[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 235 (Thursday, December 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64514-64516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30929]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket Nos. CP96-248-000, CP96-248-003, CP96-249-000, and CP96-249-
003]
Portland Natural Gas Transmission System; Notice of Amended
Facilities by Portland Natural Gas Transmission System To Be Included
in the Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed PNGTS Project
and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
November 29, 1996.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) that
will discuss the environmental impacts of the construction and
operation of the facilities, about 275 miles of various diameter
pipeline, proposed in the PNGTS Project.\1\ This EIS will be used by
the Commission in its decision-making process to determine whether to
approve the project. The original notice was issued May 23, 1996. The
purpose of this supplemental notice is to inform the public of amended
facilities that will be analyzed in the EIS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Portland Natural Gas Transmission System's applications were
filed with the Commission under Sections 3 and 7 of the Natural Gas
Act and Parts 153 and 157 of the Commission's regulations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A number of Federal and state agencies have indicated that they
wish to cooperate with us in the preparation of the EIS. These agencies
are listed in appendix 1. Other Federal and state agencies may choose
to cooperate with us once they have evaluated the proposal relative to
their responsibilities.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Appendices 2 through 5 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, Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426 or call (202) 208-
1371. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this
notice in the mail.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary of Originally Proposed PNGTS Project
Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) had proposed to
build new natural gas pipeline facilities in Vermont, New Hampshire,
Maine, and Massachusetts. PNGTS requested Commission authorization to
construct and operate about 246.2 miles of various diameter pipeline, 4
new meter stations, 15 mainline block valves, and 4 scraper launcher/
receivers.
Summary of Proposed Changes
On October 31, 1996, PNGTS amended its application to delete the
first 90.6 miles of its originally filed route from Jay, Vermont to
Shelburne, New Hampshire. The total project now involves about 271
miles of pipeline, 7 meter stations, 20 block valves, and 6 pig
launcher/receivers.
The amendment includes a revised route from the Canadian border at
Pittsburg, New Hampshire through a portion of Vermont near Beecher
Falls to Shelburne, New Hampshire, a distance of about 72.8 miles. The
originally filed mainline route from Shelburne, New Hampshire to
Haverhill, Massachusetts remains unchanged.
In addition to the amended mainline route, PNGTS also proposes, in
its amendment, to construct three new natural gas pipeline laterals:
the Groveton Lateral, the Rumford-Jay Lateral, and the Westbrook
Lateral. These three laterals total 48.4 miles of pipeline. The
originally proposed Falmouth Lateral has been deleted, and the
originally proposed Newington Lateral remains part of the proposed
project.
The current project, as amended, would include the construction and
operation of the following facilities:
[[Page 64515]]
224.1 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline (mainline)
extending from a connection with TransCanada Pipelines Limited (TCPL)
at the border of the United States and Canada near Pittsburg, New
Hampshire to the existing Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company transmission
system in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Of the 224.1-mile-long mainline,
about 0.6 mile would be in Vermont, 106.5 miles would be in New
Hampshire, 116.9 miles would be in Maine, and 0.1 mile would be in
Massachusetts;
26.9 miles of 10-inch-diameter pipeline lateral from the
mainline in Oxford County, Maine to Rumford, Maine (Rumford Lateral);
16.6 miles of 8-inch-diameter pipeline lateral from the
Rumford Lateral to Jay, Maine, (Jay Lateral);
3.9 miles of 8-inch-diameter pipeline lateral from the
mainline in Cumberland County, Maine to Westbrook, Maine (Westbrook
Lateral);
1.0 mile of 12-inch-diameter pipeline lateral from the
mainline to Newington, New Hampshire (Newington Lateral);
Seven new meter stations, one each in Groveton and
Newington, New Hampshire; Rumford, Jay, Westbrook, and Wells, Maine;
and Haverhill, Massachusetts;
Acquisition and modification of an existing meter station
in Newington, New Hampshire adjacent to the proposed meter station; and
Associated pipeline facilities, such as about 20 mainline
block valves and 6 scraper launcher/receivers.
PNGTS proposes to have the facilities in service by November 1998.
The general locations of the project facilities are shown in appendix
2. The general locations of other natural gas projects under Commission
review occurring in the same region and generally within the same time
frame (Granite State Gas Transmission, Inc. [Granite State], Granite
State LNG Project, Docket No. CP96-610-000; Maritimes & Northeast
Pipeline, L.L.C. [M&NP], Maritimes Phase I Project, Docket No. CP96-
178-000; and M&NP, Maritimes Phase II Project, Docket No. CP96-809-000)
are shown in appendix 3. If you are interested in obtaining detailed
maps of a specific portion of the project, or procedural information
contact the EIS Project Manager identified at the end of this notice.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the proposed pipelines (nominal right-of-way width
of 75 feet) and meter stations would affect about 2,480 acres of land.
Additional land disturbance would be needed for extra work spaces at
road, railroad and certain waterbody, and wetland crossings, as well as
for pipeyards and contractor yards and temporary topsoil or rock
storage.
Following construction, about 1,655 acres of the land affected by
the project would be retained for operation of the pipeline and
aboveground facilities. This total includes about 0.5 acre for each of
the new meter stations. Permanent 50-foot-wide rights-of-way would be
maintained for the pipelines. Existing land uses on the remainder of
the disturbed area, as well as most land uses on the permanent rights-
of-way, would continue following construction.
The EIS 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 EIS on the important environmental issues. By
this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of
the issues it will address in the EIS. All comments received are
considered during the preparation of the EIS. 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 EIS will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the
construction and operation of the proposed project. We have already
identified a number of issues under each topic that we think deserve
attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and
the environmental information provided by the applicants. These issues
are listed below. Keep in mind that this is a preliminary list. The
list of issues may be added to, subtracted from, or changed based on
your comments and our analysis.
Geology and Soils
--Seismology, soil liquefaction, and areas susceptible to
landslide.
--Blasting in areas of near-surface bedrock.
--Effect on exploitable mineral resources.
--Effect on farmland.
--Erosion control and right-of-way revegetation procedures.
Water Resources
--Effect on groundwater and surface water supplies.
--Crossings of 595 waterbodies, including 10 crossings of
waterbodies over 100 feet wide (Androscoggin [4 crossings], Presumpscot
[2 crossings], Saco, Mousam, Squamscott, and Piscataqua Rivers).
--Consistency with state Coastal Zone Management Programs.
Biological Resources
--Clearing of upland forest and permanent conversion of forest to
open land.
--Effect on habitat at 993 wetland crossings.
--Effect on warmwater, coldwater, anadromous, and estuarine
fisheries habitat.
--Effect on wildlife habitat, including deer wintering areas and
waterfowl and wading bird habitat.
--Effect on federally listed or proposed threatened and endangered
species.
--Effect on Kennebunk Plains, an unusual grassland community.
Cultural Resources
--Effect on historic and prehistoric sites.
--Native American and tribal concerns.
Land Use
--Effect on residences within 50 feet of construction work areas.
--Effect on planned residential developments.
--Effect on public and recreation lands, including the Appalachian
Trail, the White Mountain National Forest, hiking trails in the White
Mountains, Baha'i Faith property, and Pease Development Authority
property.
--Effect on scenic waterbodies, including the Connecticut and
Exeter Rivers and the Great Brook.
--Effects resulting from construction over or near known hazardous
waste sites.
Socioeconomics
--Effect of construction workforce on surrounding areas.
--Effect on property values and tax revenue.
Air Quality and Noise
--Effect on local air quality and noise environment from
construction.
Reliability and Safety
--Assessment of hazards associated with natural gas pipelines.
Cumulative Impact
--Assessment of the combined effect of the proposed project with
other projects occurring in the same general area and within the
general same time frame, including the Granite State LNG Project and
the Maritimes Phase I and II Projects.
We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed project
or
[[Page 64516]]
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 Draft EIS
which will be 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 45-day comment period will be allotted for review of
the Draft EIS. We will consider all comments on the Draft EIS and
revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a Final EIS. The
Final EIS will include our response to each comment received and will
be used by the Commission in its decision-making process to determine
whether to approve the project.
Public Participation and Scoping Meetings
You can make a difference by sending a letter to the Secretary of
the Commission 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 avoid or minimize 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, DC 20426.
Reference Docket Nos. CP96-249-000 and CP96-249-003;
Also, send a copy of your letter to: Mr. Mark Jensen, EIS Project
Manager, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE,
Room 72-65, Washington, DC 20426; and
Mail your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC
on or before January 3, 1997.
In addition to sending written comments, you may attend public
scoping meetings. We will conduct two public scoping meetings at the
following times and locations:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Time Location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 11, 1996................ 7:00 p.m. Berlin Town Hall,
Berlin, NH.
December 12, 1996................ 7:00 p.m. Colebrook
Elementary School,
Colebrook, NH.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The purpose of the scoping meetings is to obtain input from state
and local governments and from the public. Federal agencies have formal
channels for input into the Federal process on an interagency basis.
Federal agencies are expected to transmit their comments directly to
the FERC and not use the scoping meetings for this purpose.
Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to attend the
meetings and present oral comments on the environmental issues which
they believe should be addressed in the Draft EIS. The more specific
your comments, the more useful they will be. Anyone who would like to
make an oral presentation at the meeting should contact the EIS Project
Manager identified at the end of this notice to have his or her name
placed on the list of speakers. Priority will be given to those persons
representing groups. A list will be available at the meetings to allow
non-preregistered speakers to sign up. A transcript will be made of the
meetings and comments will be used to help determine the scope of the
Draft EIS.
Becoming an Intervenor
In addition to involvement in the EIS 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 4).
The date for filing of timely motions to intervene in this
proceeding has passed. Therefore, parties now seeking to file late
interventions must show good cause, as required by Section
385.214(b)(3), why this time limitation should be waived. Environmental
issues have been viewed as good cause for late intervention. You do not
need intervenor status to have your scoping comments considered.
Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to individuals, organizations, and
government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the
proposed project. It is also being sent to all potential right-of-way
grantors to solicit comments regarding environmental considerations
related to the proposed project. As details of the project become
established, representatives of PNGTS may also separately contact
landowners, communities, and public agencies concerning project
matters, including acquisition of permits and rights-of-way.
If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to
receive copies of the Draft and Final EISs, please return the
Information Request (appendix 5). If you do not return the Information
Request, you will be taken off the mailing list.
Additional procedural information about the proposed project is
available from Mr. Mark Jensen, EIS Project Manager, at (202) 208-0828.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
Appendix 1--Cooperating Agencies
The following Federal and state agencies have indicated that they
will be cooperating agencies for purposes of producing an EIS:
U.S. Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Any other Federal, state, or local agencies wanting to participate
as a cooperating agency should send a letter describing the extent to
which they want to be involved. Follow the instructions below if your
agency wishes to participate in the EIS process or comment on the
project:
Address your letter to: Lois Cashell, Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426;
Reference Docket Nos. CP96-249-000 and CP96-249-001;
Send a copy of your letter to: Mr. Mark Jensen, EIS Project
Manager, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE,
Room 72-65, Washington, DC 20426; and
Mail your letter so that it will be received in Washington, DC on
or before January 3, 1997.
Cooperating agencies are encouraged to participate in the scoping
process and provide us written comments. Agencies are also welcome to
suggest format and content changes that will make it easier for them to
adopt the EIS. However, we will decide what modifications will be
adopted in light of our production constraints.
[FR Doc. 96-30929 Filed 12-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M