[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 134 (Thursday, July 13, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36176-36177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17146]



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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
[Public Notice 2230]


Finding of No Significant Impact: Chevron Pipe Line Company, 
Pipeline at El Paso, TX

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice of a finding of no significant impact with regard to an 
application to construct, connect, operate and maintain a pipeline to 
transport refined petroleum products across the U.S.-Mexico border.

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Chevron Pipe Line Company has applied for a 
Presidential Permit to authorize construction, connection, operation 
and maintenance of an 8.625 inch diameter pipeline to convey refined 
petroleum products across the border with Mexico at El Paso, Texas.
    The proposed pipeline would extend 2.75 miles inside the United 
States and convey petroleum products currently being transported by 
truck. By eliminating about 60 truck trips a day across the border, the 
pipeline will reduce traffic and related air pollution as well as the 
risk of accidents. The pipeline also will facilitate development of 
export markets for U.S. products.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Department's regulations for 
implementation of NEPA (22 CFR Part 161) the Department of State has 
conducted an environmental assessment of the proposed construction by 
Chevron Pipe Line Company of a petroleum products pipeline across the 
international boundary at El Paso, Texas. The Department of State is 
charged with the issuance of Presidential Permits authorizing 
construction of such international pipelines under Executive Order 
11423 (1968), as amended by Executive Order 12847 (1993). Several 
federal agencies cooperated in preparation of the environmental 
assessment, reviewing and commenting on the analysis and conclusions 
presented therein. Agencies participating in this process together with 
the Department of State included: 

[[Page 36177]]
the Council on Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection 
Agency, the Department of Interior and its Bureau of Reclamation, the 
Justice Department, the International Boundary and Water Commission-
U.S. Section and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
    The permit application and draft environmental assessment were made 
available to the public for review and comment. Following a public 
comment period, notice of which was provided in the Federal Register 
and in El Paso newspapers, a meeting was held in El Paso on March 6, 
1995 to hear comments from members of the public. Numerous oral and 
written comments were received. All comments, whether from federal 
agencies or members of the public were considered and addressed in the 
final environmental assessment.
    Based on the final environmental assessment, which included a 
review of all comments received, the Department of State has concluded 
that issuance of a Presidential Permit authorizing construction of the 
proposed pipeline through the Bureau of Reclamation's right of way 
(whether using the proposed route 1b or the alternative route 1c as 
described in the final environmental assessment) will not have a 
significant effect on the quality of the human environment within the 
United States. Therefore, in accordance with NEPA regulations, 40 CFR 
1501.4 and 1508.3 and with State Department Regulations, 22 CFR 161.8 
(c) an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.
    Factors Considered: The Department of State considered several 
alternatives to the proposed action including alternative pipeline 
routes and the option of not building a pipeline. Analysis of the 
options led to the conclusion that the environmentally preferred 
alternatives would be to construct the pipeline through the Bureau of 
Reclamation's right of way (using either route 1b or route 1c).
    The Department's analysis of all the options and reasoning 
supporting this decision is presented in the final environmental 
assessment. Copies of the final environmental assessment are being 
provided to interested parties and civic groups in El Paso and a copy 
will be available for public inspection at the EPA regional office in 
El Paso.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE PIPELINE PERMIT APPLICATION, CONTACT:
Donald E. Grabenstetter, Office of International Energy Policy, Room 
3529, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC, 20520, (202) 647-4557.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, CONTACT: 
Charlotte Roe, Office of Ecology and Terrestrial Conservation, Room 
4325, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, (202) 647-3367.

    Dated: June 9, 1995.
Glen R. Rase,
Director, International Energy Policy.
[FR Doc. 95-17146 Filed 7-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-07-M