Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant
Species Management Plan
Northern Access 2016 Project
August 2016
Prepared for:
National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation and Empire Pipeline, Inc.
6363 Main Street
Williamsvillle, NY 14221
Prepared by:
Tetra Tech, Inc.
301 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
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Northern Access 2016 Project
Noxious and Invasive Plant Species Management Plan
August 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
Page
1.0
Project Description ...................................................................................................................1
2.0
Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................................1
3.0
Pre-Construction Condition......................................................................................................2
4.0
General Pipeline Construction Procedures ..............................................................................3
5.0
Monitoring and Maintenance ...................................................................................................5
6.0
References.................................................................................................................................6
LIST OF TABLES
Table
Page
Table 1. Noxious and Invasive Weeds Occurring or Potentially Occurring Along the Proposed
Northern Access 2016 Project Pipeline Route in Pennsylvania and New York................2
ATTACHMENT
Attachment
Title
Attachment 1.
Wash Rack Figure
i
Northern Access 2016 Project
Noxious and Invasive Plant Species Management Plan
August 2016
LIST OF ACRONYMS
EI
Environmental Inspector
Empire
Empire Pipeline, Inc.
EO
Executive Order
National Fuel
Supply and Empire, collectively known as
NYS DEC
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
OD
outer diameter
PA DCNR
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Project
Northern Access 2016 Project
ROW
right-of-way
Supply
National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation
USDA
United States Department of Agriculture
USDA-APHIS
USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
ii
Northern Access 2016 Project
1.0
Noxious and Invasive Plant Species Management Plan
August 2016
Project Description
National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation (“Supply”) and Empire Pipeline, Inc. (“Empire,” and together with
Supply, herein referred to as “National Fuel”) propose to construct and operate the Northern Access 2016
Project (the “Project”) in McKean County, Pennsylvania and Allegany, Cattaraugus, Erie and Niagara
Counties, New York. The proposed facilities include approximately 96.9 miles of new 24-inch outer
diameter (“OD”) natural gas transmission pipeline, the addition of compression at an existing compressor
station, and three interconnect meter stations. The proposed facilities include a new compressor station, a
new dehydration facility, and approximately 2.1 miles of a combination of 16- and 24-inch OD pipeline).
2.0
Goals and Objectives
The goal of noxious and invasive weed control is to implement preventive measures to minimize
the establishment and spread of noxious and invasive weeds during ground-disturbing activities
associated with construction of the Project. Noxious weeds and other invasive plants are nonnative, undesirable native, or introduced species that are able to outcompete desired native
species and thereby decrease overall species diversity. Noxious weeds often invade and persist in
areas after disturbance.
Noxious weeds are addressed by Executive Order (“EO”) 13112, which was set into federal law
on February 3, 1999. Under EO 13112, the federal government is required to prevent the
introduction of invasive species, provide for their control, and minimize their impacts. The EO
further specifies that the federal government shall not authorize, fund, or carry out actions likely
to cause or promote the introduction or spread of invasive species unless it has been determined
that the benefits of such actions would outweigh the potential harm caused by invasive species
after all prudent and feasible measures to minimize risk of harm are taken in conjunction with the
actions.
There are four key elements to this Noxious and Invasive Plant Species Management Plan:
(1) Identification of pre-existing problematic plant species and treatment of existing
infestations prior to construction;
(2) Maintenance of construction equipment in a weed-free state during the construction
process;
(3) Implementation of proper construction methods and procedures that minimize
opportunities for invasive plants to establish and spread; and,
(3) Continued monitoring, and treatment if necessary, of National Fuel’s right-of-way
(“ROW”) for noxious weeds during the operation of the Project.
This Plan is applicable to activities during pre-construction, construction, and operation of the
Project.
1
Northern Access 2016 Project
3.0
Noxious and Invasive Plant Species Management Plan
August 2016
Pre-Construction Condition
During the fall of 2014 through spring of 2016, National Fuel conducted biological surveys,
including general habitat assessment, and identification and delineation of wetland and
waterbody resources located within the Project survey areas (which generally consisted of a 300foot-wide corridor encompassing the proposed pipeline ROW and workspace areas). Although
these surveys did not specifically target or involve detailed inventory or delineation of invasive
and noxious weeds, communities of each were observed in the Project survey areas. It is
possible that additional invasive and/or noxious weeds are present within the vicinity of the
Project. Table 1 lists potential noxious and invasive weeds that may occur in the regions
traversed by the Project.
There are various resources for identifying state-listed invasive and noxious plant species for
Pennsylvania and New York. The United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), the
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (“PA DCNR”), the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (“NYS DEC”) and New York Invasive Species
Information (as funded by Cornell University and Sea Grant) compile lists of known invasive
and noxious plant species found within these states; these lists were reviewed and compiled for
the Project (see Table 1).
Table 1.
Noxious and Invasive Weeds Occurring or Potentially Occurring Along the Proposed Northern Access 2016
Project Pipeline Route in Pennsylvania and New York
Common Name
Burning bush
Purple loosestrife
Reed canary grass
Japanese barberry
Autumn/Russian olive
Common buckthorn
Multiflora rose
Mugwort
Japanese honeysuckle
Japanese stiltgrass
Kudzu
Common reed
Japanese knotweed
Oriental bittersweet
Morrow’s honeysuckle
Mile-a-minute weed
Garlic mustard
Giant hogweed
Giant knotweed
Tropical soda apple
Canada thistle
Wild parsnip
Scientific Name
Euonymous alatus
Lythrum salicaria
Phalaris arundinacea
Berberis thunbergii
Elaeagnus umbellate/angustifolia
Rhamnus cathartica
Rosa multiflora
Artemisia vulgaris
Lonicera japonica
Microstegium vimineum
Pueraria montana
Phragmites australis
Fallopia japonica
Celastrus orbiculatus
Lonicera morrowii
Persicaria perfoliata
Allaria petiolate
Heracleum mantegazzianum
Reynoutria sachalinensis
Solanum viarum
Cirsium arvense
Pastinaca sativa
2
PA State-Listed
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NY State-Listed
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Northern Access 2016 Project
Noxious and Invasive Plant Species Management Plan
August 2016
Table Sources:
(a) USDA 2011.
(b) PA DCNR 2011a.
(c) NYS DEC 2016.
(d) NYS DEC 2014.
Noxious weeds are a concern for several reasons, including ecological/biodiversity, human
health (as they may be hazardous to human health), livestock health (they may be toxic if
ingested by livestock), in addition to the ecological concerns they present. For example, giant
hogweed is considered hazardous to human health, as contact with the sap of this species can
cause a skin reaction, photodermatitis, in which the skin becomes sensitive to ultraviolet light of
the sun (USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [“USDA-APHIS”] 2003, PA DCNR
2011b). National Fuel is aware of one location within the Project survey area that contains giant
hogweed and will be vigilant for any additional sightings of this species. National Fuel will
follow appropriate protocol to eliminate occurrences that occur in the Project workspaces before
construction, for worker safety.
4.0
General Pipeline Construction Procedures
General pipeline construction procedures that will serve to prevent the establishment and spread
of invasive/noxious plants include:

Environmental Training of construction contractor personnel to identify key invasive
species and understand the measures to be implemented to reduce the chance of
introduction and spread of invasive species;

Preconstruction identification and treatment, or isolation during construction, of notably
large or dense populations of invasive plants that have high potential to be spread to
other, currently uninfested areas as a result of pipeline construction;

Inspection of contractor equipment and vehicles upon arriving to the Project area to
ensure the absence of foreign weed parts (“weed clean” inspection);

Segregation of topsoil during construction in wetlands with saturated soils, and returning
it to the top layer of soil during restoration.

Restoration and seeding of workspace areas within prescribed timeframes, to minimize
the amount of time disturbed soils remain bare and susceptible to infestation by invasive
plants.

Mulching with straw, hay, wood fiber hydro-mulch, erosion control fabric, or some
functional equivalent to prevent introduction of invasive weeds.
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Northern Access 2016 Project

Noxious and Invasive Plant Species Management Plan
August 2016
If necessary or required in New York State-regulated Freshwater Wetlands, an elevated
wash rack station (see National Fuel’s Erosion and Sedimentation Control and
Agricultural Mitigation Plan [“ESCAMP”] Best Management Practice [BMP] Figure
#44, see Attachment 1) will be used for equipment where:
o The construction equipment exits a wetland having predominant invasive species
vegetation, and
o It enters another wetland without the invasive species within the next 1,000 feet
along the pipeline route.
Before construction, National Fuel will provide information and training regarding noxious weed
management as part of pre-construction environmental training. The importance of preventing
the spread of noxious weeds into areas not already infested and controlling the proliferation of
weeds already present will be explained. At the start of construction, areas of concern for
noxious weeds will be identified and flagged in the field by National Fuel’s Environmental
Inspector (“EI”). The flagging will alert construction personnel and prevent access into areas
until noxious weed management control measures have been properly implemented.
Known1 invasive plant populations that occur within the construction workspaces and are
deemed to have an opportunity to spread significantly as a result of construction activities will be
treated with appropriate measures to prevent their spread. Measures may include stockpiling and
containing at the affected location during construction (to prevent spread by equipment
movement), physical removal, spot spraying with approved herbicides, mechanical treatment, or
covering with growth-preventing materials (e.g., black plastic tarps).
Contractors will be required to ensure that equipment and vehicles initially arriving to work of
the Project (from other construction projects/geographic regions) are clean and weed free.
National Fuel’s EI will inspect equipment and vehicles to determine that they are free of soil and
debris capable of transporting seeds or other propagules.
In areas with existing noxious weed infestations, vegetation, soils, and trench spoil material will
be stockpiled and contained at the affected site, and following construction the material will be
returned to its original location on the ROW, to prevent spread.
Following work at identified noxious weed infested sites, the contractor will be required to use
compressed air or other means to remove soil and propagules from machinery and vehicles to
prevent their transport to other sections of the ROW.
For pipeline installation in wetlands that have saturated soils at the time of construction, topsoil
will be segregated before trenching and replaced on top during backfill/restoration. Then,
restoration and seeding with annual ryegrass (or native perennial seed mix) will allow for quick
establishment of vegetative cover, until the indigenous seed and rhizomes in the topsoil
regenerate and reestablish in the wetland.
Restoration of disturbed areas will occur in accordance with the timeframes identified in
National Fuel’s ESCAMP. These timeframes are consistent with the FERC’s Upland Erosion
Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan and Wetland and Waterbody Construction and
1
“Known,” meaning: as identified in the past during the biological field surveys and new populations identified by
National Fuel’s EI prior to construction.
4
Northern Access 2016 Project
Noxious and Invasive Plant Species Management Plan
August 2016
Mitigation Procedures and applicable state-required timeframes for soil disturbance and
stabilization in Pennsylvania and New York. Final cleanup (including seeding/mulching) will
generally be completed within 20 days after the trench is backfilled in each area, or the area will
be temporarily stabilized using temporary seed, mulch, or other acceptable forms of stabilization.
Because the locations of aboveground appurtenant facilities are, or will be, largely maintained
with herbaceous and gravel cover during operations, noxious weed control requirements are
anticipated to be limited mainly to spot mowing, mechanical removal, or approved herbicide
application during operations.
5.0
Monitoring and Maintenance
Following construction and restoration, National Fuel will monitor for and treat target species
noxious weed infestations on the ROW. Monitoring will commence following completion of
construction, in accordance with the Project’s ESCAMP and wetland permits. In addition, areas
of known infestations will be inspected every year and treated if necessary. Monitoring data
collected will include: identifying the noxious weed species; their location; the extent of
infestation; results of previous control measures implemented, if any; and recommendations for
further control, if needed.
To prevent potential impacts associated with improper herbicide application or accidental spills,
National Fuel will use locally licensed/certified applicators where required by law and develop
site-specific herbicide application, handling, and cleanup guidelines. If possible, National Fuel
will provide funds for county or agency personnel to provide weed control services under
cooperative agreements. Herbicide applications will follow United States Environmental
Protection Agency label guidelines and be performed in accordance with federal, state, and local
laws and regulations.
In general, the guidelines to be implemented will include:

Scheduling and implementing control measures for noxious and invasive
plants before seed maturation/development.

Suspending herbicide application when:

Wind velocities exceed 6 miles per hour for the application of liquid
materials and 15 miles per hour for the application of granular materials;

Ice covers the target vegetation; or

Precipitation is occurring or imminent.

Transporting to the construction site only the quantity of material necessary to
treat the expected weed population. Herbicides will be transported in
approved containers that are inspected daily for leaks.

Mixing of chemical controls at least 200 feet from wetlands, waterbodies, or
other known sensitive biological resources (e.g., localities supporting
threatened or endangered species).
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Northern Access 2016 Project
Noxious and Invasive Plant Species Management Plan
August 2016

Precluding use of herbicides in or within 100 feet of wetlands or waterbodies
unless specifically authorized by an appropriate regulatory agency.

Carrying material safety data sheets and spill kits in any vehicle transporting
or applying herbicides.
The overall goal of National Fuel’s weed control program is to treat weeds populations deemed
noxious and invasive by federal, state, and/or county weed control agencies to the extent that
they do not present a significant hindrance to reclamation efforts.
6.0
References
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). 2014. New York State
Prohibited and Regulated Invasive Plants. Available online:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/isprohibitedplants2.pdf. Accessed March
9, 2016.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). 2008. New York
Invasive Species Information. Available online: http://www.nyis.info/index.php.
Accessed March 9. 2016.
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR). 2011a. Invasive
Exotic Plants in Pennsylvania List. Available online:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_20026634.pdf.
Accessed March 9, 2016.
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR). 2011b. DCNR
Invasive Exotic Plant Tutorial for Land Managers. Giant hogweed Hercleum
mantegazzianum. Available online:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_010273.pdf.
Accessed March 9, 2016.
United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDAAPHIS). 2003. Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) – A Federal Noxious
Weed. June 2003. Available online:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/plant_health/content/printable_version/poster_ph
hogweed.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2016.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2010. Plants Database. Available online:
http://plants.usda.gov/ Last Modified: 08/23/2010. Accessed March 9, 2016.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2011. Pennsylvania State Noxious Weeds
List. September 1, 2011. Available online:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=State&statefips=42. Accessed March 9,
2016.
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Northern Access 2016 Project
Noxious and Invasive Plant Species Management Plan
August 2016
Attachment 1.
Wash Rack BMP Figure
B
44
D-118
A
44
A
44
B
44
SECTION
A
44
SECTION
B
44
ELEVATED WASHRACK
44