Services:

CONAM Cross-Town Fuel Pipeline

Issue:

Special interest groups and some members of the public opposed the permitting of a jet fuel pipeline between the Port of Anchorage and Anchorage International Airport, on the Knik Arm tidal flats. As a result of the controversy, the permitting clock was stopped.

Solution:

OASIS was contracted to lead the permitting process and to develop a plan to inform and involve the public to a greater extent. OASIS personnel were subsequently tasked to be the permitting agent and spokespersons for the applicant.

The project involved several major tasks summarized below:

Developed an environmental evaluation document that was similar in scope (and content) to an EIS for this large and controversial project.
Conducted a hazard assessment for a worst-case and most-likely spill for eight potential pipeline routes, trucking, rail, and existing pipeline retrofit alternatives to move fuel to the airport.
Assessed the potential impact to humans and the environment for each of the alternative pipeline routes.
Organized and performed the public process for the entire project.
Characterized the environment along the entire selected pipeline route, including mapping of environmentally sensitive areas.
Prepared the USACE 404/10 permit application for wetlands.
Prepared the ADEC-approved Oil Spill Contingency Plan for the pipeline.
Researched and summarized the state of the art for pipeline leak detection systems.
Chaired bimonthly public meetings for the project working group. The group included all resource agency personnel, special interest group representatives, and members of the public.
Developed wetlands compensatory mitigation plan for the project.
Performed media interviews including live radio talk shows, local television stations, newspaper, and magazines.
Developed and executed a revegetation plan for estuarine intertidal vegetation.

The project required development of several original documents including the Potential Construction and Operations Impact Report, Project Description, USACE Permit Application, Oil Spill Contingency Plan, and the Construction-Reclamation Plan. The documents represent the most current and detailed evaluation of the mudflats environs, potential effects of an oil spill, statistical analysis, and compilation of references. OASIS prepared all the documentation to satisfy permitting requirements and address concerns of the public, special interest groups, and resource agencies in a timely manner.

Results:

The final permits were awarded on time enabling pipeline construction to begin on schedule.

Case Studies

Chuitna Coal Mine

OASIS is collecting extensive baseline data on the freshwater aquatic biology...
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Anchorage International Airport

Special interest groups and some members of the public opposed the permitting of a jet fuel pipeline...
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British Petroleum Exploration (Alaska), Inc.

BPXA required assistance in conducting biological studies...
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PacifiCorp

In December 2003 PacifiCorp received a new operating license for the Bear River Hydroelectric Project...
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Aleutians East Borough

Extensive permitting was required for the proposed King Cove Access Project...
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Alaska Department of Transportation

As a subcontractor, OASIS delineated the wetlands in accordance with the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual...
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Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks contracted with OASIS to investigate the recolonization rates of benthic macroinvertebrates...
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U.S. Air Force

OASIS conducted evaluations of potential contamination of the human food chain...
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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

ADEC's Alaska Clean Water Actions (ACWA) program required assistance in diagraming the flow of information...
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