[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 73 (Monday, April 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16478-16479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9186]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Michigan Gas Storage Company; Notice of Intent to Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Cranberry Lake Header 
Replacement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

[Docket No. CP96-263-000]
April 9, 1996.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss the environmental impacts of the construction and operation of 
the facilities proposed in the Cranberry Lake Header Replacement 
Project.\1\ This EPA will be used by the Commission in its decision-
making process to determine whether an environmental impact statement 
is necessary and whether to approve the project.
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    \1\ Michigan Gas Storage Company's application was filed with 
the Commission under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 
of the Commission's regulations.
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Summary of the Proposed Project

    Michigan Gas Storage Company (MGSCo) requests authorization to 
construct and operate 5.2 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline to replace 
1.3 miles of 10-inch-diameter pipeline and 3.9 miles of 16-inch-
diameter pipeline, and to abandon by removal 5.2 miles of 8-inch-
diameter loop. All facilities are in Clare County, Michigan. The 
proposed project would allow for more efficient and safe operation of 
MGSCo's Cranberry Lake Storage Field.
    The general location of the project facilities and specific 
locations for facilities on new sites are shown in appendix 1.\2\
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    \2\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available from the 
Commission's Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 208-1371. 
Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this 
notice in the mail.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the proposed facilities would require about 42 
acres of land. About 36 of the 42 acres is existing pipeline right-of-
way. The 6 acres of construction right-of-way would be allowed to 
revert to its prior use after construction.

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 considered during the preparation of the EA. State and local 
government representatives are encouraged to notify their constituents 
of this proposed action and encourage them to comment on their areas of 
concern.
    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
 air quality and noise
 public safety

    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.
Docket No. CP96-263-000

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 MGSCo. Keep in mind that this 
is a preliminary list:
     One mile of the proposed project crosses the Seney 
National Wildlife Refuge.
     About 1.5 acres of woody wetland vegetation would be 
temporarily cleared for construction.
     The Clam River, a State of Michigan designated trout 
stream, would be crossed by directional drilling.
     Three residences are within 50 feet of the construction 
right-of-way.
    The list of issues may be added to, subtracted from, or changed 
based on your comments and our analysis.

 Public Participation

    You can make a difference by sending a letter addressing 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

[[Page 16479]]

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, 888 First Street NE., Washington, D.C. 
20426;
     Reference Docket No. CP96-263-000;
     Send a copy of your letter to: Mr. Bob Kopka, EA Project 
Manager, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., 
PR-11.1, Washington, D.C. 20426; and
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, D.C. on or before May 12, 1996.
    If you wish to receive a copy of the EA, you should request one 
from Mr.. Kopka 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) (see 
appendix 2). You do not need intervenor status to have your scoping 
comments considered.
    Additional information about the proposed project is available from 
Mr.. Bob Kopka, EA Project Manager, at (202) 208-0282.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-9186 Filed 4-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M