Notice of Availability of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project and Supply Header Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the Forest Service Draft of Associated Land and Resource Management Plan Amendments, 1685-1687 [2017-00008]
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1685
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 82, No. 4
Friday, January 6, 2017
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Significant
Cave Nomination
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice; request for comment.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service is seeking comments
from all interested individuals and
organizations on a new information
collection, Significant Cave
Nominations under the Federal Cave
Resources Protection Act (FCRPA).
DATES: Comments must be received in
writing on or before March 7, 2017 to be
assured of consideration. Comments
received after that date will be
considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this
notice should be addressed to Johanna
Kovarik, Minerals and Geology
Management, 740 Simms Street, Golden,
CO 80401. Comments also may be
submitted via facsimile to (303) 275–
5122 or by email to: jkovarik@fs.fed.us.
The public may inspect comments
received at 740 Simms Street, Golden,
CO 80401 during normal business
hours. Visitors are encouraged to call
ahead to facilitate entry to the building
by calling (303) 275–5350.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Johanna Kovarik, Minerals and Geology
Management, 303–275–5378.
Individuals who use telecommunication
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the
Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–
877–8339 twenty-four hours a day,
every day of the year, including
holidays.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Significant Cave Nomination.
OMB Number: 0596–New.
Expiration Date of Approval: Not
applicable, new request.
Type of Request: New.
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18:06 Jan 05, 2017
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Abstract: The information covered in
this request applies to caves on Federal
lands administered by the Department
of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service. The
U.S. Forest Service, in accordance with
the FCRPA, collects information from
appropriate private sector interests,
including ‘‘cavers,’’ in order to update a
list of significant caves that are under
the jurisdiction of the agencies listed
above. The U.S. Forest Service also
processes requests for confidential
information regarding significant caves.
While the FCRPA does not define what
‘‘significant’’ means, it does require the
Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to
issue regulations that define criteria for
identification of significant caves. This
criteria can be found at 36 CFR 290.3.
This information enables the U.S. Forest
Service to comply with the FCRPA (16
U.S.C. 4301–4310).
Estimate of Annual Burden per
Response: 11 hours.
Type of Respondents: Individuals and
Households.
Estimated Annual Number of
Respondents: 10.
Estimated Annual Number of
Responses per Respondent: One.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 110.
Comment is Invited:
Comment is invited on: (1) Whether
this collection of information is
necessary for the stated purposes and
the proper performance of the functions
of the agency, including whether the
information will have practical or
scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (4)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents, including the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology.
All comments received in response to
this notice, including names and
addresses when provided, will be a
matter of public record. Comments will
be summarized and included in the
submission request toward Office of
Management and Budget approval.
PO 00000
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Dated: December 22, 2016.
Glenn Casamassa,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest
System.
[FR Doc. 2017–00061 Filed 1–5–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Notice of Availability of the Atlantic
Coast Pipeline Project and Supply
Header Project Draft Environmental
Impact Statement and the Forest
Service Draft of Associated Land and
Resource Management Plan
Amendments
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of availability.
In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA), as amended; the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of
1976, as amended; and the National
Forest Management Act of 1976
(NFMA), as amended; the Forest Service
(FS), U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE), U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (FWS) Great Dismal
Swamp, West Virginia Division of
Natural Resources (WVDNR), and West
Virginia Department of Environmental
Protection (WVDEP) have participated
as cooperating agencies with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
in the preparation of the Atlantic Coast
Pipeline (ACP) and Supply Header
Project (SHP) Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS). The Draft EIS
addresses: (1) The impacts of these
projects, (2) the associated draft
amendments to the Land and Resource
Management Plans (LRMPs) for the
Monongahela National Forest (MNF)
and George Washington National Forest
(GWNF), and (3) the proposal for
authorization from the Forest Service to
construct, operate, maintain, and
eventually decommission a natural gas
transmission pipeline that crosses
National Forest System (NFS) lands.
With this agency-specific Notice of
Availability, the FS is announcing the
opening of the FERC comment period.
Comments submitted to the FERC
concerning FS actions need to be timely
and specific, showing a direct
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 4 / Friday, January 6, 2017 / Notices
relationship to the proposal and include
supporting reasons.
DATES: To ensure that comments will be
considered, the FERC must receive
written comments on the ACP and
Supply Header Project Draft EIS within
90 days following the date of
publication of the FERC Notice of
Availability (NOA) for the draft EIS in
the Federal Register. The FERC’s NOA
also lists public meetings where
interested groups and individuals can
attend and present oral comments on
the draft EIS.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
related to the ACP and Supply Header
Project Draft EIS, including any
comments related to the FS
consideration of the authorization of
ACP to cross NFS lands and/or the FS
consideration of LRMP amendments, to
the FERC by any of the four methods
listed below. The FERC encourages
electronic filing of comments and has
expert staff available to assist you at
(202) 502–8258 or efiling@ferc.gov.
Please carefully follow these
instructions so that your comments are
properly recorded.
(1) You can file your comments
electronically using the eComment
feature on the FERC’s Web site
(www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Documents and Filings. This is an easy
method for submitting brief, text-only
comments on a project;
(2) You can file your comments
electronically by using the eFiling
feature on the FERC’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.’’ If you are filing
a comment on a particular project,
please select ‘‘Comment on a Filing’’ as
the filing type; or
(3) You can file a paper copy of your
comments by mailing them to the
following address. Be sure to reference
the project docket numbers (CP15–554–
000 and CP15–554–001 for ACP) with
your submission: Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street
NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
(4) In lieu of sending written or
electronic comments, you can submit
oral comments at any of the FERCsponsored public sessions that are
scheduled in the FERC Notice of
Availability for the draft EIS.
Your comments must reference the
FERC Docket number for the Atlantic
Coast Pipeline and Supply Header
Project, L.P., Docket Nos. CP15–554–000
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18:06 Jan 05, 2017
Jkt 241001
and CP15–554–001 (ACP), to be
correctly attributed to this specific
project. Copies of the ACP and Supply
Header Project Draft EIS are available
for inspection in the offices of the Forest
Supervisor for the Monongahela
National Forest and the Forest
Supervisor for the George Washington
and Jefferson National Forests.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Additional information about the
projects is available from the FERC’s
Office of External Affairs at 866–208–
FERC (3372), or on the FERC Web site
(www.ferc.gov). On the FERC’s Web site,
go to ‘‘Documents & Filings,’’ click on
the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link, click on ‘‘General
Search’’ and enter the docket number
CP15–554. 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 issues by the FERC such as
orders, notices, and rulemakings.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This NOA
is specific to the FS and provides notice
that the agency has participated as a
cooperating agency with FERC in the
preparation of the ACP and Supply
Header Project Draft EIS. The Atlantic
Coast Pipeline route would cross about
21 miles of lands managed by the FS.
More specifically, the pipeline route
would cross 5.1 miles of lands managed
by the Monongahela National Forest, in
Pocahontas County, West Virginia and
15.9 miles of lands managed by the
George Washington National Forest, in
Highland, Bath, and Augusta counties,
Virginia. The Supply Header Project
would not affect the Monongahela or
George Washington National Forests.
The FERC is the NEPA Lead Federal
Agency for the environmental analysis
of the construction and operation of the
proposed ACP and Supply Header
Project. The FS is the federal agency
responsible for authorizing this use and
issuing special use permits for natural
gas pipelines across NFS lands under its
jurisdiction.
Before issuing a Special Use permit
(SUP) to construct, operate, maintain,
and eventually decommission a natural
gas transmission pipeline that crosses
NFS lands, the FS would include any
specific stipulations applicable to lands,
facilities, water bodies, and easements
for inclusion in the SUP.
In order for the potential actions to be
consistent with the respective LRMPs
(36 CFR 219.15), the FS would need to
make several amendments to the LRMPs
before the FS could authorize the use
and issue a SUP.
PO 00000
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The FERC’s draft EIS includes the
consideration of a FS authorization
across NFS lands and the associated FS
LRMP amendments. The FS intends to
adopt FERC’s EIS for agency decisions
if the analysis provides sufficient
evidence to support the agency’s
decisions and the agency is satisfied
that agency comments and suggestions
have been addressed.
‘‘Project-specific plan amendments’’
would be needed to deviate from the
existing forest plan standards for the
construction and operation of the ACP.
These amendments are considered
project-specific amendments because
they would not change FS requirements
for other projects or authorize any other
actions. Additionally, if the proposed
route was authorized and a SUP issued,
the GWNF LRMP would need to be
amended to change the current
management prescriptions in the
pipeline’s operational corridor to
Management Prescription Area (Rx) 5CDesignated Utility Corridors. The MNF
does not have LRMP direction that
would require a similar plan
amendment to reallocate management
prescriptions. This amendment is
considered a ‘‘plan-level’’ amendment
and would change future management
direction for the lands reallocated to the
new management prescription. The FS
has also identified potential
amendments that may be required,
pending survey information and
analyses that are not currently available.
The following amendments have been
proposed by the FS as part of the
proposed action in the FERC draft EIS:
Monongahela National Forest
The type of amendment applicable to
the MNF would be a project-specific
amendment. This amendment would
not change FS requirements for other
projects or authorize any other actions.
Potential Amendment 1: The MNF
LRMP may need to be amended to allow
construction of the Atlantic Coast
Pipeline to temporarily exceed
standards identified under management
direction for soils and water,
specifically forest wide standards SW06
and SW07, provided that design criteria,
mitigation measures, project
requirements and/or monitoring
activities agreed upon by the Forest
Service are implemented as needed to
achieve adequate slope and soil
stability.
Other potential amendments may be
needed pending the outcome of ongoing
analyses and development of project
design and mitigation.
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 4 / Friday, January 6, 2017 / Notices
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George Washington National Forest
The first type of LRMP amendment
applicable to the GWNF would be a
plan-level amendment that would
change land allocations. This would
change future management direction for
the lands reallocated to the new
management prescription (Rx) and is
required by LRMP Standards FW–243
and FW–244.
Proposed Amendment 1: The LRMP
would be amended to reallocate 102.3
acres to the Management Prescription
5C-Designated Utility Corridors from
these Rxs: 7E1-Dispersed Recreation
Areas (7 acres), and 13-Mosaics of
Habitat (95 acres). Management
Prescription 11-Riparian Corridors
would remain embedded within the
new Rx 5C area.
Rx 5C-Designated Utility Corridors
contain special uses which serve a
public benefit by providing a reliable
supply of electricity, natural gas, or
water essential to local, regional, and
national economies. The new Rx 5C
land allocation would be 53.5 feet wide,
the width of the final operational rightof-way. The area would not cross into
the Rx 4A-Appalachian National Scenic
Area but would stop and start at the
existing Rx 4A boundary. The
applicable area within Rx4A would
continue to be managed for the
Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
The second type of amendment
applicable to the GWNF would be a
project-specific amendment that would
apply only to the construction and
operation of this pipeline. The following
standards would require a temporary
waiver to allow the project to proceed.
These amendments would not change
LRMP requirements for other projects or
authorize any other actions.
Proposed Amendment 2: The LRMP
would be amended to allow
construction of the Atlantic Coast
Pipeline to exceed restrictions on soil
conditions and riparian corridor
conditions as described in LRMP
Standards FW–5, FW–15, FW–16, FW–
17 and 11–019, provided that mitigation
measures or project requirements agreed
upon by the Forest Service are
implemented as needed.
Proposed Amendment 3: The LRMP
would be amended to allow the Atlantic
Coast Pipeline to cross the Appalachian
National Scenic Trail in Augusta
County, Virginia. (reference LRMP
Standard 4A–025)
Potential Amendment 4: The LRMP
may need to be amended to allow
removal of old growth trees within the
construction corridor of the Atlantic
Coast Pipeline. (reference LRMP
Standard FW–85)
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18:06 Jan 05, 2017
Jkt 241001
Potential Amendment 5: The LRMP
may need to be amended to allow major
reconstruction of a National Forest
System Road within Rx 2C3 area to
provide access for pipeline
construction. This is contingent on the
final location of access roads. (reference
LRMP Standard 2C3–015)
Potential Amendment 6: The LRMP
may need to be amended to allow the
ACP to not immediately meet Scenic
Integrity Objectives; however,
mitigation measures, including
vegetation management and restoration
actions, are expected to improve quality
over an extended timeframe. (reference
LRMP Standard FW–182)
The FS will prepare separate Records
of Decisions for the authorization
decision and for the plan amendments
decisions, after issuance of the FERC
final EIS. The FS decision to authorize
ACP will be subject to FS predecisional
administrative review procedures
established in 36 CFR 218. The MNF
Potential Amendment 1, GWNF
Proposed Amendments 2 and 3 and
Potential Amendments 4, 5 and 6 were
developed in accordance to 36 CFR 219
(2012) regulations but will be subject to
the administrative review procedures
under 36 CFR 218 regulations Subparts
A and B, per 36 CFR 219.59(b). GWNF
Proposed Amendment 1 was developed
in accordance to 36 CFR 219 (2012
version) regulations and will be subject
to the administrative review procedures
under 36 CFR 219 Subpart B. Refer to
the applicable administrative review
regulations for eligibility.
The FS is requesting public comments
on the authorization of ACP on NFS
lands and the draft proposed and
potential amendments of the LRMPs
that would allow ACP to cross the MNF
and GWNF. All comments must be
submitted to the FERC, the Lead Federal
Agency, within 90 days following the
date of publication of the FERC Notice
of Availability for their draft EIS in the
Federal Register. Refer to Dockets
CP15–554–000 and CP15–544–001
(ACP) in all correspondence to ensure
that your comments are correctly filed
in the record. You may submit
comments to the FERC using one of the
methods listed in the ADDRESSES section
above. Only those who submit timely
and specific written comments
regarding the proposed project during a
public comment period are eligible to
file an objection with the FS. Before
including your address, phone number,
email address, or other personal
identifying information in your
comments, you should be aware that the
entire text of your comments—including
your personal identifying information—
would be publicly available through the
PO 00000
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Sfmt 4703
1687
FERC eLibrary system if you file your
comments with the Secretary of the
FERC.
Responsible Officials for Fs
Authorization of Use To Issue a Special
Use Permit: The Regional Forester
Eastern Region for NFS lands on the
Monongahela National Forest and the
Regional Forester Southern Region for
NFS lands on the George Washington
National Forest are the Responsible
Officials.
Responsible Officials for Fs LRMP
Amendments: The Forest Supervisor for
the Monongahela National Forest is the
Responsible Official for the LRMP
Amendment on the Monongahela
National Forest.
The Forest Supervisor for the George
Washington and Jefferson National
Forests is the Responsible Official for
the LRMP Amendments on the George
Washington National Forest.
Lead Responsible Official for
Coordinating Between Regions and
Forests for the Project: The Forest
Supervisor for the Monongahela
National Forest.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR
1506.10.
Dated: December 29, 2016.
Clyde Thompson,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2017–00008 Filed 1–5–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Sunshine Act Meeting Notice
United States Commission on
Civil Rights.
ACTION: Notice of Commission Business
meeting.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission), and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), that a Business Meeting of the
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will be
convened at 10 a.m. on Friday, January
13, 2017.
DATES: Friday, January 13, 2017, at 10
a.m. EST.
ADDRESSES: National Place Building,
1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 11th
Floor, Suite 1150, Washington, DC
20425 (Entrance on F Street NW.).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian Walch, Communications and
Public Engagement Director. Telephone:
(202) 376–8371; TTY: (202) 376–8116;
Email: publicaffairs@usccr.gov.
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 4 (Friday, January 6, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1685-1687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00008]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Notice of Availability of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project and
Supply Header Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the
Forest Service Draft of Associated Land and Resource Management Plan
Amendments
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA), as amended; the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976, as amended; and the National Forest Management Act of 1976
(NFMA), as amended; the Forest Service (FS), U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Great Dismal Swamp, West Virginia
Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), and West Virginia Department of
Environmental Protection (WVDEP) have participated as cooperating
agencies with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the
preparation of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and Supply Header
Project (SHP) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Draft EIS
addresses: (1) The impacts of these projects, (2) the associated draft
amendments to the Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMPs) for the
Monongahela National Forest (MNF) and George Washington National Forest
(GWNF), and (3) the proposal for authorization from the Forest Service
to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission a natural
gas transmission pipeline that crosses National Forest System (NFS)
lands. With this agency-specific Notice of Availability, the FS is
announcing the opening of the FERC comment period. Comments submitted
to the FERC concerning FS actions need to be timely and specific,
showing a direct
[[Page 1686]]
relationship to the proposal and include supporting reasons.
DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the FERC must
receive written comments on the ACP and Supply Header Project Draft EIS
within 90 days following the date of publication of the FERC Notice of
Availability (NOA) for the draft EIS in the Federal Register. The
FERC's NOA also lists public meetings where interested groups and
individuals can attend and present oral comments on the draft EIS.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the ACP and Supply Header
Project Draft EIS, including any comments related to the FS
consideration of the authorization of ACP to cross NFS lands and/or the
FS consideration of LRMP amendments, to the FERC by any of the four
methods listed below. The FERC encourages electronic filing of comments
and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or
efiling@ferc.gov. Please carefully follow these instructions so that
your comments are properly recorded.
(1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature on the FERC's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for submitting brief,
text-only comments on a project;
(2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature on the FERC'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.'' If you are filing a comment on a particular project,
please select ``Comment on a Filing'' as the filing type; or
(3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket numbers
(CP15-554-000 and CP15-554-001 for ACP) with your submission: Nathaniel
J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
(4) In lieu of sending written or electronic comments, you can
submit oral comments at any of the FERC-sponsored public sessions that
are scheduled in the FERC Notice of Availability for the draft EIS.
Your comments must reference the FERC Docket number for the
Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Supply Header Project, L.P., Docket Nos.
CP15-554-000 and CP15-554-001 (ACP), to be correctly attributed to this
specific project. Copies of the ACP and Supply Header Project Draft EIS
are available for inspection in the offices of the Forest Supervisor
for the Monongahela National Forest and the Forest Supervisor for the
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information about the
projects is available from the FERC's Office of External Affairs at
866-208-FERC (3372), or on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). On the
FERC's Web site, go to ``Documents & Filings,'' click on the
``eLibrary'' link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket
number CP15-554. 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 issues by the FERC such as orders, notices,
and rulemakings.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This NOA is specific to the FS and provides
notice that the agency has participated as a cooperating agency with
FERC in the preparation of the ACP and Supply Header Project Draft EIS.
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline route would cross about 21 miles of lands
managed by the FS. More specifically, the pipeline route would cross
5.1 miles of lands managed by the Monongahela National Forest, in
Pocahontas County, West Virginia and 15.9 miles of lands managed by the
George Washington National Forest, in Highland, Bath, and Augusta
counties, Virginia. The Supply Header Project would not affect the
Monongahela or George Washington National Forests.
The FERC is the NEPA Lead Federal Agency for the environmental
analysis of the construction and operation of the proposed ACP and
Supply Header Project. The FS is the federal agency responsible for
authorizing this use and issuing special use permits for natural gas
pipelines across NFS lands under its jurisdiction.
Before issuing a Special Use permit (SUP) to construct, operate,
maintain, and eventually decommission a natural gas transmission
pipeline that crosses NFS lands, the FS would include any specific
stipulations applicable to lands, facilities, water bodies, and
easements for inclusion in the SUP.
In order for the potential actions to be consistent with the
respective LRMPs (36 CFR 219.15), the FS would need to make several
amendments to the LRMPs before the FS could authorize the use and issue
a SUP.
The FERC's draft EIS includes the consideration of a FS
authorization across NFS lands and the associated FS LRMP amendments.
The FS intends to adopt FERC's EIS for agency decisions if the analysis
provides sufficient evidence to support the agency's decisions and the
agency is satisfied that agency comments and suggestions have been
addressed.
``Project-specific plan amendments'' would be needed to deviate
from the existing forest plan standards for the construction and
operation of the ACP. These amendments are considered project-specific
amendments because they would not change FS requirements for other
projects or authorize any other actions. Additionally, if the proposed
route was authorized and a SUP issued, the GWNF LRMP would need to be
amended to change the current management prescriptions in the
pipeline's operational corridor to Management Prescription Area (Rx)
5C-Designated Utility Corridors. The MNF does not have LRMP direction
that would require a similar plan amendment to reallocate management
prescriptions. This amendment is considered a ``plan-level'' amendment
and would change future management direction for the lands reallocated
to the new management prescription. The FS has also identified
potential amendments that may be required, pending survey information
and analyses that are not currently available.
The following amendments have been proposed by the FS as part of
the proposed action in the FERC draft EIS:
Monongahela National Forest
The type of amendment applicable to the MNF would be a project-
specific amendment. This amendment would not change FS requirements for
other projects or authorize any other actions.
Potential Amendment 1: The MNF LRMP may need to be amended to allow
construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to temporarily exceed
standards identified under management direction for soils and water,
specifically forest wide standards SW06 and SW07, provided that design
criteria, mitigation measures, project requirements and/or monitoring
activities agreed upon by the Forest Service are implemented as needed
to achieve adequate slope and soil stability.
Other potential amendments may be needed pending the outcome of
ongoing analyses and development of project design and mitigation.
[[Page 1687]]
George Washington National Forest
The first type of LRMP amendment applicable to the GWNF would be a
plan-level amendment that would change land allocations. This would
change future management direction for the lands reallocated to the new
management prescription (Rx) and is required by LRMP Standards FW-243
and FW-244.
Proposed Amendment 1: The LRMP would be amended to reallocate 102.3
acres to the Management Prescription 5C-Designated Utility Corridors
from these Rxs: 7E1-Dispersed Recreation Areas (7 acres), and 13-
Mosaics of Habitat (95 acres). Management Prescription 11-Riparian
Corridors would remain embedded within the new Rx 5C area.
Rx 5C-Designated Utility Corridors contain special uses which serve
a public benefit by providing a reliable supply of electricity, natural
gas, or water essential to local, regional, and national economies. The
new Rx 5C land allocation would be 53.5 feet wide, the width of the
final operational right-of-way. The area would not cross into the Rx
4A-Appalachian National Scenic Area but would stop and start at the
existing Rx 4A boundary. The applicable area within Rx4A would continue
to be managed for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
The second type of amendment applicable to the GWNF would be a
project-specific amendment that would apply only to the construction
and operation of this pipeline. The following standards would require a
temporary waiver to allow the project to proceed. These amendments
would not change LRMP requirements for other projects or authorize any
other actions.
Proposed Amendment 2: The LRMP would be amended to allow
construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to exceed restrictions on
soil conditions and riparian corridor conditions as described in LRMP
Standards FW-5, FW-15, FW-16, FW-17 and 11-019, provided that
mitigation measures or project requirements agreed upon by the Forest
Service are implemented as needed.
Proposed Amendment 3: The LRMP would be amended to allow the
Atlantic Coast Pipeline to cross the Appalachian National Scenic Trail
in Augusta County, Virginia. (reference LRMP Standard 4A-025)
Potential Amendment 4: The LRMP may need to be amended to allow
removal of old growth trees within the construction corridor of the
Atlantic Coast Pipeline. (reference LRMP Standard FW-85)
Potential Amendment 5: The LRMP may need to be amended to allow
major reconstruction of a National Forest System Road within Rx 2C3
area to provide access for pipeline construction. This is contingent on
the final location of access roads. (reference LRMP Standard 2C3-015)
Potential Amendment 6: The LRMP may need to be amended to allow the
ACP to not immediately meet Scenic Integrity Objectives; however,
mitigation measures, including vegetation management and restoration
actions, are expected to improve quality over an extended timeframe.
(reference LRMP Standard FW-182)
The FS will prepare separate Records of Decisions for the
authorization decision and for the plan amendments decisions, after
issuance of the FERC final EIS. The FS decision to authorize ACP will
be subject to FS predecisional administrative review procedures
established in 36 CFR 218. The MNF Potential Amendment 1, GWNF Proposed
Amendments 2 and 3 and Potential Amendments 4, 5 and 6 were developed
in accordance to 36 CFR 219 (2012) regulations but will be subject to
the administrative review procedures under 36 CFR 218 regulations
Subparts A and B, per 36 CFR 219.59(b). GWNF Proposed Amendment 1 was
developed in accordance to 36 CFR 219 (2012 version) regulations and
will be subject to the administrative review procedures under 36 CFR
219 Subpart B. Refer to the applicable administrative review
regulations for eligibility.
The FS is requesting public comments on the authorization of ACP on
NFS lands and the draft proposed and potential amendments of the LRMPs
that would allow ACP to cross the MNF and GWNF. All comments must be
submitted to the FERC, the Lead Federal Agency, within 90 days
following the date of publication of the FERC Notice of Availability
for their draft EIS in the Federal Register. Refer to Dockets CP15-554-
000 and CP15-544-001 (ACP) in all correspondence to ensure that your
comments are correctly filed in the record. You may submit comments to
the FERC using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section
above. Only those who submit timely and specific written comments
regarding the proposed project during a public comment period are
eligible to file an objection with the FS. Before including your
address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying
information in your comments, you should be aware that the entire text
of your comments--including your personal identifying information--
would be publicly available through the FERC eLibrary system if you
file your comments with the Secretary of the FERC.
Responsible Officials for Fs Authorization of Use To Issue a Special
Use Permit: The Regional Forester Eastern Region for NFS lands on the
Monongahela National Forest and the Regional Forester Southern Region
for NFS lands on the George Washington National Forest are the
Responsible Officials.
Responsible Officials for Fs LRMP Amendments: The Forest Supervisor for
the Monongahela National Forest is the Responsible Official for the
LRMP Amendment on the Monongahela National Forest.
The Forest Supervisor for the George Washington and Jefferson
National Forests is the Responsible Official for the LRMP Amendments on
the George Washington National Forest.
Lead Responsible Official for Coordinating Between Regions and Forests
for the Project: The Forest Supervisor for the Monongahela National
Forest.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.
Dated: December 29, 2016.
Clyde Thompson,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2017-00008 Filed 1-5-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
