[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 148 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41248-41250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20563]
[[Page 41248]]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP97-315-000, et al., CP97-319-000, CP98-200-000, and
CP98-540-000]
Independence Pipeline Company; Supplemental Notice of Intent To
Prepare a Combined Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed
Independence Pipeline and Market Link Expansion Projects, Request for
Comments on Environmental Issues Associated With the Market Link
Expansion Project, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings and Site Visit
July 28, 1998.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) has determined that the proposed Independence Pipeline and
Market Link Expansion Pipeline Projects are environmentally related
projects and will be combined into one environmental impact statement
(EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.\1\ This EIS
will be used by the Commission in its decision-making process to
determine whether the proposed actions are in the public convenience
and necessity. This Notice opens another environmental scoping comment
period (see below). If you have already provided environmental comments
as an affected property owner, interested party, agency, or intervenor
for the Independence Pipeline Project, we request that you not submit
additional scoping/environmental comments. We are specifically
requesting comments only from those affected property owners and
interested parties in the Market Link Expansion Project, project area.
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\1\ Independence Pipeline Company, ANR Pipeline Company,
National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation, and Transcontinental Gas Pipe
Line Corporation's applications were filed with the Commission under
Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the Commission's
regulations.
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If you are a landowner whose property will be crossed by the
proposed Market Link Expansion Project, you may be contacted by a
pipeline company representative about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The pipeline
company may seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement relative
to land use and access. However, if the project is approved by the
Commission, the pipeline has the right to use eminent domain.
Therefore, if negotiations fail to produce an agreement between the
pipeline company and landowner, the pipeline company would initiate
condemnation proceedings in accordance with state law. A fact sheet
addressing a number of typically asked questions, including the use of
eminent domain, is attached to this notice as appendix 1.
Summary of the Proposed Project
On March 9, 1998, the Commission issued a ``Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Independence
Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and
Notice of Public Scoping Meetings and Site Visit (NOI).'' The NOI
described the Independence Pipeline Project facilities proposed by ANR
Pipeline Company, Independence Pipeline Company, and National Fuel Gas
Supply Corporation. This Notice will only describe those facilities
proposed by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco) in its
Market Link Expansion Project. Please refer to the NOI of March 9, 1998
for additional detail and project information concerning the
Independence Pipeline Project.
The facilities discussed below are proposed by Transcontinental Gas
Pipe Line Corporation (Transco) in its Market Link Expansion Project,
and will be incorporated into the Commission staff's Independence
Pipeline Project EIS:
24.19 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline loop between
mileposts 161.29 and 185.48 in Lycoming and Clinton Counties,
Pennsylvania (Haneyville Loop); \2\
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\2\ These facilities or portions of these facilities were
previously proposed in Transco's Seaboard Expansion Project in
Docket No. CP96-545-000. The Commission staff conducted an
environmental review and had planned to publish an environmental
assessment (EA) for Transco's Seaboard Expansion Project. Four
comments were received during the public scoping period. However,
Transco subsequently withdrew its application on April 4, 1997 and
the EA was never issued.
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13.23 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline loop between
mileposts 129.51 and 142.74 in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania; and 1.79
miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline between mileposts 142.74 and 144.53
in Lycoming County (Williamsport Loop); \2\
17.73 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline loop between
mileposts 28.56 and 115.18 in Luzerne and Columbia Counties,
Pennsylvania (Benton Loop);
6.27 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline loop between
mileposts 30.29 and 36.56 in Northampton County, Pennsylvania
(Allentown Loop);
29.23 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline loop between
mileposts 0.14 and 29.37 in Somerset and Warren Counties, New Jersey
(Clinton Loop);
23.88 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline loop between
mileposts 1789.53 and 1812.36 in Somerset and Morris Counties, New
Jersey (Stirling Loop);
18.81 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop between
mileposts 1820.66 and 1839.47 in Bergen and Essex Counties, New Jersey
(Roseland Loop);
5.46 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop between
mileposts 1802.73 and 1808.19 in Middlesex and Union Counties, New
Jersey (Woodbridge Loop)\2\
7.10 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline between mileposts
18.96 and 26.06 in Burlington County, New jersey (Bordentown Loop); and
\2\
0.30 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline loop crossing the
Raritan River between mileposts 1794.70 and 1795.00 in Middlesex
County, New Jersey (Raritan River Loop).
Transco also proposes to:
Replace about 6.3 miles of 12-inch-diameter pipeline (in
the same trench) with a new 36-inch-diameter pipeline between mileposts
30.53 and 36.83 in Burlington County, New Jersey (Mt. Laurel
Replacement); \2\
Install a 36-inch-diameter interconnect pipeline with a
proposed meter building outlet of Independence Pipeline Company to
Transco's existing 24-inch-diameter Leidy Lines ``A'' and ``B''; and
30-inch-diameter Leidy Line ``C'' in Clinton County, Pennsylvania
(milepost 194.06).
Replace the impellers on two existing 12,600-horsepower
(hp), turbine-driven compressor units at Compressor Station (C.S.) 520
in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania;
Install two new 15,000-hp turbine-driven compressor units;
perform the rewheeling of one existing 12,600-hp turbine-driven
compressor unit, and perform impeller replacement on two existing
5,500-hp turbine-driven compressor units at C.S. 517 in Columbia
County, Pennsylvania;
Install one 15,000-hp turbine-driven compressor unit and
perform the rewheeling and uprating of an existing 12,600-hp turbine-
driven compressor unit to 15,000-hp at C.S. 515 in Luzerne County,
Pennsylvania;
Install one 15,000-hp electric motor-driven compressor
unit and perform impeller replacement on two existing 7,000-hp electric
motor-driven compressor units at C.S. 205 in Mercer County, New
Jersey;\2\
Transco would also perform modifications to:
Reduce pressure on Transco's 42-inch-diameter Mainline C
from 1,200 psig to 800 psig at the existing
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Centerville Regulator Station at milepost 0.11 in Somerset County, New
Jersey;
Reduce pressure on Transco's 36-inch-diameter Mainline D
from 800 psig to 638 psig at existing Roseland Regulator Station at
milepost 1820.66 in Essex County, New Jersey;
Reduce pressure on Transco's 42-inch diameter Mainline E
from 800 psig to 638 psig at existing Linden Regulator Station at
milepost 1808.19 in Union County, New Jersey;\2\ and
Inlet/outlet headers at existing C.S. 200 to provide flow
control under certain operating conditions on Transco's Trenton
Woodbury Lateral in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
The proposed project would deliver about 663,000 Dts/d for nine
customers.
A general location map of the project facilities is shown in
appendix 2.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of Transco's proposed looping facilities would affect
a total of about 2,485 acres. Of this total, about 1,604 would be
disturbed by construction of the pipeline loops. Of the remaining 881
acres, about 352 acres are proposed for use as extra work spaces; and
about 518 acres would be disturbed by construction and operation of the
aboveground facilities.
About 150.8 miles of the proposed pipeline right-of-way would
parallel existing rights-of-way (about 98 percent of the project).
Transco would deviate from existing mainline in several locations to
avoid environmental or engineering constraints. Transco states it would
require a 85 to 90-footwide construction right-of-way. Transco would
retain and operate an additional 35 feet from the south edge of its
existing corridor as permanent pipeline right-of-way. About 516 acres
would be maintained as new permanent right-of-way. Existing land uses
on the remainder of the disturbed areas, as well as most land uses 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. The EIS we are
preparing will give the Commission the information to do that. NEPA
also requires us to discover and address concerns the public may have
about the 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 and encourage them to comment on
their areas of concern. Local agencies are requested to provide
information on other projects, either ongoing or planned, which might
conflict with, or have cumulative effects when considered in
combination with, the Independence Pipeline Project.
To ensure your comments are considered, please carefully follow the
instructions in the public participation section on pages 7 and 8 of
this notice.
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
We have identified a number of issues based upon our preliminary
review of the proposed facilities, the environmental information
provided by Transco, and interested parties. Some of these issues are
listed below. Keep in mind that this is a preliminary list, and is not
a complete list of site-specific issues. We may add to, subtract from,
or change the list of issues based on your comments and our analysis.
Geology and Soils
--Temporary and permanent impact on farmland soils.
--Mixing of topsoil and subsoil during construction.
--Compaction of soil by heavy equipment.
--Effects to acid soils in Burlington County, New Jersey.
--Effect of blasting during trench excavation.
--Erosion control and restoration of the right-of-way.
Water Resources
--Crossing of 177 perennial waterbodies (81 in Pennsylvania; 96 in
New Jersey).
--Crossing of 5 perennial waterbodies over 100 feet wide, including
Pine Creek (twice) in Pennsylvania; and the North Branch of the
Raritan, Passaic, and Rahway Rivers in New Jersey.
--Effect on water supplies, including at least 17 private wells
within 150 fee of the construction work area (more to be determined).
Vegetation and Wildlife
--Crossing of 137.3 acres of wetlands, including 41.8 acres
forested wetlands.
--Clearing of about 146 acres of forest.
--Effect of construction on wildlife and fisheries habitat.
--Effect on federally listed endangered and threatened species or
proposed listed species, including bald eagle, bog turtle, and
shortnose sturgeon.
Cultural Resources
--Impact on historic and prehistoric sites.
--Native American and tribal concerns.
Land Use
--Use of eminent domain to acquire rights-of-way.
--Impact on crop production.
--Proximity to schools and residential developments.
--Effect on at least 36 residences within 50 feet of the
construction work area.
--Crossings of septic fields and drains.
--Effect on local roads.
--Control of unauthorized access to rights-of-way.
Recreation and Public Interest Areas
--Crossing of the Tiadaghton State Forest and Sproul State Forest,
Pennsylvania.
--Crossing of the Hyner State Park and Lick Run, a Pennsylvania
State Designated ``Wild River''.
--Crossing of South Branch Nature Preserve, Clinton Wildlife
Management Area, in New Jersey.
--Crossing of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
--Crossing of several municipal parks, and the McEvoy and Passaic
River Parks in New Jersey.
Socioeconomics
--Impact on property values.
--Effect of construction workforce on demands for services in
surrounding areas.
Air Quality and Noise
--Impact on local air quality during construction, and regional air
quality during operation, of pipelines and compressor stations.
--Noise impact on nearby areas from construction and operation of
pipelines and compressor stations.
Reliability and Safety
--Assessment of hazards associated with natural gas pipelines,
including placement in vicinity of schools, commercial areas and
residential developments.
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
and similar time frame.
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
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areas. A number of alternatives have been identified to date, both in
filings made by the applicants and in comments received. We will
evaluate all feasible alternatives identified.
Our independent analysis of the issues will be 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 list 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 treat all comments received on the Draft EIS.
Public Participation and Scoping Meetings
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the project. By becoming a commentor, your
concerns will be addressed in the EIS and considered by the Commission.
You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the
proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative routes or
compressor station sites), and measure 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 Nos. CP97-315-000 et al.
Send two copies of your comments to: David P. Boergers,
Acting Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First St., NE
Washington, DC 20426;
Label one copy for the attention of the Environmental
Review and Compliance Branch, PR-11.1.
Please mail your comments so that they will be received in
Washington, DC on or before September 11, 1998.
In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, you are
invited to attend one or more of the four public scoping meetings being
held in the project area. Meetings will be held at the following times
and locations:
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Date Time Location
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September 1, 1998.............. 7:00 p.m........................... Sheraton Inn, Williamsport, 100 Pine
Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, (717)
327-8231.
September 2, 1998.............. 7:00 p.m........................... Hilton, Allentown, 904 East Hamilton
Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania, (610)
433-2221.
September 3, 1998.............. 7:00 p.m........................... Sheraton Hotel Tara Parsippany, 199 Smith
Road, Parsippany, New Jersey, (973) 515-
2000.
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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 (including separate
meetings where appropriate). Federal agencies are expected to file
their written comments directly with the FERC and not use the scoping
meetings for this purpose.
Transco will be invited to present a description of its Market Link
Expansion Project. 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
transcript will be made of the meetings and will be made part of the
Commission's record in this proceeding. Written comments and oral
comments will be treated equally in our review.
We are asking a number of Federal agencies to indicate whether they
wish to cooperate with us in the preparation of the EIS. These agencies
may choose to participate once they have evaluated each proposal
relative to their agencies' responsibilities. The list of agencies is
provided in appendix 3.\3\
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\3\ The appendices references 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, Room 2A or call (202) 208-
1371. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this
notice in the mail.
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On the above dates we will also be conducting limited site visits
to 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''. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process.
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 14 copies of its filings to the
Secretary of the Commission and must send a copy 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 Intervene according to
Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR
385.214) (see appendix 4). Only intervenors have the right to seek
rehearing of the Commission's decision.
The date for filing timely motions to intervene in this proceeding
has passed, having ended June 11, 1998. Therefore, parties now seeking
to file later interventions must show good cause, as required by
section 385.213(b)(3), why this time limitation should be waived.
Environmental issues have been viewed as good cause for late
intervention. However, you do not need intervenor status to have your
comments considered.
Environmental Mailing List
Anyone offering scoping comments will be automatically kept on our
environmental mailing list for the project. If you do not want to offer
comments at this time you will be taken off the environmental mailing
list.
Additional information about the proposed project is available from
Paul McKee in the Commission's Office of External Affairs at (202) 208-
1088.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-20563 Filed 7-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M