Sessions
Concurrent Session: Science-informed wetland regulation
10:40 AM - 12:00 PM Wed
ORAL PRESENTER
CO-AUTHOR: Dana Halverson, Alliant Energy
TITLE: WDNR Technical Standard 1072 Horizontal Directional Drilling: An overview
ABSTRACT: Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a common, trenchless utility installation method often used to avoid or minimize impacts to wetlands, waterways, roads, and other surface features. The WDNR recently approved Technical Standard 1072 Horizontal Directional Drilling to specify the minimum requirements needed to plan, design, and implement best practices aimed at preserving the land and water resources of Wisconsin during HDD installations. The technical standard was created using the Standards Oversight Council Full Process and includes input from a technical work team and public review. Best practices included in the standard are based on current research, field experience, and best available technology. The standard focuses on protecting water quality by reducing sediment discharge from work areas, reducing the potential for runoff to carry construction materials into state waters, and clarifying expectations for spill prevention and response procedures relevant to HDD construction methods. This includes reducing the risk of runoff-carrying drilling fluid from inadvertent releases, also known as a frac-out or inadvertent return, to water resources through prevention and response planning. Wetland and waterway resource identification is an important component of the standard as these resources present unique challenges for HDD installation. In this presentation, I will provide an overview of the new technical standard with a specific focus on wetlands and the best practices aimed at protecting water resources of the state during HDD installations.
BIO: Ann Nye has more than 18 years of experience in environmental review and permitting with a specific focus on energy projects. She currently provides environmental compliance oversight for electric and gas projects in the Midwest and was a member of the Wisconsin Standards Oversight Council Team that developed Wisconsin DNR Technical Standard 1072.