[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19183-19186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5440]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP06-94-000]


Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.; Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Ozark Trails 
Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

April 6, 2006.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss the environmental impacts of the Ozark Trails Expansion Project 
involving construction and operation of facilities by Southern Star 
Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. (Southern Star) in (Labette and Montgomery 
counties, Kansas and Christian, Greene, Jasper, and Newton counties, 
Missouri).\1\ The project would include about 2 miles of various 
diameter pipelines, uprating 13.5 mile of pipeline from a maximum 
allowable operating pressure (MAOP) of 720 pounds per square inch gauge 
(psig) to 877 psig, and modifications at two existing compressor 
stations. No additional horsepower of compression is proposed. This EA 
will be used by the Commission in its decision-making process to 
determine whether the project is in the public convenience and 
necessity.
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    \1\ Southern Star's application was filed with the Commission 
under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act and part 157 of the 
Commission's regulations.
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    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by a pipeline company representative about the acquisition of an 
easement to construct, operate, and maintain the

[[Page 19184]]

proposed facilities. The pipeline company would seek to negotiate a 
mutually acceptable agreement. However, if the project is approved by 
the Commission, that approval conveys with it the right of eminent 
domain. Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an 
agreement, the pipeline company 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?'' was attached to the 
project notice Southern Star provided to landowners. 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

    Southern Star proposes to construct and operate various facilities, 
including pipeline installation, extensions, replacements, and 
modifications at the Grabham and Saginaw Compressor Stations, in order 
to provide 19,562 decatherm per day (Dthd) and 5,000 Dthd of 
incremental firm transportation to Missouri Gas Energy (MGE), a 
Division of Southern Union, and Southern Missouri Gas Company, L.P., 
respectively. The proposed facilities are located in Labette and 
Montgomery Counties, Kansas and Christian, Greene, Jasper, and Newton 
Counties, Missouri. The pipeline and ancillary facilities would 
include:
     Springfield 20-Inch Loop Extension (Line HS). Extension of 
Springfield 20-inch pipeline loop (Line HS) by constructing about 0.9 
mile of new 20-inch outside diameter (O.D.) loop from milepost (MP) 
52.0 to MP 52.9 in Christian County, Missouri.
     Springfield 16-Inch Extension (Line HQ). Extension of 
Springfield 16-inch pipeline (Line HQ) by about 1.1 miles from at MP 
41.35 to MP 42.43 located within the City of Springfield and Greene 
County, Missouri. The proposed 16-inch extension will be constructed in 
replacement of about a 1.0 mile segment of Line HQ-8.
    Construction of above-ground auxiliary facilities at the eastern 
terminus of the proposed 16-inch extension line (MP 42.4), which would 
include a pressure regulator, 16-inch pig receiver, slug catcher, 
filter separator and a liquid collection tank. Relocate pig receiver 
from existing regulator site (MP 41.4) to new site.
     MGE Delivery Meter Facility. New delivery meter facility 
to be constructed at about MP 3.7 on Southern Star's Tartan 10-inch 
(HQ-32) pipeline for delivery to MGE; side valve, 6-inch ultrasonic 
meter, 6-inch flow control valve, and 350-feet of 10-inch 
interconnecting pipeline lateral.
     Southern 20-inch Loop Facilities. Southern Trunk 20-inch 
Loop Uprate:
    Uprate Southern Trunk 20-inch loop line (Line FR between Southern 
Star's Grabham compressor station in Montgomery County, Kansas and the 
Empire ``State Line'' Power Plant in Jasper County, Missouri) between 
MP 0.0 to MP 13.5 to a MAOP from 720 psig to 877 psig.
    Uprate activity would involve replacing various valves and 
crossovers on the FR Line, replacing pig launchers and receivers, 
installing a high pressure discharge line, replacing one road crossing, 
and making other modifications to the Grabham Compressor Station, as 
detailed below.
    Southern Star's proposed modifications on the FR 20-inch pipeline 
are as follows:
     Compton Corner Town Border Station. Replacement of 
existing 4-inch flanged valve on 20-inch FR line with a new 4-inch 
riser and 4-inch ANSI 600 valve at MP 1.1 of FR line, east of 
CR 3700, Montgomery County, Kansas.
    Replacement of 80-feet segment of 20-inch FR line with 20-inch pipe 
to meet design specifications for higher MAOP.
     Verdad Crossover. Replacement of existing 20-inch by 16-
inch reducing tee with bars with a new 20-inch by 16-inch reducing tees 
with bars and a 16-inch weld end ANSI 600 ball valve to meet 
specifications for increased MAOP, at crossover at MP 4.0 of Southern 
Star's 20-inch FR line and 20-inch F line, Montgomery County, 
Kansas.Liberty Town Border Station Replacement of 2-inch riser and 
installation of a new 2-inch flanged ANSI 600 ball valve to 
meet design specifications for the increased MAOP, at MP 8.07, 
Montgomery County, Kansas.
     Brown Road Crossover. Replacement of existing 20-inch by 
16-inch reducing tee with bars with a new 20-inch by 16-inch reducing 
tee with bars and a 16-inch weld end ANSI 600 ball valve, at 
MP 13.5 crossover between Southern Star's 20-inch FR line and 20-inch 
FR line, Labette County, Kansas.
    Southern Trunk 20-inch Loop (FR Line) Receiver and Regulator 
Station. Replacement of existing receiver on the Southern Star's FR 20-
inch loop line with a receiver designed to meet the increased MAOP, at 
the end of the Southern Trunk 20-inch Loop line, Jasper County, 
Missouri.
    Back Pressure Regulator Station at Empire Power Plant. Installation 
of a new back pressure regulator station at MP 2.45 on Southern Star's 
existing 16-inch FP-1 line, Jasper County, Missouri.
     Compressor Station Modifications
    Saginaw Compressor Station Modifications. Installation of auxiliary 
facilities at Southern Star's Saginaw Compressor Station in Newton 
County, Missouri includes the following:
     New gas cooler between the two existing gas coolers and 
about 40 feet of 12-inch (O.D.) above-grade piping and a valve to 
connect the cooler;
     Modifications to the existing gas compressor cylinders on 
the GMVH-10 reciprocating unit;
     Modifications to existing discharge piping to separate the 
two reciprocating units from a common gas aftercooler;
     Modifications to station yard piping required to increase 
the discharge operating pressure from 900 psig to 960 psig on the 
Springfield 20-inch line; and installation of about 40 feet of 12-inch 
(O.D.) above-ground piping and replacement of 20 feet of below-ground 
12-inch pipe with 16-inch pipe; and
     Installation of a new regulator on the Jane 20-inch line 
within the Saginaw station yard.
     Removal of miscellaneous pipeline to be sold for scrap 
steel and salvaged by the contractor.
    Grabham Compressor Station Modifications. Installation of auxiliary 
facilities at Southern Star's Grabham Compressor Station in Montgomery 
County, Kansas includes the following:
     Replacement of pulsation dampeners on compressor units 11 
and 12;
     Installation of a new gas cooler and modifications of 
associated yard piping;
     Installation of a new 20-inch discharge header and 
modifications of associated yard piping to service Line FR 20-inch 
(about 1,400 feet of 20-inch line and 150 feet of 16-inch line);
     Replacement of 20-inch pig launcher on Line FR 20-inch; 
and
     Installation of a regulation and an orifice meter.
    Southern Star indicates that MGE plans to construct a 3-mile 
pipeline to interconnect with Southern Star's proposed MGE measurement 
facility.
    The location of the project facilities is shown in Appendix 1.\2\
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    \2\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all appendices, other 
than Appendix 1 (map), are available on the Commission's Web site at 
the ``eLibrary'' link or from the Commission's Public Reference 
Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 
502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary refer to the 
last page of this notice. Copies of the appendices were sent to all 
those receiving this notice in the mail.

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[[Page 19185]]

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the proposed facilities would require about 26.9 
acres of land. Following construction, about 6.5 acres would be 
required for operation and maintenance.

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (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. NEPA also requires us 
to discover and address concerns the public 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 EA on the important 
environmental issues. By this Notice of Intent, the Commission staff 
requests public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the 
EA. All comments received are considered during the preparation of the 
EA. State and local government representatives are encouraged to notify 
their constituents of this proposed action and encourage them to 
comment on their areas of concern.
    In the EA we \3\ will discuss impacts that could occur as a result 
of the construction and operation of the proposed project under these 
general headings:
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    \3\ ``We'', ``us'', and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Office of Energy Projects (OEP).
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     Geology and soils.
     Land use.
     Cultural resources.
     Vegetation and wildlife.
     Endangered and threatened species.
     Air quality and noise.
     Hazardous waste.
     Public safety.
    We will not discuss impacts to the following resource areas since 
they are not present in the project area, or would not be affected by 
the proposed facilities.
     Public or special use lands within 0.25 mile.
    We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed project 
or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen 
or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the EA. Depending 
on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA may be 
published and mailed to Federal, State, and local agencies, 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 if the EA 
is published. We will consider all comments on the EA before we make 
our recommendations to the Commission.
    To ensure your comments are considered, please carefully follow the 
instructions in the public participation section below.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have identified the potential issue regarding construction near 
residences that we think deserve attention based on a preliminary 
review of the proposed facilities and the environmental information 
provided by Southern Star. The preliminary issue may be changed based 
on your comments and our analysis.
    Also, we have made a preliminary decision to not address the 
impacts of the nonjurisdictional facilities. We will briefly describe 
their location and status in the EA.

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 EA/EIS and considered by the 
Commission. You should focus on the potential environmental effects of 
the proposal, alternatives to the proposal, and measures to avoid or 
lessen environmental impact. The more specific your comments, the more 
useful they will be. Please carefully follow these instructions to 
ensure that your comments are received in time and properly recorded:
     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 2.
     Reference Docket No. CP06-94-000.
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before May 8, 2006.
    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 
strongly 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 ``e-Filing'' 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 online.
    We may mail the EA for comment. If you are interested in receiving 
it, please return the Information Request (Appendix 2). If you do not 
return the Information Request, you will be taken off the mailing list.

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want 
to become an official party to the proceeding, or ``intervenor''. To 
become an intervenor you must file a motion to intervene according to 
Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 
385.214). Intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the 
Commission's decision. Motions to Intervene should be electronically 
submitted using the Commission's eFiling system at http://www.ferc.gov. 
Persons without Internet access should send an original and 14 copies 
of their motion to the Secretary of the Commission at the address 
indicated previously. Persons filing Motions to Intervene on or before 
the comment deadline indicated above must send a copy of the motion to 
the Applicant. All filings, including late interventions, submitted 
after the comment deadline must be served on the Applicant and all 
other intervenors identified on the Commission's service list for this 
proceeding. Persons on the service list with e-mail addresses may be 
served electronically; others must be served a hard copy of the filing.
    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.

Environmental Mailing List

    An effort is being made to send this notice to all individuals, 
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially 
affected by the proposed project. This includes all landowners who are 
potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily 
for project purposes, or who own homes within distances defined in the 
Commission's regulations of certain aboveground facilities.

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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.
    Finally, 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.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-5440 Filed 4-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P