[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10333-10335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5929]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP96-228-000]


Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation; Notice of Application

March 7, 1996.
    Take notice that on March 4, 1996, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line 
Corporation (Transco), P.O. Box 1396, Houston, Texas 77251, filed in 
Docket No. CP96-228-000 an application pursuant to Section 7(c) and 
7(b) of the Natural Gas Act for (1) a certificate of public convenience 
and necessity authorizing it to construct and operate certain 
Chickasawhay River replacement crossings and (2) an order permitting 
and approving the abandonment of existing facilities at the

[[Page 10334]]

same location, with the certificate and construction clearance 
authorized by April 1, 1996, all as more fully set forth in the 
application which is on file with the Commission and open to public 
inspection.
    Transco states that it has four pipelines across the Chickasawhay 
River in Mississippi--3-inch diameter Main Line A, 36-inch diameter 
Main Lines B and C and 42-inch diameter Main Line D. It is stated that 
this river crossing is in Clarke County, Mississippi and is 
approximately 15 miles west of the location where Transco's system 
crosses the Mississippi-Alabama state line. Transco states that all gas 
produced onshore and offshore Texas and Louisiana and onshore 
Mississippi which moves on Transco's system to Transco's markets in the 
Deep South, Atlantic Seaboard and eastern markets flows through this 
Chickasawhay River crossing.
    Transco states that because of mass erosion of the river banks, 
Main Lines A, B and C are exposed or have shallow cover in the river 
and are subject to potential physical damage from boat traffic and 
periodic flood debris in the river.
    Transco states that it cannot perform these replacements pursuant 
to Section 2.55(b) of the Commission's Regulations because the 
temporary work spaces which Transco will need off the existing 
maintained right-of-way do not meet the guidelines for such spaces set 
out in the Commission staff's letter to Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, 
dated March 15, 1995. It is stated that this application is not 
required by the Commission's order issued May 12, 1994 in Arkla Energy 
Resources Company, Docket No. CP91-2069-000, 67 FERC para. 61,173, 
(replacements outside of existing right-of-way cannot be performed 
pursuant to section 2.55(b)) because no new permanent right-of-way will 
be required in connection with this project. Transco states that it is 
imperative that Transco complete the new crossings soon to ensure that 
gas from the production areas described above is able to flow to 
Transco's markets.
    Transco proposes to install approximately 1,400 feet of new 30-inch 
diameter Main Line A by horizontal directional drilling under the 
Chickasawhay River, at the location of its existing pipeline crossings 
of the Chickasawhay River.\1\ The alignment of the new Main Line A will 
parallel the existing Main Line A and will be offset approximately 
eight feet to the south of the existing Main Line A. It is stated that 
approximately 180 feet of 30-inch diameter pipe will be conventionally 
installed by trenching from the entrance and exit of the bore and tied 
in to existing Main Line A.

    \1\ Transco states that directionally drilled pipelines under 
rivers are significantly more secure than older pipelines which were 
installed by way of trenching the river bed. It is stated that the 
30-inch and 36-inch pipeline crossing discussed herein will be an 
approximate depth of 30 feet beneath the Chickasawhay River 
navigation channel.
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    Transco states that it also proposes to install approximately 1,400 
feet of new 36-inch diameter Main Line B by horizontal directional 
drilling under the Chickasawhay River. The alignment of the new Main 
Line B will parallel the new Main Line A with a spacing of 
approximately 22 feet to the south of new Main Line A. New Main Line B 
will be approximately 75 feet north of existing Main Line B. It is 
stated that approximately 175 feet of 36-inch diameter pipe will be 
conventionally installed by trenching from the entrance and exit of the 
bore and tied in to existing Main Line B.
    Transco states that it also proposes to install approximately 1,470 
feet of new 36-inch diameter Main Line C by horizontal directional 
drilling under the Chickasawhay River. The alignment of the new Main 
Line C will parallel Main Lines A and B with a spacing of approximately 
25 feet to the south of new Main Line B. New Main Line C will be 
approximately 125 feet north of existing Main Line C. It is stated that 
approximately 160 feet of 36-inch diameter pipe will be conventionally 
installed by trenching from the entrance and exit of the bore and tied 
in to existing Main Line B.
    Transco states that Main Line D will not be replaced.
    Transco states that the proposed replacement will restore the long-
term integrity of Transco's transmission system at the Chickasawhay 
River crossings. Since the 30-inch and 36-inch diameter crossings are 
being replaced by identical 30-inch and 36-inch diameter crossings, 
system capacity at the Chickasawhay River will remain unchanged--at 
3,353,767 Mcf per day. It is stated that the shallow, conventionally 
installed Main Lines A, B and C at this location will be retired by 
removal.
    It is stated that the cost of new Main Line A is estimated to be 
$1,197,260; the cost of installation of new Main Line B is estimated to 
be $1,396,806; and the cost of installation of new Main Line C is 
estimated to be $1,396,806.
    Transco states that it needs to replace Main Lines A, B and C as 
soon as possible because of their vulnerable condition.
    Transco states that issuance of a certificate to Transco and 
construction clearance by April 1 is justified for two reasons: (1) the 
above-described need for security of gas service to Transco's market 
areas, and (2) the de minimis impact on the environment of the crossing 
project (as described below). With respect to the environment, Transco 
states that the following are significant points:
    1. On the west side of the river approximately 0.77 acre of 
temporary work space (TWS) off the existing permanent right-of-way will 
be required at the location where the drilling rig will be set up, and 
approximately 0.15 acre will be required for removal of existing pipe 
and for repair of an erosion problem on the bank. This total of 0.92 
acre of off right-of-way TWS on the west side is presently forested and 
will be cleared (none is forested wetland). The remainder of the TWS on 
the west side is located on existing permanent right-of-way. On the 
west side, wetland areas are located well away from the construction 
area. This impact will be minimized by the use of mats and other 
appropriate means. On the west side, approximately 0.567 acre of access 
road off the right-of-way will be required, but it is on an existing 
farm lane.
    On the east side of the river approximately 0.49 acre of off right-
of-way TWS will be required for drilling operations; 0.34 acre will be 
required for stringing pipe; and 0.18 acre will be required for removal 
of existing pipe and for repair of an erosion problem on the bank. Of 
this east side right-off-way TWS, 0.6 acre is presently forested and 
will be cleared (none is forested wetland). The remainder of the TWS on 
the east side, is located on existing permanent right-of-way. On the 
east side, approximately 1.52 acres of non-forested wetland will be 
utilized for stringing pipe; approximately 0.09 acre of this will be 
outside the existing permanent right-of-way. Impacts will be minimized 
by using road board where necessary. Most of the land around the right-
of-way on the east side has been logged recently; this is the reason no 
forested wetland will be impacted.
    In summary, Transco states that on both sides of the river the TWS 
are minor, and of these only 1.52 acres are forested and none are 
forested wetland.
    2. Clearances have been received with respect to endangered/
threatened species from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the 
Mississippi Natural Heritage Program. The Mississippi Game and Fish 
Commission provided Transco with information that the gulf sturgeon 
(federal listed as threatened, stated listed as endangered) may be 
found in the project area. Transco

[[Page 10335]]
evaluated this in the context of the project to ensure that the project 
will not impact this species; the evaluation verified that the project 
will not impact this species.
    3. A Phase I cultural resources report was filed with the 
Mississippi State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) by letter dated 
January 23, 1996. The report documents the results of the Phase I 
investigation which did not locate any cultural resources. In a letter 
dated January 25, 1996 the SHPO indicated that it had reviewed the 
report and that no historic properties will be affected by the project.
    By letter dated February 9, 1996, Transco requested from the SHPO 
information concerning groups who may be interested in cultural 
resources which the Phase I survey may have missed, particularly Native 
Americans who may have knowledge of sacred areas or locations of 
special value to them. Additionally, with such letter, Transco 
submitted an ``Action Plan for Treating Known and Unanticipated 
Discoveries of Human Remains and Historic Properties''. By letter dated 
February 14, 1996, the SHPO identified the Mississippi Band of Choctaw 
Indians. Also, the SHPO advised that the action plan is acceptable. 
Transco states that Mr. Ken Carleton, the Tribal Archaeologist, was 
contacted by telephone on February 26, 1996 and indicated he was 
satisfied with the results of the archaeological survey and identified 
no sacred sites or other areas of concern within the project 
boundaries.
    4. Transco states that it does not consider in situ replacement a 
practical option because such conventional replacement would be subject 
to the same erosive forces of the river.
    5. Transco states that the proposed installations and removals will 
improve the visual or aesthetic value of the river banks at the 
Chickasawhay River crossing by allowing native revegetation and 
dynamics of the river to control the natural succession of the banks at 
the crossing. Transco states that it will implement measures to restore 
and stabilize the construction work spaces and abandoned rights-of-way.
    Therefore, Transco states that in view of (1) the essential need 
for the Chickasawhay River crossing to be able to move gas from 
Transco's production areas to Transco's market areas, and (2) the de 
minimis environmental impact of such project, Transco requests that the 
Commission issue a certificate and construction clearance by April 1, 
1996.
    By its application, Transco also seeks authorization to abandon by 
removing portions of its Main Lines A, B and C at the Chickasawhay 
River which will be replaced (including the portions in the river bed). 
Transco states that gas transmission across the Chickasawhay River will 
be unaffected by these abandonments. It is stated that the cost of 
removal of all three line segments is estimated at a total of $300,000.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said application should on or before March 18, 1996, file 
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20426, 
a motion to intervene or a protest in accordance with the requirements 
of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 
385.211) and the Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CAR 157.10). 
All protests filed with the Commission will be considered by it in 
determining the appropriate action to be taken but will not serve to 
make the protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to 
become a party to a proceeding or to participate as a party in any 
hearing therein must file a motion to intervene in accordance with the 
Commission's Rules.
    Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in 
and subject to jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission by Sections 7 and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and 
the Commission's Rules of Practice and procedure, a hearing will be 
held with further notice before the Commission or its designee on this 
application if no motion to intervene is filed within the time required 
herein, if the Commission on its own review of the matter finds that a 
grant of the certificate is required by the public convenience and 
necessity. If a motion for leave to intervene is timely filed, or if 
the Commission on its own motion believes that a formal hearing is 
required, further notice of such hearing will be duly given.
    Under the procedure herein provided for, unless otherwise advised, 
it will be unnecessary for Transco to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-5929 Filed 3-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M