82 FR 34517 - Northwest Pipeline LLC; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the North Fork Nooksack Line Lowering Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 141 (July 25, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 25, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34517-34518]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15545]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP17-133-000]


Northwest Pipeline LLC; Notice of Schedule for Environmental 
Review of the North Fork Nooksack Line Lowering Project

    On April 6, 2017, Northwest Pipeline LLC (Northwest) filed an 
application in Docket No. CP17-133-000 requesting a Certificate of 
Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to section 7(c) of the 
Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline 
facilities. The proposed project is known as the North Fork Nooksack 
Line Lowering Project (Project), and would involve replacing and 
lowering approximately 1,700 feet of 30-inch-diameter pipeline in 
Whatcom County, Washington.
    On April 20, 2017, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. 
Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal 
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and 
to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization 
within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project. This instant notice 
identifies the FERC staff's planned schedule for the completion of the 
EA for the Project.

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--November 13, 2017
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--February 11, 2018

    If a schedule change becomes necessary, additional notice will be 
provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Project's progress.

Project Description

    Northwest proposes to remove, replace, and lower about 1,700 feet 
of 30-inch-diameter pipeline in the north floodplain of the North Fork 
Nooksack River. The project also includes removal of about 1,550 feet 
of previously abandoned 26-inch-diameter pipeline that would become 
exposed during the replacement of the 30-inch pipeline. The Project is 
located in Whatcom County, near Deming, Washington.

Background

    On May 9, 2017, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare 
an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed North Fork Nooksack Line 
Lowering Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues 
(NOI). The NOI was sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and 
local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public 
interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested parties; and 
local libraries and newspapers. In response to the NOI, the Commission 
received comments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the 
Lummi Indian Business Council. The primary issues raised by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency are impacts on water quality during 
pipeline construction; impacts on wetlands, floodplains, and riparian 
resources; control of invasive and noxious weeds; and impacts on 
endangered species. The Lummi Business Council identified that it has 
an active interest in the proposed Project and requested additional 
time to prepare and submit scoping comments.
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to participate as a 
cooperating agency in the preparation of the EA.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to 
keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 
the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. This can 
reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings by 
automatically providing you with notification of these filings, 
document

[[Page 34518]]

summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    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 (www.ferc.gov). Using the eLibrary link, select General 
Search from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date range and Docket 
Number excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP17-133), and follow the 
instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can 
be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or at 
[email protected]. The eLibrary link on the FERC Web site also 
provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: July 19, 2017.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-15545 Filed 7-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P