[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 172 (Thursday, September 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51634-51636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20503]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF08-25-000]


Colorado Interstate Gas Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Raton 2010 Expansion Project, 
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public 
Scoping Meetings

August 27, 2008.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
identify and address the environmental impacts that could result from 
the construction and operation of the Raton 2010 Expansion Project 
proposed by Colorado Interstate Gas Company (CIG). The EA will be used 
by the Commission in its decisionmaking process to determine whether 
the project is in the public convenience and necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the 
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested 
agencies on the project. Your input will help determine which issues 
need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note that the scoping period for 
this Notice will close on September 26, 2008. This is not your only 
opportunity to provide comments. Details on how to submit comments are 
provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.
    Comments may be submitted in written form or verbally. In lieu of, 
or in addition to, sending written comments, you are invited to attend 
our public scoping meetings that have been scheduled in the project 
area. Three public scoping meetings are scheduled to be held at 7 p.m. 
on September 8, 2008 (MST) at the Huerfano County Community Center in 
Walsenburg, Colorado, 7 p.m. on September 9, 2008 at the McHarg Park 
Community Center in Avondale, Colorado, and at 7 p.m. on September 10, 
2008 at the Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Colorado. 
Additional details of the public scoping meetings are provided in the 
public participation section of this notice.
    This notice is being sent to affected landowners; federal, state, 
and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and 
public interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested 
parties; and local libraries and newspapers; all of which are 
encouraged to submit comments on the proposed project.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by a CIG representative about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed project facilities. The 
pipeline company 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). This fact 
sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the 
use of eminent domain and how to participate in the FERC's proceedings.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    CIG proposes to construct the 118 miles of 16-inch diameter 
pipeline in Las Animas, Huerfano, Pueblo, and El Paso Counties, 
Colorado in two segments. Certain aboveground facilities are also 
proposed, i.e. meter stations. More specifically, CIG proposed the 
following project components:
     Spanish Peaks Lateral Line 247A--a 27-mile 16-inch 
diameter pipeline from the existing Line 222A in Las Animas County, 
Colorado to the intersection of existing Line 27A near the town of 
Aguilar in Las Animas County, Colorado;
     Aguilar Lateral Line 248A--a 91-mile 16-diameter pipeline 
from the existing Line 27A near the town of Aguilar, Colorado northerly 
through Huerfano and Pueblo Counties, Colorado to the intersection of 
existing Line 212A in El Paso County, Colorado; and
     One new Kennedy Meter Station in Las Animas County, 
Colorado, and modify the existing West Canyon Meter Station in Las 
Animas County, Colorado and the existing Bowie Meter Station in Weld 
County, Colorado.
    The Project would increase firm capacity into CIG's system by 
130,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d). CIG plans to file an application by 
January of 2009.
    A map depicting CIG's proposed facilities is attached to this 
notice as Appendix 1.\1\
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    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available from the 
Commission's Web site at the eLibrary link or from the Commission's 
Public Reference Room or by calling (202) 502-8371. For instructions 
on connecting to eLibrary refer to the public participation section 
of this notice. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to 
the ``Additional Information'' section at the end of this notice. 
Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this 
notice in the mail. Requests for detailed maps of the proposed 
facilities should be made directly to CIG.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    As proposed, the typical construction right-of-way for the project 
laterals would be 100-feet-wide for the Spanish Peaks Lateral and 85-
feet-wide for the Aguilar Lateral. Following construction, CIG has 
proposed to retain a 50-foot-wide permanent right-of-way for operation 
of the project.
    Based on preliminary information, construction and operation of the 
proposed lateral and associated aboveground facilities would affect 
about 1,301 acres of land. Following construction, about 715 acres 
would be maintained as permanent right-of-way, and about 1.3 acres of 
land would be maintained as new aboveground facility sites. The 
remaining temporary workspace would be restored and allowed to revert 
to its former use.

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the 
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could 
result from the approval of an interstate natural gas pipeline. By this 
notice, we \2\ are also 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 EA.
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    \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
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    Although no formal application has been filed, the FERC staff has 
already initiated its NEPA review under the Commission's Pre-filing 
Process. The purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to encourage the 
early involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and 
resolve issues before an application is filed with the FERC.
    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

[[Page 51635]]

environmental issues. We will work with all interested stakeholders to 
identify and attempt to address issues before CIG files its application 
with the FERC. A diagram depicting the environmental review process for 
the proposed project is attached to this notice as Appendix 2.
    NEPA also requires the FERC 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 environmental issues. By this notice, we are 
requesting public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the 
EA. All comments received will be considered during the preparation of 
the EA. As part of the Pre-filing Process review, CIG sponsored public 
open houses in the project area to explain the environmental review 
process to interested stakeholders and take comments about the project.
    In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of 
the construction and operation of the proposed project under these 
general headings:
     Geology and Soils;
     Water Resources;
     Wetlands and Vegetation;
     Fish, Wildlife, Threatened and Endangered Species;
     Land Use, Recreation, and Visual Resources;
     Air Quality and Noise;
     Cultural Resources;
     Reliability and Safety; and
     Cumulative environmental impacts.
    In the EA, 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 in the EA. The EA 
will 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 30-day comment period will be allotted for review of 
the EA. We will consider all comments on the EA 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 notice.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the proposed project. By becoming a 
commentor, your concerns will be addressed in the EA 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 impact. The more specific your comments, the more useful 
they will be. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly 
recorded, please send in your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before September 26, 2008.
    For your convenience, there are three methods in which you can use 
to submit your comments to the Commission. In all instances please 
reference the project docket number (Docket No. PF08-25-000) with your 
submission. The docket number can be found on the front of this notice. 
The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has 
dedicated eFiling expert staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258 
or [email protected].
    1. You may file your comments electronically by using the Quick 
Comment feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site 
at http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. A Quick 
Comment is an easy method for interested persons to submit text-only 
comments on a project;
    2. You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site at 
http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. eFiling 
involves preparing your submission in the same manner as you would if 
filing on paper, and then saving the file on your computer's hard 
drive. You will attach that file as your submission. New eFiling users 
must first create an account by clicking on ``Sign up'' or 
``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you are 
making. A comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment on 
a Filing;'' or
    3. You may file your comments via mail to the Commission by sending 
an original and two copies of your letter to: Kimberly D. Bose, 
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., 
Room 1A,Washington, DC 20426;
     Label one copy of your comments for the attention of OEP/
DG2E/Gas Branch 2, PJ-11.2
     Reference Docket No. PF08-25-000 on the original and both 
copies.
    The three public scoping meetings are scheduled at the locations 
described below:

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                              Date and time                                              Location
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September 8, 2008, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m......................................  Huerfano County Community Center, 928
                                                                           Russell Ave., Walsenburg, CO 81089,
                                                                           719-738-1910.
September 9, 2008, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m......................................  McHarg Park Community Center, 405 2nd
                                                                           Street, Avondale, CO 81022, 719-583-
                                                                           2002.
September 10, 2008, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.....................................  Trinidad State Junior College, Berg
                                                                           Building Room 217, 600 Prospect
                                                                           Street, Trinidad, CO 81082, 719-846-
                                                                           5533.
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Environmental Mailing List

    If you received this notice, you are on the environmental mailing 
list for this project. If you do not want to send comments at this 
time, but still want to remain on our mailing list, please return the 
Information Request (Appendix 3). We may mail the EA for comment. If 
you are interested in receiving it, please return the Information 
Request. If you do not return the Information Request, you will be 
removed from the Commission's environmental mailing list.

Additional Information

    Once CIG formally files its application with the Commission, you 
may want to become an official party to the proceeding known as an 
``intervenor.'' 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.
    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs,

[[Page 51636]]

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.
    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.
    Finally, CIG has established a Web site for this project at http://www.elpaso.com/ratonexpansion/default.shtm. The Web site includes a 
project overview, newsletters, and answers to frequently asked 
questions. CIG has also established a single point of contact, Mr. 
David R. Anderson, for additional questions or information at 1-877-
598-5263 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-20503 Filed 9-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P