Environmental Stewardship
Commitment to the Environment
Williams Northwest Pipeline is committed to protecting environmentally sensitive areas. This commitment extends through all aspects of the project. We promote environmental stewardship by designing, constructing and operating a pipeline system that serves the interests of our customers, communities and employees, while meeting the challenge of protecting the environment. Williams is committed to:
- Protecting the environment and working with all applicable agencies (federal, state and local) to fully comply with laws and regulations designed to protect sensitive areas
- Conducting our operations in a manner that protects human health and the environment
- Enhancing the quality of the environment in which we live and work
- Protecting the environment and our natural resources by operating in a safe and reliable manner
- Maintaining an open dialogue with neighboring communities throughout the planning, development and construction stages
- Working with communities and environmental agencies to select the route for the pipeline
- Working with landowners to minimize interruption of existing land use activities
- Restoring the land at least to its original condition
Environmental Assessment
When building a pipeline, environmental factors along the pipeline route are carefully researched and evaluated, including:
- Soils
- Vegetation
- Wildlife
- Water quality
- Air quality
- Geologic features
- Wetlands and fisheries
- Noise
- Land use
- Recreation
- Aesthetics
- Archaeology/Paleontology
- Socioeconomic impacts
Possible cumulative effects of the activities associated with building and operating pipelines are taken into consideration during all stages of the pipeline project. An archaeological survey will likely be performed on the ground for this project and you will likely receive notification regarding timing and what the survey could possibly require.
Environmentally Sensitive Construction
During construction, several techniques will be used to ensure protection of the environment:
- Dewatering structures – Temporary devices that dissipate energy of discharged water to reduce erosion and control distribution of sediment-laden water.
- Silt fence – This semi-permeable fence is installed after vegetation clearing and soil disturbance and is maintained until permanent revegetation measures are successful and the site is stabilized. Silt fence prevents sediment from leaving the work area and entering water bodies and wetlands, or going onto roadways. Properly installed silt fence also ensures that stockpiled soil remains within the approved work area.
- Straw bale sediment barriers – The semi-permeable barriers prevent sediment from leaving the construction zone and entering water bodies and wetlands, or going onto roadways. It also ensures that stockpiled soil remains within the approved work area.
- Slope breakers – Temporary and permanent features installed on a disturbed slope to slow and direct water to reduce erosion within the approved work area.
