Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Del-Mar Energy Pathway Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, Notice of Public Scoping Session, and Notice of Onsite Review, 55883-55886 [2018-24449]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 217 / Thursday, November 8, 2018 / Notices individuals, organizations, and agencies to attend one or both of the meetings, and to assist staff in identifying particular study needs, as well as the scope of environmental issues to be addressed in the environmental document. The times and locations of these meetings are as follows: Evening Scoping Meeting Date and Time: Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. Location: River Falls City Hall Training Room, 222 Lewis Street, River Falls, WI 54022, (715) 425–0900. Daytime Scoping Meeting Date and Time: Friday, November 16, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Location: River Falls City Hall Council Chambers, 222 Lewis Street, River Falls, WI 54022, (715) 425–0900. SD1, which outlines the subject areas to be addressed in the environmental document, was mailed to the individuals and entities on the Commission’s mailing list. Copies of SD1 will be available at the scoping meetings, or may be viewed on the web at https://www.ferc.gov, using the eLibrary link. Follow the directions for accessing information in paragraph n. Based on all oral and written comments, a Scoping Document 2 (SD2) may be issued. SD2 may include a revised process plan and schedule, as well as a list of issues, identified through the scoping process. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Environmental Site Review The potential applicant and Commission staff will conduct an Environmental Site Review of the project on Thursday, November 15, 2018, starting at 1:00 p.m. All participants should meet at the Old Power Plant at Junction Falls dam, 401 S. Winter Street, River Falls, WI 54022. If you plan to attend the environmental site review, please contact Mr. Kevin Westhuis, Utility Director of the City of River Falls Municipal Utilities, at kwesthuis@rfcity.org (preferred contact) or (715) 426–3442 on or before Friday, November 9, 2018, and indicate how many participants will be attending with you. The City of River Falls’ safety policies require that all environmental site review participants wear sturdy footwear; no open toe, sandals, high heels, etc. Meeting Objectives At the scoping meetings, staff will: (1) Initiate scoping of the issues; (2) review and discuss existing conditions and resource management objectives; (3) review and discuss existing information and identify preliminary information VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Nov 07, 2018 Jkt 247001 and study needs; (4) review and discuss the process plan and schedule for prefiling activity that incorporates the time frames provided for in Part 5 of the Commission’s regulations and, to the extent possible, maximizes coordination of federal, state, and tribal permitting and certification processes; and (5) discuss the appropriateness of any federal or state agency or Indian tribe acting as a cooperating agency for development of an environmental document. Meeting participants should come prepared to discuss their issues and/or concerns. Please review the PAD in preparation for the scoping meetings. Directions on how to obtain a copy of the PAD and SD1 are included in paragraph n of this document. Meeting Procedures The meetings will be recorded by a stenographer and will be placed in the public records of the project. Dated: October 25, 2018. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–24453 Filed 11–7–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP18–548–000] Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Del-Mar Energy Pathway Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, Notice of Public Scoping Session, and Notice of Onsite Review 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 Del-Mar Energy Pathway Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company (Eastern Shore) in Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware, and Wicomico and Somerset Counties, Maryland. 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 about issues regarding the project. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 55883 requires the Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires the Commission to discover 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. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before 5:00 pm Eastern Time on December 3, 2018. You can make a difference by submitting 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. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. Commission staff will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA. If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on September 14, 2018, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP18–548–000 to ensure they are considered as part of this proceeding. 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 proposed 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 proposed facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission approves the project, that approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach an easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be determined by a judge in accordance with state law. Eastern Shore provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need E:\FR\FM\08NON1.SGM 08NON1 55884 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 217 / Thursday, November 8, 2018 / Notices To Know?’’ This fact sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission’s proceedings. It is also available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) at https:// www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/gas/ gas.pdf. Public Participation The Commission offers a free service called eSubscription which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and submittals regarding the dockets/ projects to which you subscribe. These instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification and provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings. To sign up go to www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ esubscription.asp. Filings. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on ‘‘eRegister.’’ You will be asked to select the type of filing you are making; a comment on a particular project is considered a ‘‘Comment on a Filing’’; or (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP18–548– 000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. (4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you to attend the public scoping session its staff will conduct in the project area, scheduled as follows: Date and time Location Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 4:00–7:30 p.m ................................... Millsboro Town Office Building, 322 Wilson Highway, Millsboro, DE 19966, (302) 934–8171. The primary goal of this scoping session is to have you identify the specific environmental issues and concerns that should be considered in the EA. Individual verbal comments will be taken on a one-on-one basis with a court reporter. This format is designed to receive the maximum amount of verbal comments, in a convenient way during the timeframe allotted. The scoping session is scheduled from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. You may arrive at any time after 4:00 p.m. There will not be a formal presentation by Commission staff when the session opens. If you wish to speak, the Commission staff will hand out numbers in the order of your arrival. Comments will be taken until 7:30 p.m. However, if no additional numbers have been handed out and all individuals who wish to provide comments have had an opportunity to do so, staff may conclude the session at 7:00 p.m. Please see appendix 1 for additional information on the session format and conduct.1 Your scoping comments will be recorded by a court reporter (with FERC staff or representative present) and become part of the public record for this daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES For your convenience, there are four methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208–3676 or FercOnlineSupport@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, which is located on the Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and Filings. Using eComment 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, which is located on the Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and 1 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) 5028371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Nov 07, 2018 Jkt 247001 proceeding. Transcripts will be publicly available on FERC’s eLibrary system (see below for instructions on using eLibrary). If a significant number of people are interested in providing verbal comments in the one-on-one settings, a time limit of 5 minutes may be implemented for each commenter. It is important to note that the Commission provides equal consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form or provided verbally at a scoping session. Although there will not be a formal presentation, Commission staff will be available throughout the scoping session to answer your questions about the environmental review process. Representatives from Eastern Shore will also be present to answer projectspecific questions. Summary of the Proposed Project Eastern Shore proposes to construct and operate new natural gas pipelines and meter and delivery stations in Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware and Wicomico and Somerset Counties, Maryland. The Del-Mar Energy Project would provide about 11.8 million cubic feet per day of additional natural gas firm transportation and 2.5 million cubic feet per day of off-peak transportation service to three local distribution companies and one industrial shipper. The Del-Mar Energy Pathway Project would consist of the construction of the following facilities: PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Woodside Loop 2: Kent County, Delaware • 4.9 miles of new 16-inch-diameter pipeline looping the existing Hockessin Line, Canterbury Loop. East Sussex Extension: Sussex County, Delaware • 7.39 miles of new 8-inch-diameter mainline extension to the existing Milford Line; • one aboveground pig launcher and one receiver,3 and aboveground mainline valve; and • one new delivery metering and regulation (M&R) station at the East Sussex Extension terminus. Millsboro Pressure Control Station Upgrade: Millsboro, Sussex County, Delaware • 0.35 mile of 10-inch-diameter pipeline extension between the existing Millsboro Pressure Control Station and the existing Milford Line; and • a dual run pressure control addition to the existing Millsboro pressure control station with modifications to the existing piping, valves, and associated electronic transmitters. Somerset Extension: Wicomico and Somerset Counties, Maryland • 6.83 miles of new 10-inch-diameter pipeline extension to the existing Parkesburg Line; 2 A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to an existing pipeline to increase capacity. 3 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. E:\FR\FM\08NON1.SGM 08NON1 daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 217 / Thursday, November 8, 2018 / Notices • one aboveground pig launcher and one receiver, and aboveground mainline valve; and • one new delivery M&R station at the Somerset Extension terminus. The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 2. the environmental issues of this project to formally cooperate 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. Land Requirements for Construction Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 223.6 acres of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline. Of this, Eastern Shore would maintain about 29 acres for permanent operation of the project’s facilities following construction. The remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. About 89.6 percent of the proposed pipeline routes parallel existing pipeline, utility, or road rightsof-way. Consultation 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, the Commission is are using this notice to initiate consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO), 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 Commission staff will define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPOs 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). The EA for this project will document findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106. The EA Process The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project under these general headings: • Geology and soils; • water resources and wetlands; • vegetation and wildlife; • threatened and endangered species; • cultural resources; • land use; • air quality and noise; • public safety; and • cumulative impacts. Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. The EA will present Commission staffs’ independent analysis of the issues. The EA will be available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary 4 and the Commission’s website (https:// www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/ eis.asp). If eSubscribed, you will receive instant email notification when the EA is issued. The EA may be issued for an allotted public comment period. Commission staff will consider all comments on the EA before making recommendations to the Commission. To ensure Commission staff have the opportunity to address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public Participation section, beginning on page 2. With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to 4 The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1501.6. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Nov 07, 2018 Jkt 247001 Environmental Mailing List The environmental mailing list includes: Federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission’s regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on the project. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to this environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the proposed project. 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. PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 55885 If the Commission issues the EA for an allotted public comment period, a Notice of Availability of the EA will be sent to the environmental mailing list and will provide instructions to access the electronic document on the FERC’s website (www.ferc.gov). If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the attached ‘‘Mailing List Update Form’’ (appendix 3). Onsite Environmental Review On November 14 and 15, 2018, the Office of Energy Projects staff will gather data related to the environmental analysis of the proposed Del-Mar Energy Pathway Project. Staff will review the proposed pipeline routes and associated facilities locations. This will assist staff in completing its comparative evaluation of environmental impacts of the proposed project. Viewing of this area is anticipated to be from public access points and Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company right-of-way. All interested parties planning to attend must provide their own transportation. Those attending should meet at the following location: East Sussex Extension • November 14, 2018, 1:30 p.m., Fire Marshal Office, 22705 Park Ave, Georgetown, DE 19947. Somerset Extension & Woodside Loop • November 15, 2018, 9:30 a.m., Wicomico Public Library, 122 S Division St., Salisbury, MD 21801. 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 website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket number in the ‘‘Docket Number’’ field, excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP18–548). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission’s calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/ EventsList.aspx along with other related information. E:\FR\FM\08NON1.SGM 08NON1 55886 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 217 / Thursday, November 8, 2018 / Notices Dated: November 2, 2018. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–24449 Filed 11–7–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9986–25–Region 3] Delegation of Authority to the Commonwealth of Virginia To Implement and Enforce Additional or Revised National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Standards and New Source Performance Standards Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of delegation of authority. AGENCY: On September 25, 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent the Commonwealth of Virginia (Virginia) a letter acknowledging that Virginia’s delegation of authority to implement and enforce the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) had been updated, as provided for under previously approved delegation mechanisms. To inform regulated facilities and the public, EPA is making available a copy of EPA’s letter to Virginia through this notice. DATES: On September 25, 2018, EPA sent Virginia a letter acknowledging that Virginia’s delegation of authority to implement and enforce Federal NESHAPs had been updated. ADDRESSES: Copies of documents pertaining to this action are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Air Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103– 2029. Copies of Virginia’s submittal are also available at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, 1111 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Riley Burger, (215) 814–2217, or by email at burger.riley@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 22, 2018, Virginia notified EPA that Virginia had updated its incorporation by reference of Federal NESHAPs to include many such standards, as they were published in final form in the Code of Federal Regulations dated July 1, 2017. On daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:51 Nov 07, 2018 Jkt 247001 September 25, 2018, EPA sent Virginia a letter acknowledging that Virginia now has the authority to implement and enforce the NESHAPs as specified by Virginia in its notice to EPA, as provided for under previously approved automatic delegation mechanisms. All notifications, applications, reports, and other correspondence required pursuant to the delegated NESHAPs must be submitted to both the EPA, Region III and to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, unless the delegated standard specifically provides that such submittals may be sent to EPA or a delegated State. In such cases, the submittals should be sent only to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. A copy of EPA’s letter to Virginia follows: Michael G. Dowd, Director, Air Division, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, Virginia 23218 Dear Mr. Dowd: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has previously delegated to the Commonwealth of Virginia (Virginia) the authority to implement and enforce various federal New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories (MACT standards) which are found at 40 CFR parts 60, 61 and 63, respectively. In those actions, EPA also delegated to Virginia the authority to implement and enforce any future federal NSPS, NESHAP or MACT Standards on the condition that Virginia legally adopt the future standards, make only allowed wording changes, and provide specified notice to EPA. In a letter dated February 22, 2018, Virginia submitted to EPA revised versions of Virginia’s regulations which incorporate by reference specified federal NSPS, NESHAP and MACT standards, as those federal standards had been published in final form in the Code of Federal Regulations dated July 1, 2016. Virginia committed to enforcing the federal standards in conformance with the terms of EPA’s previous delegations of authority and made only allowed wording changes. Virginia stated that it had submitted the revisions ‘‘to retain its authority to enforce the NSPSs and NESHAPs under the delegation of authority granted by EPA on August 27, 1981 (46 FR 43300) and to enforce the MACT standards under the delegation of authority granted by EPA on January 26, 1999 (64 FR 3938) and January 8, 2002 (67 FR 825).’’ Virginia provided copies of its revised regulations which specify the NSPS, NESHAP and MACT Standards which it had adopted by reference. Virginia’s revised regulations are entitled 9 VAC 5–50 ‘‘New and Modified Stationary Sources,’’ and 9 VAC 5–60 ‘‘Hazardous Air Pollutant Sources.’’ These revised regulations have an effective date of February 21, 2018. PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Based on Virginia’s submittal, EPA acknowledges that EPA’s delegations to Virginia of the authority implement and enforce EPA’s NSPS, NESHAP, and MACT Standards have been updated, as provided for under the terms of EPA’s previous delegation of authority actions, to allow the Virginia to implement and enforce the federal NSPS, NESHAP and MACT standards which Virginia has adopted by reference as specified in Virginia’s revised regulations 9 VAC 5–50 and 9 VAC 5–60, both effective on February 21, 2018. Please note that on December 19, 2008, in Sierra Club v. EPA,1 the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated certain provisions of the General Provisions of 40 CFR part 63 relating to exemptions for startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM). On October 16, 2009, the Court issued a mandate vacating these SSM exemption provisions, which are found at 40 CFR 63.6(f)(1) and (h)(1). Accordingly, EPA no longer allows sources the SSM exemption as provided for in the vacated provisions at 40 CFR 63.6(f)(1) and (h)(1), even though EPA has not yet formally removed these SSM exemption provisions from the General Provisions of 40 CFR part 63. Because Virginia incorporated 40 CFR part 63 by reference, Virginia should also no longer allow sources to use the former SSM exemption from the General Provisions of 40 CFR part 63 due to the Court’s ruling in Sierra Club v. EPA. EPA appreciates Virginia’s continuing NSPS, NESHAP and MACT standards enforcement efforts, and also Virginia’s decision to take automatic delegation of additional or updated NSPS, NESHAP and MACT standards by adopting them by reference. This notice acknowledges the update of Virginia’s delegation of authority to implement and enforce NESHAP, NSPS, and MACT. Dated: October 31, 2018. Cristina Fernandez, Director, Air Protection Division, Region III. [FR Doc. 2018–24483 Filed 11–7–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC); Correction Notice is hereby given of a change in the meeting of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC); November 15, 2018, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., EST, and November 16, 2018, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., EST which was published in the Federal Register on 1 Sierra Club v. EPA, 551 F.3rd 1019 (D.C. Cir. 2008). E:\FR\FM\08NON1.SGM 08NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 217 (Thursday, November 8, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55883-55886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24449]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP18-548-000]


Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Del-Mar Energy Pathway 
Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, Notice of Public 
Scoping Session, and Notice of Onsite Review

    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 Del-Mar Energy Pathway Project 
involving construction and operation of facilities by Eastern Shore 
Natural Gas Company (Eastern Shore) in Kent and Sussex Counties, 
Delaware, and Wicomico and Somerset Counties, Maryland. 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 about issues regarding the project. The National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into account the 
environmental impacts that could result from its action whenever it 
considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and 
Necessity. NEPA also requires the Commission to discover 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. To ensure that your comments are timely 
and properly recorded, please submit your comments so that the 
Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before 5:00 pm Eastern 
Time on December 3, 2018.
    You can make a difference by submitting 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. Your input will help the Commission 
staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. Commission 
staff will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the 
EA.
    If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the 
opening of this docket on September 14, 2018, you will need to file 
those comments in Docket No. CP18-548-000 to ensure they are considered 
as part of this proceeding.
    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 proposed 
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 proposed facilities. The company 
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You 
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission 
approves the project, that approval conveys with it the right of 
eminent domain. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach an 
easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation 
proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be 
determined by a judge in accordance with state law.
    Eastern Shore provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the 
FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do 
I Need

[[Page 55884]]

To Know?'' This fact sheet addresses a number of typically asked 
questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate 
in the Commission's proceedings. It is also available for viewing on 
the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) at https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/gas/gas.pdf.

Public Participation

    The Commission offers a free service called eSubscription which 
makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and submittals 
regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. These instant 
email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification and 
provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of 
time you spend researching proceedings. To sign up go to www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    For your convenience, there are four methods you can use to submit 
your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or [email protected]. Please carefully follow these 
instructions so that your comments are properly recorded.
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment 
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the link to Documents and Filings. Using eComment 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, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the link to Documents and Filings. With eFiling, you can provide 
comments in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your 
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking 
on ``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you 
are making; a comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment 
on a Filing''; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket number 
(CP18-548-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, 
Washington, DC 20426.
    (4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you 
to attend the public scoping session its staff will conduct in the 
project area, scheduled as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Date and time                           Location
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Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 4:00-7:30  Millsboro Town Office Building,
 p.m.                                     322 Wilson Highway, Millsboro,
                                          DE 19966, (302) 934-8171.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The primary goal of this scoping session is to have you identify 
the specific environmental issues and concerns that should be 
considered in the EA. Individual verbal comments will be taken on a 
one-on-one basis with a court reporter. This format is designed to 
receive the maximum amount of verbal comments, in a convenient way 
during the timeframe allotted.
    The scoping session is scheduled from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
Eastern Time. You may arrive at any time after 4:00 p.m. There will not 
be a formal presentation by Commission staff when the session opens. If 
you wish to speak, the Commission staff will hand out numbers in the 
order of your arrival. Comments will be taken until 7:30 p.m. However, 
if no additional numbers have been handed out and all individuals who 
wish to provide comments have had an opportunity to do so, staff may 
conclude the session at 7:00 p.m. Please see appendix 1 for additional 
information on the session format and conduct.\1\
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    \1\ 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 the last page of this notice.
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    Your scoping comments will be recorded by a court reporter (with 
FERC staff or representative present) and become part of the public 
record for this proceeding. Transcripts will be publicly available on 
FERC's eLibrary system (see below for instructions on using eLibrary). 
If a significant number of people are interested in providing verbal 
comments in the one-on-one settings, a time limit of 5 minutes may be 
implemented for each commenter.
    It is important to note that the Commission provides equal 
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form 
or provided verbally at a scoping session. Although there will not be a 
formal presentation, Commission staff will be available throughout the 
scoping session to answer your questions about the environmental review 
process. Representatives from Eastern Shore will also be present to 
answer project-specific questions.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Eastern Shore proposes to construct and operate new natural gas 
pipelines and meter and delivery stations in Kent and Sussex Counties, 
Delaware and Wicomico and Somerset Counties, Maryland. The Del-Mar 
Energy Project would provide about 11.8 million cubic feet per day of 
additional natural gas firm transportation and 2.5 million cubic feet 
per day of off-peak transportation service to three local distribution 
companies and one industrial shipper.
    The Del-Mar Energy Pathway Project would consist of the 
construction of the following facilities:
    Woodside Loop \2\: Kent County, Delaware
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    \2\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to 
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
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     4.9 miles of new 16-inch-diameter pipeline looping the 
existing Hockessin Line, Canterbury Loop.
    East Sussex Extension: Sussex County, Delaware
     7.39 miles of new 8-inch-diameter mainline extension to 
the existing Milford Line;
     one aboveground pig launcher and one receiver,\3\ and 
aboveground mainline valve; and
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    \3\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     one new delivery metering and regulation (M&R) station at 
the East Sussex Extension terminus.
    Millsboro Pressure Control Station Upgrade: Millsboro, Sussex 
County, Delaware
     0.35 mile of 10-inch-diameter pipeline extension between 
the existing Millsboro Pressure Control Station and the existing 
Milford Line; and
     a dual run pressure control addition to the existing 
Millsboro pressure control station with modifications to the existing 
piping, valves, and associated electronic transmitters.
    Somerset Extension: Wicomico and Somerset Counties, Maryland
     6.83 miles of new 10-inch-diameter pipeline extension to 
the existing Parkesburg Line;

[[Page 55885]]

     one aboveground pig launcher and one receiver, and 
aboveground mainline valve; and
     one new delivery M&R station at the Somerset Extension 
terminus. The general location of the project facilities is shown in 
appendix 2.

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 223.6 
acres of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline. Of this, 
Eastern Shore would maintain about 29 acres for permanent operation of 
the project's facilities following construction. The remaining acreage 
would be restored and revert to former uses. About 89.6 percent of the 
proposed pipeline routes parallel existing pipeline, utility, or road 
rights-of-way.

The EA Process

    The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the proposed project under these general 
headings:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     air quality and noise;
     public safety; and
     cumulative impacts.
    Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the 
proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations 
on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    The EA will present Commission staffs' independent analysis of the 
issues. The EA will be available in electronic format in the public 
record through eLibrary \4\ and the Commission's website (https://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/eis.asp). If eSubscribed, you will 
receive instant email notification when the EA is issued. The EA may be 
issued for an allotted public comment period. Commission staff will 
consider all comments on the EA before making recommendations to the 
Commission. To ensure Commission staff have the opportunity to address 
your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public 
Participation section, beginning on page 2.
    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with 
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the 
environmental issues of this project to formally cooperate 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultation 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, the Commission is are using this notice to initiate 
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Offices 
(SHPO), 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\ Commission staff will 
define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in 
consultation with the SHPOs 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). 
The EA for this project will document findings on the impacts on 
historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under 
section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes: Federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also 
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's 
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property 
may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within 
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits 
comments on the project. Commission staff will update the environmental 
mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices 
related to this environmental review are sent to all individuals, 
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially 
affected by the proposed project.
    If the Commission issues the EA for an allotted public comment 
period, a Notice of Availability of the EA will be sent to the 
environmental mailing list and will provide instructions to access the 
electronic document on the FERC's website (www.ferc.gov). If you need 
to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove 
your name from the mailing list, please return the attached ``Mailing 
List Update Form'' (appendix 3).

Onsite Environmental Review

    On November 14 and 15, 2018, the Office of Energy Projects staff 
will gather data related to the environmental analysis of the proposed 
Del-Mar Energy Pathway Project. Staff will review the proposed pipeline 
routes and associated facilities locations. This will assist staff in 
completing its comparative evaluation of environmental impacts of the 
proposed project. Viewing of this area is anticipated to be from public 
access points and Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company right-of-way.
    All interested parties planning to attend must provide their own 
transportation. Those attending should meet at the following location:

East Sussex Extension

     November 14, 2018, 1:30 p.m., Fire Marshal Office, 22705 
Park Ave, Georgetown, DE 19947.

Somerset Extension & Woodside Loop

     November 15, 2018, 9:30 a.m., Wicomico Public Library, 122 
S Division St., Salisbury, MD 21801.

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 website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the 
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number 
in the ``Docket Number'' field, excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP18-548). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
[email protected] or (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 
502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all 
formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and 
rulemakings.
    Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's 
calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along 
with other related information.


[[Page 55886]]


    Dated: November 2, 2018.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-24449 Filed 11-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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