[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64315-64317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25269]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

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


Jordan Cove Energy Project LP; Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline 
L.P.; Notice of Availability of the Final 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 final environmental impact statement (EIS) for 
the Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas Project proposed by Jordan Cove 
Energy Project L.P. (Jordan Cove) and the Pacific Connector Gas 
Pipeline Project proposed by Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, LP 
(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 construct and operate a liquified 
natural gas terminal in Coos Bay, Oregon, capable of liquefying up to 
1.04 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day for export to overseas 
markets. Pacific Connector seeks a Certificate of Public Convenience 
and Necessity under Section 7 of the NGA to construct and operate a 
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 final 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 final 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 EIS.
    The United States (U.S.) Department of the Interior Bureau of Land 
Management, (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), and Fish and 
Wildlife Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (Forest 
Service); U.S. Department of Energy; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Department of Commerce National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries 
Service; U.S. Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard; the Coquille 
Indian Tribe; and the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 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 analyses, 
conclusions, and recommendations presented in the 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

[[Page 64316]]

protect specific values and resources. In accordance with Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) part 36 Sec.  219--Planning, the Forest 
Service is considering 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 15 
standards to allow construction of the Pacific Connector pipeline. 
Exemptions from standards 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.
    The Commission mailed a copy of the Notice of Availability of the 
final 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 final EIS is available in hard copy at libraries in the area 
of the Project and 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 final 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.

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 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.as

    Dated: November 15, 2019.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.

Supplemental Information Regarding Procedures of the BLM and the Forest 
Service

Forest Service's Proposed Action

    The Forest Service's purpose and need for the proposed action is 
to consider and disclose the environmental consequences of 
construction and operation of the Pacific Connector pipeline on NFS 
lands and to evaluate proposed LRMP amendments. The Forest Service 
has determined that the linear nature of the Pacific Connector 
Pipeline Project would not be consistent with certain requirements 
of the LRMPs of the Umpqua, Rogue River, and Winema National 
Forests. To address these inconsistencies, the Forest Service 
proposes to amend the LRMPs of the respective National Forests to 
make provision for the Project. The Forest Service will use this EIS 
to assess substantive requirements of the planning rule that are 
likely to be directly related to the amendment. The Forest Service 
is also using this EIS process to identify specific stipulations 
(including project design features and mitigation measures) related 
to resources within their jurisdiction for inclusion in the right-
of-way Grant when considering issuing its concurrence, pursuant to 
the Mineral Leasing Act.

Forest Service's Draft Record of Decision and Objection Procedures

    The Pacific Connector pipeline may be implemented across 
National Forest System (NFS) land if the BLM grants the right-of-way 
for the Pacific Connector pipeline to cross the Umpqua, Rogue River, 
and Winema National Forests and the Forest Service amends the 
respective National Forest LRMPs (Forest Plans). The Forest 
Supervisor of the Umpqua National Forest, as responsible official 
for the LRMP amendments, adopts the environmental analysis conducted 
by FERC (in accordance with 40 CFR 1506.3(a) and (c)) to support the 
decision to amend the Umpqua, Rogue River, and Winema National 
Forests LRMPs. She has determined that three parts of the Forest 
Plans, where 15 standards and two plan-level land allocation 
adjustments would be modified by a Forest Plan amendment (section 
4.7 of the final EIS), meet the substantive requirements of the 
Forest Service planning regulations (36 CFR part 219); and can be 
implemented without impairing the long-term productivity of NFS 
lands. With the amended LRMPs, the Pacific Connector pipeline would 
be consistent with the Forest Plans. The draft decision is based on 
a review of the environmental analysis disclosed in the final EIS, 
the project record, Pacific Connector's proposed Plan of 
Development, comments from the public, partners, and other agencies, 
and a consideration of the 36 CFR part 219 requirements for amending 
a Forest Plan.
    Decisions by the Forest Service to approve ``plan level'' 
amendments to Land Management Plans (proposed amendments UNF-4 and 
RRNF-7) 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. Refer to the applicable administrative review regulations 
for eligibility requirements. Objections to the Forest Service 
decision must be filed within 60 calendar days from the publication 
date of the legal notice of the opportunity to object in the 
newspapers of record for the Umpqua, Rogue River, and Umpqua 
National Forests (News-Review, Mail Tribune, Herald and News, 
respectively).
    Decisions by the Forest Service to approve ``project-specific'' 
plan amendments (proposed amendments FS-1, UNF-1, UNF-3, RRNF-2 thru 
RRNF-6, and WNF-1 thru WNF-5) 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. 
Refer to the applicable administrative review regulations for 
eligibility requirements. Objections to the Forest Service decision 
must be filed within 45 calendar days from the publication date of 
the legal notice of the opportunity to object in the in the 
newspapers of record for the Umpqua, Rogue River, and Umpqua 
National Forests (News-Review, Mail Tribune, Herald and News, 
respectively).
    The legal notices contain the details of the objection process. 
The Forest Service must respond to all objections received before it 
makes a final decision on the proposed Forest Plan amendments. The 
final decision on the Forest Plan amendments and the final EIS 
analysis will inform the Forest Service concurrence to the BLM for 
its Right-of-Way Grant.
    A copy of the Forest Service draft Record of Decision (ROD) and 
of the legal notice for objections can be obtained by any of the 
following methods:
     FERC's eLibrary;
     Internet website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=28132;
     email: [email protected];
     or regular mail: David Krantz, Project Manager, Rogue 
River-Siskiyou National Forest, 3040 Biddle Rd., Medford, OR 97504; 
telephone 541-618-2082.

BLM Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendments and Protest Procedures

    BLM planning regulations state that any person who participated 
in the planning process and has an interest which is or may be 
adversely affected may protest the BLM's Proposed Resource 
Management Plan Amendments. A person who meets the conditions and 
files a protest must file the protest within 30 days of the date 
that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of 
Availability in the Federal Register.
    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as

[[Page 64317]]

amended, the BLM has actively participated as a Cooperating Agency 
in the preparation of the Jordan Cove Energy Project Final EIS. This 
final EIS includes the BLM Proposed Plan Amendments to the Northwest 
and Coastal Oregon Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan 
(2016) and the Southwestern Oregon Record of Decision and Resource 
Management Plan (2016) and Proposed right-of-way Actions, in 
response to an Application for right-of-way submitted by Pacific 
Connector Gas Pipeline, LP.
    In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976, as amended, the BLM Proposed Plan Amendments are subject to 
administrative protest. The Proposed Plan Amendments are described 
in section 2.1.1.1 of the final EIS and incorporate several specific 
FERC-recommended conditions and one route variation. BLM planning 
regulations at 43 CFR 1610.5-2, describe the protest procedures and 
state that any person who meets the conditions may protest the BLM's 
Proposed RMP Amendments. All protests must be filed within 30 days 
of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its 
Notice of Availability of the final EIS in the Federal Register.
    The FERC-prepared final EIS is available on the FERC docket and 
on BLM's ePlanning project website at https://go.usa.gov/xEt7B. 
Click the Documents link on the left side of the screen to find the 
electronic version of these materials.
    All protests must be in writing and filed with the BLM Director, 
either as a hard copy or electronically via the BLM's ePlanning 
project website listed previously. To submit a protest 
electronically, go to the ePlanning project website and follow the 
protest instructions highlighted at the top of the home page. If 
submitting a protest in hard copy, it must be mailed to one of the 
following addresses:

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               Regular mail:                     Overnight delivery:
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BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest      BLM Director (210),
 Coordinator, P.O. Box 71383, Washington,    Attention: Protest
 DC 20024-1383.                              Coordinator, 20 M Street
                                             SE, Room 2134LM,
                                             Washington, DC 20003.
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    Instructions for filing a protest with the Director of the BLM 
regarding the Proposed Plan Amendments may be found online at 
https://www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa/public-participation/filing-a-plan-protest and at 43 CFR 1610.5-2. All protests must be 
in writing and mailed to the appropriate address or submitted 
electronically through the BLM ePlanning project website as 
described above. Protests submitted electronically by any means 
other than the ePlanning project website protest section will be 
invalid unless a protest is also submitted in hard copy. Protests 
submitted by fax will also be invalid unless also submitted either 
through ePlanning project website protest section or in hard copy.
    Before including your phone number, email address, or other 
personal identifying information in your protest, you should be 
aware that your entire protest--including your personally 
identifiable information--may be made publicly available at any 
time. While you can ask us in your protest to withhold your personal 
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that 
we will be able to do so.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 
1610.5.

[FR Doc. 2019-25269 Filed 11-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P