[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 213 (Monday, November 5, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62465-62468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21651]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF07-13-000]


Palomar Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Palomar Gas 
Transmission Project; Request for Comments on Environmental Issues and 
Notice of Public Meetings

October 29, 2007.
    The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) is in 
the process of preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) on the 
environmental impacts of the Palomar Gas Transmission Project involving 
the construction and operation of a new underground natural gas 
pipeline proposed by Palomar Gas Transmission, LLC (PGT). This Notice 
of Intent (NOI) explains the scoping process that will be used to 
gather input from the public and interested agencies on the project. 
Your input will help determine which issues will be evaluated in the 
EIS. Please note that the scoping period for this project will close on 
November 28, 2007.
    Comments on the project may be submitted in written form or 
verbally. In lieu of or in addition to sending written comments, we\1\ 
also invite you to attend the public scoping meetings that have been 
scheduled in the project area. The meetings are scheduled for Monday, 
November 12 in Maupin, Oregon; Tuesday, November 13 in Molalla, Oregon; 
Wednesday, November 14 in McMinnvile, Oregon; and Thursday, November 15 
in Forest Grove, Oregon. Further details on how to submit comments and 
additional details of the public scoping meetings are provided in the 
Public Participation section of this notice.
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    \1\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
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    The FERC will be the lead federal agency in the preparation of an 
EIS that will satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) and will be used by the FERC to consider the 
environmental impacts that could result if the Commission issues PGT a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity under section 7 of the 
Natural Gas Act.
    This NOI is being sent to Federal, State, and local government 
agencies; elected officials; affected landowners; environmental and 
public interest groups; Indian tribes and regional Native American 
organizations; commentors and other interested parties; and local 
libraries and newspapers. We encourage government representatives to 
notify their constituents of this planned project and encourage them to 
comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by a PGT representative about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The pipeline 
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if 
the project is approved by the FERC, 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?'' is available for 
viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov/for-citizens/citizen-guides.asp). This fact sheet addresses a number of 
typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how 
to participate in FERC's proceedings.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    PGT has announced its proposal to construct and operate a new 
natural gas pipeline and associated structures with a bi-directional 
flow capacity of 1.4 billion cubic feet per day. The project would be 
located in northwest Oregon and consist of a 211-mile-long, 36-inch-
diameter pipeline running from near Shaniko, Wasco County, Oregon to 
near Wauna, Clatsop County, Oregon. The pipeline would travel across 
Wasco,

[[Page 62466]]

Clackamas, Marion, Yamhill, Washington, Columbia, and Clatsop Counties 
in Oregon. The pipeline would connect the existing Gas Transmission 
Northwest Corporation (GTN) mainline pipeline system in central Oregon 
to the Northwest Natural Gas Company (NW Natural) distribution system 
near Molalla in Clackamas County. The pipeline is also proposed to 
extend to other potential interconnections with NW Natural's system and 
to an interconnection with NorthernStar Energy LLC's proposed Bradwood 
Landing pipeline near Wauna in Clatsop County, Oregon. The proposed 
project would also include a 3.8-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter lateral 
pipeline \2\ near Molalla, Clackamas County, Oregon, to connect the 
Palomar Project mainline to an existing NW Natural city gate. Certain 
associated aboveground facilities are also proposed, i.e., mainline 
valves spaced at intervals along the pipeline as defined by U.S. 
Department of Transportation regulations per the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) 49 Part 192, at least three meter stations, and pig 
launcher and receiver facilities. At this time, PGT does not anticipate 
that compression will be required for this project.
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    \2\ A lateral pipeline typically takes gas from the main system 
to deliver it to a customer, local distribution system, or another 
interstate transmission system.
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    More specifically, PGT proposes the following primary project 
components:
    [square] A 211-mile-long, 36-inch diameter underground natural gas 
mainline consisting of two segments:
    [square] Segment 1: a 108.5-miles of mainline from TransCanada's 
GTN pipeline system northwest of Madras in Wasco County to a location 
southwest of Molalla in Clackamas County; and a 3.8-mile, 36-inch 
diameter accessory lateral pipeline, the Molalla Lateral, which will 
connect the main pipeline to NW Natural's distribution system;
    [square] Segment 2: a 102.5-mile segment commencing at the Molalla 
Lateral interconnect and terminating at the proposed connection to the 
Bradwood Landing pipeline near Wauna, Clatsop County; there is 
potential for additional interconnections with NW Natural along this 
route;
    [square] two meter stations, eight mainline valves, and two pig 
launchers/receivers on Segment I; one pig launcher/receiver on the 
Molalla Lateral; and one meter station, eight mainline valves, and one 
pig launcher/receiver on section II;
    [square] temporary pipe storage and contractor yards at various 
locations along the pipeline for office trailers, parking, and pipe and 
equipment storage during construction; and
    [square] temporary construction roadways and short permanent roads 
from existing roads to meter station sites and other aboveground 
facilities.
    A location map depicting PGT's proposed facilities is attached to 
this NOI as Appendix 1.\3\
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    \3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies can be obtained from the 
Commission's Web site (excluding maps) at the ``eLibrary'' link, 
from the Commission's Public Reference Room, or by calling (202) 
502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
end of this notice. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those 
receiving this notice in the mail.
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The EIS Process

    NEPA requires the Commission to take into account the environmental 
impacts that could result from an action when it considers whether or 
not a natural gas pipeline should be approved. FERC will use the EIS to 
consider the environmental impacts that could result if it issues 
project authorizations to PGT under sections 3 and 7 of the Natural Gas 
Act. 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 scoping is to focus the analysis in the EIS on the 
important environmental issues. With this NOI, the Commission staff is 
requesting public comments on the scope of the issues to be addressed 
in the EIS. All comments received will be considered during preparation 
of the EIS.
    In the EIS we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of 
the construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed project 
under these general headings:
     Geology and soils.
     Water resources.
     Aquatic resources.
     Vegetation and wildlife.
     Threatened and endangered species.
     Land use, recreation, and visual resources.
     Cultural resources.
     Socioeconomics.
     Air quality and noise.
     Reliability and safety.
     Cumulative impacts.
    In the EIS, 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 affected resources.
    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; affected landowners; 
environmental and public interest groups; Indian tribes and regional 
Native American organizations; commentors; other interested parties; 
local libraries and newspapers; and FERC's official service list for 
this proceeding. There will be at minimum a 45 day comment period 
allotted for review of the draft EIS. We will consider all comments on 
the draft EIS and revise the document, if necessary, before issuing a 
final EIS. We will consider all comments on the final EIS before we 
make our recommendations to the Commission. To ensure that your 
comments are considered, please follow the instructions in the Public 
Participation section of this NOI.
    Although no formal application has been filed, FERC has already 
initiated its NEPA review under its pre-filing process. The purpose of 
the pre-filing process is to encourage early involvement of interested 
stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before an application 
is filed with FERC.
    With this NOI, we are asking 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. Additional 
agencies that would like to request cooperating agency status should 
follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the Public 
Participation section of this NOI.
    The EIS will examine the proposed action and alternatives that 
require administrative or other actions by other Federal agencies. The 
U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service has identified the 
possible need to amend the existing Mt. Hood National Forest Land and 
Resource Management Plans. The U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of 
Land Management has identified the possible need to amend the existing 
Resource Management Plans of the Salem and Prineville Districts.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have already identified issues that we think deserve attention 
based on our previous experience with similar projects in the region. 
This preliminary list of issues, which is presented below, may be 
revised based on your comments and our continuing analyses specific to 
the Palomar Gas Transmission Project.
     Potential for disturbance to residents along pipeline 
construction route, including noise and aesthetics;

[[Page 62467]]

     Potential for geological hazards, including seismic 
activity, to have impacts on the pipeline;
     Potential impacts of the pipeline on water bodies and 
wetlands, including issues of erosion control;
     Potential impacts of the pipeline on vegetation, including 
the clearing of forested areas;
     Potential impacts of the pipeline on threatened and 
endangered species and wildlife habitat;
     Potential impacts of the pipeline on cultural resources; 
and
     Potential impacts of the pipeline on recreation and scenic 
resources.

Public Participation

    You are encouraged to become involved in this process and provide 
your specific comments or concerns about PGT's proposal. By becoming a 
commentor, your concerns will be addressed in the EIS and considered by 
the Commission. Your comments should focus on the potential 
environmental effects, reasonable alternatives (including alternative 
facility sites and pipeline routes), and measures to avoid or lessen 
environmental impacts. The more specific your comments, the more useful 
they will be. To expedite the FERC Staff's receipt and consideration of 
your comments, electronic submission of comments is strongly 
encouraged. For information on electronically filing comments, please 
see 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 as well as information in 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii). Before you 
can file comments, you will need to create a free account, which can be 
accomplished online by clicking on ``Sign-up'' under ``New User.'' This 
type of submission is considered a ``Comment on Filing.'' Comments 
submitted electronically must be submitted by November 28, 2007.
    If you wish to mail comments, please mail your comments so that 
they will be received in Washington, DC on or before November 28, 2007 
and carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your comments 
are timely and properly recorded:
     Send an original and two copies of your letter to: 
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 
First St., NE., Washington, DC 20426.
     Label one copy of your comments for the attention of OEP/
DG2E/Gas Branch 2, PJ-11.2.
     Reference Docket No. PF07-13-000 on the original and both 
copies.
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before November 28, 2007.
    The public scoping meetings (dates, times, and locations listed 
below) are designed 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 that they believe should be addressed in the EIS. A transcript 
of the meetings will be generated so that your comments can be 
accurately recorded. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m., and are 
scheduled as follows:

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                  Date                               Location
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Monday, November 12, 2007..............  Imperial River Company, 304
                                          Bakeoven Road, Maupin, OR
                                          97037, 541-395-2404.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007.............  Molalla Adult Center, 315
                                          Kennel Street, Molalla, OR
                                          97038, 503-829-4214.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007...........  Patton Middle School, 1175 East
                                          19th Street, McMinnville, OR
                                          97128, 503-565-4503.
Thursday, November 15, 2007............  Pacific University, 2043
                                          College Way, Forest Grove, OR
                                          97116, 503-352-6151.
                                         Meeting will be held in the
                                          Multipurpose Room located on
                                          ground floor of Washburne
                                          Hall. Optimum parking would be
                                          in lot ``D'' off of Cedar
                                          Street and on College Way.
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    Once PGT formally files its application with the Commission, you 
may want to become an ``intervenor,'' which is an official party to the 
proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and are 
able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts if 
they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor 
formally participates in a Commission proceeding by filing a request to 
intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are included in the 
User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web site. 
Please note that you may not request intervenor status at this time. 
You must wait until a formal application is filed with the Commission.

Environmental Mailing List

    Everyone who responds to this notice or provides comments 
throughout the EIS process will be retained on the mailing list. If you 
do not want to send comments at this time but want to stay informed and 
receive copies of the draft and final EISs, you must return the Mailing 
List Retention Form (Appendix 2). If you do not send comments or return 
the Mailing List Retention Form asking to remain on the mailing list, 
you will be taken off the mailing list.

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.'' Click on the eLibrary link, select ``General Search'' and enter 
the project docket number, excluding the last three digits (i.e., PF07-
13) in the ``Docket Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an 
appropriate date range. For assistance with eLibrary, the eLibrary 
helpline can be reached at 1-866-208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or by e-
mail at [email protected]. The eLibrary link on the FERC Web 
site also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by 
the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.
    In addition, 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 http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's 
calendar located at http://www.ferc.gov/

[[Page 62468]]

EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.
    Finally, PGT has established a Web site for this project at http://www.palomargas.com/project.html. The Web site includes a project 
overview, timeline, safety and environmental information, and answers 
to frequently asked questions. You can also request additional 
information by e-mailing PGT directly at [email protected] or by 
writing to: Palomar Gas Transmission, 1400 SW. Fifth Avenue, Suite 900, 
Portland, OR 97201.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-21651 Filed 11-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P