Erosion and Sediment Controls

This topic will cover erosion and sediment control for natural gas well pads, facilities, and pipelines. Proper erosion and sedimentation control design and implementation is a critical part of the development process for operators in the Appalachian Basin. The Clean Water Act (CWA) was enacted in 1972, and Section 402 of the Act established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Oil and natural gas projects became exempt from NPDES permits through the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which was published as a final rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on June 12, 2006. However, many states are beginning to implement their own requirements for these activities despite the federal exemption. For example, Pennsylvania has an oil and gas specific Erosion, Sediment, and Stormwater General Permit (ESCGP-2) that adopted many of the NPDES regulations. WV requires an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan be submitted with the well drilling permit package for review and approval. At this time, Ohio does not have a specific earth disturbance permit for natural gas projects. Typical erosion controls used on natural gas projects include rolled erosion control blankets, sprayed hydromulch, water bars, proper stream and wetland crossing methods, and temporary vegetation. Typical sediment controls used on a natural gas well pad or other permanent facilities can include diversion channels, sediment traps, sediment basins, compost filter sock sediment trap, compost filter sock, silt fence, and rock construction entrance. Typical sediment controls used on a natural gas pipeline project can include compost filter sock, silt fence, and rock construction entrances. This paper includes example projects and photographs of the controls used.