Prior to site construction commencing, operators are required to obtain several permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and meet additional guidelines set forth by other state agencies. Once these permits are granted, site construction can begin.
Following is a step-by-step analysis of the pad construction provided by the University of Pittsburgh:
- After the area has been stripped and grubbed, the location is leveled. This process begins with the topsoil being stripped and reserved. (The top soil needs to be saved to be spread back out over the area during the interim reclamation so that the area is able to be seeded.)
- The process of leveling the location is similar to leveling a location for any type of build out. The area must be dug out or filled in to create a level lot. This process is done one foot at a time with each foot of soiled being compacted using a smooth drum to ensure each layer is the proper density to prevent mudslides in the case of a heavy rain.
- The location also has a 40 inch berm to contain any type of water or fluid spill. The berm protects the surrounding area from contamination should any fluids be spilled.
- After the earth work for a location has been completed, the pad is then constructed of rock.
- The base of the pad is 8 to 12 inches thick and constructed of a coarse aggregate. On top of this layer is 3 to 4 inches of aggregate referred to as crush and run which is a finer aggregate material with smaller particles in it.
- When the crush and run is rolled using a smooth barrelled roller, it appears similar to a parking lot.
- Once the pad is constructed, the final stage in building the site is to seed the slopes on the outer edges of the site, as well as the berm. Seeding and netting (or matting) is done to help reestablish vegetation to prevent soil erosion.
- When an area is less accessible, matting maybe used to seed and protect the area…This is an important process in protecting the areas around the site from erosion damage.
- When the site construction is complete the equipment is mobilized off of the site and the next steps of the process can begin.
The Marcellus Shale Coalition also has a Recommended Practice for site construction that lays out some additional information that you may find of interest.
