Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Lucas and Pavonia Wells Abandonment Project, 24409-24411 [2023-08354]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 76 / Thursday, April 20, 2023 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP23–82–000] ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Lucas and Pavonia Wells Abandonment Project The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental document that will discuss the environmental impacts of the Lucas and Pavonia Wells Abandonment Project (Abandonment Project) involving construction and operation of facilities by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) in Ashland and Richland Counties, Ohio. The Commission will use this environmental document 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 regarding the Abandonment Project. As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This gathering of public input is referred to as ‘‘scoping.’’ The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental document on the important environmental issues. Additional information about the Commission’s NEPA process is described below in the NEPA Process and Environmental Document section of this notice. By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of issues to address in the environmental document. 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 p.m. Eastern Time on May 15, 2023. Details on how to submit comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this notice. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:01 Apr 19, 2023 Jkt 259001 evaluate in the environmental document. Commission staff will consider all written comments during the preparation of the environmental document. If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on March 2, 2023, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP23–82–000 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 representative from Columbia 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 easement agreement. You are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission approves the project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent domain to the company. 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. The Commission does not subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these matters. Columbia provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?’’ which addresses typically asked questions, including how to participate in the Commission’s proceedings. This fact sheet along with other landowner topics of interest are available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under the Natural Gas, Landowner Topics link. Public Participation There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208–3676 or FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24409 feature, which is located on the Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov) under the link to FERC Online. 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 FERC Online. 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 Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP23–82–000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852. Additionally, 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. Go to https:// www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription. Summary of the Proposed Project Columbia proposes to abandon 37 injection/withdrawal wells and associated pipelines and appurtenances at its existing certificated Lucas and Pavonia Storage Fields in Ashland and Richland Counties, Ohio. The Abandonment Project would not change the existing boundary, total inventory, reservoir pressure, reservoir and buffer boundaries, or the certificated capacity of the Lucas and Pavonia Storage Fields. According to Columbia, its project would result in more efficient use of the remaining storage wells in the Lucas and Pavonia Storage fields by maintaining the storage fields’ integrity and efficiency. Columbia also states the Abandonment Project would not result in the termination or reduction in firm service to any of its existing customers. E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1 24410 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 76 / Thursday, April 20, 2023 / Notices The Abandonment Project would consist of the following facilities and activities: • abandonment of 37 injection/ withdrawal wells at the Lucas and Pavonia Storage Fields by permanently plugging and abandoning the wells in place; • abandonment of approximately 41,423 feet of associated 3- to 6-inchdiameter pipeline, of which 39,402 feet would be capped and abandoned in place and 2,021 feet would be abandoned by removal; and • abandonment by removal of all associated aboveground appurtenances, including, but not limited to, tie-in valves, pipeline markers, cathodic protection test stations, rectifiers, casing vents, and above-ground pipeline blowdown vents. The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 1.1 ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Land Requirements for Construction Abandonment of the proposed facilities would disturb about 87 acres of land. Following the abandonment activities, Columbia would restore the land and it would revert to former uses. Columbia states that it has acquired all easements and other land rights needed for the Abandonment Project. NEPA Process and the Environmental Document Any environmental document issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the abandonment of the proposed project under the relevant general resource areas: • geology and soils; • water resources and wetlands; • vegetation and wildlife; • threatened and endangered species; • cultural resources; • land use; • environmental justice; • air quality and noise; and • reliability and safety. 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. Your comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially eliminate others from further 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.’’ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. For assistance, contact FERC at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll free, (886) 208–3676 or TTY (202) 502–8659. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:01 Apr 19, 2023 Jkt 259001 study and discussion in the environmental document. Following this scoping period, Commission staff will determine whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present Commission staff’s independent analysis of the issues. If Commission staff prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment will be issued. The EA may be issued for an allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely comments on the EA before making its decision regarding the proposed project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS/ Notice of Schedule will be issued, which will open up an additional comment period. Staff will then prepare a draft EIS which will be issued for public comment. Commission staff will consider all timely comments received during the comment period on the draft EIS and revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. Any EA or draft and final EIS will be available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary 2 and the Commission’s natural gas environmental documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/ natural-gas/environment/ environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you will receive instant email notification when the environmental document is issued. 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 environmental document.3 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. 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 using this notice to initiate consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s), and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested Indian 2 For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. 3 The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing cooperating agency responsibilities are at title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, section 1501.8. PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 tribes, and the public on the project’s potential effects on historic properties.4 The environmental document for this project will document findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106. Environmental Mailing List The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 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 and includes a mailing address with their comments. 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 you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of the following steps: (1) Send an email to GasProjectAddressChange@ferc.gov stating your request. You must include the docket number CP23–82–000 in your request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure to include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to accept comments. OR (2) Return the attached ‘‘Mailing List Update Form’’ (appendix 2). 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, 4 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. E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 76 / Thursday, April 20, 2023 / Notices click on ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket number in the ‘‘Docket Number’’ field. 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 https://www.ferc.gov/newsevents/events along with other related information. Dated: April 14, 2023. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2023–08354 Filed 4–19–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OAR–2021–0327; FRL–8869–02– OAR] California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Large Spark-Ignition (LSI) Engines; Notice of Decision Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of decision. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (‘‘EPA’’) is granting the California Air Resources Board’s (‘‘CARB’s’’) request for authorization of California’s 2016 Large Spark Ignition (‘‘LSI’’) Fleet Amendments to its large spark-ignition engines fleets regulation (‘‘2016 LSI Fleet Amendments’’). This decision is granted under the authority of the Clean Air Act (‘‘CAA’’). DATES: Petitions for review must be filed by June 20, 2023. ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID EPA–HQ–OAR–2021–0327. All documents relied upon in making this decision, including those submitted to EPA by CARB, are contained in the public docket. Publicly available docket materials are available electronically through www.regulations.gov. After opening the website, enter ‘‘EPA–HQ– OAR–2021–0327’’ in the ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID’’ fill-in box to view documents in the record. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. EPA’s Office of ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:01 Apr 19, 2023 Jkt 259001 Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) maintains a web page that contains general information on its review of California waiver and authorization requests. Included on that page are links to prior waiver and authorization Federal Register notices, some of which are cited in this notice; the page can be accessed at: https://www.epa.gov/stateand-local-transportation/vehicleemissions-california-waivers-andauthorizations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julian M. Davis, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2565 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105, Telephone: (734) 214–4029. Email: davis.julian@epa.gov; or Kayla Steinberg, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Telephone: (202) 564–7658. Email: steinberg.kayla@ epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The California Air Resources Board (CARB) promulgated its first Large Spark-Ignition (LSI) regulations, applicable to new LSI engines, in 1999 and they remained unchanged until CARB’s 2008 Amendments.1 EPA authorized these first LSI regulations on May 15, 2006.2 CARB adopted the initial LSI Fleet Requirements (LSI Fleet Requirements), applicable to fleet operators on March 2, 2007. EPA granted California an authorization for the initial LSI Fleet Requirements in 2012.3 The LSI Fleet Requirements were designed to address hydrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from existing LSI engines operating in California and required fleets to meet certain fleet average emission level (FAEL) standards. CARB adopted its 2008 LSI Amendments on November 21, 2008. The 2008 LSI Amendments created two new engine categories below one-liter displacement, with new, more stringent exhaust and evaporative emission standards applicable to new engines. These amendments also provided clarification as to when CARB’s off-road sport or utility regulations apply to certain LSI engines.4 CARB adopted its 2010 LSI 1 Title 13, California Code of Regulations (Cal. Code Regs.), sections 2430 through 2439. 2 71 FR 29621, 29623 (May 15, 2006). 3 EPA granted an authorization for these regulations at 77 FR 20388 (April 4, 2012). 4 Clean Air Act section 209(e)(2) Authorization Support Document (Authorization Support Document), EPA–HQ–OAR–2021–0327–0003, at 1. Note, ‘‘off-road’’ is the term California uses in the Health and Safety Code and in Title 13, California Code of Regulations, and is intended to be PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24411 Amendments on December 17, 2010. EPA issued an authorization decision for the 2008 and 2010 amendments in 2015.5 The 2010 LSI Amendments expanded the ‘‘Limited Hours of Use Provision’’ to encompass equipment operated not more than 200 hours per year subsequent to January 1, 2011, and extended the preexisting compliance extension period if CARB has not verified a retrofit emission control system, or if one is not commercially available, from one year to two years.6 At its July 21, 2016, public hearing, the CARB Board approved for adoption the 2016 LSI Fleet Amendments. By letter dated March 15, 2021, CARB submitted a request to EPA for an authorization to enforce the 2016 LSI Fleet Amendments and asked that EPA consider its amendments as accompanying enforcement procedures for standards already authorized in EPA’s 2015 decision.7 The 2016 LSI Fleet Amendments include reporting requirements (e.g., initial and annual reports, equipment transfer and sales reports, and an extension of existing reporting requirements for fleet operators subject to FAEL). The 2016 LSI Fleet Amendments also include new labeling requirements wherein, based on operator provided information, CARB will issue the operators a unique Equipment Identification Number (EIN) for each item of equipment reported, and the EIN will become the basis for a manufacturer’s equipment labels with a number of associated requirements.8 On August 16, 2021, EPA issued a notice seeking comment on CARB’s 2016 LSI Fleet Amendments as accompanying enforcement procedures.9 II. Principles Governing This Review A. Clean Air Act Nonroad Engine and Vehicle Authorizations CAA section 209(e)(1) prohibits states and local governments from adopting or attempting to enforce any standard or requirement relating to the control of emissions from certain new nonroad synonymous and interchangeable with the term ‘‘nonroad’’ as used in the CAA and Federal regulations.’’ Id. at 1, note 1. In the rest of this decision, the term ‘‘nonroad’’ will be used. 5 EPA granted a full authorization for the 2008 LSI Amendments and a within-the-scope confirmation for the 2010 LSI Amendments at 80 FR 76468 (Dec. 9, 2015). 6 See Authorization Support Document, at 2–3. 7 See Authorization Support Document, at 1. See also 80 FR 76468 for the full authorization of CARB 2008 LSI Amendments and within the scope of CARB’s 2010 LSI Amendments. 8 See Title 13, Cal. Code Regs., section 2775, for all large spark-ignition engine fleet requirements. 9 86 FR 45724 (Aug. 16, 2021). E:\FR\FM\20APN1.SGM 20APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 76 (Thursday, April 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24409-24411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08354]



[[Page 24409]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-82-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Lucas and 
Pavonia Wells Abandonment Project

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental document that will discuss 
the environmental impacts of the Lucas and Pavonia Wells Abandonment 
Project (Abandonment Project) involving construction and operation of 
facilities by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) in Ashland and 
Richland Counties, Ohio. The Commission will use this environmental 
document 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 regarding the Abandonment Project. As part of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes 
into account concerns the public may have about proposals and the 
environmental impacts that could result from its action whenever it 
considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and 
Necessity. This gathering of public input is referred to as 
``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the 
analysis in the environmental document on the important environmental 
issues. Additional information about the Commission's NEPA process is 
described below in the NEPA Process and Environmental Document section 
of this notice.
    By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the 
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. 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 p.m. Eastern Time on May 15, 2023. Details on how to submit 
comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this 
notice.
    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 environmental document. Commission 
staff will consider all written comments during the preparation of the 
environmental document.
    If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before 
the opening of this docket on March 2, 2023, you will need to file 
those comments in Docket No. CP23-82-000 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 representative from 
Columbia 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 easement agreement. You 
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission 
approves the project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent 
domain to the company. 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. The Commission does 
not subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that 
eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle 
eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these 
matters.
    Columbia provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC 
entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I 
Need To Know?'' which addresses typically asked questions, including 
how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. This fact sheet 
along with other landowner topics of interest are available for viewing 
on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under the Natural Gas, Landowner 
Topics link.

Public Participation

    There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the 
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your 
comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or [email protected].
    (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 FERC Online. 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 FERC Online. 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 Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP23-
82-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service 
must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 
20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: 
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
    Additionally, 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. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Columbia proposes to abandon 37 injection/withdrawal wells and 
associated pipelines and appurtenances at its existing certificated 
Lucas and Pavonia Storage Fields in Ashland and Richland Counties, 
Ohio. The Abandonment Project would not change the existing boundary, 
total inventory, reservoir pressure, reservoir and buffer boundaries, 
or the certificated capacity of the Lucas and Pavonia Storage Fields. 
According to Columbia, its project would result in more efficient use 
of the remaining storage wells in the Lucas and Pavonia Storage fields 
by maintaining the storage fields' integrity and efficiency. Columbia 
also states the Abandonment Project would not result in the termination 
or reduction in firm service to any of its existing customers.

[[Page 24410]]

    The Abandonment Project would consist of the following facilities 
and activities:
     abandonment of 37 injection/withdrawal wells at the Lucas 
and Pavonia Storage Fields by permanently plugging and abandoning the 
wells in place;
     abandonment of approximately 41,423 feet of associated 3- 
to 6-inch-diameter pipeline, of which 39,402 feet would be capped and 
abandoned in place and 2,021 feet would be abandoned by removal; and
     abandonment by removal of all associated aboveground 
appurtenances, including, but not limited to, tie-in valves, pipeline 
markers, cathodic protection test stations, rectifiers, casing vents, 
and above-ground pipeline blowdown vents.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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.'' For instructions on 
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. For 
assistance, contact FERC at [email protected] or call toll 
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Land Requirements for Construction

    Abandonment of the proposed facilities would disturb about 87 acres 
of land. Following the abandonment activities, Columbia would restore 
the land and it would revert to former uses. Columbia states that it 
has acquired all easements and other land rights needed for the 
Abandonment Project.

NEPA Process and the Environmental Document

    Any environmental document issued by the Commission will discuss 
impacts that could occur as a result of the abandonment of the proposed 
project under the relevant general resource areas:
     geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     environmental justice;
     air quality and noise; and
     reliability and safety.
    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. Your 
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues 
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially 
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental 
document.
    Following this scoping period, Commission staff will determine 
whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present Commission 
staff's independent analysis of the issues. If Commission staff 
prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an 
Environmental Assessment will be issued. The EA may be issued for an 
allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely 
comments on the EA before making its decision regarding the proposed 
project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued, which will open up an 
additional comment period. Staff will then prepare a draft EIS which 
will be issued for public comment. Commission staff will consider all 
timely comments received during the comment period on the draft EIS and 
revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. Any EA 
or draft and final EIS will be available in electronic format in the 
public record through eLibrary \2\ and the Commission's natural gas 
environmental documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you 
will receive instant email notification when the environmental document 
is issued.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 environmental document.\3\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, section 1501.8.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 using this notice to initiate 
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s), 
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.\4\ The environmental document for this 
project will document findings on the impacts on historic properties 
and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 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; 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 and includes a mailing 
address with their comments. 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 you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would 
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of 
the following steps:
    (1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your 
request. You must include the docket number CP23-82-000 in your 
request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure 
to include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to 
delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and 
address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to 
accept comments.

OR

    (2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).

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,

[[Page 24411]]

click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number in the ``Docket 
Number'' field. 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 https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with 
other related information.

    Dated: April 14, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-08354 Filed 4-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.