[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2220-2222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-287]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF06-3-000]


Rockies Express Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Rockies Express 
Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and 
Notice of Public Scoping Meetings

January 6, 2006.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that 
discusses the environmental impacts of the proposed Rockies Express 
Pipeline Project, Western Phase (the Project), which involves the 
construction and operation of facilities by Rockies Express Pipeline, 
LLC (Rockies Express) in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, and 
Missouri. These facilities would consist of 710 miles of 42-inch-
diameter natural gas pipeline, 5 new compressor stations; and 
approximately 42 mainline valves and 12 interconnects. This EIS will be 
used by the Commission in its decision-making process to determine 
whether the Project is in the public convenience and necessity.
    This notice explains the scoping process that will be used to 
gather input from the public and interested agencies on the Project. 
Your input will help us determine which issues/impacts need to be 
evaluated in the EIS. Please note that the scoping period for the 
Project will close on February 10, 2006.
    Comments may be submitted in written form or verbally. In lieu of 
or in addition to sending written comments, you are invited to attend 
the public scoping meetings that have been scheduled in the Project 
area. Nine scoping meetings are scheduled for January 23 through 27, 
2006 in various locations along the route. Further instructions on how 
to submit written comments and additional details of the public scoping 
meetings are provided in the public participation section of this 
notice.
    The Rockies Express Project, Western Phase, is currently in the 
preliminary stages of design, and at this time a formal application has 
not been filed with the Commission. For this proposal, the Commission 
is initiating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review prior 
to receiving the application. This allows interested stakeholders to 
become involved early in project planning and to identify and resolve 
issues before an application is filed with the FERC. A docket number 
(PF06-3-000) has been established to locate in the public record 
information filed by Rockies Express and related documents issued by 
the Commission.\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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    With this notice, we \2\ are asking other Federal, State, and local 
agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to 
environmental issues in the project area 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 that 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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    This notice is being sent to landowners within 0.5 mile of the 
proposed compressor stations; 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; and other interested 
parties.
    Some affected landowners may be contacted by a Project 
representative about the acquisition of an easement to construct, 
operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. If so, Rockies Express 
and the affected landowners 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 facilities. Therefore, if easement 
negotiations fail to produce an agreement, Rockies Express could 
initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with State law.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' 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 (www.ferc.gov).

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Rockies Express' long-term plan is to construct three separately 
certificated pipelines that together would result in the installation 
of approximately 1,323 miles of 42-inch-diameter, high pressure natural 
gas pipeline linking producing areas in the Rocky Mountain region to 
the upper Midwest and Eastern United States. This pipeline system would 
originate near the Cheyenne Hub, in Weld County, Colorado, and would 
terminate in Monroe County, Ohio. Rockies Express intends to pursue 
this system plan in three discrete phases (Western, Central, and 
Eastern). The FERC is now considering only the facilities included in 
the Western Phase. Rockies Express currently envisions that the Western 
Phase would include:
     Approximately 710 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline 
between the Cheyenne Hub in Weld County, Colorado and the Panhandle 
Eastern Pipeline system in Audrain County, Missouri;
     5 new compressor stations with a total of 116,500 
horsepower of compression;
     Approximately 42 mainline valves; and
     12 interconnects.
    A map depicting the general location of the Project facilities is 
shown in appendix 1.\3\
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    \3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available 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.
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    Rockies Express is requesting approval such that the facilities are 
completed and placed into service by January 2008. Construction of the 
facilities would take about eight months.

Land Requirements for Construction

    It is estimated that the construction of the Project facilities 
would disturb about 6,929 acres of land. Following construction, about 
4,358 acres of the total would be retained for the operation of the 
pipeline and the above ground facilities (compressor/meter stations). 
The pipeline would be constructed on a 125-foot-wide right-of-way with 
occasional increases in width for additional workspace at waterbody,

[[Page 2221]]

wetland, road, and railroad crossings. Extra workspaces may also be 
required in areas with site-specific constraints, such as side-slope 
construction. Other temporary land requirements would include land for 
pipe storage and equipment yards. Operation of the pipeline facilities 
would require a nominal 50-foot-wide permanent right-of-way.

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 under 
section 7 of the Natural Gas Act. NEPA also requires us to identify and 
address concerns the public would 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 important environmental issues and 
reasonable alternatives. By this Notice of Intent, the Commission staff 
requests agency and public comments on the scope of the issues to be 
addressed in the EIS. All comments received are considered during the 
preparation of the EIS.
    We have already started to meet with Rockies Express, agencies, and 
other interested stakeholders to discuss the Project and identify 
issues/impacts and concerns. Between December 5 and 16, 2005, 
representatives of FERC staff participated in public open houses 
sponsored by Rockies Express in the Project area to explain the NEPA 
environmental review process to interested stakeholders and take 
comments about the Project.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be included in the 
draft EIS. The draft EIS will be published and mailed to Federal, 
State, and local agencies, Native American tribes, public interest 
groups, interested individuals, affected landowners, newspapers, 
libraries, and the Commission's official service list for this 
proceeding. A comment period will be allotted for review of the draft 
EIS. We will consider all timely comments on the draft EIS and revise 
the document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS.
    To ensure your comments are considered, please carefully follow the 
instructions in the public participation section beginning on page 6.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have identified several issues that we think deserve attention 
based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and the 
information provided by Rockies Express. This preliminary list of 
issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.

     Geology and Soils:
--Impact on agricultural lands and irrigation systems.
--Impact on prime farmland soils.
--Blasting and disposal of excess rock.
--Erosion control.
--Evaluation of noxious weed control measures.
     Water Resources:
--Impact on groundwater and water supply wells.
--Impact of construction on wetlands.
--Assessment of the use and release of hydrostatic test water.
     Fish, Wildlife, and Vegetation:
--Development of revegetation plans.
     Endangered and Threatened Species:
--Potential effect on federally listed species.
     Cultural Resources:
--Impact on known and undiscovered cultural resources.
--Native American and tribal concerns.
     Land Use, Recreation and Special Interest Areas, and 
Visual Resources:
--Permanent land use alteration associated with pipeline easement.
--Impact on residences, including proximity of facilities to existing 
structures.
--Restrictions on future use of pipeline right-of-way.
     Socioeconomics:
--Benefits to local communities.
--Use of local labor, equipment, and supplies.
     Air Quality and Noise:
--Effects on local air quality and ambient noise from construction and 
operation of the proposed facilities.
     Reliability and Safety:
--Assessment of hazards associated with the transportation of natural 
gas.
--Assessment of security associated with operation of natural gas 
facilities.
 Alternatives:
--Evaluation of pipeline route alternatives.
--Identification of measures to lessen or avoid impacts on the various 
resource and special interest areas.

    We will make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on 
the various resource areas and evaluate possible alternatives to the 
proposed Project or portions of the Project.

Public Participation

    You are encouraged to become involved in this process and provide 
your specific comments or concerns about Rockies Express' proposal. 
Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, 
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental 
impacts. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. 
To expedite the receipt and consideration of your comments, electronic 
submission of comments is strongly encouraged. See Title 18 CFR 
385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the FERC Internet Web site 
(http://www.ferc.gov) under the eFiling link and the link to the User's 
Guide. Before you can submit comments you will need to create a free 
account by clicking on ``Sign-up'' under ``New User.'' You will be 
asked to select the type of submission you are making. This type of 
submission is considered a ``Comment on Filing.'' Comments submitted 
electronically must be submitted by February 10, 2006.
    If you wish to mail comments, please mail your comments so that 
they will be received in Washington, DC on or before February 10, 2006 
and carefully follow these instructions:
     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 the comments for the attention of Gas 
Branch 1.
     Reference Docket No. PF06-3-000 on the original and both 
copies.
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before February 10, 2006.
    In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, we invite 
you to attend the public scoping meetings we will conduct in the 
Project area. The locations for these meetings are listed below. All 
meetings are scheduled to run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 
 
 
January 23, 2006............  Greeley, Colorado,    ....................
                               Best Western Inn,
                               701 8th Street,
                               Greeley, Colorado,
                               970-353-8444.
January 24, 2006............  Sidney, Nebraska,     St Joseph, Missouri,
                               Holiday Inn, 664      Stoney Creek Inn,
                               Chase Blvd.,          1201 N. Woodbine,
                               Sidney, Nebraska,     St. Joseph,
                               308-254-2000.         Missouri, 800-659-
                                                     2220.

[[Page 2222]]

 
January 25, 2006............  North Platte,         Beatrice, Nebraska,
                               Nebraska, Quality     Holiday Inn
                               Inn Sandhills         Express, 4005 N.
                               Convention Center,    6th Street,
                               2102 South Jeffers,   Beatrice, Nebraska,
                               North Platte,         402-228-7000.
                               Nebraska, 308-532-
                               9090.
January 26, 2006............  Kearney, Nebraska,    Moberly, Missouri,
                               Holiday Inn           Best Western Inn,
                               Kearney, 110 Second   1200 Hwy 24 East,
                               Avenue, Kearney,      Moberly, Missouri,
                               Nebraska, 308-234-    660-263-6540.
                               2212.
January 27, 2006............  Hastings, Nebraska,   Chillicothe,
                               Hastings Convention   Missouri, Grand
                               Center, Holiday Inn   River Inn, 606 W.
                               Garden Center, 2201   Bus. Hwy 36,
                               Osborne Drive,        Chillicothe,
                               Hastings, Nebraska,   Missouri, 888-317-
                               402-463-4661.         8290.
 

    The public scoping meetings are designed to provide State and local 
agencies, interested groups, affected landowners, and the general 
public with another opportunity to offer your comments on the 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 each meeting will be made so 
that your comments will be accurately recorded.
    All public meetings will be posted on the Commission's calendar 
located at http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with 
other related information.

Environmental Mailing List

    If you received this notice, you are on the environmental mailing 
list for this Project and will continue to receive Project updates 
including the draft and final EISs. If you want your contact 
information corrected or you do not want to remain on our mailing list, 
please return the Correct or Remove From Mailing List Form included as 
Appendix 2.
    To reduce printing and mailing costs, the draft and final EISs will 
be issued in both CD-ROM and hard copy formats. The FERC strongly 
encourages the use of the CD-ROM format in its publication of large 
documents. If you wish to receive a paper copy of the draft EIS instead 
of a CD-ROM, you must indicate that choice on the return postcard 
(Appendix 2).

Additional Information

    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC or on the 
FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. 
Click on the eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the 
docket number excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number 
field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
[email protected] or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, 
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link 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 which 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. Go to http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    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 environmental comments considered.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-287 Filed 1-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P