[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 97 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27504-27505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12735]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Yellowstone Pipeline Missoula to Thompson Falls Reroute, Lolo and 
Idaho Panhandle National Forests; Mineral, Missoula, and Sander 
Counties, Montana, and Shoshone County, Idaho

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; revision of notice of intent to prepare an 
environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service is revising a previous notice of intent to 
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS), regarding Yellowstone 
Pipe Line Company's proposal for a new petroleum products pipeline 
between Missoula and Thompson Falls, Montana. We have changed the 
schedule, scope, responsible official, and cooperating agencies for 
this EIS.

DATES: Under the current schedule, the draft EIS should be available 
for review by July, 1999, and the final EIS should be released by 
January, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments or inquiries regarding this notice to Terry 
Egenhoff, Environmental Coordinator, Lolo National Forest, Bldg. 24 
Fort Missoula, Missoula, MT 59804-7297.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Egenhoff, (406) 329-3833.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice revises the Yellowstone Pipeline 
EIS notice published in the Federal Register on Friday, December 20, 
1996 (61 FR 67302-67303). The changes involve schedule, scope, 
responsible official, and cooperating agencies.
    Schedule changes: Under the current schedule, the draft EIS should 
be available for review in July 1999, and the final EIS should be 
released in January 2000.
    Scope changes: We have added a similar and connected action to the 
scope of the EIS. The original scope was in response to the Yellowstone 
Pipe Line Company's proposal for a new 75-mile pipeline between 
Missoula and Thompson Falls, Montana. The Forest Service has expanded 
the scope to cover modifications proposed to 82 miles of YPL's existing 
pipeline between Thompson Falls and Kingston, Idaho. One of the 
alternatives now included in the EIS is an all-new 138-mile pipeline,

[[Page 27505]]

parallel to Interstate 90, from Missoula to Kingston. That alternative 
would involve Federal lands administered by the Bureau of Land 
Management, as well as National Forest System lands administered by the 
Forest Service. In all other EIS alternatives, the only Federal lands 
affected would be National Forest System lands. The Mineral Leasing Act 
(30 U.S.C. 185(c)) allows Federal agencies to make this type of 
pipeline permitting decision when the lands administered by only one 
Federal agency are affected. However, the Act places this permitting 
authority with the Department of the Interior when lands administered 
by more than one Federal agency are involved.
    The responsible official for the decision resulting from this EIS 
(depending on the selected alternative) is either: Dale N. Bosworth, 
Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, PO Box 7669, 
Missoula, MT 59807 (if National Forest System lands are the only 
Federal lands affected by the decision); or Martha G. Hahn, State 
Director, USDI Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office, 1387 
South Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 383709-1657 (if Federal lands managed by 
more than one agency are affected by the decision).
    Cooperating Agency changes: Formal EIS cooperating agencies (40 CFR 
1501.6) include: the Bureau of Land Management, the Corps of Engineers, 
and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (as lead agency for 
all Montana State agencies). Other agencies with permitting or 
consulting roles that are involved in the preparation of this EIS 
include: USDOT Office of Pipeline Safety; USEPA; USFWS; FHWA; Montana 
DRNC; Montana DOT; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Montana SHPO; 
Idaho DEQ; Idaho Dept. of Water Resources; Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho 
SHPO; Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation; 
Missoula, Mineral, Sanders, and Shoshone counties; Missoula City-County 
Health; and the Green Mountain Conservation District.

(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7; 43 CFR 2880; Forest Service Handbook 
1909.15, sec. 21.2, 57 FR 43201)

    Dated: May 11, 1999.
Deborah L.R. Austin,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 99-12735 Filed 5-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M