Compliance Inspection on East Coast Natural Gas Pipeline

The Situation

The construction of a new 42-inch natural gas pipeline across approximately 3.6 miles of national forest lands, involving both FERC and BLM. The project crossed a national scenic trail and as well as steep terrain areas, rivers and streams. The project contained eligible cultural sites, habitat for a number of protected plant and animal species, and steep slope priority areas. Eocene helped process over 10 variance requests during construction activities. The project involved high interest from the public and environmental groups. The entire length of the project was approximately 303 miles in Virginia and West Virginia. 

The client requested a third-party contractor, specifically a Compliance Inspection Contractor (CIC) to conduct the compliance inspection, process variances, and support monitoring activities for the project.

Our Solution

Eocene was responsible for the following project activities:

• Inspection and monitoring on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and BLM.
• Daily and weekly compliance and construction status reports for the USFS and BLM.
• Daily and weekly meetings with the proponent, contractor, USFS, BLM, and FERC.
• Providing engineering support for road plan reviews and monitoring road conditions during construction activities. 
• Reviewing and preparing responses for variance requests.
• Working with the proponent and the contractor to resolve compliance issues in the field.
• Providing guidance and inspection for reclamation activities.
• Inspecting Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) compliance and Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC) compliance on behalf of the USFS and BLM.
• Developing and maintaining a secure website for the project to house all compliance reports and all project management documents, project permits, maps and photos.
• Developing a communication plan for the project with an organization chart.
• Providing specialized resource support relative to engineering as well as biological, cultural and geological resources.
• Collecting and reviewing all permits associated with the project.
• Maintaining GIS data for the project.
• Creating and maintaining the virtual site visit tool to assist agencies, owners and managers with tracking project construction status and environmental compliance.