[Federal Register: December 28, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 248)]
[Notices]
[Page 76808-76810]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28de05-100]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF05-17-000]
Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C.; Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Maritimes
Phase IV Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues and
Notice of Scoping Meetings
December 16, 2005.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that
discusses the environmental impacts of the Maritimes & Northeast,
L.L.C. (Maritimes) proposed Maritimes Phase IV Project which involves
the construction of 146.2 miles of various diameter pipeline loops; \1\
six new compressor stations; and modifications at one existing
compressor station and four existing meter stations in Maine and
Massachusetts. This EIS will be used by the Commission in its decision-
making process to determine whether the project is in the public
convenience and necessity.
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\1\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipeline that general
parallels an existing pipeline. The loop is connected to the
existing pipeline and serves to increase the capacity of the
pipeline system.
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The Maritimes Phase IV Project is currently in the preliminary
stages of design and at this time a formal application has not been
filed with the Commission. For this project, the Commission is
initiating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review prior to
receiving the application. This allows interested stakeholders to
become involved early in the project planning and to identify and
resolve issues before a formal application is filed with the FERC. A
docket number (PF05-17-000) has been established to place information
filed by Maritimes and related documents issued or received by the
Commission, into the public record.\2\ Once a formal application is
filed with the FERC, a new docket number will be established.
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\2\ To view information in the docket, follow the instructions
for using the eLibrary link at the end of this notice.
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This notice is being sent to residents within 0.5 mile of the
existing and proposed compressor stations; landowners along the
pipeline routes under consideration; Federal, state, and local
government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public
interest groups; Native American tribes; and local libraries and
newspapers.
With this notice, we \3\ are asking Federal, state, and local
agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to
environmental issues, especially those in Appendix 2, to cooperate with
us in the preparation of the EIS.\4\ These agencies may choose to
participate once they have evaluated the proposal relative to their
responsibilities. Agencies which would like to request cooperating
status should follow the instructions for filing comments described
later in this notice. We encourage government representatives to notify
their constituents of this planned project and encourage them to
comment on their areas of concern.
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\3\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the Office of Energy Projects.
\4\ Agencies which have previously requested cooperating status
for this project need not request it again.
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Some affected landowners may be contacted by a project
representative about the acquisition of an easement to construct,
operate, and maintain the proposed pipeline. If so, the company should
seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. In the event that
the project is certificated by the Commission, that approval conveys
the right of eminent domain for securing easements for the pipeline.
Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the
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?'' addresses a number
of typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and
how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. It is available for
viewing
[[Page 76809]]
on the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov).
Summary of the Proposed Project
Maritimes wants to expand the capacity of its facilities in Maine
and Massachusetts to transport an additional 1.5 billion cubic feet per
day of natural gas from two liquefied natural gas (LNG) import
terminals presently under construction in Canada to markets in the
Northeast United States. Specifically Maritimes would construct: \5\
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\5\ The Westbrook Loop, the Eliot Compressor Station, the
Westbrook Meter and Compressor Stations, and the Dracut Meter
Station would be or are adjacent to the Joint Facilities which are a
segment of the existing pipeline which is owned jointly by Maritimes
and Portland Natural Gas Transmission System. The remaining
facilities would be or are adjacent to existing pipeline which is
solely owned by Maritimes.
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Pipeline Loops in Maine
Approximately, 1.7 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline and
25.5 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline in Washington County
(Baileyville Loop);
26.7 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline in Hancock and
Penobscot Counties (Woodchopping Ridge Loop);
23.6 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline in Penobscot and
Waldo Counties (Brewer Loop);
21.7 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline in Waldo, Knox,
Lincoln and Kennebec Counties (Searsmont Loop);
28.6 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline in Sagadahoc,
Androscoggin and Cumberland Counties (Richmond Loop);
3.3 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline in Cumberland
County (Falmouth Loop); and
15.1 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline in Cumberland and
York Counties (Westbrook Loop).
New Compressor Stations in Maine and Massachusetts
Maine
Woodchopping Ridge Compressor Station in Hancock County;
Brewer Compressor Station in Penobscot County;
Searsmont Compressor Station in Waldo County;
Westbrook Compressor Station in Cumberland; and
Eliot Compressor Station in York County.
Massachusetts
New Compressor Station in Methuen, Middlesex County or in
Haverhill, Essex County.
Additional Compression in Maine
Richmond Compressor Station in Sagadahoc County.
Other Modifications in Maine and Massachusetts
Maine
Addition of a meter station at the existing Baileyville
Compressor Station in Washington County; and
Modification of the existing Westbrook Meter Station in
Cumberland County.
Massachusetts
Modification of the existing Methuen Meter Station in
Essex County; and
Modification of the existing Dracut Meter Station in
Middlesex County.
A map depicting the general location of the project facilities is
provided in Appendix 1.\6\ If you are interested in obtaining detailed
maps of a specific portion of the project please contact Rebecca
Kimball with Maritimes at 800-738-4880.
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\6\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available on the
Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) at the
``eLibrary'' link or from the Commission's Public Reference and
Files Maintenance Branch at (202) 502-8371. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary refer to the last page of this notice.
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Non-Jurisdictional Facilities
Non-jurisdictional facilities associated with this proposal include
two LNG terminals presently under construction (Canaport LNG in New
Brunswick and Bear Head LNG in Nova Scotia). Both terminals anticipate
being in service in 2008. Four new compressor stations and additional
pipeline would also be required in Canada.
Land Requirements for Construction
It is estimated that the construction of the proposed facilities
would disturb about 1,948 acres of land. About 579 acres of the total
would be retained for the operation of the pipeline loops and the
aboveground facilities (compressor/meter stations). The pipeline loops
would be constructed on either a 95- or 105-foot-wide right-of-way with
occasional increases in the right-of-way width for additional workspace
at waterbody, wetland, road, and railroad crossings. Extra workspaces
may also be required in areas with site specific constraints, such as
side slope construction or areas requiring topsoil segregation. Other
temporary land requirements would include land for pipe storage and
equipment yards. Operation of the pipeline facilities would require a
nominal 25- or 50-foot-wide permanent right-of-way.
The EIS Process
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could
result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity under section 7 of the
Natural Gas Act. NEPA also requires us to discover and address concerns
the public would have about proposals. This process is referred to as
``scoping''. The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the
analysis in the EIS on the important environmental issues and
reasonable alternatives. By this Notice of Intent, the Commission staff
requests agency and public comments on the scope of the issues to
address in the EIS. All comments received are considered during the
preparation of the EIS. State and local government representatives are
encouraged to notify their constituents of this proposed action and
encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
The EIS discusses impacts that could occur as a result of the
construction and operation of the proposed project under these general
headings:
Geology and soils.
Land use.
Water resources, fisheries, and wetlands.
Cultural resources.
Vegetation and wildlife.
Air quality and noise.
Endangered and threatened species.
Hazardous waste.
Public safety.
We may also evaluate possible 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.
Our independent analysis of the issues are included in the draft
EIS. Depending on the comments received during the scoping process, the
draft EIS would be published and mailed to Federal, state, and local
agencies, Native American tribes, public interest groups, interested
individuals, affected landowners, newspapers, libraries, and the
Commission's official service list for this proceeding. A comment
period would be allotted for review of the draft EIS. All comments on
the draft EIS would be considered and the document revised before
issuing a final EIS. This draft EIS is used by the Commission in its
decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the
public convenience and necessity.
To ensure your comments are considered, please carefully follow the
instructions in the public participation section beginning on page 6.
[[Page 76810]]
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
We have identified several issues that we think deserve attention
based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and the
environmental information provided by Maritimes. This preliminary list
of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.
Geology and Soils.
--Blasting and disposal of excess rock.
Water Resources.
--Impacts of construction on water quality.
--Impact of construction on wetlands.
Fish, Wildlife, and Vegetation.
--Impacts of construction on cold water fisheries and anadromous
fisheries (including Atlantic salmon).
--Impacts of construction on wildlife habitat (including deer wintering
areas).
--Disposal of timber and stumps.
Endangered and Threatened Species.
--Impacts of construction on Atlantic salmon, shortnosed sturgeon, and
bald eagles.
--Impacts on essential fish habitat.
Reliability and Safety.
--Safety and reliability of the compressor stations and pipeline loops.
Air Quality and Noise.
--Impacts of construction and operation of the pipeline and compressor
stations on residences.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the project. By becoming a commentor, your
concerns may be addressed in the EIS and considered by the Commission.
You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the
proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative locations
and routes), and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. The
more specific your comments, the more useful they may be. Please
carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your comments are
received in time and properly recorded:
Send an original and two copies of your letter to: Magalie
R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First
St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas
Branch 2; and
Reference Docket No. PF05-17-000 on the original and both
copies.
Mail your comments so that they will be received in
Washington, DC on or before January 20, 2006.
Please note that we are continuing to experience delays in mail
deliveries from the U.S. Postal Service. As a result, we would include
all comments that we receive within a reasonable time frame in our
environmental analysis of this project. However, the Commission
strongly encourages electronic filing of any comments or interventions
or protests to this proceeding. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the
instructions on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov under
the ``e-Filing'' link and the link to the User's Guide. Before you can
file comments you should open a free account which can be created on-
line.
If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to
remain on our mailing list, please return the attached Mailing List
Retention Form (Appendix 3). If you do not return the form, you will be
taken off the mailing list.
Additional Information
Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, 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.
Finally, 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.
Public Scoping Meeting
In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, we invite
you to attend the public scoping meetings we will conduct in the area.
The locations and times for these meetings are listed below:
January 9, 2006, 7 p.m., Jeff's Catering Brewer, 5 Coffin Avenue,
Brewer, ME 04412
January 10, 2006, 7 p.m., Liberty Town Hall, 7 Waters Street, Liberty,
ME 04949
January 11, 2006, 7 p.m., American Legion Hall, 17 Dunn Street,
Westbrook, ME 04092
January 12, 2006, 7 p.m., Metheun High School Cafeteria, 1 Ranger Road,
Methuen, MA 01844
The public scoping meetings are designed to provide state and local
agencies, interested groups, affected landowners, and the general
public with more detailed information and another opportunity to offer
your comments on the proposed project. Interested groups and
individuals are encouraged to attend the meeting and to present
comments on the environmental issues they believe should be addressed
in the EIS. A transcript of the meetings will be made so that your
comments will be accurately recorded.
Finally, public meetings will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx
along with other related information.
Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-7903 Filed 12-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P