82_FR_16335 82 FR 16273 - Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit

82 FR 16273 - Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 62 (April 3, 2017)

Page Range16273-16274
FR Document2017-06404

PHMSA is publishing this notice to seek public comments on a request for special permit, seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 60-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 62 (Monday, April 3, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 62 (Monday, April 3, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16273-16274]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06404]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0149] Donlin Gold LLC


Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Permit

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: PHMSA is publishing this notice to seek public comments on a 
request for special permit, seeking relief from compliance with certain 
requirements in the federal pipeline safety regulations. At the 
conclusion of the 60-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments 
received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny 
the special permit request.

DATES: Submit any comments regarding this special permit request by 
June 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Comments should reference the docket number for the specific 
special permit request and may be submitted in the following ways:
     E-Gov Web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. This site 
allows the public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice 
issued by any agency.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Docket Management System: U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    Instructions: You should identify the docket number for the special 
permit request you are commenting on at the beginning of your comments. 
If you submit your comments by mail, please submit two copies. To 
receive confirmation that PHMSA has received your comments, please 
include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Internet users may submit 
comments at http://www.Regulations.gov.
    Note: Comments are posted without changes or edits to http://www.Regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. There 
is a privacy statement published on http://www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    General: Ms. Kay McIver by telephone at 202-366-0113, or email at 
[email protected].
    Technical: Mr. Steve Nanney by telephone at 713-628-7479, or email 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PHMSA has received a special permit request 
from a pipeline operator seeking relief from compliance with certain 
federal pipeline safety regulations. The request includes a technical 
analysis, environmental assessment, proposed special permit conditions, 
and location map for the pipeline provided by the operator and has been 
filed at http://www.Regulations.gov under docket number PHMSA-2016-
0149. We invite interested persons to participate by reviewing the 
special permit request and supporting documents for implementing the 
special permit request versus designing, constructing, operating, and 
maintaining the pipeline in accordance with Part 192 at http://www.Regulations.gov and by submitting written comments, data or other 
views concerning the request. Please include any comments on potential 
safety, environmental impacts, and any additional conditions that 
should be considered if the special permit is granted.
    Before issuing a decision on the special permit request, PHMSA will 
evaluate all comments received on or

[[Page 16274]]

before the comment closing date. Comments received after the closing 
date will be evaluated if it is possible to do so without incurring 
additional expense or delay. PHMSA will consider each relevant comment 
we receive in making our decision to grant or deny the request.
    PHMSA has received a special permit request from Donlin Gold, LLC, 
(DGLLC), to deviate from the pipeline safety regulations in its 
construction, design, and operations and maintenance (O&M) of a 14-
inch, 315-mile pipeline. The proposed pipeline would transport natural 
gas from the Cook Inlet in Alaska to the Donlin Gold project site in 
Western Alaska. The lead agency responsible for authorizing siting and 
construction of the Donlin Gold mine and pipeline servicing the mine is 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The USACE has prepared a 
draft environmental impact statement (DEIS).
    DGLLC has requested that PHMSA allow the use of Strain-Based Design 
(SBD) for segments of the pipeline. PHMSA regulates the design, 
construction and operation of natural gas transmission pipelines under 
49 CFR part 192. Use of SBD would allow the proposed pipeline to be 
buried in permafrost and discontinuous permafrost soils. SBD is not 
specifically addressed in Part 192. These soils exert significant 
strains on a pipeline due to thaw settlement, frost heave, and ground 
movements.
    PHMSA is considering issuing a special permit with conditions that 
would require specific materials, engineering, construction, and O&M 
procedures to mitigate the external forces of thaw settlement and 
longitudinal bending strains that exceed allowed limits in the 
specified SBD Segments.
    The proposed SBD special permit conditions are designed to achieve 
the level of safety that is normally achieved through full compliance 
with 49 CFR part 192, including Sec. Sec.  192.103, 192.105, 192.111, 
192.317, and 192.619. The pipeline will supply gas to provide heating 
and generate electricity to power the industrial equipment at the gold 
mine.
    The pipeline origin will tie into an existing natural gas pipeline 
at Cook Inlet, approximately 30-miles (48 kilometers) northwest of 
Anchorage at a tie-in near Beluga, Alaska, and will terminate at the 
Donlin Gold mine site. The first 117 miles of the pipeline will be 
located within the Matanuska-Sustina Borough, while the remainder of 
the 315-mile pipeline, including all the requested SBD segments, will 
be located in the Unorganized Borough. The pipeline terminus at Mile 
Post 315 is about 10-miles (16 kilometers) north of the village of 
Crooked Creek, Alaska.
    The project design pressure and maximum allowable operating 
pressure will be 1,480 pounds per square inch gauge (psig). The minimum 
delivery pressure required at the mine is 550 psig. PHMSA's EA 
references USACE's DEIS, which is also available in Docket No. PHMSA-
2016-0149. The USACE's DEIS of the Donlin Gold Project can be assessed 
at http://www.donlingoldeis.com/.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 28, 2017, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Alan K. Mayberry,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2017-06404 Filed 3-31-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-60-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 62 / Monday, April 3, 2017 / Notices 16273 program is March 13, 2017. The public Interested persons are invited to • Mail: Docket Management System: comment period ends May 12, 2017. comment on the proposed program with U.S. Department of Transportation, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: specific reference to these factors. All Docket Operations, M–30, West Richard Doucette, Federal Aviation comments relating to these factors, other Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Administration, New England Region than those properly addressed to local 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Airports Division, 1200 District Ave., land use authorities, will be considered Washington, DC 20590. Burlington, MA 01803. Comments on by the FAA to the extent practicable. • Hand Delivery: Docket Management the proposed noise compatibility Copies of the noise exposure maps and System: U.S. Department of program should also be submitted to the the proposed noise compatibility Transportation, Docket Operations, M– above office. program are available for examination at 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room the following locations: W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This • FAA New England Region Airports Washington, DC 20590, between 9:00 notice announces that the FAA is Division, 1200 District Ave., a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through reviewing a proposed noise Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 Friday, except Federal holidays. compatibility program for Westfield- • Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, Instructions: You should identify the Barnes Regional Airport which will be 110 Airport Road, Westfield, docket number for the special permit approved or disapproved on or before Massachusetts 01085 request you are commenting on at the September 9, 2017. This notice also beginning of your comments. If you announces the availability of this Questions may be directed to the submit your comments by mail, please program for public review and individual named above under the submit two copies. To receive comment. An airport operator who has heading: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION confirmation that PHMSA has received CONTACT. submitted noise exposure maps that are your comments, please include a self- found by FAA to be in compliance with Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, addressed stamped postcard. Internet the requirements of Federal Aviation March 13, 2017. users may submit comments at http:// Regulations (FAR) Part 150, Mary T. Walsh, www.Regulations.gov. promulgated pursuant to the Act (49 Airports Division Manager. Note: Comments are posted without U.S.C. 47504 et. seq), may submit a [FR Doc. 2017–06506 Filed 3–31–17; 8:45 am] changes or edits to http:// noise compatibility program for FAA BILLING CODE 4910–13–P www.Regulations.gov, including any approval which sets forth the measures personal information provided. There is the operator has taken or proposes to a privacy statement published on http:// reduce existing non-compatible uses DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION www.Regulations.gov. and prevent the introduction of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: additional non-compatible uses. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials General: Ms. Kay McIver by telephone The FAA has formally received the Safety Administration at 202–366–0113, or email at noise compatibility program for [Docket No. PHMSA–2016–0149] Donlin kay.mciver@dot.gov. Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, Gold LLC Technical: Mr. Steve Nanney by effective on March 13, 2017. The airport telephone at 713–628–7479, or email at operator has requested that the FAA Pipeline Safety: Request for Special Steve.Nanney@dot.gov. review this material and that the noise Permit SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PHMSA mitigation measures, to be implemented has received a special permit request jointly by the airport and surrounding AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous from a pipeline operator seeking relief communities, be approved as a noise Materials Safety Administration from compliance with certain federal compatibility program under section (PHMSA), DOT. pipeline safety regulations. The request 47504 of the Act. Preliminary review of ACTION: Notice. includes a technical analysis, the submitted material indicates that it environmental assessment, proposed conforms to FAR Part 150 requirements SUMMARY: PHMSA is publishing this notice to seek public comments on a special permit conditions, and location for the submittal of noise compatibility map for the pipeline provided by the programs, but that further review will be request for special permit, seeking relief from compliance with certain operator and has been filed at http:// necessary prior to approval or www.Regulations.gov under docket disapproval of the program. The formal requirements in the federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of number PHMSA–2016–0149. We invite review period, limited by law to a interested persons to participate by maximum of 180 days, will be the 60-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from reviewing the special permit request completed on or before September 9, and supporting documents for 2017. this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request. implementing the special permit request The FAA’s detailed evaluation will be versus designing, constructing, DATES: Submit any comments regarding conducted under the provisions of 14 operating, and maintaining the pipeline CFR part 150, section 150.33. The this special permit request by June 2, in accordance with Part 192 at http:// primary considerations in the 2017. www.Regulations.gov and by submitting evaluation process are whether the ADDRESSES: Comments should reference written comments, data or other views proposed measures may reduce the level the docket number for the specific concerning the request. Please include of aviation safety or create an undue special permit request and may be any comments on potential safety, mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES burden on interstate or foreign submitted in the following ways: environmental impacts, and any commerce, and whether they are • E-Gov Web site: http:// additional conditions that should be reasonably consistent with obtaining the www.Regulations.gov. This site allows considered if the special permit is goal of reducing existing non- the public to enter comments on any granted. compatible land uses and preventing the Federal Register notice issued by any Before issuing a decision on the introduction of additional non- agency. special permit request, PHMSA will compatible land uses. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. evaluate all comments received on or VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:32 Mar 31, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1

16274 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 62 / Monday, April 3, 2017 / Notices before the comment closing date. pipeline terminus at Mile Post 315 is business of the Financial Research Comments received after the closing about 10-miles (16 kilometers) north of Advisory Committee are invited to date will be evaluated if it is possible to the village of Crooked Creek, Alaska. submit written statements by any of the do so without incurring additional The project design pressure and following methods: expense or delay. PHMSA will consider maximum allowable operating pressure • Electronic Statements. Email the each relevant comment we receive in will be 1,480 pounds per square inch gauge (psig). The minimum delivery Committee’s Designated Federal Officer making our decision to grant or deny the request. pressure required at the mine is 550 at OFR_FRAC@ofr.treasury.gov. PHMSA has received a special permit psig. PHMSA’s EA references USACE’s • Paper Statements. Send paper request from Donlin Gold, LLC, DEIS, which is also available in Docket statements in triplicate to the Financial (DGLLC), to deviate from the pipeline No. PHMSA–2016–0149. The USACE’s Research Advisory Committee, Attn: safety regulations in its construction, DEIS of the Donlin Gold Project can be Susan Stiehm, Office of Financial design, and operations and maintenance assessed at http:// Research, Department of the Treasury, (O&M) of a 14-inch, 315-mile pipeline. www.donlingoldeis.com/. 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., The proposed pipeline would transport Issued in Washington, DC, on March 28, Washington, DC 20220. natural gas from the Cook Inlet in 2017, under authority delegated in 49 CFR Alaska to the Donlin Gold project site in The OFR will post statements on the 1.97. Western Alaska. The lead agency Committee’s Web site, http:// Alan K. Mayberry, www.financialresearch.gov, including responsible for authorizing siting and Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. any business or personal information construction of the Donlin Gold mine [FR Doc. 2017–06404 Filed 3–31–17; 8:45 am] provided, such as names, addresses, and pipeline servicing the mine is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). BILLING CODE 4910–60–P email addresses, or telephone numbers. The USACE has prepared a draft The OFR will also make such statements environmental impact statement (DEIS). available for public inspection and DGLLC has requested that PHMSA DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY copying in the Department of the allow the use of Strain-Based Design Treasury’s library, Annex Room 1020, (SBD) for segments of the pipeline. Open Meeting of the Financial 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., PHMSA regulates the design, Research Advisory Committee Washington, DC 20220 on official construction and operation of natural AGENCY: Office of Financial Research, business days between the hours of 8:30 gas transmission pipelines under 49 Department of the Treasury. a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. You CFR part 192. Use of SBD would allow ACTION: Notice of open meeting. may make an appointment to inspect the proposed pipeline to be buried in statements by telephoning (202) 622– permafrost and discontinuous SUMMARY: The Financial Research 0990. All statements, including permafrost soils. SBD is not specifically Advisory Committee for the Treasury’s addressed in Part 192. These soils exert attachments and other supporting Office of Financial Research (OFR) is significant strains on a pipeline due to materials, will be part of the public holding a conference call on thaw settlement, frost heave, and record and subject to public disclosure. Wednesday, April 19, 2017. ground movements. You should submit only information DATES: The meeting will be held on PHMSA is considering issuing a that you wish to make available Wednesday, April 19, 2017, from 12:00 special permit with conditions that publicly. p.m.–2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The would require specific materials, meeting will be open to the public via Tentative Agenda/Topics for engineering, construction, and O&M a conference line. Members of the Discussion: The Committee provides an procedures to mitigate the external public who plan to attend the call opportunity for researchers, industry forces of thaw settlement and should contact the OFR by email at leaders, and other qualified individuals longitudinal bending strains that exceed OFR_FRAC@ofr.treasury.gov by 5 p.m. to offer their advice and allowed limits in the specified SBD Eastern Time on Friday, April 14, 2017, recommendations to the OFR, which, Segments. to inform the OFR of their interest in The proposed SBD special permit among other things, is responsible for participating. collecting and standardizing data on conditions are designed to achieve the level of safety that is normally achieved FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: financial institutions and their activities through full compliance with 49 CFR Susan Stiehm, Designated Federal and for supporting the work of Financial part 192, including §§ 192.103, 192.105, Officer, Office of Financial Research, Stability Oversight Council. 192.111, 192.317, and 192.619. The Department of the Treasury, 1500 Topics to be discussed among the pipeline will supply gas to provide Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, Committee members include the OFR’s heating and generate electricity to DC 20220, (212) 376–9808 (this is not a ‘‘An Approach to Financial Instrument power the industrial equipment at the toll-free number), OFR_FRAC@ Reference Data’’ Viewpoint (https:// gold mine. ofr.treasury.gov. Persons who have webstage.ofr.treas.gov/viewpoint- The pipeline origin will tie into an difficulty hearing or speaking may papers/). For more information on the existing natural gas pipeline at Cook access this number via TTY by calling OFR and the Committee, please visit the Inlet, approximately 30-miles (48 the toll-free Federal Relay Service at OFR Web site at http:// kilometers) northwest of Anchorage at a 800–877–8339. www.financialresearch.gov. tie-in near Beluga, Alaska, and will SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES terminate at the Donlin Gold mine site. this meeting is provided in accordance Dated: March 28, 2017. The first 117 miles of the pipeline will with the Federal Advisory Committee Barbara Shycoff, be located within the Matanuska- Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, 10(a)(2), through Chief of External Affairs. Sustina Borough, while the remainder of implementing regulations at 41 CFR [FR Doc. 2017–06503 Filed 3–31–17; 8:45 am] the 315-mile pipeline, including all the 102–3.150, et seq. BILLING CODE 4810–35–P requested SBD segments, will be located Public Comment: Members of the in the Unorganized Borough. The public wishing to comment on the VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:32 Mar 31, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00119 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\03APN1.SGM 03APN1


Document Created: 2017-04-01 09:35:52
Document Modified: 2017-04-01 09:35:52
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
ActionNotice.
DatesSubmit any comments regarding this special permit request by June 2, 2017.
ContactGeneral: Ms. Kay McIver by telephone at 202-366-0113, or email at [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 16273 
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