[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 83 (Tuesday, April 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23301-23302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9366]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6201]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment for 
the Proposed Frontera Juarez Pipeline Project

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment 
(EA) for the Proposed Frontera Juarez Pipeline Project.

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    A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Proposed Frontera 
Juarez Pipeline Project has been prepared by P.M.I. Services North 
America (``PMI'') in support of its application to the Department for a 
Presidential permit. On January 18, 2008, The Department of State 
received an application from PMI for a Presidential permit, pursuant to 
Executive Order 13337 of April 30, 2004, as amended, to construct, 
connect, operate, and maintain facilities at the border for a 10.75-
inch diameter liquid hydrocarbon (gasoline and diesel) pipeline at the 
U.S.-Mexico border near San Elizario, Texas, for the purpose of 
transporting gasoline and diesel between the United States and Mexico. 
PMI has stated that it seeks this authorization in connection with its 
Frontera Juarez Pipeline Project (``Frontera''), which is designed to 
transport gasoline and diesel from the Longhorn Partners Pipeline 
Terminal in El Paso County, Texas, to the U.S.-Mexico border near San 
Elizario, Texas.
    The Secretary of State is designated and empowered to receive all 
applications for Presidential permits, as referred to in Executive 
Order 13337, as amended, for the construction, connection, operation, 
or maintenance, at the borders of the United States, of facilities for 
the exportation or importation of petroleum, petroleum products, coal, 
or other fuels to or from a foreign country.
    On March 26, 2008, the Department of State published in the Federal 
Register a Notice of Receipt of the PMI application and of intent to 
prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA), soliciting public comments on 
the application. In accordance with section 102(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4332(C)) and 
implementing regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental 
Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) and the Department of State (22 CFR 
part 161), including in particular 22 CFR 161.7(c)(1), a draft 
environmental assessment (EA) was prepared by PMI to determine if there 
are any potential significant impacts, to address alternatives to the 
proposed action, and to determine possible impacts to traditional or 
cultural properties under section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act. In light of public comments submitted on the 
application, PMI has now revised its draft EA and made it available for 
further review.
    The purpose of this Notice of Availability is to invite public 
comment on the draft EA prepared by PMI. Any person wishing to comment 
on the draft EA may do so. To ensure consideration of comments prior to 
a Department of State decision on the application, it is important that 
we receive your comments by no later than 30 days from publication of 
notice. Options for submitting comments on the draft EA are as follows:
     By mail to: Elizabeth Orlando, OES/ENV Room 2657, U.S. 
Department of State, Washington, DC 20520. Please note that Department 
of State mail can be delayed due to security screening.
     Fax to: (202) 647-1052, attention Elizabeth Orlando.
     E-mail to: [email protected].
    In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, the 
Department of State invites you to attend a public meeting in the 
project area to submit comments on the draft EA. A court reporter will 
be present and will accept comments for the record. The date and 
location for the public meeting is: May 7, 2008; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
(local time). At the Lower Valley Water District, 1557 FM Road 1110, 
Clint, Texas 79836. (Signs will be posted at address).
    After comments are reviewed, significant new issues (if any) are 
investigated, and modifications (if any) are made to the draft EA, a 
final EA will

[[Page 23302]]

be made available by the Department of State, along with the 
Department's determination whether a Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) is appropriate in this case or whether an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) must be prepared. The final EA will contain the 
Department's response to timely comments received on the draft EA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, to receive a 
CD-ROM copy of the draft EA, or to comment on the proposed project 
contact Elizabeth Orlando, OES/ENV Room 2657, U.S. Department of State, 
Washington, DC 20520, telephone 202-647-4284, facsimile 202-647-1052, 
e-mail [email protected].

    Issued in Washington, DC on April 22, 2008.
Stephen J. Gallogly,
Director, International Energy and Commodity Policy, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. E8-9366 Filed 4-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P