Calypo U.S. Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Modifications to the Calypso U.S. Pipeline Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 34918-34923 [E6-9385]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34918-34923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9385]



[[Page 34918]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP01-409-000]


Calypo U.S. Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Modifications to the Calypso 
U.S. Pipeline Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

June 9, 2006.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) and the Minerals Management Service (MMS) will prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) that will discuss the environmental 
impacts of the Modifications to the Calypso U.S. Pipeline Project 
(Project) proposed by Calypso U.S. Pipeline, LLC (Calypso) in Broward 
County, Florida, State Waters of Florida, and Federal Waters of the 
United States.\1\ The Tractebel Calypso Pipeline Project received a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Commission on 
March 24, 2004 in Docket Nos. CP01-409-000, et al. Calypso was formerly 
named Tractebel Calypso Pipeline, LLC, and hereafter the name 
``Calypso'' is used to refer to the applicant for the proposed Project, 
including references to activities that occurred before Calypso's name 
change. Calypso has now proposed modifications to their original 
proposal, and those proposed modifications will be reviewed by 
Commission and MMS staff. The Project modifications reflect the 
incorporation of tunnel construction methodology for the nearshore 
portion of the pipeline, as well as certain other design changes, for 
the natural gas pipeline between the United States and the Bahamas. 
This EA will be used by the Commission in its decision-making process 
to determine whether the Project modifications are in the public 
convenience and necessity. The MMS will have primary responsibility for 
offshore analysis in U.S. waters and will coordinate with the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers regarding Florida State waters review.
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    \1\ Calypso's application was filed with the Commission on May 
9, 2006, pursuant to section 7 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and part 
157 and part 284 of the Commission's Regulations.
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    The FERC is the lead agency and the MMS is a federal cooperating 
agency for the Project because the MMS has jurisdiction by law, as well 
as special expertise, regarding the potential environmental impacts 
associated with that portion of the proposed pipeline that would be 
installed on the Outer Continental Shelf.
    This notice is being sent to affected landowners; Federal, state, 
and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and 
public interest groups; Native American tribes; local libraries and 
newspapers; and other parties that expressed an interest in the 
original project and received a copy of FERC's Final Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Tractebel Calypso Pipeline Project (issued 
January 23, 2004). The notice is also being sent to all identified 
potential right-of-way grantors. No new landowners are affected by the 
proposed modifications.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by a Calypso representative about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed Project facilities. The 
pipeline company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable 
agreement. However, if the Project is approved by the FERC, that 
approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if 
easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline 
company could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with 
state law.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for 
viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (https://www.ferc.gov). This fact 
sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the 
use of eminent domain and how to participate in the FERC's proceedings.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    As certificated, the Calypso Project would consist of a new 24-
inch-diameter interstate natural gas pipeline, and certain ancillary 
facilities, that would extend approximately 42.5 miles from a receipt 
point on the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary between the United 
States and the Bahamas to an interconnect with the existing Florida Gas 
Transmission System (FGT) pipeline at the Florida Power and Light (FPL) 
Fort Lauderdale Power Plant in Broward County, Florida. Calypso's 
proposed modifications reflect the incorporation of tunnel construction 
methodology for the nearshore portion of the pipeline, as well as 
certain other design changes. Calypso developed the proposed 
modifications to enhance flexibility for gas deliveries to FGT and 
address certain delays that it has encountered in meeting its initially 
proposed construction schedule.
    Calypso explains that the use of the tunnel construction 
methodology would allow it to construct the nearshore portion of the 
pipeline using an approximately 3.2-mile-long tunnel, with certain 
minor route changes to accommodate the methodology, as opposed to the 
series of horizontal directional drills (HDDs) that the Commission has 
already approved. Calypso also proposes to increase the pipeline 
diameter from 24 inches to 30 inches and internally coat the pipeline, 
to allow for increased hourly flow rates, but does not propose to 
increase the certificated capacity (832,000 dekatherms/day) or the 
maximum operating pressure (MAOP) of its pipeline. Though the MAOP 
would remain 2,200 pounds per square inch gauge (psig), Calypso 
indicates that the pipeline would most likely be operated at 
approximately 1,530 psig. The onshore aboveground facilities would be 
identical to the certificated Project with the exception of newly 
proposed tunnel shaft access facilities and relocation of the 
underground block valve facility from the certificated landfall point 
at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park to the modified landfall point within 
Port Everglades.
    Calypso designed the proposed tunnel installation to further 
minimize the potential for direct impacts and the risk of inadvertent 
impacts to sensitive marine resources, particularly the hardbottom and 
coral reef resources that occur in the nearshore environment of the 
Project area. The proposed tunnel modification would replace previously 
certificated plans to perform an HDD of the Port Everglades Turning 
basin and two HDDs beneath the nearshore reef systems, with the latter 
two HDDs connected by an open-cut trench through the a dredged material 
disposal site referred to as the submerged breakwater spoil area 
(SBSA). The tunnel modification would avoid the need for offshore 
construction workspaces within the SBSA and to the west of the dominant 
reef trends. Calypso indicates that elimination of those offshore 
workspaces would minimize direct impacts and significantly reduce the 
potential for inadvertent impacts in proximity to the reefs (e.g., 
unanticipated spills, anchor impacts, work vessel passage over reefs, 
etc.). Additionally, Calypso states that the equipment used to 
construct the tunnel would not use drilling fluids under high pressure, 
thereby minimizing the potential risk of an inadvertent release of 
drilling muds, or frac-out, which could potentially have

[[Page 34919]]

occurred in association with the HDD installation methodology.
    The proposed tunnel would extend from an entrance point to the 
north of Spangler Boulevard within Port Everglades (milepost [MP] 
36.8), to an exit point on the sea floor where the water depth is 
approximately 126 feet deep, seaward of the mapped edge of the 
easternmost reef trend. A 20-foot by 50-foot, 210-foot-deep entrance 
shaft would be constructed at the tunnel entry point. From that point, 
a slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) would be used to construct 
a watertight, approximately 16,900-foot-long, 10-foot-internal 
diameter, concrete-lined tunnel. Following completion of tunnel 
construction, all operating machinery would be removed from the TBM, 
but the TBM shield and steel case would be left in place. Once 
complete, the tunnel would provide a conduit for installation of the 
nearshore portion of the pipeline. The pipeline string to be installed 
within the tunnel would be assembled inside the tunnel.
    At the end of the tunnel (MP 33.6), a single basin measuring 
approximately 20 feet deep, 75 feet long, and 60 feet wide, would be 
dredged over the top of the tunnel endpoint to facilitate connection 
between the tunnel and offshore, direct lay segments of the proposed 
pipeline. At the end of the tunnel, a 60-inch-diameter steel casing 
would be drilled from above into the tunnel lining, and a vertical 
pipeline riser would be installed within the casing. A riser casing 
head box would be installed over the riser and casing within the 
dredged basin, and the connection to the offshore, direct lay portion 
of the pipeline would be accomplished inside the riser casing head box. 
Beyond the tunnel exit point, the pipeline would be installed on the 
seafloor using specialized pipelay barges, as described in the final 
Environmental Impact Statement prepared for the Calypso Pipeline 
Project.
    Following pipeline installation, the dredged basin would be 
backfilled with at least three feet of clean calcium carbonate 
(limestone) with the uppermost 18 inches of backfill consisting of 
approximately 1- to 2-foot-diameter lime rock cobbles. Articulated 
concrete mats would be used to cover and protect the approximately 
1,700-foot-long segment of the pipeline extending from the dredged 
basin to a water depth of 200 feet. Between depths of 200 and 1,000 
feet, the pipeline would be coated with concrete for on-bottom 
stability and protection. At depths greater than 1,000 feet, the 
pipeline would not be covered, but would be coated for corrosion 
protection and designed with a heavier wall thickness for on-bottom 
stability.
    No onshore alignment changes would be required in association with 
the proposed modifications west of the proposed landfall in Port 
Everglades. Calypso has slightly revised its proposed nearshore route 
to accommodate the tunnel installation methodology and to minimize 
construction activities outside the tunnel. The revised nearshore route 
would reduce the length of the proposed pipeline by approximately 0.2 
mile, but would not differ substantively in alignment from the 
certificated Project route. However, as a result of the proposed 
changes, a pipeline alignment through, and construction work areas 
within, John U. Lloyd Beach State Park would be completely avoided. 
Seaward of the tunnel exit point, the previously authorized offshore 
Project route would be unchanged by the proposed modifications.
    The previously certificated facilities, as modified by the Calypso 
proposal, are summarized in Table 1 below, and the proposed alignment 
of the modified nearshore Project facilities is depicted in Appendix 
1.\2\ If you are interested in obtaining detailed maps of a specific 
portion of the Project, submit your request using the form in Appendix 
2.
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    \2\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all appendices, other 
than Appendix 1 (map), are available on the Commission's Web site at 
the ``eLibrary'' link or from the Commission's Public Reference 
Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 
502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary refer to the 
Public Participation section of this notice. Copies of the 
appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail.

 Table 1.--Calypso U.S. Pipeline Project Summary of Previously Authorized Project Facilities as Modified by the
                                                Current Proposal
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                                                          Approximate
             Facility               Pipeline diameter       length            Milepost            Location/
                                                          (miles) \1\                            jurisdiction
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Pipeline Facilities:
    Offshore pipeline............  30-inch*...........            31.6  0.0 to 31.6........  U.S. Federal
                                                                                              Waters.
    Offshore pipeline............  30-inch*...........            5.3*  31.6 to 36.8*......  Florida State
                                                                                              Waters.
    Onshore pipeline.............  30-inch*...........            5.5*  36.8 to 42.3*......  Broward County.
    Total Length \2\.............  ...................            42.3  ...................  ...................
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Aboveground Facilities:
    Tunnel shaft access*.........  N/A................             N/A  36.8*..............  Broward County.
    Block valve (below ground)...  N/A................             N/A  36.9*..............  Broward County.
    Meter and pressure regulation  N/A................             N/A  42.2...............  Broward County.
     station.
    Block valve..................  N/A................             N/A  42.3...............  Broward County.
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Notes:
 N/A = not applicable.
 *Denotes Project facilities or characteristics included in the proposed modification and that would differ from
  the certificated facilities.
\1\ Approximate length provided in statute miles. Total values may not be additive due to rounding.
\2\ Does not include 53.9 miles of nonjurisdictional pipeline that would be constructed in waters between the
  Bahamas and the Exclusive Economic Zone boundary.

Land Requirements for Construction

    As a result of the tunnel installation methodology, Calypso 
indicates that the total area of seafloor affected by pipeline 
installation would be reduced from approximately 15.9 acres to 
approximately 11.2 acres. The portion of the pipeline in State of 
Florida territorial waters (MP 31.6 to MP 36.8) would be constructed 
within a 25-foot-wide right-of-way, which would be permanently retained 
for pipeline operation and maintenance. The alignment and width of the 
proposed

[[Page 34920]]

200-foot-wide construction and operational right-of-way for the 
offshore segment of the pipeline in Federal waters (MP 0.0 to MP 31.6) 
would be unaffected by the proposed modifications.
    Other than the change in the landfall point for the pipeline, 
Calypso is not proposing any alignment changes to the onshore portion 
of the Project. Calypso does not anticipate that the increase in 
diameter of the pipeline from 24 inches to 30 inches would affect the 
size of the onshore construction or permanent rights-of-way. As 
described in the Final EIS, pipe storage and contractor yard land 
requirements would total approximately 15 acres. However, Calypso now 
indicates that those facilities, which would be located off of 
Eisenhower Boulevard, south of Spangler Boulevard, within the South 
Port area of Port Everglades, would also be used for temporary storage 
of spoils removed from the tunnel. Temporary construction work at the 
tunnel entry point along Spangler Boulevard would total approximately 
0.9 acres. In addition, a temporary concrete segment fabrication batch 
plant would be required to fabricate the tunnel concrete segments, but 
Calypso has not yet identified the actual location or land requirements 
for that facility. With the exception of Calypso's temporary concrete-
segment fabrication batch plant facility and the construction work area 
at the tunnel entry point, the onshore construction activities west of 
the tunnel entry point would not deviate from the certificated land 
requirements for extra work areas.

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the 
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could 
result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us 
to discover and address concerns the public may have about proposals. 
This process is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of the 
scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important 
environmental issues. By this Notice of Intent, the Commission staff 
requests public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the 
EA. All comments received are considered during the preparation of the 
EA. State and local government representatives are encouraged to notify 
their constituents of this proposed action and encourage them to 
comment on their areas of concern.
    In the EA we \3\ will discuss impacts that could occur as a result 
of the construction and operation of the proposed Project under these 
general headings:
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    \3\ ``We'', ``us'', and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Office of Energy Projects (OEP).
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     Geology;
     Soils and sediments;
     Water resources;
     Marine biological resources;
     Endangered and threatened species;
     Land use and visual resources;
     Cultural resources;
     Socioeconomics;
     Air quality and noise;
     Reliability and safety; and
     Cumulative impacts.
    We will not discuss impacts to certain resource areas since they 
are not present in the Project area, or would not be affected by the 
proposed facilities in a manner substantially different than has 
already been evaluated in the certificated Project. These resource 
areas include:
     Vegetation and wetlands;
     Onshore fish and wildlife;
     Recreation; and
     Alternatives.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be included in the EA. 
Depending on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA 
may be published and mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies, 
public interest groups, interested individuals, affected landowners, 
newspapers, libraries, and the Commission's official service list for 
this proceeding. A comment period will be allotted for review if the EA 
is published. We will consider all comments on the EA before we make 
our recommendations to the Commission.
    To ensure your comments are considered, please carefully follow the 
instructions in the public participation section of this notice.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    FERC staff attended a public open house (informational meeting) 
sponsored by Calypso on April 12, 2006, in the Project area. The issues 
and concerns identified by the commentors during that meeting will be 
considered in the preparation of the EA. In addition, FERC staff will 
also participate in an interagency meeting on June 27, 2006, to discuss 
the proposed Project and its associated environmental review process 
with key federal and state agencies.
    We have already identified several issues that we think deserve 
attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and 
the environmental information provided by Calypso. This preliminary 
list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis. 
The issues include:
     Fishery resources and benthic communities, especially 
relating to potential impacts to marine hardbottom habitats and coral 
reef resources;
     Water resources, including the potential for sedimentation 
and/or turbidity effects associated with dredging activities at the 
eastern terminus of the tunnel;
     Tunnel stability and the potential for subsidence;
     Aquatic toxicity of soil conditioners used during tunnel 
construction;
     Potential impacts to operations at the U.S. Navy's Naval 
Surface Warfare Center, Carderrock Division (NSWCCD) resulting from the 
proposed modifications;
     Increased onshore vehicle traffic and congestion 
associated with the proposed modified installation method;
     Safety and security of the proposed modifications; and
     Potential cumulative effects of the deepwater port project 
proposed by an affiliate of Calypso.
    Calypso indicates that the proposed tunnel modification would 
further avoid or minimize impacts to the nearshore reef systems and 
significantly reduce the risk of unanticipated impacts, as compared to 
the HDD construction methodology authorized by the FERC certificate. 
Table 2 summarizes and compares the anticipated direct and indirect 
marine habitat impacts associated with the proposed modifications to 
those associated with the HDD construction methodology. Specifically, 
the landfall HDD exit point, the reef HDD entry point, and the 2,132-
foot-long open-cut trench through the SBSA would be eliminated under 
the proposed modification. Additionally, the pipestrings that would 
have been assembled, dragged, and pulled back into the landfall and 
reef HDDs would be eliminated. Because these elements of the Project 
and their associated construction workspaces would be eliminated, 
Calypso indicates that the tunnel modification would significantly 
reduce direct impacts and the risk of inadvertent impacts in proximity 
to the reefs. Further, Calypso states that the TBM would not use 
drilling fluids under high pressure, thereby minimizing the potential 
risk of a frac-out, which could potentially have occurred in 
association with the HDD installation methodology.

[[Page 34921]]

    The proposed tunnel installation methodology also greatly reduces 
the potential for turbidity and sedimentation generating activities. As 
mentioned above, the tunnel modification would avoid dredging of entry 
and exit pits for the reef and landfall HDDs, respectively, as well as 
the open-cut trench through the SBSA. Additionally, Calypso would 
further minimize the extent of required dredging activities by 
abandoning the TBM in place rather than recovering it. Although the 
proposed tunnel installation methodology would require dredging to 
excavate a basin at the tunnel exit point, the extent of dredging 
activities would be the same as that required for the previously 
approved reef HDD exit point. Calypso would therefore use its previous 
estimates for turbidity and sedimentation associated with the HDD 
installation exit point as a means of estimating indirect impacts to 
marine resources for the proposed tunnel modification. Calypso would 
also continue with its plans to monitor for potential unanticipated 
environmental damage resulting from sedimentation and turbidity during 
construction.

  Table 2.--Calypso U.S. Pipeline Project Comparison of Total Marine Benthic Impacts as Modified by the Current
                                                  Proposal \1\
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                                                   Certificated HDD installation   Proposed tunnel installation
                                                              method                          method
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                  Habitat type                                       Temporary                       Temporary
                                                     Permanent       indirect        Permanent       indirect
                                                   direct impact      impact       direct impact      impact
                                                      (acres)         (acres)         (acres)         (acres)
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First Reef......................................            0.00            0.00            0.00            0.00
Submerged Breakwater Spoil Area.................            1.46            2.80            0.00            0.00
Second Reef.....................................            0.00            0.00            0.00            0.00
Second Reef--Sand...............................            0.12            0.00            0.00            0.00
Third Reef......................................            0.02            0.00            0.00            0.00
Third Reef--Sand................................            0.14            0.00            0.00            0.00
Third Reef Transitional.........................            1.41            0.32            0.99            0.20
Third Reef Transitional/Crater Zone Overlap.....            0.07            0.00            0.02            0.00
Crater Zone.....................................            0.54            0.00            0.15            0.00
Crater Zone/White Cerianthid Overlap............            0.13            0.00            0.12            0.00
White Cerianthid Zone...........................            0.24            0.00            0.28            0.00
White Cerianthid/Textured Sediment Overlap......            0.00            0.00            0.00            0.00
Textured Sediment Zone..........................            0.08            0.00            0.07            0.00
Sand/Uncolonized Bottom.........................            7.95            0.58            9.39            0.00
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal....................................           12.16             3.7           11.02            0.20
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Impact \2\:.......................               15.86
                                                               11.22
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\1\ For comparative purposes, both scenarios exclude those impacts associated with geotechnical investigations.
  Total marine benthic impacts resulting from geotechnical investigations were estimated as 0.34 acres in the
  Final EIS, but the reported total marine benthic impacts for that investigation were 0.31 acres.
\2\ Total impact includes estimated additive effect of both temporary and permanent impacts.

    Calypso has reported that after review of existing geotechnical 
information, as well as consultation with tunneling experts, there 
appears to be no major constructability issues that would constrain 
successful completion of the proposed tunnel. During tunnel 
construction, Calypso would implement various measures to stabilize the 
tunnel, monitor operations, and minimize the potential for tunnel 
collapse. Pre-fabricated concrete segments designed to withstand 
internal and external loading forces would be used to stabilize the 
tunnel as the TBM advances. The Commission will evaluate the 
feasibility of the proposed tunnel modification in consideration of 
site-specific geologic conditions and experience gained from other 
tunneling projects.
    The U.S. Navy's NSWCCD is located in proximity to the proposed 
nearshore pipeline route. The NSWCCD uses systems that are highly 
sensitive to magnetic interference and that could be affected by the 
proposed pipeline Project. In order to address the Navy's concerns, 
Calypso previously proposed to construct approximately 2.6 miles of its 
pipeline using stainless steel pipe. Under the proposed modification, 
Calypso would change the pipeline materials for that portion of the 
Project route back to carbon steel. Calypso is coordinating the 
proposed modifications with the NSWCCD and anticipates amending the 
September 2003 Memorandum of Agreement with NSWCCD to accommodate 
technical issues related to the proposed modifications.
    Spoil materials removed from the tunnel would be loaded on trucks 
at the construction work area north of Spangler Boulevard and 
stockpiled temporarily at the contractor yard along McIntosh Drive 
before being removed offsite for disposal. Calypso estimates that about 
7,930 cubic yards of spoil would be removed to construct the tunnel 
shaft and about 83,600 cubic yards of spoil would be removed to 
construct the tunnel. The tunnel shaft would be located in an area 
historically associated with industrial activities, and therefore soils 
encountered during excavation activities could be contaminated. 
Similarly, the TBM could require the use of soil conditioners to 
stabilize the tunnel face during excavation activities, which could 
contaminate spoil materials removed during tunneling activities. 
Calypso anticipates that proper testing and/or handling of tunnel shaft 
and tunnel spoils would prevent any potential degradation of soil, 
surface water, or ground water quality.
    The pre-fabricated concrete segments used to line the tunnel and 
the pipeline segments to be installed within the tunnel would be 
delivered to the Spangler Boulevard construction site. This activity in 
combination with the removal of spoil from the site could impact local 
traffic flow patterns. These activities would generate an increased

[[Page 34922]]

volume of traffic through the duration of the tunnel boring and 
pipeline installation process, which is expected to last approximately 
16 months. Calypso would coordinate with Port Everglades and other 
local authorities to ensure that construction activities avoid or 
minimize any impact to the local traffic flow. Calypso may also be 
required to complete a traffic study to gauge the anticipated increased 
truck traffic in and around the Spangler Boulevard work area associated 
with implementation of the proposed installation modifications. If 
required, Calypso would file the traffic study with FERC once the study 
is complete.
    The pipeline and ancillary facilities associated with the proposed 
Project would be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in 
accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Minimum Federal 
Safety Standards in 49 CFR part 192, and any other applicable safety 
standards. These standards govern the distance between sectionalizing 
block valves and require the pipeline owner to install cathodic 
protection, use other corrosion-preventing procedures, and perform 
various maintenance activities. During construction, pipeline weld 
inspections and hydrostatic tests would be conducted to verify pipeline 
integrity and ensure the pipeline's ability to withstand the maximum 
designed operating pressure. Additionally, the proposed tunnel would be 
designed, constructed, installed, inspected, operated, and maintained, 
as applicable, in accordance with applicable U.S. Department of Labor, 
Occupational Health and Safety Administration, and local building code 
requirements. Precautions would also be taken to ensure that the 
facilities associated with the proposed modifications are secured 
during operation. The tunnel shaft access point that would be located 
north of Spangler Boulevard, would be enclosed by a fenced area and 
sited within the secured limits of Port Everglades.
    The nonjurisdictional facilities associated with the previously 
certificated Calypso Project, which consist of a pipeline and liquefied 
natural gas (LNG) terminal and regasification facility that would be 
located within the jurisdiction of the Bahamian government, are 
discussed in the Final EIS. We will briefly describe the status of 
these facilities in the EA.
    In addition, Calypso LNG, LLC, an affiliate of Calypso, recently 
proposed to construct and operate a deepwater port approximately 10 
miles offshore of Port Everglades for the purpose of receiving and 
sending out new supplies of LNG through an interconnect with the 
Calypso U.S. Pipeline Project. As defined in the Deepwater Port Act of 
1974 (as amended by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 to 
include natural gas facilities), deepwater ports include a fixed or 
floating structure (other than a vessel) or a group of structures that 
are located off the coast of the U.S. and that are used as a port or 
terminal for the transportation, storage, and further handling of oil 
or natural gas. This legislation requires that the DOT (U.S. Maritime 
Administration) and the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard) regulate the 
licensing, siting, construction, and operation of deepwater ports for 
natural gas in Federal waters. The Coast Guard is currently assessing 
the completeness of the application that was filed by Calypso LNG, LLC 
in March 2006. The FERC has no jurisdiction over the siting or 
authorization of the proposed deepwater port facilities, but it is 
anticipated that the Coast Guard would adopt the Final EIS for the 
Calypso Project, as well as the EA for the proposed modifications, as 
part of its NEPA review for the deepwater port project.
    Calypso reports that it is possible that the proposed deepwater 
port, if authorized and constructed, could provide a source of natural 
gas for the proposed Project, in lieu of natural gas that would be 
received from the nonjursidictional Bahamian LNG terminal and pipeline. 
In that event, the pipeline segment extending from the deepwater port 
location to the exclusive economic zone boundary would not be required. 
We will briefly describe the location, status, and potential cumulative 
effects of the proposed deepwater port facilities in the EA.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the Project. By becoming a commentor, your 
concerns will be addressed in the EA and considered by the Commission. 
Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects of 
the proposal and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. The 
more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To ensure 
that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please carefully 
follow these instructions:
     Send an original and two copies of your letter to: Magalie 
R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First 
St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
     Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas 
Branch 3.
     Reference Docket No. CP01-409-000 on the original and both 
copies.
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before July 14, 2006.
    Please note that we are continuing to experience delays in mail 
deliveries from the U.S. Postal Service. As a result, we will include 
all comments that we receive within a reasonable time frame in our 
environmental analysis of this Project. However, the Commission 
strongly encourages electronic filing of any comments in response to 
this Notice of Intent. For information on electronic filing of 
comments, please see the instructions on the Commission's Internet Web 
site at https://www.ferc.gov under the ``e-Filing'' link and the link to 
the User's Guide, as well as information in 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii). 
Before you can submit comments you will need to create a free account, 
which can be created on-line.

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want 
to become an official party to the proceeding, or ``intervenor''. To 
become an intervenor you must file a motion to intervene according to 
Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 
385.214). Intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the 
Commission's decision. Motions to Intervene should be electronically 
submitted using the Commission's eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov. 
Persons without Internet access should send an original and 14 copies 
of their motion to the Secretary of the Commission at the address 
indicated previously. Persons filing Motions to Intervene on or before 
the comment deadline indicated above must send a copy of the motion to 
the Applicant. All filings, including late interventions, submitted 
after the comment deadline must be served on the Applicant and all 
other intervenors identified on the Commission's service list for this 
proceeding. Persons on the service list with e-mail addresses may be 
served electronically; others must be served a hard copy of the filing.
    Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be 
granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they 
have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which would not be 
adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor 
status to have your environmental comments considered.

[[Page 34923]]

Environmental Mailing List

    An effort is being made to send this notice to all individuals, 
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially 
affected by the proposed Project. This includes all landowners who are 
potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily 
for project purposes, or who own homes within distances defined in the 
Commission's regulations of certain aboveground facilities. By this 
notice we are also asking governmental agencies, especially those in 
Appendix 3, to express their interest in becoming cooperating agencies 
for the preparation of the EA.
    If you received this notice, you are on the environmental mailing 
list for this Project. If you do not want to send comments at this 
time, but still want to remain on our mailing list, please return the 
Information Request (Appendix 2). If you do not return the Information 
Request, you will be removed from the Commission's environmental 
mailing list.

Availability of Additional Information

    Additional information about the Project 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'' and enter the Project docket number 
excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP01-409) in the ``Docket 
Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. 
For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or TTY, 
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link on the FERC Internet Web site 
also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.
    In addition, the FERC 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.
    Finally, public meetings or site visits, if conducted, would be 
posted on the Commission's calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/
EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-9385 Filed 6-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P