Stewardship from
the Start
We consider stewardship from the start of our operations, adopting a site-assessment standard based on applicable federal and state regulations.
Site Assessment Protection Areas
Aquatic Resources and Floodplains
Historical and Cultural Resources
Community Impact
Biodiversity
Before starting construction, we carefully assess the varying aspects of a proposed location, from its geography and topography to the potential existence of sensitive wildlife habitat, cultural resources, residences and other public-occupied sites. Protection of the nation’s waters, including streams, wetlands and floodplains, is also important to our assessment. Our analysis includes both a desktop and field review to identify the presence or absence of these sensitive receptors.
Central to our program procedures is going above and beyond compliance requirements. This means flagging any sensitivities within the proposed limits of disturbance (LOD) of our operations, plus a minimum of 100 feet beyond the LOD. If an environmentally sensitive receptor or cultural resource is identified within the proposed LOD, we avoid or minimize impacts by relocating site activity or developing a plan to protect the resource.
Site Assessment Procedures
Desktop Review
Corporate HSER Teams
- Locate asset and establish LOD
- Conduct initial site assessment to locate environmental or cultural sensitivities
- Forward findings to field review
Field Review
Local, Trained HSER Personnel or Qualified Contractors
- Conduct field visit to determine potential environmental or cultural receptors
- Identify positioning of receptors within study area
- Document results and collaborate with corporate team
Calibration
HSER and Operations Partnership
- Review findings and determine if construction will impact receptors
- Obtain environmental permitting as required
- Redesign, move or adjust the timing of construction activities for environmental protection
- Map assessment results to build comprehensive database
We work closely with stakeholder groups, including landowners and federal, state and local governments, to coordinate site planning and protect any areas or species of concern. Our focus is to mitigate and minimize our environmental impact by redesigning, moving or adjusting the timing of construction activities. For example, in the Powder River Basin, we collaborate with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Bureau of Land Management to protect migratory birds by avoiding or rescheduling operations to preserve their nesting/brooding cycles.
Sage-Grouse Conservation in the Powder River Basin
Chesapeake is a founding member of the Douglas Core Area Restoration team — partners working to advance collective knowledge of sage-grouse habitat conservation. For nearly a decade, the team has developed projects to enhance sage-grouse seasonal habitat, restored previously disturbed habitat and implemented projects that target local threats to sage-grouse in southeastern Wyoming.
Douglas Core Area Restoration Highlights
50+ lbs
Wyoming Big Sagebrush seed collected to grow native sagebrush seedlings
120,000+
Native sagebrush seedlings planted to help restore safe-grouse habitat
5,000 acres
Project span
3,100+ acres
Cheatgrass treated to reduce cover and the threat of wildfire within safe-grouse habitat
