[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58065-58066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24765]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP00-141-000]


Northwest Pipeline Corporation; Notice of Availability of the 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed White River Replacement 
Project

September 21, 2000.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) on the 
natural gas pipeline facilities proposed by Northwest Pipeline 
Corporation (Northwest) in the above-referenced docket.
    The EA was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act. The staff concludes that approval of the 
proposed project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not 
constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality 
of the human environment.
    The purpose of the proposed project is to ensure the long-term 
safety and integrity of its dual pipelines where they cross the 
meandering White River in King County, Washington, by replacing certain 
sections at a deeper depth and building a permanent north bank 
stabilization structure.
    The EA assesses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction, operation, and abandonment of two parallel gas pipelines 
including:
     Construct and operate 1,800 feet each of 26-inch-diameter 
and 30-inch-diameter pipelines;
     Remove 1,700 feet each of the existing 26-inch-diameter 
and 30-inch-diameter pipelines;
     Remove from the White River channel a 665-foot length of 
26-inch-diameter pipeline which was previously abandoned in-place;

[[Page 58066]]

     Construct a bioengineered permanent stabilization 
structure on the north bank;
     Construct permanent habitat enhancement structures near 
the south bank.
    The EA has been placed in the public files of the FERC. A limited 
number of copies of the EA are available for distribution and public 
inspection at: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Reference 
and Files Maintenance Branch 888 First Street, N.E., Room 2A, 
Washington, DC 20426, (202) 208-1371.
    Copies of the EA have been mailed to Federal, state and local 
agencies, public interest groups, interested individuals, newspapers, 
and parties to this proceeding.
    Any person wishing to comment on the EA may do so. To ensure 
consideration prior to a Commission decision on the proposal, it is 
important that we receive your comments before the date specified 
below. Please carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your 
comments are received in time and properly recorded:
     Send two copies of your comments to: Secretary, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., N.E., Room 1A, Washington, 
DC 20426;
     Label one copy of the comments for the attention of the 
Gas Group 2, PJ11.2;
     Reference Docket No. CP00-141-000; and
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before October 23, 2000.
    Comments will be considered by the Commission but will not serve to 
make the commentor a party to the proceeding. Any person seeking to 
become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene 
pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Only intervenors have the right to seek 
rehearing of the Commission's decision.
    Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be 
granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they 
have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which would not be 
adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor 
status to have your comments considered.
    Additional information about the proposed project is available from 
the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (202) 208-0004 or on 
the FERC Internet website (www.ferc.fed.us) using the ``RIMS'' link to 
information in this docket number. Click on the ``RIMS'' link, select 
``Docket #'' from the RIMS Menu, and follow the instructions. For 
assistance with access to RIMS, the RIMS help line can be reached at 
(202) 208-2222.
    Similarly, the ``CIPS'' links on the FERC Internet website provides 
access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such 
as orders, notices, and rulemakings. From the FERC Internet website, 
click on the ``CIPS'' link, select ``Docket #'' from the CIPS menu, and 
follow the instructions. For assistance with access to CIPS, the CIPS 
help line can be reached at (202) 208-2474.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-24765 Filed 9-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M