[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 82 (Thursday, April 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23065-23068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10682]



[[Page 23065]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[FERC Docket Nos. CP99-163-000 CA State Clearinghouse No. 99041103 CSLC 
EIR No. 696]


California State Lands Commission; Questar Southern Trails 
Pipeline Company; Notice of Intent/Preparation to Prepare a Joint 
Environmental Impact Statement/Report for the Proposed Questar Southern 
Trails Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 
and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings and Route Inspection

April 26, 1999.
    The staffs of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and 
the California State Lands Commission (CSLC) will jointly prepare an 
environmental impact statement/report (EIS/EIR) that will analyze and 
present the environmental impacts of the construction and operation of 
facilities proposed in Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Company's (QST) 
Southern Trails Pipeline Project.\1\ The FERC will use this EIS/EIR in 
its decision-making process, i.e., whether or not to issue a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the proposed 
project. The CSLC will use the document to consider QST's application 
for leasing the State's Sovereign and School Lands for the pipeline.
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    \1\ QST's application was filed with the FERC pursuant to 
section 7 of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the FERC's 
regulations.
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    The FERC will be the lead Federal agency in the preparation of this 
EIS/EIR while the CSLC will be the State Lead Agency for California. 
The document, which will avoid much duplication of environmental 
analyses, will satisfy the requirements of both the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental 
Quality Act (CEQA).
    Additionally, with this notice the FERC is inviting other Federal 
agencies and two Native American Tribes to participate (see appendix 1) 
in the preparation of the EIS/EIR.\2\ These entities may choose to 
become cooperating agencies once they have evaluated QST's proposal 
relative to their respective responsibilities.
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    \2\ ``We, ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the staffs of the CSLC 
and the FERC's Office of Pipeline Regulation. The appendices 
referenced in this notice are not being printed in the Federal 
Register. Copies are available from the FERC's Public Reference and 
Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 
20462, or call (202) 208-1371. Copies of the appendices were sent to 
all those receiving this notice in the mail.
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    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by a QST representative about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the Southern Trails Pipeline System. 
QST would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, 
if the project is approved by the FERC, that approval conveys with it 
the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if easement negotiations fail 
to produce an agreement, QST could 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 2.

Summary of the Proposed Facilities

    QST acquired Four Corners Line 90 and portions of Line 91 and 92 
from ARCO Pipeline Company. This existing crude oil pipeline network 
extends from the Four Corners area of New Mexico, into southern Utah, 
and across Arizona to Long Beach, California. Southern Trails requests 
FERC authorization to convert the existing pipeline from crude oil to 
natural gas service, and to operate these pipeline and additional 
compression facilities as a new natural gas transmission system. QST 
proposes to construct five new pipeline extensions and interconnects, 
realign/reroute five existing pipeline segments, replace a number of 
short segments of existing pipeline, and construct seven compressor 
stations. The conversion and construction of these facilities would 
enable QST to transport 80 to 90 million cubic feet of natural gas per 
day (MMcfd) to customers in New Mexico and Arizona, and 120 MMcfd to 
customers in southern California.
    Overall, the proposed Southern Trails Pipeline Project consists of 
the following facilities:

     About 693 miles of existing pipeline, to be converted 
from crude oil to natural gas service (610 miles of 16-inch, 80 
miles of 12-inch, and 3 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline);
     Five new pipeline extensions and interconnects totaling 
about 59.8 miles (36.1 miles in New Mexico; 17.4 miles in Arizona; 
6.8 miles in California) with diameters of 20 and 22 inches (only 
one 0.6-mile segment would be 22 inches in diameter);
     Five reroutes/realignments of the existing pipeline 
totaling about 8.7 miles of 16-inch-diameter pipe in California.
     41 replacement segments of the existing pipeline 
totaling about 9.5 miles (4.6 miles in California; 4.9 miles in 
Arizona) of 16-inch-diameter pipe;
     Seven new compressor stations (6 of which would be 
located on existing oil pump station sites), with a total of 17,356 
horsepower of compression (3 sites in California; 2 sites in 
Arizona; 1 site in Utah; 1 site in New Mexico); and
     Construction of 9 new meter stations, about 50 new 
block valves and related appurtenant facilities.

    The general locations of the facilities proposed by QST are shown 
in appendix 3. A detailed listing of the facilities is presented in 
table 1.

Land Requirements for Construction

    QST proposes to build its new pipeline extensions, reroutes, and 
replacement segments in construction rights-of-way ranging from 24 to 
60 feet wide. After construction, 0 to 60 feet of new right-of-way 
would be maintained as permanent easement. Specific widths of the 
rights-of-way would vary, depending on the proposed pipeline diameter 
for each location. The extensions would be built generally parallel and 
adjacent to existing pipelines, using as much of the existing rights-
of-way as possible during construction. Of the seven compressor 
stations to be constructed, only the one proposed for a new site (in 
Mohave Valley, Arizona) would require additional acreage (1.7 acres). 
The other six compressor stations would be located on existing oil pump 
station sites.
    Additional temporary work space may be required at river, road, or 
railroad crossings, or where similar obstacles are encountered. QST 
would purchase the temporary and permanent easements necessary for 
constructing and operating the project.
    Construction of the pipeline extensions and reroute segments would 
normally follow standard pipeline construction methods: right-of-way 
clearing and grading; trenching; pipe stringing, bending, welding, 
joint coating, and lowering in; backfilling of the trench; and cleanup 
and restoration. QST would implement site-specific erosion control and 
revegetation measures and use special construction techniques for 
wetland and water crossings and for construction in residential/urban 
areas. These construction procedures and mitigation plans will be 
presented and their adequacy assessed in the Draft EIS/EIR. Where 
necessary, the joint FERC-CSLC staffs will make appropriate 
recommendations to avoid or mitigate potential impact.

[[Page 23066]]



                Table 1.--Facilities Associated with the Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Project
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           New
        Proposed facilities           Pipe diameter    Pipe length     compression              County
                                        (inches)         (miles)      (horsepower)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Mexico:
    TransColorado Extension........              20           35.4   ..............  San Juan.
    Shiprock Compressor Station....             N/A          N/A              2,350  San Juan.
Utah:
    Red Mesa Compressor Station....             N/A          N/A              2,195  San Juan.
Arizona:
    Replacement (Mohave County)....              16             .50  ..............  Mohave.
    Replacement (Mohave County)....              16             .24  ..............  Mohave.
    Replacement at Kayenta.........              16            1.80  ..............  Navajo.
    Replacement at Dennehotso......              16            1.61  ..............  Apache.
    Transwestern Extension.........              16             .40  ..............  Mohave.
    Topock Extension...............              20           17.14  ..............  Mohave.
    Chaco Extension................              22             .50  ..............  San Juan.
    Mohave Valley Compressor                    N/A          N/A              3,936  Mohave.
     Station.
    Cameron Compressor Station.....             N/A          N/A              1,770  Coconino.
    Cameron Tap Site...............             N/A          N/A     ..............  Coconino.
    Tuba City Tap Site.............             N/A          N/A     ..............  Coconino.
    Kayenta Tap Site...............             N/A          N/A     ..............  Navajo.
    Red Mesa Tap Site..............             N/A          N/A     ..............  Apache.
California:
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .07  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .17  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .33  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .15  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .08  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .48  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .41  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .09  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .30  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .44  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .07  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .16  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .01  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .42  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Replacement (Danby--Ward                     16             .36  ..............  San Bernardino.
     Valley).
    Reroute at City of Orange......              16             .76  ..............  Orange.
    Realignment at Corona #1                     16             .06  ..............  Riverside.
     (Rincon Street & Sheridan
     Street).
    Realignment at Corona #2 (San                16             .06  ..............  Riverside.
     Miguel Drive & Laguna Drive).
    Realignment at Corona #3                     16             .06  ..............  Riverside.
     (Mariposa Drive).
    Reroute at Cabazon.............              16            8.0   ..............  Riverside.
    Del Amo Extension..............              20            6.50  ..............  Los Angeles.
    Beaumont Compressor Station....             N/A          N/A              1,934  Riverside.
    Morongo Valley Compressor                   N/A          N/A              2,372  San Bernardino.
     Station.
    Danby Compressor Station.......             N/A          N/A              2,372  San Bernardino.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All components of the proposed pipeline system would be designed 
and tested in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation safety 
standards and specifications found at Title 49 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 192 (49 CFR 192), Transportation of Natural and other 
Gas by Pipeline; Minimum Federal Safety Standards. The existing 
pipeline would be cleaned and the entire system hydrostatically tested 
before being placed in service. QST would be required to obtain 
appropriate Federal, state, and/or Tribal discharge permits prior to 
pipeline cleaning and hydrostatic testing.

The EIS/EIR Process

    NEPA requires the FERC to take into account the environmental 
impacts that could result from a major Federal action whenever it 
considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and 
Necessity. The CSLC, as State Lead Agency for California, is required 
to consider the same potential impacts within the State of California 
under CEQA. The EIS/EIR we are preparing will give both the CSLC and 
the FERC the information we need to do that.
    NEPA and CEQA also require 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/EIR on 
the important environmental issues, and to separate those issues that 
are insignificant and do not require detailed study. By this NOI/NOP, 
we are requesting public comments on the scope of the issues to be 
analyzed and presented in the EIS/EIR. All comments received will be 
considered during the preparation of the document. State and local 
government representatives are encouraged to notify their constituents 
of QST's proposal and encourage them to comment on their areas of 
concern.
    The EIS/EIR will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of 
the construction and operation of the proposed project. These impacts 
may include, but are not limited to:

Geology and Soils
    --Landslide and seismic hazards
    --Erosion and sedimentation control
    --Right-of-way restoration
Water Resources
    --Impact on wetland hydrology
    --Effect of pipeline crossings on streams and canals

[[Page 23067]]

Biologic Resources
    --Short- and long-term effects of right-of-way clearing and 
maintenance on wetlands and riparian areas
    --Effects of habitat alteration
    --Impact on threatened and endangered species
    --Impact on fisheries
Cultural Resources
    --Impact on historic and prehistoric sites
    --Native American and tribal concerns
Socioeconomics
    --Effects of construction workforce demands on public services
    --Effects of increased employment and taxes on local economy
Air quality
    --Effect of compressor station emissions on air quality
Noise
    --Effect of compressor station operation on nearby noise-sensitive 
receptors
Reliability and Safety
    --Assessment of hazards associated with natural gas transmission 
pipelines
Land Use
    --Impact on the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
    --Effect of right-of-way clearing and construction of aboveground 
facilities on visual aesthetics in residential and scenic areas
    --Consistency with city and county land use plans
    --Impact on residences
    --Construction impact on urban traffic flow
Paleontology
    --Impact on significant fossil resources encountered during 
pipeline construction
Cumulative Impacts
    --Identification of projects likely to take place in the time frame 
and/or proximity of the proposed project
    --Analysis of cumulative impact and mitigation measures

    We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the project, 
including the No-Action/Project alternative. The EIS/EIR will include 
recommendations for specific mitigation measures to lessen or avoid 
impacts on the various resource areas, as well as a Mitigation 
Monitoring Program.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will result in the 
publication of a Draft EIS/EIR which will be mailed to Federal, state, 
and local agencies, reservations crossed by the pipeline or disturbed 
by construction, public interest groups, interested individuals, 
affected landowners, newspapers, libraries, and the FERC's official 
service list for these proceedings. A 45-day comment period will be 
allocated for the review of the Draft EIS/EIR. We will consider all 
comments on the Draft EIS/EIR and revise the document, as necessary, 
before issuing a Final EIS/EIR. The Final EIS/EIR will include our 
response to each comment received.

Public Participation and Scoping Meetings

    You can help us by sending a letter with your specific 
environmental 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 
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.
     Send your letter to: David P. Boergers, Secretary, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Room 1A, 
Washington, DC 20426;
     Reference Docket No. CP99-163-000;
     Send a copy of your letter to the following individuals:

Branch Chief, PR-11.1, Environmental Review & Compliance Branch, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Room 72-50, 
Washington, DC 20426
Daniel Gorfain, EIR Project Manager, California State Lands Commission, 
100 Howe Avenue, Suite 100 South, Sacramento, CA 95825-8202; and

     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before May 26, 1999.
    In addition to asking for written comments, we invite you to attend 
any of the joint public scoping meetings the FERC and CSLC will 
conduct. The purpose of the scoping meetings is to provide state and 
local agencies, interested groups, landowners, and the general public 
with an opportunity to learn more about the project and another chance 
to prevent us with environmental issues or concerns they believe should 
be addressed in the EIS/EIR. QST representatives will be present at the 
meetings to describe the proposed project, both in general and for the 
specific area where each meeting is held.
    The locations and times for these meetings are listed on the next 
page. Priority will be given to commenters who represent groups, and a 
transcript of each meeting will be made so that your comments will be 
accurately recorded.

Route Inspection

    On May 3-13, 1999, we will also be conducting an inspection of the 
existing and proposed routes and locations of facilities associated 
with QST's proposal. This inspection will include both aerial and 
ground components. Anyone interested in participating in the inspection 
activities may contact the FERC'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/EIR scoping process, you may 
want to become an official party to the FERC proceeding by becoming an 
``intervenor.'' Among other things, intervenors have the right to 
receive copies of case-related FERC 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 FERC's 
Rules of Practices and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214) which is attached as 
appendix 4.
    The date for filing 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 or to speak at a meeting.

                                  Schedule for EIS/EIR Public Scoping Meetings
  [Note: All meetings will last for 1 hour, or until the submission of public comments is concluded (whichever
                                                 occurs later)]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Date and time                      Community                              Location
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, May 4, 1999, 7:00 pm......  Farmington, NM.............  Holiday Inn, 600 East Broadway, Animas Room.

[[Page 23068]]

 
Wednesday, May 5, 1999, 5:00 pm....  Kayenta, AZ................  Kayenta Chapter House.
Thursday, May 6, 1999, 7:00 pm.....  Kingman, AZ................  Kingman Area Office, Bureau of Land
                                                                   Management, Conference Room.
Monday, May 10, 1999, 7:00 pm......  Anaheim, CA................  Embassy Suites Hotel, 3100 East Frontera,
                                                                   (junc. state highways 91 & 57), Cresent Court
                                                                   Room.
Tuesday, May 11, 1999, 6:30 pm.....  Norco, CA (Corona).........  Norco Board Council Chamber, 2820 Clark
                                                                   Street.
Wednesday, May 12, 1999, 6:30 pm...  Long Beach, CA.............  Los Cerritos Elementary School, 515 West San
                                                                   Antonio Drive.
Thursday, May 13, 1999, 4:00 pm-     Banning, CA................  Council Chambers, 99 East Ramsey Street.
 7:00 pm.
                                     Orange, CA.................  DoubleTree Inn, 100 The City Drive.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 individuals who own 
property crossed by the existing pipeline, individuals who own property 
adjacent to the existing pipeline (where the pipeline is in a utility 
right-of-way and construction/disturbance is proposed within 50 feet of 
the adjacent property), and identified potential right-of-way grantors. 
Overall, the notice will be delivered to more than 2,100 individual 
parties.
    Everyone who responds to this notice or comments on the 
environmental document will be retained on our mailing list. If you 
don't want to send comments at this time but still want to keep 
informed and receive copies of the Draft and Final EIS/EIR, you must 
return the attached mailer (see appendix 5). Given the size of our 
initial mailing list and our desire to be responsible (both fiscally 
and with the use of resources), You Must Send Comments or Return the 
Attached Mailer for Your Name to Remain on the Mailing List.

Additional Questions?

    Further information about the proposed project is available from 
Mr. Paul McKee of the FERC's Office of External Affairs at (202) 208-
1088.
    QST's application and other supplemental filings are also available 
for viewing on the FERC Internet website (www.ferc.fed.us). Click on 
the ``RIMS'' link, select ``Docket No. CP99-163'' from the RIMS menu, 
and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to RIMS, the 
RIMS helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2222. Similarly, the ``CIPS'' 
link on the FERC website provides access to the texts of formal 
documents issued by the FERC, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. 
From the FERC website, click on the ``CIPS'' link, select the ``Docket 
#'' of interest from the CIPS menu, and follow the instructions. For 
assistance with access to CIPS, the CIPS helpline can be reached at 
(202) 208-2474.
    Information concerning the involvement of the CSLC in the EIS/EIR 
process may be obtained from Dan Gorfain, EIR Project Manager, at (916) 
574-1889.
    Information regarding the involvement of the U.S. Department of the 
Interior's Bureau of Land Management as a cooperating agency in the 
environmental analysis process may be obtained from Mr. Steven Johnson, 
California Desert District Office, at (909) 697-5233.
Daniel Gorfain,
Project Manager, CSLC.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary, FERC.
[FR Doc. 99-10682 Filed 4-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M