September 15, Via Electronic Filing

Transcription

1 September 15, 2015 Daniel P. Wolf Executive Secretary Minnesota Public Utilities Commission 350 Metro Square Building 121 Seventh Place East St. Paul, Minnesota Via Electronic Filing Re: Route Permit Compliance Filing: August Status Report and Complaints Summary for Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Transmission Line Project PUC Docket #TL and the North Rochester to Chester 161 kv Transmission Line Project PUC Docket #TL Dear Mr. Wolf: On May 30, 2012, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission granted Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, ( Permittee ) a Route Permit for the Hampton - Rochester - La Crosse Transmission Line Project ( Project ). A separate permit was issued for the related North Rochester to Chester Project on September 12, The purpose of this letter is to provide an update on project status for the month of August. North Rochester to Chester No work was performed on the North Rochester to Chester line segment during the month of August other than regular stormwater inspections. The line is currently stabilized with stormwater BMPs in place in preparation for line construction, which is scheduled to begin later in the year. North Rochester to Mississippi River and Mississippi River Crossing All restoration has been completed for these line segments and the stormwater permit has been closed. Environmental monitors have concluded inspections. These segments of the 345 kv line from the North Rochester Substation to the Briggs Road Substation north of La Crosse WI was placed into service on September 15, A notification letter was filed to the docket on September 10 th. Hampton to North Rochester Construction continued on the Hampton to North Rochester line segment throughout the month of August. Work taking place includes tree clearing, installation of accesses and matting, and foundation and line construction.

2 Environmental monitors have been onsite throughout construction of the project and an Environmental Monthly Report is enclosed for this construction segment. A landowner liaison has been designated to work with landowners and construction crews to address any questions or concerns that arise during construction. Issues are typically addressed the same day they are reported. There were no complaints received during the month of August. Please feel free to contact me at (612) or ellen.l.heine@xcelenergy.com if you have any questions regarding this filing. Sincerely, Ellen Heine Xcel Energy Sr. Land Agent

3 Environmental Monitor Monthly Report Date: August 31 st, 2015 Location: Olmsted and Goodhue Counties Environmental Monitor(s): Andrew Welch, Sarah Duke Middleton, Andrew Wendlandt Segment: Hampton to North Rochester Contact #: (608) Site Conditions: Temperatures varied greatly throughout the month, ranging from degrees F. Rain events were frequent, occurring every 3 5 days. Current Phase of Construction: Foundations: TriState Drilling (TriState) arrived on the project in early May with two drilling crews, adding a third crew in mid-may. A fourth drilling crew joined the project the week of May 22 nd, On June 23 rd, 2015 a fifth drilling crew also began work on the project. In late August, TriState returned to operating only four drills. Crews began drilling foundations at the North Rochester substation, working their way north. By August 31 st, 2015 TriState had completed foundations up to structure 89, except a small stretch from structure An Xcel crew worked on the Hampton to North Rochester (HR) line the last week of May, drilling the direct imbeds at structures 227 and 212. The crew completed work on June 1 st, Tree clearing: Wright Tree began clearing the ROW in February Crews started at the North Rochester substation and are working north. February through April, crews completed clearing from the North Rochester substation to structure 184. By the end of August, Wright crews had cleared up to structure 74 for construction access. Restoration: Dahn Construction (Dahn) has worked on the entire HR line installing approaches, staging mats for TriState, and installing mats over gas crossings and in wetland areas since March Transmission: The L.E. Meyers Co. (MYR) arrived on the project at the start of August with a small hauling crew. Work began at the North Rochester substation, progressing northward. By the end of the month, MYR crews had all structures up to 229, and structure 211, set. Work Performed: TriState had five drilling crews working on the Hampton Segment for most of August; losing one drill the week of August 24 th. A fifth drill is expected to return to the project in September. Frequent rains and saturated right-of-way (ROW) conditions caused crews to take several weather days throughout the month. TriState contracted Northern Clearing to mat ROW areas prior to rain events, allowing crews access to some structures when the ground is saturated. TriState crews spanned from structures 150 to 59 at the end of August. In August, Wright has cleared where accessible from STR 174 to 53. This is not a steady progression northward, rather crews have moved across the line several times. At the end of the month, crews spanned STR Please see the most recent HR Summary for details. MYR began August with a small hauling crew, and steadily added staff throughout the month. The first week of August structures were hauled to the ROW, followed by a framing crew the week of the 10 th, and the crane the proceeding week. Northern Clearing was contracted by MYR to mat ROW areas and flag roadways as needed. By the end of the month MYR crews hauled to structure 180, framed up to 204, and set and 211. Compliance Issues: During the month of August compliance issues were strongly associated with large rain events that occurred every 3 5 days. Most of the problem areas occur adjacent to steep slopes and/or wetlands along the ROW, where sediment had washed up to the wetland or was channeled along the poly mats. Dahn Construction has been working to address these issues by back blading and stabilizing the areas with BMPs as ROW conditions allow. Most crews on site have

4 kept clean work areas, back blading when needed, and limiting access when ROW conditions are poor. This has resulted in only a handful of compliance issues related to construction activity this month. Those issues related to construction work stemmed from TriState crews working in and around wetland areas. Once problems were identified, TriState immediately addressed the issue and modified their activities. In early August, a weekly inspection revealed a concrete washout stationed in the wetland at STR 129. The washout was placed on a poly mat bridge spanning a small creek/culvert with flowing water. Upon discovery, TriState was contacted and within five minutes the washout was removed. The drilling crew was spoken to by the TriState superintendent, and the importance of situational awareness regarding equipment placement was stressed. At structure 85 the same week, TriState s concrete contractor failed to use the concrete washout when rinsing their chutes. Instead, the rinse was poured out on open ground next to the washout station. TriState contacted their contractor, reiterated that washouts are mandatory, and ensured all new drivers from their supplier were informed. In mid-august, the same TriState crew began the 129 foundation. Dewatering bags were placed in a vegetated ditch adjacent to the foundation, and failed when large amounts of dewatering were taking place. Suspended soils from the hole flowed down the ditch into the wetland. This was discovered on the 13 th of August during a routine weekly site inspection. TriState contacted a vacuum truck contractor that day, and by Friday, August 14 th, 4500 lbs. of contaminated water were pumped out of the wetland, TriState crews removed all sediment that entered the ditch, and Dahn Construction had seeded and stabilized the area with ESC blanket and biologs. A follow up inspection on Monday, August 17 th revealed a very clean, stable site, with clear water flowing in the wetland. No drilling residue was evident. TriState has reviewed their dewatering practices and inspected all dewatering bags going forward to ensure they are not faulty. At the end of August, a TriState drilling crew completed the 152 foundation. This site is located in a wetland, and had both a matted access road and working pad. While pouring, vehicles began driving off the mats east of the hole to avoid concrete trucks. The area impacted is approximately 10 x 100 in the wetland, with flattened vegetation. No rutting was observed. The crew had completed pouring when this compliance issue was noted. The foreman was made aware of the wetland impacts, and reiterated to the crew that they should only drive on the mats. Going forward, TriState has indicated they will ensure their matted working pads are large enough to accommodate all construction traffic. SWPPP: Dahn Construction continues to install matting in lowland and wetland areas along the HR line. These mats, along with those installed by Northern Clearing, have greatly reduced construction impacts to the ROW. Crews continue to install and maintain BMPs along the ROW daily as well. The majority of compliance issues noted in August are associated with heavy and persistent rain fall. Current outstanding compliance concerns are currently being addressed by both Dahn Construction and Northern Clearing. Please refer to the most recent SWPPP inspection report for the list of compliance issues and their resolution this past month.

5 Agricultural Summary: If compaction does occur over the course of line construction, crop impacts may not be realized for some time. Dahn Construction will decompact the ROW in these agricultural areas once line construction is complete. Concrete slurry, when poured on open soil, can also cause agricultural impacts when concrete washouts are not used. The liquid slurry can leach into the ground, potentially altering the ph of the soil. Foundation contractors are expected to utilize concrete washouts. If a spill occurs, they are advised to immediately remove concrete slurry and impacted soil. Landowners will receive monetary compensation for future crop impacts due to construction activity. Nearest structure or span Areas of deeper compaction and other agricultural issues observed since beginning construction: Issue Date Mitigated 183 Concrete slurry poured onto open soil located in ag field 7/ Rutting on ROW in ag field due to construction activity during wet conditions 7/27/ Concrete slurry poured onto open soil near structure located in ag field. 5/22/ Concrete slurry poured onto open soil near structure located in ag field. 5/14/ Concrete slurry poured onto open soil near structure located in ag field. 5/22/15 Please see attached photos

6 Photo Log Photo 1 Date: 8/3/2015 Location: HR 173 Description: Wright Tree doing final clearing and mowing on ROW. Photo 2 Date: 8/5/2015 Location: HR 129 Description: TriState washout placed in wetland. Photo 3 Date: 8/5/2015 Location: HR 129 Description: TriState removing concrete washout from wetland.

7 Photo 4 Date: 8/5/2015 Location: STR 130 Description: TriState drilling and ROW stabilized by corn stalks. Photo 5 Date: 8/5/2015 Location: STR 138 Description: Stabilized ROW after drilling is complete. Photo 6 Date: 8/5/2015 Location: STR 174 Description: BMPs installed by Dahn at persistent washout (predates project). Washout originates off the ROW in an upslope corn field.

8 Photo 7 Date: 8/5/2015 Location: STR 174 Description: Additional BMPs installed in ditch, downslope of silt fence (see photo 6). Photo 8 Date: 8/5/2015 Location: 207 Description: Stabilized wetland with BMPs. Photo 9 Date: 8/6/2015 Location: STR 85/South Cannon Falls Laydown Description: TriState mobbing out of site after foundation is completed.

9 Photo 10 Date: 8/6/2015 Location: HR 85/South Cannon Falls Laydown Description: Concrete washout on site where concrete contactor rinsed chutes onto open ground. Photo 11 Date: 8/7/2015 Location: HR 110 Description: ROW stabilized with BMPs and wooden mats. Photo 12 Date: 8/7/2015 Location: STR 127 Description: Ditch stabilized with BMPs.

10 Photo 13 Date: 8/13/2015 Location: STR 129 Description: Vegetated ditch next to foundation where TriState performed dewatering activities. The dewatering bags failed and suspended solids entered the ditch, and flowed into the wetland. Photo 14 Date: 8/13/2015 Location: STR 129 Description: The wetland downslope of STR 129, contaminated by dewatering activities. Photo 15 Date: 8/13/2015 Location: STR 129 Description: The wetland downslope of STR 129, contaminated by dewatering activities.

11 Photo 16 Date: 8/17/2015 Location: STR 129 Description: Ditch where dewatering bags failed. Slurry and failed bags have been removed, and BMPs installed. Photo 17 Date: 8/17/2015 Location: STR 129 Description: ROW next to wetland free of dewatering waste and stabilized with ESC blanket, seed, and biologs. Photo 18 Date: 8/17/2015 Location: STR 129 Description: Wetland after 4500 lbs. of contaminated water was removed.

12 Photo 19 Date: 8/19/2015 Location: STR 97 Description: TriState after foundation was poured. Photo 20 Date: 8/19/2015 Location: STR 187 Description: ROW stabilized with vegetation.

13 Photo 21 Date: 8/21/2015 Location: STR 110 Description: Northern Clearing removing mats after foundation is completed. Photo 22 Date: 8/25/2015 Location: STR 169 Description: Dahn Construction installing a silt fence to protect the wetland. Photo 23 Date: 8/25/2015 Location: STR 193 Description: Poles hauled out to the ROW by MYR.

14 Photo 24 Date: 8/25/2015 Location: STR 218 Description: MYR equipment staged on the ROW. Photo 25 Date: 8/26/2015 Location: ROW between 74 and 75 Description: ROW in the process of being cleared by Wright Tree. Photo 26 Date: 8/27/2015 Location: STR 152 Description: TriState crews smoothing foundation just after pouring is complete.

15 Photo 27 Date: 8/27/2015 Location: STR 152 Description: Wetland area east of working pad that crews drove through while pouring. No rutting is present, but vegetation is flattened.