LNG Development Company, LLC and Oregon Pipeline Company; Supplemental 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, 24585-24587 [E8-9806]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 87 / Monday, May 5, 2008 / Notices
at 1–866–208–FERC or on the FERC
Internet Web site (https://www.ferc.gov)
using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on ‘‘General Search’’
and enter the docket number excluding
the last three digits in the docket
number field (i.e., CP08–33). 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 for 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
rulemakings.
In addition, the Commission now
offers a free service called eSubscription
which 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 notifications of these filings,
document summaries and direct links to
the documents. Go to the eSubscription
link on the FERC Internet Web site.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–9809 Filed 5–2–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
constitute a major federal action that
would significantly affect the quality of
the human environment.
A copy of the EA is available for
review at the Commission in the Public
Reference Room or may 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 date of this notice and
should be addressed to: Kimberly D.
Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
Please affix Project No. 12667–003 to all
comments. Comments may be filed
electronically via the 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 (https://www.ferc.gov) under the
‘‘e-Filing’’ link.
For further information, please
contact Peter Leitzke at 202–502–6059
or at peter.leitzke@ferc.gov.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–9780 Filed 5–2–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
[Project No. 12667–003]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
April 25, 2008.
rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES
City of Hamilton, Ohio; Notice of
Availability of Environmental
Assessment
[Docket No. PF07–10–000]
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 47897), the Office of Energy
Projects has reviewed the application
for an Original Major License for the
Meldahl Hydroelectric Project.
The project would be located at the
Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks and
Dam and would occupy about 81 acres
of federal lands administered by the
Huntington District of the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers. Staff has prepared
an environmental assessment (EA) for
the project.
The EA contains staff’s analysis of the
potential environmental effects of the
project and concludes that licensing the
project, with appropriate environmental
protective measures, would not
LNG Development Company, LLC and
Oregon Pipeline Company;
Supplemental 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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:16 May 02, 2008
Jkt 214001
April 28, 2008.
The staff of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) is 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
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24585
of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import
terminal in Warrenton, Oregon, and an
associated 121-mile-long natural gas
pipeline from the LNG import terminal
southeastward across Clatsop,
Tillamook, Columbia, Washington,
Yamhill, Marion, and Clackamas
Counties, Oregon, to an interconnection
with existing natural gas pipelines
systems near Molalla in Clackamas
County, 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. The Commission will use the
EIS in its decision-making process to
determine whether or not to authorize
the project. Although 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
U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers will serve as cooperating
agencies during preparation of the EIS.
Oregon LNG has not yet filed a formal
application with the FERC. However,
we 1 have initiated a NEPA review
under the FERC’s Pre-Filing Process.
The purpose of the Pre-Filing Process is
to encourage the early involvement of
interested stakeholders and to identify
and resolve issues before an application
is filed with the FERC. As part of this
process, the FERC issued a 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 (NOI) on August 24,
2007. Since that NOI was issued,
Oregon LNG has changed its proposed
project. Specifically, the routing of the
pipeline route has changed and the
project now includes a 9.4-mile-long
pipeline lateral as well as an electric
compressor station. Because of these
changes, the FERC issued this
supplemental NOI. Through the original
and supplemental NOIs, we are seeking
input from the public in preparing the
EIS for the project.
This supplemental NOI explains the
scoping process we will use to gather
information on the project from the
public and interested agencies. Your
input will help identify the issues that
need to be evaluated in 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.
1 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the
environmental staff of the FERC’s Office of Energy
Projects.
E:\FR\FM\05MYN1.SGM
05MYN1
24586
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 87 / Monday, May 5, 2008 / Notices
Please note that comments on this NOI
are requested by June 12, 2008.
In lieu of sending written comments,
we invite you to attend the public
scoping meetings scheduled as follows:
Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 7 p.m. Banks
High School Gymnasium, 450 S. Main
St., Banks, OR 97106.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 7 p.m.
Warrenton High School Gymnasium,
1700 SE Main St., Warrenton, OR
97146.
Thursday, May 22, 2008, 7 p.m.
Woodburn High School Lectorium,
1785 N. Front Street, Woodburn, OR
97071.
This supplemental NOI is being sent
to Federal, state, and local government
agencies; elected officials; potentially
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.
rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES
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. Specifically, Oregon
LNG proposes the following primary
project components:
• A marine facility, including LNG
unloading equipment and one ship
berth capable of handling an average of
100 LNG carrier ships per year (the
capacity of the ships would range from
70,000 up to 260,000 cubic meters (m3)
per ship);
• Interconnecting facilities including
piping, electrical, and control systems;
• A 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;
• A 121-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter
natural gas sendout pipeline extending
from the LNG terminal to
interconnections at Molalla Gate
Station, in Clackamas County, Oregon,
with other existing natural gas pipelines
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:16 May 02, 2008
Jkt 214001
including the interstate natural gas
pipeline system operated by Williams
Northwest Pipeline Company (Williams)
and the intrastate South Mist Pipeline
Extension operated by Northwest
Natural Gas Company (NW Natural);
• A 9.4-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter
natural gas lateral pipeline extending
from Oregon LNG’s pipeline to pipeline
facilities operated by NW Natural in
northern Washington County, Oregon
(the 24-inch-diameter South Mist
Pipeline Extension and the 16-inchdiameter South Mist Feeder); and
• An electric compressor station
located along Oregon LNG’s 36-inchdiameter pipeline about 0.7 mile south
of State Highway 26.
A location map depicting Oregon
LNG’s proposed facilities is attached to
this NOI as Appendix 1.2 These
facilities and the possible
environmental impacts from their
construction and operation were
described in detail in draft resource
reports filed with the FERC between
December 2007 and March 2008.
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 and/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.
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;
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)
502–8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary refer to the end of this notice. Copies of the
appendices were sent to all those receiving this
notice in the mail.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
• 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.
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 and our review of
comments provided in response to the
original NOI that was issued on August
24, 2007. This preliminary list of some
of the major 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.
• Definition of project purpose and
need.
• 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 berth on
water quality and estuarine fishery
resources.
• Potential impacts of the LNG
terminal on residents in Warrenton and
the surrounding area, including
consideration of issues related to safety,
noise, air quality, and visual resources.
E:\FR\FM\05MYN1.SGM
05MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 87 / Monday, May 5, 2008 / Notices
rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES
• Potential for geological hazards,
including seismic activity, to have
impacts on both the proposed LNG
import terminal and pipelines.
• Potential impacts of the pipelines
on waterbodies and wetlands.
• Potential impacts of the pipeline on
vegetation, including the clearing of
forested areas and the potential for
increased risk of wild fires.
• Potential impacts of the pipeline on
threatened and endangered species and
wildlife habitat.
• Potential impacts of the pipeline on
cultural resources.
• Potential economic impacts of the
project, including potential impacts on
property values.
• Use of eminent domain for project
development.
• Potential impacts on high-value
croplands and agricultural practices in
the Willamette Valley.
• Potential for cumulative impacts
resulting from multiple pipeline
projects in the region.
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 June 12, 2008.
The Commission strongly encourages
electronic filing of any comments in
response to this NOI. See 18 Code of
Federal Regulations 385.2001(a)(1)(iii)
and the instructions on the
Commission’s Internet Web site at
https://www.ferc.gov under the link to
‘‘Documents and Filings’’ and ‘‘eFiling.’’
eFiling is a file attachment process and
requires that you prepare your
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:16 May 02, 2008
Jkt 214001
24587
submission in the same manner as you
would if filing on paper, and save it to
a file on your hard drive. New eFiling
users must first create an account by
clicking on ‘‘Sign up’’ or ‘‘eRegister.’’
You will be asked to select the type of
filing you are making. This filing is
considered a ‘‘Comment on Filing.’’ In
addition, there is a ‘‘Quick Comment’’
option available, which is an easy
method for interested persons to submit
text only comments on a project. The
Quick-Comment User Guide can be
viewed at https://www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/efiling/quick-comment-guide.pdf.
Quick Comment does not require a
FERC eRegistration account; however,
you will be asked to provide a valid email address. All comments submitted
under either eFiling or the Quick
Comment option are placed in the
public record for the specified docket or
project number(s).
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.
eLibrary link on the FERC website 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/Event
Calendar/EventsList.aspx along with
other related information.
Finally, Oregon LNG has established
a 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.
Additionally, you can view the location
of the project facilities online at:
https://www.oregonpipe
linepropertysearch.com. 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.
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.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
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
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Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–9806 Filed 5–2–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. QF08–459–000]
Farm Fresh; Notice of Filing of Notice
of Self-Certification of Qualifying
Status of a Cogeneration Facility
April 24, 2008.
Take notice that on March 31, 2008,
Farm Fresh, 1832 Kempsville Road,
Suite 101, Virginia Beach, Virginia
23464 filed with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission) a
notice of self-certification of a facility as
a qualifying cogeneration facility
pursuant to 18 CFR 292.207(a) of the
Commission’s regulations.
The qualifying facility consisting of
600 kW diesel engine generator set. The
generator operates on #2 fuel oil. The
generator will be located on a concrete
pad outside of the facility. A 2500 A
service entrance rated ATS will be
E:\FR\FM\05MYN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 87 (Monday, May 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24585-24587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9806]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF07-10-000]
LNG Development Company, LLC and Oregon Pipeline Company;
Supplemental 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
April 28, 2008.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) is 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 121-mile-long
natural gas pipeline from the LNG import terminal southeastward across
Clatsop, Tillamook, Columbia, Washington, Yamhill, Marion, and
Clackamas Counties, Oregon, to an interconnection with existing natural
gas pipelines systems near Molalla in Clackamas County, 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. The Commission will use the EIS
in its decision-making process to determine whether or not to authorize
the project. Although 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 U.S. Coast Guard and U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers will serve as cooperating agencies during
preparation of the EIS.
Oregon LNG has not yet filed a formal application with the FERC.
However, we \1\ have initiated a NEPA review under the FERC's Pre-
Filing Process. The purpose of the Pre-Filing Process is to encourage
the early involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and
resolve issues before an application is filed with the FERC. As part of
this process, the FERC issued a 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 (NOI) on August 24, 2007. Since that NOI was
issued, Oregon LNG has changed its proposed project. Specifically, the
routing of the pipeline route has changed and the project now includes
a 9.4-mile-long pipeline lateral as well as an electric compressor
station. Because of these changes, the FERC issued this supplemental
NOI. Through the original and supplemental NOIs, we are seeking input
from the public in preparing the EIS for the project.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This supplemental NOI explains the scoping process we will use to
gather information on the project from the public and interested
agencies. Your input will help identify the issues that need to be
evaluated in 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.
[[Page 24586]]
Please note that comments on this NOI are requested by June 12, 2008.
In lieu of sending written comments, we invite you to attend the
public scoping meetings scheduled as follows:
Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 7 p.m. Banks High School Gymnasium, 450 S. Main
St., Banks, OR 97106.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 7 p.m. Warrenton High School Gymnasium, 1700
SE Main St., Warrenton, OR 97146.
Thursday, May 22, 2008, 7 p.m. Woodburn High School Lectorium, 1785 N.
Front Street, Woodburn, OR 97071.
This supplemental NOI is being sent to Federal, state, and local
government agencies; elected officials; potentially 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.
Specifically, Oregon LNG proposes the following primary project
components:
A marine facility, including LNG unloading equipment and
one ship berth capable of handling an average of 100 LNG carrier ships
per year (the capacity of the ships would range from 70,000 up to
260,000 cubic meters (m\3\) per ship);
Interconnecting facilities including piping, electrical,
and control systems;
A 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;
A 121-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter natural gas sendout
pipeline extending from the LNG terminal to interconnections at Molalla
Gate Station, in Clackamas County, Oregon, with other existing natural
gas pipelines including the interstate natural gas pipeline system
operated by Williams Northwest Pipeline Company (Williams) and the
intrastate South Mist Pipeline Extension operated by Northwest Natural
Gas Company (NW Natural);
A 9.4-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter natural gas lateral
pipeline extending from Oregon LNG's pipeline to pipeline facilities
operated by NW Natural in northern Washington County, Oregon (the 24-
inch-diameter South Mist Pipeline Extension and the 16-inch-diameter
South Mist Feeder); and
An electric compressor station located along Oregon LNG's
36-inch-diameter pipeline about 0.7 mile south of State Highway 26.
A location map depicting Oregon LNG's proposed facilities is
attached to this NOI as Appendix 1.\2\ These facilities and the
possible environmental impacts from their construction and operation
were described in detail in draft resource reports filed with the FERC
between December 2007 and March 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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) 502-8371.
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 and/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. 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.
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
and our review of comments provided in response to the original NOI
that was issued on August 24, 2007. This preliminary list of some of
the major 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.
Definition of project purpose and need.
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 berth on water quality and estuarine fishery resources.
Potential impacts of the LNG terminal on residents in
Warrenton and the surrounding area, including consideration of issues
related to safety, noise, air quality, and visual resources.
[[Page 24587]]
Potential for geological hazards, including seismic
activity, to have impacts on both the proposed LNG import terminal and
pipelines.
Potential impacts of the pipelines on waterbodies and
wetlands.
Potential impacts of the pipeline on vegetation, including
the clearing of forested areas and the potential for increased risk of
wild fires.
Potential impacts of the pipeline on threatened and
endangered species and wildlife habitat.
Potential impacts of the pipeline on cultural resources.
Potential economic impacts of the project, including
potential impacts on property values.
Use of eminent domain for project development.
Potential impacts on high-value croplands and agricultural
practices in the Willamette Valley.
Potential for cumulative impacts resulting from multiple
pipeline projects in the region.
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 June 12, 2008.
The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing of any
comments in response to this NOI. See 18 Code of Federal Regulations
385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Internet
Web site at https://www.ferc.gov under the link to ``Documents and
Filings'' and ``eFiling.'' eFiling is a file attachment process and
requires that you prepare your submission in the same manner as you
would if filing on paper, and save it to a file on your hard drive. New
eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on ``Sign up''
or ``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you
are making. This filing is considered a ``Comment on Filing.'' In
addition, there is a ``Quick Comment'' option available, which is an
easy method for interested persons to submit text only comments on a
project. The Quick-Comment User Guide can be viewed at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling/quick-comment-guide.pdf. Quick Comment
does not require a FERC eRegistration account; however, you will be
asked to provide a valid e-mail address. All comments submitted under
either eFiling or the Quick Comment option are placed in the public
record for the specified docket or project number(s).
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
website 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 a 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. Additionally, you can view the location of the project
facilities online at: https://www.oregonpipelinepropertysearch.com. 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. E8-9806 Filed 5-2-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P