Earth Day Award Nomination by Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration and the Division of Wildlife Resources

Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) and the Division for Wildlife Resources (UDWR) nominates Questar Pipeline Company for the overall reclamation work on the Huntington Lateral Gas Line. We would like to especially point out the efforts made in restoring the contours and topography to the pre-disturbance conditions.

The Project The project consisted of installing a 12 inch, 9.7 mile gas line across SITLA lands from the developing fields in Emery and Carbon Counties to the CO2 plant. In addition to the SITLA lands there were many miles of federal, and private lands crossed. The high quality of work was the same for all ownerships. The project site had many characteristics which made this project difficult. The area has some steep topography, highly erodible soils, shallow and poorly developed soils, and it is criss-crossed with deep unvegetated gullies. To complicate things during the reclamation period, the area was and still is experiencing a severe drought, with precipitation averages less than 8 inches across the length of the project area.

Project High-Lights  Restoring/ Maintaining original topography.  Soil retention.  Protection of items with cultural importance.

Location Map

Contour Work Note how the natural drainages were restored.

Contour Work Despite the amount of earth moved as seen in the top picture the small ridge and natural drainages were restored.

Contour Work Just as an indicator of the scale of this project note the equipment in the top photo.

Contour Work Questar took great efforts in restoring even the smallest, natural topographical variations.

Erosion Control A roughed surface creates pockets and dips which capture water and aids in the prevention of the mat sliding or pulling down slope.

Erosion Control Despite a tremendous flashflood no cuts of banks or of the bottom took place. Water overflowed onto the floodplain. Debris from the flood. Trench line.

Erosion Control Note: The base of the structure is wide enough to allow a floodplain to form which can help reduce the energy flow. Note: One year after the work was completed all matting is still in place and functioning.

Erosion Control Along this segment of stream the soils erode easily. There was much concern that down cutting would occur and wash out the pipe and the banks. All the normal precautions were taken to stabilize the banks, however, a bentonite mixture was used below the streambed and around the pipe. The concept was that the bentonite would swell and make a semi-impermeable layer that water would easily flow over rather than a fabric or a hardened material which could cause the water flow to become turbulent and quicken the erosion process. Looking downstream. Note: The bank has held and the matting is still in place. Looking upstream from the same location. Note: the debris in the shrubs. Pipe Line Debris

Vegetation Despite some of the worst drought conditions the state has seen, there has been plant establishment which will spread as more moisture comes in the future. Above: Throughout much of the project, small shrubs have been established. These small but important plants are long-lived natives that will supply soil retention for years. Left and Right: Though these thin blades of grass don’t look like much they represent a big success. The seed was put deeper than normal which meant the seed did not germinate until truly enough moisture was received.

Vegetation Right: More vegetation is present on this roughed matting than pre- disturbance. Below: broadleaf plants and shrubs. Below to the right: a mixer native shrubs is present. Four-wing saltbush Shadscale Grease Wood

Cultural Protection This Road was determined to have special cultural values and was protected. This canal has both cultural values and is important to the local farming community. It was crossed several times, and each time, Questar drilled under the canal to preserve and not disrupt the water flow.