[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 68 (Monday, April 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18389-18391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-1642]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF05-8-000]


Creole Trail LNG, L.P. and Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline 
Company; Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Proposed Creole Trail LNG and Pipeline Project, Request For 
Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings

April 4, 2005.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that 
will discuss the environmental impacts of the Creole Trail LNG and 
Pipeline Project (Creole Trail Project) involving construction and 
operation of facilities by Creole Trail LNG, L.P. and Cheniere Creole 
Trail Pipeline Company (collectively, Creole Trail). The proposed 
facilities would be located in southwestern Louisiana and consist of a 
liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal, an approximately 118-mile-
long dual send-out pipeline with an approximately 47-mile-long single 
pipeline (Western Leg) and an approximately 6-mile-long single pipeline 
(Hackberry Lateral). The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-
making process to determine whether or not the LNG terminal is in the 
public interest, and the pipeline is in the public convenience and 
necessity.
    The Creole Trail Project is currently in the preliminary design 
stage. At this time Creole Trail has not filed an application with the 
FERC. For this project, the FERC staff is initiating its National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review prior to receiving the 
application. This will allow interested stakeholders to be involved 
early in project planning and to identify and resolve any issues before 
an application is filed with the FERC. The pre-filing docket number, 
PF05-8-000, has been established to place information filed by Creole 
Trail and related documents issued by the Commission into the public 
record.\1\ Once a formal application is filed with the FERC, a new 
docket number will be established.
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    \1\ To view information in the docket, follow the instructions 
for using the eLibrary link at the end of this notice.
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    This notice is being sent to residents within 0.5 mile of the 
proposed LNG terminal site; landowners along the pipeline route under 
consideration; Federal, state, and local government agencies; elected 
officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American 
tribes; and local libraries and newspapers.
    With this notice, we\2\ are asking these and other Federal, state, 
and local agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with 
respect to environmental issues to formally cooperate with us in the 
preparation of the EIS. These agencies may choose to participate once 
they have evaluated the proposal relative to their responsibilities. 
Agencies which would like to request cooperating status should follow 
the instructions for filing comments described later in this notice. We 
encourage government representatives to notify their constituents of 
this planned project and encourage them to comment on their areas of 
concern.
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    \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Office of Energy Projects.
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    Some affected landowners may be contacted by a project 
representative about the acquisition of an easement to construct, 
operate, and maintain the proposed pipeline. If so, the company should 
seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. In the event that 
the project is certificated by the Commission, that approval conveys 
the right of eminent domain for securing easements for the pipeline. 
Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the 
company could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with 
state law. The FERC staff has also prepared a fact sheet entitled ``An 
Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' 
This fact sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, 
including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the 
Commission's proceedings. It is available for viewing on the FERC 
Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov).

Summary of the Proposed Project

    The LNG terminal would be located on approximately 773 acres of a 
1,463-acre tract of land in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, approximately 
3.03 miles inland of the Gulf of Mexico, west of the Calcasieu Ship 
Channel, and northwest of Monkey Island. The LNG terminal would include 
two marine berths to accommodate ships with up to 250,000 cubic-meter 
capacity, four 160,000 cubic-meter single containment LNG storage 
tanks, and three banks of seven submerged combustion vaporizers (which 
includes two spare submerged combustion vaporizers). The terminal would 
provide 3.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of send-out capacity. 
Approximately 400 ships per year are anticipated to call on the 
terminal.
    The Creole Trail Project would include two parallel and adjacent 
42-inch-diameter sendout pipelines that would originate at the LNG 
terminal site and extend approximately 118 miles in a north-
northeasterly fashion to the vicinity of Columbia Gulf Transmission 
Company's Rayne Compressor Station located in Acadia Parish, Louisiana. 
The pipelines would cross Cameron, Calcasieu, Beauregard, Allen, 
Jefferson Davis, and Acadia Parishes. Routing for the two natural gas 
sendout pipelines includes 17 potential interconnections to existing 
pipeline network emanating from Louisiana to Midwest, Northeast and 
Atlantic markets. Aboveground facilities associated with the proposed 
pipeline would include delivery meter stations associated with the 
proposed interconnects, as well as mainline valves, pig launchers, and 
receivers.
    The proposed Creole Trail Project would also include the Creole 
Trail Pipeline Western Leg, an approximately 47-mile-long, 42-inch-
diameter single pipeline originating from the proposed sendout pipeline 
south of Sulphur, Louisiana and extending across Calcasieu and Cameron 
Parishes to the

[[Page 18390]]

Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., Terminal facility, and the Hackberry Lateral, an 
approximately 6-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter single pipeline originating 
from the proposed sendout pipeline in Calcasieu Lake and extending 
westerly where it would terminate at the Dominion Hackberry salt cavern 
storage facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
    A map depicting the proposed terminal site and the proposed 
pipeline routes is provided in Appendix 1.\3\ \4\
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    \3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available on the 
Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) at the 
``eLibrary'' link or from the Commission's Public Reference and 
Files Maintenance Branch at (202) 502-8371. For instructions on 
connecting to eLibrary refer to the last page of this notice.
    \4\ Requests for detailed maps of the facilities may be made to: 
Patricia Outtrim, Vice President Government Relations, Creole Trail 
LNG, L.P., 717 Texas Ave., Suite 3100, Houston, Texas 77002; 
telephone No. (713) 265-0212, ([email protected]); or Lisa 
Tonery, King & Spalding, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 
10036-4003; telephone No. (212) 556-2307, ([email protected]). 
Please be as specific as you can about the location(s) of your 
area(s) of interest.
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Land Requirements

    The LNG terminal would be located on approximately 773 acres of a 
1,463-acre tract of land in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Preliminary 
reconnaissance indicated that scattered wetlands are present throughout 
the tract. The LNG terminal would be located west of the Calcasieu Ship 
Channel, which is approximately 1,150 feet wide with a 400-foot-wide 
navigation channel. The project would require dredging to accommodate 
LNG tanker ships.
    The proposed pipelines would largely parallel existing and proposed 
pipeline rights-of-way, including the proposed Cameron LNG Import 
Terminal pipeline, and portions of the existing Transco, Trunkline, 
Tennessee, Florida Gas, and Texas Gas rights-of-way. Creole Trail has 
indicated that the proposed construction right-of-way for the pipeline 
system would generally be between 100 and 150 feet in width, with 
additional workspace associated with stream, railroad, and highway 
crossings. Construction of pipe storage yards and access roads outside 
the pipeline construction right-of-way would result in additional 
surface disturbance. The proposed routing would cross several 
waterbodies, railroad tracks, and highways.
    Non-jurisdictional facilities associated with this project have not 
been identified by Creole Trail.

The EIS Process

    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, or an 
import authorization under Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act. NEPA also 
requires us to discover and address issues and concerns the public and 
other stakeholders may have about proposals. This process is referred 
to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the 
analysis in the EIS on the important environmental issues and 
reasonable alternatives. By this notice, we are requesting agencies and 
the public to comment on the scope of the issues to be analyzed and 
presented in the EIS. All scoping comments received will be considered 
during the preparation of the EIS. To ensure your comments are 
considered, please carefully follow the instructions in the public 
participation section of this notice.
    The EIS will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the proposed project under these general 
headings:
     Geology and soils.
     Water resources and wetlands.
     Vegetation.
     Wildlife and aquatic resources.
     Endangered and threatened species.
     Land use.
     Cultural resources.
     Air quality and noise.
     Public safety.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be included in a draft 
EIS. The draft EIS will be mailed to Federal, state, and local 
government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public 
interest groups; Native American tribes; affected landowners; other 
interested parties; local libraries and newspapers; and the 
Commission's official service list for this proceeding. 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. In addition, we will consider 
all comments on the final EIS before we make our recommendations to the 
Commission.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have identified several issues that we think deserve attention 
based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities and the 
environmental resources present in the project area. This preliminary 
list of issues may be changed based on information obtained during the 
public participation period and on our continuing analysis:
     Water Resources and Wetlands.
    [cir] Assessment of construction effects on water quality.
    [cir] Review of wetland areas impacted on the terminal site and in 
the pipeline right-of-way and other affected areas.
    [cir] Disturbance of sensitive and scenic streams.
     Fish, Wildlife, and Vegetation.
    [cir] Effects on wildlife and fisheries including commercial and 
recreational fisheries.
    [cir] Effects of dredging and underwater pipeline construction on 
oyster beds.
    [cir] Effects of pipeline construction and operation on riparian 
vegetation and riparian habitats.
    [cir] Vegetation restoration of the pipeline rights-of-way.
    [cir] Effects on wildlife refuges and special habitats, including 
bird rookeries and migratory birds.
     Endangered and Threatened Species and Critical Habitat.
    [cir] Effects on federally listed species, including the red-
cockaded woodpecker.
    [cir] Effects on essential fish habitat.
     Effects on residential areas.
     Effects on agricultural areas.
     Dredging and dredge material disposal areas.
     Ship traffic in Calcasieu Ship Channel.
     Reliability and Safety.
    [cir] Safety and security of the terminal and pipeline.
    [cir] LNG shipping.
    Our evaluation will also include possible alternatives to the 
proposed project or portions of the project, and we will make 
recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various 
resource areas of concern.

Public Participation

    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 locations 
and routes), and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. 
Creole Trail has established a preliminary pipeline route for the 
project; however, if minor reroutes or variations are required to avoid 
or minimize impacts to certain features on your property, this is your 
opportunity to assist us and Creole Trail in identifying your specific 
areas of concern. The more specific your comments, the more useful they 
will be. Please carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your 
comments are received and properly recorded:

[[Page 18391]]

     Send an original and two copies of your letter to: Magalie 
R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First 
St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
     Label one copy of your comments for the attention of Gas 
Branch 2; and
     Reference Docket No. PF05-8-000 on the original and both 
copies.
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington DC on or before May 4, 2005.
    Please note that we are continuing to experience delays in mail 
deliveries from the U.S. Postal Service. As a result, we will include 
all comments that we receive within a reasonable time frame in our 
environmental analysis of this project. However, the Commission 
encourages electronic filing of any comments or interventions or 
protests to this proceeding. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the 
instructions on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov under 
the ``eFiling'' link and the link to the User's Guide. Before you can 
file comments you will need to create a free account which can be 
created by clicking on ``Login to File'' and then ``New User Account.''
    If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to 
remain on our mailing list, please return the Mailing List Retention 
Form included in Appendix 2.
    In addition, the FERC staff will conduct three scoping meetings to 
provide another opportunity to offer comments on the proposed project. 
Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to attend the meetings 
and to present comments on the environmental issues they believe should 
be addressed in the EIS. A transcript of the meetings will be generated 
so that your comments will be accurately recorded. All meetings will 
begin at 7 p.m. (CDT), and are scheduled as follows:

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                   Date                               Location
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Monday, April 25, 2005....................  Northwest Community Center,
                                             501 Samuel Drive, Eunice,
                                             LA 70535, (337) 457-6573.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005...................  Holiday Inn Express, 102
                                             Mallard Street, Sulphur, LA
                                             70665, (337) 625-2500.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005.................  Cameron Multi-Purpose
                                             Building, 122 Smith Circle,
                                             Cameron, LA 70631, (337)
                                             775-5081.
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Availability of Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208 FERC (3372) or on 
the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov). Using the 
``eLibrary'' link, select ``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, 
enter the selected date range and ``Docket Number'' (i.e., PF05-8-000), 
and follow the instructions. Searches may also be done using the phrase 
``Creole Trail'' in the ``Text Search'' field. For assistance with 
access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at 1-866-208-3676, TTY 
(202) 502-8659, or at [email protected]. The eLibrary link on 
the FERC Internet Web site also provides access to the texts of formal 
documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and 
rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called 
eSubscription that allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and 
submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you 
spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with 
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to 
the documents. To register for this service, go to http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    Further, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the 
Commission's calendar located at http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.
    Finally, Creole Trail has established an Internet Web site for its 
project at http://www.creoletrail.com. The Web site includes additional 
information on the project including Creole Trail contact information.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-1642 Filed 4-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P