Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline Project, 20653-20656 [2010-9075]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 75 / Tuesday, April 20, 2010 / Notices company is contrary to the public interest.14 Nasdaq is also making a minor technical correction to Rule 5315(f)(3)(C)(i) to insert an omitted word. 2. Statutory Basis Nasdaq believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6 of the Act,15 in general and with Sections 6(b)(5) of the Act,16 in particular in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The proposed rule change is designed to provide an additional Global Select Market initial listing standard under which a company may qualify and modify the market value of publicly held shares requirement for certain companies. Nasdaq believes that these changes are consistent with the investor protection objectives of the Act in that the proposed requirements remain at a level high enough so that only companies that are suitable for listing on the Global Select Market will qualify to list. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition Nasdaq does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act, as amended. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others Written comments were neither solicited nor received. erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change, as amended, is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NASDAQ–2010–047. This file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR– NASDAQ–2010–047, and should be submitted on or before May 11, 2010. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.19 Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2010–9033 Filed 4–19–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE Electronic Comments III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Rule 5101 and IM–5101–1. U.S.C. 78f. 16 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) 17 of the Act and Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) thereunder.18 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily abrogate such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Nasdaq has provided the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change. Nasdaq believes that the proposed rule change does not significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest because the changes proposed herein allow only companies of adequate size and quality to list their shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Nasdaq notes that the proposed new listing requirements are more stringent than recently-approved initial listing standards of the NYSE and exceed the requirements of the Penny Stock Rules. Consequently, Nasdaq believes the proposed rule change does not raise any novel regulatory issues or significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest. Companies listing under the proposed Global Select Market listing requirements would have to comply with all other applicable Nasdaq listing rules, including Nasdaq’s corporate governance requirements. • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an e-mail to rulecomments@sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–NASDAQ–2010–047 on the subject line. [Public Notice: 6959] Paper Comments Department of State. Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline Project. Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline Project April 16, 2010. AGENCY: • Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, ACTION: 14 See 15 15 VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:55 Apr 19, 2010 17 15 18 17 Jkt 220001 20653 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19 17 E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 20APN1 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES 20654 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 75 / Tuesday, April 20, 2010 / Notices SUMMARY: The Department of State (DOS) has prepared a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline Project. On September 19, 2008, TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, LP (Keystone) filed an application for a Presidential permit for the construction, operation, and maintenance of pipeline facilities at the border of the U.S. and Canada for the transport of crude oil across the U.S.-Canada international boundary. The Secretary of State is designated and empowered to receive all applications for Presidential permits, as referred to in Executive Order 13337, as amended, for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance, at the borders of the United States, of facilities for the exportation or importation of petroleum, petroleum products, coal, or other fuels to or from a foreign country. Keystone has requested authorization to construct and operate border crossing facilities at the U.S.-Canadian border in Phillips County, near Morgan, Montana, in connection with its proposed international pipeline project (the Keystone XL Pipeline Project) that is designed to transport Canadian crude oil production from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) to destinations in the south central United States, including to an existing oil terminal in Cushing, Oklahoma, and to existing delivery points in the Port Arthur and East Houston areas of Texas. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft EIS was prepared consistent with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the proposed pipeline project. The draft EIS was also prepared consistent with the requirements of the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and the Montana Major Facility Siting Act (MFSA). The draft EIS evaluates alternatives to the proposal, including system alternatives and pipeline route alternatives. The Federal and State agencies that are serving as Cooperating Agencies in the development of the EIS include: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Department of the Interior—Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture—Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and Rural Utilities Service; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Department of Energy, Western Area Power Administration; U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:55 Apr 19, 2010 Jkt 220001 Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety; and Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Cooperating agencies either have jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to the environmental impacts assessed in connection with the proposal and are participating with the DOS in analysis of those environmental impacts. BLM has authority to issue right-ofway (ROW) grants for all affected Federal lands under the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) of 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C 181 et seq.) excluding National Park Service lands and the public lands BLM administers under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. BLM will consider the issuance of a new ROW grant and issuance of associated temporary use permits that would apply to BLM-managed lands crossed by the Keystone XL Project, as well as all other Federal lands affected. Conformance with land use plans and impacts on resources and programs will be considered in determining whether or not to issue a ROW grant. BLM staff is participating in agency meetings and assisting Keystone with routing across BLM lands. BLM’s purpose and need in preparing an EIS under NEPA for the proposed Keystone XL Project is to approve, approve with modification, or deny Keystone’s application under section 28 of the MLA, as amended, for a ROW grant to construct, operate, and decommission a crude oil pipeline and related facilities on public Federal lands in the United States. The proposed ROW action appears consistent with approved BLM land use planning. For the decision to be made, BLM will decide whether or not to grant a ROW across Federal lands, and if so, under what terms and conditions. The draft EIS addresses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the United States portion of the Keystone XL Pipeline Project. The Keystone XL Project initially would have nominal transport capacity of 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, with up to 200,000 bpd delivered to an existing terminal in Cushing, Oklahoma and the remaining amount shipped to existing delivery points in Nederland (near Port Arthur), Texas, and Moore Junction (in Harris County), Texas. According to Keystone, additional pumping capacity could be added to increase the average throughput to 900,000 bpd, if warranted by future shipper demand and market conditions, with the additional 200,000 bpd transported to delivery points in the U.S. Gulf Coast. In total, the Project would consist of approximately 1,707 PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 miles of new, 36-inch-diameter pipeline, with approximately 327 miles of pipeline in Canada and 1,380 miles in the U.S. In Canada, Keystone filed an application on February 27, 2009, with the National Energy Board (NEB) requesting approval to construct and operate the Canadian portion of the Keystone XL Pipeline. NEB conducted oral public hearings from September 15–18, September 21–25, and October 1–2, 2009, for a total of 11 hearing days. Appropriate regulatory authorities in Canada conducted an independent environmental review process for the proposed Canadian facilities. As a Responsible Authority under the Canadian Environmental Assessment (CEA) Act, the NEB completed an Environmental Screening Report (ESR) pursuant to the CEA Act. On March 11, 2010, the NEB released its Reasons for Decision approving the application by Keystone. The ESR was included as an appendix to the NEB Reasons for Decision document. The draft EIS prepared by the DOS describes and evaluates the U.S. portion of the proposed Keystone XL Project. Keystone intends to construct the 36inch-diameter pipelines within a 110foot-wide corridor, consisting of a temporary 60-foot-wide construction ROW and a 50-foot-wide permanent ROW. The Keystone XL Project would require construction of pump stations, pigging (cleaning) facilities, delivery facilities, and densitometer sites (for detection of crude oil batch interfaces). Mainline valves (MLVs) would be placed along the pipeline at locations necessary to maintain adequate flow through the pipeline. Keystone has advised DOS that valves would be installed and located as dictated by the hydraulic characteristics of the pipeline and as required by Federal regulations, with the intent to provide for public safety and environmental protection as part of pipeline integrity management practices. The electrical pumps at the Project pump stations would require power delivery through electrical power distribution lines and associated substations as appropriate. Although these facilities would be constructed by other entities that would be responsible for obtaining any necessary Federal, State, and local approvals or authorizations, the construction and operation of these facilities are considered connected actions under NEPA and therefore are considered within this draft EIS. Additionally, the power requirements for several pump stations in South Dakota at full pipeline throughput would require construction and operation of a new 230-kv electrical E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 75 / Tuesday, April 20, 2010 / Notices transmission line to support regional power grid system reliability. A portion of this transmission line would be constructed by Western Area Power Administration and a portion would be constructed by Basin Electric Power Cooperative. These are both considered connected actions under NEPA and are therefore considered within this draft EIS. U.S. counties that could possibly be affected by construction of the proposed pipeline are: • Montana: Phillips, Valley, McCone, Dawson, Prairie, Fallon • South Dakota: Harding, Butte, Perkins, Meade, Pennington, Haakon, Jones, Lyman, Tripp • Nebraska: Keya Paha, Rock, Holt, Garfield, Wheeler, Greeley, Boone, Nance, Merrick, Hamilton, York, Fillmore, Saline, Jefferson • Kansas: Clay, Butler • Oklahoma: Atoka, Bryan, Coal, Creek, Hughes, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Payne, Seminole • Texas: Angelina, Cherokee, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Hardin, Hopkins, Jefferson, Lamar, Liberty, Nacogdoches, Polk, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Wood, Chambers, Harris Comment Procedures and Public Meetings: Any person wishing to comment on the draft EIS may do so. To ensure consideration prior to issuance of the final EIS (a prerequisite to a DOS decision on the proposal), it is important that we receive your comments by no later than May 31, 2010. Options for submitting comments on the Draft EIS are as follows: • By mail to: Elizabeth Orlando, Keystone XL Project Manager, US Department of State, OES/ENV Room 2657, Washington, DC 20520. Please note that Department of State mail can be delayed due to security screening. • Fax to: (202) 647–1052, attention Elizabeth Orlando. • E-mail to: xlpipelineproject@state.gov. • Comment over the internet via the Keystone XL EIS Web site: https:// www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov. Comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available on-line at https:// www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the commenter indicates that the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI, or otherwise VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:55 Apr 19, 2010 Jkt 220001 protected, through e-mail. If you send a comment by e-mail, your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, we recommend that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD–ROM you submit. If we cannot read your comment because of technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, we may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic comments should avoid the use of any special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, DOS invites you to attend the public meetings listed below that are intended to allow officers from DOS and the Cooperating Agencies to receive comments on the draft EIS. The public meetings will be conducted in a workshop style. A court reporter will be present and will accept oral comments for the record, which carry the same validity as written comments, and will also be addressed in the final EIS. The meetings in Montana will be considered official hearings in accordance with MEPA guidelines. Dates and locations for the public meetings are: • Monday, May 3, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Durant, Oklahoma, Holiday Inn Express Hotel, 613 University Pl., Durant, OK 74701. • Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Stroud, Oklahoma, Best Western Stroud Motor Lodge, 1200 N. 8th Avenue, Stroud, OK 74079. • Wednesday, May 5, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., El Dorado, Kansas, Holiday Inn Express Hotel, 3100 El Dorado Avenue, El Dorado, KS 67042. • Thursday, May 6, 2010, 12 to 2 p.m., Fairbury, Nebraska, Rock Island Railroad Depot, 910 Second Street, Fairbury, NE 68352. • Monday, May 10, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., York, Nebraska, York Auditorium, 211 E. 7th Street, York, NE, 68467. • Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Atkinson, Nebraska, Atkinson Community Center, 206 W. 5th Street, Atkinson, NE 68713. • Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Murdo, South Dakota, Triple H Restaurant (Interstate 90, Exit 192), 601 5 Street, Murdo, SD 57559. • Thursday, May 13, 2010, 12 to 2 p.m., Faith, South Dakota, Community Legion Hall, Main Street, Faith, SD 57626. • Thursday, May 13, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Buffalo, South Dakota, Harding PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 20655 County Memorial Recreation Center, 204 Hodges Street, Buffalo, SD 57720. • Monday, May 17, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Beaumont, Texas, American Legion Hall #817, 3430 West Cardinal Drive, Beaumont, TX 77705. • Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Liberty, Texas, VFW Hall, 1520 North Main Street, Liberty, TX 77575. • Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Livingston, Texas, Livingston Junior High School, 1801 Highway 59 Loop North, Livingston, TX 77351. • Thursday, May 20, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Tyler, Texas, Ramada Hotel and Conference Center, 3310 Troup Highway SE. Loop 323 & Highway 110 North, Tyler, TX 75701. • Monday, May 17, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Malta, Montana, Great Northern Hotel, 2 South 1st Street East, Malta, MT 59538. • Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 12 to 2 p.m., Glasgow, Montana Cottonwood Inn and Suites, Highway 2 East, Glasgow, MT 59230. • Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Terry, Montana Terry High School, 215 East Park, Terry, MT 59349. • Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 12 to 2 p.m., Circle, Montana, Schmidt Super Value, 105 10th Street, Circle, MT 59215. • Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Glendive, Montana, Dawson Community College, 300 College Drive, Glendive, MT 59330. • Thursday, May 20, 2010, 12 to 2 p.m., Baker, Montana, Thee Garage and Steakhouse, 19 West Montana Avenue, Baker, MT 59313. Any significant new issues that are identified within the comment period will be analyzed and the draft EIS will be modified as appropriate. A final EIS will then be published and distributed by DOS and the Cooperating Agencies. The final EIS will contain the DOS responses to timely comments received on the draft EIS, including oral comments received during public meetings, and will also contain MDEQ responses to timely comments as required under MEPA. Copies of the draft EIS have been mailed to interested Federal, State and local agencies; public interest groups; individuals and affected landowners who requested a copy of the draft EIS or who provided comments during the scoping process; libraries; newspapers; and other stakeholders. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The TransCanada Keystone Pipeline application for a Presidential Permit, including associated maps and drawings; the draft EIS; a list of libraries where the draft EIS may be viewed; and other project information are available E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1 20656 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 75 / Tuesday, April 20, 2010 / Notices for viewing and download at the project Web site: https://www.keystonepipelinexl.state.gov. For information on the proposed project or the draft EIS contact Elizabeth Orlando, OES/ENV Room 2657, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC, 20520, or by telephone (202) 647–4284, or by fax at (202) 647–1052. Issued in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2010. Willem Brakel, Director, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs/Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State. [FR Doc. 2010–9075 Filed 4–19–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–07–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 6957] Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Request for Grant Proposals: smART Power: Visual Arts Announcement Type: New Cooperative Agreement. Funding Opportunity Number: ECA/ PE/C–CU–10–50. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 19.415. Key Dates: Application Deadline: May 26, 2010. Executive Summary: The Cultural Programs Division in the Office of Citizen Exchanges in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces an open competition for one award to administer the ‘‘smART Power: Visual Arts’’ program. Under the ‘‘smART Power: Visual Arts’’ program, the Bureau seeks an organization capable of soliciting, selecting, and facilitating approximately ten (10) to thirty (30) collaborative visual arts projects, whereby U.S. visual artists will travel abroad to engage with foreign audiences for periods of approximately six to twelve weeks each. I. Funding Opportunity Description erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Authority Overall grant making authority for this program is contained in the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, Public Law 87–256, as amended, also known as the FulbrightHays Act. The purpose of the Act is ‘‘to enable the Government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries * * *; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other VerDate Nov<24>2008 14:55 Apr 19, 2010 Jkt 220001 nations * * * and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world.’’ The funding authority for the program above is provided through legislation. Purpose: The overall objective of the ‘‘smART Power: Visual Arts’’ program is to support the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ mission to increase mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries, emphasizing shared social and cultural values. The program will showcase the role of visual artists as vibrant, engaged, and innovative partners in addressing the broader social issues important to communities worldwide. International audiences will have an opportunity to engage with American artists and learn about our country’s cultural history as well as the contemporary cultural scene. The American artists will themselves learn about the societies and cultures of the foreign host countries. The ‘‘smART Power: Visual Arts’’ program will administer projects where U.S. artists travel to foreign locales and collaborate with local individuals and communities to create works of art. Projects will be designed to stimulate discourse about local or global social issues including, but not limited to the environment, education, health, girls’/ women’s issues, and freedom of expression. Approved projects will focus on direct community engagement that encourages dialogue, experimentation, and creativity. Participating U.S. artists and foreign communities will have an opportunity to strengthen connections and create long-term relationships through the mutual engagement fostered by the art projects. U.S. missions will benefit from these projects by enhancing their ties with the American artists as well as with the local audiences they serve. Guidelines: The award period will begin approximately August 31, 2010, and continue through December 31, 2012. ECA intends to award one cooperative agreement to a qualified institution or organization to administer the ‘‘smART Power: Visual Arts’’ program globally. The cooperative agreement will support the organization and implementation of approximately ten (10) to thirty (30) art projects. All applications must be submitted by public or private non-profit organizations meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue code section 26 USD 501(c)(3). All artists selected must be U.S. citizens. Total funding for this competition is $1 million. Please Note: The Bureau PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 reserves the right to reallocate funds it has initially allocated to this competition, based upon factors such as the number of applications received and responsiveness to the review criteria outlined. No guarantee is made or implied that a grant will be awarded for projects to any particular region. The successful applicant for the cooperative agreement will organize the selection of approximately ten (10) to thirty (30) visual arts projects to be implemented abroad for periods of approximately six (6) to twelve (12) weeks each, as well as manage the administration of the program throughout the award period. Proposals should reflect a practical understanding of global issues, and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, political, economic and social differences in regions where projects may take place. Special attention should be given to describing the applicant organization’s experience with planning and implementing complex and unpredictable logistical scenarios abroad. Applicants should identify any U.S. and foreign partner organizations and/or venues with whom they are proposing to collaborate, and describe previous cooperative projects to demonstrate their institutional capacity. Projects will take place in countries to be designated by ECA and should primarily target and engage youth, underserved, and diverse populations, including Muslim and indigenous populations, as well as educators or groups that influence youth. Award proposals should contain a detailed plan to work with ECA to identify and recruit U.S. visual artists to participate in the program, as well as a process for soliciting and reviewing proposals submitted by the U.S. artists through a competition for specific overseas projects. It is anticipated that no more than six months will be required to identify the first group of U.S. artists and solicit, review and select project proposals. Selected projects will be announced in or about February 2011, and project activities will be conducted and concluded by December 31, 2012. The U.S. visual artists to be selected for specific projects must demonstrate high artistic ability, excellent interpersonal skills, and be conversant with the broader aspects of contemporary American society and culture. In addition to creating works of art, artists will conduct workshops, teach master classes, and perform other outreach activities. Individual art projects deemed competitive under these programs should include the following elements: E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20653-20656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9075]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 6959]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline Project

April 16, 2010.
AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the Proposed TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline 
Project.

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[[Page 20654]]

SUMMARY: The Department of State (DOS) has prepared a draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed TransCanada 
Keystone XL Pipeline Project. On September 19, 2008, TransCanada 
Keystone Pipeline, LP (Keystone) filed an application for a 
Presidential permit for the construction, operation, and maintenance of 
pipeline facilities at the border of the U.S. and Canada for the 
transport of crude oil across the U.S.-Canada international boundary. 
The Secretary of State is designated and empowered to receive all 
applications for Presidential permits, as referred to in Executive 
Order 13337, as amended, for the construction, connection, operation, 
or maintenance, at the borders of the United States, of facilities for 
the exportation or importation of petroleum, petroleum products, coal, 
or other fuels to or from a foreign country. Keystone has requested 
authorization to construct and operate border crossing facilities at 
the U.S.-Canadian border in Phillips County, near Morgan, Montana, in 
connection with its proposed international pipeline project (the 
Keystone XL Pipeline Project) that is designed to transport Canadian 
crude oil production from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) 
to destinations in the south central United States, including to an 
existing oil terminal in Cushing, Oklahoma, and to existing delivery 
points in the Port Arthur and East Houston areas of Texas.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft EIS was prepared consistent with 
the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 
evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the proposed pipeline 
project. The draft EIS was also prepared consistent with the 
requirements of the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and the 
Montana Major Facility Siting Act (MFSA). The draft EIS evaluates 
alternatives to the proposal, including system alternatives and 
pipeline route alternatives.
    The Federal and State agencies that are serving as Cooperating 
Agencies in the development of the EIS include: U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency; U.S. Department of the Interior--Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM), National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture--Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, Farm Service Agency, and Rural Utilities Service; U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers; U.S. Department of Energy, Western Area Power 
Administration; U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety; 
and Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Cooperating 
agencies either have jurisdiction by law or special expertise with 
respect to the environmental impacts assessed in connection with the 
proposal and are participating with the DOS in analysis of those 
environmental impacts.
    BLM has authority to issue right-of-way (ROW) grants for all 
affected Federal lands under the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) of 1920, as 
amended (30 U.S.C 181 et seq.) excluding National Park Service lands 
and the public lands BLM administers under the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act of 1976. BLM will consider the issuance of a new ROW 
grant and issuance of associated temporary use permits that would apply 
to BLM-managed lands crossed by the Keystone XL Project, as well as all 
other Federal lands affected. Conformance with land use plans and 
impacts on resources and programs will be considered in determining 
whether or not to issue a ROW grant. BLM staff is participating in 
agency meetings and assisting Keystone with routing across BLM lands.
    BLM's purpose and need in preparing an EIS under NEPA for the 
proposed Keystone XL Project is to approve, approve with modification, 
or deny Keystone's application under section 28 of the MLA, as amended, 
for a ROW grant to construct, operate, and decommission a crude oil 
pipeline and related facilities on public Federal lands in the United 
States. The proposed ROW action appears consistent with approved BLM 
land use planning. For the decision to be made, BLM will decide whether 
or not to grant a ROW across Federal lands, and if so, under what terms 
and conditions.
    The draft EIS addresses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the United States portion of the Keystone 
XL Pipeline Project. The Keystone XL Project initially would have 
nominal transport capacity of 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude 
oil, with up to 200,000 bpd delivered to an existing terminal in 
Cushing, Oklahoma and the remaining amount shipped to existing delivery 
points in Nederland (near Port Arthur), Texas, and Moore Junction (in 
Harris County), Texas. According to Keystone, additional pumping 
capacity could be added to increase the average throughput to 900,000 
bpd, if warranted by future shipper demand and market conditions, with 
the additional 200,000 bpd transported to delivery points in the U.S. 
Gulf Coast. In total, the Project would consist of approximately 1,707 
miles of new, 36-inch-diameter pipeline, with approximately 327 miles 
of pipeline in Canada and 1,380 miles in the U.S.
    In Canada, Keystone filed an application on February 27, 2009, with 
the National Energy Board (NEB) requesting approval to construct and 
operate the Canadian portion of the Keystone XL Pipeline. NEB conducted 
oral public hearings from September 15-18, September 21-25, and October 
1-2, 2009, for a total of 11 hearing days. Appropriate regulatory 
authorities in Canada conducted an independent environmental review 
process for the proposed Canadian facilities. As a Responsible 
Authority under the Canadian Environmental Assessment (CEA) Act, the 
NEB completed an Environmental Screening Report (ESR) pursuant to the 
CEA Act. On March 11, 2010, the NEB released its Reasons for Decision 
approving the application by Keystone. The ESR was included as an 
appendix to the NEB Reasons for Decision document.
    The draft EIS prepared by the DOS describes and evaluates the U.S. 
portion of the proposed Keystone XL Project. Keystone intends to 
construct the 36-inch-diameter pipelines within a 110-foot-wide 
corridor, consisting of a temporary 60-foot-wide construction ROW and a 
50-foot-wide permanent ROW. The Keystone XL Project would require 
construction of pump stations, pigging (cleaning) facilities, delivery 
facilities, and densitometer sites (for detection of crude oil batch 
interfaces). Mainline valves (MLVs) would be placed along the pipeline 
at locations necessary to maintain adequate flow through the pipeline. 
Keystone has advised DOS that valves would be installed and located as 
dictated by the hydraulic characteristics of the pipeline and as 
required by Federal regulations, with the intent to provide for public 
safety and environmental protection as part of pipeline integrity 
management practices. The electrical pumps at the Project pump stations 
would require power delivery through electrical power distribution 
lines and associated substations as appropriate. Although these 
facilities would be constructed by other entities that would be 
responsible for obtaining any necessary Federal, State, and local 
approvals or authorizations, the construction and operation of these 
facilities are considered connected actions under NEPA and therefore 
are considered within this draft EIS. Additionally, the power 
requirements for several pump stations in South Dakota at full pipeline 
throughput would require construction and operation of a new 230-kv 
electrical

[[Page 20655]]

transmission line to support regional power grid system reliability. A 
portion of this transmission line would be constructed by Western Area 
Power Administration and a portion would be constructed by Basin 
Electric Power Cooperative. These are both considered connected actions 
under NEPA and are therefore considered within this draft EIS.
    U.S. counties that could possibly be affected by construction of 
the proposed pipeline are:

 Montana: Phillips, Valley, McCone, Dawson, Prairie, Fallon
 South Dakota: Harding, Butte, Perkins, Meade, Pennington, 
Haakon, Jones, Lyman, Tripp
 Nebraska: Keya Paha, Rock, Holt, Garfield, Wheeler, Greeley, 
Boone, Nance, Merrick, Hamilton, York, Fillmore, Saline, Jefferson
 Kansas: Clay, Butler
 Oklahoma: Atoka, Bryan, Coal, Creek, Hughes, Lincoln, 
Okfuskee, Payne, Seminole
 Texas: Angelina, Cherokee, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Hardin, 
Hopkins, Jefferson, Lamar, Liberty, Nacogdoches, Polk, Rusk, Smith, 
Upshur, Wood, Chambers, Harris
    Comment Procedures and Public Meetings: Any person wishing to 
comment on the draft EIS may do so. To ensure consideration prior to 
issuance of the final EIS (a prerequisite to a DOS decision on the 
proposal), it is important that we receive your comments by no later 
than May 31, 2010.
    Options for submitting comments on the Draft EIS are as follows:
     By mail to: Elizabeth Orlando, Keystone XL Project 
Manager, US Department of State, OES/ENV Room 2657, Washington, DC 
20520. Please note that Department of State mail can be delayed due to 
security screening.
     Fax to: (202) 647-1052, attention Elizabeth Orlando.
     E-mail to: xlpipelineproject@state.gov.
     Comment over the internet via the Keystone XL EIS Web 
site: https://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov.
    Comments received will be included in the public docket without 
change and may be made available on-line at https://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the commenter indicates that the comment includes 
information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or 
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
    Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI, or otherwise 
protected, through e-mail. If you send a comment by e-mail, your e-mail 
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the 
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the 
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, we recommend that you 
include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If we cannot read your 
comment because of technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, we may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
comments should avoid the use of any special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
    In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, DOS invites 
you to attend the public meetings listed below that are intended to 
allow officers from DOS and the Cooperating Agencies to receive 
comments on the draft EIS. The public meetings will be conducted in a 
workshop style. A court reporter will be present and will accept oral 
comments for the record, which carry the same validity as written 
comments, and will also be addressed in the final EIS. The meetings in 
Montana will be considered official hearings in accordance with MEPA 
guidelines. Dates and locations for the public meetings are:

 Monday, May 3, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Durant, Oklahoma, Holiday 
Inn Express Hotel, 613 University Pl., Durant, OK 74701.
 Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Stroud, Oklahoma, Best 
Western Stroud Motor Lodge, 1200 N. 8th Avenue, Stroud, OK 74079.
 Wednesday, May 5, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., El Dorado, Kansas, 
Holiday Inn Express Hotel, 3100 El Dorado Avenue, El Dorado, KS 67042.
 Thursday, May 6, 2010, 12 to 2 p.m., Fairbury, Nebraska, Rock 
Island Railroad Depot, 910 Second Street, Fairbury, NE 68352.
 Monday, May 10, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., York, Nebraska, York 
Auditorium, 211 E. 7th Street, York, NE, 68467.
 Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Atkinson, Nebraska, 
Atkinson Community Center, 206 W. 5th Street, Atkinson, NE 68713.
 Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Murdo, South Dakota, 
Triple H Restaurant (Interstate 90, Exit 192), 601 5 Street, Murdo, SD 
57559.
 Thursday, May 13, 2010, 12 to 2 p.m., Faith, South Dakota, 
Community Legion Hall, Main Street, Faith, SD 57626.
 Thursday, May 13, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Buffalo, South Dakota, 
Harding County Memorial Recreation Center, 204 Hodges Street, Buffalo, 
SD 57720.
 Monday, May 17, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Beaumont, Texas, American 
Legion Hall 817, 3430 West Cardinal Drive, Beaumont, TX 77705.
 Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Liberty, Texas, VFW Hall, 
1520 North Main Street, Liberty, TX 77575.
 Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Livingston, Texas, 
Livingston Junior High School, 1801 Highway 59 Loop North, Livingston, 
TX 77351.
 Thursday, May 20, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Tyler, Texas, Ramada 
Hotel and Conference Center, 3310 Troup Highway SE. Loop 323 & Highway 
110 North, Tyler, TX 75701.
 Monday, May 17, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Malta, Montana, Great 
Northern Hotel, 2 South 1st Street East, Malta, MT 59538.
 Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 12 to 2 p.m., Glasgow, Montana 
Cottonwood Inn and Suites, Highway 2 East, Glasgow, MT 59230.
 Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Terry, Montana Terry High 
School, 215 East Park, Terry, MT 59349.
 Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 12 to 2 p.m., Circle, Montana, 
Schmidt Super Value, 105 10th Street, Circle, MT 59215.
 Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m., Glendive, Montana, 
Dawson Community College, 300 College Drive, Glendive, MT 59330.
 Thursday, May 20, 2010, 12 to 2 p.m., Baker, Montana, Thee 
Garage and Steakhouse, 19 West Montana Avenue, Baker, MT 59313.

    Any significant new issues that are identified within the comment 
period will be analyzed and the draft EIS will be modified as 
appropriate. A final EIS will then be published and distributed by DOS 
and the Cooperating Agencies. The final EIS will contain the DOS 
responses to timely comments received on the draft EIS, including oral 
comments received during public meetings, and will also contain MDEQ 
responses to timely comments as required under MEPA. Copies of the 
draft EIS have been mailed to interested Federal, State and local 
agencies; public interest groups; individuals and affected landowners 
who requested a copy of the draft EIS or who provided comments during 
the scoping process; libraries; newspapers; and other stakeholders.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The TransCanada Keystone Pipeline 
application for a Presidential Permit, including associated maps and 
drawings; the draft EIS; a list of libraries where the draft EIS may be 
viewed; and other project information are available

[[Page 20656]]

for viewing and download at the project Web site: https://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov.
    For information on the proposed project or the draft EIS contact 
Elizabeth Orlando, OES/ENV Room 2657, U.S. Department of State, 
Washington, DC, 20520, or by telephone (202) 647-4284, or by fax at 
(202) 647-1052.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2010.
Willem Brakel,
Director, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and 
Scientific Affairs/Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2010-9075 Filed 4-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-07-P
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