Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Fort Necessity Gas Storage Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 29496-29499 [E8-11331]

Download as PDF cprice-sewell on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES 29496 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 21, 2008 / Notices completion of all necessary reviews, and the subsequent need to complete all federal authorizations within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff’s FEIS or EA. There are two ways to become involved in the Commission’s review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the below listed comment date, file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding. However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission’s rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest. Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commenters will be placed on the Commission’s environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission’s environmental review process. Environmental commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commenters will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 May 20, 2008 Jkt 214001 Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission’s final order. Motions to intervene, protests and comments 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 under the ‘‘e-Filing’’ link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. Comment Date: June 4, 2008. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–11335 Filed 5–20–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Summary of the Proposed Project Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. PF08–10–000] Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Fort Necessity Gas Storage Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues May 14, 2008. The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will address the environmental impacts of the Fort Necessity Gas Storage Project (project) proposed by Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC (Atmos). The Commission will use the EA in its decision-making process to determine whether or not to authorize the project. This notice explains the scoping process the Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the project. Your input will help us determine the issues that need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note that the scoping period will close on June 13, 2008. This notice is being sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; 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. If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted by an Atmos representative about the acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed project facilities. The pipeline company PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if the project is approved by the FERC, that approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with state law. A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need To Know?’’ is available for viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (https:// www.ferc.gov). This fact sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the FERC’s proceedings. Atmos proposes to develop a natural gas storage facility within the Fort Necessity salt dome near Winnsboro, Franklin Parish, Louisiana. The proposed storage design would have the capacity to store 15 Bcf of working gas and 9.75 Bcf of cushion gas, an average daily injection rate of 375 MMscfd, a maximum daily injection rate of 500 MMscfd, and a maximum daily withdrawal rate of 750 MMscfd. Project facilities would also include interconnections to existing interstate natural gas transmission systems. The proposed project includes: • A new natural gas storage facility consisting of three 7.1 million barrel, or 8.25 billion cubic feet (Bcf), each with a cavern well and well pad; • A 42,300 horsepower (hp) compressor station consisting of nine 4,700 hp reciprocating compressors (five would be driven by electric motors and four would be driven by natural gas motors with emission controls), and ancillary facilities; • And electric substation; • A dehydration facility rated for 500 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd); • A leaching plant with associated pumps, tanks, and piping; • About 0.02 mile of 24-inchdiameter interconnecting gas pipeline and a metering station to tie into an existing 30-inch-diameter Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) pipeline; • About 0.9 mile of 36-inch-diameter interconnecting gas pipeline and a metering station to tie into the existing 30- and 36-inch-diameter Columbia Gulf Transmission (CGT) pipelines; • About 6.5 miles of 30-inch-diameter interconnecting gas pipeline and a metering station to tie into the existing 30- and 36-inch-diameter ANR Pipeline Company (ANR) pipeline; E:\FR\FM\21MYN1.SGM 21MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 21, 2008 / Notices cprice-sewell on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES • About 0.9 mile of gas pipeline from the compressor station to the three cavern wells (about 0.1 mile of 24-inchdiameter pipeline and about 0.8 mile of 30-inch-diameter pipeline); • About 0.3 mile of 2-inch-diameter instrument air pipeline from the leaching plant to the three solutionmining wells; • About 0.3 mile of 2-inch-diameter diesel injection pipeline from the leaching plant to the three solutionmining wells; • Four water supply wells and well pads; • About 0.4 mile of water supply pipeline from the water supply wells to the leaching plant including about 0.1 mile of 10-inch-diameter pipeline, 0.2 mile of 12-inch-diameter, and 0.1 mile of 20-inch-diameter pipeline; • About 0.3 mile of 20-inch-diameter pipeline to return brine from the solution-mining wells to the leaching plant; • Four or five brine disposal wells; • About 2.2 miles of brine disposal pipeline from the leaching plant to the brine disposal wells including about 1.4 miles of 16-inch-diameter , 0.2 mile of 12-inch-diameter, and 0.6 mile of 8inch-diameter pipeline; • Appurtenant facilities including delivery piping, line heaters, pressure vessels, and valves; and • About 5.5 miles of access roads, 1.8 miles of which would be new roads. Atmos states that the project would provide new storage capacity for interstate commerce. It would interconnect with the existing interstate pipelines operated by TGP, CGT, and ANR. Atmos proposes beginning construction in 2009 and to have Cavern No. 1 in service by 2011, Cavern No. 2 in service by 2013, and Cavern No. 3 in service by 2015. The general location of the proposed pipeline and associated facilities are shown in the figure included as Appendix 1.1 Nonjurisdictional Facilities In addition to the facilities proposed by Atmos, the proposed project has associated facilities that do not come under the jurisdiction of the Commission. The local electricity 1 The appendices referenced in this notice are not being printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all appendices, other than Appendix 1 (maps), are available on the Commission’s Web site at the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link or from the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 502–8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary refer to the Public Participation section of this notice. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail. Requests for detailed maps of the proposed facilities should be made directly to Atmos. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 May 20, 2008 Jkt 214001 provider, Entergy Corporation, would construct an electric power line to Atmos’s proposed electric substation. We 2 have determined that these nonjurisdictional facilities will be addressed in the EA. Land Requirements for Construction As proposed, construction of the project would require about 168.6 acres. Of this total, about 30.6 acres would be required permanently for aboveground facilities (including the compressor station, leaching plant, meter stations, wells, and electrical substation), and 5.6 acres would be required for permanent access roads. Atmos would construct the storage facilities within three parcels of land: a 254-acre parcel Atmos would own and two parcels totaling about 989 acres that are privately owned. Atmos would use a 100-foot-wide construction right-of-way to construct the proposed 24-inch-diameter TGP interconnect gas pipeline, the 36-inchdiameter CGT interconnect gas pipeline, and the 30-inch-diameter ANR interconnect gas pipeline. The permanent right-of-way width for these pipelines would be 50 feet. Atmos would require about 78.7 acres to construct these facilities and would require about 39.4 acres for their operation. Atmos would use a common 125-foot-wide right-of-way for the access roads and pipelines to each of the three cavern storage wells. The pipeline from the water supply wells to the leaching plant, and the cavern gas pipeline between the compressor station and the leaching plant would require a common 125-foot-wide construction right-of-way and a 75-foot-wide easement for operation. The brine pipelines would require a 75-foot-wide construction right-of-way and a 50-footwide operational easement. About 4.4 acres of additional temporary workspace would be required at the crossings of roads, waterbodies, and wetlands. At this time, Atmos has identified one 1.3acre area within the storage field that it would use for construction staging. Based on preliminary information, construction of the proposed project facilities would affect a total of about 168.6 acres of land (including construction right-of-ways and aboveground facilities). This does not include land that would be disturbed by lay down areas, which is still being determined. Following construction, about 67.2 acres would be maintained as permanent right-of-way, about 30.6 acres of land would be maintained as 2 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the environmental staff of the FERC’s Office of Energy Projects. PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29497 new aboveground facility sites, and about 5.6 acres would be used for access roads. The remaining 56.2 acres of temporary construction rights-of-way and any other additional areas required for extra workspaces, pipe storage or contractor yards would be restored and allowed to revert to its former use. After the storage caverns are developed, Atmos anticipates that it would abandon the leaching plant, water supply wells, brine disposal wells, and related water and brine pipelines. Atmos would file an application with the FERC to abandon these facilities when appropriate. The EA Process The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could result from an action when it considers whether or not an interstate natural gas pipeline should be approved. The FERC will use the EA to consider the environmental impact that could result if Atmos’s project is authorized under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act. NEPA also requires us to discover and address concerns the public may have about proposals to be considered by the Commission. This process is referred to as ‘‘scoping.’’ The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. With this Notice of Intent, the Commission staff is requesting public comments on the scope of the issues to be addressed in the EA. All comments received will be considered during preparation of the EA. Our independent analysis of the issues will be included in the EA. 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. The EA will be mailed to federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; affected landowners; commentors; other interested parties; local libraries and newspapers; and the FERC’s official service list for this proceeding. To ensure that your comments are considered, please follow the instructions in the Public Participation section of this notice. 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 the early involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before an application is filed with the FERC. E:\FR\FM\21MYN1.SGM 21MYN1 29498 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 21, 2008 / Notices With this notice, we are asking federal, state, and local governmental agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues, to express their interest in becoming cooperating agencies for the preparation of the EA. These agencies may choose to participate once they have evaluated the proposal relative to their responsibilities. Agencies that would like to request cooperating status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided below (see Public Participation). cprice-sewell on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES Currently Identified Environmental Issues The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project. We have already identified several issues that we think deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the project site and the facility information provided by Atmos. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis. • Potential impacts due to construction of the storage caverns by salt leaching. • Temporary and permanent impacts on wetlands and development of appropriate mitigation. • Native American and tribal concerns. • Potential impacts to fish and wildlife habitat, including waterbird nesting areas and migrating birds. • Potential effect on federally and state-listed species. • Potential impacts to existing land uses. • Potential visual effects of the aboveground facilities on surrounding areas. • Potential impacts and potential benefits of construction workforce on local housing, infrastructure, public services, and economy. • Potential impacts to local air and noise quality associated with construction and operation. • Alternative alignments for the pipeline routes and alternative sites for the aboveground facilities. • Public safety and potential hazards associated with the transport of natural gas and the proposed compressor facilities. Public Participation You can make a difference by providing us with your specific comments or concerns about the proposed project. By becoming a commentor, your concerns will be addressed in the EA and considered by VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 May 20, 2008 Jkt 214001 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 impact. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please carefully follow these instructions: • Send an original and two copies of your letter to: 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 Gas Branch 2. • Reference Docket No. PF08–10–000 on the original and both copies. • Mail your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC on or before June 13, 2008. Please note that the Commission strongly encourages electronic filing of any comments or interventions or protests to this proceeding. 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/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 Atmos formally files its application with the Commission, you may want to become an official party to the proceeding known as an ‘‘intervenor.’’ 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 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 An effort is being made to send this notice to all individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the proposed project. This includes all landowners who are potential right-ofway grantors, whose property may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within distances defined in the Commission’s regulations of certain aboveground facilities. If you received this notice, you are on the environmental mailing list for this project. If you do not want to send comments at this time, but still want to remain on our mailing list, please return the Information Request (Appendix 3). If you do not return the Information Request, you will be removed from the Commission’s environmental mailing list. Availability of Additional Information Additional information about the project is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs, at 1–866–208–FERC (3372) or on the FERC Internet Web site (https:// www.ferc.gov) using the ‘‘eLibrary link.’’ Click on the eLibrary link, select ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the project docket number excluding the last three digits (i.e., PF06–21) in the ‘‘Docket Number’’ field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1–866–208–3676, or TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link on the FERC Internet Web site also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings. In addition, the FERC now offers a free service called eSubscription that allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to the documents. To register for this service, go to https://www.ferc.gov/ esubscribenow.htm. Site visits will be posted on the Commission’s calendar located at E:\FR\FM\21MYN1.SGM 21MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 99 / Wednesday, May 21, 2008 / Notices https://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/ EventsList.aspx along with other related information. Finally, Atmos has established an Internet Web site for this project at www.atmosenergy.com/fortnecessity. The Web site includes a description of the project, a map of the proposed storage facility and pipeline routes, and answers to frequently asked questions. You can also request additional information or provide comments directly to Atmos at 1–(888) 877–4006 or fortnecessity@atmosenergy.com. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–11331 Filed 5–20–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Filings cprice-sewell on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES May 15, 2008. Take notice that the Commission has received the following Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings: Docket Numbers: RP08–377–000. Applicants: Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, Inc. Description: Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, Inc.’s Petition for Waivers of Regulations and Policy, In Support of Its Ohio Retail Unbundling and Open Access Program. Filed Date: 05/13/2008. Accession Number: 20080514–5068. Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, May 26, 2008. Docket Numbers: RP08–378–000. Applicants: Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company. Description: Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company submits Interruptible Revenue Sharing Report for the period 4/1/07 through 3/31/08. Filed Date: 05/14/2008. Accession Number: 20080515–0274. Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, May 27, 2008. Docket Numbers: CP06–398–001. Applicants: MoBay Storage Hub LLC. Description: MoBay Storage Hub LLC submits the revised tariff sheets listed in Appendix A hereto supplement its Exhibit P pro forma FERC Gas Tariff. Filed Date: 05/09/2008. Accession Number: 20080514–0198. Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time Friday, May 23, 2008. 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 May 20, 2008 Jkt 214001 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 dockets(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. or call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–11327 Filed 5–20–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29499 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 12622–001] Black River Felts Mills LLC; Notice of Intent To File License Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, and Approving Use of the Traditional Licensing Process May 14, 2008. a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to File License Application and Request to Use the Traditional Licensing Process. b. Project No.: 12622–001. c. Date Filed: April 2, 2008. d. Submitted By: Black River Felts Mills LLC. e. Name of Project: Felts Mills Hydroelectric Project. f. Location: On the Black River, in Jefferson County, New York. No federal lands would be occupied by the project works. g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 of the Commission’s regulations. h. Potential Applicant Contact: Keith Silliman, Black River Felts Mills, LLC, c/o Brookfield Power U.S. Holdings America Co., 225 Greenway Parkway, Suite 201, Liverpool, NY 13088; (315) 413–2715; e-mail— keith.silliman@brookfieldpower.com. i. FERC Contact: John Costello at (202) 502–6119; or e-mail at john.costello@ferc.gov. j. Black River Felts Mills LLC filed its request to use the Traditional Licensing Process on April 2, 2008. Black River Felts Mills LLC provided public notice of its request on April 8, 2008. In a letter dated May 13, 2008, the Director of the Office of Energy Projects approved Black River Felts Mills LLC request to use the Traditional Licensing Process. k. With this notice, we are initiating informal consultation with: (a) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the joint agency regulations thereunder at 50 CFR, part 402; (b) NOAA Fisheries under section 305(b) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and implementing regulations at 50 CFR 600.920; and (c) the New York State Historic Preservation Officer, as required by Section 106, National Historical Preservation Act, and the implementing regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at 36 CFR 800.2. l. With this notice, we are designating Black River Felts Mills LLC as the Commission’s non-federal representative for carrying out informal consultation, pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, section 305 E:\FR\FM\21MYN1.SGM 21MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29496-29499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11331]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF08-10-000]


Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Fort Necessity Gas Storage 
Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

May 14, 2008.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
address the environmental impacts of the Fort Necessity Gas Storage 
Project (project) proposed by Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC (Atmos). 
The Commission will use the EA in its decision-making process to 
determine whether or not to authorize the project. This notice explains 
the scoping process the Commission will use to gather input from the 
public and interested agencies on the project. Your input will help us 
determine the issues that need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note 
that the scoping period will close on June 13, 2008.
    This notice is being sent to affected landowners; federal, state, 
and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and 
public interest groups; Native American tribes; 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.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by an Atmos representative about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed project facilities. The 
pipeline company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable 
agreement. However, if the project is approved by the FERC, that 
approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if 
easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline 
company could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with 
state law.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for 
viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (https://www.ferc.gov). This fact 
sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the 
use of eminent domain and how to participate in the FERC's proceedings.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Atmos proposes to develop a natural gas storage facility within the 
Fort Necessity salt dome near Winnsboro, Franklin Parish, Louisiana. 
The proposed storage design would have the capacity to store 15 Bcf of 
working gas and 9.75 Bcf of cushion gas, an average daily injection 
rate of 375 MMscfd, a maximum daily injection rate of 500 MMscfd, and a 
maximum daily withdrawal rate of 750 MMscfd. Project facilities would 
also include interconnections to existing interstate natural gas 
transmission systems. The proposed project includes:
     A new natural gas storage facility consisting of three 7.1 
million barrel, or 8.25 billion cubic feet (Bcf), each with a cavern 
well and well pad;
     A 42,300 horsepower (hp) compressor station consisting of 
nine 4,700 hp reciprocating compressors (five would be driven by 
electric motors and four would be driven by natural gas motors with 
emission controls), and ancillary facilities;
     And electric substation;
     A dehydration facility rated for 500 million standard 
cubic feet per day (MMscfd);
     A leaching plant with associated pumps, tanks, and piping;
     About 0.02 mile of 24-inch-diameter interconnecting gas 
pipeline and a metering station to tie into an existing 30-inch-
diameter Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) pipeline;
     About 0.9 mile of 36-inch-diameter interconnecting gas 
pipeline and a metering station to tie into the existing 30- and 36-
inch-diameter Columbia Gulf Transmission (CGT) pipelines;
     About 6.5 miles of 30-inch-diameter interconnecting gas 
pipeline and a metering station to tie into the existing 30- and 36-
inch-diameter ANR Pipeline Company (ANR) pipeline;

[[Page 29497]]

     About 0.9 mile of gas pipeline from the compressor station 
to the three cavern wells (about 0.1 mile of 24-inch-diameter pipeline 
and about 0.8 mile of 30-inch-diameter pipeline);
     About 0.3 mile of 2-inch-diameter instrument air pipeline 
from the leaching plant to the three solution-mining wells;
     About 0.3 mile of 2-inch-diameter diesel injection 
pipeline from the leaching plant to the three solution-mining wells;
     Four water supply wells and well pads;
     About 0.4 mile of water supply pipeline from the water 
supply wells to the leaching plant including about 0.1 mile of 10-inch-
diameter pipeline, 0.2 mile of 12-inch-diameter, and 0.1 mile of 20-
inch-diameter pipeline;
     About 0.3 mile of 20-inch-diameter pipeline to return 
brine from the solution-mining wells to the leaching plant;
     Four or five brine disposal wells;
     About 2.2 miles of brine disposal pipeline from the 
leaching plant to the brine disposal wells including about 1.4 miles of 
16-inch-diameter , 0.2 mile of 12-inch-diameter, and 0.6 mile of 8-
inch-diameter pipeline;
     Appurtenant facilities including delivery piping, line 
heaters, pressure vessels, and valves; and
     About 5.5 miles of access roads, 1.8 miles of which would 
be new roads.
    Atmos states that the project would provide new storage capacity 
for interstate commerce. It would interconnect with the existing 
interstate pipelines operated by TGP, CGT, and ANR. Atmos proposes 
beginning construction in 2009 and to have Cavern No. 1 in service by 
2011, Cavern No. 2 in service by 2013, and Cavern No. 3 in service by 
2015.
    The general location of the proposed pipeline and associated 
facilities are shown in the figure included as Appendix 1.\1\
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    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all appendices, other 
than Appendix 1 (maps), are available on the Commission's Web site 
at the ``eLibrary'' link or from the Commission's Public Reference 
Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 
502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary refer to the 
Public Participation section of this notice. Copies of the 
appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail. 
Requests for detailed maps of the proposed facilities should be made 
directly to Atmos.
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    Nonjurisdictional Facilities
    In addition to the facilities proposed by Atmos, the proposed 
project has associated facilities that do not come under the 
jurisdiction of the Commission. The local electricity provider, Entergy 
Corporation, would construct an electric power line to Atmos's proposed 
electric substation. We \2\ have determined that these 
nonjurisdictional facilities will be addressed in the EA.
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    \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    As proposed, construction of the project would require about 168.6 
acres. Of this total, about 30.6 acres would be required permanently 
for aboveground facilities (including the compressor station, leaching 
plant, meter stations, wells, and electrical substation), and 5.6 acres 
would be required for permanent access roads. Atmos would construct the 
storage facilities within three parcels of land: a 254-acre parcel 
Atmos would own and two parcels totaling about 989 acres that are 
privately owned.
    Atmos would use a 100-foot-wide construction right-of-way to 
construct the proposed 24-inch-diameter TGP interconnect gas pipeline, 
the 36-inch-diameter CGT interconnect gas pipeline, and the 30-inch-
diameter ANR interconnect gas pipeline. The permanent right-of-way 
width for these pipelines would be 50 feet. Atmos would require about 
78.7 acres to construct these facilities and would require about 39.4 
acres for their operation. Atmos would use a common 125-foot-wide 
right-of-way for the access roads and pipelines to each of the three 
cavern storage wells. The pipeline from the water supply wells to the 
leaching plant, and the cavern gas pipeline between the compressor 
station and the leaching plant would require a common 125-foot-wide 
construction right-of-way and a 75-foot-wide easement for operation. 
The brine pipelines would require a 75-foot-wide construction right-of-
way and a 50-foot-wide operational easement. About 4.4 acres of 
additional temporary workspace would be required at the crossings of 
roads, waterbodies, and wetlands. At this time, Atmos has identified 
one 1.3-acre area within the storage field that it would use for 
construction staging.
    Based on preliminary information, construction of the proposed 
project facilities would affect a total of about 168.6 acres of land 
(including construction right-of-ways and aboveground facilities). This 
does not include land that would be disturbed by lay down areas, which 
is still being determined. Following construction, about 67.2 acres 
would be maintained as permanent right-of-way, about 30.6 acres of land 
would be maintained as new aboveground facility sites, and about 5.6 
acres would be used for access roads. The remaining 56.2 acres of 
temporary construction rights-of-way and any other additional areas 
required for extra workspaces, pipe storage or contractor yards would 
be restored and allowed to revert to its former use.
    After the storage caverns are developed, Atmos anticipates that it 
would abandon the leaching plant, water supply wells, brine disposal 
wells, and related water and brine pipelines. Atmos would file an 
application with the FERC to abandon these facilities when appropriate.

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the 
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could 
result from an action when it considers whether or not an interstate 
natural gas pipeline should be approved. The FERC will use the EA to 
consider the environmental impact that could result if Atmos's project 
is authorized under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act. NEPA also 
requires us to discover and address concerns the public may have about 
proposals to be considered by the Commission. This process is referred 
to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the 
analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. With this 
Notice of Intent, the Commission staff is requesting public comments on 
the scope of the issues to be addressed in the EA. All comments 
received will be considered during preparation of the EA.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be included in the EA. 
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.
    The EA will be mailed to federal, state, and local government 
agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; 
Native American tribes; affected landowners; commentors; other 
interested parties; local libraries and newspapers; and the FERC's 
official service list for this proceeding. To ensure that your comments 
are considered, please follow the instructions in the Public 
Participation section of this notice.
    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 the early involvement 
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before an 
application is filed with the FERC.

[[Page 29498]]

    With this notice, we are asking federal, state, and local 
governmental agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with 
respect to environmental issues, to express their interest in becoming 
cooperating agencies for the preparation of the EA. These agencies may 
choose to participate once they have evaluated the proposal relative to 
their responsibilities. Agencies that would like to request cooperating 
status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided 
below (see Public Participation).

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the proposed project. We have already 
identified several issues that we think deserve attention based on a 
preliminary review of the project site and the facility information 
provided by Atmos. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based 
on your comments and our analysis.
     Potential impacts due to construction of the storage 
caverns by salt leaching.
     Temporary and permanent impacts on wetlands and 
development of appropriate mitigation.
     Native American and tribal concerns.
     Potential impacts to fish and wildlife habitat, including 
waterbird nesting areas and migrating birds.
     Potential effect on federally and state-listed species.
     Potential impacts to existing land uses.
     Potential visual effects of the aboveground facilities on 
surrounding areas.
     Potential impacts and potential benefits of construction 
workforce on local housing, infrastructure, public services, and 
economy.
     Potential impacts to local air and noise quality 
associated with construction and operation.
     Alternative alignments for the pipeline routes and 
alternative sites for the aboveground facilities.
     Public safety and potential hazards associated with the 
transport of natural gas and the proposed compressor facilities.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the proposed project. By becoming a 
commentor, your concerns will be addressed in the EA and considered by 
the Commission. Your comments should focus on the potential 
environmental effects, reasonable alternatives (including alternative 
facility sites and pipeline routes), and measures to avoid or lessen 
environmental impact. The more specific your comments, the more useful 
they will be. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly 
recorded, please carefully follow these instructions:
     Send an original and two copies of your letter to: 
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 Gas 
Branch 2.
     Reference Docket No. PF08-10-000 on the original and both 
copies.
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before June 13, 2008.
    Please note that the Commission strongly encourages electronic 
filing of any comments or interventions or protests to this proceeding. 
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 Atmos formally files its application with the Commission, you 
may want to become an official party to the proceeding known as an 
``intervenor.'' 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

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

Availability of Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC (3372) or on 
the FERC Internet Web site (https://www.ferc.gov) using the ``eLibrary 
link.'' Click on the eLibrary link, select ``General Search'' and enter 
the project docket number excluding the last three digits (i.e., PF06-
21) in the ``Docket Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an 
appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online 
Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, 
or TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link on the FERC Internet 
Web site also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued 
by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.
    In addition, the FERC now offers a free service called 
eSubscription that allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and 
submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you 
spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with 
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to 
the documents. To register for this service, go to https://www.ferc.gov/
esubscribenow.htm.
    Site visits will be posted on the Commission's calendar located at

[[Page 29499]]

https://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other 
related information.
    Finally, Atmos has established an Internet Web site for this 
project at www.atmosenergy.com/fortnecessity. The Web site includes a 
description of the project, a map of the proposed storage facility and 
pipeline routes, and answers to frequently asked questions. You can 
also request additional information or provide comments directly to 
Atmos at 1-(888) 877-4006 or fortnecessity@atmosenergy.com.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-11331 Filed 5-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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