[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 227 (Monday, November 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68601-68603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19949]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[FERC Docket No. PF06-36-000]


Colorado Interstate Gas Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed High Plains Expansion 
Project; Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of 
Site Visit and Open House Meeting Attendance

November 17, 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 High Plains Expansion 
Project (project) involving construction and operation of by Colorado 
Interstate Gas Company (CIG) in Weld, Morgan, and Adams Counties, 
Colorado. These facilities would consist of about 170 miles of 24-inch 
and 30-inch-diameter pipeline in four separate pipeline segments. The 
EIS will be used by the Commission in its decision making process to 
determine if the project is in the public convenience and necessity.
    The project is currently in the preliminary stages of design and at 
this time a formal application has not been filed with the Commission. 
For this project, the Commission is initiating the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review prior to receiving the formal 
application. This pre-filing process allows interested stakeholders to 
become involved early in the project planning and to identify and 
resolve issues before a formal application is filed with the FERC. A 
docket number (PF06-36-000) has been established to place information 
filed by CIG and related documents issued or received 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 announces the opening of the scoping period that will 
be used to gather environmental input from the public and interested 
agencies on the Project. Please note that the scoping period will close 
on January 6, 2007. Details on how to submit comments are provided in 
the Public Participation section of this notice.
    This notice is being sent to potentially affected landowners along 
the Project route; 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 federal, state, and local 
agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to 
environmental issues to 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.
    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 (http://www.ferc.gov).

Summary of the Proposed Project

    CIG is proposing to expand its existing pipeline system along 
Colorado's Front Range in order to provide additional transportation 
services to this rapidly growing market. Specifically, CIG is proposing 
to construct approximately 170 miles of 24-inch and 30-inch-diameter 
pipeline in four separate pipeline segments in Weld, Morgan, and Adams 
Counties, Colorado as described below. The general locations of the 
proposed pipelines are shown in the figure included as Appendix 1 \3\.
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    \3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies (excluding maps) are 
available on the Commission's Internet website (http://www.ferc.gov) 
at the ``eLibrary'' link or from the Commission's Public Reference 
Room at (202) 502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, 
refer to the end of this notice.
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The Project consists of the following facilities:

     Line 250A--64.5 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipe and 20.5 
miles of 24-inch-diameter pipe and 2 interconnect meter station 
facilities;
     Line 251A--58 miles of 24-inch-diameter pipe and 2 
interconnect meter station facilities;
     Line 252A--14.9 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipe and 1 
interconnect meter station facility;
     Line 253A--6.1 miles of 24-inch-diameter pipe and 2 
interconnect meter station facilities;
     Seven new meter stations and eighteen new block valves; 
and
     Pig launcher/receivers at the beginning and ending of the 
four new pipeline segments.
    The entire project when completed would carry a total capacity of 
approximately 874,000 decatherms of gas per day. CIG is requesting 
approval such that the facilities are completed and put into service by 
August 2008. CIG proposes to begin construction in February 2008.

Land Requirements for Construction

    CIG would use a typical 100-foot-wide construction right-of-way for 
the project. Additional work area would be required at certain feature 
crossings (e.g., waterbodies, wetlands, roads, and railroad crossings), 
staging areas, pipe yards, contractor's yards, and widening of certain 
access roads.
    Based on preliminary information, it is estimated that construction 
of the proposed facilities would disturb about 2,000 acres of land. Of 
the 2,000 acres, about 1,000 acres would be temporary disturbed and 
about 1,000 acres would be permanently maintained for operation of the 
pipeline within a 50-foot-wide permanent right-of-way, and as 
aboveground facility sites.
    Following construction, all temporary workspaces would be restored 
and allowed to revert to its former use.

The EIS Process

    The FERC will be the lead federal agency for the preparation of the 
EIS.

[[Page 68602]]

NEPA requires the FERC to take into account the environmental impacts 
that could result from an action when it considers whether or not an 
interstate natural gas pipeline should be approved. The Commission will 
use the EIS to consider the environmental impacts that could result if 
the project is authorized under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act. NEPA 
also requires us to identify and address concerns the public may have 
about proposals to be considered by the Commission. 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 (NOI), the Commission 
staff requests agency and public comments on the scope on the issues to 
be addressed in the EIS. All comments received will be considered 
during the preparation of the EIS.
    Although no formal application has been filed, the FERC Staff have 
already initiated a NEPA review under the FERC's Pre-Filing Process, 
which was established in Docket No. PF06-36-000. The purpose of the 
Pre-Filing Process is to seek public and agency input early in the 
project planning phase and encourage involvement by interested 
stakeholders in a manner that allows for the early identification and 
resolution of environmental issues. As part of the Pre-Filing Process 
review, FERC staff representatives will participate in an interagency 
scoping meeting in the project area to solicit comments and concerns 
about the project from other jurisdictional agencies.
    With this notice, the Commission requests federal, state, and local 
government agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with the 
respect to environmental issues to express their interest in becoming 
cooperating agencies for 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 send a letter expressing that interest and expected level 
of involvement to the Secretary of the Commission at the address 
provided in the public participation section of this notice.
    The FERC's 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 FERC'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.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have already identified a number of issues and alternatives that 
they think deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the 
proposed facilities and information provided by CIG. This preliminary 
list of potential issues and alternatives may be changed based on your 
comments and our analysis.

Geology and Soils

     Impact on agricultural lands and irrigation and canal 
systems.
     Impacts on unconsolidated soils with severe erosion 
potential.
     Assessment of potential geological hazards.
     Evaluation of noxious weed control.
     Construction in steep terrain.

Water Resources

     Potential effects on groundwater resources.
     Impact of open-cut crossings of irrigation canals and the 
South Platte River.
     Effect of pipeline crossings on wetlands and perennial and 
intermittent waterbodies.
     Assessment of hydrostatic test water sources and discharge 
locations.
     Water depletions resulting from hydrostatic test water 
appropriations.

Fish, Wildlife, and Vegetation

     Effect on fish and wildlife resources and their habitat, 
including federally and state-listed threatened and endangered species.
     Assessment of construction time window restrictions.
     Assessment of measures to successfully revegetate the 
right-of-way.

Cultural Resources

     Effect on known and undiscovered cultural resources.
     Native American and tribal concerns.

Land Use, Recreation and Special Interest Areas, and Visual Resources

     Impacts on residences, including proximity of facilities 
to existing structures.
     Potential land use conflicts with planned and future 
development.
     Permanent land use alteration associated with pipeline 
easements.

Socioeconomics

     Benefits to local communities.
     Effects of construction workforce demands on public 
services and temporary housing.

Air Quality and Noise

     Effects on local air quality and noise environment from 
construction and operation of the proposed facilities.

Reliability and Safety

     Assessment of hazards associated with natural gas 
pipelines.
     Assessment of security associated with operation of 
natural gas facilities.

Alternatives

     The No-Action alternative.
     System alternatives.
     Route alternatives.

Cumulative Impact

     Assessment of the effect of the proposed project when 
combined with other actions in the same region.

Public Participation

    You are encouraged to become involved in this process and provide 
your specific comments or concerns about CIG's 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. If you 
wish to mail comments, please mail your comments so that they will be 
received in Washington, DC on or before January 6, 2007 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 
Street, NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
     Label one copy of your comments for the attention of Gas 
2, DG2E; and
     Reference Docket No. PF06-36-000 on the original and both 
copies.
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC, on or before January 6, 2007.
    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 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 open a free account which can be created on-line.

[[Page 68603]]

    CIG is sponsoring public open house meetings to provide the public 
with information about the proposed project. The dates, times, and 
locations of the open house meeting are listed in the table below. FERC 
staff will be in attendance. For information about the open house 
meetings and the site visit, please contact this CIG representative: 
Jeff Voltattorni at 719-351-9682.

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             Date and time                           Location
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Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 5:30 p.m.    Ault High School, 208 W. 1st
 to 8 p.m. (MST).                         Street, Ault, Colorado 80610,
                                          Phone: (970) 834-2816
Wednesday, November 29, 2006, 5:30 p.m.  Country Steak Out, 19592 8th
 to 8 p.m. (MST).                         Ave., Fort Morgan, Colorado
                                          80701, Phone: (970) 867-7887
Thursday, November 30, 2006, 5:30 p.m.   Bella Sera Center, 45 Strong
 to 8 p.m. (MST).                         Street, Brighton, Colorado
                                          80601, Phone: (720) 937-6337
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    In addition to the public open house meetings, the FERC will 
conduct site visits to view the proposed pipeline routes. The public 
may participate in the site visits. No transportation will be provided. 
Details regarding the tours are provided below.

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                                                          Facilities
       Date and start time             Location            reviewed
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November 29, 2006, 8 a.m. (MST).  Cheyenne            Line 250A, Line
                                   Compressor          252A, and
                                   Station, 65657      northeast portion
                                   Highway 85, Carr,   of Line 251A
                                   Colorado 80612.
November 30, 2006, 8 a.m. (MST).  Watkins Compressor  Southwestern
                                   Station, 24650      portion of Line
                                   East Smith Road,    251A and Line
                                   Aurora, Colorado    253A
                                   80019.
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Environmental Mailing List

    If you do not want to send comments at this time, but still want to 
remain on our environmental mailing list, please return the attached 
Mailing List Retention Form (Appendix 2). If you do not return the 
form, or you do not file a comment on this project, you will be taken 
off the environmental mailing list.
    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 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 Mailing List 
Retention Form (Appendix 2).

Availability of Additional Information

    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
FERC'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 
(i.e., PF06-36). 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 on the FERC Internet Web site 
also provides access to the text of formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.
    In addition, the FERC 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 the eSubscription 
link on the FERC Internet website.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-19949 Filed 11-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P