This staff report analyzes and describes the “lessons learned” about Colorados oil and gas industry and the work of Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission during and after the flood of September 2013. The COGCC estimates that more than 5,900 oil and gas wells lie within 500 feet of a Colorado waterway that is substantial enough to be named. When these streams flood nearby oil and gas facilities are at risk of damage, spills, environmental injury and lost production. The flood that struck the Front Range of Colorado in September 2013 was a major disaster and emergency. Damage to the oil and gas industry was significant, but it was only a part of the story of the flood. Many oil and gas facilities located near flooded streams were damaged in the September 2013 flood. Oil, condensate and produced water spilled into the environment.
This Colorado Environmental Performance Partnership Agreement (CEPPA) is an agreement that identifies and explains the key environmental priorities and goals in the State of Colorado, and the working relationship between the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It allows Colorado to identify key state priorities, allocate federal resources to the highest state priorities, and have some flexibility in finding ways to achieve mutually agreed upon goals.
"This manual contains official policy and procedures required of and established by the Office of Transportation Safety. This version supersedes and replaces all previous Contract Management Manuals. It has been developed to assist State and local agencies in the administration of highway safety projects. It also includes instructions for preparing highway safety project applications and forms."
The federal Clean Water Act requires that stormwater discharges from certain types of facilities be authorized under stormwater discharge permits. The goal of the stormwater permits program is to reduce the amount of pollutants entering streams, lakes and rivers as a result of runoff from residential, commercial and industrial areas. The original 1990 regulation covered municipal (i.e., publicly-owned) storm sewer systems for municipalities over 100,000 population. The regulation was expanded in 1999 to include smaller municipalities as well. This expansion of the program is referred to as Phase II.
The advent of solar energy utilization in highway infrastructure around the country has been increasing in recent years. Right of Ways (ROWs) have several advantages for energy development such as the existing electrical infrastructure aligned with the major highways, a secured boundary, and easy maintenance access. To understand the potential impacts on driver safety, environmental resources, and maintenance operations, case studies are presented from national and international projects. Factors associated risk impacts are analyzed qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Mitigation measures are recommended to minimize the undesirable impacts in the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of solar array.
