[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 8900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4422]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration
[Docket No. RSPA-98-4450; Notice 18]


Pipeline Safety: Chevron Pipe Line Company Approved for Pipeline 
Risk Management Demonstration Program

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of 
Pipeline Safety, DOT

ACTION: Notice of risk demonstration project approval and finding of no 
significant impact.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Research and Special Programs Administration's (RSPA) 
Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) has issued a Risk Management 
Demonstration Project Order authorizing Chevron Pipe Line Company 
(Chevron) to participate in the Pipeline Risk Management Demonstration 
Program. OPS has also made a finding that Chevron's demonstration 
project will have no significant impacts on the environment.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this or any other demonstration project will be 
accepted in the Docket throughout the 4-year demonstration period. 
Comments should be sent to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 
20590-0001, or you can E-Mail your comments to 
[email protected]. Comments should identify the docket number, 
RSPA-98-4450. Persons should submit the original comment document and 
one (1) copy. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of 
their comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard. The 
Dockets Facility is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building 
in Room 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC. The Dockets 
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
on Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Callsen, OPS, (202) 366-
4572, regarding the subject matter of this notice and environmental 
assessment. Contact the Dockets Unit, (202) 366-9322, for docket 
material. Comments may also be reviewed on line at the DOT Docket 
Management System website at http://dms.dot.gov/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Project Authorization

    On February 17, 1999, OPS, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 60126, issued 
Chevron a Risk Management Demonstration Project Order authorizing 
Chevron to conduct a risk management project on the 330-mile portion of 
its Salt Lake Products Pipeline System extending from Salt Lake City, 
Utah, to Boise, Idaho. OPS has determined, after a comprehensive review 
of Chevron's demonstration project, that the project is expected to 
provide superior safety and environmental protection.
    More detailed descriptions of all aspects of the Chevron 
demonstration project, including the OPS rationale for approving the 
project, are available in the following documents:
    (1) 63 FR 71334, ``Pipeline Safety: Intent To Approve Project and 
Environmental Assessment for the Chevron Pipe Line Company; Pipeline 
Risk Management Demonstration Program'', December 24, 1998.
    (2) ``Demonstration Project Prospectus: Chevron'', available by 
contacting Elizabeth M. Callsen at 202-366-4572. Includes a map of the 
demonstration portion of the Salt Lake Products Pipeline System.
    (3) ``Chevron Pipe Line Company--Application and Work Plan for DOT-
OPS Risk Management Demonstration Program'', as modified by the January 
28, 1999, letter from Chevron to OPS.
    (4) ``OPS Project Review Team Evaluation of Chevron Demonstration 
Project''.
    (5) ``Risk Management Demonstration Project Order'' for Chevron 
Pipe Line Company, February 17, 1999.
    These documents and other information pertaining to the Chevron 
project are accessible to the public via the Pipeline Risk Management 
Information System (PRIMIS), on the OPS Home Page at http://
ops.dot.gov.

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

    OPS has reviewed Chevron's project for conformity with section 
102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332), 
the Council on Environmental Quality implementing regulations (40 CFR 
1500-1508), and Department of Transportation Order 5610.1c, Procedures 
for Considering Environmental Impacts. OPS conducted an Environmental 
Assessment of Chevron's project (63 FR 71334, ``Pipeline Safety: Intent 
To Approve Project and Environmental Assessment for the Chevron Pipe 
Line Company; Pipeline Risk Management Demonstration Program'').
    OPS received no public comment on the Environmental Assessment.
    Based on the analysis and conclusions reached in the Environmental 
Assessment and the analyses conducted in the above-listed documents, 
OPS has found that there are no significant impacts on the environment 
associated with this action. The Environmental Assessment and the other 
above-listed documents are incorporated by reference into this FONSI. 
To summarize, this project is expected to demonstrate that risk 
management techniques can be successfully applied to improve safety and 
environmental protection. The project, as now defined, requires no 
regulatory exemption. Rather, all activities to be performed by Chevron 
as part of the demonstration project--including mapping the 
demonstration segment using Geographic Information System technology, 
investigating risks with special emphasis on areas vulnerable to 
geologic hazards, allocating resources to manage risks, and effectively 
communicating about risks with company employees, OPS, and other 
stakeholders--exceed current pipeline safety requirements and will not 
cause any disruption or adverse changes to the present environment. 
This rationale is further discussed in the Environmental Assessment 
referenced above. If OPS determines that it plans to grant a regulatory 
exemption, it will amend the Environmental Assessment to analyze any 
environmental impacts of the proposed exemption.

    Issued in Washington, DC on February 17, 1999.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 99-4422 Filed 2-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P