Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port License Application; Final Application Public Hearings and Final Environmental Impact Statement, 62657-62659 [E6-17942]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 207 / Thursday, October 26, 2006 / Notices that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter’s interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in § 388.4 of MARAD’s regulations at 46 CFR part 388. DATES: Submit comments on or before November 27, 2006. ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to docket number MARAD–2006 26112. Written comments may be submitted by hand or by mail to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL–401, Department of Transportation, 400 7th St., SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001. You may also send comments electronically via the Internet at https:// dmses.dot.gov/submit/. All comments will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection and copying at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An electronic version of this document and all documents entered into this docket is available on the World Wide Web at https://dms.dot.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joann Spittle, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, MAR–830 Room 7201, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone 202–366–5979. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As described by the applicant the intended service of the vessel MY WAY is: Intended Use: ‘‘charter.’’ Geographic Region: California. Dated: October 18, 2006. By order of the Maritime Administrator. Joel C. Richard, Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. E6–17974 Filed 10–25–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–81–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration ycherry on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES [USCG–2005–22219] Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port License Application; Final Application Public Hearings and Final Environmental Impact Statement Maritime Administration, DOT. Notice of availability; notice of public hearings; request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:21 Oct 25, 2006 Jkt 211001 SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announce the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port license application. Also, public hearings will be held on matters relevant to the approval or denial of the 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 FEIS and application. Publication of this notice begins a 30-day public 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. The Neptune FEIS should be noticed as available and public hearing information published on November 3, 2006. DATES: Public hearings will be held in Gloucester, MA on November 8, 2006 and in Salem, MA on November 9, 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 hearings 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 FEIS and application must reach the Docket Management Facility by November 25, 2006 ending the 30-day public comment period. Federal and State agencies must submit comments, recommended conditions for licensing, or letters of no objection by December 26, 2006 (45 days after the final public hearings). Also by December 26, 2006, the Governor of Massachusetts (the adjacent coastal state) may approve, disapprove, or notify MARAD of inconsistencies with State programs relating to environmental protection, land and water use, and coastal zone management for which MARAD may condition the license to make consistent. MARAD must issue a record of decision (ROD) to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the DWP license application by February 7, 2007 (90 days after the public hearings). For dates required by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) schedule, please see that section at the end of this notice. PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 62657 The public hearing in Gloucester will be held at the Gloucester High School Auditorium, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, Gloucester, MA, telephone: 617–635–4100. The public hearing in Salem will be at the Salem State College Library, Charlotte Forten Hall, 360 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA, telephone: 978–542–7192. The FEIS, the application, comments and associated documentation are available for viewing at the DOT’s Docket Management System Web site: https://dms.dot.gov under docket number 22219. The FEIS is also available at public libraries in Beverly, Boston (Central Library), Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Rockport, and Salem. 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, its fax number is 202–493–2251, and its 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: Roddy.C.Bachman@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone: 202–493– 0402. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: 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 FEIS. Speaker registrations will be available at the door. In order to allow everyone a chance to speak at the public hearings, we may limit speaker time, or extend the hearing 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 hearing, 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. E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM 26OCN1 62658 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 207 / Thursday, October 26, 2006 / Notices ycherry on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES 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 of our public hearing locations are wheelchair-accessible. If you plan to attend an 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 FEIS and application. The public hearing is not the only opportunity you have to comment. In addition to or in place of attending a hearing, you can submit comments to the Docket Management Facility during the public comment period (see DATES). The Coast Guard and MARAD will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. Submissions should include: • 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 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. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:21 Oct 25, 2006 Jkt 211001 Background We published the Notice of Application for the proposed Northeast Gateway liquefied natural gas (LNG) deepwater port and information on regulations and statutes governing licensing in the Federal Register at 70 FR 52422, September 2, 2005; the Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS for the proposed action was published at 70 FR 58228, October 5, 2005; and the Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS was published at 71 FR 29211, May 19, 2006. The FEIS, application materials and associated comments and documentation 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), and (2) denying the application, which for purposes of environmental review is the ‘‘no-action’’ alternative. These alternatives are more fully discussed in the FEIS. 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 FEIS to the Coast Guard project manager identified in 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 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 would 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 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’’ link and FERC Docket number CP05– 383. The eLibrary helpline is 1–866– 208–3676 or e-mail online support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. As required by their regulations, the USACE has maintained 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 have been incorporated into the EIS; will continue to be incorporated into the DOT docket; and will continue to be considered in the licensing, USACE permitting and FERC order decisions. FERC and the USACE, among others, are cooperating agencies and are assisting in the NEPA process as described in 40 CFR 1501.6., and have conducted joint public hearings with the Coast Guard and MARAD. E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM 26OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 207 / Thursday, October 26, 2006 / Notices 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 a 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 Environmental Impact Report can be viewed at https://www.mass.gov/envir/ mepa/thirdlevelpages/monitorarchives/ archives/25july06.htm. The EIR was published in the Environmental Monitor on October 25, 2006; ENF comments will be due November 14, 2006; ENF decisions will be due November 24, 2006; the Secretary of Environmental Affairs will accept written comments on the Environmental Impact Report through November 24, 2006; and the EIR decisions (Certificate) will be due December 1, 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 Robert W. Golledge, Jr., EOEA, Attn: MEPA Office, Richard Bourre, EOEA No.13473/13474, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston MA 02114. Dated: October 23, 2006. Joel C. Richard, Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. E6–17942 Filed 10–25–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–81–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Revenue Procedure 06–XX Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ycherry on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13(44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:21 Oct 25, 2006 Jkt 211001 Revenue Procedure 06–XX (RP–135718– 06), Automatic Consent to Change Certain Elections Relating to the Apportionment of Interest Expense, Research and Experimental Expenditures Under Section 1.861. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before December 26, 2006 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Glenn Kirkland, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6516, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the revenue procedure should be directed to Allan Hopkins, at (202) 622–6665, or at Internal Revenue Service, Room 6516, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, or through the internet, at Allan.M.Hopkins@irs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Automatic Consent to Change Certain Elections Relating to the Apportionment of Interest Expense, Research and Experimental Expenditures Under Section 1.861. OMB Number: 1545–XXXX. Revenue Procedure Number: Revenue Procedure 06–XX. Abstract: This revenue procedure provides administrative guidance under which a taxpayer may obtain automatic consent to change (a) from the fair market value method or from the alternative tax book method to apportion interest expense or (b) from the sales method or the optional gross income methods to apportion research and experimental expenditures. Current Actions: This is a new revenue procedure. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit institutions, and individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 200. Estimated Time Per Respondent: 30 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 100. The following paragraph applies to all of the collections of information covered by this notice: An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103. PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 62659 Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. Approved: October 12, 2006. Glenn Kirkland, IRS Reports Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E6–17990 Filed 10–25–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4830–01–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service [IA–56–87 and IA–53–87] Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Regulation Project Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13(44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning an existing final regulation, IA–56–87 and IA–53–87 (TD 8416), Minimum Tax—Tax Benefit Rule (§§ 1.58–9(c)(5)(iii)(B), and 1.58–9(e)(3)). DATES: Written comments should be received on or before December 26, 2006 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Glenn Kirkland, Internal Revenue Service, Room 6516, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224. E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM 26OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 207 (Thursday, October 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62657-62659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17942]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[USCG-2005-22219]


Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas 
Deepwater Port License Application; Final Application Public Hearings 
and Final Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT.

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

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

SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard 
(USCG) announce the availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) for the Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C., 
Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port license application. Also, public 
hearings will be held on matters relevant to the approval or denial of 
the 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 FEIS and application. 
Publication of this notice begins a 30-day public 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. The 
Neptune FEIS should be noticed as available and public hearing 
information published on November 3, 2006.

DATES: Public hearings will be held in Gloucester, MA on November 8, 
2006 and in Salem, MA on November 9, 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 hearings 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 
FEIS and application must reach the Docket Management Facility by 
November 25, 2006 ending the 30-day public comment period.
    Federal and State agencies must submit comments, recommended 
conditions for licensing, or letters of no objection by December 26, 
2006 (45 days after the final public hearings). Also by December 26, 
2006, the Governor of Massachusetts (the adjacent coastal state) may 
approve, disapprove, or notify MARAD of inconsistencies with State 
programs relating to environmental protection, land and water use, and 
coastal zone management for which MARAD may condition the license to 
make consistent.
    MARAD must issue a record of decision (ROD) to approve, approve 
with conditions, or deny the DWP license application by February 7, 
2007 (90 days after the public hearings).
    For dates required by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act 
(MEPA) schedule, please see that section at the end of this notice.

ADDRESSES: The public hearing in Gloucester will be held at the 
Gloucester High School Auditorium, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, 
Gloucester, MA, telephone: 617-635-4100. The public hearing in Salem 
will be at the Salem State College Library, Charlotte Forten Hall, 360 
Lafayette Street, Salem, MA, telephone: 978-542-7192.
    The FEIS, the application, comments and associated documentation 
are available for viewing at the DOT's Docket Management System Web 
site: https://dms.dot.gov under docket number 22219. The FEIS is also 
available at public libraries in Beverly, Boston (Central Library), 
Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Rockport, and Salem.
    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, its fax number is 202-493-2251, and its 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: Roddy.C.Bachman@uscg.mil. If you have 
questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, 
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 FEIS. Speaker 
registrations will be available at the door. In order to allow everyone 
a chance to speak at the public hearings, we may limit speaker time, or 
extend the hearing 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 hearing, 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.

[[Page 62658]]

    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 of our public hearing locations are wheelchair-accessible. If 
you plan to attend an 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 
FEIS and application. The public hearing is not the only opportunity 
you have to comment. In addition to or in place of attending a hearing, 
you can submit comments to the Docket Management Facility during the 
public comment period (see DATES). The Coast Guard and MARAD will 
consider all comments and material received during the comment period.
    Submissions should include:
     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

    We published the Notice of Application for the proposed Northeast 
Gateway liquefied natural gas (LNG) deepwater port and information on 
regulations and statutes governing licensing in the Federal Register at 
70 FR 52422, September 2, 2005; the Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS 
for the proposed action was published at 70 FR 58228, October 5, 2005; 
and the Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS was published at 71 FR 
29211, May 19, 2006. The FEIS, application materials and associated 
comments and documentation 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), and (2) denying the application, which 
for purposes of environmental review is the ``no-action'' alternative. 
These alternatives are more fully discussed in the FEIS. 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 FEIS to the 
Coast Guard project manager identified in 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 would 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 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'' link and FERC Docket number 
CP05-383. The eLibrary helpline is 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail online 
support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.
    As required by their regulations, the USACE has maintained 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 have been incorporated 
into the EIS; will continue to be incorporated into the DOT docket; and 
will continue to be considered in the licensing, USACE permitting and 
FERC order decisions. FERC and the USACE, among others, are cooperating 
agencies and are assisting in the NEPA process as described in 40 CFR 
1501.6., and have conducted joint public hearings with the Coast Guard 
and MARAD.

[[Page 62659]]

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 a 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 
Environmental Impact Report can be viewed at https://www.mass.gov/envir/
mepa/thirdlevelpages/monitorarchives/archives/25july06.htm. The EIR was 
published in the Environmental Monitor on October 25, 2006; ENF 
comments will be due November 14, 2006; ENF decisions will be due 
November 24, 2006; the Secretary of Environmental Affairs will accept 
written comments on the Environmental Impact Report through November 
24, 2006; and the EIR decisions (Certificate) will be due December 1, 
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 
Robert W. Golledge, Jr., EOEA, Attn: MEPA Office, Richard Bourre, EOEA 
No.13473/13474, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston MA 02114.

    Dated: October 23, 2006.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-17942 Filed 10-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.