A confidential client owns and operates a 54-mile natural gas pipeline that crosses five counties in southeast Michigan. To increase pipeline capacity, the client sought to replace and upsize the aging pipeline with a 36-inch diameter pipeline. Barr was hired to assist with environmental field reviews related to regulated wetlands, streams, and floodplains as well as threatened and endangered (T&E) species. We also assisted the client with addressing comments from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) during the Public Act 9 filling process. Services we provided during the project include:
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Performing environmental field reviews along alignment reroutes over a two-year period to conduct wetland and stream delineations.
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Evaluating the regulatory status of approximately 100 wetlands and 60 streams located within 200-feet of the proposed alignment and reroutes.
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Identifying potential fen habitats by completing a desktop review of available field data and mapping.
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Delineating fen habitats within the pipeline corridor, documenting fen characteristics, and determining fen types.
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Conducting T&E species desktop reviews of the 54-mile pipeline corridor and habitat surveys of alignment reroutes.
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Providing support during the MPSC Public Act 9 (Production and Transmission Rules) review process.