[Federal Register: August 6, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 151)]
[Notices]               
[Page 43009]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06au99-120]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3108]

 
Finding of No Significant Impact: Portland Pipe Line Corporation 
Pipeline at North Troy, VT

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice of a finding of no significant impact with regard to an 
application to convert, operate and maintain a pipeline to transport 
crude oil across the U.S.-Canada border.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State has conducted an environmental 
assessment of the proposed conversion by Portland Pipe Line Corporation 
of an existing pipeline from natural gas service to crude oil service 
crossing the international boundary near North Troy, Vermont. Based on 
the environmental assessment, the Department of State has concluded 
that issuance of a Presidential Permit authorizing conversion of the 
existing pipeline will not have a significant effect on the existing 
vegetation and wildlife, water resources, land use, air quality and 
human populations within the United States. In reaching this 
conclusion, the Department of State considered several alternatives, 
including a no-action alternative. The return of the pipeline to crude 
oil transport would have no significant impact on the environment or 
population since no new construction or ground-disturbing activity is 
involved. The pipeline is constructed of steel and coated with coal tar 
to protect against corrosion. It is also cathodically protected with an 
impressed current system as a further protection against corrosion.
    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq., Council on Environmental Quality Regulations, 40 CFR 
1501.4 and 1508.13 and Department of State Regulations, 22 CFR 
161.8(C), an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE PIPELINE PERMIT APPLICATION, CONTACT: 
Bill Memler, Office of International Energy Policy, Room 3535, U.S. 
Department of State, Washington, DC, 20520, (202) 647-4557.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Portland Pipe Line Corporation, is a 
corporation formed under the laws of the State of Maine, with its 
principal place of business in South Portland, Maine. The proposed 
pipeline conversion involves a pipeline which is routed along an 
existing crude oil pipeline facility operated by Portland Pipe Line 
Corporation. Portland Pipe Line Corporation presently operates and 
maintains a 24-inch line for transporting crude oil between South 
Portland and the international boundary. The crude oil is transported 
and received by the applicant at a marine terminal in South Portland, 
Maine and is transferred at the US-Canada border into the pipeline 
owned and operated by MPL, which is regulated by the National Energy 
Board (NEB) of Canada.
    Portland Pipe Line Corporation's earlier construction of the 18-
inch pipeline transported crude oil successfully, safely and without 
any known detrimental environmental impact for throughout 35 years of 
service, period of 1951-1986. Since 1987, the 18-inch line has been 
operated in interstate natural gas transmission serve by Granite State 
Gas Transmission (Granite State) under the lease from Portland to 
Granite State. This current lease expires on April 30, 1999, with 
Portland to take custody of the line on June 1, 1999.
    On April 7, 1999, the Department of State published a Notice of 
Application for a Presidential Permit in the Federal Register. No 
public comments were received and concerned agencies expressed no 
opposition to issuing the permit. A finding of no significant impact is 
adopted, and an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.

    Dated: August 2, 1999.
Peter Bass,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, for Energy, Sanctions and 
Commodities.
[FR Doc. 99-20329 Filed 8-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-07-P