LNG Development Company, LLC and Oregon Pipeline Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Oregon LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues and Notice of Public Meetings, 50356-50359 [E7-17259]
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50356
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 169 / Friday, August 31, 2007 / Notices
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Docket Numbers: OA07–3–001.
Applicants: Tampa Electric Company.
Description: Tampa Electric Company
submits First Revised Sheet 81 et al. to
FERC Electric Tariff, Third Revised
Volume 4, to be effective 8/1/07.
Filed Date: 08/21/2007.
Accession Number: 20070823–0028.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time
on Tuesday, September 11, 2007.
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest in any of the above proceedings
must file in accordance with Rules 211
and 214 of the Commission’s Rules of
Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211
and 385.214) on or before 5 p.m. Eastern
time on the specified comment date. It
is not necessary to separately intervene
again in a subdocket related to a
compliance filing if you have previously
intervened in the same docket. Protests
will be considered by the Commission
in determining the appropriate action to
be taken, but will not serve to make
protestants parties to the proceeding.
Anyone filing a motion to intervene or
protest must serve a copy of that
document on the Applicant. In reference
to filings initiating a new proceeding,
interventions or protests submitted on
or before the comment deadline need
not be served on persons other than the
Applicant.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the
FERC Online links at https://
www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
service, persons with Internet access
who will eFile a document and/or be
listed as a contact for an intervenor
must create and validate an
eRegistration account using the
eRegistration link. Select the eFiling
link to log on and submit the
intervention or protests.
Persons unable to file electronically
should submit an original and 14 copies
of the intervention or protest to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First St. NE., Washington, DC
20426.
The filings in the above proceedings
are accessible in the Commission’s
eLibrary system by clicking on the
appropriate link in the above list. They
are also available for review in the
Commission’s Public Reference Room in
Washington, DC. There is an
eSubscription link on the Web site that
enables subscribers to receive e-mail
notification when a document is added
to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance
with any FERC Online service, please email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. or
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call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY,
call (202) 502–8659.
information, contact Kristen Murphy at
(202) 502–6236.
Nathaniel J. Davis Sr.,
Acting Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7–17302 Filed 8–30–07; 8:45 am]
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7–17252 Filed 8–30–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. PF07–10–000]
[Project No. 906–006]
Virginia Electric & Power Company;
Notice of Availability of Environmental
Assessment
August 23, 2007.
In accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and
the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission’s (Commission)
regulations, 18 CFR part 380 (Order No.
486, 52 FR 47879), the Office of Energy
Projects has reviewed the application
for a new license for the Cushaw
Hydroelectric Project, located on the
James River, near the Town of Glasgow,
Virginia, and has prepared an
Environmental Assessment (EA). In the
EA, Commission staff, analyze potential
environmental effects of relicensing the
project and conclude that issuing a new
license for the project, with appropriate
environmental measures, would not
constitute a major federal action
significantly affecting the quality of the
human environment.
A copy of the EA is on file with the
Commission and is available for public
inspection. The EA may also be viewed
on the Commission’s Web site at
https://www.ferc.gov using the
‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket
number excluding the last three digits in
the docket number field to access the
document. For assistance, contact FERC
Online Support at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or tollfree at 1–866–208–3676, or for TTY,
(202) 502–8659.
Any comments should be filed within
30 days from the issuance date of this
notice, and should be addressed to the
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street, NE.,
Room 1–A, Washington, DC 20426.
Please affix ‘‘Cushaw Project No. 906–
006’’ to all comments. Comments may
be filed electronically via Internet in
lieu of paper. The Commission strongly
encourages electronic filings. See 18
CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the
instructions on the Commission’s Web
site under the ‘‘eFiling’’ link. For further
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LNG Development Company, LLC and
Oregon Pipeline Company; Notice of
Intent To Prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement for the Proposed
Oregon LNG Terminal and Pipeline
Project, Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues and Notice of
Public Meetings
August 24, 2007.
The Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC or Commission) and
the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, U.S. Coast Guard (Coast
Guard) are in the process of evaluating
the Oregon LNG Terminal and Pipeline
Project involving the construction and
operation of facilities proposed by LNG
Development Company, LLC and
Oregon Pipeline Company (collectively
referred to as Oregon LNG). The
facilities would be located in northern
Oregon and consist of a liquefied
natural gas (LNG) import terminal in
Warrenton, Oregon, and an associated
117-mile-long natural gas pipeline from
the LNG import terminal southeastward
across Clatsop, Washington, Yamhill,
Marion, and Clackamas Counties,
Oregon, to an interconnection with the
existing Williams Northwest Pipeline
system near Molalla, Oregon.
As a part of this evaluation, FERC
staff will prepare an environmental
impact statement (EIS) that will address
the environmental impacts of the project
and the Coast Guard will assess the
safety and security of the project. As
described below, the FERC and the
Coast Guard will hold a joint public
meeting to allow the public to provide
input to these assessments.
The Commission will use the EIS in
its decision-making process to
determine whether or not to authorize
the project. This Notice of Intent (NOI)
explains the scoping process we 1 will
use to gather information on the project
from the public and interested agencies
and summarizes the process that the
Coast Guard will use. Your input will
1 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the
environmental staff of the FERC’s Office of Emergy
Projects.
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 169 / Friday, August 31, 2007 / Notices
help identify the issues that need to be
evaluated in the EIS and in the Coast
Guard’s safety and security assessment.
The FERC will be the lead federal
agency in the preparation of an EIS that
will satisfy the requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA). The Coast Guard will serve as
a cooperating agency during preparation
of the EIS. In addition, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers; U.S. Department of
Commerce, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, National
Marine Fisheries Service; the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency; the
U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish
and Wildlife Service; and the Oregon
Department of Energy have been
requested to serve as cooperating
agencies in preparation of the EIS.
Comments on the project may be
submitted in written form or verbally.
Further details on how to submit
written comments are provided in the
Public Participation section of this NOI.
In lieu of sending written comments, we
invite you to attend the public scoping
meetings scheduled as follows:
Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
Warrenton High School Gymnasium,
1700 SE Main Street, Warrenton, OR
97146, telephone: 503–861–3317
(contact: Rod Heyen).
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Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 7:00
p.m.
Forest Grove Armory, 2950 Taylor Way,
Forest Grove, OR 97116–1541,
telephone: 971–219–7297 (contact:
Steve Johnson).
Thursday, September 20, 2007, 7:00
p.m.
Woodburn City Council Chambers, 270
Montgomery St., Woodburn, OR
97071, telephone: 503–982–5228
(contact: Jan Clay).
The first public scoping meeting
listed above (Warrenton) will be
combined with the Coast Guard’s public
meeting regarding the maritime safety
and security of the project. At the
meeting, the Coast Guard will discuss:
(1) The waterway suitability assessment
that the applicant will conduct to
determine whether or not the waterway
can safely accommodate the LNG carrier
traffic and operation of the planned
LNG marine terminal; and (2) the
facility security assessment that the
applicant will conduct in accordance
with the regulations of the Maritime
Transportation Security Act to assist
with the preparation of a Facility
Security Plan.
The Coast Guard is responsible for
matters related to navigation safety,
vessel engineering and safety standards,
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and all matters pertaining to the safety
of facilities or equipment located in or
adjacent to navigable waters up to the
last valve immediately before the
receiving tanks. The Coast Guard also
has authority for LNG facility security
plan review, approval, and compliance
verification as provided in Title 33 Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 105,
and recommendation for siting as it
pertains to the management of vessel
traffic in and around the LNG facility.
Upon receipt of a Letter of Intent from
an owner or operator intending to build
a new LNG facility, the Coast Guard
Captain of the Port conducts an analysis
based on:
• The physical location and layout of
the facility and its berthing and mooring
arrangements;
• The LNG vessels’ characteristics
and the frequency of LNG shipments to
the facility;
• Commercial, industrial,
environmentally sensitive, and
residential areas in and adjacent to the
waterway used by the LNG vessels en
route to the facility;
• Density and character of the marine
traffic on the waterway;
• Bridges or other man-made
obstructions in the waterway;
• Depth of water;
• Tidal range;
• Natural hazards, including rocks
and sandbars;
• Underwater pipelines and cables;
and
• Distance of berthed LNG vessels
from the channel, and the width of the
channel.
This analysis results in a Letter of
Recommendation issued to the owner or
operator and to the state and local
governments having jurisdiction,
addressing the suitability of the
waterway to accommodate LNG vessels,
as prescribed by 33 CFR 127.009.
In addition, the Coast Guard will
review and approve the facility’s
operations manual and emergency
response plan (33 CFR 127.019), as well
as the facility’s security plan (33 CFR
105.410). The Coast Guard will also
provide input to other federal, state, and
local government agencies reviewing the
project.
In order to complete a thorough
analysis and fulfill the regulatory
mandates cited above, the applicant will
be conducting a Waterway Suitability
Assessment (WSA), a formal risk
assessment evaluating the various safety
and security aspects associated with the
Oregon LNG Terminal and Pipeline
Project. This risk assessment will be
accomplished through a series of
workshops focusing on the areas of
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50357
waterways safety, port security, and
consequence management, with
involvement from a broad cross-section
of government and port stakeholders
with expertise in each of the respective
areas. The workshops will be by
invitation only. However, comments
received during the public comment
period will be considered as input in
the risk assessment process. The results
of the WSA will be submitted to the
Coast Guard to be used in determining
whether the waterway is suitable for
LNG traffic.
This NOI is being sent to federal,
state, and local government agencies;
elected officials; affected landowners;
environmental and public interest
groups; Indian tribes and regional
Native American organizations;
commentors and other interested
parties; and local libraries and
newspapers. We encourage government
representatives to notify their
constituents of this planned project and
encourage them to comment on their
areas of concern.
Summary of the Proposed Project
Oregon LNG proposes to construct
and operate an LNG import terminal
and storage facility, and associated
natural gas sendout pipeline with a
capacity to deliver up to 1.5 billion
cubic feet per day. More specifically,
Oregon LNG proposes the following
primary project components:
• A marine facility, including LNG
unloading equipment and one ship
berth capable of handling about 150
LNG carrier ships per year (the capacity
of the ships could range from 70,000 to
260,000 cubic meters (m3) per ship);
• Interconnecting facilities including
piping, electrical, and control systems;
• An LNG spill containment and
collection system;
• Three full containment LNG storage
tanks, each with a nominal usable
storage capacity of 160,000 m3;
• Vapor handling, re-gasification, and
sendout systems;
• Utilities, telecommunications, and
other supporting systems;
• Administrative, control room,
warehouse, security, and other
buildings and enclosures;
• Interconnecting roadways and civil
works; and
• A 117-mile-long, 30 to 36-inchdiameter natural gas sendout pipeline
extending from the LNG terminal to the
interconnection with the existing
interstate natural gas pipeline system
operated by Williams Northwest
Pipeline.
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A location map depicting Oregon
LNG’s proposed facilities is attached to
this NOI as Appendix 1.2
The EIS Process
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
NEPA requires the Commission to
take into account the environmental
impacts that could result from an action
when it considers whether or not an
LNG import terminal or an interstate
natural gas pipeline should be
approved. The FERC will use the EIS to
consider the environmental impacts that
could result if it issues project
authorizations to Oregon LNG under
sections 3 and 7 of the Natural Gas Act.
In addition, the Coast Guard will use the
EIS to determine if a Letter of
Recommendation should be issued,
with or without conditions, under 33
CFR § 127.009. 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 EIS on the
important environmental issues. With
this NOI, the Commission staff is
requesting public comments on the
scope of the issues to be addressed in
the EIS. All comments received will be
considered during preparation of the
EIS.
In the EIS we will discuss impacts
that could occur as a result of the
construction, operation, and
maintenance of the proposed project
under these general headings:
• Geology and soils.
• Water resources.
• Aquatic resources.
• Vegetation and wildlife.
• Threatened and endangered
species.
• Land use, recreation, and visual
resources.
• Cultural resources.
• Socioeconomics.
• Marine transportation.
• Air quality and noise.
• Reliability and safety.
• Cumulative impacts.
In the EIS, we will also evaluate
possible alternatives to the proposed
project or portions of the project, and
make recommendations on how to
lessen or avoid impacts on affected
resources.
Our independent analysis of the
issues will be included in a draft EIS.
2 The appendices referenced in this notice are not
being printed in the Federal Register. Copies are
available on the Commission’s Web site (excluding
maps) at the ‘‘e-Library’’ link or from the
Commission’s Public Reference Room or call (202)
501–8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary refer to the end of this notice. Copies of the
appendices were sent to all those receiving this
notice in the mail.
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The draft EIS will be mailed to federal,
state, and local government agencies;
elected officials; affected landowners;
environmental and public interest
groups; Indian tribes and regional
Native American organizations;
commentors; other interested parties;
local libraries and newspapers; and the
FERC’s official service list for this
proceeding. A 45-day comment period
will be allotted for review of the draft
EIS. We will consider all comments on
the draft EIS and revise the document,
as necessary, before issuing a final EIS.
We will consider all comments on the
final EIS before we make our
recommendations to the Commission.
To ensure that your comments are
considered, please follow the
instructions in the Public Participation
section of this NOI.
Although no formal application has
been filed, the FERC staff has already
initiated its NEPA review under its prefiling process. The purpose of the prefiling process is to encourage early
involvement of interested stakeholders
and to identify and resolve issues before
an application is filed with the FERC. In
addition, the Coast Guard, which would
be responsible for reviewing the safety
and security aspects of the planned
project and regulating safety and
security if the project is approved, has
initiated its review of the project as
well.
With this NOI, we are asking federal,
state, and local agencies with
jurisdiction and/or special expertise
with respect to environmental issues, in
addition to those agencies that have
already agreed to serve as cooperating
agencies (as noted above), to formally
cooperate with us in the preparation of
the EIS. These agencies may choose to
participate once they have evaluated the
proposal relative to their
responsibilities. Additional agencies
that would like to request cooperating
agency status should follow the
instructions for filing comments
provided under the Public Participation
section of this NOI.
Currently Identified Environmental
Issues
We have already identified issues that
we think deserve attention based on our
previous experience with similar
projects in the region. This preliminary
list of issues, which is presented below,
may be revised based on your comments
and our continuing analyses specific to
the Oregon LNG Terminal and Pipeline
Project.
• Impact of LNG vessel traffic on
other users, including commercial
ships, fishing, and recreational boaters
on the lower Columbia River.
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• Potential impacts of dredging the
turning basin and LNG ship dock on
water quality and estuarine fishery
resources.
• Potential impacts of the LNG
terminal on residents in Warrenton and
the surrounding area, including safety
issues at the import and storage facility,
noise, air quality, and visual resources.
• Potential for geological hazards,
including seismic activity, to have
impacts on both the proposed LNG
import terminal and sendout pipeline.
• Potential impacts of the pipeline on
waterbodies and wetlands, including
issues of erosion control.
• Potential impacts of the pipeline on
vegetation, including the clearing of
forested areas.
• Potential impacts of the pipeline on
threatened and endangered species and
wildlife habitat.
• Potential impacts of the pipeline on
cultural resources.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by
providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the Oregon
LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project. By
becoming a commentor, your concerns
will be addressed in the EIS and
considered by the Commission. Your
comments should focus on the potential
environmental effects, reasonable
alternatives (including alternative
facility sites and pipeline routes), and
measures to avoid or lessen
environmental impacts. The more
specific your comments, the more useful
they will be. To ensure that your
comments are timely and properly
recorded, please follow these
instructions:
• Send an original and two copies of
your letter to: Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First St., NE., Room
1A, Washington, DC 20426.
• Label one copy of your comments
for the attention of OEP/DG2E/Gas
Branch 2, PJ–11.2.
• Reference Docket No. PF07–10–000
on the original and both copies.
• Mail your comments so that they
will be received in Washington, DC, on
or before September 24, 2007.
The Commission strongly encourages
electronic filing of any comments in
response to this NOI. For information on
electronically filing comments, please
see the instructions on the
Commission’s 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 file
comments you will need to create a free
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account, which can be accomplished
on-line.
The public scoping meetings (dates,
times, and locations listed above) are
designed to provide another opportunity
to offer comments on the proposed
project. Interested groups and
individuals are encouraged to attend the
meetings and to present comments on
the environmental issues that they
believe should be addressed in the EIS.
A transcript of the meetings will be
generated so that your comments will be
accurately recorded.
Once Oregon LNG formally files its
application with the Commission, you
may want to become an ‘‘intervenor,’’
which is an official party to the
proceeding. Intervenors play a more
formal role in the process and are able
to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be
heard by the courts if they choose to
appeal the Commission’s final ruling.
An intervenor formally participates in a
Commission proceeding by filing a
request to intervene. Instructions for
becoming an intervenor are included in
the User’s Guide under the ‘‘e-filing’’
link on the Commission’s Web site.
Please note that you may not request
intervenor status at this time. You must
wait until a formal application is filed
with the Commission.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Environmental Mailing List
If you wish to remain on the
environmental mailing list, please
return the attached Mailing List
Retention Form (Appendix 2 of this
NOI). If you do not return this form, we
will remove your name from our
mailing list.
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.’’
Click on the eLibrary link, select
‘‘General Search’’ and enter the project
docket number, excluding the last three
digits (i.e., PF07–10) in the ‘‘Docket
Number’’ field. Be sure you have
selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance with eLibrary, the eLibrary
helpline can be reached at 1–866–208–
3676, TTY (202) 502–8659, or by e-mail
at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The
eLibrary link on the FERC 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
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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.
Public meetings or site visits will be
posted on the Commission’s calendar
located at https://www.ferc.gov/
EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along
with other related information.
Finally, Oregon LNG has established
an Web site for this project at https://
www.oregonlng.com. The Web site
includes a project overview, status,
potential impacts and mitigation, and
answers to frequently asked questions.
You can also request additional
information by calling Oregon LNG
directly at 503–298–4969, or by sending
an e-mail to info@OregonLNG.com.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7–17259 Filed 8–30–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. DI07–11–000]
Bangor Water District; Notice of
Declaration of Intention and Soliciting
Comments, Protests, and/or Motions
To Intervene
August 22, 2007.
Take notice that the following
application has been filed with the
Commission and is available for public
inspection:
a. Application Type: Declaration of
Intention.
b. Docket No.: DI07–11–000.
c. Date Filed: July 24, 2007.
d. Applicant: Bangor Water District.
e. Name of Project: Bangor Water
District Hydropower Project.
f. Location: The proposed Bangor
Water District Hydropower Project will
be located in the District’s existing
water transmission pipe, in Penobscot
County, near Bangor, Maine.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Section 23(b)(1)
of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C.
817(b).
h. Applicant Contact: Kathy Moriarty,
General Manager, Bangor Water District,
P.O. Box 1129, 614 State Street, Bangor,
ME 04402–1129; telephone: (207) 947–
4516; e-mail: https://
moriarty@bangorwater.org.
i. FERC Contact: Any questions on
this notice should be addressed to
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50359
Henry Ecton, (202) 502–8768, or e-mail
address: henry.ecton@ferc.gov.
j. Deadline for filing comments,
protests, and/or motions: September 24,
2007.
All documents (original and eight
copies) should be filed with: Secretary,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC
20426. Comments, protests, and/or
interventions may be filed electronically
via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18
CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the
instructions on the Commission’s Web
site at https://www.ferc.gov under the ‘‘eFiling link.’’
Please include the docket number
(DI07–11–000) on any comments,
protests, and/or motions filed.
k. Description of Project: The
proposed Bangor Water District
Hydropower Project will include: (1)
Two 36-inch-diameter, one-mile-long
water intake pipes, connected to a water
treatment plant; (2) a 30-inch, 15-milelong reinforced concrete pipe from the
water treatment plant to a point under
the Penobscot River, where it splits into
two 24-inch reinforced concrete water
pipes; (3) a 75-kW Canyon turbine/
generator horizontal shaft unit, which
will be installed in one of the 24-inch
pipes, replacing a pressure reducing
valve; (4) the two pipes rejoin, forming
a 30-inch main, which conveys water to
storage tanks for distribution into the
Bangor water system; and (5)
appurtenant facilities. The proposed
project will not occupy any tribal or
federal lands.
When a Declaration of Intention is
filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, the Federal Power Act
requires the Commission to investigate
and determine if the interests of
interstate or foreign commerce would be
affected by the project. The Commission
also determines whether or not the
project: (1) Would be located on a
navigable waterway; (2) would occupy
or affect public lands or reservations of
the United States; (3) would utilize
surplus water or water power from a
government dam; or (4) if applicable,
has involved or would involve any
construction subsequent to 1935 that
may have increased or would increase
the project’s head or generating
capacity, or have otherwise significantly
modified the project’s pre-1935 design
or operation.
l. Locations of the Application: Copies
of this filing are on file with the
Commission and are available for public
inspection. This filing may be viewed
on the Web at https://www.ferc.gov using
the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link, select ‘‘Docket#’’
and follow the instructions. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 169 (Friday, August 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50356-50359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17259]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF07-10-000]
LNG Development Company, LLC and Oregon Pipeline Company; Notice
of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed
Oregon LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues and Notice of Public Meetings
August 24, 2007.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) and
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard (Coast
Guard) are in the process of evaluating the Oregon LNG Terminal and
Pipeline Project involving the construction and operation of facilities
proposed by LNG Development Company, LLC and Oregon Pipeline Company
(collectively referred to as Oregon LNG). The facilities would be
located in northern Oregon and consist of a liquefied natural gas (LNG)
import terminal in Warrenton, Oregon, and an associated 117-mile-long
natural gas pipeline from the LNG import terminal southeastward across
Clatsop, Washington, Yamhill, Marion, and Clackamas Counties, Oregon,
to an interconnection with the existing Williams Northwest Pipeline
system near Molalla, Oregon.
As a part of this evaluation, FERC staff will prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) that will address the
environmental impacts of the project and the Coast Guard will assess
the safety and security of the project. As described below, the FERC
and the Coast Guard will hold a joint public meeting to allow the
public to provide input to these assessments.
The Commission will use the EIS in its decision-making process to
determine whether or not to authorize the project. This Notice of
Intent (NOI) explains the scoping process we \1\ will use to gather
information on the project from the public and interested agencies and
summarizes the process that the Coast Guard will use. Your input will
[[Page 50357]]
help identify the issues that need to be evaluated in the EIS and in
the Coast Guard's safety and security assessment.
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\1\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the FERC's Office of Emergy Projects.
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The FERC will be the lead federal agency in the preparation of an
EIS that will satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA). The Coast Guard will serve as a cooperating agency
during preparation of the EIS. In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers; U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service; the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency; the U.S. Department of the Interior,
Fish and Wildlife Service; and the Oregon Department of Energy have
been requested to serve as cooperating agencies in preparation of the
EIS.
Comments on the project may be submitted in written form or
verbally. Further details on how to submit written comments are
provided in the Public Participation section of this NOI. In lieu of
sending written comments, we invite you to attend the public scoping
meetings scheduled as follows:
Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
Warrenton High School Gymnasium, 1700 SE Main Street, Warrenton, OR
97146, telephone: 503-861-3317 (contact: Rod Heyen).
Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
Forest Grove Armory, 2950 Taylor Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116-1541,
telephone: 971-219-7297 (contact: Steve Johnson).
Thursday, September 20, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
Woodburn City Council Chambers, 270 Montgomery St., Woodburn, OR 97071,
telephone: 503-982-5228 (contact: Jan Clay).
The first public scoping meeting listed above (Warrenton) will be
combined with the Coast Guard's public meeting regarding the maritime
safety and security of the project. At the meeting, the Coast Guard
will discuss: (1) The waterway suitability assessment that the
applicant will conduct to determine whether or not the waterway can
safely accommodate the LNG carrier traffic and operation of the planned
LNG marine terminal; and (2) the facility security assessment that the
applicant will conduct in accordance with the regulations of the
Maritime Transportation Security Act to assist with the preparation of
a Facility Security Plan.
The Coast Guard is responsible for matters related to navigation
safety, vessel engineering and safety standards, and all matters
pertaining to the safety of facilities or equipment located in or
adjacent to navigable waters up to the last valve immediately before
the receiving tanks. The Coast Guard also has authority for LNG
facility security plan review, approval, and compliance verification as
provided in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 105, and
recommendation for siting as it pertains to the management of vessel
traffic in and around the LNG facility.
Upon receipt of a Letter of Intent from an owner or operator
intending to build a new LNG facility, the Coast Guard Captain of the
Port conducts an analysis based on:
The physical location and layout of the facility and its
berthing and mooring arrangements;
The LNG vessels' characteristics and the frequency of LNG
shipments to the facility;
Commercial, industrial, environmentally sensitive, and
residential areas in and adjacent to the waterway used by the LNG
vessels en route to the facility;
Density and character of the marine traffic on the
waterway;
Bridges or other man-made obstructions in the waterway;
Depth of water;
Tidal range;
Natural hazards, including rocks and sandbars;
Underwater pipelines and cables; and
Distance of berthed LNG vessels from the channel, and the
width of the channel.
This analysis results in a Letter of Recommendation issued to the owner
or operator and to the state and local governments having jurisdiction,
addressing the suitability of the waterway to accommodate LNG vessels,
as prescribed by 33 CFR 127.009.
In addition, the Coast Guard will review and approve the facility's
operations manual and emergency response plan (33 CFR 127.019), as well
as the facility's security plan (33 CFR 105.410). The Coast Guard will
also provide input to other federal, state, and local government
agencies reviewing the project.
In order to complete a thorough analysis and fulfill the regulatory
mandates cited above, the applicant will be conducting a Waterway
Suitability Assessment (WSA), a formal risk assessment evaluating the
various safety and security aspects associated with the Oregon LNG
Terminal and Pipeline Project. This risk assessment will be
accomplished through a series of workshops focusing on the areas of
waterways safety, port security, and consequence management, with
involvement from a broad cross-section of government and port
stakeholders with expertise in each of the respective areas. The
workshops will be by invitation only. However, comments received during
the public comment period will be considered as input in the risk
assessment process. The results of the WSA will be submitted to the
Coast Guard to be used in determining whether the waterway is suitable
for LNG traffic.
This NOI is being sent to federal, state, and local government
agencies; elected officials; affected landowners; environmental and
public interest groups; Indian tribes and regional Native American
organizations; commentors and other interested parties; and local
libraries and newspapers. We encourage government representatives to
notify their constituents of this planned project and encourage them to
comment on their areas of concern.
Summary of the Proposed Project
Oregon LNG proposes to construct and operate an LNG import terminal
and storage facility, and associated natural gas sendout pipeline with
a capacity to deliver up to 1.5 billion cubic feet per day. More
specifically, Oregon LNG proposes the following primary project
components:
A marine facility, including LNG unloading equipment and
one ship berth capable of handling about 150 LNG carrier ships per year
(the capacity of the ships could range from 70,000 to 260,000 cubic
meters (m\3\) per ship);
Interconnecting facilities including piping, electrical,
and control systems;
An LNG spill containment and collection system;
Three full containment LNG storage tanks, each with a
nominal usable storage capacity of 160,000 m\3\;
Vapor handling, re-gasification, and sendout systems;
Utilities, telecommunications, and other supporting
systems;
Administrative, control room, warehouse, security, and
other buildings and enclosures;
Interconnecting roadways and civil works; and
A 117-mile-long, 30 to 36-inch-diameter natural gas
sendout pipeline extending from the LNG terminal to the interconnection
with the existing interstate natural gas pipeline system operated by
Williams Northwest Pipeline.
[[Page 50358]]
A location map depicting Oregon LNG's proposed facilities is
attached to this NOI as Appendix 1.\2\
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\2\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available on the
Commission's Web site (excluding maps) at the ``e-Library'' link or
from the Commission's Public Reference Room or call (202) 501-8371.
For instructions on connecting to e-Library refer to the end of this
notice. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving
this notice in the mail.
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The EIS Process
NEPA requires the Commission to take into account the environmental
impacts that could result from an action when it considers whether or
not an LNG import terminal or an interstate natural gas pipeline should
be approved. The FERC will use the EIS to consider the environmental
impacts that could result if it issues project authorizations to Oregon
LNG under sections 3 and 7 of the Natural Gas Act. In addition, the
Coast Guard will use the EIS to determine if a Letter of Recommendation
should be issued, with or without conditions, under 33 CFR Sec.
127.009. 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 EIS on the important environmental issues. With this
NOI, the Commission staff is requesting public comments on the scope of
the issues to be addressed in the EIS. All comments received will be
considered during preparation of the EIS.
In the EIS we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of
the construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed project
under these general headings:
Geology and soils.
Water resources.
Aquatic resources.
Vegetation and wildlife.
Threatened and endangered species.
Land use, recreation, and visual resources.
Cultural resources.
Socioeconomics.
Marine transportation.
Air quality and noise.
Reliability and safety.
Cumulative impacts.
In the EIS, we will also evaluate possible alternatives to the
proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations
on how to lessen or avoid impacts on affected resources.
Our independent analysis of the issues will be included in a draft
EIS. The draft EIS will be mailed to federal, state, and local
government agencies; elected officials; affected landowners;
environmental and public interest groups; Indian tribes and regional
Native American organizations; commentors; other interested parties;
local libraries and newspapers; and the FERC's official service list
for this proceeding. A 45-day comment period will be allotted for
review of the draft EIS. We will consider all comments on the draft EIS
and revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. We
will consider all comments on the final EIS before we make our
recommendations to the Commission. To ensure that your comments are
considered, please follow the instructions in the Public Participation
section of this NOI.
Although no formal application has been filed, the FERC staff has
already initiated its NEPA review under its pre-filing process. The
purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage early involvement of
interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before an
application is filed with the FERC. In addition, the Coast Guard, which
would be responsible for reviewing the safety and security aspects of
the planned project and regulating safety and security if the project
is approved, has initiated its review of the project as well.
With this NOI, we are asking federal, state, and local agencies
with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to
environmental issues, in addition to those agencies that have already
agreed to serve as cooperating agencies (as noted above), to formally
cooperate with us in the preparation of the EIS. These agencies may
choose to participate once they have evaluated the proposal relative to
their responsibilities. Additional agencies that would like to request
cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for filing
comments provided under the Public Participation section of this NOI.
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
We have already identified issues that we think deserve attention
based on our previous experience with similar projects in the region.
This preliminary list of issues, which is presented below, may be
revised based on your comments and our continuing analyses specific to
the Oregon LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project.
Impact of LNG vessel traffic on other users, including
commercial ships, fishing, and recreational boaters on the lower
Columbia River.
Potential impacts of dredging the turning basin and LNG
ship dock on water quality and estuarine fishery resources.
Potential impacts of the LNG terminal on residents in
Warrenton and the surrounding area, including safety issues at the
import and storage facility, noise, air quality, and visual resources.
Potential for geological hazards, including seismic
activity, to have impacts on both the proposed LNG import terminal and
sendout pipeline.
Potential impacts of the pipeline on waterbodies and
wetlands, including issues of erosion control.
Potential impacts of the pipeline on vegetation, including
the clearing of forested areas.
Potential impacts of the pipeline on threatened and
endangered species and wildlife habitat.
Potential impacts of the pipeline on cultural resources.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the Oregon LNG Terminal and Pipeline
Project. By becoming a commentor, your concerns will be addressed in
the EIS and considered by the Commission. Your comments should focus on
the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives (including
alternative facility sites and pipeline routes), and measures to avoid
or lessen environmental impacts. The more specific your comments, the
more useful they will be. To ensure that your comments are timely and
properly recorded, please follow these instructions:
Send an original and two copies of your letter to:
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Label one copy of your comments for the attention of OEP/
DG2E/Gas Branch 2, PJ-11.2.
Reference Docket No. PF07-10-000 on the original and both
copies.
Mail your comments so that they will be received in
Washington, DC, on or before September 24, 2007.
The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing of any
comments in response to this NOI. For information on electronically
filing comments, please see the instructions on the Commission's 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 file comments you will need to create a free
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account, which can be accomplished on-line.
The public scoping meetings (dates, times, and locations listed
above) are designed to provide another opportunity to offer comments on
the proposed project. Interested groups and individuals are encouraged
to attend the meetings and to present comments on the environmental
issues that they believe should be addressed in the EIS. A transcript
of the meetings will be generated so that your comments will be
accurately recorded.
Once Oregon LNG formally files its application with the Commission,
you may want to become an ``intervenor,'' which is an official party to
the proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and
are able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts
if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor
formally participates in a Commission proceeding by filing a request to
intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are included in the
User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web site.
Please note that you may not request intervenor status at this time.
You must wait until a formal application is filed with the Commission.
Environmental Mailing List
If you wish to remain on the environmental mailing list, please
return the attached Mailing List Retention Form (Appendix 2 of this
NOI). If you do not return this form, we will remove your name from our
mailing list.
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.'' Click on the eLibrary link, select ``General Search'' and enter
the project docket number, excluding the last three digits (i.e., PF07-
10) in the ``Docket Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an
appropriate date range. For assistance with eLibrary, the eLibrary
helpline can be reached at 1-866-208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or by e-
mail at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC 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.
Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx
along with other related information.
Finally, Oregon LNG has established an Web site for this project at
https://www.oregonlng.com. The Web site includes a project overview,
status, potential impacts and mitigation, and answers to frequently
asked questions. You can also request additional information by calling
Oregon LNG directly at 503-298-4969, or by sending an e-mail to
info@OregonLNG.com.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-17259 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
