[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 146 (Monday, August 1, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-18639] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: August 1, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP94-641-000] Columbia Gas Transmission Corp.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed 1994 Line A-5 Replacement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues July 26, 1994. The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will discuss environmental impacts of the construction and operation associated with the replacement of facilities proposed in the 1994 Line A-5.1 This EA will be used by the Commission in its decision- making process to determine whether an environmental impact statement is required and whether or not to approve the project. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation's application was filed with the Commission under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary of the Proposed Project Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation (Columbia) wants Commission authorization to:replace 4.8 miles of 12-inch-diameter Line A-5 pipeline in Broome County, New York; replace 0.1 mile of Line A-5 across Owego Creek, in Tioga County, New York, and Nanticoke Creek and an unnamed tributary to Crocker Creek in Broome County, New York because the pipeline is exposed; and hydrostatically test 0.60 mile of existing Line A-5 under Interstate 81, the Chenango River, Chenango Street, and State Route 7 in Broome County, New York; and replace two existing above ground valves and one below ground valve at milepost 2.48. The general location of these facilities is shown in appendix 1.2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\The appendices referenced in this notice are not being printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available from the Commission's Public Reference Branch, Room 3104, 941 North Capitol Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426, or call (202) 208-1371. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land Requirements for Construction The proposed replacement pipeline would be built within or adjacent to existing pipeline right-of-way. For a portion of the project the pipeline would be offset between 10 to 50 feet and would be in the same location as the original pipeline for the remainder of the project. Typically, Columbia would use a 50-foot-wide construction right-of-way, part of which would overlap existing right-of-way, and it would use a 50-foot-wide permanent right-of-way. Columbia would require some temporary right-of-way clearing in certain areas. The EA Process The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us to discover and address concerns the public may have about proposals. We call this ``scoping''. The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. By this Notice of Intent, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of the issues it will address in the EA. All comments received are taken into account during the preparation of the EA. The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project under these general headings: geology and soils water resources, fisheries, and wetlands vegetation and wildlife endangered and threatened species land use cultural resources hazardous waste We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the EA. Depending on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA may be published and mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies, public interest groups, interested individuals, affected landowners, newspapers, libraries, and the Commission's official service list for this proceeding. A comment period will be allotted for review if the EA is published. We will consider all comments on the EA before we recommend that the Commission approve or not approve the project. Currently Identified Environmental Issues We have already identified several issues that we think deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and the environmental information provided by Columbia. Keep in mind that this is a preliminary list; the list of issues will be added to, subtracted from, or changed based on your comments and our own analysis. Issues are: The replacement pipeline would cross within 50 feet of 12 residences and 2 businesses. The pipeline would cross six perennial streams and nine wetlands. The pipeline may cross or be near archeological sites. Public Participation You can make a difference by sending a letter with your specific comments or concerns about the project. You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative routes), and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. Please follow the instructions below to ensure that your comments are received and properly recorded: Address your letter to: Lois Cashell, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 825 North Capitol Street NE., Washington, D.C. 20426; Reference Docket No. CP94-641-000; Send a copy of your letter to: Mr. John Wisniewski, EA Project Manager, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 825 North Capitol Street., NE. Room 7312, Washington, D.C. 20426; and Mail your comments so that they will be received in Washington, D.C. on or before August 10, 1994. If you wish to receive a copy of the EA, you should request one from Mr. Wisniewski at the above address. Becoming an Intervenor In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want to become an official party to the proceeding or become an ``intervenor''. Among other things, intervenors have the right to receive copies of case-related Commission documents and filings by other intervenors. Likewise, each intervenor must provide copies of its filings to all other parties. If you want to become an intervenor you must file a Motion to Intervene according to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214) attached as appendix 2. You do not need intervenor status to have your scoping comments considered. Additional information about the proposed project is available from Mr. John Wisniewski, EA Project Manager, at (202) 208-1073. Lois D. Cashell, Secretary. [FR Doc. 94-18639 Filed 7-29-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P