Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Tri-County Bare Steel Replacement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 47098-47100 [2014-19041]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
47098
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 155 / Tuesday, August 12, 2014 / Notices
Description: RE Columbia Two LLC—
Certificate of Concurrence Filing to be
effective 9/7/2014.
Filed Date: 8/4/14.
Accession Number: 20140804–5189.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/25/14.
Docket Numbers: ER14–2594–000.
Applicants: RE Camelot LLC.
Description: RE Camelot LLC—
Certificate of Concurrence to be effective
9/7/2014.
Filed Date: 8/5/14.
Accession Number: 20140805–5000.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/26/14.
Docket Numbers: ER14–2595–000.
Applicants: PJM Interconnection,
L.L.C.
Description: PJM Interconnection,
L.L.C. submits tariff filing per
35.13(a)(2)(iii: Queue Position # Y2–042
?Service Agreement No. 3915 to be
effective 7/7/2014.
Filed Date: 8/5/14.
Accession Number: 20140805–5068.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/26/14.
Docket Numbers: ER14–2596–000.
Applicants: NSTAR Electric
Company, ISO New England Inc.
Description: NSTAR Electric
Company submits tariff filing per
35.13(a)(2)(iii: ISO–NE., MBTA and
NSTAR Local Service Agreement TSA–
NSTAR–001 to be effective 5/1/2014.
Filed Date: 8/5/14.
Accession Number: 20140805–5074.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/26/14.
Docket Numbers: ER14–2597–000.
Applicants: Town of Hanover
Description: Town of Hanover
submits tariff filing per 35.12: Town of
Hanover MBR Application to be
effective 10/15/2014.
Filed Date: 8/5/14.
Accession Number: 20140805–5076.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/26/14.
Docket Numbers: ER14–2598–000.
Applicants: Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc.
Description: Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc.
submits tariff filing per 35.13(a)(2)(iii:
2014–08–05_SA 2682 MidAmericanMidAmerican Amended GIA (R39) to be
effective 8/6/2014.
Filed Date: 8/5/14.
Accession Number: 20140805–5077.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/26/14.
Docket Numbers: ER14–2599–000.
Applicants: Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc.
Description: Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc.
submits tariff filing per 35.13(a)(2)(iii:
2014–06–30 Bi-Directional EARS filing
to be effective 3/1/2015.
Filed Date: 8/5/14.
Accession Number: 20140805–5104.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:45 Aug 11, 2014
Jkt 232001
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/26/14.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Docket Numbers: ER14–2600–000.
Applicants: Southwest Power Pool,
Inc.
Description: 1166R21 Oklahoma
Municipal Power Authority NITSA and
NOA to be effective 7/1/2014.
Filed Date: 8/5/14.
Accession Number: 20140805–5121.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/26/14.
Docket Numbers: ER14–2601–000.
Applicants: Ameren Illinois
Company.
Description: Ameren Illinois
Company submits tariff filing per
35.13(a)(2)(iii: Letter Agreement
Between AIC, IMEA, and Flora to be
effective 7/7/2014.
Filed Date: 8/5/14.
Accession Number: 20140805–5137.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/26/14.
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Take notice that the Commission
received the following public utility
holding company filings:
Docket Numbers: PH14–5–001.
Applicants: LS Power Development,
LLC.
Description: LS Power Development,
LLC submits Notice of Non-Material
Change in Fact of FERC 65–B Waiver
Notification..
Filed Date: 8/4/14.
Accession Number: 20140804–5209.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/25/14.
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: August 5, 2014.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–19022 Filed 8–11–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
[Docket No. PF14–11–000]
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC;
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment for the
Planned Tri-County Bare Steel
Replacement Project and Request for
Comments on Environmental Issues
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 Tri-County Bare Steel Replacement
Project involving construction and
operation of facilities by Columbia Gas
Transmission, LLC (Columbia) in
Allegheny, Greene, and Washington
Counties, Pennsylvania. The
Commission will use this EA 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 they need to
evaluate in the EA. Please note that the
scoping period will close on September
5, 2014.
You may submit comments in written
form. Further details on how to submit
comments are in the Public
Participation section of this notice.
This notice is being sent to the
Commission’s current environmental
mailing list for this project. State and
local government representatives should
notify their constituents of this planned
project and encourage them to comment
on their areas of concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this
notice, a pipeline company
representative may contact you about
the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the
planned facilities. The company would
seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
agreement. However, if the Commission
approves the project, 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?’’ is available for viewing on
E:\FR\FM\12AUN1.SGM
12AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 155 / Tuesday, August 12, 2014 / Notices
the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). This
fact sheet addresses a number of
typically asked questions, including the
use of eminent domain and how to
participate in the Commission’s
proceedings.
Summary of the Planned Project
Columbia plans to replace
approximately 32 miles of its existing
Line 1570 with approximately 34 miles
of 20-inch-diameter pipeline in
Allegheny, Washington, and Greene
Counties, Pennsylvania. The project
would also include associated
appurtenant facilities including bidirectional pig 1 launcher/receivers,
cathodic protection, mainline valves,
and taps. A majority of the planned
project would be constructed utilizing
the ‘‘lift and lay’’ technique and would
by definition involve the removal of the
existing Line 1570 pipeline. However, at
several locations the new pipe would be
installed offset from the existing Line
1570 pipeline. At these locations,
Columbia would abandon in place the
existing Line 1570 pipeline unless
otherwise agreed upon with the
landowner.
The Tri-County Bare Steel
Replacement Project consists of the
following:
• Segment 1: Hero Valve to
Waynesburg Compressor Station in
Greene County—replace approximately
14.2 miles of the existing Line 1570
with 20-inch-diameter pipeline;
• Segment 2: Redd Farm Station to
Sharp Farm Station in Washington
County—replace approximately 7 miles
of the existing Line 1570 with
approximately 8.1 miles of 20-inchdiameter pipeline; and
• Segment 3: Sharp Farm Station to
Walker Farm Station in Washington and
Allegheny Counties—replace
approximately 11 miles of the existing
Line 1570 with approximately 11.7
miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline.
The general location of the project
facilities is shown in appendix 1.2
Land Requirements for Construction
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Construction and operation of the
project will require the acquisition of
temporary and permanent easements.
1 A ‘‘pig’’ is a tool that the pipeline company
inserts into and pushes through the pipeline for
cleaning the pipeline, conducting internal
inspections, or other purposes.
2 The appendices referenced in this notice will
not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of the
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 page 6 of this notice.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:45 Aug 11, 2014
Jkt 232001
To the extent feasible, the project’s
right-of-way would parallel or overlap
the existing right-of-way and other
utility corridors while providing a safe
separation distance between the
pipeline and existing facilities.
Columbia anticipates using a 75-footwide construction right-of-way, which
includes the 50-foot permanent
easement for operation. In areas where
the project is co-located with the
existing Line 1570, Columbia would
overlap the existing right-of-way
(generally by 25 feet), thereby
minimizing the width of the new
permanent right-of-way. Approximately
7.6 miles of the project would be greater
than 30 feet from the existing Line 1570
centerline in order to avoid
environmentally sensitive features and/
or encroachments that exist in the Line
1570 permanent right-of-way.
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 3 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. We will consider all
filed comments 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
planned 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 cumulative
impacts and possible alternatives to the
planned project or portions of the
project, and make recommendations on
how to lessen or avoid impacts on the
various resource areas.
Although no formal application has
been filed, we have already initiated our
3 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the
environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of
Energy Projects.
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
47099
NEPA review under the Commission’s
pre-filing process. The purpose of the
pre-filing process is to encourage early
involvement of interested stakeholders
and to identify and resolve issues before
the FERC receives an application. As
part of our pre-filing review, we have
begun to contact some federal and state
agencies to discuss their involvement in
the scoping process and the preparation
of the EA.
The EA will present our independent
analysis of the issues. The EA will be
available in the public record through
eLibrary. Depending on the comments
received during the scoping process, we
may also publish and distribute the EA
to the public for an allotted comment
period. We will consider all comments
on the EA before we make our
recommendations to the Commission.
To ensure we have the opportunity to
consider and address your comments,
please carefully follow the instructions
in the Public Participation section
beginning on page 5.
With this notice, we are asking
agencies with jurisdiction by law and/
or special expertise with respect to the
environmental issues related to this
project to formally cooperate with us in
the preparation of the EA.4 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
Pennsylvania 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.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 the
construction right-of-way, contractor/
4 The Council on Environmental Quality
regulations addressing cooperating agency
responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
5 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
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.
E:\FR\FM\12AUN1.SGM
12AUN1
47100
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 155 / Tuesday, August 12, 2014 / Notices
pipe storage yards, 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.
Currently Identified Environmental
Issues
We have already identified several
issues that we think deserve attention
based on a preliminary review of the
planned facilities and the
environmental information provided by
Columbia; specifically, potential
impacts on residences in close
proximity to the right-of-way, as well as
specific land use concerns. This
preliminary list of issues may be
changed based on your comments and
our analysis.
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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 the Commission receives them in
Washington, DC, on or before September
5, 2014.
For your convenience, there are three
methods you can use to submit your
comments to the Commission. In all
instances, please reference the project
docket number (PF14–11–000) with
your submission. The Commission
encourages electronic filing of
comments and has expert staff available
to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or
efiling@ferc.gov.
(1) You can file your comments
electronically using the eComment
feature located 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
located 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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:45 Aug 11, 2014
Jkt 232001
(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) who are
potential right-of-way grantors, whose
property may be used temporarily for
project purposes, 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 planned
project.
If we publish and distribute the EA,
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
Once Columbia files its application
with the Commission, 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 in the User’s Guide under
the ‘‘e-filing’’ link on the Commission’s
Web site. Please note that the
Commission will not accept requests for
intervenor status at this time. You must
wait until the Commission receives a
formal application for the project.
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 (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary
link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on
‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
number, excluding the last three digits
in the Docket Number field (i.e., PF14–
11). 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 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 www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/esubscription.asp.
Finally, public meetings or site visits
will be posted on the Commission’s
calendar located at www.ferc.gov/
EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along
with other related information.
Dated: August 6, 2014 .
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–19041 Filed 8–11–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP14–96–000]
Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC;
Notice of Availability of the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Algonquin Incremental
Market Project
The staff of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) has prepared a draft
environmental impact statement (EIS)
for the Algonquin Incremental Market
Project (AIM Project), proposed by
Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC
(Algonquin) in the above-referenced
docket. Algonquin requests
authorization to expand its existing
pipeline system from an interconnection
at Ramapo, New York to deliver up to
342,000 dekatherms per day of natural
gas transportation service to the
Connecticut, Rhode Island, and
Massachusetts markets.
The draft EIS assesses the potential
environmental effects of the
construction and operation of the AIM
Project in accordance with the
requirements of the National
E:\FR\FM\12AUN1.SGM
12AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 12, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47098-47100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19041]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF14-11-000]
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment for the Planned Tri-County Bare Steel
Replacement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
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 Tri-County Bare Steel
Replacement Project involving construction and operation of facilities
by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) in Allegheny, Greene, and
Washington Counties, Pennsylvania. The Commission will use this EA 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 they need to evaluate in the EA. Please note that
the scoping period will close on September 5, 2014.
You may submit comments in written form. Further details on how to
submit comments are in the Public Participation section of this notice.
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this planned
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the planned facilities. The company
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if
the Commission approves the project, 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?'' is available for
viewing on
[[Page 47099]]
the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). This fact sheet addresses a number of
typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how
to participate in the Commission's proceedings.
Summary of the Planned Project
Columbia plans to replace approximately 32 miles of its existing
Line 1570 with approximately 34 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline in
Allegheny, Washington, and Greene Counties, Pennsylvania. The project
would also include associated appurtenant facilities including bi-
directional pig \1\ launcher/receivers, cathodic protection, mainline
valves, and taps. A majority of the planned project would be
constructed utilizing the ``lift and lay'' technique and would by
definition involve the removal of the existing Line 1570 pipeline.
However, at several locations the new pipe would be installed offset
from the existing Line 1570 pipeline. At these locations, Columbia
would abandon in place the existing Line 1570 pipeline unless otherwise
agreed upon with the landowner.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A ``pig'' is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into
and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline,
conducting internal inspections, or other purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tri-County Bare Steel Replacement Project consists of the
following:
Segment 1: Hero Valve to Waynesburg Compressor Station in
Greene County--replace approximately 14.2 miles of the existing Line
1570 with 20-inch-diameter pipeline;
Segment 2: Redd Farm Station to Sharp Farm Station in
Washington County--replace approximately 7 miles of the existing Line
1570 with approximately 8.1 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline; and
Segment 3: Sharp Farm Station to Walker Farm Station in
Washington and Allegheny Counties--replace approximately 11 miles of
the existing Line 1570 with approximately 11.7 miles of 20-inch-
diameter pipeline.
The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix
1.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the 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 page 6 of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction and operation of the project will require the
acquisition of temporary and permanent easements. To the extent
feasible, the project's right-of-way would parallel or overlap the
existing right-of-way and other utility corridors while providing a
safe separation distance between the pipeline and existing facilities.
Columbia anticipates using a 75-foot-wide construction right-of-
way, which includes the 50-foot permanent easement for operation. In
areas where the project is co-located with the existing Line 1570,
Columbia would overlap the existing right-of-way (generally by 25
feet), thereby minimizing the width of the new permanent right-of-way.
Approximately 7.6 miles of the project would be greater than 30 feet
from the existing Line 1570 centerline in order to avoid
environmentally sensitive features and/or encroachments that exist in
the Line 1570 permanent right-of-way.
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
\3\ 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. We will
consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ ``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 planned 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 cumulative impacts and possible alternatives
to the planned project or portions of the project, and make
recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various
resource areas.
Although no formal application has been filed, we have already
initiated our NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing process.
The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage early involvement
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before
the FERC receives an application. As part of our pre-filing review, we
have begun to contact some federal and state agencies to discuss their
involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of the EA.
The EA will present our independent analysis of the issues. The EA
will be available in the public record through eLibrary. Depending on
the comments received during the scoping process, we may also publish
and distribute the EA to the public for an allotted comment period. We
will consider all comments on the EA before we make our recommendations
to the Commission. To ensure we have the opportunity to consider and
address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the
Public Participation section beginning on page 5.
With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction by law
and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues
related to this project to formally cooperate with us in the
preparation of the EA.\4\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 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 the Pennsylvania 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.\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
the construction right-of-way, contractor/
[[Page 47100]]
pipe storage yards, 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
We have already identified several issues that we think deserve
attention based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities and
the environmental information provided by Columbia; specifically,
potential impacts on residences in close proximity to the right-of-way,
as well as specific land use concerns. This preliminary list of issues
may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.
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 the Commission receives them in Washington, DC, on or before
September 5, 2014.
For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit
your comments to the Commission. In all instances, please reference the
project docket number (PF14-11-000) with your submission. The
Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert
staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or efiling@ferc.gov.
(1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature located 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 located 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) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property
may be used temporarily for project purposes, 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
planned project.
If we publish and distribute the EA, 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
Once Columbia files its application with the Commission, 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 in
the User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web
site. Please note that the Commission will not accept requests for
intervenor status at this time. You must wait until the Commission
receives a formal application for the project.
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 (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., PF14-
11). 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 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 www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
Finally, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the
Commission's calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.
Dated: August 6, 2014 .
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-19041 Filed 8-11-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
