Colorado Interstate Gas Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare An Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Spruce Hill Air Blending Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 60097-60102 [2010-24233]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 188 / Wednesday, September 29, 2010 / Notices a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The application and any filed protests, motions to intervene or notice of interventions, and comments will also be available electronically by going to the following DOE/FE Web address: https://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/ gasregulation/. In addition, any electronic comments filed will also be available at: https:// www.regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC, on September 23, 2010. John A. Anderson, Manager, Natural Gas Regulatory Activities, Office of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy. [FR Doc. 2010–24389 Filed 9–28–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy. ACTION: Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: This notice announces an open meeting of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling (the Commission). The Commission was organized pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, 86 Stat. 770) (the Act). The Act requires that agencies publish these notices in the Federal Register. The Charter of the Commission can be found at: https://www.OilSpillCommission.gov. DATES: Wednesday, October 13, 2010, 1 p.m.–4:45 p.m. ADDRESSES: The Westin Grand, 2350 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037; telephone number: (202) 429–0100. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher A. Smith, Designated Federal Officer, Mail Stop: FE–30, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; telephone (202) 586–0716 or facsimile (202) 586–6221; e-mail: BPDeepwaterHorizon Commission@hq.doe.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The President directed that the Commission be established to examine the relevant facts and circumstances concerning the root cause of the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion, fire, and oil spill and to develop options to guard against, and mitigate the impact of, any oil spills associated with offshore drilling in the future. erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:17 Sep 28, 2010 Jkt 220001 The Commission is composed of seven members appointed by the President to serve as special Government employees. The members were selected because of their extensive scientific, legal, engineering, and environmental expertise, and their knowledge of issues pertaining to the oil and gas industry. Information on the Commission can be found at its Web site: https:// www.OilSpillCommission.gov. Purpose of the Meeting: To discuss relevant facts and circumstances concerning the root causes of the Deepwater Horizon explosion, fire, and oil spill, and options to guard against, and mitigate the impact of, any oil spills associated with offshore drilling in the future. Tentative Agenda: The meeting is expected to start on October 13, 2010, at 1 p.m. Commission discussions are expected to begin shortly thereafter and will conclude at approximately 4 p.m. Public comments can be made tentatively from 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The final agenda will be available at the Commission’s Web site: https:// www.OilSpillCommission.gov. Public Participation: The meeting is open to the public. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. An overflow room will be available with a live video feed of the meeting. Those not able to attend the meeting may view the meeting live on the Commission’s Web site: https:// www.OilSpillCommission.gov. The Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Approximately thirty minutes will be reserved for public comments. Time allotted per speaker will be three minutes. Opportunity for public comment will be available on October 13 tentatively from 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Registration for those wishing to request an opportunity to speak opens onsite at noon on October 13. Speakers will register to speak on a first-come, first-serve basis. Members of the public wishing to provide oral comments are encouraged to provide a written copy of their comments for collection at the time of onsite registration. Those individuals who are not able to attend the meeting, or who are not able to provide oral comments during the meeting, are invited to send a written statement to Christopher A. Smith, Mail Stop FE–30, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, or e-mail: BPDeepwaterHorizionCommission@hq. doe.gov. This notice is being published PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60097 less than 15 days before the date of the meeting due to a national emergency. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting will be available at the Commission’s Web site: https:// www.OilSpillCommission.gov or by contacting Mr. Smith. He may be reached at the postal or e-mail addresses above. Accommodation for the hearing impaired: A sign language interpreter will be onsite for the duration of the meeting. Issued in Washington, DC on September 24, 2010. Carol A. Matthews, Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2010–24390 Filed 9–28–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP10–486–000] Colorado Interstate Gas Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare An Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Spruce Hill Air Blending Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues September 21, 2010. The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will discuss the environmental impacts of the Spruce Hill Air Blending Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Colorado Interstate Gas Company (CIG) in Douglas County, Colorado. This EA will be used by the Commission in its decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity. This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the project. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note that the scoping period will close on October 21, 2010. This notice is being sent to the Commission’s current environmental mailing list for this project. State and local government representatives are asked to notify their constituents of this proposed project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern. If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted by a pipeline company representative about E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 60098 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 188 / Wednesday, September 29, 2010 / Notices the acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if the project is approved by the Commission, 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 where compensation would be determined 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?’’ was attached to the project notice CIG provided to landowners. This fact sheet addresses a number of typically-asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission’s proceedings. It is also available for viewing on the FERC Web site (https:// www.ferc.gov). erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Summary of the Proposed Project CIG proposes to construct and operate a new air blending station in Douglas County, Colorado. The Spruce Hill Air Blending Project would increase CIG’s firm natural gas transportation capacity to 50,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/day) to meet contractual agreements with Black Hills Utility Holdings, Inc. (Black Hill) as a result of Black Hill’s anticipated demand growth. According to CIG, its project would reduce the input factor of the gas to a level that conforms to the gas quality specifications in CIG’s Tariff for its existing Valley Line, to which the blended gas would be discharged. The Spruce Hill Air Blending Project would consist of the following: • An air blending compressor station (the Spruce Hill Air Blending Station) containing a 215–, a 390–, and a 500– horsepower air compressor; • A back-pressure regulator; • Air blending controls and instrumentation; • A gas heater; • Auxiliary facilities and piping; • Modifications to the existing Spruce Hill Meter Station; • An interconnection at the air blending station between the existing Spruce Hill Meter Station and CIG’s existing Line No. 212A; and • A powerline connection within CIG’s 35-acre parcel. The general location of the project facilities is shown in Appendix 1.1 1 The appendices referenced in this notice are not being printed in the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to all those receiving this VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:17 Sep 28, 2010 Jkt 220001 Land Requirements for Construction Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 5.5 acres of land for the air blending station and its auxiliary facilities. Following construction, about 3.3 acres would be maintained for permanent operation of the project’s facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and allowed to revert to former uses. All construction would occur within a 35-acre land parcel owned by CIG. 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 whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us 2 to discover and address concerns the public may have about proposals. This process is referred to as ‘‘scoping’’. The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. All comments received will be considered during the preparation of the EA. In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project under these general headings: • Geology and soils; • Land use; • Water resources, fisheries, and wetlands; • Cultural resources; • Vegetation and wildlife; • Air quality and noise; • Endangered and threatened species; and • Public safety. We will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Our independent analysis of the issues will be presented in the EA. The EA will be placed in the public record and, depending on the comments received during the scoping process, may be published and distributed to the public. A comment period will be allotted if the EA is published for notice in the mail and are available at https:// www.ferc.gov using the link called ‘‘eLibrary’’ 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 last page of this notice. 2 ‘‘We’’, ‘‘us’’, and ‘‘our’’ refer to the environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of Energy Projects. PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 review. We will consider all comments on the EA before we make our recommendations to the Commission. To ensure your comments are considered, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public Participation section below. With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues to formally cooperate with us in 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 agency status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the Public Participation section of this notice. Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation with the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office, and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project’s potential effects on historic properties.3 We will define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the project is further developed. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, compressor stations, and access roads). Our EA for this project will document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106. Public Participation You can make a difference by providing us with your specific comments or concerns about the project. Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please send your comments so that they will be received in 3 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Historic properties are defined in those regulations as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register for Historic Places. E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 188 / Wednesday, September 29, 2010 / Notices Washington, DC on or before October 21, 2010. For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. In all instances please reference the project docket number (CP10–486–000) with your submission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert eFiling staff available to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or efiling@ferc.gov. (1) You may file your comments electronically by using the eComment feature, which is located on the Commission’s Web site at https:// www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. An eComment is an easy method for interested persons to submit brief, text-only comments on a project; (2) You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling feature, which is located on the Commission’s Web site at https:// www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. With eFiling you can provide comments in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on ‘‘eRegister.’’ You will be asked to select the type of filing you are making. A comment on a particular project is considered a ‘‘Comment on a Filing’’; or (3) You may file a paper copy of your comments at the following address: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Environmental Mailing List The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:17 Sep 28, 2010 Jkt 220001 government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission’s regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on the project. We will update the environmental mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the information related to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the proposed project. If the EA is published for distribution, copies will be sent to the environmental mailing list for public review and comment. If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of the CD version or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the attached Information Request (Appendix 2). Becoming an Intervenor In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want to become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an official party to the Commission’s proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and are able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts if they choose to appeal the Commission’s final ruling. An intervenor formally participates in the proceeding by filing a request to intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are included in the User’s PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60099 Guide under the ‘‘e-Filing’’ link on the Commission’s Web site. Additional Information Additional information about the project is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web site at https://www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits, in the Docket Number field (i.e., CP10–486). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to https:// www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm. Finally, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission’s calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/ EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. BILLING CODE 6717–01–P E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 VerDate Mar<15>2010 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 188 / Wednesday, September 29, 2010 / Notices 18:13 Sep 28, 2010 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 EN29SE10.000</GPH> erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES 60100 VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:17 Sep 28, 2010 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 60101 EN29SE10.001</GPH> erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 188 / Wednesday, September 29, 2010 / Notices 60102 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 188 / Wednesday, September 29, 2010 / Notices BILLING CODE 6717–01–C DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Western Area Power Administration South Dakota PrairieWinds Project (DOE/EIS–0418) Western Area Power Administration, DOE. ACTION: Notice of Record of Decision and Floodplain Statement of Findings. AGENCY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western) received two requests from Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin Electric); one to interconnect their proposed South Dakota PrairieWinds Project (Proposed Project) and one to interconnect the South Dakota Wind Partners, LLC’s (Wind Partners’) proposed development to Western’s transmission system. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service (RUS), also received a request from Basin Electric for financial assistance for the Proposed Project. RUS is a joint lead agency in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. The Proposed Project includes a 151.5-megawatt (MW) nameplate capacity wind-powered energy erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:17 Sep 28, 2010 Jkt 220001 generation facility that would feature 101 wind turbine generators; 6,000 square-foot operations and maintenance building and fence perimeter; 64 miles of underground communication system and electrical collector lines (within the same trench); 34.5-kilovolt (kV) to 230kV collector substation and microwave tower; 11 mile-long overhead 230-kV transmission line; temporary equipment/material storage or lay-down areas; temporary batch plant; temporary crane walks; and 81 miles of new and/ or upgraded service roads to access the facilities. Wind Partners’ proposed development would include the installation of an additional seven turbines within the Crow Lake Alternative and use a portion of the other facilities described for the Proposed Project. Through an agreement between Basin Electric and Wind Partners, Basin Electric would construct, operate, and maintain the Wind Partners’ proposed development. Western considered the interconnection requests under the provisions of its Open Access Transmission Service Tariff (Tariff), along with the information in the EIS and all comments received, and has made the decision to allow both of Basin Electric’s requests to interconnect at Western’s existing Wessington Springs Substation. PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact Ms. Liana Reilly, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Document Manager, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228; telephone (800) 336–7288 or e-mail sdprairiewinds@wapa.gov for additional information concerning the Proposed Project and Wind Partners’ proposed development. For general information on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) NEPA review process, please contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, GC–54, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; telephone (800) 472–2756. For information on RUS financing, contact Mr. Dennis Rankin, Project Manager, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service, Utilities Program, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Mail Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250–1571, telephone (202) 720–1953 or e-mail dennis.rankin@wdc.usda.gov. Western is a Federal agency within the DOE that markets and transmits wholesale electrical power through an integrated 17,000-mile, high-voltage transmission system across 15 western states. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\29SEN1.SGM 29SEN1 EN29SE10.002</GPH> [FR Doc. 2010–24233 Filed 9–28–10; 8:45 am]

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60097-60102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24233]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP10-486-000]


Colorado Interstate Gas Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare An 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Spruce Hill Air Blending 
Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

September 21, 2010.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss the environmental impacts of the Spruce Hill Air Blending 
Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Colorado 
Interstate Gas Company (CIG) in Douglas County, Colorado. This EA will 
be used by the Commission in its decision-making process to determine 
whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the 
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested 
agencies on the project. Your input will help the Commission staff 
determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note that 
the scoping period will close on October 21, 2010.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for this project. State and local government 
representatives are asked to notify their constituents of this proposed 
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by a pipeline company representative about

[[Page 60098]]

the acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the 
proposed facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually 
acceptable agreement. However, if the project is approved by the 
Commission, 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 where 
compensation would be determined 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?'' was attached to the 
project notice CIG provided to landowners. This fact sheet addresses a 
number of typically-asked questions, including the use of eminent 
domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. It is 
also available for viewing on the FERC Web site (https://www.ferc.gov).

Summary of the Proposed Project

    CIG proposes to construct and operate a new air blending station in 
Douglas County, Colorado. The Spruce Hill Air Blending Project would 
increase CIG's firm natural gas transportation capacity to 50,000 
dekatherms per day (Dth/day) to meet contractual agreements with Black 
Hills Utility Holdings, Inc. (Black Hill) as a result of Black Hill's 
anticipated demand growth. According to CIG, its project would reduce 
the input factor of the gas to a level that conforms to the gas quality 
specifications in CIG's Tariff for its existing Valley Line, to which 
the blended gas would be discharged.
    The Spruce Hill Air Blending Project would consist of the 
following:
     An air blending compressor station (the Spruce Hill Air 
Blending Station) containing a 215-, a 390-, and a 500-horsepower air 
compressor;
     A back-pressure regulator;
     Air blending controls and instrumentation;
     A gas heater;
     Auxiliary facilities and piping;
     Modifications to the existing Spruce Hill Meter Station;
     An interconnection at the air blending station between the 
existing Spruce Hill Meter Station and CIG's existing Line No. 212A; 
and
     A powerline connection within CIG's 35-acre parcel.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in Appendix 
1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to 
all those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at 
https://www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary'' 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 last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 5.5 
acres of land for the air blending station and its auxiliary 
facilities. Following construction, about 3.3 acres would be maintained 
for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining 
acreage would be restored and allowed to revert to former uses. All 
construction would occur within a 35-acre land parcel owned by CIG.

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 whenever it considers the issuance of a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us 
\2\ to discover and address concerns the public may have about 
proposals. This process is referred to as ``scoping''. The main goal of 
the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important 
environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public 
comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. All comments 
received will be considered during the preparation of the EA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ ``We'', ``us'', and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of 
the construction and operation of the proposed project under these 
general headings:
     Geology and soils;
     Land use;
     Water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
     Cultural resources;
     Vegetation and wildlife;
     Air quality and noise;
     Endangered and threatened species; and
     Public safety.
    We will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed 
project or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to 
lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be presented in the EA. 
The EA will be placed in the public record and, depending on the 
comments received during the scoping process, may be published and 
distributed to the public. A comment period will be allotted if the EA 
is published for review. We will consider all comments on the EA before 
we make our recommendations to the Commission. To ensure your comments 
are considered, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public 
Participation section below.
    With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction and/or 
special expertise with respect to environmental issues to formally 
cooperate with us in 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 
agency status should follow the instructions for filing comments 
provided under the Public Participation section of this notice.

Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation 
with the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office, and to solicit 
their views and those of other government agencies, interested Indian 
tribes, and the public on the project's potential effects on historic 
properties.\3\ We will define the project-specific Area of Potential 
Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the project is further 
developed. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum 
encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include 
construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, compressor 
stations, and access roads). Our EA for this project will document our 
findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status 
of consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations 
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Historic 
properties are defined in those regulations as any prehistoric or 
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in 
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register for Historic 
Places.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the project. Your comments should focus on 
the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and 
measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. The more specific 
your comments, the more useful they will be. To ensure that your 
comments are timely and properly recorded, please send your comments so 
that they will be received in

[[Page 60099]]

Washington, DC on or before October 21, 2010.
    For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to 
submit your comments to the Commission. In all instances please 
reference the project docket number (CP10-486-000) with your 
submission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and 
has expert eFiling staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or 
efiling@ferc.gov.
    (1) You may file your comments electronically by using the eComment 
feature, which is located on the Commission's Web site at https://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. An eComment is an 
easy method for interested persons to submit brief, text-only comments 
on a project;
    (2) You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature, which is located on the Commission's Web site at https://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. With eFiling you 
can provide comments in a variety of formats by attaching them as a 
file with your submission. New eFiling users must first create an 
account by clicking on ``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the 
type of filing you are making. A comment on a particular project is 
considered a ``Comment on a Filing''; or
    (3) You may file a paper copy of your comments at the following 
address: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also 
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's 
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property 
may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within 
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits 
comments on the project. We will update the environmental mailing list 
as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the information related 
to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations, and 
government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the 
proposed project.
    If the EA is published for distribution, copies will be sent to the 
environmental mailing list for public review and comment. If you would 
prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of the CD 
version or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please 
return the attached Information Request (Appendix 2).

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want 
to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the 
Commission's proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the 
process and are able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard 
by the courts if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. 
An intervenor formally participates in the 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.

Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the 
FERC Web site at https://www.ferc.gov using the ``eLibrary'' link. Click 
on the eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket 
number, excluding the last three digits, in the Docket Number field 
(i.e., CP10-486). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. 
For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, 
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the 
texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, 
notices, and rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called 
eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances 
and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time 
you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with 
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to 
the documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    Finally, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the 
Commission's calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
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[FR Doc. 2010-24233 Filed 9-28-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-C
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