Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Amoco South Pecan Lake Abandonment Project, 10064-10068 [2024-02918]

Download as PDF lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 10064 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 13, 2024 / Notices Project recreation facilities include: Trenner Memorial Park, American Falls Park, an improved fishing and access area, and the Oregon Trail Boat Ramp (Power County Boat Ramp). The American Falls project operates in a run-of-release mode, which means it only uses flows released to the project by Reclamation. More specifically, power generation is seasonally dictated as reservoir levels and irrigation flow deliveries are set by Reclamation. m. A copy of the application can be viewed on the Commission’s website at https://www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. All filings must (1) bear in all capital letters the title ‘‘COMMENTS,’’ ‘‘REPLY COMMENTS,’’ ‘‘RECOMMENDATIONS,’’ ‘‘TERMS AND CONDITIONS,’’ or ‘‘PRESCRIPTIONS;’’ (2) set forth in the heading the name of the applicant and the project number of the application to which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the filing; and (4) otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments, recommendations, terms and conditions or prescriptions must set forth their evidentiary basis and otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 4.34(b). Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly from the applicant. Each filing must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed on the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b) and 385.2010. The Commission’s Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@ ferc.gov. You may also register online at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERC Online.aspx to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:57 Feb 12, 2024 Jkt 262001 n. The applicant must file no later than 60 days following the date of issuance of this notice: (1) a copy of the water quality certification; (2) a copy of the request for certification, including proof of the date on which the certifying agency received the request; or (3) evidence of waiver of water quality certification. Please note that the certification request must comply with 40 CFR 121.5(b), including documentation that a pre-filing meeting request was submitted to the certifying authority at least 30 days prior to submitting the certification request. Please also note that the certification request must be sent to the certifying authority and to the Commission concurrently. o. Procedural Schedule: The application will be processed according to the following schedule. Revisions to the schedule will be made as appropriate. Milestone Target date Deadline for Filing Comments, Recommendations, and Agency Terms and Conditions/Prescriptions. Licensee’s Reply to REA Comments. April 2024. May 2024. p. Final amendments to the application must be filed with the Commission no later than 30 days from the issuance date of this notice. Dated: February 7, 2024. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 2024–02921 Filed 2–12–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP24–37–000] Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Amoco South Pecan Lake 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 Amoco South Pecan Lake Abandonment Project (Project), involving abandonment of obsolete pipeline and abandonment of pipeline and appurtenant facilities by removal by Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC (Columbia Gulf) in Cameron Parish, PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Louisiana. 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 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 p.m. eastern time on March 8, 2024. Comments may be submitted in written form. Further 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 January 25, 2024, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP24–37–000 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 E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM 13FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 13, 2024 / Notices 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, 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 Gulf 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 the use of eminent domain and 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. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 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 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:57 Feb 12, 2024 Jkt 262001 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 (CP24–37–000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 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. The Commission’s Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202)502–6595 or OPP@ ferc.gov. Summary of the Proposed Project Columbia Gulf proposes to abandon and abandon by removal approximately 21 miles of pipeline and related appurtenances, located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. According to Columbia Gulf, abandonment will eliminate the need for future operating and maintenance expenditures on outdated facilities that are no longer needed to satisfy current firm service obligations. Abandonment of these facilities will not change the certificated capacity of Columbia Gulf’s system and will not result in the termination or reduction of service to existing customers of Columbia Gulf. The Project would consist of the following activities: • abandon in place and by removal approximately 16 miles of its 16-inchdiameter South Pecan Lake Pipeline; PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10065 • abandon by removal approximately 1 mile of its 12-inch-diameter Amoco/ South Pecan Lake Pipeline; • abandon by removal approximately 4 miles of its 6-inch-diameter Go Around Bayou Pipeline; • abandon by removal all of the facilities at the South Pecan Lake metering and regulating station (‘‘M&R’’) No. 505 and Goodrich M&R No. 4144; and • abandon by removal other related appurtenances. The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix 1.1 Land Requirements for Construction Columbia Gulf would require the temporary use of 177 acres of workspace during project activities, including approximately 4.5 acres of temporary workspace and 10 acres of contractor yards for pipe and equipment storage. Pipeline abandonment activities would utilize the majority of the land needed for the Project. Since the project consists of the abandonment of existing facilities, there would be no permanent impacts as a result of the project, as no operational impacts would occur. NEPA Process and the Environmental Document Any environmental document issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation 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 and visual resources; • socioeconomics; • 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. At this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission’s Public Reference Room. For assistance, contact FERC at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll free, (886) 208–3676 or TTY (202) 502–8659. E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM 13FEN1 10066 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 13, 2024 / Notices 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 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 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. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 2 For VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:57 Feb 12, 2024 Jkt 262001 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 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; 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 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 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. PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 CP24–37–000 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, 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: February 7, 2024. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary. BILLING CODE 6717–01–P E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM 13FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 13, 2024 / Notices 10067 Legend Columbia GulfTransmiS$ion, LLC Amoco South Pecan Laka Abandonment VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:57 Feb 12, 2024 Jkt 262001 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4725 E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM 13FEN1 EN13FE24.314</GPH> lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Appendix 10068 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 13, 2024 / Notices Appendix 2 MAILING LIST UPDATE FORM Amoco South Pecan Lake Abandonment Project -------------------- Name Agency_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ------------------- Address City_________State_ _ _ Zip Code_ _ __ D Please update the mailing list D Please remove my name from the mailing list -------------- FROM ATTN: OEP- Gas 2, PJ -11.2 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street NE Washington, DC 20426 Staple or Tape Here [FR Doc. 2024–02918 Filed 2–12–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–C VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:57 Feb 12, 2024 Jkt 262001 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM 13FEN1 EN13FE24.315</GPH> EN13FE24.316</GPH> lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 (CP24-37-000, Amoco South Pecan Lake Abandonment Project)

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10064-10068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02918]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP24-37-000]


Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Amoco 
South Pecan Lake 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 Amoco South Pecan Lake Abandonment 
Project (Project), involving abandonment of obsolete pipeline and 
abandonment of pipeline and appurtenant facilities by removal by 
Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC (Columbia Gulf) in Cameron Parish, 
Louisiana. 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 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 p.m. eastern time on March 8, 2024. Comments may be submitted 
in written form. Further 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 January 25, 2024, you will need to file 
those comments in Docket No. CP24-37-000 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

[[Page 10065]]

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, 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 Gulf 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 
the use of eminent domain and 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 (CP24-
37-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service 
must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, 
DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: 
Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 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.
    The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission 
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, 
environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access 
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For 
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is 
encouraged to contact OPP at (202)502-6595 or [email protected].

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Columbia Gulf proposes to abandon and abandon by removal 
approximately 21 miles of pipeline and related appurtenances, located 
in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. According to Columbia Gulf, abandonment 
will eliminate the need for future operating and maintenance 
expenditures on outdated facilities that are no longer needed to 
satisfy current firm service obligations. Abandonment of these 
facilities will not change the certificated capacity of Columbia Gulf's 
system and will not result in the termination or reduction of service 
to existing customers of Columbia Gulf.
    The Project would consist of the following activities:
     abandon in place and by removal approximately 16 miles of 
its 16-inch-diameter South Pecan Lake Pipeline;
     abandon by removal approximately 1 mile of its 12-inch-
diameter Amoco/South Pecan Lake Pipeline;
     abandon by removal approximately 4 miles of its 6-inch-
diameter Go Around Bayou Pipeline;
     abandon by removal all of the facilities at the South 
Pecan Lake metering and regulating station (``M&R'') No. 505 and 
Goodrich M&R No. 4144; and
     abandon by removal other related appurtenances.
    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. At 
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's 
Public Reference Room. For assistance, contact FERC at 
[email protected] or call toll free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY 
(202) 502-8659.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Land Requirements for Construction

    Columbia Gulf would require the temporary use of 177 acres of 
workspace during project activities, including approximately 4.5 acres 
of temporary workspace and 10 acres of contractor yards for pipe and 
equipment storage. Pipeline abandonment activities would utilize the 
majority of the land needed for the Project. Since the project consists 
of the abandonment of existing facilities, there would be no permanent 
impacts as a result of the project, as no operational impacts would 
occur.

NEPA Process and the Environmental Document

    Any environmental document issued by the Commission will discuss 
impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation 
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 and visual resources;
     socioeconomics;
     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

[[Page 10066]]

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 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; 
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 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 CP24-37-000 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, 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: February 7, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

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Appendix
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Appendix 2
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[FR Doc. 2024-02918 Filed 2-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-C
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