[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67346-67347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23678]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP16-456-000]


Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the Shidler Line Abandonment Project

    On May 6, 2016, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. (Southern 
Star) filed an application in Docket No. CP16-456-000 requesting 
authorization pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to 
abandon certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project 
is known as the Shidler Line Abandonment Project (Project), and would 
abandon about 31.2 miles of 16-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline and 
remove certain pipeline and aboveground facilities in Osage County, 
Oklahoma.
    On May 19, 2016, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. 
Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal 
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and 
to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization 
within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project. This instant notice 
identifies the FERC staff's planned schedule for the completion of the 
EA for the Project.

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--October 28, 2016
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--January 26, 2017

    If a schedule change becomes necessary, an additional notice will 
be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Project's progress.

Project Description

    Southern Star proposes to abandon about 31.2 miles of 16-inch-
diameter pipeline and appurtenant facilities of the Shidler Line (also 
referred to as ``Line ME'' or the ``Blackwell--Cotton Valley Line''), 
in Osage County, Oklahoma. The abandonment will require cutting and 
capping of the pipeline just east of the Shidler Town Border and 
slightly west of the Bowring Meter Station. The pipeline would be cut, 
capped, and abandoned in place by filling the pipe with grout at two 
improved road crossings. All associated aboveground facilities would be 
removed, including two mainline valve settings, three domestic taps, 
four rectifiers, 14 cathodic protection test stations, and the pipeline 
markers. The remainder of pipeline facilities would be abandoned in 
place.

Background

    On June 9, 2016, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Shidler Line 
Abandonment Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues 
(NOI). The NOI was 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. In response to the NOI, the Commission 
received comment letters from the Oklahoma Archeological Survey, the 
Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, the Oklahoma Department of 
Wildlife Conservation, and the Osage Nation. The letters provided 
occurrence records

[[Page 67347]]

for listed species, and requested cultural resources surveys and tribal 
consultations.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to 
keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 
the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. 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 
www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC or on the 
FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). Using the ``eLibrary'' link, select 
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date 
range and ``Docket Number'' excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP16-456), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to 
eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-
8659, or by email 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.

    Dated: September 26, 2016.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-23678 Filed 9-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P