82_FR_49215 82 FR 49012 - Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Buckeye Xpress Project; Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Sessions

82 FR 49012 - Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Buckeye Xpress Project; Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Sessions

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 203 (October 23, 2017)

Page Range49012-49015
FR Document2017-22917

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 203 (Monday, October 23, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 203 (Monday, October 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49012-49015]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22917]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF17-6-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Planned Buckeye Xpress Project; 
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public 
Scoping Sessions

    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 planned Buckeye Xpress Project 
(Buckeye Project) involving construction and operation of facilities by 
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) in Vinton, Jackson, Gallia, 
and Lawrence Counties, Ohio. 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 November 16, 2017.
    If you sent comments on this Project to the Commission before the 
opening of this docket on August 1, 2017, you will need to file those 
comments in Docket No. PF17-6-000 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 
planned 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 planned 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.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know? is available for 
viewing on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). 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.

[[Page 49013]]

Public Participation

    For your convenience, there are four methods you can use to submit 
your comments to the Commission. The Commission will provide equal 
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form 
or provided verbally. The Commission encourages electronic filing of 
comments and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 
or [email protected]. 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 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;
    (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 
(PF17-6-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, 
Washington, DC 20426; or
    (4) In lieu of sending written or electronic comments, the 
Commission invites you to attend one of the public scoping sessions its 
staff will conduct in the project area, scheduled as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Date and time                           Location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 4:30-7:30     Ironton High School, 1701 South
 p.m.                                     7th Street, Ironton, Ohio
                                          45638, 740-532-3911.
Wednesday, October 25, 2017, 4:30-7:30   Jackson High School, 500 Vaughn
 p.m.                                     Street, Jackson, Ohio 45640,
                                          740-286-7575.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The primary goal of these scoping sessions is to have you identify 
the specific environmental issues and concerns that should be 
considered in the EA to be prepared for this project. Individual verbal 
comments will be taken on a one-on-one basis with a court reporter. 
This format is designed to receive the maximum amount of verbal 
comments, in a convenient way during the timeframe allotted.
    Each scoping session is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
Eastern time. You may arrive at any time after 4:30 p.m. There will not 
be a formal presentation by Commission staff when the session opens. If 
you wish to speak, the Commission staff will hand out numbers in the 
order of your arrival. Comments will be taken until 6:30 p.m. However, 
if no additional numbers have been handed out and all individuals who 
wish to provide comments have had an opportunity to do so, staff may 
conclude the session at 7:00 p.m. Please see appendix 1 for additional 
information on the session format and conduct.\1\
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    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in 
the Federal Register. Copies of the 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Your scoping comments will be recorded by the court reporter (with 
FERC staff or representative present) and become part of the public 
record for this proceeding. Transcripts will be publicly available on 
FERC's eLibrary system (see below for instructions on using eLibrary). 
If a significant number of people are interested in providing verbal 
comments in the one-on-one settings, a time limit of 5 minutes may be 
implemented for each commentor.
    It is important to note that verbal comments hold the same weight 
as written or electronically submitted comments. Although there will 
not be a formal presentation, Commission staff will be available 
throughout the comment session to answer your questions about the 
environmental review process. Representatives from Columbia will also 
be present to answer project-specific questions.

Summary of the Planned Project

    Columbia plans to replace Columbia's aging system with newer and 
more reliable pipeline facilities in Vinton, Jackson, Gallia, and 
Lawrence Counties, Ohio. The Project would provide about 275,000 
dekatherms per day of additional firm natural gas transportation 
capacity. According to Columbia, its project would ensure reliability 
and flexibility for its firm storage and storage transportation 
services on a system-wide basis.
    The Buckeye Project would consist of the following facilities:
     Install 65.7 miles of new, 36-inch-diameter natural gas 
pipeline and various associated facilities including two tie-ins, four 
new MLVs, suction and discharge lines to the Oak Hill Compressor 
Station, and installation of over-pressure protection at five locations 
(planned R-801 system);
     abandon 58.8 miles of existing 20-inch-diameter natural 
gas pipeline and associated facilities (R-501 system); and
     abandon 2.0 miles of existing 20-inch-diameter and 24-
inch-diameter natural gas pipeline and associated facilities (R-500 
system).
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
2.

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the planned R-801 facilities would disturb about 
1,220 acres of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline. 
Abandonment of the existing R-500 and R-501 systems would affect about 
979 acres. Following construction, Columbia would maintain about 402 
acres for permanent operation of the project's new R-801 facilities; 
the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. 
About 80 percent of the planned pipeline route would parallel existing 
pipeline, utility, or road rights-of-way.

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 
\2\ 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.
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    \2\ We, us, and our refer to the environmental staff of the 
Commission's Office of Energy Projects.

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[[Page 49014]]

    In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of 
the construction and operation of the planned 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 possible alternatives to the planned Project 
or portions of the Project, and make recommendations on how to lessen 
or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    Although no formal application has been filed, we have already 
initiated our NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing process. 
The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage early involvement 
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before 
the FERC receives an application. As part of our pre-filing review, we 
have begun to contact some federal and state agencies to discuss their 
involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of the EA.
    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 we make 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 
related to this project to formally cooperate with us in the 
preparation of the EA.\3\ 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. Currently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has expressed its 
intention to participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of 
the EA to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related to this project.
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    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
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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 Ohio State Historic Preservation Office (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.\4\ We will define the project-specific Area of Potential 
Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 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 planned facilities and 
the environmental information provided by Columbia. This preliminary 
list of issues may change based on your comments and our analysis and 
includes:
     Agriculture and prime farmland;
     water resources;
     crossing of the Wayne National Forest;
     endangered species; and
     steep terrain.

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 
planned project.
    If we publish and distribute the EA, copies of the EA 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 3).

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once Columbia files its application with the Commission, 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. Motions to intervene are more fully described at 
http://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp. Instructions 
for becoming an intervenor are in the Document-less Intervention Guide 
under the e-filing link on the Commission's Web site. Please note that 
the Commission will not accept requests for intervenor status at this 
time. You must wait until the Commission receives a formal application 
for the project.

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 (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., PF17-
6). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
[email protected] 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

[[Page 49015]]

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 sessions 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: October 16, 2017.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-22917 Filed 10-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P



                                               49012                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2017 / Notices

                                                  On June 16, 2017, the Commission                     response to the NOI, the Commission                   (Buckeye Project) involving
                                               issued its Notice of Application for the                received comments from the U.S.                       construction and operation of facilities
                                               Majorsville Compressor Station                          Environmental Protection Agency                       by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC
                                               Amendment, now being considered in                      (EPA). The primary issues raised by the               (Columbia) in Vinton, Jackson, Gallia,
                                               Docket No. CP17–464–000. Among                          EPA are purpose and need, alternatives,               and Lawrence Counties, Ohio. The
                                               other things, that notice alerted agencies              and air quality and noise.                            Commission will use this EA in its
                                               issuing federal authorizations of the                     The EPA is currently participating as               decision-making process to determine
                                               requirement to complete all necessary                   a cooperating agency in the preparation               whether the project is in the public
                                               reviews and to reach a final decision on                of the EA.                                            convenience and necessity.
                                               a request for a federal authorization                                                                            This notice announces the opening of
                                               within 90 days of the date of issuance                  Additional Information
                                                                                                                                                             the scoping process the Commission
                                               of the Commission staff’s Environmental                    In order to receive notification of the            will use to gather input from the public
                                               Assessment (EA) for the project. This                   issuance of the EA and to keep track of               and interested agencies on the Project.
                                               instant notice identifies the FERC staff’s              all formal issuances and submittals in                You can make a difference by providing
                                               planned schedule for the completion of                  specific dockets, the Commission offers               us with your specific comments or
                                               the EA for the project.                                 a free service called eSubscription. This             concerns about the Project. Your
                                               Schedule for Environmental Review                       can reduce the amount of time you                     comments should focus on the potential
                                                                                                       spend researching proceedings by                      environmental effects, reasonable
                                               Issuance of EA—November 1, 2017.                        automatically providing you with                      alternatives, and measures to avoid or
                                               90-day Federal Authorization Decision                   notification of these filings, document               lessen environmental impacts. Your
                                                  Deadline—January 30, 2018.                           summaries, and direct links to the
                                                  If a schedule change becomes                                                                               input will help the Commission staff
                                                                                                       documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-                   determine what issues they need to
                                               necessary, additional notice will be                    filing/esubscription.asp.
                                               provided so that the relevant agencies                                                                        evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your
                                                                                                          Additional information about the                   comments are timely and properly
                                               are kept informed of the project’s                      Project is available from the
                                               progress.                                                                                                     recorded, please send your comments so
                                                                                                       Commission’s Office of External Affairs               that the Commission receives them in
                                               Project Description                                     at (866) 208–FERC or on the FERC Web                  Washington, DC on or before November
                                                  Rover proposes to install a third 3,550              site (www.ferc.gov). Using the eLibrary               16, 2017.
                                               horsepower natural gas compressor unit                  link, select General Search from the                     If you sent comments on this Project
                                               at the Majorsville Compressor Station 1                 eLibrary menu, enter the selected date                to the Commission before the opening of
                                               and a new equipment run at the                          range and Docket Number excluding the                 this docket on August 1, 2017, you will
                                               Majorsville Meter Station in Marshall                   last three digits (i.e., CP17–464), and               need to file those comments in Docket
                                               County, West Virginia. The new unit                     follow the instructions. For assistance               No. PF17–6–000 to ensure they are
                                               would bring the Majorsville Compressor                  with access to eLibrary, the helpline can             considered as part of this proceeding.
                                               Station to a total of 10,650 horsepower.                be reached at (866) 208–3676, TTY (202)               This notice is being sent to the
                                               The proposal would increase the point                   502–8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@                    Commission’s current environmental
                                               capacity of the Majorsville Compressor                  ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC               mailing list for this project. State and
                                               Station and the Majorsville Meter                       Web site also provides access to the                  local government representatives should
                                               Station from 300 MMcf/d to 400 MMcf/                    texts of formal documents issued by the               notify their constituents of this planned
                                               d. Rover would house the new unit (and                  Commission, such as orders, notices,                  Project and encourage them to comment
                                               the previously approved units) by                       and rule makings.                                     on their areas of concern.
                                               expanding the length of the currently                     Dated: October 17, 2017.                               If you are a landowner receiving this
                                               under construction compressor                           Kimberly D. Bose,                                     notice, a pipeline company
                                               building. Rover has not proposed to                     Secretary.                                            representative may contact you about
                                               expand the station boundary beyond the                  [FR Doc. 2017–22921 Filed 10–20–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                             the acquisition of an easement to
                                               previously approved limits.                                                                                   construct, operate, and maintain the
                                                                                                       BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
                                                                                                                                                             planned facilities. The company would
                                               Background                                                                                                    seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
                                                  On August 4, 2017, the Commission                    DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                  agreement. However, if the Commission
                                               issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an                                                                       approves the project, that approval
                                               Environmental Assessment for the                        Federal Energy Regulatory                             conveys with it the right of eminent
                                               Proposed Majorsville Compressor                         Commission                                            domain. Therefore, if easement
                                               Station Amendment and Request for                                                                             negotiations fail to produce an
                                               Comments on Environmental Issues                        [Docket No. PF17–6–000]                               agreement, the pipeline company could
                                               (NOI). The NOI was sent to federal,                                                                           initiate condemnation proceedings
                                               state, and local government                             Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC;
                                                                                                                                                             where compensation would be
                                               representatives and agencies;                           Notice of Intent To Prepare an
                                                                                                                                                             determined in accordance with state
                                               environmental and public interest                       Environmental Assessment for the
                                                                                                                                                             law.
                                               groups; and other interested parties. It                Planned Buckeye Xpress Project;
                                                                                                       Request for Comments on                                  A fact sheet prepared by the FERC
                                               was also sent to all affected landowners                                                                      entitled An Interstate Natural Gas
                                               (as defined in the Commission’s                         Environmental Issues, and Notice of
                                                                                                       Public Scoping Sessions                               Facility On My Land? What Do I Need
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                               regulations) who are within 0.5 mile of                                                                       To Know? is available for viewing on
                                               the Majorsville Compressor Station. In                    The staff of the Federal Energy                     the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). This
                                                                                                       Regulatory Commission (FERC or                        fact sheet addresses a number of
                                                 1 The Majorsville Compressor Station was
                                                                                                       Commission) will prepare an                           typically asked questions, including the
                                               approved by the Commission on February 2, 2017,
                                               in Docket No. CP15–93–000 as a component of the
                                                                                                       environmental assessment (EA) that will               use of eminent domain and how to
                                               Rover Pipeline Project and is currently under           discuss the environmental impacts of                  participate in the Commission’s
                                               construction.                                           the planned Buckeye Xpress Project                    proceedings.


                                          VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:08 Oct 20, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00042   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\23OCN1.SGM   23OCN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2017 / Notices                                                    49013

                                               Public Participation                                       (1) You can file your comments                     comment on a particular project, please
                                                                                                       electronically using the eComment                     select ‘‘Comment on a Filing’’ as the
                                                 For your convenience, there are four                  feature on the Commission’s Web site                  filing type;
                                               methods you can use to submit your                      (www.ferc.gov) under the link to                         (3) You can file a paper copy of your
                                               comments to the Commission. The                         Documents and Filings. This is an easy                comments by mailing them to the
                                               Commission will provide equal                           method for submitting brief, text-only                following address. Be sure to reference
                                               consideration to all comments received,                 comments on a project;                                the project docket number (PF17–6–000)
                                               whether filed in written form or                           (2) You can file your comments                     with your submission: Kimberly D.
                                               provided verbally. The Commission                       electronically by using the eFiling                   Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy
                                               encourages electronic filing of                         feature on the Commission’s Web site                  Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street
                                               comments and has expert staff available                 (www.ferc.gov) under the link to                      NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
                                               to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or                      Documents and Filings. With eFiling,                  or
                                               FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. Please                      you can provide comments in a variety                    (4) In lieu of sending written or
                                               carefully follow these instructions so                  of formats by attaching them as a file                electronic comments, the Commission
                                               that your comments are properly                         with your submission. New eFiling                     invites you to attend one of the public
                                               recorded.                                               users must first create an account by                 scoping sessions its staff will conduct in
                                                                                                       clicking on eRegister. If you are filing a            the project area, scheduled as follows:

                                                                        Date and time                                                                         Location

                                               Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 4:30–7:30 p.m ........................     Ironton High School, 1701 South 7th Street, Ironton, Ohio 45638, 740–532–3911.
                                               Wednesday, October 25, 2017, 4:30–7:30 p.m ...................        Jackson High School, 500 Vaughn Street, Jackson, Ohio 45640, 740–286–7575.



                                                  The primary goal of these scoping                    of people are interested in providing                 natural gas pipeline and associated
                                               sessions is to have you identify the                    verbal comments in the one-on-one                     facilities (R–500 system).
                                               specific environmental issues and                       settings, a time limit of 5 minutes may                 The general location of the project
                                               concerns that should be considered in                   be implemented for each commentor.                    facilities is shown in appendix 2.
                                               the EA to be prepared for this project.                   It is important to note that verbal
                                               Individual verbal comments will be                      comments hold the same weight as                      Land Requirements for Construction
                                               taken on a one-on-one basis with a court                written or electronically submitted                     Construction of the planned R–801
                                               reporter. This format is designed to                    comments. Although there will not be a                facilities would disturb about 1,220
                                               receive the maximum amount of verbal                    formal presentation, Commission staff                 acres of land for the aboveground
                                               comments, in a convenient way during                    will be available throughout the                      facilities and the pipeline.
                                               the timeframe allotted.                                 comment session to answer your                        Abandonment of the existing R–500 and
                                                  Each scoping session is scheduled                    questions about the environmental                     R–501 systems would affect about 979
                                               from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern                     review process. Representatives from                  acres. Following construction, Columbia
                                               time. You may arrive at any time after                  Columbia will also be present to answer               would maintain about 402 acres for
                                               4:30 p.m. There will not be a formal                    project-specific questions.                           permanent operation of the project’s
                                               presentation by Commission staff when                                                                         new R–801 facilities; the remaining
                                               the session opens. If you wish to speak,                Summary of the Planned Project
                                                                                                                                                             acreage would be restored and revert to
                                               the Commission staff will hand out                         Columbia plans to replace Columbia’s               former uses. About 80 percent of the
                                               numbers in the order of your arrival.                   aging system with newer and more                      planned pipeline route would parallel
                                               Comments will be taken until 6:30 p.m.                  reliable pipeline facilities in Vinton,               existing pipeline, utility, or road rights-
                                               However, if no additional numbers have                  Jackson, Gallia, and Lawrence Counties,               of-way.
                                               been handed out and all individuals                     Ohio. The Project would provide about
                                               who wish to provide comments have                       275,000 dekatherms per day of                         The EA Process
                                               had an opportunity to do so, staff may                  additional firm natural gas                              The National Environmental Policy
                                               conclude the session at 7:00 p.m. Please                transportation capacity. According to                 Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to
                                               see appendix 1 for additional                           Columbia, its project would ensure                    take into account the environmental
                                               information on the session format and                   reliability and flexibility for its firm              impacts that could result from an action
                                               conduct.1                                               storage and storage transportation                    whenever it considers the issuance of a
                                                 Your scoping comments will be                         services on a system-wide basis.                      Certificate of Public Convenience and
                                               recorded by the court reporter (with                       The Buckeye Project would consist of               Necessity. NEPA also requires us 2 to
                                               FERC staff or representative present)                   the following facilities:                             discover and address concerns the
                                               and become part of the public record for                   • Install 65.7 miles of new, 36-inch-              public may have about proposals. This
                                               this proceeding. Transcripts will be                    diameter natural gas pipeline and                     process is referred to as scoping. The
                                               publicly available on FERC’s eLibrary                   various associated facilities including               main goal of the scoping process is to
                                               system (see below for instructions on                   two tie-ins, four new MLVs, suction and               focus the analysis in the EA on the
                                               using eLibrary). If a significant number                discharge lines to the Oak Hill                       important environmental issues. By this
                                                                                                       Compressor Station, and installation of               notice, the Commission requests public
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                                                 1 The appendices referenced in this notice will
                                                                                                       over-pressure protection at five                      comments on the scope of the issues to
                                               not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of the
                                               appendices were sent to all those receiving this
                                                                                                       locations (planned R–801 system);                     address in the EA. We will consider all
                                               notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov       • abandon 58.8 miles of existing 20-               filed comments during the preparation
                                               using the link called ‘‘eLibrary’’ or from the          inch-diameter natural gas pipeline and                of the EA.
                                               Commission’s Public Reference Room, 888 First           associated facilities (R–501 system); and
                                               Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202)
                                               502–8371. For instructions on connecting to                • abandon 2.0 miles of existing 20-                  2 We, us, and our refer to the environmental staff

                                               eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice.        inch-diameter and 24-inch-diameter                    of the Commission’s Office of Energy Projects.



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                                               49014                         Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2017 / Notices

                                                  In the EA we will discuss impacts that                of the EA to satisfy its NEPA                             project purposes, or who own homes
                                               could occur as a result of the                           responsibilities related to this project.                 within certain distances of aboveground
                                               construction and operation of the                                                                                  facilities, and anyone who submits
                                                                                                        Consultations Under Section 106 of the
                                               planned project under these general                                                                                comments on the project. We will
                                                                                                        National Historic Preservation Act
                                               headings:                                                                                                          update the environmental mailing list as
                                                  • Geology and soils;                                    In accordance with the Advisory                         the analysis proceeds to ensure that we
                                                  • land use;                                           Council on Historic Preservation’s                        send the information related to this
                                                  • water resources, fisheries, and                     implementing regulations for section                      environmental review to all individuals,
                                               wetlands;                                                106 of the National Historic                              organizations, and government entities
                                                  • cultural resources;                                 Preservation Act, we are using this                       interested in and/or potentially affected
                                                  • vegetation and wildlife;                            notice to initiate consultation with the                  by the planned project.
                                                                                                        Ohio State Historic Preservation Office                      If we publish and distribute the EA,
                                                  • air quality and noise;
                                                                                                        (SHPO), and to solicit their views and                    copies of the EA will be sent to the
                                                  • endangered and threatened species;                                                                            environmental mailing list for public
                                                                                                        those of other government agencies,
                                                  • public safety; and                                  interested Indian tribes, and the public                  review and comment. If you would
                                                  • cumulative impacts.                                 on the project’s potential effects on                     prefer to receive a paper copy of the
                                                  We will also evaluate possible                        historic properties.4 We will define the                  document instead of the CD version or
                                               alternatives to the planned Project or                   project-specific Area of Potential Effects                would like to remove your name from
                                               portions of the Project, and make                        (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as                    the mailing list, please return the
                                               recommendations on how to lessen or                      the project develops. On natural gas                      attached Information Request (appendix
                                               avoid impacts on the various resource                    facility projects, the APE at a minimum                   3).
                                               areas.                                                   encompasses all areas subject to ground
                                                  Although no formal application has                                                                              Becoming an Intervenor
                                                                                                        disturbance (examples include
                                               been filed, we have already initiated our                construction right-of-way, contractor/                       Once Columbia files its application
                                               NEPA review under the Commission’s                       pipe storage yards, compressor stations,                  with the Commission, you may want to
                                               pre-filing process. The purpose of the                   and access roads). Our EA for this                        become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an
                                               pre-filing process is to encourage early                 project will document our findings on                     official party to the Commission’s
                                               involvement of interested stakeholders                   the impacts on historic properties and                    proceeding. Intervenors play a more
                                               and to identify and resolve issues before                summarize the status of consultations                     formal role in the process and are able
                                               the FERC receives an application. As                     under section 106.                                        to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be
                                               part of our pre-filing review, we have                                                                             heard by the courts if they choose to
                                               begun to contact some federal and state                  Currently Identified Environmental                        appeal the Commission’s final ruling.
                                               agencies to discuss their involvement in                 Issues                                                    An intervenor formally participates in
                                               the scoping process and the preparation                     We have already identified several                     the proceeding by filing a request to
                                               of the EA.                                               issues that we think deserve attention                    intervene. Motions to intervene are
                                                  The EA will present our independent                   based on a preliminary review of the                      more fully described at http://
                                               analysis of the issues. The EA will be                   planned facilities and the                                www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/
                                               available in the public record through                   environmental information provided by                     intervene.asp. Instructions for becoming
                                               eLibrary. Depending on the comments                      Columbia. This preliminary list of                        an intervenor are in the Document-less
                                               received during the scoping process, we                  issues may change based on your                           Intervention Guide under the e-filing
                                               may also publish and distribute the EA                   comments and our analysis and                             link on the Commission’s Web site.
                                               to the public for an allotted comment                    includes:                                                 Please note that the Commission will
                                               period. We will consider all comments                       • Agriculture and prime farmland;                      not accept requests for intervenor status
                                               on the EA before we make our                                • water resources;                                     at this time. You must wait until the
                                               recommendations to the Commission.                          • crossing of the Wayne National                       Commission receives a formal
                                               To ensure we have the opportunity to                     Forest;                                                   application for the project.
                                               consider and address your comments,                         • endangered species; and                              Additional Information
                                               please carefully follow the instructions                    • steep terrain.
                                               in the Public Participation section,                                                                                  Additional information about the
                                                                                                        Environmental Mailing List                                project is available from the
                                               beginning on page 2.
                                                  With this notice, we are asking                          The environmental mailing list                         Commission’s Office of External Affairs,
                                               agencies with jurisdiction by law and/                   includes federal, state, and local                        at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web
                                               or special expertise with respect to the                 government representatives and                            site (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary
                                               environmental issues related to this                     agencies; elected officials;                              link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on
                                               project to formally cooperate with us in                 environmental and public interest                         ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket
                                               the preparation of the EA.3 Agencies                     groups; Native American Tribes; other                     number, excluding the last three digits
                                               that would like to request cooperating                   interested parties; and local libraries                   in the Docket Number field (i.e., PF17–
                                               agency status should follow the                          and newspapers. This list also includes                   6). Be sure you have selected an
                                               instructions for filing comments                         all affected landowners (as defined in                    appropriate date range. For assistance,
                                               provided under the Public Participation                  the Commission’s regulations) who are                     please contact FERC Online Support at
                                               section of this notice. Currently, the                   potential right-of-way grantors, whose                    FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free
                                                                                                        property may be used temporarily for                      at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact
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                                               U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has
                                               expressed its intention to participate as                                                                          (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also
                                               a cooperating agency in the preparation
                                                                                                          4 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation         provides access to the texts of formal
                                                                                                        regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal              documents issued by the Commission,
                                                                                                        Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define           such as orders, notices, and
                                                 3 The Council on Environmental Quality                 historic properties as any prehistoric or historic
                                               regulations addressing cooperating agency                district, site, building, structure, or object included   rulemakings.
                                               responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal        in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register        In addition, the Commission offers a
                                               Regulations, Part 1501.6.                                of Historic Places.                                       free service called eSubscription which


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2017 / Notices                                                49015

                                               allows you to keep track of all formal                  esubscription.asp to be notified via                  ER11–3406–004; ER11–3407–004;
                                               issuances and submittals in specific                    email of new filings and issuances                    ER10–2897–006; ER12–1865–005;
                                               dockets. This can reduce the amount of                  related to this or other pending projects.            ER12–1925–003.
                                               time you spend researching proceedings                  For assistance, contact FERC Online                     Applicants: Big Savage, LLC, Big Sky
                                               by automatically providing you with                     Support.                                              Wind, LLC, EverPower Commercial
                                               notification of these filings, document                    Any comments should be filed within
                                                                                                                                                             Services LLC, Highland North LLC,
                                               summaries, and direct links to the                      45 days from the date of this notice.
                                               documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-                        The Commission strongly encourages                 Howard Wind LLC, Krayn Wind LLC,
                                               filing/esubscription.asp.                               electronic filing. Please file comments               Mustang Hills, LLC, Patton Wind Farm,
                                                  Finally, public sessions or site visits              using the Commission’s eFiling system                 LLC.
                                               will be posted on the Commission’s                      at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/                     Description: Supplement to June 30,
                                               calendar located at www.ferc.gov/                       efiling.asp. Commenters can submit                    2017 Triennial Market Power Update for
                                               EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along                     brief comments up to 6,000 characters,                the Northeast Region of the EverPower
                                               with other related information.                         without prior registration, using the                 Companies.
                                                 Dated: October 16, 2017.                              eComment system at http://                              Filed Date: 10/12/17.
                                               Kimberly D. Bose,                                       www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
                                                                                                       ecomment.asp. You must include your                     Accession Number: 20171012–5153.
                                               Secretary.
                                               [FR Doc. 2017–22917 Filed 10–20–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                       name and contact information at the end                 Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 11/2/17.
                                                                                                       of your comments. For assistance,
                                               BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
                                                                                                       please contact FERC Online Support. In                  Docket Numbers: ER15–1456–004;
                                                                                                       lieu of electronic filing, please send a              ER11–4634–004; ER17–436–002; ER17–
                                                                                                       paper copy to: Secretary, Federal Energy              437–004; ER15–1457–004.
                                               DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
                                                                                                       Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street                 Applicants: Beaver Falls, L.L.C.,
                                               Federal Energy Regulatory                               NE., Washington, DC 20426. The first                  Hazleton Generation LLC, Marcus Hook
                                               Commission                                              page of any filing should include docket              Energy, L.P., Marcus Hook 50, L.P.,
                                                                                                       number P–2337–077.                                    Syracuse, L.L.C.
                                               [Project No. 2337–077]
                                                                                                          For further information, contact                     Description: Supplement to June 30,
                                               PacifiCorp; Notice of Availability of                   Dianne Rodman at (202) 502–6077.
                                                                                                                                                             2017 Triennial Market Power Update for
                                               Draft Environmental Assessment                            Dated: October 17, 2017.                            the Northeast Region of Beaver Falls,
                                                  In accordance with the National                      Kimberly D. Bose,                                     L.L.C., et al.
                                               Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and                    Secretary.                                              Filed Date: 10/12/17.
                                               the Federal Energy Regulatory                           [FR Doc. 2017–22920 Filed 10–20–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                               Accession Number: 20171012–5161.
                                               Commission’s (Commission)                               BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
                                               regulations, 18 CFR part 380, the Office                                                                        Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 11/2/17.
                                               of Energy Projects has reviewed the                                                                              The filings are accessible in the
                                               application for new license for the                     DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
                                                                                                                                                             Commission’s eLibrary system by
                                               Prospect No. 3 Hydroelectric Project,                                                                         clicking on the links or querying the
                                               located on the South Fork of the Rogue                  Federal Energy Regulatory
                                                                                                       Commission                                            docket number.
                                               River in Jackson County, Oregon, and
                                               has prepared a Draft Environmental                                                                               Any person desiring to intervene or
                                                                                                       Combined Notice of Filings #1                         protest in any of the above proceedings
                                               Assessment (DEA) for the project. The
                                               project currently occupies 32.4 acres of                   Take notice that the Commission                    must file in accordance with Rules 211
                                               federal land managed by the U.S. Forest                 received the following electric corporate             and 214 of the Commission’s
                                               Service as part of the Rogue River-                     filings:                                              Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and
                                               Siskiyou National Forest.                                  Docket Numbers: EC17–86–001.                       385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern
                                                  The DEA contains the staff’s analysis                   Applicants: Green Mountain Power                   time on the specified comment date.
                                               of the potential environmental impacts                  Corporation.                                          Protests may be considered, but
                                               of continued operation and maintenance                     Description: Notice of Non-Material                intervention is necessary to become a
                                               of the project and concludes that                       Change in Circumstances of Green                      party to the proceeding.
                                               relicensing the project, with appropriate               Mountain Power Corporation.
                                               environmental protective measures,                                                                               eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
                                                                                                          Filed Date: 10/13/17.                              information relating to filing
                                               would not constitute a major federal                       Accession Number: 20171013–5187.
                                               action that would significantly affect the                                                                    requirements, interventions, protests,
                                                                                                          Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 11/3/17.
                                               quality of the human environment.                                                                             service, and qualifying facilities filings
                                                  A copy of the DEA is available for                      Docket Numbers: EC17–109–000.                      can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/
                                               review at the Commission in the Public                     Applicants: ALLETE, Inc., ALLETE                   docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
                                               Reference Room or may be viewed on                      Clean Energy, Inc.                                    other information, call (866) 208–3676
                                               the Commission’s Web site at http://                       Description: Response of ALLETE,
                                                                                                                                                             (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
                                               www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link.                   Inc., et al. to September 15, 2017 letter
                                                                                                       requesting additional information.                      Dated: October 16, 2017.
                                               Enter the docket number excluding the
                                               last three digits in the docket number                     Filed Date: 10/13/17.                              Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
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                                               field to access the document. For                          Accession Number: 20171013–5184.                   Deputy Secretary.
                                                                                                          Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 11/3/17.
                                               assistance, contact FERC Online                                                                               [FR Doc. 2017–22888 Filed 10–20–17; 8:45 am]
                                               Support at FERCOnlineSupport@                              Take notice that the Commission                    BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
                                               ferc.gov, (866) 208–3676 (toll free), or                received the following electric rate
                                               (202) 502–8659 (TTY).                                   filings:
                                                  You may also register online at http://                 Docket Numbers: ER12–1923–003;
                                               www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/                               ER10–2334–004; ER12–1924–003;


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Document Created: 2017-10-21 02:35:38
Document Modified: 2017-10-21 02:35:38
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 Citation82 FR 49012 

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