[Federal Register: September 4, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 172)]
[Notices]
[Page 51634-51636]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04se08-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF08-25-000]
Colorado Interstate Gas Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Raton 2010 Expansion Project,
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public
Scoping Meetings
August 27, 2008.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will
identify and address the environmental impacts that could result from
the construction and operation of the Raton 2010 Expansion Project
proposed by Colorado Interstate Gas Company (CIG). The EA will be used
by the Commission in its decisionmaking 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 on the project. Your input will help determine which issues
need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note that the scoping period for
this Notice will close on September 26, 2008. This is not your only
opportunity to provide comments. Details on how to submit comments are
provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.
Comments may be submitted in written form or verbally. In lieu of,
or in addition to, sending written comments, you are invited to attend
our public scoping meetings that have been scheduled in the project
area. Three public scoping meetings are scheduled to be held at 7 p.m.
on September 8, 2008 (MST) at the Huerfano County Community Center in
Walsenburg, Colorado, 7 p.m. on September 9, 2008 at the McHarg Park
Community Center in Avondale, Colorado, and at 7 p.m. on September 10,
2008 at the Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, Colorado.
Additional details of the public scoping meetings are provided in the
public participation section of this notice.
This notice is being sent to affected landowners; federal, state,
and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and
public interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested
parties; and local libraries and newspapers; all of which are
encouraged to submit comments on the proposed project.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted
by a CIG representative about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed project facilities. The
pipeline company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
agreement. However, if the project is approved by the FERC, that
approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if
easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline
company could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with
state law.
A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural
Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for
viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov). This fact
sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the
use of eminent domain and how to participate in the FERC's proceedings.
Summary of the Proposed Project
CIG proposes to construct the 118 miles of 16-inch diameter
pipeline in Las Animas, Huerfano, Pueblo, and El Paso Counties,
Colorado in two segments. Certain aboveground facilities are also
proposed, i.e. meter stations. More specifically, CIG proposed the
following project components:
Spanish Peaks Lateral Line 247A--a 27-mile 16-inch
diameter pipeline from the existing Line 222A in Las Animas County,
Colorado to the intersection of existing Line 27A near the town of
Aguilar in Las Animas County, Colorado;
Aguilar Lateral Line 248A--a 91-mile 16-diameter pipeline
from the existing Line 27A near the town of Aguilar, Colorado northerly
through Huerfano and Pueblo Counties, Colorado to the intersection of
existing Line 212A in El Paso County, Colorado; and
One new Kennedy Meter Station in Las Animas County,
Colorado, and modify the existing West Canyon Meter Station in Las
Animas County, Colorado and the existing Bowie Meter Station in Weld
County, Colorado.
The Project would increase firm capacity into CIG's system by
130,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d). CIG plans to file an application by
January of 2009.
A map depicting CIG's proposed facilities is attached to this
notice as Appendix 1.\1\
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\1\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available from the
Commission's Web site at the eLibrary link or from the Commission's
Public Reference Room or by calling (202) 502-8371. For instructions
on connecting to eLibrary refer to the public participation section
of this notice. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to
the ``Additional Information'' section at the end of this notice.
Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this
notice in the mail. Requests for detailed maps of the proposed
facilities should be made directly to CIG.
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Land Requirements for Construction
As proposed, the typical construction right-of-way for the project
laterals would be 100-feet-wide for the Spanish Peaks Lateral and 85-
feet-wide for the Aguilar Lateral. Following construction, CIG has
proposed to retain a 50-foot-wide permanent right-of-way for operation
of the project.
Based on preliminary information, construction and operation of the
proposed lateral and associated aboveground facilities would affect
about 1,301 acres of land. Following construction, about 715 acres
would be maintained as permanent right-of-way, and about 1.3 acres of
land would be maintained as new aboveground facility sites. The
remaining temporary workspace would be restored and allowed to revert
to its former use.
The EA Process
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could
result from the approval of an interstate natural gas pipeline. By this
notice, we \2\ are also asking federal, state, and local agencies with
jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental
issues to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the EA.
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\2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
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Although no formal application has been filed, the FERC staff has
already initiated its NEPA review under the Commission's Pre-filing
Process. The purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to encourage the
early involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and
resolve issues before an application is filed with the FERC.
The purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to seek public and agency
input early in the project planning phase and encourage involvement by
interested stakeholders in a manner that allows for the early
identification and resolution of
[[Page 51635]]
environmental issues. We will work with all interested stakeholders to
identify and attempt to address issues before CIG files its application
with the FERC. A diagram depicting the environmental review process for
the proposed project is attached to this notice as Appendix 2.
NEPA also requires the FERC to discover and address 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 environmental issues. By this notice, we are
requesting public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the
EA. All comments received will be considered during the preparation of
the EA. As part of the Pre-filing Process review, CIG sponsored public
open houses in the project area to explain the environmental review
process to interested stakeholders and take comments about the project.
In the EA we 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;
Wetlands and Vegetation;
Fish, Wildlife, Threatened and Endangered Species;
Land Use, Recreation, and Visual Resources;
Air Quality and Noise;
Cultural Resources;
Reliability and Safety; and
Cumulative environmental impacts.
In the EA, we will also evaluate possible alternatives to the
proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations
on how to lessen or avoid impacts on affected resources.
Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the EA. The EA
will be published and mailed to federal, state, and local agencies,
public interest groups, interested individuals, affected landowners,
newspapers, libraries, and the Commission's official service list for
this proceeding. A 30-day comment period will be allotted for review of
the EA. We will consider all comments on the EA before we make our
recommendations to the Commission. To ensure that your comments are
considered, please follow the instructions in the Public Participation
section of this notice.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the proposed project. By becoming a
commentor, your concerns will be addressed in the EA and considered by
the Commission. Your comments should focus on the potential
environmental effects, reasonable alternatives (including alternative
facility sites and pipeline routes), and measures to avoid or lessen
environmental impact. The more specific your comments, the more useful
they will be. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly
recorded, please send in your comments so that they will be received in
Washington, DC on or before September 26, 2008.
For your convenience, there are three methods in which you can use
to submit your comments to the Commission. In all instances please
reference the project docket number (Docket No. PF08-25-000) with your
submission. The docket number can be found on the front of this notice.
The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has
dedicated eFiling expert staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258
or efiling@ferc.gov.
1. You may file your comments electronically by using the Quick
Comment feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site
at http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. A Quick
Comment is an easy method for interested persons to submit text-only
comments on a project;
2. You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site at
http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. eFiling
involves preparing your submission in the same manner as you would if
filing on paper, and then saving the file on your computer's hard
drive. You will attach that file as your submission. New eFiling users
must first create an account by clicking on ``Sign up'' or
``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 may file your comments via mail to the Commission by sending
an original and two copies of your letter to: Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE.,
Room 1A,Washington, DC 20426;
Label one copy of your comments for the attention of OEP/
DG2E/Gas Branch 2, PJ-11.2
Reference Docket No. PF08-25-000 on the original and both
copies.
The three public scoping meetings are scheduled at the locations
described below:
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Date and time Location
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September 8, 2008, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m...................................... Huerfano County Community Center, 928
Russell Ave., Walsenburg, CO 81089,
719-738-1910.
September 9, 2008, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m...................................... McHarg Park Community Center, 405 2nd
Street, Avondale, CO 81022, 719-583-
2002.
September 10, 2008, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m..................................... Trinidad State Junior College, Berg
Building Room 217, 600 Prospect
Street, Trinidad, CO 81082, 719-846-
5533.
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Environmental Mailing List
If you received this notice, you are on the environmental mailing
list for this project. If you do not want to send comments at this
time, but still want to remain on our mailing list, please return the
Information Request (Appendix 3). We may mail the EA for comment. If
you are interested in receiving it, please return the Information
Request. If you do not return the Information Request, you will be
removed from the Commission's environmental mailing list.
Additional Information
Once CIG formally files its application with the Commission, you
may want to become an official party to the proceeding known as an
``intervenor.'' Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and
are able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts
if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor
formally participates in a Commission proceeding by filing a request to
intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are included in the
User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web site.
Please note that you may not request intervenor status at this time.
You must wait until a formal application is filed with the Commission.
Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs,
[[Page 51636]]
at 1-866-208-FERC or on the FERC Internet Web site (http://
www.ferc.gov) using the ``eLibrary'' link. Click on the eLibrary link,
click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number excluding the
last three digits 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 toll free at 1-866-208-3676,
or for TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides
access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such
as orders, notices, and rulemakings.
In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called
eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances
and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time
you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with
notification of these filings, document summaries and direct links to
the documents. Go to http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx
along with other related information.
Finally, CIG has established a Web site for this project at http://
www.elpaso.com/ratonexpansion/default.shtm. The Web site includes a
project overview, newsletters, and answers to frequently asked
questions. CIG has also established a single point of contact, Mr.
David R. Anderson, for additional questions or information at 1-877-
598-5263 or by e-mail at david.r.anderson@elpaso.com.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-20503 Filed 9-3-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P