[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10036-10038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5331]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket Nos. CP96-178-000, CP96-178-002, CP96-248-000, CP96-248-003, 
CP96-249-000, CP96-249-003 and CP97-238-000]


Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C., Portland Natural Gas 
Transmission System, and Portland Natural Gas Transmission System and 
Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C.; Notice of Technical Conference

February 27, 1997.
    On March 6, 1997, the Commission staff will convene a technical 
conference with Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (Maritimes) and 
Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) in response to PNGTS's 
February 24, 1997 request. The purpose of this technical conference is 
to discuss the filing of the revised environmental report in Docket No. 
CP97-238-000 scheduled to be made by PNGTS and Maritimes on March 17, 
1997 and the amendment to be filed by PNGTS in Docket Nos. CP96-249-
000, et al. In addition, procedures will be discussed to make the 
subject filings suitable for analysis by the Commission staff. Further, 
PNGTS and Maritimes should be prepared to discuss the attached 
questions from staff and should answer them in writing as part of the 
proposed March 17, 1997 filing. The meeting will begin at 9:30 am, in a 
room to be designated at the Commission's headquarters, 888 First 
Street NE, Washington, DC.
    When adequate information is filed in the joint application to 
permit it to be publicly noticed and when all related amendments in the 
PNGTS and Maritimes proceedings are filed and considered complete, the 
Commission staff will issue a notice to convene a technical conference 
to be held at a location near the proposed joint project area. The 
exact time and location will be provided in that notice.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.

Appendix

Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline L.L.C (M&NP); Portland Natural Gas 
Transmission System (PNGTS); Docket No. CP96-178-000 et al.

Environmental Information Request

    1. The following facilities are listed in only the application or 
table 1-2 of resource report 1 (not both), filed on February 10, 1997. 
Please clarify if they are proposed for the Joint Facilities Project:
    a. The 0.6-mile-long, 20-inch-diameter Haverhill Lateral and 
associated meter station for the interconnection with Tennessee Gas 
Pipe Line Company (Tennessee) (application page 14);
    b. the Granite State Meter Station on the Newington Lateral for the 
interconnection with Granite State (application page 13);
    c. the interconnection with Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) 
from the acquired Northern Utilities Meter Station (application page 
14); and
    d. the S.D. Warren Meter Station on the Westbrook Lateral (resource 
report table 1-2, page 7).
    2. If the Haverhill Lateral is part of the Joint Facilities 
Project, update the resource tables to include all relevant 
environmental information.
    3. if the Northern Utilities meter station is acquired for the 
interconnection with PSNH, what modifications would be required and how 
much land would be disturbed?
    4. Provide a listing by milepost (MP) of all areas along the Joint 
Facilities mainline and laterals that have not been surveyed.
    5. M&NP and PNGTS indicate that the following information will be 
filed when they become available:
    a. Original U.S. Geological (USGS) 7.5-minute-series topographic 
maps with mileposts showing the proposed route and meter stations;
    b. alignment sheets (scale not smaller than 1:6,000) showing the 
exact location of all meter stations, pig launchers/receivers, block 
values and any other aboveground facilities, staging areas and extra 
work spaces, pipe storage yards, and temporary and permanent access 
roads needed during construction and operation (scheduled for March 17, 
1997);
    c. acreage of each wetland disturbed during construction and 
acreage of forested wetlands that would be permanently converted to 
other cover types;
    d. volume, discharge rate, and source and discharge locations of 
hydrostatic test water;
    e. residences within 50 feet of the construction work area by 
milepost and site-specific plans for residences closer than 25 feet to 
the construction work area; and
    f. Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines (Guidelines) for 
the Joint Facilities Project. When filing these Guidelines, clearly 
indicate whether all of the provisions contained in our Erosion 
Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan and Wetland and Waterbody 
Construction and Mitigation Procedures (Procedures) are incorporated. 
For any individual provision that M&NP and PNGTS consider unnecessary, 
technically infeasible, or unsuitable due to local conditions, please 
provide alternative measures that M&NP and PNGTS would use to ensure an 
equal or greater level of protection. Be specific and definitive in 
describing these alternative measures.
    Please provide the above items or a schedule indicating when they 
will be filed.
    6. Provide right-of-way cross section diagrams for segments of the 
mainline and laterals that would parallel existing rights-of-way. 
Clearly indicate the amount of existing right-of-way that is presently 
maintained clear of forest vegetation.
    7. These project plan/reports previously filed by M&NP and PNGTS 
contain differing data and mitigation techniques. Please provide the 
following to resolve these inconsistencies:
    a. A wetland delineation report for the Joint Facilities Project.
    b. A spill prevention and containment plan detailing specific 
measures that would be taken to cleanup and dispose of any accidental 
discharge within a municipal watershed, or within 100 feet of wetlands 
or waterbodies. Indicate what portions of our Procedures (version 12/2/
94) M&NP and PNGTS will incorporative into its plan, and for those it 
will not, indicate why and what alternative measures would be used.
    c. A plan prepared in consultation with the Massachusetts, New 
Hampshire, and Maine State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO) 
identifying the procedures M&NP and PNGTS will follow if human remains 
are discovered during cultural resources investigations or 
construction, or if unanticipated historic properties are discovered 
during construction.

[[Page 10037]]

    d. A directional drill contingency plan that what describes what 
methods M&NP and PNGTS would use to contain and manage drilling muds 
during construction.
    e. Resource Report 11, Reliability and Safety.
    8. Provide copies or the current status of all required Federal, 
state, and local government approvals.
    9. Provide a detailed description of the construction techniques to 
be used for the Squamscott River (MP 34.2), Piscataqua River (MP 47.9), 
Mousam River (MP 73.1), Saco River (MP 81.8), and Presumpscot River (MP 
97.6) crossings. The descriptions should include:
    a. Crossing method to be used (open cut or directional drill);
    b. if open cut, the method to be used to excavate the trench 
underwater;
    c. if open cut, the techniques to be used to minimize turbidity and 
sedimentation impacts associated with trenching in the river;
    d. if open cut, the location of spoil storage areas and the 
mitigative measures that would be used to control and store the spoil;
    e. if open cut, the method to be used to pull the pipeline across 
the river, including the amount of time required for the pull;
    f. if open cut, the material and method to be used to backfill the 
trench underwater;
    g. an explanation of the location and size requirements of the 
extra workspaces on each bank (such as trench size and work to be done 
in each workspace); and
    h. an estimate of the total length of time required for each phase 
of construction (such as river crossings and restoration).
    Please indicate if either M&NP's or PNGTS's previously filed river 
crossing plans for any of these waterbodies are still accurate for the 
Joint Facilities Project. There is no need to re-file river crossing 
plans that are still current.
    10. In its February 24, 1997 data response, PNGTS stated that due 
to favorable geotechnical conditions, it intends to directionally drill 
the crossing of the Piscataqua River. The Joint Facilities Project 
environmental report shows M&NP's proposed crossing as the preferred 
location. If an open-cut crossing of the Piscataqua River is still 
proposed, please provide a summary of discussions with the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers and state (New Hampshire and Maine) agencies 
concerning the feasibility and impact of an open-cut. If no discussions 
have taken place, provide a schedule for future discussions with those 
agencies.
    11. In its February 24, 1997 data response, PNGTS stated that due 
to unfavorable geotechnical conditions, directional drilling of the 
crossings of the Powwow River, Great Brook, their associated wetlands, 
and New Hampshire State Route 107A (approximate MPs 26.5 to 26.9) is 
inappropriate. PNGTS proposes a combined open-cut/push-pull technique. 
Provide responses to items b through h in question 10, as well as any 
additional measures PNGTS will take to mitigate impacts on these 
waterbodies and wetlands.
    12. Provide a site-specific crossing plan for the Exeter River (MP 
29.7) that addresses:
    a. Protection of the downstream drinking water supply;
    b. avoidance of riparian vegetation removal or active restoration 
of the riparian zone with woody vegetation;
    c. minimization of sedimentation; and
    d. avoidance of interference with migratory fisheries.
    13. Discuss the feasibility of crossing Branch Brook (MP 71.2) 
using a dry crossing technique (e.g., flume, dam and pump, horizontal 
bore, directional drill). Provide a site-specific crossing plan that 
addresses protection of the downstream drinking water supply. Indicate 
the downstream distance to all drinking water intakes. Provide copies 
of all correspondence and describe communications with appropriate 
agencies and/or water supply authorities regarding the crossing of 
Branch Brook.
    14. Provide a report summarizing your January 28, 1997 meeting with 
the Maine Department of Environmental Protection regarding stream 
crossing issues, which you stated would be filed with the Commission on 
or about February 4, 1997.
    15. Will M&NP and PNGTS prohibit refueling activities and storage 
of hazardous liquids within at least a 200-foot-radius of all private 
wells and at least a 400-foot-radius of all municipal or community 
water supply wells? If not, how would M&NP and PNGTS minimize the 
potential for contamination of private and municipal/community water 
supply wells?
    16. M&NP and PNGTS indicate that potentially contaminated sediments 
may be found in the Great Bay tributaries, Pickering Brook, Piscataqua 
River, and Saco River tributaries and in soils within the former Pease 
Airforce Base. Provide copies of all relevant correspondence and 
provide specific construction and mitigation measures that would be 
used to contain and avoid spread of contaminants found in sediments or 
soils.
    17. Table 3-3 indicates that one federally listed endangered 
species, the small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides) occurs within 
the pipeline corridor. Provide:
    a. A copy of the 1996 survey report prepared by qualified 
biologists using U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) approved survey methods. 
The survey report must include the following information:
    (1) Name(s) and qualifications of person(s) conducting the survey;
    (2) method(s) used to conduct the survey;
    (3) date(s) of survey;
    (4) areas surveyed (include mileposts);
    (5) potential impacts, both beneficial and negative, that could 
result from construction of the proposed project; and
    (6) proposed mitigation that would substantially minimize or 
eliminate these potential negative impacts.
    b. FWS comments on the survey conducted.
    c. A timetable for completion of any surveys for this species that 
are scheduled for 1997, including all previously unidentified extra 
work areas, staging areas, and access roads.
    18. Provide a copy of the consolidated report on state rare, 
threatened, and endangered species surveys conducted in 1996 and copies 
of all relevant recent correspondence with state agencies. Also, 
provide a timetable for completion of the 1997surveys and filing of the 
report, and the species to be surveyed.
    19. For all staging areas, extra work spaces, pipe storage areas, 
and other similar areas that would disturb wetlands, provide the 
following information:
    a. MP location;
    b. dimensions;
    c. type of wetland that would be disturbed;
    d. acreage of wetland that would be disturbed; and
    e. reasons the wetland cannot be avoided.
    20. Table 6-2 identifies 11 active sand and gravel pits where PNGTS 
and M&NP will coordinate their activities with the owners, and 25 other 
mineral operations in the project vicinity. Identify any access roads 
to active sand and gravel pits that would be crossed by the pipeline. 
Provide the MP location of each road and copies of correspondence and 
records of communications with the owners/operators of these sand and 
gravel pits. Discuss plans to minimize disruption of these operations.
    21. Provide the locations by MP of all septic systems that would be 
crossed by

[[Page 10038]]

the Joint Facilities Project. What do M&NP and PNGTS intend to do if a 
septic system is damaged during construction and cannot be repaired to 
its former capacity?
    22. Provide the following information on the proposed developments 
in Plaistow (MP 19.4), Newton (MPS 21.8 and 23.5), and Greenland (MP 
40.1):
    a. Development plans filed with the towns;
    b. status of permitting; and
    c. status of construction.
    23. For all public or designated recreation land identified on 
table 8-3, describe the areas that would be affected and any requested 
or proposed mitigation to minimize impact on natural resources or 
recreational activities.
    24. If any of the meter stations include pressure reduction/
regulation valves and line heaters, provide the expected Ldn at 
the nearest noise sensitive areas (specify direction and distance) near 
the stations. What measures would be used to limit noise from these 
meter stations?
    25. PNGTS and M&NP have not identified extra work areas, staging 
areas, or access roads and assessed potential impact on cultural 
resources from these activities. Please consult with the State Historic 
Preservation Officers as these locations are identified regarding the 
need for cultural resources surveys and the appropriate level of 
intensity of those surveys. If additional surveys are needed, update 
the schedule provided in your January 27, 1997 filing for when they 
would be done. Also, update Table 4.5 (areas requiring survey) from the 
January 27, 1997 filing. Include the following in the updated schedule 
and Table:
    a. Areas where deep testing is required; and
    b. areas requiring additional archeological evaluation.
    All material filed with the Commission containing location, 
character, and ownership information about cultural resources must have 
the cover and any relevant pages therein clearly labeled in bold 
lettering: ``CONTAINS PRIVILEGED INFORMATION--DO NOT RELEASE.''
    26. Provide photoalignment sheets or USGS 7.5-minute-series maps of 
the Joint Facilities pipeline route and mileposts that show the 
following:
    a. Beginning and ending points of all areas where cultural resource 
identification surveys have been completed;
    b. beginning and ending points of all areas where cultural resource 
identification surveys remain to be completed; and
    c. locations (including boundaries where these are known or can be 
estimated) of all identified cultural resources located on or 
immediately adjacent to the project's construction right-of-way or 
extra work areas, including those listed in table 4-1.
    27. Please initiate discussions with the SHPOs regarding the 
acceptability of letter type clearance reports for individual areas as 
needed, and a final consolidation report for the entire project, as an 
approach to the numerous small parcel surveys which this project may 
require. Provide the results of these discussions and the reaction of 
each SHPO to this approach.
    28. Provide copies of the NRHP nomination forms for the William 
Fogg Library and the Conway Junction Railroad Turntable Site.
    29. Please document all correspondence and other consultation with 
Indian tribes, Native American groups, ethnic groups, and other 
interested persons concerning cultural resource issues.
    30. Please provide a schedule for when treatment plans for effected 
significant cultural resources would be submitted. See section VIII in 
OPR's ``Guidelines for Reporting on Cultural Resources Investigations'' 
(Guidelines).
    31. On October 10, 1996, M&NP's Cultural Resources Executive 
Summary indicated that Native American archaeological sites were 
located at M&NP's MPs 21.5 and 31.0. Table 4-1 of Resource Report 4 for 
the Joint Facilities Project identifies four arheological sites at M&NP 
MPs 20.4, 22.8, 20.1 and 32.5 Please explain this discrepancy.
    32. In order to reduce land use impacts, discuss the feasibility of 
installing the Dracut Meter Station adjacent to the existing Tennessee 
Meter Station north of Methuen Street.
    33. To minimize impacts within the Arrow Woods subdivision (MPs 4.5 
to 5.3), discuss the feasibility of installing the pipeline on the edge 
or within the existing New England Power right-of-way.
    34. Provide an explanation for the selection of the proposed joint 
route in the following areas:
    a. Between MPs 17.1 and 18.0, the proposed route would cross North 
Avenue between two residences and then use an existing residential road 
which provides access to six residences. M&NP's original route in this 
area would only affect three residences and would cross diagonally 
through an empty lot.
    b. The Maine Nature Conservancy has indicated a preference for the 
pipeline to be placed on the east side of the powerline through the 
Kennebunk Plains (MPs 71.0 to 72.2). The proposed route (PNGTS's) would 
be on the west side of the powerline. M&NP's route was on the east 
side.
    c. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha's indicated concern 
with a pipeline crossing through Monsalvat (also known Sunset Hill) 
because of its significant cultural and religious value (MPs 49.0 to 
49.5). The proposed route would cross the western portion of this area. 
M&NP proposed Reroute 2 would entirely avoid this area.
    d. The selection of the PNGTS route for the Westbrook Lateral 
instead of the M&NP route. Provide an environmental comparison of these 
two routes that includes:
    (1) Acreage of both the permanent and construction right-of-way;
    (2) the size and location of any non-typical work areas required;
    (3) the length in miles that would be adjacent to existing rights-
of-way, including any proposed overlap of the construction or permanent 
right-of-way;
    (4) the number of residences, schools, or hospitals within 50 feet 
of the edge of the construction right-of-way;
    (5) the distances to Westbrook Junior High School (MPs 1.74-1.94), 
and Westbrook Community Hospital (MPs 2.14-2.24), and copies of all 
correspondence with these facilities regarding the proposed right-of-
way.
    (6) the number of waterbodies and wetlands crossed and the length 
of each wetland crossing; and
    (7) the acres of forest that would be cleared.
    M&NP and PNGTS may supplement its response with other information 
that may be relevant to the analysis of the alternative and/or with 
suggestions to the route that would result in fewer environmental 
impacts.
    35. In our December 10, 1996 letter, we identified the M&NP 
independent route from MPs 35.8 to 36.9 as part of our potential joint 
pipeline route. However, you state that your route for that segment is 
``virtually the same as M&NP's independent route'', and the same 
segment of ``the FERC route involves a new ROW alignment''. Please 
explain.

[FR Doc. 97-5331 Filed 3-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M