Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port License Application; Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement, 29211-29213 [E6-7660]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 97 / Friday, May 19, 2006 / Notices wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES information, FRA is able to correlate accident data and equipment malfunctions with the types of circuits and age of equipment. FRA can then identify the causes of grade crossing system failures and investigate them to determine whether periodic maintenance, inspection, and testing standards are effective. FRA also uses the information collected to alert railroad employees and appropriate highway traffic authorities of warning system malfunctions so that they can take the necessary measures to protect motorists and railroad workers at the grade crossing until repairs have been made. Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 4,151 hours. Title: Bridge Worker Safety Rules. OMB Control Number: 2130–0535. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Railroads. Form(s): N/A. Abstract: Section 21039 of Title 49 of the United States Code required FRA to issue rules, regulations, orders, and standards for the safety of maintenanceof-way employees on railroad bridges, including for ‘‘bridge safety equipment’’ such as nets, walkways, handrails, and safety lines, and requirements for the use of vessels when work is performed on bridges located over bodies of water. FRA has added 49 CFR part 214 to establish minimum workplace safety standards for railroad employees as they apply to railroad bridges. Specifically, section 214.15(c) establishes standards and practices for safety net systems. Safety nets and net installations are to be drop-tested at the job site after initial installation and before being used as a fall protection system, after major repairs, and at six-month intervals if left at one site. If a drop-test is not feasible and is not performed, then a written certification must be made by the railroad or railroad contractor, or a designated certified person, that the net does comply with the safety standards of this section. FRA and State inspectors use the information to enforce Federal regulations. The information that is maintained is at the job site promotes safe bridge worker practices. Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 1 hour. Title: Railroad Police Officers. OMB Control Number: 2130–0537. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Railroads. Form(s): N/A. Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 207, railroads are required to notify states of all designated police officers who are VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:37 May 18, 2006 Jkt 208001 discharging their duties outside of their respective jurisdictions. This requirement is necessary to verify proper police authority. Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 181 hours. Addressee: Send comments regarding any of these information collections to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FRA Desk Officer. Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department’s estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520. Issued in Washington, DC on May 15, 2006. D.J. Stadlter, Director, Office of Budget, Federal Railroad Administration. [FR Doc. E6–7619 Filed 5–18–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [USCG–2005–22219] Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port License Application; Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement Maritime Administration, DOT. Notice of availability; notice of public meeting; request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port license application. The application describes a project that would be located in Federal waters of Massachusetts Bay, in Block 125, PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29211 approximately 13 miles south-southeast of Gloucester, MA. The Coast Guard and MARAD request public comments on the DEIS. Publication of this notice begins a 45 day comment period and provides information on how to participate in the process. As a point of clarification, there is another deepwater port application by Neptune LNG, L.L.C. in the same vicinity. These applications are being processed and reviewed independently. Public hearings will be held in Gloucester, MA on June 14, 2006 and in Salem, MA on June 15, 2006. Both hearings will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be preceded by an informational open house from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The public meetings may end later than the stated time, depending on the number of persons wishing to speak. Material submitted in response to the request for comments on the DEIS must reach the Docket Management Facility by July 3, 2006. ADDRESSES: The public meeting in Gloucester will be held at the Gloucester High School Auditorium, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, Gloucester, MA, telephone: 617–635–4100. The public meeting in Salem will be at the Salem State College Library, Charlotte Forten Hall, 360 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA, telephone: 978–542–7192. The DEIS, the application, and associated documentation are available for viewing at the DOT Docket Management System Web site: https:// dms.dot.gov under docket number 22219. The DEIS is also available at public libraries in Beverly, MA, Boston, MA, Gloucester, MA, Manchester-bythe-Sea, MA, Marblehead, MA, Rockport, MA, and Salem, MA. Address docket submissions for USCG–2005–22219 to: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001. The Docket Management Facility accepts hand-delivered submissions, and makes docket contents available for public inspection and copying at this address, in room PL–401, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Facility’s telephone number is 202–366– 9329, the fax number is 202–493–2251, and the Web site for electronic submissions or for electronic access to docket contents is https://dms.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roddy Bachman, U.S. Coast Guard, telephone: 202–372–1451, e-mail: rbachman@comdt.uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, DATES: E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1 29212 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 97 / Friday, May 19, 2006 / Notices Docket Operations, telephone: 202–493– 0402. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES Public Hearing and Open House We invite you to learn about the proposed deepwater port at an informational open house, and to comment at a public hearing on the proposed action and the evaluation contained in the DEIS. In order to allow everyone a chance to speak at the public meeting, we may limit speaker time, or extend the meeting hours, or both. You must identify yourself, and any organization you represent, by name. Your remarks will be recorded or transcribed for inclusion in the public docket. You may submit written material at the public meeting, either in place of or in addition to speaking. Written material must include your name and address, and will be included in the public docket. Public docket materials will be made available to the public on the Docket Management Facility’s Docket Management System (DMS). See ‘‘Request for Comments’’ for information about DMS and your rights under the Privacy Act. All our public meeting locations are wheelchair-accessible. If you plan to attend the open house or public hearing, and need special assistance such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation, please notify the Coast Guard (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) at least 3 business days in advance. Include your contact information as well as information about your specific needs. Request for Comments We request public comments or other relevant information on the DEIS. The public hearing is not the only opportunity you have to comment. In addition to or in place of attending a meeting, you can submit comments to the Docket Management Facility during the public comment period (see DATES). We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and prepare the Final EIS (FEIS). We will announce the availability of the FEIS and once again give you the opportunity to review and comment. If you want that notice sent directly to you please contact representatives at the public hearing or the Coast Guard representative identified in this notice under the section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Written submissions should include the following information: • Docket number USCG–2005–22219. • Your name and address. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:37 May 18, 2006 Jkt 208001 • Your reasons for making each comment or for bringing information to our attention. Submit comments or material using only one of the following methods: • Electronic submission to DMS, https://dms.dot.gov. • Fax, mail, or hand delivery to the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES). Faxed or hand delivered submissions must be unbound, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, and suitable for copying and electronic scanning. If you mail your submission and want to know when it reaches the Facility, include a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material, all submissions will be posted, without change, to the DMS Web site (https:// dms.dot.gov), and will include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public. You may wish to read the Privacy Act notice that is available on the DMS Web site, or the Department of Transportation Privacy Act Statement that appeared in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477). You may view docket submissions at the Docket Management Facility (see ADDRESSES), or electronically on the DMS Web site. Background Information about deepwater ports, the statutes, and regulations governing their licensing, and the receipt of the current application for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) deepwater port appears at 70 FR 52422, September 2, 2005. The Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS for the proposed action was published in the Federal Register at 70 FR 58228, October 5, 2005. Application materials and associated comments are available on the docket. Information from the ‘‘Summary of the Application’’ from previous Federal Register notices is included below for your convenience. Proposed Action and Alternatives The proposed action requiring environmental review is the Federal licensing of the proposed deepwater port described in ‘‘Summary of the Application’’ below. The alternatives to licensing the proposed port are: (1) Licensing with conditions (including conditions designed to mitigate environmental impact), or (2) denying the application, which for purposes of environmental review is the ‘‘no-action’’ alternative. These alternatives are more fully discussed in the DEIS. The Coast Guard is the lead Federal agency for the preparation of the EIS. You can address any questions about the proposed action PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 or the DEIS to the Coast Guard project manager identified in this notice under the section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Summary of the Application Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C. has proposed a facility to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the New England region providing a base load delivery of 400 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd) and capable of peak deliveries of approximately 800 MMcfd or more. The facility would be located offshore in Massachusetts Bay, approximately 13 miles south-southeast of the city of Gloucester, MA, in Federal waters approximately 270 to 290 feet in depth, commonly referred to as Block 125. Northeast Gateway would deliver natural gas to onshore markets via a new 24-inch-diameter-pipeline, approximately 16.4 miles in length, from the proposed deepwater port to the existing offshore 30-inch-diameter Algonquin HubLine Pipeline System. The proposed new pipeline lateral would be owned and operated by Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC. The new pipeline is included in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review as part of the deepwater port application process. The Northeast Gateway deepwater port facility would consist of two subsea submerged turret loading buoys (STL Buoys), two flexible risers, two pipeline end manifolds (PLEMs), and two subsea flow lines. Each STL Buoy would connect to a PLEM using the flexible riser assembly, and the PLEM will connect to the subsea flow line. A fleet of specially designed Energy Bridge Regasification Vessels (EBRVs), each capable of transporting approximately 4.9 million cubic feet (138,000 cubic meters) of LNG, would deliver natural gas to the Northeast Gateway DWP. The EBRVs will vaporize the LNG in a closed loop mode of recirculating fresh water on-board requiring no intake or discharge of seawater for the vaporization process. Natural gas will be used to operate the regasification facilities as well as to provide vessel electrical needs in normal operation. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Army Corps of Engineers Algonquin is seeking Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval for the proposed 24-inchdiameter-pipeline concurrent with this deepwater port application. In addition, pipelines within the three-mile limit require an Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 97 / Friday, May 19, 2006 / Notices the Rivers and Harbors Act. Structures such as the moorings and lateral pipelines beyond the three-mile limit require a Section 10 permit. As required by their regulations, FERC will also maintain a docket. This is available at the FERC Web site (https://www.ferc.gov) using the ‘‘Documents & Filing’’ then ‘‘eLibrary’’ links and the FERC Docket number CP05–383. The eLibrary helpline is 1– 866–208–3676 and the e-mail address for online support is FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. As required by their regulations, the USACE will maintain a permit file. The USACE New England District phone number is 978–318–8338 and their Web site is https://www.nae.usace.army.mil. Comments sent to the FERC docket or USACE will also be incorporated into the DOT docket and EIS to ensure consistency with the NEPA Process. FERC and the USACE among others are cooperating agencies and will assist in the NEPA process as described in 40 CFR 1501.6 and will conduct joint public hearings with the Coast Guard and MARAD. Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Through a Special Review Procedure established by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA), the USCG and the MEPA Office are conducting a coordinated NEPA/MEPA review allowing this single set of documents to serve simultaneously as both the EIS under NEPA and the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under MEPA. The Certificates establishing the Special Review Procedure and the Scope for the Draft Environmental Impact Report can be viewed at https://www.mass.gov/ envir/mepa/secondlevelpages/ recentdecisions.htm. The Secretary of Environmental Affairs will accept written comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report through Friday, June 30, 2006. Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, via FAX, or by hand delivery. Please note that comments submitted on MEPA documents are public records. The mailing address for comments is: Secretary Stephen R. Pritchard, EOEA, Attn: MEPA Office, Richard Bourre, EOEA No. 13373/13374, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston MA 02114. wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES Authority: 49 CFR 1.66. By Order of the Maritime Administrator. Dated: May 16, 2006. Joel C. Richard, Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. E6–7660 Filed 5–18–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–81–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:37 May 18, 2006 Jkt 208001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Reports, Forms and Record Keeping Requirements; Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on February 10, 2006, (71 FR 7113). DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before June 19, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lori Summers, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Rulemaking, NVS–112, (202) 366–4917, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, Washington, DC 20590. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Title: Part 585—Advanced Air Bag Phase-In Reporting Requirements. OMB Number: 2127–0599. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Abstract: 49 U.S.C. 30111 authorizes the issuance of Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and regulations. The agency, in prescribing a FMVSS or regulation, considers available relevant motor vehicle safety data, and consults with other agencies, as it deems appropriate. Further, the statute mandates that in issuing any FMVSS or regulation, the agency considers whether the standard or regulation is ‘‘reasonable, practicable and appropriate for the particular type of motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment for which it is prescribed,’’ and whether such a standard will contribute to carrying out the purpose of the Act. The Secretary is authorized to invoke such rules and regulations as deemed necessary to carry out these requirements. Using this authority, the agency issued FMVSS No. 208, ‘‘Occupant crash protection,’’ to aid the agency in achieving many of its safety goals. This notice requests comments on the PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29213 extension of the phase-in reporting requirements of this FMVSS related to the implementation of advanced air bags. Phase 1 of the advanced air bag phase-in began September 1, 2003 with 100 percent compliance by September 1, 2005. Phase 2 of the advanced air bag phase-in begins September 1, 2006 with 100 percent compliance by September 1, 2009. NHTSA needs this information to ensure that vehicle manufacturers are certifying their applicable vehicles as meeting the new advanced air bag requirements of FMVSS No. 208. NHTSA will use this information to determine whether a manufacturer has complied with the amended requirements during the phase-in period. Affected Public: Individuals, households, business, other for-profit, not-for-profit, farms, Federal Government and State, Local or Tribal Government. Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,281 hours (21 affected manufacturers × 61 hours). Send comments, within 30 days, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725–17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: NHTSA Desk Officer. Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department’s estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. A Comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. ADDRESSES: Issued in Washington, DC, on May 15, 2006. Stephen R. Kratzke, Associate Administrator for Rulemaking. [FR Doc. E6–7657 Filed 5–18–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM 19MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 97 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29211-29213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7660]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[USCG-2005-22219]


Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas 
Deepwater Port License Application; Preparation of Environmental Impact 
Statement

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of public meeting; request for 
comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces the availability 
of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Northeast 
Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port 
license application. The application describes a project that would be 
located in Federal waters of Massachusetts Bay, in Block 125, 
approximately 13 miles south-southeast of Gloucester, MA. The Coast 
Guard and MARAD request public comments on the DEIS. Publication of 
this notice begins a 45 day comment period and provides information on 
how to participate in the process. As a point of clarification, there 
is another deepwater port application by Neptune LNG, L.L.C. in the 
same vicinity. These applications are being processed and reviewed 
independently.

DATES: Public hearings will be held in Gloucester, MA on June 14, 2006 
and in Salem, MA on June 15, 2006. Both hearings will be from 6 p.m. to 
8 p.m. and will be preceded by an informational open house from 4:30 
p.m. to 6 p.m. The public meetings may end later than the stated time, 
depending on the number of persons wishing to speak. Material submitted 
in response to the request for comments on the DEIS must reach the 
Docket Management Facility by July 3, 2006.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting in Gloucester will be held at the 
Gloucester High School Auditorium, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, 
Gloucester, MA, telephone: 617-635-4100. The public meeting in Salem 
will be at the Salem State College Library, Charlotte Forten Hall, 360 
Lafayette Street, Salem, MA, telephone: 978-542-7192.
    The DEIS, the application, and associated documentation are 
available for viewing at the DOT Docket Management System Web site: 
https://dms.dot.gov under docket number 22219. The DEIS is also 
available at public libraries in Beverly, MA, Boston, MA, Gloucester, 
MA, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, Marblehead, MA, Rockport, MA, and Salem, 
MA.
    Address docket submissions for USCG-2005-22219 to: Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    The Docket Management Facility accepts hand-delivered submissions, 
and makes docket contents available for public inspection and copying 
at this address, in room PL-401, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Facility's telephone 
number is 202-366-9329, the fax number is 202-493-2251, and the Web 
site for electronic submissions or for electronic access to docket 
contents is https://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roddy Bachman, U.S. Coast Guard, 
telephone: 202-372-1451, e-mail: rbachman@comdt.uscg.mil. If you have 
questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager,

[[Page 29212]]

Docket Operations, telephone: 202-493-0402.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Hearing and Open House

    We invite you to learn about the proposed deepwater port at an 
informational open house, and to comment at a public hearing on the 
proposed action and the evaluation contained in the DEIS. In order to 
allow everyone a chance to speak at the public meeting, we may limit 
speaker time, or extend the meeting hours, or both. You must identify 
yourself, and any organization you represent, by name. Your remarks 
will be recorded or transcribed for inclusion in the public docket.
    You may submit written material at the public meeting, either in 
place of or in addition to speaking. Written material must include your 
name and address, and will be included in the public docket.
    Public docket materials will be made available to the public on the 
Docket Management Facility's Docket Management System (DMS). See 
``Request for Comments'' for information about DMS and your rights 
under the Privacy Act.
    All our public meeting locations are wheelchair-accessible. If you 
plan to attend the open house or public hearing, and need special 
assistance such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable 
accommodation, please notify the Coast Guard (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT) at least 3 business days in advance. Include your 
contact information as well as information about your specific needs.

Request for Comments

    We request public comments or other relevant information on the 
DEIS. The public hearing is not the only opportunity you have to 
comment. In addition to or in place of attending a meeting, you can 
submit comments to the Docket Management Facility during the public 
comment period (see DATES). We will consider all comments and material 
received during the comment period and prepare the Final EIS (FEIS). We 
will announce the availability of the FEIS and once again give you the 
opportunity to review and comment. If you want that notice sent 
directly to you please contact representatives at the public hearing or 
the Coast Guard representative identified in this notice under the 
section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Written submissions should include the following information:
     Docket number USCG-2005-22219.
     Your name and address.
     Your reasons for making each comment or for bringing 
information to our attention.
    Submit comments or material using only one of the following 
methods:
     Electronic submission to DMS, https://dms.dot.gov.
     Fax, mail, or hand delivery to the Docket Management 
Facility (see ADDRESSES). Faxed or hand delivered submissions must be 
unbound, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, and suitable for copying 
and electronic scanning. If you mail your submission and want to know 
when it reaches the Facility, include a stamped, self-addressed 
postcard or envelope.
    Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material, 
all submissions will be posted, without change, to the DMS Web site 
(https://dms.dot.gov), and will include any personal information you 
provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public. You 
may wish to read the Privacy Act notice that is available on the DMS 
Web site, or the Department of Transportation Privacy Act Statement 
that appeared in the Federal Register on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477).
    You may view docket submissions at the Docket Management Facility 
(see ADDRESSES), or electronically on the DMS Web site.

Background

    Information about deepwater ports, the statutes, and regulations 
governing their licensing, and the receipt of the current application 
for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) deepwater port appears at 70 FR 
52422, September 2, 2005. The Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS for 
the proposed action was published in the Federal Register at 70 FR 
58228, October 5, 2005. Application materials and associated comments 
are available on the docket. Information from the ``Summary of the 
Application'' from previous Federal Register notices is included below 
for your convenience.

Proposed Action and Alternatives

    The proposed action requiring environmental review is the Federal 
licensing of the proposed deepwater port described in ``Summary of the 
Application'' below. The alternatives to licensing the proposed port 
are: (1) Licensing with conditions (including conditions designed to 
mitigate environmental impact), or (2) denying the application, which 
for purposes of environmental review is the ``no-action'' alternative. 
These alternatives are more fully discussed in the DEIS. The Coast 
Guard is the lead Federal agency for the preparation of the EIS. You 
can address any questions about the proposed action or the DEIS to the 
Coast Guard project manager identified in this notice under the section 
titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Summary of the Application

    Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C. has proposed a facility to 
import liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the New England region 
providing a base load delivery of 400 million cubic feet per day 
(MMcfd) and capable of peak deliveries of approximately 800 MMcfd or 
more. The facility would be located offshore in Massachusetts Bay, 
approximately 13 miles south-southeast of the city of Gloucester, MA, 
in Federal waters approximately 270 to 290 feet in depth, commonly 
referred to as Block 125.
    Northeast Gateway would deliver natural gas to onshore markets via 
a new 24-inch-diameter-pipeline, approximately 16.4 miles in length, 
from the proposed deepwater port to the existing offshore 30-inch-
diameter Algonquin HubLine Pipeline System. The proposed new pipeline 
lateral would be owned and operated by Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC. 
The new pipeline is included in the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) review as part of the deepwater port application process.
    The Northeast Gateway deepwater port facility would consist of two 
subsea submerged turret loading buoys (STL Buoys), two flexible risers, 
two pipeline end manifolds (PLEMs), and two subsea flow lines. Each STL 
Buoy would connect to a PLEM using the flexible riser assembly, and the 
PLEM will connect to the subsea flow line. A fleet of specially 
designed Energy Bridge Regasification Vessels (EBRVs), each capable of 
transporting approximately 4.9 million cubic feet (138,000 cubic 
meters) of LNG, would deliver natural gas to the Northeast Gateway DWP. 
The EBRVs will vaporize the LNG in a closed loop mode of recirculating 
fresh water on-board requiring no intake or discharge of seawater for 
the vaporization process. Natural gas will be used to operate the 
regasification facilities as well as to provide vessel electrical needs 
in normal operation.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Army Corps of Engineers

    Algonquin is seeking Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) 
approval for the proposed 24-inch-diameter-pipeline concurrent with 
this deepwater port application. In addition, pipelines within the 
three-mile limit require an Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permit 
under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of

[[Page 29213]]

the Rivers and Harbors Act. Structures such as the moorings and lateral 
pipelines beyond the three-mile limit require a Section 10 permit.
    As required by their regulations, FERC will also maintain a docket. 
This is available at the FERC Web site (https://www.ferc.gov) using the 
``Documents & Filing'' then ``eLibrary'' links and the FERC Docket 
number CP05-383. The eLibrary helpline is 1-866-208-3676 and the e-mail 
address for online support is FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.
    As required by their regulations, the USACE will maintain a permit 
file. The USACE New England District phone number is 978-318-8338 and 
their Web site is https://www.nae.usace.army.mil.
    Comments sent to the FERC docket or USACE will also be incorporated 
into the DOT docket and EIS to ensure consistency with the NEPA 
Process.
    FERC and the USACE among others are cooperating agencies and will 
assist in the NEPA process as described in 40 CFR 1501.6 and will 
conduct joint public hearings with the Coast Guard and MARAD.

Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA)

    Through a Special Review Procedure established by the Massachusetts 
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA), the USCG and the MEPA 
Office are conducting a coordinated NEPA/MEPA review allowing this 
single set of documents to serve simultaneously as both the EIS under 
NEPA and the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under MEPA. The 
Certificates establishing the Special Review Procedure and the Scope 
for the Draft Environmental Impact Report can be viewed at https://
www.mass.gov/envir/mepa/secondlevelpages/recentdecisions.htm. The 
Secretary of Environmental Affairs will accept written comments on the 
Draft Environmental Impact Report through Friday, June 30, 2006. 
Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, via FAX, or by hand 
delivery. Please note that comments submitted on MEPA documents are 
public records. The mailing address for comments is: Secretary Stephen 
R. Pritchard, EOEA, Attn: MEPA Office, Richard Bourre, EOEA No. 13373/
13374, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston MA 02114.

    Authority: 49 CFR 1.66.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
    Dated: May 16, 2006.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-7660 Filed 5-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P
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