Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management

At Crestwood, we know that responsible and effective biodiversity and ecosystem management is critical to being responsible stewards of the environment, and that is why it remains a key component of our sustainability strategy and focus area for our company. Our priorities include minimizing our impacts, reducing long-term habitat disturbances and integrating biodiversity conservation efforts into our land use management practices.

Two Crestwood workers walking towards the woods

Approach

In 2020, we developed our Biodiversity Position Statement, which outlines our commitment to sustainable resource management, Indigenous rights and minimizing community impacts. Our Land and Natural Resources department, with support from our operations team, leads the implementation of this policy and our land use practices, which guide the way we protect biodiversity in new and existing areas of operation as a standard for how we do business. 

Respect for Indigenous peoples and the significance of nature in the communities where we work are key considerations for how we approach ecosystem management. We value strong relationships, local partnerships, stakeholder inclusion and collaboration.

We work regularly with government entities such as the EPA,  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal, state and local permitting and wildlife management agencies to define management plans and minimize impacts. 

During project design, Crestwood employs routing, workspace design and construction methodologies that avoid and/or minimize impacts to sensitive habitats such as designated critical habitats, wetlands, waterbodies, wooded areas and native grasslands. Restoration is conducted on all our easements and is a vital part of our approach to biodiversity. To expedite the restoration of habitat and ecosystem functions in non-agricultural areas, native seed mixes are implemented post-construction. In addition, noxious weed monitoring and control plans are deployed in sensitive areas, allowing for the reestablishment of natural vegetative communities, and the associated fauna that rely on them.

To ensure that we are aware of sensitive habitat needs, we monitor the percentage of lands within a 30-foot corridor of a pipeline's centerline that are located near areas designated as threatened and endangered species critical habitats by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To view this data, please visit our Performance Data Table.

Key 2022 Performance Highlights 

  • Incorporated our newly-acquired Oasis Midstream and Sendero Midstream assets into our biodiversity and land stewardship practices      
  • Explored alternate right-of-way observation technologies to identify invasive species and increase visibility 
  • Worked with Continental Resources to renew the Plan for the Development of Oil and Gas Resources within a Sage-Grouse Core Population Area 
  • Received WHC recertification for our Fort Berthold Indian Reservation reclamation projects
  • Explored a Habitat Conservation Plan for the Dakota Skipper in western North Dakota
  • Contributed funding to conservation and habitat restoration efforts, including for tree and shrub planting activities 
  • Completed several reclamation projects on legacy pipeline projects 
  • Finalized environmental reference guides, which include cultural and natural resource considerations during project planning and execution, reference files, Crestwood contacts and other relevant information for key operational areas 

Case Study

Partnering with North Dakota State University Williston Research Extension Center

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Partnering with North Dakota State University Williston Research Extension Center

Crestwood is partnering with the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Williston Research Extension Center to provide funding for the exploration of best practices and advancements in sustainable agroecosystems for soil health in the Northern Great Plains. The multi-disciplinary study provides an opportunity for the development of new technologies, including crop monitoring and soil health assessments. During the construction of the City of Williston pipeline project, our pipeline crossed a portion of the NDSU property. Crestwood collaborated with NDSU on a specialized reclamation plan tailored to further achieve their research objectives. 

Key 2022 Habitat Restoration and Biodiversity Projects

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Texas and New Mexico Hornshell Mussel Habitat Conservation Efforts

In the Black River and Delaware River sub basins of the Permian Basin, Crestwood participates in the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCA/A). By participating, Crestwood agrees to follow conservation measures to reduce or eliminate impacts to the Texas hornshell (Popenaias popeii) and other species, including the Rio Grande River Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugt), gray redhorse (Moxostoma congestum), blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) and Pecos springsnail (Pyrgulopsis pecosensis) based on adaptive management principles that constantly evolve using the best available science. All of Crestwood’s assets in the defined management zone were covered under the CCA/A during 2022. 

In 2022, Crestwood completed four projects within the CCA/A management zone for the Texas and New Mexico hornshell. During the initial routing and constructability reviews for each project, avoidance and other mitigation measures were incorporated, avoiding impacts to designated critical habitats. With the acquisition of Sendero Midstream, Sendero’s Certificate of Inclusion and Certificate of Participation in the CCA/A were transferred to Crestwood. 

We also contributed habitat conservation funding for projects completed within the CCA/A defined management zone. In 2022, Crestwood provided nearly $26,000 for research and habitat restoration projects through the Center for Excellence and Hazardous Materials Management.  

Texas Hornshell 1.099

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Wyoming Sage Grouse

In 2022, we worked with Continental Resources to renew the Plan for the Development of Oil and Gas Resources within the Sage-Grouse Core Population Area. Integrated in our routing and construction best practices, we avoid/minimize impacts on high-quality Sage-Grouse habitat, adhere to traffic plans and working hours during lekking season, conduct specialized training for contractors working in lekking areas and focus on effective reclamation efforts, including utilizing a diverse species seed mix aimed at improving habitat richness and reclamation success while reducing undesirable or invasive species.  

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WHC Recertification in North Dakota

In 2020, we became a corporate member of the WHC. To further demonstrate our commitment to biodiversity, we received WHC Certification for our grassland reclamation activities on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. In 2022, we received WHC recertification for the project showcasing our continued commitment to the project.

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Wyoming Low Tech Meadow/Green Area Restoration

Green vegetation offers increased insect availability, warm season foraging and brood-rearing habitat for a variety of species, including the Sage-Grouse. If sufficient green areas are unavailable, the Sage-Grouse is concentrated into smaller areas and at increased risk of disease such as West Nile Virus and coccidiosis. To increase the availability of green vegetation in Wyoming, Crestwood is supporting the use of Zeedyk structures—a low-tech restoration tool used to address erosion issues and increase water retention and vegetation growth in wet meadows and green areas.

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North Dakota Planting for the Future

Crestwood recognizes that trees and forests are a critical resource in the communities where we work. In 2022, we donated $10,000 to the North Dakota Petroleum Council for its Planting for the Future program, which provides trees and shrubs for large-scale planting projects. Crestwood received 3,700 trees for mitigation activities that help protect watersheds, wildlife habitats, crops, soil and livestock, among other benefits.

Cultural Heritage Protection

Crestwood holds a steadfast appreciation for the traditional significance of ancestral lands and cultural resources. We implement due diligence at the start of our routing or siting processes. If potentially significant cultural resources are identified in proximity to proposed pipeline routes or facilities, we work with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office and/or Tribal Historic Preservation Office to avoid or minimize impacts, which includes following the processes outlined in our Unanticipated Discovery Plans for the Williston, Delaware and Powder River Basins.

For more information about our commitment to Indigenous communities, please see our Indigenous Relations section.

Looking Ahead

We will build on our achievements in 2022 by continuing to progress and enhance Crestwood’s biodiversity program in 2023. We plan to:

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