[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 71 (Friday, April 12, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14928-14932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07313]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. CP17-495-000 and CP17-494-000]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed Jordan Cove Energy Project, Correction

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of availability; correction.

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SUMMARY: This document corrects the Notice of Availability of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Jordan Cove Energy 
Project (CP17-495-000 and CP17-494-000) which published in the Federal 
Register on Friday, April 5, 2019. The attachment to the Notice, which 
contained the Forest Service Planning Rule Requirements, was 
inadvertently omitted. This corrects the omission by republishing the 
Notice in its entirety with the attachment.

DATES: Comments are due July 5, 2019.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

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                                                           Docket Nos.
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Jordan Cove Energy Project LP..........................     CP17-495-000
Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline L.P.....................     CP17-494-000
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Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Jordan Cove Energy Project

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) with the participation of the cooperating agencies listed 
below, has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for 
the Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas Project proposed by Jordan Cove 
Energy Project LP (Jordan Cove) and the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline 
Project proposed by Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline L.P. (Pacific 
Connector) (collectively referred to as the Jordan Cove Energy Project 
or Project). Under Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), Jordan Cove 
requests authorization to liquefy at a terminal in Coos Bay, Oregon up 
to 1.04 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day for export for to 
overseas markets. Pacific Connector seeks a Certificate of Public 
Convenience and Necessity under Section 7 of the NGA to construct and 
operate an interstate natural gas transmission pipeline providing about 
1.2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from the Malin hub to the 
Jordan Cove terminal, crossing portions of Klamath, Jackson, Douglas, 
and Coos Counties, Oregon.
    The draft EIS assesses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the Project in accordance with the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). As 
described in the draft EIS, the FERC staff concludes that approval of 
the Project would result in a number of significant environmental 
impacts; however, the majority of impacts would be less than 
significant because of the impact avoidance, minimization, and 
mitigation measures proposed by Jordan Cove and Pacific Connector and 
those recommended by staff in the draft EIS.
    The United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM); U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (Forest 
Service); Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation); U.S. Department of 
Energy; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency; U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. 
Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service; U.S. Department of 
Homeland Security Coast Guard; the Coquille Indian Tribe; and the 
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration within the U.S. 
Department of Transportation

[[Page 14929]]

participated as cooperating agencies in preparation of this EIS. 
Cooperating agencies have jurisdiction by law or special expertise with 
respect to resources potentially affected by the proposal and 
participate in the NEPA analysis. The cooperating agencies provided 
input into the conclusions and recommendations presented in the draft 
EIS. Following issuance of the final EIS, the cooperating agencies will 
issue subsequent decisions, determinations, permits or authorizations 
for the Project in accordance with each individual agency's regulatory 
requirements.
    The BLM, with the concurrence of the Forest Service and 
Reclamation, would adopt and use the EIS to consider issuing a right-
of-way grant for the portion of the Project on federal lands. Other 
cooperating agencies would use this EIS in their regulatory process, 
and to satisfy compliance with NEPA and other related federal 
environmental laws (e.g., the National Historic Preservation Act).
    The BLM and the Forest Service would also use this EIS to evaluate 
proposed amendments to their District or National Forest land 
management plans that would make provision for the Pacific Connector 
pipeline. In order to consider the Pacific Connector right-of-way 
grant, the BLM must amend the affected Resource Management Plans 
(RMPs). The BLM therefore proposes to amend the RMPs to re-allocate all 
lands within the proposed temporary use area and right-of-way to a 
District-Designated Reserve, with management direction to manage the 
lands for the purposes of the Pacific Connector right-of-way. 
Approximately 885 acres would be re-allocated. District-Designated 
Reserve allocations establish specific management for a specific use or 
to protect specific values and resources. In accordance with Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) part 36 CFR 219.16, the Forest Service gives 
notice of its intent to consider amendments of Land and Resource 
Management Plans (LRMP) for the Umpqua, Rogue River and Winema National 
Forests. Proposed amendments of LRMPs include reallocation of matrix 
lands to Late Successional Reserves and site-specific exemptions from 
standards and guidelines and other LRMP requirements to allow 
construction of the Pacific Connector pipeline. Exemptions from 
standards and guidelines include requirements to protect known sites of 
Survey and Manage species, changes in visual quality objectives at 
specific locations, limitations on detrimental soil conditions, removal 
of effective shade at perennial stream crossings and the construction 
of utility corridors in riparian areas. Further information on Forest 
Service LRMP amendments is included below.
    The Commission mailed a copy of the Notice of Availability of the 
draft EIS to federal, state, and local government representatives and 
agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; 
Indian Tribes; potentially affected landowners and other interested 
individuals and groups; and newspapers and libraries in the Project 
area. The draft EIS is only available in electronic format. It may be 
viewed and downloaded from the FERC's website (www.ferc.gov), on the 
Environmental Documents page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/eis.asp). In addition, the draft EIS may be accessed by using 
the eLibrary link on the FERC's website. Click on the eLibrary link 
(https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp), click on General 
Search, and enter the docket number in the ``Docket Number'' field, 
excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP17-494 or CP17-495). 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.
    Any person wishing to comment on the draft EIS may do so. Your 
comments should focus on the draft EIS's disclosure and discussion of 
potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures 
to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. To ensure consideration of 
your comments on the proposal in the final EIS, it is important that 
the Commission receive your comments on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern 
Time on July 5, 2019.
    For your convenience, there are four methods you can use to submit 
your comments to the Commission.\1\ The Commission will provide equal 
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form 
or provided verbally. The Commission encourages electronic filing of 
comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-3676 or 
[email protected]. Please carefully follow these instructions 
so that your comments are properly recorded.
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    \1\ The contents of your comment including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information may 
be made available to the public. While you may request that your 
personal identifying information be withheld from public view, we 
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
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    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment 
feature on the Commission's website (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 Commission's website (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 
(CP17-494-000 and CP17-495-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, 
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, 
Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
    (4) In lieu of sending written or electronic comments, the 
Commission invites you to attend a public comment session that will be 
held in the Project area to receive comments on the draft EIS. The 
dates, locations, and times of these sessions will be provided in a 
supplemental notice.
    Any person seeking to become a party to the proceeding must file a 
motion to intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of 
Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more 
fully described at http://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp. Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing or 
judicial review of the Commission's decision. The Commission grants 
affected landowners and others with environmental concerns intervenor 
status upon showing good cause by stating that they have a clear and 
direct interest in this proceeding which no other party can adequately 
represent. Simply filing environmental comments will not give you 
intervenor status, but you do not need intervenor status to have your 
comments considered. Subsequent decisions, determination, permits, and 
authorization by the cooperating agencies are subject to the 
administrative procedures of each respective agency.

Questions?

    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the 
FERC website (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. The eLibrary link 
also provides access to the texts of all formal

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documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and 
rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission offers a free service called 
eSubscription that 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 www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.

    Dated: March 29, 2019.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.

Forest Service Planning Rule Requirements

Proposed Actions of the Forest Service

    The purpose of and need for the proposed action by the Forest 
Service is to consider amending affected National Forest land and 
resource management plans to make provision for the Pacific Connector 
right-of-way.

Responsible Official for the Forest Service Amendments

    The Forest Supervisor of the Umpqua National Forest is responsible 
for all LRMP amendments. If the Forest Service adopts the FERC EIS for 
the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project, the Forest Supervisor of the 
Umpqua National Forest will decide whether to amend the LRMPs of the 
Umpqua, Rogue River, and Winema National Forests as proposed or as 
described in an alternative.
    Pursuant to Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 
1506.3(c) (40 CFR 1506.3(c)), the Forest Service may adopt and use the 
EIS developed by FERC to consider amendments to the LRMPs that would be 
required for the proposed crossings of the three National Forests 
affected. The Forest Service will prepare a final Record of Decision 
for the plan amendments decisions, after issuance of the FERC final 
EIS.
    The following amendments have been proposed by the Forest Service 
as part of the proposed action in the FERC draft EIS:
Amendment of Forest Service Land Management Plans
    Forest Service-1--Project-Specific Amendment to Exempt Management 
Recommendations for Survey and Manage Species on the Umpqua National 
Forest, Rogue River National Forest, and Winema National Forest LRMPs:
    Applicable National Forest LRMPs would be amended to exempt certain 
known sites within the area of the proposed Pacific Connector right-of-
way grant from the Management Recommendations required by the 2001 
``Record of Decision and Standards and Guidelines for Amendments to the 
Survey and Manage, Protection Buffer, and other Mitigation Measures 
Standards and Guidelines. This is a project-specific plan amendment 
applicable only to the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and would not 
change future management direction for any other project. The amendment 
would provide an exception from these standards for the Pacific 
Connector Project and include specific mitigation measures and project 
design requirements for the project.
Amendment of the Umpqua National Forest LRMP
    UNF-1--Project-Specific Amendment to Allow Removal of Effective 
Shade on Perennial Streams:
    The Umpqua National Forest LRMP would be amended to exempt the 
Standards and Guidelines for Fisheries (Umpqua National Forest LRMP, 
page IV-33, Forest-Wide) to allow the removal of effective shading 
vegetation where perennial streams are crossed by the Pacific Connector 
right-of-way. The amendment would provide an exception from these 
standards for the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and include 
specific mitigation measures and project design requirements for the 
project. This is a project-specific plan amendment applicable only to 
the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and would not change future 
management direction for any other project.
    UNF-2--Project-Specific Amendment to Allow the Pacific Connector 
Pipeline Project in Riparian Areas:
    The Umpqua National Forest LRMP would be amended to change 
prescriptions C2-II (LRMP IV-173) and C2-IV (LRMP IV-177) to allow the 
Pacific Connector pipeline route to run parallel to the East Fork of 
Cow Creek for approximately 0.1 mile. The amendment would provide an 
exception from these standards for the Pacific Connector Pipeline 
Project and include specific mitigation measures and project design 
requirements for the project. This is a project-specific plan amendment 
applicable only to the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and would not 
change future management direction for any other project.
    UNF-3--Project-Specific Amendment to Exempt Limitations on 
Detrimental Soil Conditions within the Pacific Connector Right-of-Way 
in All Management Areas:
    The Umpqua National Forest LRMP would be amended to exempt 
limitations on the area affected by detrimental soil conditions from 
displacement and compaction within the Pacific Connector right-of-way. 
The amendment would provide an exception from these standards for the 
Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and include specific mitigation 
measures and project design requirements for the project. This is a 
project-specific plan amendment applicable only to the Pacific 
Connector Pipeline Project and would not change future management 
direction for any other project.
    UNF-4--Reallocation of Matrix Lands to LSR:
    The Umpqua National Forest LRMP would be amended to change the 
designation of approximately 588 acres from Matrix land allocations to 
the LSR land allocation. This change in land allocation is proposed to 
partially mitigate the potential adverse impact of the Pacific 
Connector Pipeline Project on LSR 223 on the Umpqua National Forest. 
This is a plan level amendment that would change future management 
direction for the lands reallocated from Matrix to LSR.
Amendment of the Rogue River National Forest LRMP
    RRNF-2--Project Specific Amendment of Visual Quality Objectives 
(VQO) on the Big Elk Road:
    The Rogue River National Forest LRMP would be amended to change the 
VQO where the Pacific Connector pipeline route crosses the Big Elk 
Road. The amendment would provide an exception from these standards for 
the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and include specific mitigation 
measures and project design requirements for the project. This is a 
project-specific plan amendment that would apply only to the Pacific 
Connector Pipeline Project in the vicinity of Big Elk Road and would 
not change future management direction for any other project.
    RRNF-3--Project-Specific Amendment of VQO on the Pacific Crest 
Trail:
    The Rogue River National Forest LRMP would be amended to change the 
VQO where the Pacific Connector pipeline route crosses the Pacific 
Crest Trail. The amendment would provide an exception from these 
standards for the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and include 
specific mitigation measures and project design requirements for the 
project. This is a project-specific plan amendment that would apply 
only to the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project in the vicinity of the 
Pacific Crest Trail and

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would not change future management direction for any other project.
    RRNF-4--Project-Specific Amendment of Visual Quality Objectives 
Adjacent to Highway 140:
    The Rogue River National Forest LRMP would be amended to allow 10-
15 years to meet the VQO of Middleground Partial Retention. The 
amendment would provide an exception from these standards for the 
Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and include specific mitigation 
measures and project design requirements for the project. This is a 
project-specific plan amendment that would apply only to the Pacific 
Connector Pipeline Project in Sections 11 and 12, T.37S., R.3E., W.M., 
OR, and would not change future management direction for any other 
project.
    RRNF-5--Project-Specific Amendment to Allow the Pacific Connector 
Pipeline Project in Management Strategy 26, Restricted Riparian Areas:
    The Rogue River National Forest LRMP would be amended to allow the 
Pacific Connector right-of-way to cross the Restricted Riparian land 
allocation. The amendment would provide an exception from these 
standards for the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and include 
specific mitigation measures and project design requirements for the 
project. This is a site-specific amendment applicable only to the 
Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and would not change future 
management direction for any other project.
    RRNF-6--Project-Specific Amendment to Exempt Limitations on 
Detrimental Soil Conditions within the Pacific Connector Right-of-Way 
in All Management Areas:
    The Rogue River National Forest LRMP would be amended to exempt 
limitations on areas affected by detrimental soil conditions from 
displacement and compaction within the Pacific Connector right-of-way 
in all affected Management Strategies. The amendment would provide an 
exception from these standards for the Pacific Connector Pipeline 
Project and include specific mitigation measures and project design 
requirements for the project. This is a project-specific plan amendment 
applicable only to the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and would not 
change future management direction for any other project.
    RRNF-7--Reallocation of Matrix Lands to LSR:
    The Rogue River National Forest LRMP would be amended to change the 
designation of approximately 512 acres from Matrix land allocations to 
the LSR. This is a plan level amendment that would change future 
management direction for the lands reallocated from Matrix to LSR.
Amendment of the Winema National Forest LRMP
    WNF-1--Project -Specific Amendment to Allow Pacific Connector 
Pipeline Project in Management Area 3:
    The Winema National Forest LRMP would be amended to change the 
Standards and Guidelines for Management Area 3 (MA-3). The amendment 
would provide an exception from these standards for the Pacific 
Connector Pipeline Project and include specific mitigation measures and 
project design requirements. This is a project-specific plan amendment 
applicable only to the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and would not 
change future management direction for any other project.
    WNF-2--Project-Specific Amendment of VQO on the Dead Indian 
Memorial Highway:
    The Winema National Forest LRMP would be amended to allow 10-15 
years to achieve the VQO of Foreground Retention where the Pacific 
Connector right-of-way crosses the Dead Indian Memorial Highway. The 
amendment would provide an exception from these standards for the 
Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and include specific mitigation 
measures and project design requirements for the project. This is a 
project-specific plan amendment that would apply only to the Pacific 
Connector Pipeline Project in the vicinity of the Dead Indian Memorial 
Highway and would not change future management direction for any other 
project.
    WNF-3--Project-Specific Amendment of VQO Adjacent to the Clover 
Creek Road:
    The Winema National Forest LRMP would be amended to allow 10-15 
years to meet the VQO for Scenic Management, Foreground Partial 
Retention, where the Pacific Connector right-of-way is adjacent to the 
Clover Creek Road. The amendment would provide an exception from these 
standards for the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and include 
specific mitigation measures and project design requirements for the 
project. This is a project-specific plan amendment that would apply 
only to the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project in the vicinity of 
Clover Creek Road and would not change future management direction for 
any other project.
    WNF-4--Project-Specific Amendment to Exempt Limitations on 
Detrimental Soil Conditions within the Pacific Connector Right-of-Way 
in All Management Areas:
    The Winema National Forest LRMP would be amended to exempt 
restrictions on detrimental soil conditions from displacement and 
compaction within the Pacific Connector right-of-way in all affected 
management areas. The amendment would provide an exception from these 
standards for the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and include 
specific mitigation measures and project design requirements for the 
project. This is a project-specific plan amendment applicable only to 
the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and would not change future 
management direction for any other project.
    WNF-5--Project-Specific Amendment to Exempt Limitations on 
Detrimental Soil Conditions within the Pacific Connector Right-of-Way 
in Management Area 8:
    The Winema National Forest LRMP would be amended to exempt 
restrictions on detrimental soil conditions from displacement and 
compaction within the Pacific Connector right-of-way within the 
Management Area 8, Riparian Area (MA-8). The amendment would provide an 
exception from these standards for the Pacific Connector Pipeline 
Project and include specific mitigation measures and project design 
requirements for the project. This is a project-specific plan amendment 
applicable only to the Pacific Connector Pipeline Project and would not 
change future management direction for any other project.

Comments and Administrative Review of Forest Service Decisions To Amend 
Land Management Plans

    The Forest Service is requesting public comments on proposed 
amendments of the LRMPs that would allow the Pacific Connector Gas 
Pipeline to cross the UNF, RRNF, and WNF. All comments must be 
submitted to the FERC as directed in this notice.
    All comments must be submitted to the FERC, the lead federal 
agency, within the timeframe stated in this Notice of Availability. 
Refer to Docket No. CP17-494-000 in all correspondence to ensure that 
your comments are correctly filed in the record. You may submit your 
comments to the FERC using one of the four methods listed in this 
notice. Only those who submit timely and specific written comments 
during the public comment period are eligible to file an objection with 
the Forest Service.
    The proposed Forest Service plan amendments are being developed in 
accordance with the planning regulations at 36 CFR 219 (2012).

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Decisions by the Forest Service to approve ``plan level'' amendments to 
Land Management Plans (proposed amendments UNF-4 and RRNF-7 in this 
Notice) are subject to the Pre-Decisional Administrative Review Process 
Regulations at 36 CFR 219 subpart B. The term ``plan level'' refers to 
plan amendments that would apply to future management actions.
    Decisions by the Forest Service to approve ``project-specific'' 
plan amendments (proposed amendments UNF-1 thru 3, RRNF-2 thru 6, and 
WNF-1 thru 5 in this Notice) are subject to the Administrative Review 
Process of 36 CFR 218 subpart A and B, in accordance with 36 CFR 
219.59(b). The term ``project specific'' refers to amendments that 
would only apply to the proposed project and would not apply to any 
future management actions. Refer to the applicable administrative 
review regulations for eligibility requirements.
    The Forest Service concurrence to BLM to issue a right-of-way grant 
would not be a decision subject to NEPA and, therefore, would not be 
subject to the Forest Service administrative review procedures.

[FR Doc. 2019-07313 Filed 4-11-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P