 |
|
|
LNG - Environment - Environmental Impact Statements (EISs)
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
on Calhoun LNG Project (Docket Nos. CP05-91-000 and CP05-380-000)
Issued: June 30, 2006
FERC staff prepared a draft environmental impact statement for
the Calhoun LNG, L.P. and Point Comfort Pipeline Company, L.P.
(collectively referred to as Calhoun Point Comfort) Calhoun LNG
Project.
FERC's environmental staff concludes that Calhoun Point Comfort's Calhoun LNG
Project with appropriate mitigating measures, as recommended, would have limited
adverse environmental impact.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service;
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and the U.S. Department of Transportation
are cooperated in the preparation of the draft EIS.
Staff concludes the project would be environmentally acceptable action (with
appropriate mitigation) because:
- Calhoun Point Comfort would construct its LNG terminal on 73 acres of 89
acres of manmade, industrial land owned by the Port of Port Lavaca - Point
Comfort;
- Calhoun Point Comfort would implement the FERC's Plan and Procedures to minimize
impact on soils, wetlands, and waterbodies. In addition, Calhoun Point Comfort
would segregate and replace topsoil along its pipeline to avoid mixing the
topsoil with subsoil;
- Calhoun Point Comfort would use dredged material from the Calhoun County
Navigation District's new turning basin and Calhoun Point Comfort's ship berth
to aid in capping contaminated sediments, creating coastal marsh habitat, and
stabilizing shorelines within Lavaca Bay and Cox Bay. Disposal of dredged material
would be at five disposal areas;
- Calhoun Point Comfort initiated and is continuing consultation with federal
and state agencies regarding the development of a mitigation plan that would
compensate for impacts to wetland resources and filed a draft
Wetland and Waters of the U.S. Mitigation Plan with the Commission;
- We believe that the Project would have no effect or would not be likely to
adversely affect any federally or state listed threatened or endangered species;
- The Matagorda Bay Pilots indicated that they could continue to escort ships
into and out of the Matagorda ship and Point Comfort Channels in a safe and
expeditious manner and that the Project would have minimal impacts on ship
traffic; and
- Safety features would be incorporated into the design and operation of the
LNG import terminal and vessels.
FERC Commissioners will take into consideration staff's recommendations and the
final EIS when they make a decision on the project.
|
|
|
|
|
