Environmental Advisory Council 17 June 1987.
' ~
_ - ` . .
CONSIDERATIONS: ` ' ' . _
� ` .. ' `:= . ` `
- ^ 1 � Shell Western has requested to conduct 140 miles of seismic
testing of which about 45 miles are in Collier County. Most of
. . g Cypress Area of Critical State Concern and ' i Mmiate1y ~,` ' '
djacent to the Big Cypress National
^ Preserve, .. ' .
|�~� .`�� ` ^ ` '` ` � �' ` ` ` � / `' ' '�`
�� , � , ^ '
2. Seismic testing will be via 0.SS to 2.0 pound blasting
charges in 28 foot deep holes.
|
.
S. The seismic testing will be conducted ' 0 feet or so
_ ~ � �
~/ along. 5 linear transects. • The a proximate�totalnumber�of "shot � '� ,
.~. holes" to be blasted in Collier County will be 7,043 in this Si^ '. ,
petition. , ^
4. The seismic crews will use a variety
of techniques
es and
vehicles to accomplish their work . These will include:
- ` ^ a. Using "Standard Buggy Drill " which with :a swamp buggy
',
.� .� 'weighs 18,000 lbs, �- and support vehicles in open '' and readily .' /'
,, accessible habitats including "open wetlands" . ^
They define open areas to be those with tree spacing of 12 feet
o' r greater .
` b. Using lighter weight ( 1000 total pound )' "Small Drills"
: mounted on trailor and pulled with a small tractor in `'habitats^ �
.
where tree spacing from 12 feet to 4 feet . ^�`, � ' �� � ,`,. �
c . Backpacking portable equipment into densely wooded
. areas, or very wet and/or sensitive habitats where use of the
other equipment listed in a and b would create adverse
' impacts on the native vegetationand soil regime. . ' ' ' `
' � `' �
order to allow the seismic activi --to-- begin prior, to
�getting toofar into therainyseason t' e EAC and Natural
ge ng , n
Resources Management (NRMD) staff agreed to accept information
given to the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation in
lieu of a Collier County Environmental Impact Statement (E. I .S. )
on the condition that a scientifically sound and quantitative
E. I .S. be produced prior to issuance of any future ST permits for
oil wells, roads, or support facilities. This E. I .S. shall have
to address the ipnoacts of the specifically p[oposed ST
Kdevelop��ent petition as well as cu[Dulatiye imgaet�� of oil
1
` ^
.
`1 .�
�'. `
^ � � � ' _`
� '�
' `~
exploration •and extraction activities in the Big Cypress Preserve
and Area
of fur itcat KState ,Concern. `easons `�' a
""‘• . be Teves at suth an 'intensive effor , is 'necessary 'are outlined '
in items zb .-. .9h (below)" that document oil activities in the Big
Cypress Preserve ind ;Natior•ral Park Servicestaff projections of
future efforts.
6. Current major oil-'-'related activities in the Big. '-Cypress
Preserve (from "a Workshop presentation to the Environmental
Advisory Council by Mr . ".Steven Hunt of the Big Cypress Preserve) .
• ---------OIL FIELD•--
BEAR ISLAND - RACCOON POINT
TOTAL WELLS (current ) 23 16 ,
Producing 1S .•,, 13
inactive 10 2 (being built )
salt,;water- disposal 1
F'ROF'OSED WELLS 8
= r
7 SOME WELL SPECIFICATIONS` , w
err'" a. :aver,a a ife ;Of ,a well = '6O -S0 years
b. well = 2 5 acres
...•, .. size of fill pact for a
S• Big' Cypress staff -"best guess" as to ultimate pro ject r c±rrs` for , ..
the future
a, NEW .,OIL FIELDS <L I E.E BEAR ISLAND AND RACCOON PO I NTF ,c. . 1
,., 1 . megapads per 'field 3 (minirnurn) ,
2. wells • per field = 18 (minimum) I i-'t•t,
Miles' -Of si~ijaport' 'rroads ` andstructures such as the' °Su.►nn'i land
Pipeline have not been . documented here , in .. the :;:inter es,ts
brevity. but obviously 'provide additional impact
•
10. CONCLUSIONS: NRMD staff concludes from the , -above
discussions, from reviewing scientific literature on the subject ,
and from workshop sessions with the E.A.C. that there is' a hii.gh
probability that oil exploration and extraction, will greatly
increase with the advent of a new major oil company :into the Big
Cypress Preserve. The data necessary to determine if some upper-
threshold level of oil-related activities exists, above which the
Preserve will begin to deteriorate as a viable ecological entity,
have not been gathered . Clea"r ly, such studies are needed . '`
Clearly, via the Collier County E. I .S. ordinance, it is the
responsibility of the petitioners to provide these data. The EAC
'Concurred with this conclusion 17 June 1967.
11 . Based on this conclusion, the E.A.C. at staff ' s
recommendation, has adopted on 17 June 1987 a policy that for any
3.t N.fi p,
,. . . s _ . . -.Gt�
t --n.'_vrn rt. .. .r ..y ... ....
•>. s,Awr
f: r
r ,, •. y� '`#"�1}, � 04-t.;.,;-
4-rY '� .:•R'yi r - ,orf
dy}� _ ..•�2.� .� ✓�, .. .... .v.S+ ._ .:.J.. T r.r ., K fn. $k�. �. W,. i 4.fit .'.fit N. .Y•... -fr'J.ttv.
f- 1 r)END.T X 4 'jil:
!
Executive Summary , 1
Shell Western E & P, Inc.
Page 2 _ i`
5. In order to allow the seismic activity to begin prior to getting
too far into the rainy season, the NRMD agreed to accept information
given to the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation in lieu of a
Collier County Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the condition that ;'
a scientifically sound and quantitative E.I.S. be produced prior to
issuance of any ST permits wells, roads, or support facilities. This
E.I.S. shall have to address the impacts of the specifically proposed ST
development petition as well as cumulative impacts of oil exploration
and extraction activities in the Big Cypress Preserve and Area of
Critical State Concern.I Reasons that the NRMD believes that such an
Intensive etfort 1s necessary are outlined in items 6-9 (below) that
document oil activities in the Big Cypress Preserve and National Park
Service staff projections of future efforts.
6. Current major oil-related activities in the Big Cypress Preserve
(from a Workshop presentation to the Environmental Advisory Council by
Mr. Steven Hunt of the Big Cypress Preserve) .
OIL FIELD
BEAR ISLAND RACOON POINT
TOTAL WELLS (current) 23 16
Producing 13 13
inactive 10 2 (being built)
salt water disposal 1 1
I
PROPOSED WELLS 8
7. SOME WELL SPECIFICATIONS
a. Average life of a well = 60-80 years.
b. Size of fill pad for a well = 2-5 acres.
8. Big Cypress staff "best guess" as to ultimate projections for the
future;
a. NEW OIL FIELDS (LIKE BEAR ISLAND AND RACCON POINT) = 1-5
1. Megapads per field = 3 (minimum) .
2. Wells per field = 18 (minimum) .
9. Miles of support roads and structures such as the Sunniland
Pipeline have not been documented here in the interests of brevity, but
-- obviously provide additional impact.
APPENDIX 1
PERMITTEE: Charles Shumway PERMIT/CERTIFICATION
c/o William J. Johnson NO. 111000635
1250 Tamiami Trail North
Suite 203-B DATE OF ISSUE: August 12, 19.86 -
Naples, Fl. 33940
EXPIRATION DATE: July 31, 1989
SPECIFIC CONDITIONS:
1. The permittee is hereby advised that Florida law states: "No person shall _
commence any excavation, construction, or other activity involving the use
of sovereign or other lands of the state, title to which is vested in the
Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or the Department
of Natural Resources under Chapter 253, until such person has received from
the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund the required
lease, license, easement, or other form of consent authorizing the proposed
use." Pursuant to Florida Administrative Code Rule 16Q-14, if such work is
done without consent, or if a person otherwise damages state land or products
of state land, the Board of Trustees may levy administrative fines of up to
$10,000 per offense.
2. Turbidity screens shall be utilized and properly maintained during the
permitted construction and shall remain in place until any generated
turbidity subsides.
3. The Punta Gorda Department of Environmental Regulation office shall be
notified in writing 48 hours prior to commencement of work and upon
completion of work.
4. No live-aboard boats shall be allowed.
5. No fuel facilities nor storage shall be allowed at the project.
6. • •rmative signs on proper boating techniques in manatee inhabitated waters
all be provided at the docking facility.
� 7. The m tigation zone in the proposed riprap revetment shall consist of potted
( ��► 18' m nimum height red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) seedlings anchored at 5
foot intervals along the toe of the bulkhead. A survivorship of 80% over 3 -
-.rs shall be required. Natural recruitment of mangroves and other wetland
plant species to the revetment and planting zone shall be allowed.
8. The permittee shall, in coordination with the proper agencies, and adjacent
reparian dockage, establish a no wake/idle speed zone around the project
site.
10. Annual monitoring reports, with color photographs, detailing the
quantitative and qualitative success of the mitigative mangrove plantings
shall be submitted to the Punta Gorda DER office annually for three years.
In the event the survival period extends beyond the permit expiration date,
the permittee shall submit an agreement to the Punta Gorda DER office
evidencing a continuing obligation to ensure the three year survival period
beyond the expiration date.
11. The project shall comply with applicable State Water Quality Standards,
namely:
17-3.0.51 - Minimum Criteria for All Waters at All Times and All Places.
17-3.061 - Surface Waters: General Criteria.
17-3.121 - Criteria - Class III Waters - Recreation, Propagation and
Management of Fish and Wildlife: Surface Waters.
riiec2ivelINovember530, 1982 Page 5 of 6
REVISION "A"
STANDARD STIPULATION NO. 2
Native species shall be utilized, as described below, in the
site landscaping plan. A landscape plan for all landscaping
on the development shall be submitted to the County Landscape
Architect and to a County Environmental Specialist for their
review and shall be subject to their approval. The landscape
design shall incorporate a minimum of 60% native plants, by
number, including trees, shrubs, and ground cover. This plan
shall depict the incorporation of native species and their
mix with other species, if any. The goal of site landscaping
shall be the re-creation of native vegetation and habitat
characteristics lost on the site during construction or due
to past activities. The only exception to the above shall
be: where landscaping is required for parking lots and other
small areas adjacent to heavy vehicular use, the groundcover
component shall not be included in determining this 60%
requirement. Under these circumstances, the re-creation of
native habitat is recognized as being unfeasible.
REVISION "B"
STANDARD STIPULATION NO. 2
Native species shall be utilized, as described below, in the
site landscaping plan. A landscape plan for all landscaping
on the development shall be submitted to the County Landscape
Architect and to a County Environmental Specialist for their
review and shall be subject to their approval. The landscape
design shall include native plant species to be utilized in
the following percentages, by plant numbers:
Native trees 70%
Native shrubs 65%
Native ground covers 40%
As an alternative, a minimum of 60% native plants, by number,
may be used, at the discretion of the County Landscape
Architect or County Environmental Specialist. This plan
shall depict the incorporation of native species and their
mix with other species, if any. The goal of site landscaping
shall be the re-creation of native vegetation and habitat
characteristics lost on the site during construction or due
to past activities. The only exception to the above shall
be: where landscaping is required for parking lots and other
small areas adjacent to heavy vehicular use, the groundcover
component shall not be included in determining this native
plant percentage requirement. Under these circumstances, the
re-creation of native habitat is recognized as being
unfeasible.