Jurisdictional Waters Delineation and Permitting Evaluation – ODNR – New Matamoras, Ohio

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management (DOGRM) requested four orphan oil wells be assessed at two separate properties along the Ohio River.

STONE delineated the approximate locations, boundaries, and areal extent of jurisdictional waters of the U.S. and isolated waters within the Areas of Review (AORs). A Preliminary Jurisdictional Waters Delineation (PJWD) was conducted in general accordance with the Routine On-Site Determination method described in the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual” published by the USACE in 1987, and the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual, Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region Version 2.0, published by the USACE in 2010. Several water resources were identified within the AORs, including wetlands, streams, and swales.

STONE also completed coordination with ODNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in order to obtain required information regarding Threatened and Endangered (T&E) species within the project area. Suitable habitats were identified for both federally endangered Indiana bat and federally threatened Northern long-eared bat in the entire forested area on both properties, as well as federally listed and state listed mussels within the Ohio River.

Based on the water resources and T&E species identified, STONE provided an analysis of likely impacts that would be encountered in order to successfully abandon each well and mobilize the required equipment, and the anticipated waterway permitting needed to complete the project.

Thanks to your team for assisting us with this project. Your attention to detail and efficient communication made this job go very smoothly from an environmental standpoint. I am certain that your team also made things easier for our PE and TM, helping them keep things in order while completing the project.