[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10602-10605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5532]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP98-150-000 and CP98-151-000]


Millennium Pipeline Company, L.P. Columbia Gas Transmission 
Corporation; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed Millennium Pipeline Project and Request for 
Comments on Environmental Issues

February 27, 1998.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that 
will discuss the environmental impacts of the construction, 
acquisition, and operation of a 442.5-mile-long natural gas pipeline 
system in Pennsylvania and New York which is called the Millennium 
Pipeline Project.\1\ This EIS will be used by the Commission in its 
decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the 
public convenience and necessity.
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    \1\ Millennium Pipeline Company, L.P. and Columbia Gas 
Transmission Corporation filed their applications with the 
Commission under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of 
the Commission's regulations.
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    We are asking a number of Federal and state agencies to indicate 
whether they wish to cooperate with us in the preparation of the EIS. 
These agencies are listed in appendix 1 and may choose to participate 
once they have evaluated each proposal relative to their agencies' 
responsibilities.\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, N.E., Washington, D.C. 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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Summary of the Proposed Project

    Millennium Pipeline Company, L.P. (Millennium) wants to construct, 
acquire, own, and operate a natural gas pipeline system to transport up 
to 700,000 dekatherms per day and provide firm transportation services 
for nine shippers. Millennium does not presently own any pipeline 
facilities but proposes to construct certain pipeline facilities and 
acquire others from Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation (Columbia).
    In Docket No. CP98-150-000, Millennium requests authorization to:
     Construct and operate 376.4 miles of 36-inch-diameter 
pipeline extending from an interconnection at the United States/
Canadian border across Lake Erie through Erie County, Pennsylvania, and 
Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Steuben, Chemung, Tioga, Broome, 
Delaware, Sullivan, Orange, and Rockland Counties, New York to an 
interconnection with Columbia's existing 24-inch-diameter pipeline 
(Columbia's Line 10338) in Ramapo, Rockland County, New York;
     Acquire and operate 6.7 miles of Columbia's Line 10338 in 
Rockland County, New York;
     Construct and operate 39.3 miles of 24-inch-diameter 
pipeline extending from the end of Columbia's Line 10338 through 
Rockland and Westchester Counties to a point near the Westchester/Bronx 
County line in Mount Vernon, New York;
     Acquire and rebuild Columbia's Ramapo Measurement and 
Regulation Facility near Ramapo, Rockland, County, New York;
     Construct and operate the Wagoner Measurement Facility 
near Milford, Pike County, Pennsylvania and the Mount Vernon Regulation 
and Measurement Facility in Mount Vernon, Westchester County, New York;
     Acquire and operate an additional 9.6 miles of short 
pipeline segments (Columbia's Lines A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, AD-31, N, 
U, and 1842) and 28 of Columbia's associated metering and regulating 
stations in various counties in New York and Pennsylvania;
     Acquire and operate 10.5 miles of 10- and 14-inch-diameter 
pipeline (Columbia's Line K and Line 1278) extending from Deerpark, 
Orange County, New York to Milford, Pike County, Pennsylvania; and
     Acquire and operate Columbia's Milford Compressor Station 
in Pike County, Pennsylvania.
    In addition, in Docket No. CP98-156-000, Millennium requests a 
Presidential Permit authorizing construction, operation and maintenance 
of facilities at the International Border in Lake Erie for the 
importation of natural gas. These facilities would consist only of the 
portion of the mainline extending across the border in Lake Erie and 
will be evaluated in the EIS as part of the facilities described above.
    In Docket No. CP98-151-000, Columbia proposes to abandon certain 
pipeline facilities, and to abandon and convey others to Millennium in 
New York and Pennsylvania. Specifically, Columbia requests authority 
to:
     Abandon in place 129.8 miles of 10- to 12-inch-diameter 
pipeline in Steuben, Chemung, Tioga, Broome and Delaware Counties, New 
York (Line A-5);
     Abandon and remove about 92.2 miles of 8- to 24-inch-
diameter pipeline

[[Page 10603]]

(Line A-5) in Delaware, Sullivan, Orange, and Rockland Counties, New 
York (the Millennium pipeline generally would be installed in 
approximately the same location as these sections of abandoned 
pipelines);
     Abandon and convey to Millennium in New York:

--4.0 miles of 6- and 12-inch-diameter pipeline in Steuben County (Line 
A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4);
--1.9 miles of 12-inch-diameter pipeline in Chemung County (Line A-5)
--2.6 miles of 6-inch-diameter pipeline in Tioga County (Line AD-31);
--0.1 mile of 12-inch-diameter pipeline in Broome County (Line N);
--0.7 mile of 6-inch-diameter pipeline in Delaware County (Line A-2);
--0.1 mile of 4-inch-diameter pipeline in Orange County (Line U);
--4.9 miles of 10- and 14-inch-diameter pipeline in Orange County (Line 
K);
--6.7 miles of 24-inch-diameter pipeline in Rockland County (Line 
10338); and
--28 measuring stations (5 in Steuben County, 1 in Chemung County, 3 in 
Tioga County, 6 in Broome County, 2 in Delaware County, 1 in Sullivan 
County, 7 in Orange County, and 3 in Rockland County).

     Abandon and convey to Millennium in Pennsylvania:

--0.2 mile of 8- to 14-inch-diameter pipeline in Pike County (Line 
1842)
--5.6 miles of 10- and 14-inch-diameter pipeline in Pike County (Line 
1278); and
--1 compressor station with 3 units totaling 1,050 horsepower (Milford 
Compressor Station).

     Install overpressure protection equipment at a number of 
measuring and regulating stations that would be conveyed to Millennium 
because of the higher maximum allowable operating pressure of the 
Millennium pipeline.
    The general location of the major project facilities is shown in 
appendix 2. If you are interested in obtaining detailed maps of a 
specific portion of the project, please use the request form provided 
in appendix 4.

Land Requirements for Construction

    Millennium would typically use a 75-foot-wide construction right-
of-way to install the pipeline. Extra work areas beyond the 75-foot-
wide construction right-of-way would be required at stream, wetland, 
road, and railroad crossings; for topsoil segregation in agricultural 
land; and for sidehill construction. The removal of Columbia's Line A-5 
would be within the construction work areas identified for the proposed 
Millennium pipeline. Modifications to existing measuring facilities 
would occur within the existing facilities. Other temporary land 
requirements would include those for pipeyards, contractor yards, and 
new access roads.
    Millennium estimates that a total of about 10,497 acres of land 
would be disturbed by construction of the pipeline, the three measuring 
facilities, and other associated pipeline facilities such as launchers/
receivers and block valves. About 86 percent of the on-land pipeline 
(382.8 miles) would be constructed adjacent to existing pipeline and 
powerline rights-of-way. The remaining 87.4 miles of pipeline 
(including the Lake Erie and Hudson River crossings) would be 
constructed on new right-of-way. Following construction, about 2,513 
acres of land would be retained for operation of the pipeline 
facilities, of which about 943 acres would be new permanent right-of-
way. All land used for temporary construction right-of-way and extra 
work areas would revert to previous uses entirely. Land uses such as 
agriculture, pasture, and lawns on the permanent right-of-way would be 
allowed to 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 of Intent, 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. We encourage state 
and local government representatives to notify their constituents of 
this proposed action so that they may comment on their areas of 
concern.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    The EIS will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the proposed project. We have already 
identified several issues that we think deserve attention based on a 
preliminary review of the proposed facilities, interventions received, 
and the environmental information provided by Millennium and Columbia. 
These issues are listed below. Keep in mind that this is a preliminary 
list of issues and may be added to, subtracted from, or changed based 
on your comments and our analysis.
     Geology and soils:

--Crossing of one active and one reclaimed gravel pit and one quarry;
--Crossing of limestone deposits in Orange County;
--Crossing of the Ramapo fault in the vicinity of the pipeline to be 
acquired from Columbia;
--Temporary and permanent impact on soils, including soils with a 
seasonable high water table, and soils with less then 6 feet to 
bedrock.
--Mixing of topsoil and subsoil during construction in agricultural 
areas.
--Compaction of soil by heavy equipment, and
--Erosion control and restoration of the right-of-way.

     Water Resources:

--Crossing of 317 perennial and 206 intermittent waterbodies;
--30.5 miles of pipeline construction within Lake Erie;
--2.4-mile-long crossing of the Hudson River;
--Crossing of 30 perennial waterbodies over 100 feet wide, including 
Olean Creek, Genesee River, Cayuto Creek, Chenango River, Susquehanna 
River, West Branch Delaware River, Smith Mill Brook, Halfway Brook, 
Mongaup River (Rio Reservoir), Steeny Kill, Tributary Shingle Kill, 
Furnace Brook Lake, Teatown Lake, and 7 ponds;
--400 private wells and 1 public well within 150 feet of the 
construction work area;
--Crossing of six designated sole source aquifers;
--Crossing of the Belson and Chautauqua Creek protected public 
watersheds; and
--Potentially contaminated sediments at waterbody crossing locations.

     Vegetation and Wildlife:

--Crossing of 754 wetlands (totaling 48.0 miles and affecting about 442 
acres), including 41 regulated by the New York State Department of 
Environmental Conservation;
--Clearing about 1,127 acres of upland forest during construction;
--Effect of construction on wildlife and fisheries habitat including a 
6.2-mile-long crossing of the Mongaup Wildlife Management Area and a 
2.4-mile-long crossing of Haverstraw Bay;
--Crossing of unique vegetative communities; and
--Effect on federally listed endangered and threatened species (bald 
eagle, dwarf wedge mussel, and bog turtle).

     Cultural Resources:


[[Page 10604]]


--Impact on historic and prehistoric and archaeological sites;
--Impact on historic structures and landscapes; and
--Native American and tribal concerns.

     Land Use:

--Effect on 22.5 acres of vineyards, 2.0 acres of orchards, 5.0 acres 
of plant nurseries, and 18.9 acres of sod farm;
--Effect on 175 business or commercial structures and 363 residences 
within 50 feet of the construction work area;
--Effect of in-street construction within more densely populated areas;
--Effect on rivers listed on either the national or state scenic river 
inventories (Chautauqua Creek, and Genesee, Cohocton, West Branch and 
East Branch Delaware, and Wallkill Rivers);
--Crossing of bicycle and hiking trails, including the Finger Lakes/
North Country and Appalachian National Scenic Trails; and
--Crossing of conservation/recreation areas, including Sterling Forest, 
Palisades Interstate Park, Kakiat Park, Teatown Lake Reservation, and 
New York State Scenic Byway.

     Socioeconomics:

--Impact on property; and
--Effect of construction workforce on demands for services in 
surrounding areas.

     Reliability and Safety
     Cumulative Impact:

--Assessment of the combined effect of the proposed project with other 
projects which have been or may be proposed in the same region with a 
similar time frame.

Docket No. CP98-150-000
     Alternatives:

    --Assessment of alternative systems and other routes to reduce or 
avoid impact on various resource areas;
    --Assessment of alternative landfalls for the Lake Erie crossing; 
and
    --Assessment of alternative routes using existing highway rights-
of-way such as Route 17.

    Our independent analysis of the issues will be presented in a 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 lists for 
these proceedings. 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 all comments received.

Public Participation and Scoping Meetings

    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 locations and routes), and measures 
to 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:

     Reference Docket No. CP98-150-000 and CP98-151-000
     Send two copies of your comments to: David P. Boergers, 
Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., 
N.E., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
     Label one copy for the attention of the Environmental 
Review and Compliance Branch, PR-11.2; and
     Please mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before March 30, 1998.
    In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, you are 
invited to attend one of the five public scoping meetings that will be 
held in the project area at the following times and locations:
    Docket No. CP98-150-000

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             Date                      Time               Location      
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Monday, March 16, 1998........  7:00 p.m.........  Northeast High School
                                                    Cafeteria, 1901     
                                                    Freeport Road, North
                                                    East, Pennsylvania, 
                                                    (814) 725-8671.     
Tuesday, March 17, 1998.......  7:00 p.m.........  Wellsville Elementary
                                                    School,             
                                                    Multilearning       
                                                    Center, 50/98 School
                                                    Street, Wellsville, 
                                                    New York, (716) 593-
                                                    6700.               
Wednesday, March 18, 1998.....  7:00 p.m.........  Binghamton High      
                                                    School Auditorium,  
                                                    31 Main Street,     
                                                    Binghamton, New     
                                                    York, (607) 762-    
                                                    8200.               
Tuesday, March 24, 1998.......  7:00 p.m.........  Mount Vernon High    
                                                    School Auditorium,  
                                                    100 California Road,
                                                    Mount Vernon, New   
                                                    York, (914) 665-    
                                                    5000.               
Wednesday, March 25, 1998.....  7:00 p.m.........  Port Jervis High     
                                                    School Cafeteria,   
                                                    Rural Route 209,    
                                                    Port Jervis, New    
                                                    York, (914) 858-    
                                                    3110.               
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    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 as cooperating agencies 
(including separate meetings, where appropriate). Federal agencies are 
expected to transmit their comments directly to the FERC and not use 
the scoping meetings for this purpose. Local agencies are requested to 
provide information on other plans and projects which might conflict 
with, or have cumulative effects, when considered in combination with 
the Millennium Pipeline Project.
    Millennium and Columbia will be present at the scoping meetings to 
describe their proposals. 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. A list will be available at the public meetings to allow 
speakers to sign up. A transcript will be made of the meetings and the 
comments will be made part of the Commission's record in these 
proceedings.
    On the above dates, we will also be conducting limited site visits 
in the project area in the vicinity of each scoping meeting location. 
Anyone interested in participating in the site visit may contact the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs (identified at the end of this 
notice) for more details and must provide their own transportation.

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EIS scoping process, you may want 
to become an official party to the proceeding, known as 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 on the Commission's service lists for 
these proceedings. If you want to become an intervenor you must file a 
Motion to

[[Page 10605]]

Intervene according to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice 
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214) (see appendix 3).
    The date for filing timely motions to intervene in these 
proceedings 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 comments considered.

Environmental Mailing List

    This notice is being sent to individuals, organizations, and 
government entities interested and/or potentially affected by the 
proposed project. It is also being sent to all potential right-of-way 
grantors to solicit focused comments regarding environmental 
considerations related to the proposed project. As details of the 
project become established, representatives of Millennium will directly 
contact landowners, communities, and public agencies concerning any 
other matters, including acquisition of permits and rights-of-way.
    Anyone offering scoping comments will be automatically kept on our 
environmental mailing list for this project. If you do not want to send 
comments at this time but still want to keep informed and receive 
copies of the Draft and Final EISs, please return the Information 
Request (appendix 4). If you do not return the Information Request, you 
will be taken off the mailing list.
    For procedural information, please write to the Secretary of the 
Commission. Additional procedural or other information about the 
proposed project is available from Paul McKee in the Commission's 
Office of External Affairs at (202) 208-1088.
David P. Boergers,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-5532 Filed 3-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M