80_FR_29092 80 FR 28995 - Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Line WB2VA Integrity Project, and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

80 FR 28995 - Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Line WB2VA Integrity Project, and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 97 (May 20, 2015)

Page Range28995-28997
FR Document2015-12213

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28995-28997]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12213]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP15-150-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Line WB2VA Integrity Project, 
and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss the environmental impacts of the Line WB2VA Integrity Project 
(project) involving abandonment, construction, and operation of 
facilities by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) in Hardy 
County, West Virginia, and Shenandoah, Page, Rockingham, and Greene 
Counties, Virginia. The Commission will use this EA in its decision-
making 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. You can make a difference by providing us with 
your specific comments or concerns about the project. Your comments 
should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable 
alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. 
Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they 
need to evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your comments are timely and 
properly recorded, please send your comments so that the Commission 
receives them in Washington, DC on or before June 15, 2015.
    If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the 
opening of this docket on April 2, 2015, you will need to file those 
comments in Docket No. CP15-150-000 to ensure they are considered as 
part of this proceeding.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for this project. State and local government 
representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed 
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company 
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company 
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if 
the Commission approves the project, 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 where compensation would be determined in accordance with 
state law.
    Columbia provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC 
entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I 
Need To Know?'' This fact sheet addresses a number of typically asked 
questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate 
in the Commission's proceedings. It is also available for viewing on 
the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov).

Public Participation

    For your convenience, there are three methods available to submit 
your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at 
(202) 502-8258 or efiling@ferc.gov. Please carefully follow these 
instructions so that your comments are properly recorded.
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment 
feature on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to 
Documents and Filings. This is an easy

[[Page 28996]]

method for submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to 
Documents and Filings. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a 
variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission. 
New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on 
``eRegister.'' If you are filing a comment on a particular project, 
please select ``Comment on a Filing'' as the filing type; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket number 
(CP15-150-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, 
Washington, DC 20426.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Columbia proposes replacement and modification of existing 
equipment at numerous sites along the Line WB2VA pipeline, and at Lost 
River and Bickers Compressor Stations in Hardy County, West Virginia, 
and Shenandoah, Page, Rockingham, and Greene Counties, Virginia. The 
project would include the installation of pig launchers,\1\ receivers, 
mainline valves and other appurtenant facilities. Also, Columbia would 
replace the two 20-inch-diameter pipelines beneath the South Fork of 
the Shenandoah River with a new 24-inch-diameter pipeline. To maintain 
service during the proposed pipeline replacement activities, Columbia 
would install temporary fittings and temporary bypass piping. Once the 
installation of the new segment of pipeline is complete and tied-in to 
the existing WB2VA pipeline, the temporary bypass piping would be 
removed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\A ``pig'' is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into 
and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline, 
conducting internal inspections, or other purposes.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This project is part of Columbia's multi-year modernization program 
developed to address its aging infrastructure. The existing mainline 
valves do not permit the use of smart pigs as an inspection tool, and 
the two existing 20-inch-diameter pipelines crossing the South Fork of 
Shenandoah River create a similar barrier. The project modifications 
would create a continuous, 24-inch-diameter pipeline between Columbia's 
existing Lost River and Bickers Compressor Stations that would allow 
for smart pig inspections.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
1.\2\
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    \2\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in 
the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to all those 
receiving this notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov 
using the link called ``eLibrary'' or from the Commission's Public 
Reference Room, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call 
(202) 502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to 
the last page of this notice.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 37.9 
acres of land. Following construction, Columbia would maintain about 
26.0 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities; which 
is 1.0 acre more than it is currently using. The remaining acreage 
would be restored and revert to former uses.

The EA 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. NEPA also requires us 
\3\ 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 important 
environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public 
comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. We will 
consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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;
 land use;
 water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
 cultural resources;
 vegetation and wildlife;
 air quality and noise;
 endangered and threatened species;
 public safety; and
 cumulative impacts.

    We will also evaluate reasonable 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.
    The EA will present our independent analysis of the issues. The EA 
will be available in the public record through eLibrary. Depending on 
the comments received during the scoping process, we may also publish 
and distribute the EA to the public for an allotted comment period. We 
will consider all comments on the EA before making our recommendations 
to the Commission. To ensure we have the opportunity to consider and 
address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the 
Public Participation section, beginning on page 2.
    With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction by law 
and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues of 
this project to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the 
EA.\4\ Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency status 
should follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the 
Public Participation section of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation 
with the applicable State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO), and to 
solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested 
Indian tribes, and the public on the project's potential effects on 
historic properties.\5\ We will define the project-specific Area of 
Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPOs as the project 
develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum 
encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include 
construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, compressor 
stations, and access roads). Our EA for this project will document our 
findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status 
of consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations 
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those 
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or 
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in 
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic 
Places.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have already identified several issues that we think deserve 
attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and 
the environmental information provided by Columbia. This preliminary 
list of

[[Page 28997]]

issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.

 Endangered Species
 Groundwater
 Karst Topography

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also 
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's 
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property 
may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within 
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits 
comments on the project. We will update the environmental mailing list 
as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the information related 
to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations, and 
government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the 
proposed project.
    If we publish and distribute the EA, copies will be sent to the 
environmental mailing list for public review and comment. If you would 
prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of the CD 
version or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please 
return the attached Information Request (appendix 2).

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want 
to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the 
Commission's proceeding. 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 the proceeding by filing a 
request to intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are in 
the User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web 
site.

Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the 
FERC Web site at 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 (i.e., CP15-
150). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (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 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 www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    Finally, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the 
Commission's calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.

    Dated: May 14, 2015.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-12213 Filed 5-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices                                            28995

                                                  docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For                    Filed Date: 5/12/15.                               comments should focus on the potential
                                                  other information, call (866) 208–3676                     Accession Number: 20150512–5204.                   environmental effects, reasonable
                                                  (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.                 Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/2/15.                    alternatives, and measures to avoid or
                                                    Dated: May 11, 2015.                                     The filings are accessible in the                  lessen environmental impacts. Your
                                                  Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,                                Commission’s eLibrary system by                       input will help the Commission staff
                                                                                                          clicking on the links or querying the                 determine what issues they need to
                                                  Deputy Secretary.
                                                                                                          docket number.                                        evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–12207 Filed 5–19–15; 8:45 am]                                                                   comments are timely and properly
                                                                                                             Any person desiring to intervene or
                                                  BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
                                                                                                          protest in any of the above proceedings               recorded, please send your comments so
                                                                                                          must file in accordance with Rules 211                that the Commission receives them in
                                                                                                          and 214 of the Commission’s                           Washington, DC on or before June 15,
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                                                                          2015.
                                                                                                          Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and
                                                                                                          385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern                  If you sent comments on this project
                                                  Federal Energy Regulatory
                                                                                                          time on the specified comment date.                   to the Commission before the opening of
                                                  Commission
                                                                                                          Protests may be considered, but                       this docket on April 2, 2015, you will
                                                  Combined Notice of Filings #1                           intervention is necessary to become a                 need to file those comments in Docket
                                                                                                          party to the proceeding.                              No. CP15–150–000 to ensure they are
                                                     Take notice that the Commission                         eFiling is encouraged. More detailed               considered as part of this proceeding.
                                                  received the following electric rate                    information relating to filing                           This notice is being sent to the
                                                  filings:                                                requirements, interventions, protests,                Commission’s current environmental
                                                     Docket Numbers: ER10–3254–002.                       service, and qualifying facilities filings            mailing list for this project. State and
                                                     Applicants: Cooperative Energy                                                                             local government representatives should
                                                                                                          can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/
                                                  Incorporated (An Electric Membership                                                                          notify their constituents of this
                                                                                                          docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
                                                  Corporation).                                                                                                 proposed project and encourage them to
                                                                                                          other information, call (866) 208–3676
                                                     Description: Updated Market Power                                                                          comment on their areas of concern.
                                                                                                          (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
                                                  Analysis of Cooperative Energy                                                                                   If you are a landowner receiving this
                                                  Incorporated (An Electric Membership                      Dated: May 13, 2015.                                notice, a pipeline company
                                                  Corporation).                                           Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,                              representative may contact you about
                                                     Filed Date: 5/12/15.                                 Deputy Secretary.                                     the acquisition of an easement to
                                                     Accession Number: 20150512–5209.                     [FR Doc. 2015–12178 Filed 5–19–15; 8:45 am]           construct, operate, and maintain the
                                                     Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 7/13/15.                     BILLING CODE 6717–01–P                                proposed facilities. The company would
                                                     Docket Numbers: ER13–913–005.                                                                              seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
                                                     Applicants: Ohio Valley Electric                                                                           agreement. However, if the Commission
                                                  Corporation.                                            DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                  approves the project, that approval
                                                     Description: Compliance filing per 35:                                                                     conveys with it the right of eminent
                                                  Order 1000 Regional Compliance Filing                   Federal Energy Regulatory                             domain. Therefore, if easement
                                                  for Transmission Process to be effective                Commission                                            negotiations fail to produce an
                                                  6/1/2015.                                               [Docket No. CP15–150–000]                             agreement, the pipeline company could
                                                     Filed Date: 5/13/15.                                                                                       initiate condemnation proceedings
                                                     Accession Number: 20150513–5078.                     Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC;                       where compensation would be
                                                     Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/3/15.                      Notice of Intent To Prepare an                        determined in accordance with state
                                                     Docket Numbers: ER14–2866–001.                       Environmental Assessment for the                      law.
                                                     Applicants: Louisville Gas and                       Proposed Line WB2VA Integrity                            Columbia provided landowners with
                                                  Electric Company.                                       Project, and Request for Comments on                  a fact sheet prepared by the FERC
                                                     Description: Compliance filing per 35:               Environmental Issues                                  entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas
                                                  Att O Formula Rate Protocols                                                                                  Facility On My Land? What Do I Need
                                                  Compliance Filing to be effective                         The staff of the Federal Energy                     To Know?’’ This fact sheet addresses a
                                                  1/1/2015.                                               Regulatory Commission (FERC or                        number of typically asked questions,
                                                     Filed Date: 5/12/15.                                 Commission) will prepare an                           including the use of eminent domain
                                                     Accession Number: 20150512–5156.                     environmental assessment (EA) that will               and how to participate in the
                                                     Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/2/15.                      discuss the environmental impacts of                  Commission’s proceedings. It is also
                                                     Docket Numbers: ER15–1130–001.                       the Line WB2VA Integrity Project                      available for viewing on the FERC Web
                                                     Applicants: Midcontinent                             (project) involving abandonment,                      site (www.ferc.gov).
                                                  Independent System Operator, Inc.,                      construction, and operation of facilities
                                                  Ameren Illinois Company.                                by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC                     Public Participation
                                                     Description: Tariff Amendment per                    (Columbia) in Hardy County, West                        For your convenience, there are three
                                                  35.17(b): 2015–05–12_SA 2752                            Virginia, and Shenandoah, Page,                       methods available to submit your
                                                  Deficiency Response Ameren-Bishop                       Rockingham, and Greene Counties,                      comments to the Commission. The
                                                  Hill FSA to be effective 1/28/2015.                     Virginia. The Commission will use this                Commission encourages electronic filing
                                                     Filed Date: 5/12/15.                                 EA in its decision-making process to                  of comments and has expert staff
                                                     Accession Number: 20150512–5170.                     determine whether the project is in the               available to assist you at (202) 502–8258
                                                     Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/2/15.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                          public convenience and necessity.                     or efiling@ferc.gov. Please carefully
                                                     Docket Numbers: ER15–1700–000.                         This notice announces the opening of                follow these instructions so that your
                                                     Applicants: Cooperative Energy                       the scoping process the Commission                    comments are properly recorded.
                                                  Incorporated (An Electric Membership                    will use to gather input from the public                (1) You can file your comments
                                                  Corporation).                                           and interested agencies on the project.               electronically using the eComment
                                                     Description: Compliance filing per 35:               You can make a difference by providing                feature on the Commission’s Web site
                                                  Cooperative Energy Inc Revised Electric                 us with your specific comments or                     (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
                                                  Tariff Filing to be effective 5/13/2015.                concerns about the project. Your                      Documents and Filings. This is an easy


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                                                  28996                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices

                                                  method for submitting brief, text-only                    The general location of the project                  received during the scoping process, we
                                                  comments on a project;                                  facilities is shown in appendix 1.2                    may also publish and distribute the EA
                                                     (2) You can file your comments                                                                              to the public for an allotted comment
                                                                                                          Land Requirements for Construction
                                                  electronically by using the eFiling                                                                            period. We will consider all comments
                                                                                                             Construction of the proposed facilities             on the EA before making our
                                                  feature on the Commission’s Web site
                                                                                                          would disturb about 37.9 acres of land.                recommendations to the Commission.
                                                  (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
                                                                                                          Following construction, Columbia                       To ensure we have the opportunity to
                                                  Documents and Filings. With eFiling,
                                                                                                          would maintain about 26.0 acres for                    consider and address your comments,
                                                  you can provide comments in a variety
                                                                                                          permanent operation of the project’s                   please carefully follow the instructions
                                                  of formats by attaching them as a file                  facilities; which is 1.0 acre more than it             in the Public Participation section,
                                                  with your submission. New eFiling                       is currently using. The remaining                      beginning on page 2.
                                                  users must first create an account by                   acreage would be restored and revert to                  With this notice, we are asking
                                                  clicking on ‘‘eRegister.’’ If you are filing            former uses.                                           agencies with jurisdiction by law and/
                                                  a comment on a particular project,                                                                             or special expertise with respect to the
                                                  please select ‘‘Comment on a Filing’’ as                The EA Process
                                                                                                                                                                 environmental issues of this project to
                                                  the filing type; or                                        The National Environmental Policy                   formally cooperate with us in the
                                                     (3) You can file a paper copy of your                Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to                  preparation of the EA.4 Agencies that
                                                  comments by mailing them to the                         take into account the environmental                    would like to request cooperating
                                                  following address. Be sure to reference                 impacts that could result from an action               agency status should follow the
                                                  the project docket number (CP15–150–                    whenever it considers the issuance of a                instructions for filing comments
                                                  000) with your submission: Kimberly D.                  Certificate of Public Convenience and                  provided under the Public Participation
                                                  Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy                         Necessity. NEPA also requires us 3 to                  section of this notice.
                                                  Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street                 discover and address concerns the
                                                                                                                                                                 Consultations Under Section 106 of the
                                                  NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.                     public may have about proposals. This
                                                                                                                                                                 National Historic Preservation Act
                                                                                                          process is referred to as ‘‘scoping.’’ The
                                                  Summary of the Proposed Project                         main goal of the scoping process is to                    In accordance with the Advisory
                                                                                                          focus the analysis in the EA on the                    Council on Historic Preservation’s
                                                    Columbia proposes replacement and                                                                            implementing regulations for section
                                                                                                          important environmental issues. By this
                                                  modification of existing equipment at                                                                          106 of the National Historic
                                                                                                          notice, the Commission requests public
                                                  numerous sites along the Line WB2VA                                                                            Preservation Act, we are using this
                                                                                                          comments on the scope of the issues to
                                                  pipeline, and at Lost River and Bickers                                                                        notice to initiate consultation with the
                                                                                                          address in the EA. We will consider all
                                                  Compressor Stations in Hardy County,                                                                           applicable State Historic Preservation
                                                                                                          filed comments during the preparation
                                                  West Virginia, and Shenandoah, Page,                                                                           Offices (SHPO), and to solicit their
                                                                                                          of the EA.
                                                  Rockingham, and Greene Counties,                           In the EA we will discuss impacts that              views and those of other government
                                                  Virginia. The project would include the                 could occur as a result of the                         agencies, interested Indian tribes, and
                                                  installation of pig launchers,1 receivers,              construction and operation of the                      the public on the project’s potential
                                                  mainline valves and other appurtenant                   proposed project under these general                   effects on historic properties.5 We will
                                                  facilities. Also, Columbia would replace                headings:                                              define the project-specific Area of
                                                  the two 20-inch-diameter pipelines                                                                             Potential Effects (APE) in consultation
                                                                                                          • Geology and soils;
                                                  beneath the South Fork of the                           • land use;                                            with the SHPOs as the project develops.
                                                  Shenandoah River with a new 24-inch-                    • water resources, fisheries, and                      On natural gas facility projects, the APE
                                                  diameter pipeline. To maintain service                     wetlands;                                           at a minimum encompasses all areas
                                                  during the proposed pipeline                            • cultural resources;                                  subject to ground disturbance (examples
                                                  replacement activities, Columbia would                  • vegetation and wildlife;                             include construction right-of-way,
                                                  install temporary fittings and temporary                • air quality and noise;                               contractor/pipe storage yards,
                                                  bypass piping. Once the installation of                 • endangered and threatened species;                   compressor stations, and access roads).
                                                  the new segment of pipeline is complete                 • public safety; and                                   Our EA for this project will document
                                                  and tied-in to the existing WB2VA                       • cumulative impacts.                                  our findings on the impacts on historic
                                                  pipeline, the temporary bypass piping                      We will also evaluate reasonable                    properties and summarize the status of
                                                  would be removed.                                       alternatives to the proposed project or                consultations under section 106.
                                                    This project is part of Columbia’s                    portions of the project, and make                      Currently Identified Environmental
                                                  multi-year modernization program                        recommendations on how to lessen or                    Issues
                                                  developed to address its aging                          avoid impacts on the various resource
                                                                                                          areas.                                                    We have already identified several
                                                  infrastructure. The existing mainline
                                                                                                             The EA will present our independent                 issues that we think deserve attention
                                                  valves do not permit the use of smart
                                                                                                          analysis of the issues. The EA will be                 based on a preliminary review of the
                                                  pigs as an inspection tool, and the two
                                                                                                          available in the public record through                 proposed facilities and the
                                                  existing 20-inch-diameter pipelines
                                                                                                          eLibrary. Depending on the comments                    environmental information provided by
                                                  crossing the South Fork of Shenandoah
                                                                                                                                                                 Columbia. This preliminary list of
                                                  River create a similar barrier. The                       2 The appendices referenced in this notice will
                                                  project modifications would create a                    not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of            4 The Council on Environmental Quality
                                                  continuous, 24-inch-diameter pipeline                   appendices were sent to all those receiving this       regulations addressing cooperating agency
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  between Columbia’s existing Lost River                  notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov   responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
                                                  and Bickers Compressor Stations that                    using the link called ‘‘eLibrary’’ or from the         Regulations, Part 1501.6.
                                                                                                          Commission’s Public Reference Room, 888 First            5 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s
                                                  would allow for smart pig inspections.                  Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202)        regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal
                                                                                                          502–8371. For instructions on connecting to            Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define
                                                    1A ‘‘pig’’ is a tool that the pipeline company        eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice.       historic properties as any prehistoric or historic
                                                  inserts into and pushes through the pipeline for          3 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the           district, site, building, structure, or object included
                                                  cleaning the pipeline, conducting internal              environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of      in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register
                                                  inspections, or other purposes.’’                       Energy Projects.                                       of Historic Places.



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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices                                            28997

                                                  issues may be changed based on your                     assistance, please contact FERC Online                lessen environmental impacts. Your
                                                  comments and our analysis.                              Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov                 input will help the Commission staff
                                                  • Endangered Species                                    or toll free at (866) 208–3676, or for                determine what issues they need to
                                                  • Groundwater                                           TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. The                      evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your
                                                  • Karst Topography                                      eLibrary link also provides access to the             comments are timely and properly
                                                  Environmental Mailing List                              texts of formal documents issued by the               recorded, please send your comments so
                                                                                                          Commission, such as orders, notices,                  that the Commission receives them in
                                                     The environmental mailing list                       and rulemakings.                                      Washington, DC on or before June 13,
                                                  includes federal, state, and local                         In addition, the Commission offers a               2015.
                                                  government representatives and                          free service called eSubscription which                  If you sent comments on this project
                                                  agencies; elected officials;                            allows you to keep track of all formal                to the Commission before the opening of
                                                  environmental and public interest                       issuances and submittals in specific                  this docket on April 9, 2015, you will
                                                  groups; Native American Tribes; other                   dockets. This can reduce the amount of                need to file those comments in Docket
                                                  interested parties; and local libraries                 time you spend researching proceedings                No. CP15–161–000 to ensure they are
                                                  and newspapers. This list also includes                 by automatically providing you with                   considered as part of this proceeding.
                                                  all affected landowners (as defined in                  notification of these filings, document                  This notice is being sent to the
                                                  the Commission’s regulations) who are                   summaries, and direct links to the                    Commission’s current environmental
                                                  potential right-of-way grantors, whose                  documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-                   mailing list for this project. State and
                                                  property may be used temporarily for                    filing/esubscription.asp.                             local government representatives should
                                                  project purposes, or who own homes                         Finally, public meetings or site visits            notify their constituents of this
                                                  within certain distances of aboveground                 will be posted on the Commission’s                    proposed project and encourage them to
                                                  facilities, and anyone who submits                      calendar located at www.ferc.gov/                     comment on their areas of concern.
                                                  comments on the project. We will                        EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along                      If you are a landowner receiving this
                                                  update the environmental mailing list as                with other related information.                       notice, a pipeline company
                                                  the analysis proceeds to ensure that we
                                                                                                            Dated: May 14, 2015.                                representative may contact you about
                                                  send the information related to this
                                                                                                          Kimberly D. Bose,                                     the acquisition of an easement to
                                                  environmental review to all individuals,
                                                                                                          Secretary.                                            construct, operate, and maintain the
                                                  organizations, and government entities
                                                                                                                                                                proposed facilities. The company would
                                                  interested in and/or potentially affected               [FR Doc. 2015–12213 Filed 5–19–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
                                                  by the proposed project.                                BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
                                                                                                                                                                agreement. However, if the Commission
                                                     If we publish and distribute the EA,
                                                                                                                                                                approves the project, that approval
                                                  copies will be sent to the environmental
                                                                                                          DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                  conveys with it the right of eminent
                                                  mailing list for public review and
                                                                                                                                                                domain. Therefore, if easement
                                                  comment. If you would prefer to receive
                                                                                                          Federal Energy Regulatory                             negotiations fail to produce an
                                                  a paper copy of the document instead of
                                                                                                          Commission                                            agreement, the pipeline company could
                                                  the CD version or would like to remove
                                                                                                                                                                initiate condemnation proceedings
                                                  your name from the mailing list, please                 [Docket No. CP15–161–000]                             where compensation would be
                                                  return the attached Information Request
                                                                                                                                                                determined in accordance with state
                                                  (appendix 2).                                           Roadrunner Gas Transmission, LLC;
                                                                                                                                                                law.
                                                                                                          Notice of Intent To Prepare an
                                                  Becoming an Intervenor                                                                                           Roadrunner provided landowners
                                                                                                          Environmental Assessment for the
                                                    In addition to involvement in the EA                  Proposed Roadrunner Border                            with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC
                                                  scoping process, you may want to                        Crossing Project; Request for                         entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas
                                                  become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an                    Comments on Environmental Issues                      Facility On My Land? What Do I Need
                                                  official party to the Commission’s                                                                            To Know?’’. This fact sheet addresses a
                                                  proceeding. Intervenors play a more                        The staff of the Federal Energy                    number of typically-asked questions,
                                                  formal role in the process and are able                 Regulatory Commission (FERC or                        including the use of eminent domain
                                                  to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be              Commission) will prepare an                           and how to participate in the
                                                  heard by the courts if they choose to                   environmental assessment (EA) that will               Commission’s proceedings. It is also
                                                  appeal the Commission’s final ruling.                   discuss the environmental impacts of                  available for viewing on the FERC Web
                                                  An intervenor formally participates in                  the Roadrunner Border Crossing Project                site (www.ferc.gov).
                                                  the proceeding by filing a request to                   involving construction and operation of
                                                                                                                                                                Public Participation
                                                  intervene. Instructions for becoming an                 facilities for the export of natural gas by
                                                  intervenor are in the User’s Guide under                Roadrunner Gas Transmission, LLC                        For your convenience, there are three
                                                  the ‘‘e-filing’’ link on the Commission’s               (Roadrunner) in El Paso County, Texas.                methods you can use to submit your
                                                  Web site.                                               The Commission will use this EA in its                comments to the Commission. The
                                                                                                          decision-making process to determine                  Commission encourages electronic filing
                                                  Additional Information                                  whether the project is in the public                  of comments and has expert staff
                                                     Additional information about the                     interest.                                             available to assist you at (202) 502–8258
                                                  project is available from the                              This notice announces the opening of               or efiling@ferc.gov. Please carefully
                                                  Commission’s Office of External Affairs,                the scoping process the Commission                    follow these instructions so that your
                                                                                                                                                                comments are properly recorded.
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                                                  at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web                   will use to gather input from the public
                                                  site at www.ferc.gov using the                          and interested agencies on the project.                 (1) You can file your comments
                                                  ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Click on the eLibrary                You can make a difference by providing                electronically using the eComment
                                                  link, click on ‘‘General Search’’ and                   us with your specific comments or                     feature on the Commission’s Web site
                                                  enter the docket number, excluding the                  concerns about the project. Your                      (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
                                                  last three digits in the Docket Number                  comments should focus on the potential                Documents and Filings. This is an easy
                                                  field (i.e., CP15–150). Be sure you have                environmental effects, reasonable                     method for submitting brief, text-only
                                                  selected an appropriate date range. For                 alternatives, and measures to avoid or                comments on a project;


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Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:30:01
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:30:01
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
FR Citation80 FR 28995 

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