[Federal Register: August 31, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 168)]
[Notices]               
[Page 47514-47515]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31au99-105]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CO-700-5101-00-CO21; COC-62716]

 
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for Construction of Pipeline Facilities and Transportation of 
Refined Petroleum Products via Under-ground Pipeline in San Juan 
County, New Mexico; La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores, San Miguel, Montrose, 
Delta and Mesa Counties, Colorado

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS).

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 
Southwest Center Office, Montrose, Colorado, will be the lead office 
and will direct the preparation of an EIS on the Impacts of 
construction of a proposed pipeline for the transportation of refined 
petroleum products, located on public land, National Forest System 
land, and private land in northwest New Mexico and southwest Colorado. 
The U.S. Forest Service, San Juan and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and 
Gunnison National Forests, will be participating in the EIS preparation 
as cooperating agencies in accordance with Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Section 1501.6. The EIS may also address the potential to 
place future utility projects in portions of an existing utility 
corridor in New Mexico and Colorado.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Navajo Pipeline Company has proposed to 
construct a new 232 mile 12.75 inch diameter pipeline and transport 
refined petroleum products from Bloomfield, NM to a terminal 
distribution facility in Grand Junction, CO. The refined petroleum 
products could include diesel fuel, fuel oil, jet fuel, and gasoline. 
Navajo Pipeline Company would use the pipeline to distribute products 
to distinct markets in western Colorado. The proposed pipeline route 
would parallel and use the existing TransColorado Pipeline Corridor for 
approximately 210 miles. The proposed pipeline would utilize new 
corridor for approximately 4 miles near Bloomfield, NM, and for 
approximately 18 miles from Whitewater, CO to Grand Junction, CO. Other 
appurtenant pipeline facilities may include four new pump stations 
located in Colorado, check valves (approximately every 10 to 15 miles), 
cathodic protection systems, serial markers, scraper launchers, traps, 
and minor road maintenance. The BLM is preparing an EIS to analyze the 
effects of the proposed pipeline and appurtenant facilities in New 
Mexico and Colorado.
    Tentatively identified issues of concern may include cultural 
resources, wildlife, water resources, land use, socioeconomics, visual 
resources, slope stability and corridor capacity. The EIS will analyze 
the Proposed Action and No-Action Alternatives. Other alternatives may 
include different routes for portions of the pipeline, optional sites 
for pipeline facilities, as well as mitigating measures to minimize 
impacts. A Record of Decision will be issued for the Navajo Pipeline 
Proposal.
    Tentative Project Schedule:

Begin Public Comment Period--August 1999
Hold Scoping Meetings--September 1999
File Draft EIS--January 2000
File Final EIS--April 2000
Record of Decision--May 2000

[[Page 47515]]

Public Comment Period

    The comment period for scoping of the EIS will commence with 
publication of this notice. Written comments must be submitted on or 
before October 8, 1999. Comments concerning the Proposed Action and EIS 
should address issues to be considered, feasible alternatives to 
examine, possible mitigation, and information relevant to or having 
bearing on the Proposed Action. Several public scoping meetings will be 
held during the month of September to receive oral comments. Dates, 
times and locations of the public meetings will be announced later and 
published in newspapers.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Paul Peck, Navajo 
Pipeline Project Manager, Public Lands Office, 15 Burnett Ct., Durango, 
CO 81301, or email: navajopipeline/r2__sanjuan@fs.fed.us.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Peck (970) 385-1234.

    Dated: August 23, 1999.
Mark W. Stiles,
SW Center Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-22527 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P