Southern Natural Gas Company; Florida Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Cypress Pipeline Project and Phase VII Expansion Project, 19495-19496 [E6-5561]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 72 / Friday, April 14, 2006 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP05–388–000; CP06–1–000] Southern Natural Gas Company; Florida Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Cypress Pipeline Project and Phase VII Expansion Project April 7, 2006. wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) has prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) on the natural gas pipeline facilities proposed by Southern Natural Gas Company (Southern) and Florida Gas Transmission Company (FGT) in the above-referenced dockets. Southern’s Cypress Pipeline Project would be located in various counties in southern Georgia and northern Florida. FGT’s Phase VII Expansion Project (FGT Expansion Project) would be located in various counties in northern and central Florida. The final EIS was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The FERC staff concludes that the proposed projects, with the appropriate mitigation measures as recommended, would have limited adverse environmental impact. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) has participated as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS because the projects would require permits pursuant to section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1344) and section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (33 U.S.C. 403). The COE would adopt the EIS per Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1506.3 if, after an independent review of the document, it concludes that its comments and suggestions have been satisfied. The final EIS addresses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the following facilities: Cypress Pipeline Project • About 166.9 miles of new 24-inchdiameter mainline pipeline (mainline) in Effingham, Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Glynn, Camden, and Charlton Counties, Georgia, and Nassau, Duval, and Clay Counties, Florida; • About 9.8 miles of new 30-inchdiameter pipeline loop (loop) 1 in 1 A loop is a segment of pipeline that is usually installed adjacent to an existing pipeline and connected to it at both ends. The loop allows more gas to be moved through the system. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:37 Apr 13, 2006 Jkt 208001 Chatham and Effingham Counties, Georgia; • About 0.1 mile of 12-inch-diameter lateral pipeline in Duval County, Florida; • Three new 10,350 horsepower (hp) gas-turbine-driven compressor stations in Liberty and Glynn Counties, Georgia, and in Nassau County, Florida; • Four new meter stations in Glynn County, Georgia, and in Nassau, Duval, and Clay Counties, Florida; • Modifications at two existing meter stations in Chatham and Cobb Counties, Georgia, and expansion of one meter station in Effingham County, Georgia; • 16 new block valves including 14 associated with the new mainline and two associated with the new loop; and • Four new pig 2 launcher/receiver facilities, including two in Effingham County, Georgia, one in Glynn County, Georgia, and one in Clay County, Florida, each collocated with new or existing meter stations or new compressor station sites. Southern proposes to construct its pipeline facilities in three phases. Construction of Phase I would begin in October 2006 and be in service by May 2007. Construction of Phase II would begin in fall 2008 and be in service by May 2009. Construction of Phase III would begin in fall 2009 and be in service by May 2010. FGT Phase VII Expansion Project • About 32.6 miles of new 36-inchdiameter pipeline in three separate loops in Gilchrist, Levy, and Hernando Counties, Florida; • Replacement and upgrades to existing compressors for a net increase of about 7,800 hp at FGT’s Compressor Station no. 26 in Citrus County, Florida; • Replacement of an existing compressor to add about 2,000 hp at FGT’s existing Compressor Station no. 24 in Gilchrist County, Florida; • Miscellaneous modifications and upgrades to existing compressors with no increases in hp at FGT’s Compressor Station nos. 16, 17, and in Bradford, Marion, and Hillsborough Counties, Florida, respectively; • A new interconnection with Southern’s new mainline in Clay County, Florida; • Modifications to five existing metering and/or regulation stations in Clay, Polk, Bradford, and Duval Counties, Florida; and • New remote blowdown piping associated with the new pipeline loops at two locations in Levy County and two locations in Hernando County, Florida. 2 A pig is an internal tool that can be used to clean and dry a pipeline and/or to inspect it for damage or corrosion. PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19495 FGT proposes to construct its pipeline facilities in two phases. Construction of Phase I would begin in October 2006 and be in service by May 2007. Phase II is planned to begin in October 2008 and be in service by May 2009. The final EIS has been placed in the public files of the FERC and the COE and is available for public inspection at: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426. 202–502–8371. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, 701 San Marco Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32207. 904–232–1472. A limited number of copies are available from the FERC’s Public Reference Room identified above. In addition, copies of the final EIS have been mailed to Federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; Native American tribes; local libraries and newspapers; intervenors in the FERC’s proceeding; individuals who provided scoping comments; and affected landowners and individuals. In accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) regulations implementing the NEPA, no agency decision on a proposed action may be made until 30 days after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes a notice of availability of a final EIS. However, the CEQ regulations provide an exception to this rule when an agency decision is subject to a formal internal appeal process which allows other agencies or the public to make their views known. In such cases, the agency decision may be made at the same time the notice of the final EIS is published, allowing both periods to run concurrently. The Commission’s decisions for these proposed actions are subject to a 30-day rehearing period. Additional information about the projects is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs, at 1–866–208–FERC (3372) or on the FERC Internet Web site (https:// 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 in the Docket Number field (i.e., CP05–388 and/or CP06–1), and follow the instructions. You may also search using the phrase ‘‘Cypress Pipeline Project’’ or ‘‘FGT Phase VII Expansion Project’’ in the ‘‘Text Search’’ field. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at 1–866–208–3676, TTY (202) 502–8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC Internet Web site also provides access to the texts of E:\FR\FM\14APN1.SGM 14APN1 19496 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 72 / Friday, April 14, 2006 / Notices formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. In addition, the Commission now 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. To register for this service, go to https://www.ferc.gov/ esubscribenow.htm. Information concerning the involvement of the COE is available from Jon Soderberg at 202–761–7763. Wednesday, April 26, 2006, 7 p.m. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 838 Westwood Blvd., Price, UT 84501. (435) 637–8880. This notice is being sent to affected landowners; Federal, State, and local government representatives and agencies; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested parties in this proceeding; and local libraries and newspapers. We encourage government representatives to notify their constituents of this planned project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern. Magalie R. Salas, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6–5561 Filed 4–13–06; 8:45 am] Questar proposes to increase the capacity of its southern transmission system by approximately 170,000 dekatherms per day. More specifically, Questar seeks authority to: • Construct approximately 53 miles of 24-inch-diameter pipeline and ancillary facilities to loop Questar’s existing Main Line (ML) No. 40 by extending its ML 104 from its easternmost terminus at Soldier Creek in Carbon County to the Green River Block Valve in Uintah County; • Construct approximately 5 miles of 24-inch-diameter pipeline to loop its ML 104 between its existing Oak Springs Compressor Station (Oak Springs) and Fausett Junction in Carbon County; and • Restage/reconfigure Oak Springs and Questar’s existing Blind Canyon Compressor Station (Blind Canyon) and modify other existing facilities, including yard and station piping, cooling equipment, valves and launcher/receiver facilities at Oak Spring, Blind Canyon, and Questar’s Thistle Creek Compressor Station in Utah County. • Seek the modification of metering and gas separation facilities by Kern River Gas Transmission Company (Kern River) at its interconnect with the ML 104 Pipeline near Goshen, Utah, which serves as a receipt point for volumes delivered by Questar to Kern River at this location. Location maps depicting Questar’s proposed facilities and alternate routes are provided in Appendix 1.2 BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. PF06–18–000] Questar Pipeline Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Southern System Expansion Project II, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues and Notice of Scoping Meeting wwhite on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES April 7, 2006. The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will discuss the environmental impacts of Questar Pipeline Company’s (Questar) planned Southern System Expansion Project II located in Utah, Carbon, Duchesne, and Uintah Counties, Utah. This notice announces the opening of the scoping process we 1 will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the project. Your input will help the Commission staff determine which issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note that the scoping period will close on May 12, 2006. Comments may be submitted in written form or presented verbally at the public meeting detailed below. Further details on how to submit written comments are provided in the public participation section of this notice. In lieu of sending written comments, you are invited to attend the public scoping meeting that is scheduled as follows: 1 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the environmental staff of the Office of Energy Projects. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:37 Apr 13, 2006 Jkt 208001 Summary of the Proposed Project 2 The appendices referenced in this notice are not being printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available on the Commission’s Web site (excluding maps) at the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link or from the Commission’s Public Reference Room or call (202) 502–8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary refer to the end of this notice. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail. PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Currently Identified Environmental Issues At this time no formal application has been filed with the FERC. For this project, the FERC staff has initiated its NEPA review prior to receiving the application. The purpose of our NEPA Pre-Filing Process is to involve interested stakeholders early in project planning and to identify and resolve issues before an application is filed with the FERC. We have already identified several issues that we think deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities, environmental information provided by Questar, discussions with staff of the Bureau of Land Management, and comments gathered from concerned citizens at Questar’s open house held on March 28, 2006. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis. • Potential effect on perennial streams and intermittent streams crossed by or close to the route; • Potential effect on vegetation and wildlife resources, including critical big game ranges and sage grouse habitat; • Potential effect on endangered and threatened species; • Potential effect on historic and prehistoric sites; • Potential effect on recreation and public interest areas, including traffic impacts along the Nine Mile Canyon Scenic Backcountry Byway; • Potential visual effect of the pipeline corridor; The EA Process The FERC will use the EA to consider the environmental impact that could result if it issues Questar a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This notice formally announces our preparation of the EA and the beginning of the process referred to as ‘‘scoping.’’ We are soliciting input from the public and interested agencies to help us focus the analysis in the EA on the potentially significant environmental issues related to the proposed action. Our independent analysis of the issues will be included in an EA that will be prepared for the project. Our evaluation will also include possible alternatives to the proposed project or portions of the project, and we will make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas of concern. The EA will be mailed to Federal, State, and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; affected landowners; other E:\FR\FM\14APN1.SGM 14APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 72 (Friday, April 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19495-19496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5561]



[[Page 19495]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP05-388-000; CP06-1-000]


Southern Natural Gas Company; Florida Gas Transmission Company; 
Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Cypress Pipeline Project and Phase VII Expansion Project

April 7, 2006.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission 
or FERC) has prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) on 
the natural gas pipeline facilities proposed by Southern Natural Gas 
Company (Southern) and Florida Gas Transmission Company (FGT) in the 
above-referenced dockets. Southern's Cypress Pipeline Project would be 
located in various counties in southern Georgia and northern Florida. 
FGT's Phase VII Expansion Project (FGT Expansion Project) would be 
located in various counties in northern and central Florida.
    The final EIS was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The FERC staff concludes that 
the proposed projects, with the appropriate mitigation measures as 
recommended, would have limited adverse environmental impact.
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) has participated as a 
cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS because the projects 
would require permits pursuant to section 404 of the Clean Water Act 
(33 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1344) and section 10 of the Rivers and 
Harbors Act (33 U.S.C. 403). The COE would adopt the EIS per Title 40 
Code of Federal Regulations Part 1506.3 if, after an independent review 
of the document, it concludes that its comments and suggestions have 
been satisfied.
    The final EIS addresses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the following facilities:

Cypress Pipeline Project

     About 166.9 miles of new 24-inch-diameter mainline 
pipeline (mainline) in Effingham, Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, Long, 
McIntosh, Glynn, Camden, and Charlton Counties, Georgia, and Nassau, 
Duval, and Clay Counties, Florida;
     About 9.8 miles of new 30-inch-diameter pipeline loop 
(loop) \1\ in Chatham and Effingham Counties, Georgia;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ A loop is a segment of pipeline that is usually installed 
adjacent to an existing pipeline and connected to it at both ends. 
The loop allows more gas to be moved through the system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     About 0.1 mile of 12-inch-diameter lateral pipeline in 
Duval County, Florida;
     Three new 10,350 horsepower (hp) gas-turbine-driven 
compressor stations in Liberty and Glynn Counties, Georgia, and in 
Nassau County, Florida;
     Four new meter stations in Glynn County, Georgia, and in 
Nassau, Duval, and Clay Counties, Florida;
     Modifications at two existing meter stations in Chatham 
and Cobb Counties, Georgia, and expansion of one meter station in 
Effingham County, Georgia;
     16 new block valves including 14 associated with the new 
mainline and two associated with the new loop; and
     Four new pig \2\ launcher/receiver facilities, including 
two in Effingham County, Georgia, one in Glynn County, Georgia, and one 
in Clay County, Florida, each collocated with new or existing meter 
stations or new compressor station sites.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ A pig is an internal tool that can be used to clean and dry 
a pipeline and/or to inspect it for damage or corrosion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Southern proposes to construct its pipeline facilities in three 
phases. Construction of Phase I would begin in October 2006 and be in 
service by May 2007. Construction of Phase II would begin in fall 2008 
and be in service by May 2009. Construction of Phase III would begin in 
fall 2009 and be in service by May 2010.

FGT Phase VII Expansion Project

     About 32.6 miles of new 36-inch-diameter pipeline in three 
separate loops in Gilchrist, Levy, and Hernando Counties, Florida;
     Replacement and upgrades to existing compressors for a net 
increase of about 7,800 hp at FGT's Compressor Station no. 26 in Citrus 
County, Florida;
     Replacement of an existing compressor to add about 2,000 
hp at FGT's existing Compressor Station no. 24 in Gilchrist County, 
Florida;
     Miscellaneous modifications and upgrades to existing 
compressors with no increases in hp at FGT's Compressor Station nos. 
16, 17, and in Bradford, Marion, and Hillsborough Counties, Florida, 
respectively;
     A new interconnection with Southern's new mainline in Clay 
County, Florida;
     Modifications to five existing metering and/or regulation 
stations in Clay, Polk, Bradford, and Duval Counties, Florida; and
     New remote blowdown piping associated with the new 
pipeline loops at two locations in Levy County and two locations in 
Hernando County, Florida.
    FGT proposes to construct its pipeline facilities in two phases. 
Construction of Phase I would begin in October 2006 and be in service 
by May 2007. Phase II is planned to begin in October 2008 and be in 
service by May 2009.
    The final EIS has been placed in the public files of the FERC and 
the COE and is available for public inspection at:
    Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Reference Room, 888 
First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426. 202-502-8371.
    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, 701 San Marco 
Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32207. 904-232-1472.
    A limited number of copies are available from the FERC's Public 
Reference Room identified above. In addition, copies of the final EIS 
have been mailed to Federal, state, and local government agencies; 
elected officials; Native American tribes; local libraries and 
newspapers; intervenors in the FERC's proceeding; individuals who 
provided scoping comments; and affected landowners and individuals.
    In accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) 
regulations implementing the NEPA, no agency decision on a proposed 
action may be made until 30 days after the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency publishes a notice of availability of a final EIS. 
However, the CEQ regulations provide an exception to this rule when an 
agency decision is subject to a formal internal appeal process which 
allows other agencies or the public to make their views known. In such 
cases, the agency decision may be made at the same time the notice of 
the final EIS is published, allowing both periods to run concurrently. 
The Commission's decisions for these proposed actions are subject to a 
30-day rehearing period.
    Additional information about the projects is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC (3372) or on 
the FERC Internet Web site (https://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 in the Docket Number field (i.e., CP05-388 and/or CP06-1), 
and follow the instructions. You may also search using the phrase 
``Cypress Pipeline Project'' or ``FGT Phase VII Expansion Project'' in 
the ``Text Search'' field. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the 
helpline can be reached at 1-866-208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or at 
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC Internet Web 
site also provides access to the texts of

[[Page 19496]]

formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and 
rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission now 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. To register for this service, go to https://www.ferc.gov/
esubscribenow.htm.
    Information concerning the involvement of the COE is available from 
Jon Soderberg at 202-761-7763.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E6-5561 Filed 4-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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