[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 185 (Monday, September 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 48358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20641]



[[Page 48358]]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 10556]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline Mainline 
Alternative Route in Nebraska; Public Meeting Announcement

ACTION: Notice; solicitation of comments.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of State (Department) announces the 
availability for public review and comment of the Draft Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (Draft SEIS) for the Proposed Keystone 
XL Pipeline Mainline Alternative Route (MAR) in Nebraska. The Draft 
SEIS--consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 
1969--analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the Keystone XL 
MAR. In connection with the publication of the Draft SEIS, the 
Department will hold a public meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska on Tuesday, 
October 9.

DATES: The Department invites members of the public, government 
agencies, tribal governments, and all other interested parties to 
comment on the Draft SEIS for the Proposed Keystone XL MAR during the 
45-day public comment period which ends on November 8, 2018. Comments 
provided by agencies and organizations should list a designated contact 
person. All comments received during the public comment period may be 
publicized. Comments will be neither private nor edited to remove 
either identifying or contact information. Commenters should omit 
information that they do not want disclosed. Any party who will either 
solicit or aggregate other people's comments should convey this 
cautionary message.
    The Department will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, October 9, 
2018, at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel, 333 South 13th Street, 
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CDT. Further 
information about the meeting will be available at https://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov.

ADDRESSES: Persons with access to the internet may comment on this 
notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the document 
by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2018-0045'' in the Search field. Then 
click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment form.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marko Velikonja, Keystone XL Program 
Manager, Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary Issues, U.S. 
Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Room 2726, Washington, DC 20520. 
(202) 647-4828, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 26, 2017, TransCanada Keystone 
Pipeline, L.P. (TransCanada) resubmitted its 2012 Presidential permit 
application for the border facilities for the proposed Keystone XL 
pipeline. The Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs determined 
that issuance of a Presidential permit to TransCanada to construct, 
connect, operate, and maintain pipeline facilities at the northern 
border of the United States to transport crude oil from Canada to the 
United States would serve the national interest. Accordingly, on March 
23, 2017, the Under Secretary issued a Presidential permit to 
TransCanada for the Keystone XL Pipeline border facilities. 
Subsequently, on November 20, 2017, the Nebraska Public Service 
Commission approved the Mainline Alternative Route for that pipeline in 
the State of Nebraska. TransCanada's application to the Bureau of Land 
Management for a right-of-way remains pending with that agency.
    On May 25, 2018, the Department issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Keystone XL 
Pipeline Mainline Alternative Route in Nebraska (83 FR 24383), which 
provided for a 30-day public scoping period. On July 30, 2018, the 
Department issued a Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental 
Assessment for the Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline Mainline Alternative 
Route in Nebraska (83 FR 36659), which provided for a 30-day public 
comment period. On September 17, 2018, the Department issued a Notice 
of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline Mainline Alternative Route in 
Nebraska (83 FR 46989). The Department will consider comments received 
during the Draft Environmental Assessment comment period in the Final 
SEIS document.
    Availability of the Draft SEIS: Copies of the Draft SEIS have been 
distributed to state and governmental agencies, tribal governments, and 
other interested parties. Printed copies of the document may be 
obtained by visiting the libraries below or by contacting Marko 
Velikonja at the above address. The Draft SEIS is available at https://keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov, and at the following libraries:
    Clarkson Memorial Library, 318 Pine Street, Clarkson, NE 68629.
    Columbus Public Library, 2504 14th Street, Columbus, NE 68601.
    Crete Public Library, 305 East 13th Street, Crete, NE 68333.
    David City Public Library, 399 N 5th Street, David City, NE 68632.
    Fairbury Public Library, 601 7th Street, Fairbury, NE 68352.
    Neligh Public Library, 710 M Street, Neligh, NE 68756.
    Norfolk Public Library, 308 West Prospect Avenue, Norfolk, NE 
68701.
    Seward Memorial Library, 233 South 5th Street, Seward, NE 68434.
    Stanton Public Library, 1009 Jackpine Street, Stanton, NE 68779.

Brian P. Doherty,
Director, Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary Issues, 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2018-20641 Filed 9-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-09-P