2.1 Overview of the Proposed Project - Keystone XL pipeline - US ...

Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact StatementKeystone XL ProjectPHMSA regulations at 49 CFR 195.450 and Special Condition 14 require that pipeline operatorsidentify areas along the proposed pipeline corridor that would be considered HCAs. While someof these areas need to be defined through sophisticated risk modeling, in general they are specificlocales where an accidental spill from a hazardous liquid pipeline could produce significantadverse consequences as described in 49 CFR 195.450.HCAs include navigable waterways, high population areas, and unusually sensitive areas.Keystone would need to identify the HCAs along the proposed route. Population changes alongthe route would be monitored throughout pipeline operation and any additional HCAs identifiedas necessary. Keystone would conduct a pipeline integrity management program in HCAs asrequired by 49 CFR 195.452 (Pipeline Integrity Management in HCAs).All maintenance work would be performed in accordance with PHMSA requirements, theapplicable PHMSA Special Conditions, and the stipulations in environmental permits issued forthe proposed Project. Woody vegetation along the permanent easement would be clearedperiodically in order to maintain accessibility for pipeline integrity surveys. Mechanical mowingor cutting would be carried out from time to time as needed along the permanent easement fornormal vegetation maintenance. Cultivated crops would be allowed to grow in the permanenteasement, but trees would be removed from the permanent ROW in all areas. In areasconstructed using the HDD method, trees would be cleared as required on a site specific basis.Permanent erosion control devices would be monitored to identify any areas requiring repair.The remainder of the ROW would be monitored to identify areas where additional erosioncontrol devices would be necessary to prevent future degradation. The ROW would be monitoredto identify any areas where soil productivity has been degraded as a result of pipelineconstruction. In these areas, reclamation measures would be implemented to rectify theproblems.Operation and maintenance of the proposed pipeline system would typically be accomplished byKeystone personnel. The permanent operational pipeline workforce would comprise about50 employees strategically located along the length of the pipeline in the United States: 35Keystone employees plus 15 contractual workers.2.1.11.2 Abnormal OperationsKeystone would implement Abnormal Operating Procedures in accordance with 49 CFR Section195.402(d). Those procedures would be developed and documented in a manual as required by49 CFR 195.402. The manual would include procedures to provide safety when operating designlimits have been exceeded. That would include investigating and correcting the cause ofunintended closure of valves or shutdowns, increases or decreases in pressure or flow rateoutside normal operating limits, loss of communications, operation of any safety device, and anyother malfunction of a component, deviation from normal operation, or personnel error whichcould cause a hazard to persons or property. Procedures would also include checking variationsfrom normal operation after abnormal operation has ended at sufficient critical locations in thesystem to accomplish the following:• Assure continued integrity and safe operation;• Identify variations from normal operation of pressure and flow equipment and controls;• Notify responsible operator personnel when notice of an abnormal operation is received;Project Description 2.1-66 March 2013