Page 102 - Pipeline Pigging Technology

Environmental, considerations and risk assessment

into navigable waters. Section 311 also requires that certain facilities prepare
Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCQ plans to control oil
pollution. In addition, Section 311 designates 300 substances that are hazard-
ous if spilled or accidentally discharged into navigable waterways, and
establishes the minimum substance amount (reportable quantity) that, when
spilled, must be reported to the National Response Center.
CWA also regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into United
States' waters. CWA has given authority for enforcement of this portion of the
act to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (COE).
CWA required the development of a plan designed to minimize damage
from hazardous substances discharges. This plan is known as the National Oil
and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan (NCP). In short, this plan
provides for the establishment of a national strike force that is trained to
respond to spills and to mitigate effects on the environment.
Section 504 of CWA contains an imminent hazard provision, allowing EPA
to require clean-up of sites that demonstrate an imminent and substantial
endangerment to public health or the environment. This section is applicable
to the control of point sources that discharge pollutants to navigable waters.

Impacts on the pipeline industry: CWA affects the pipeline industry
primarily in three areas:

In many instances, pipeline construction that crosses navigable water-
ways requires a permit from COE. The permit generally stipulates
that the crossing be accomplished using techniques that eliminate
or minimize soil erosion and subsequent sedimentation of the water
body.

Section 311 of CWA requires that any facility that stores oil (1,320galls
or more above ground, or 42,000galls or more underground) must
have an approved SPCC plan. Pipeline facilities that fit this descrip-
tion must have such a plan in place, and must meet any design
requirements of the plan.

Section 311 also requires that, if applicable, pipeline facilities have in
place a NPDES permit for any appropriate point source discharges.
While the necessity for such a permit will vary from facility to facility,
permits generally are required for any discharges originating from
production or process areas, as well as floor drains located in
compressor or pumping facility basements.

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