WorldWide Drilling Resource

Working Where an Endangered Reptile May Dwell Compiled by Caleb Whitaker, Associate Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource ® The Blueprint For Prosperity project in Ohio is underway, and will include the instalation of waterlines. One of the primary goals of the project is to bring better drinking water to West Farmington, which has had challenges operating its antiquated treatment plant. DRS Enterprises was awarded two contracts totaling $6.3 million for work in all three areas of the project, while J.S. Bova Excavating was awarded a $2.4 million contract for work in one area. The project will include over 120,000 linear feet of water mains, an elevated water storage tank, and a booster pump. It will also replace 288 water meters and provide necessary repairs to prevent water losses. Much of the water main construc- tion will involve boring under the road. This will cause some disruptions of vehicle traffic, but the contractors will keep at least one lane of travel open. The water main construction is expected to be complete in April or May 2019. A study conducted by the project’s herpetologist (a specialized biologist who provides care and researches a wide variety of reptilian and amphibian species) concluded a snake labeled endangered in 1996 by Ohio, may live or travel in the area. The eastern massasauga is a small, thick-bodied rattlesnake, which has been decl ining over the past three decades due to loss and fragmentation of its wetland habitat. Biologists have confirmed less than half of the eastern massasauga’s historical populations still exist. In Ohio, the snake was once found in 30 counties, but it remains in only 8 or 9 today. Research shows the snake prefers an open canopy with grass and shrubs. While no snakes were seen during the site visit, areas along the fields of the planned route were found to be suitable for the snake. Six fields were studied during the survey, examining for the presence of crayfish burrows where the snake hibernates; the presence of small mammals which the snake eats, such as mice, voles, and shrews; a high water table; and migration corridors. Half of the fields met most or all of the condi- tions for the snake, and half were unlike- ly to be a good habitat for the snake. The herpetologist will be on-site while crews work near the three fields in the half-mile corridor where the study con- cluded the snake may be found. If the snake is encountered, the herpetologist wi l l assure no one harms it and it is allowed to slither away. Because the waterline will be installed with horizontal directional drilling, the possible distur- bance to any snakes is expected to be minimal. New & Used Equipment Elevators SkyRex We Support Our Troops! Stock Sizes: 1” thru 24” for casing, column pipe, tubing, and drill pipe. *Load test certificates available * Available with or without a base UsedWorldwide • Drill Pipe • Drill Collars • Manual Tongs • Spiders • RC Swivels We have elevators of all sizes, types, and weights; can build to any special applications. • Stabilizers • Bits • Bowls • Centrifugal Pumps • Crossover Subs Alignment Clamps 29 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® OCTOBER 2018 DIR