Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wright Interconnect Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 42516-42518 [2013-17000]
Download as PDF
42516
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 136 / Tuesday, July 16, 2013 / Notices
service, and qualifying facilities filings
can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
other information, call (866) 208–3676
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
Dated: July 10, 2013.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–17012 Filed 7–15–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Combined Notice of Filings #2
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric rate
filings:
Docket Numbers: ER11–2119–000.
Applicants: Entergy Texas, Inc.
Description: Refund Report—Docket
No. ER11–2161, to be effective N/A.
Filed Date: 7/9/13.
Accession Number: 20130709–5074.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/30/13.
Docket Numbers: ER11–3643–006.
Applicants: PacifiCorp.
Description: OATT Revised Sections
per Transmission Rate Case Further
Compliance Filing to be effective 12/25/
2011.
Filed Date: 7/9/13.
Accession Number: 20130709–5072.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/30/13.
Docket Numbers: ER13–1225–000;
ER13–1226–000.
Applicants: Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc.
Description: Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc.
submits its response to the
Commission’s Letter Order dated May
30, 2013 requesting MISO to provide
additional information.
Filed Date: 6/27/13.
Accession Number: 20130627–5074.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/18/13.
Docket Numbers: ER13–1910–000.
Applicants: Guzman Power Markets.
Description: GPM FERC Filing
Transmittal Letter to be effective 8/20/
2013.
Filed Date: 7/9/13.
Accession Number: 20130709–5048.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/30/13.
Docket Numbers: ER13–1911–000.
Applicants: PJM Interconnection,
L.L.C.
Description: OATT Sch 6A re Black
Start Service System Restoration
Planning Improvements to be effective
9/9/2013.
Filed Date: 7/9/13.
Accession Number: 20130709–5085.
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18:49 Jul 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/30/13.
The filings are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system by
clicking on the links or querying the
docket number.
Any person desiring to intervene or
protest in any of the above proceedings
must file in accordance with Rules 211
and 214 of the Commission’s
Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern
time on the specified comment date.
Protests may be considered, but
intervention is necessary to become a
party to the proceeding.
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
information relating to filing
requirements, interventions, protests,
service, and qualifying facilities filings
can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
other information, call (866) 208–3676
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
Dated: July 9, 2013.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–17010 Filed 7–15–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 2266–102; Project No. 2310–
193; Project No. 14530–000; Project No.
14531–000]
Nevada Irrigation District; Pacific Gas
and Electric Company; Public
Meetings Soliciting Comments on the
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for the Drum-Spaulding and Yuba-Bear
Hydroelectric Projects
On May 17, 2013, the Commission
issued a Notice of Availability of the
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for the Drum-Spaulding and Yuba-Bear
Hydroelectric Projects. The draft EIS
documents the views of governmental
agencies, non-governmental
organizations, affected Indian tribes, the
public, the license applicants, and
Commission staff. All written comments
must be filed by August 22, 2013, and
should reference Project Nos. 2266–102,
2310–193, 14530–000, and 14531–000.
More information on filing comments
can be found in the letter at the front of
the draft EIS or on the Commission’s
Web site at https://www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/efiling.asp. Although the
Commission strongly encourages
electronic filing, documents may also be
paper-filed.
In addition to or in lieu of sending
written comments, you are invited to
attend public meetings that will be held
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
to receive comments on the draft EIS.
The daytime meeting will focus on
resource agency, Indian tribes, and nongovernmental organization comments,
while the evening meeting is primarily
for receiving input from the public. All
interested individuals and entities are
invited to attend one or both of the
public meetings. The time and location
of the meetings are as follows:
Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2013.
Time: Daytime meeting—9 a.m.;
Evening meeting—7 p.m.
Place: Holiday Inn, Auburn,
California.
Address: 120 Grass Valley Highway,
Auburn, California 95603, 530–887–
8787.
At this meeting, resource agency
personnel and other interested persons
will have the opportunity to provide
oral and written comments and
recommendations regarding the draft
EIS. The meeting will be recorded by a
court reporter, and all statements (verbal
and written) will become part of the
Commission’s public record for the
project. This meeting is posted on the
Commission’s calendar located at
https://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/
EventsList.aspx along with other related
information.
For further information, contact Alan
Mitchnick at (202) 502–6074 or at
alan.mitchnick@ferc.gov.
Dated: July 10, 2013.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–16996 Filed 7–15–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP13–502–000]
Iroquois Gas Transmission System,
L.P.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Wright Interconnect
Project and Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues
The staff of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS)
that will discuss the environmental
impacts of two related projects proposed
by Iroquois Gas Transmission System,
L.P. (Iroquois) and Constitution Pipeline
Company, LLC (Constitution). On
September 7, 2012, the FERC issued a
Notice of Intent to Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for the
Planned Constitution Pipeline Project,
E:\FR\FM\16JYN1.SGM
16JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 136 / Tuesday, July 16, 2013 / Notices
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues, and Notice of
Public Scoping Meetings. At that time,
Constitution proposed to construct a
new compressor station as part of its
Constitution Pipeline Project (which
also included other facilities). However,
Constitution has since identified that
the objectives of the new compressor
station could be met by making
modifications at Iroquois’ existing
Wright Compressor Station in Schoharie
County, New York. The other aspects of
the Constitution Pipeline Project remain
unchanged.1
These modifications, known as the
Wright Interconnect Project (WIP),
would render the proposed compressor
station for the Constitution Pipeline
Project unnecessary. The impacts of
Constitution’s modified proposal
together with the WIP will be discussed
collectively in one EIS. This EIS,
analyzing both the Constitution Pipeline
Project and the WIP, will be used by the
Commission in its decision-making
process to determine whether the two
related projects are in the public
convenience and necessity.
This notice announces the opening of
the scoping process that the
Commission will use to gather input
from the public and interested agencies
on the WIP. Your input will help us 2
determine what issues need to be
evaluated in the EIS. Please note that
the scoping period will close on August
9, 2013. Scoping comments received
previously on the Constitution Pipeline
Project will be considered in our EIS
and do not need to be resubmitted.
This notice is being sent to the
Commission’s current environmental
mailing list for the WIP. 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.
Summary of the Proposed Project
Iroquois has proposed to construct
and operate the WIP within the property
boundary, (but outside of the existing
fence-line) of its existing Wright
Compressor Station in Schoharie
County, New York. The WIP would
provide firm natural gas capacity to
Constitution through a long-term
capacity lease agreement.
The proposed WIP would consist of
the following:
1 On June 13, 2013, Constitution filed an
application with the FERC to construct and operate
approximately 122 miles of 30-inch-diameter
pipeline in various counties in New York and
Pennsylvania in Docket No. CP13–499–000.
2 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the
environmental staff of the Office of Energy Projects
(OEP).
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18:49 Jul 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
• Construction of the Constitution
Transfer Station, which would contain
two approximately 10,900-horsepower
turbo-compressors, natural gas coolers,
gas filters, and an emergency generator;
• Modifications to the existing Wright
Compressor Station including the
installation of a blend valve and
upgraded piping;
• Installation of additional pumps on
the existing Wright Odorization System
to increase reliability;
• Upsizing gas piping and
measurement controls at the existing
Wright Meter Station to accommodate
additional gas delivery to the Tennessee
Gas Pipeline Company, LLC’s system;
and
• Construction of an interconnect
between the proposed Constitution
Pipeline Project and Iroquois’ Wright
Compressor Station.
The general location of the proposed
project facilities is shown in Appendix
1.3
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the WIP would
disturb approximately 12.5 acres of land
already owned by Iroquois, but outside
the fence-line of its existing facility.
Following construction, about 7.5 acres
would be used for permanent operation
of the facilities. The remaining acreage
would be restored and allowed to revert
to former uses.
The EIS 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 to
discover and address concerns the
public may have about proposals. This
process is referred to as scoping. The
main goal of the scoping process is to
focus the analysis in the EIS on the
important environmental issues. By this
notice, the Commission requests public
comments on the scope of the issues
related to the WIP to address in the EIS.
We will consider all filed comments
during the preparation of the EIS.
In the EIS we will discuss impacts
that could occur as a result of the
construction and operation of the WIP
under these general headings:
3 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 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 ‘‘Additional Information’’ section of
this notice.
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42517
• Geology and soils;
• Land use;
• Water resources, fisheries, and
wetlands;
• Vegetation and wildlife;
• Endangered and threatened species;
• Cultural resources;
• Air quality and noise;
• Socioeconomics;
• Cumulative impacts; and
• Public safety.
We will also evaluate reasonable
alternatives to the project or portions of
the project, and make recommendations
on how to lessen or avoid impacts on
the various resource areas.
The EIS will present our independent
analysis of the issues. The EIS will be
published and distributed for public
comment. We will publish and
distribute the draft EIS for public
comment. After the comment period, we
will consider all timely comments and
revise the document, as necessary,
before issuing a final EIS. To ensure we
have the opportunity to consider and
address your comments, please carefully
follow the instructions in the Public
Participation section on page 5.
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 EIS.4 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. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, New York
State Department of Agriculture and
Markets, and the Federal Highway
Administration are already participating
as cooperating agencies in the
preparation of the EIS to satisfy their
NEPA responsibilities associated with
these proposals.
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
applicable State Historic Preservation
Office (SHPO), and to solicit their and
those of other governmental agencies,
4 The Council on Environmental Quality
regulations addressing cooperating agency
responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, § 1501.6.
E:\FR\FM\16JYN1.SGM
16JYN1
42518
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 136 / Tuesday, July 16, 2013 / Notices
interested Indian tribes, and the public
on the project’s potential effects on
historic properties.5 We will define the
project-specific Area of Potential Effects
(APE) in consultation with the SHPO as
the project develops. 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 EIS for this
project will document our findings on
the impacts on historic properties and
summarize the status of consultations
under section 106.
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Public Participation
You can make a difference by
providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the WIP.
Your comments should focus on the
potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, 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 send your comments so
that they will be received in
Washington, DC on or before August 9,
2013.
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 (CP13–502–000) 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 can file your comments
electronically using the eComment
feature on the Commission’s Web site
(www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Documents and Filings. This is an easy
method for interested persons to submit
brief, text-only comments on a project;
(2) You can file your comments
electronically using the eFiling feature
on the Commission’s Web site
(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 must select
the type of filing you are making. If you
are filing a comment on a particular
5 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s
regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define
historic properties as any prehistoric or historic
district, site, building, structure, or object included
in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register
of Historic Places.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:49 Jul 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
project, please select ‘‘Comment on a
Filing’’; or
(3) You can file a paper copy of your
comments by mailing them to 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) as
individuals who own homes within 0.5
mile of the proposed WIP. 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.
Copies of the completed draft EIS 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 Mailing List Form (Appendix
2).
Becoming an Intervenor
In addition to involvement in the EIS
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 1–866–208–FERC, or on the FERC
Web site at (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., CP13–502). Be sure you have
selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov
or toll free at 1–866–208–3676, or for
TTY, contact 1–202–502–8659. 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 Commission 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. Go to www.ferc.gov/
esubscribenow.htm.
Finally, Iroquois has established an
internet Web site for the project at
https://www.iroquois.com/Project/WIP/.
The Web site includes a description of
the project, contact information, and
copies of project filings. You can also
request additional information or
provide comments directly to Iroquois
at 203–925–7209.
Dated: July 10, 2013.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–17000 Filed 7–15–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Sunshine Act Meeting Notice
The following notice of meeting is
published pursuant to section 3(a) of the
government in the Sunshine Act (Pub.
L. 94–409), 5 U.S.C. 552b:
AGENCY HOLDING MEETING: Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission.
DATE AND TIME: July 18, 2013, 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Room 2C, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426.
STATUS: Open.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Agenda.
* Note—Items listed on the agenda
may be deleted without further notice.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Telephone
(202) 502–8400. For a recorded message
listing items struck from or added to the
meeting, call (202) 502–8627.
This is a list of matters to be
considered by the Commission. It does
not include a listing of all documents
relevant to the items on the agenda. All
public documents, however, may be
viewed on line at the Commission’s
Web site at https://www.ferc.gov using
the eLibrary link, or may be examined
E:\FR\FM\16JYN1.SGM
16JYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42516-42518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17000]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP13-502-000]
Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P.; Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wright
Interconnect Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that
will discuss the environmental impacts of two related projects proposed
by Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P. (Iroquois) and Constitution
Pipeline Company, LLC (Constitution). On September 7, 2012, the FERC
issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
for the Planned Constitution Pipeline Project,
[[Page 42517]]
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public
Scoping Meetings. At that time, Constitution proposed to construct a
new compressor station as part of its Constitution Pipeline Project
(which also included other facilities). However, Constitution has since
identified that the objectives of the new compressor station could be
met by making modifications at Iroquois' existing Wright Compressor
Station in Schoharie County, New York. The other aspects of the
Constitution Pipeline Project remain unchanged.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ On June 13, 2013, Constitution filed an application with the
FERC to construct and operate approximately 122 miles of 30-inch-
diameter pipeline in various counties in New York and Pennsylvania
in Docket No. CP13-499-000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
These modifications, known as the Wright Interconnect Project
(WIP), would render the proposed compressor station for the
Constitution Pipeline Project unnecessary. The impacts of
Constitution's modified proposal together with the WIP will be
discussed collectively in one EIS. This EIS, analyzing both the
Constitution Pipeline Project and the WIP, will be used by the
Commission in its decision-making process to determine whether the two
related projects are in the public convenience and necessity.
This notice announces the opening of the scoping process that the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies on the WIP. Your input will help us \2\ determine what issues
need to be evaluated in the EIS. Please note that the scoping period
will close on August 9, 2013. Scoping comments received previously on
the Constitution Pipeline Project will be considered in our EIS and do
not need to be resubmitted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the Office of Energy Projects (OEP).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for the WIP. 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.
Summary of the Proposed Project
Iroquois has proposed to construct and operate the WIP within the
property boundary, (but outside of the existing fence-line) of its
existing Wright Compressor Station in Schoharie County, New York. The
WIP would provide firm natural gas capacity to Constitution through a
long-term capacity lease agreement.
The proposed WIP would consist of the following:
Construction of the Constitution Transfer Station, which
would contain two approximately 10,900-horsepower turbo-compressors,
natural gas coolers, gas filters, and an emergency generator;
Modifications to the existing Wright Compressor Station
including the installation of a blend valve and upgraded piping;
Installation of additional pumps on the existing Wright
Odorization System to increase reliability;
Upsizing gas piping and measurement controls at the
existing Wright Meter Station to accommodate additional gas delivery to
the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC's system; and
Construction of an interconnect between the proposed
Constitution Pipeline Project and Iroquois' Wright Compressor Station.
The general location of the proposed project facilities is shown in
Appendix 1.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ 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
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 ``Additional Information''
section of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the WIP would disturb approximately 12.5 acres of
land already owned by Iroquois, but outside the fence-line of its
existing facility. Following construction, about 7.5 acres would be
used for permanent operation of the facilities. The remaining acreage
would be restored and allowed to revert to former uses.
The EIS 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
to discover and address concerns the public may have about proposals.
This process is referred to as scoping. The main goal of the scoping
process is to focus the analysis in the EIS on the important
environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public
comments on the scope of the issues related to the WIP to address in
the EIS. We will consider all filed comments during the preparation of
the EIS.
In the EIS we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of
the construction and operation of the WIP under these general headings:
Geology and soils;
Land use;
Water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
Vegetation and wildlife;
Endangered and threatened species;
Cultural resources;
Air quality and noise;
Socioeconomics;
Cumulative impacts; and
Public safety.
We will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the project or
portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
The EIS will present our independent analysis of the issues. The
EIS will be published and distributed for public comment. We will
publish and distribute the draft EIS for public comment. After the
comment period, we will consider all timely comments and revise the
document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. To ensure we have
the opportunity to consider and address your comments, please carefully
follow the instructions in the Public Participation section on page 5.
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 EIS.\4\ 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. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York State Department of
Agriculture and Markets, and the Federal Highway Administration are
already participating as cooperating agencies in the preparation of the
EIS to satisfy their NEPA responsibilities associated with these
proposals.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Sec. 1501.6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 applicable State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and to
solicit their and those of other governmental agencies,
[[Page 42518]]
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project's potential
effects on historic properties.\5\ We will define the project-specific
Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the
project develops. 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 EIS for this project will
document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and
summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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\5\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places.
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Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the WIP. Your comments should focus on the
potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, 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 send your comments so that
they will be received in Washington, DC on or before August 9, 2013.
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 (CP13-502-000) 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 can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for interested persons to
submit brief, text-only comments on a project;
(2) You can file your comments electronically using the eFiling
feature on the Commission's Web site (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 must select the type of filing you are making. If
you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select
``Comment on a Filing''; or
(3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
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) as individuals who own homes within 0.5 mile of the
proposed WIP. 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.
Copies of the completed draft EIS 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 Mailing List Form (Appendix 2).
Becoming an Intervenor
In addition to involvement in the EIS 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 1-866-208-FERC, or on the
FERC Web site at (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., CP13-502). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range.
For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,
contact 1-202-502-8659. 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 Commission 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. Go to www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
Finally, Iroquois has established an internet Web site for the
project at https://www.iroquois.com/Project/WIP/. The Web site includes
a description of the project, contact information, and copies of
project filings. You can also request additional information or provide
comments directly to Iroquois at 203-925-7209.
Dated: July 10, 2013.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-17000 Filed 7-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P