81 FR 15777 - Notice of Availability of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for the NuStar Dos Laredos Pipeline Presidential Permit Application Review

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 57 (March 24, 2016)

The U.S. Department of State (Department) announces availability of the ``Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment'' (Draft SEA) and ``Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for the NuStar Dos Laredos Pipeline Presidential Permit Application Review'' (Draft FONSI) for public review and comment. These documents analyze the potential environmental effects of issuing a Presidential Permit to NuStar Logistics, L.P. (NuStar) to amend the 2003 Presidential Permit issued to Valero Logistics Operations, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain transboundary pipeline facilities (Dos Laredos Pipeline). The Dos Laredos Pipeline Draft SEA and Draft FONSI were prepared consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. Section 4321, et seq.), the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and the Department's implementing regulations (22 CFR part 161). They evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a change in operations of the existing 10.6 miles of 8 and 5/8 inch outer diameter pipeline and associated facilities (e.g., mainline valves) near Laredo, TX.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 15777]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06694]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 9497]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Supplemental Environmental 
Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for the NuStar 
Dos Laredos Pipeline Presidential Permit Application Review

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice of availability, solicitation of comments.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of State (Department) announces 
availability of the ``Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment'' 
(Draft SEA) and ``Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for the NuStar 
Dos Laredos Pipeline Presidential Permit Application Review'' (Draft 
FONSI) for public review and comment. These documents analyze the 
potential environmental effects of issuing a Presidential Permit to 
NuStar Logistics, L.P. (NuStar) to amend the 2003 Presidential Permit 
issued to Valero Logistics Operations, L.P. to construct, connect, 
operate, and maintain transboundary pipeline facilities (Dos Laredos 
Pipeline). The Dos Laredos Pipeline Draft SEA and Draft FONSI were 
prepared consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. Section 4321, et seq.), the regulations of the 
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and 
the Department's implementing regulations (22 CFR part 161). They 
evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a change in operations 
of the existing 10.6 miles of 8 and 5/8 inch outer diameter pipeline 
and associated facilities (e.g., mainline valves) near Laredo, TX.

DATES: The Department invites the public, governmental agencies, tribal 
governments, and all other interested parties to provide comments on 
the Draft SEA and Draft FONSI during the 30-day public comment period. 
The public comment period starts on March 24, 2016, with the 
publication of this Federal Register Notice and will end April 25, 
2016.
    All comments received during the review period may be made public, 
no matter how initially submitted. Comments are not private and will 
not be edited to remove identifying or contact information. Commenters 
are cautioned against including any information that they would not 
want publicly disclosed. Any party soliciting or aggregating comments 
from other persons is further requested to direct those persons not to 
include any identifying or contact information, or information they 
would not want publicly disclosed, in their comments.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft SEA and Draft FONSI may be submitted 
at www.regulations.gov by entering the title of this Notice into the 
search field and following the prompts. Comments may also be submitted 
by mail, addressed to: Dos Laredos Project Manager, Office of 
Environmental Quality and Transboundary Issues (OES/EQT): Room 2726, 
U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20520. All 
comments from agencies or organizations should indicate a contact 
person for the agency or organization.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project details for the Dos Laredos 
Pipeline and the Presidential Permit Application, as well as 
information on the Presidential Permit process are available on the 
following Web site: http://www.state.gov/e/enr/applicant/applicants/c61192.htm. Please refer to this Web site or contact the Department at 
the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department evaluates Presidential permit 
applications under Executive Order (E.O.) 13337 and E.O. 14432. E.O. 
13337 delegates to the Secretary of State the President's authority to 
receive applications for permits for the construction, connection, 
operation, or maintenance of facilities for the exportation or 
importation of petroleum, petroleum products, coal, or other fuels 
(except for natural gas), at the borders of the United States, and to 
issue or deny such Presidential Permits upon a national interest 
determination.
    NuStar applied for a Presidential Permit on December 4, 2013 to 
amend the 2003 Presidential Permit issued to Valero Logistics 
Operations, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain 
transboundary pipeline facilities between the United States and Mexico 
approximately six miles northwest of downtown Laredo, Texas at a 
location on the Rio Grande River knows as ``La Bota.'' NuStar requests 
a new Presidential Permit that: (1) Reflects NuStar's name change from 
Valero Logistics Operations, L.P. to NuStar Logistics, L.P., as the 
owner and operator of the Dos Laredos Pipeline crossing the 
international boundary; and (2) permits the transportation in either 
direction across the international border of a broader range of 
products. The 2003 Presidential Permit only allows shipment of 
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). NuStar is now also seeking to transport 
other specifically defined petroleum products, including diesel.
    Availability of the Draft Sea and FONSI: Copies of the Draft SEA 
and Draft FONSI have been distributed to state and governmental 
agencies, tribal governments and other interested parties. Printed 
copies of the document may be obtained by visiting the Laredo Public 
Library or by contacting the Dos Laredos Project Manager at the above 
address. The Draft SEA and Draft FONSI are available on the project Web 
site at http://www.state.gov/e/enr/applicant/applicants/c61192.htm.

Deborah Klepp,
Director, Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary, Issues, 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2016-06694 Filed 3-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-09-P