BL Companies was selected to provide natural and cultural resource assessments associated with a natural gas pipeline project located in Steuben County.

The project included the conversion of a natural gas production field into an underground natural gas storage field. The storage facility consisted of a 45-acre parcel of farmland and woodland, storage/injection wells, observation wells, a gathering system, meter building and the Thomas Corners Compressor Station. The project included the construction of an 8-mile natural gas pipeline corridor extending from the storage field to the existing Adrian Compressor Station. Proposed infrastructure upgrades included access roads, cleared right of ways, and an underground pipeline network that connected the natural gas storage wells to an existing compressor station.

BL Companies’ scientists conducted natural and cultural resource assessments within the 45-acre parcel and along the proposed 8-mile right of way. Specific natural resource investigations included walking the proposed natural gas line corridor to identify the presence of wetlands. Specific cultural resource investigations included the manual excavation of shovel test pits within the parcel and along the proposed natural gas line corridor to identify the presence of any cultural material.

During the assessment, a historic site was identified. BL Companies worked with the New York State Historic Preservation Office on behalf of the client and prescribed an efficient, yet technically thorough investigation that did not delay project construction.

BL Companies successfully responded to a number of project challenges including the coordination between the project’s prime consultant and the sub-consultants who were responsible for survey stake-out and other environmental investigations. BL Companies completed the tasks on time and exceeded our client’s expectations with respect to effectively mobilizing staff, providing technical expertise, and our flexibility with respect to schedule demands.