Dovre Lateral Pipeline

In 2015, We Energies had plans to construct three gas system reliability projects referred to as the Blair Lateral, Wilson Lateral, and Dovre Lateral. To assist in this large endeavor, raSmith wetland professionals teamed with Oneida Total Integrated Enterprises (OTIE) to complete an environmental investigation for the Dovre Lateral. The proposed project included construction of an approximately nine-mile, six-inch natural gas pipeline. As part of the planning process, multiple routes, totaling approximately 13.4 miles, were evaluated by our ecological team. The routes crossed through the towns of Dallas, Sioux Creek, and Dovre in Barron County, WI. The field investigation required our team to conduct wetland determinations along the three project routes. In addition, waterways were identified, mapped, and evaluated, including bed/bank approximate dimensions, substrate, bank slope, and other parameters. The wetland and waterway boundaries were located with a Global Positioning System (GPS) with sub-meter accuracy. Our team also provided assessments and documentation for potential rare species habitat and listed communities, populations of invasive species listed in Wisconsin Admin Code Ch. NR40, land use, agricultural cover (e.g. pasture, crop cover, fallow lands, etc.), agricultural drainage features, irrigation features, and other agricultural parameters. Representative photographs were taken to document natural resources and agricultural features along the three routes. The information gathered in this detailed field assessment was used to gain a Certificate of Authority (CA) to construct the project from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin and to obtain permits from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), and various municipalities and counties.