Proposed Keystone XL Project; Public Meeting Following Release of the Draft Supplemental Impact Statement, 18665 [2013-07072]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 18665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07072]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 8258]


Proposed Keystone XL Project; Public Meeting Following Release of 
the Draft Supplemental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting in Grand Island, Nebraska following 
release of the Draft Supplemental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the 
proposed Keystone XL project.

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SUMMARY: On March 1, the Department of State released the Draft 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Presidential 
Permit application for the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. The document 
is a draft technical review of potential environmental impacts. It does 
not make any recommendations on whether the pipeline border crossing 
should be approved or denied.
    Consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
Department of State (the Department) is holding a public comment 
period. The 45-day public comment period began on March 8. The 
Department has decided to hold a public meeting in conjunction with the 
public comment period. The Department will take into account public 
comments before the Draft SEIS is finalized. Once final, the document 
will help inform the U.S. government's decision on whether the Keystone 
XL pipeline serves the national interest.
    Purpose of the Nebraska Meeting: The meeting in Grand Island, 
Nebraska is an opportunity for the public to provide comments on the 
Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and express views on 
the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Participants are encouraged to 
present information regarding the analysis in the Draft SEIS. The 
public meeting is a listening session: the Department of State will not 
be responding to questions or comments at the meeting. Written comments 
will also be accepted.
    The date, location, and time of the meeting are as follows:

April 18, 2013

Heartland Events Center, 700 East Stolley Park Rd., Grand Island, NE 
68801.
12:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Registration begins at 11:00 a.m.

Procedures for the Public Meeting

    Speakers: All members of the public are welcome to attend the 
meeting and state their comments for the administrative record. Persons 
who want to speak at the meeting will need to sign up in person at the 
entrance of the meeting venue. Registration will begin at 11:00 a.m. 
Those wishing to speak must be present when their turn is called or 
they will forfeit their time.
    Comments: Remarks made at the meeting will be recorded, 
transcribed, and entered into the administrative record and taken into 
consideration as the Department prepares the Final SEIS for the 
proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Each speaker will be allowed three 
minutes to make remarks, to allow the maximum number of people who sign 
up to speak. Speakers will be asked to state their name and any 
organization with which they are affiliated.
    Depending on attendance, it may not be possible for all those who 
sign up to have the opportunity to speak. The Department of State 
encourages individuals who do not have the opportunity to speak or who 
are unable to complete their comments in the allotted time to submit 
comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement in 
written form. Department of State officials will be available to accept 
written comments at the meeting. A summary of all comments will be 
incorporated in an appendix to the final version of the SEIS. In order 
to ensure that comments are considered, all comments must be submitted 
before the 45-day comment period ends at midnight on April 22, 2013.
    Presiding Officer: The meeting will be chaired by an official from 
the Department of State. At the beginning of the meeting, the presiding 
officer will explain the Department's process for making a decision on 
the Permit, but will not respond to questions or comments.
    Protocol: We ask attendees to respect the meeting procedures to 
ensure a constructive information gathering session that enables the 
maximum number of participants to express their views. No signs or 
banners will be allowed inside the meeting venue and comments should be 
directed at the presiding officer rather than at other attendees. The 
presiding officer will use his/her discretion in order to ensure that 
the meeting is conducted in an orderly manner.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A comprehensive description of the 
proposed Project, up-to-date information regarding the federal review 
process, and the Draft Supplemental Impact Statement are available at 
www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov.
    Comments can be submitted by the following methods:
     Email at keystonecomments@state.gov; or
     Mailed to the following address: U.S. Department of State, 
Attn: Genevieve Walker, NEPA Coordinator, 2201 C Street NW., Room 2726, 
Washington, DC 20520.
    As noted above, in order for comments to be considered they must be 
submitted by midnight on April 22, 2013.
    Media Contacts: Please contact Imani Esparza at 202-736-7120 or via 
email at EsparzaIJ@state.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 22, 2013.
George Sibley,
Office Director, Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary 
Issues, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific 
Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2013-07072 Filed 3-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-P