[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 4 (Friday, January 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1685-1687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00008]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of Availability of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project and 
Supply Header Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the 
Forest Service Draft of Associated Land and Resource Management Plan 
Amendments

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), as amended; the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976, as amended; and the National Forest Management Act of 1976 
(NFMA), as amended; the Forest Service (FS), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Great Dismal Swamp, West Virginia 
Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), and West Virginia Department of 
Environmental Protection (WVDEP) have participated as cooperating 
agencies with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the 
preparation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and Supply Header 
Project (SHP) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Draft EIS 
addresses: (1) The impacts of these projects, (2) the associated draft 
amendments to the Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMPs) for the 
Monongahela National Forest (MNF) and George Washington National Forest 
(GWNF), and (3) the proposal for authorization from the Forest Service 
to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission a natural 
gas transmission pipeline that crosses National Forest System (NFS) 
lands. With this agency-specific Notice of Availability, the FS is 
announcing the opening of the FERC comment period. Comments submitted 
to the FERC concerning FS actions need to be timely and specific, 
showing a direct

[[Page 1686]]

relationship to the proposal and include supporting reasons.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the FERC must 
receive written comments on the ACP and Supply Header Project Draft EIS 
within 90 days following the date of publication of the FERC Notice of 
Availability (NOA) for the draft EIS in the Federal Register. The 
FERC's NOA also lists public meetings where interested groups and 
individuals can attend and present oral comments on the draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the ACP and Supply Header 
Project Draft EIS, including any comments related to the FS 
consideration of the authorization of ACP to cross NFS lands and/or the 
FS consideration of LRMP amendments, to the FERC by any of the four 
methods listed below. The FERC encourages electronic filing of comments 
and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or 
[email protected]. Please carefully follow these instructions so that 
your comments are properly recorded.
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment 
feature on the FERC's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to 
Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for submitting brief, 
text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature on the FERC's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to 
Documents and Filings. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a 
variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission. 
New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on 
``eRegister.'' If you are filing a comment on a particular project, 
please select ``Comment on a Filing'' as the filing type; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket numbers 
(CP15-554-000 and CP15-554-001 for ACP) with your submission: Nathaniel 
J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
    (4) In lieu of sending written or electronic comments, you can 
submit oral comments at any of the FERC-sponsored public sessions that 
are scheduled in the FERC Notice of Availability for the draft EIS.
    Your comments must reference the FERC Docket number for the 
Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Supply Header Project, L.P., Docket Nos. 
CP15-554-000 and CP15-554-001 (ACP), to be correctly attributed to this 
specific project. Copies of the ACP and Supply Header Project Draft EIS 
are available for inspection in the offices of the Forest Supervisor 
for the Monongahela National Forest and the Forest Supervisor for the 
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information about the 
projects is available from the FERC's Office of External Affairs at 
866-208-FERC (3372), or on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). On the 
FERC's Web site, go to ``Documents & Filings,'' click on the 
``eLibrary'' link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket 
number CP15-554. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. 
For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
[email protected], or toll free at 866-208-3676, or for TTY, 
contact 202-502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the 
texts of formal documents issues by the FERC such as orders, notices, 
and rulemakings.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This NOA is specific to the FS and provides 
notice that the agency has participated as a cooperating agency with 
FERC in the preparation of the ACP and Supply Header Project Draft EIS. 
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline route would cross about 21 miles of lands 
managed by the FS. More specifically, the pipeline route would cross 
5.1 miles of lands managed by the Monongahela National Forest, in 
Pocahontas County, West Virginia and 15.9 miles of lands managed by the 
George Washington National Forest, in Highland, Bath, and Augusta 
counties, Virginia. The Supply Header Project would not affect the 
Monongahela or George Washington National Forests.
    The FERC is the NEPA Lead Federal Agency for the environmental 
analysis of the construction and operation of the proposed ACP and 
Supply Header Project. The FS is the federal agency responsible for 
authorizing this use and issuing special use permits for natural gas 
pipelines across NFS lands under its jurisdiction.
    Before issuing a Special Use permit (SUP) to construct, operate, 
maintain, and eventually decommission a natural gas transmission 
pipeline that crosses NFS lands, the FS would include any specific 
stipulations applicable to lands, facilities, water bodies, and 
easements for inclusion in the SUP.
    In order for the potential actions to be consistent with the 
respective LRMPs (36 CFR 219.15), the FS would need to make several 
amendments to the LRMPs before the FS could authorize the use and issue 
a SUP.
    The FERC's draft EIS includes the consideration of a FS 
authorization across NFS lands and the associated FS LRMP amendments. 
The FS intends to adopt FERC's EIS for agency decisions if the analysis 
provides sufficient evidence to support the agency's decisions and the 
agency is satisfied that agency comments and suggestions have been 
addressed.
    ``Project-specific plan amendments'' would be needed to deviate 
from the existing forest plan standards for the construction and 
operation of the ACP. These amendments are considered project-specific 
amendments because they would not change FS requirements for other 
projects or authorize any other actions. Additionally, if the proposed 
route was authorized and a SUP issued, the GWNF LRMP would need to be 
amended to change the current management prescriptions in the 
pipeline's operational corridor to Management Prescription Area (Rx) 
5C-Designated Utility Corridors. The MNF does not have LRMP direction 
that would require a similar plan amendment to reallocate management 
prescriptions. This amendment is considered a ``plan-level'' amendment 
and would change future management direction for the lands reallocated 
to the new management prescription. The FS has also identified 
potential amendments that may be required, pending survey information 
and analyses that are not currently available.
    The following amendments have been proposed by the FS as part of 
the proposed action in the FERC draft EIS:

Monongahela National Forest

    The type of amendment applicable to the MNF would be a project-
specific amendment. This amendment would not change FS requirements for 
other projects or authorize any other actions.
    Potential Amendment 1: The MNF LRMP may need to be amended to allow 
construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to temporarily exceed 
standards identified under management direction for soils and water, 
specifically forest wide standards SW06 and SW07, provided that design 
criteria, mitigation measures, project requirements and/or monitoring 
activities agreed upon by the Forest Service are implemented as needed 
to achieve adequate slope and soil stability.
    Other potential amendments may be needed pending the outcome of 
ongoing analyses and development of project design and mitigation.

[[Page 1687]]

George Washington National Forest

    The first type of LRMP amendment applicable to the GWNF would be a 
plan-level amendment that would change land allocations. This would 
change future management direction for the lands reallocated to the new 
management prescription (Rx) and is required by LRMP Standards FW-243 
and FW-244.
    Proposed Amendment 1: The LRMP would be amended to reallocate 102.3 
acres to the Management Prescription 5C-Designated Utility Corridors 
from these Rxs: 7E1-Dispersed Recreation Areas (7 acres), and 13-
Mosaics of Habitat (95 acres). Management Prescription 11-Riparian 
Corridors would remain embedded within the new Rx 5C area.
    Rx 5C-Designated Utility Corridors contain special uses which serve 
a public benefit by providing a reliable supply of electricity, natural 
gas, or water essential to local, regional, and national economies. The 
new Rx 5C land allocation would be 53.5 feet wide, the width of the 
final operational right-of-way. The area would not cross into the Rx 
4A-Appalachian National Scenic Area but would stop and start at the 
existing Rx 4A boundary. The applicable area within Rx4A would continue 
to be managed for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
    The second type of amendment applicable to the GWNF would be a 
project-specific amendment that would apply only to the construction 
and operation of this pipeline. The following standards would require a 
temporary waiver to allow the project to proceed. These amendments 
would not change LRMP requirements for other projects or authorize any 
other actions.
    Proposed Amendment 2: The LRMP would be amended to allow 
construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to exceed restrictions on 
soil conditions and riparian corridor conditions as described in LRMP 
Standards FW-5, FW-15, FW-16, FW-17 and 11-019, provided that 
mitigation measures or project requirements agreed upon by the Forest 
Service are implemented as needed.
    Proposed Amendment 3: The LRMP would be amended to allow the 
Atlantic Coast Pipeline to cross the Appalachian National Scenic Trail 
in Augusta County, Virginia. (reference LRMP Standard 4A-025)
    Potential Amendment 4: The LRMP may need to be amended to allow 
removal of old growth trees within the construction corridor of the 
Atlantic Coast Pipeline. (reference LRMP Standard FW-85)
    Potential Amendment 5: The LRMP may need to be amended to allow 
major reconstruction of a National Forest System Road within Rx 2C3 
area to provide access for pipeline construction. This is contingent on 
the final location of access roads. (reference LRMP Standard 2C3-015)
    Potential Amendment 6: The LRMP may need to be amended to allow the 
ACP to not immediately meet Scenic Integrity Objectives; however, 
mitigation measures, including vegetation management and restoration 
actions, are expected to improve quality over an extended timeframe. 
(reference LRMP Standard FW-182)
    The FS will prepare separate Records of Decisions for the 
authorization decision and for the plan amendments decisions, after 
issuance of the FERC final EIS. The FS decision to authorize ACP will 
be subject to FS predecisional administrative review procedures 
established in 36 CFR 218. The MNF Potential Amendment 1, GWNF Proposed 
Amendments 2 and 3 and Potential Amendments 4, 5 and 6 were developed 
in accordance to 36 CFR 219 (2012) regulations but will be subject to 
the administrative review procedures under 36 CFR 218 regulations 
Subparts A and B, per 36 CFR 219.59(b). GWNF Proposed Amendment 1 was 
developed in accordance to 36 CFR 219 (2012 version) regulations and 
will be subject to the administrative review procedures under 36 CFR 
219 Subpart B. Refer to the applicable administrative review 
regulations for eligibility.
    The FS is requesting public comments on the authorization of ACP on 
NFS lands and the draft proposed and potential amendments of the LRMPs 
that would allow ACP to cross the MNF and GWNF. All comments must be 
submitted to the FERC, the Lead Federal Agency, within 90 days 
following the date of publication of the FERC Notice of Availability 
for their draft EIS in the Federal Register. Refer to Dockets CP15-554-
000 and CP15-544-001 (ACP) in all correspondence to ensure that your 
comments are correctly filed in the record. You may submit comments to 
the FERC using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section 
above. Only those who submit timely and specific written comments 
regarding the proposed project during a public comment period are 
eligible to file an objection with the FS. Before including your 
address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying 
information in your comments, you should be aware that the entire text 
of your comments--including your personal identifying information--
would be publicly available through the FERC eLibrary system if you 
file your comments with the Secretary of the FERC.

Responsible Officials for Fs Authorization of Use To Issue a Special 
Use Permit: The Regional Forester Eastern Region for NFS lands on the 
Monongahela National Forest and the Regional Forester Southern Region 
for NFS lands on the George Washington National Forest are the 
Responsible Officials.

Responsible Officials for Fs LRMP Amendments: The Forest Supervisor for 
the Monongahela National Forest is the Responsible Official for the 
LRMP Amendment on the Monongahela National Forest.
    The Forest Supervisor for the George Washington and Jefferson 
National Forests is the Responsible Official for the LRMP Amendments on 
the George Washington National Forest.

Lead Responsible Official for Coordinating Between Regions and Forests 
for the Project: The Forest Supervisor for the Monongahela National 
Forest.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.

    Dated: December 29, 2016.
Clyde Thompson,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2017-00008 Filed 1-5-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P