83 FR 4182 - Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho; Lower Valley Energy Crow Creek Pipeline Project
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 20 (January 30, 2018)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 20 (January 30, 2018)
| Page Range | 4182-4184 | |
| FR Document | 2018-01736 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 30, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 4182-4184] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-01736] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho; Lower Valley Energy Crow Creek Pipeline Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the USDA Forest Service, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Montpelier Ranger District, is gathering information [[Page 4183]] necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) in connection with Lower Valley Energy's request to construct an eight- inch diameter, low pressure pipeline in a north-northeasterly direction between Montpelier, Idaho and Afton, Wyoming. DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by March 1, 2018. The draft EIS is expected to be released in spring 2018, and the final EIS is expected in summer 2018. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Montpelier Ranger District, 322 N. 4th Street, Montpelier, ID 83254. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected] or via facsimile to (208) 847-3426. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Fuell, Acting District Ranger, Montpelier Ranger District, (208) 547-1101 or Jessica Taylor, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Coordinator, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (208) 557-5837. A public scoping letter with more details is posted on the Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ctnf/landmanagement/projects. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose and Need for Action The purpose and need for this project is to provide natural gas to the Afton/Star Valley, Wyoming area by pipeline. Lower Valley Energy currently provides natural gas to the Afton/Star Valley area by trucking liquefied natural gas to a central distribution facility located in Star Valley. As the demand for natural gas for residences and commercial buildings continues to increase, the shipping of gas by truck becomes costlier and less efficient. Increased shipping by truck also elevates a public safety issue because the level of truck traffic carrying hazardous chemicals on public highways increases. Shortages occur each winter because truck shipments are stalled by the inclement weather. Construction of the proposed pipeline would eliminate the need for Lower Valley Energy to ship overland and would contain all natural gas conveyance to a single pipeline. Proposed Action The proposed routing of an eight-inch diameter, low pressure pipeline parallels existing road corridors through Forest Service ownership where feasible. In several locations, an existing road is the dividing feature between Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs). In these areas, the pipeline will be constructed within the roadway corridor, however; due to potential visual, noise and other impacts, IRAs adjacent to the pipeline construction may be impacted. In other locations, terrain limitations, stream environments, or practicality (shorter route, less disturbance) results in deviating from the road corridor and, in some of these cases, results in construction within an IRA. The total pipeline length is approximately 48 miles, with approximately 20 miles occuring on NFS lands (approximately 119 acres), and 40 acres of disturbance occuring within IRAs. The project would directly impact the Meade Peak, Red Mountain, Telephone Draw and Hell Hole IRAs, and would be immediately adjacent to, and would thereby have some impact to, the Gannett Spring Creek and Sage Creek IRAs. No road building is proposed within IRAs. Within the IRAs, only activities needed to construct the pipeline would occur and the construction areas would be fully reclaimed to original contours and with native vegetation. Project activities would include digging a trench, hauling pipe, welding pipe, and burying the pipe as well as cleanup and reclamation. Alignment markers would be installed at inter- visible distances along the entire route. While the project would have impacts to General Forest, Rangeland and Grassland (GFRG) and Backcountry Restoration (BCR) IRA themes, only incidental timber cutting would occur in BCR themes because the vegetation communities are primarily sagebrush and mountain brush. The proposed action would also result in a plan amendment to make the project consistent with the Caribou Revised Forest Plan. The project would result in the establishment of a utility corridor for those portions of the pipeline that are outside existing corridors. The plan amendment would change the management prescription of approximately 119 acres to Management Prescription 8.1, Concentrated Development Areas. The 2012 Planning Rule, as amended, requires identification in the initial notice of the amendment of the substantive provisions that are likely to be directly related to the amendment. Based on the proposed amendment for the Lower Valley Energy Crow Creek Pipeline and requirements of the planning rule, the following substantive requirements of the 36 CFR 219 planning regulations would likely be directly related to the proposed amendment: Sec. 219.10(a)(1) Aesthetic values, air quality, cultural and heritage resources, ecosystem services, fish and wildlife species, forage, geologic features, grazing and rangelands, habitat and habitat connectivity, recreation settings and opportunities, riparian areas, scenery, soil, surface and subsurface water quality, timber, trails, vegetation, viewsheds, wilderness, and other relevant resources and uses; Sec. 219.10(a)(4) Appropriate placement of and sustainable management of infrastructure, such as recreational facilities and transportation and utility corridors; and Sec. 219.10(a)(7) Reasonably foreseeable risks to ecological, social, and economic sustainability. Possible Alternatives Two alternative routes to the proposed route have been developed to date, although other alternatives may be considered that could provide mitigation of potential impacts. At a minimum, the ``no action alternative'' will be fully evaluated and analyzed along with the proposed action. Lead and Cooperating Agencies The Forest Service is the lead agency; there are no cooperating agencies. Responsible Official The Forest Supervisor of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest is the responsible official. Nature of Decision To Be Made The decisions to be made include whether to implement the proposed action, as designed; whether there are other alternatives capable of satisfying the purpose and need; whether any mitigation measures or monitoring is required to implement the proposed action or alternatives; and whether or not to approve the plan amendment. These decisions would be made in the record of decision, which would be issued following the publication of a final EIS and completion of the Forest Service objection process (36 CFR part 218, subparts A and B and 36 CFR part 219). Preliminary Issues The Forest Service will identify issues based on internal and external scoping comments and will analyze potential effects in a draft EIS. Due to the number of IRAs between Montpelier and the terminus of the pipeline, avoiding impacts to IRAs is not practical. Up to six IRAs could be impacted either directly or by activities occurring [[Page 4184]] adjacent to the IRA. The project would directly impact the Meade Peak, Red Mountain, Telephone Draw and Hell Hole IRAs, and would be immediately adjacent to, and would thereby have some impact to, the Gannett Spring Creek and Sage Creek IRAs. The portions of IRAs that could be impacted include GFRG and BCR management classifications (36 CFR part 294). Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the EIS. In addition to this notice of intent, a legal notice will be published in the Idaho State Journal, newspaper of record, and the Star Valley Independent to ensure wide distribution of this notice. The purpose of this comment period is to provide an opportunity for the public to provide early and meaningful participation on a proposed action prior to a decision being made by the Responsible Official. Per 36 CFR 218 and 219, only those who provide specific, written comments regarding the proposed project or activity will be eligible to file an objection. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered, however. An additional opportunity for public participation will occur during the public comment period on the draft EIS, which will be initiated by the publication of a notice of availability of the draft EIS in the Federal Register. Dated: January 10, 2018. Chris French, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2018-01736 Filed 1-29-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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Notices Federal Register
Vol. 83, No. 20
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER An agency may not conduct or Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare
contains documents other than rules or sponsor a collection of information and issue current official State and
proposed rules that are applicable to the unless the collection of information national estimates of crop and livestock
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, displays a currently valid OMB control production, value, and disposition.
committee meetings, agency decisions and number and the agency informs Limited data exists specifically for wine
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
potential persons who are to respond to grapes. Currently, only Oregon and
statements of organization and functions are the collection of information that such Washington publish annual statistics for
examples of documents appearing in this persons are not required to respond to wine grapes that are funded by their
section. the collection of information unless it State Departments of Agriculture.
displays a currently valid OMB control General authority for these data
number. collection activities is granted under
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. This
National Agricultural Statistics Service
statute specifies that ‘‘The Secretary of
Submission for OMB Review; Title: Water Use Surveys. Agriculture shall procure and preserve
Comment Request OMB Control Number: 0535–NEW. all information concerning agriculture
Summary of Collection: The primary which he can obtain . . . by the
January 24, 2018. function of the National Agricultural collection of statistics . . . and shall
The Department of Agriculture will Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare distribute them among agriculturists.’’
submit the following information and issue current official State and Need and Use of the Information: The
collection requirement(s) to OMB for national estimates of crop and livestock Wine Grape Inventory survey program
review and clearance under the production, value, and disposition, and will collect information on number of
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, resource use. General authority for these producers, age of vines, acreage by wine
Public Law 104–13 on or after the date data collection activities is granted grape variety, and number of vines by
of publication of this notice. Comments under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. wine grape variety in select States. The
are requested regarding: (1) Whether the This statute specifies that ‘‘The program will provide data needed by
collection of information is necessary Secretary of Agriculture shall procure the State Departments of Agriculture,
for the proper performance of the and preserve all information concerning other government agencies, and
functions of the agency, including agriculture which he can obtain . . . by producer groups to track the growth and
whether the information will have the collection of statistics . . . and shall production practice information of the
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the distribute them among agriculturists.’’ wine grape industry. Collecting data less
agency’s estimate of burden including Need and Use of the Information: The frequently would prevent the
the validity of the methodology and Water Use Survey program will collect agriculture industry from being kept
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance information on water usage for North abreast of changes at the State and
the quality, utility and clarity of the Carolina agricultural operations that variety level.
information to be collected; and (4) likely use between 10,000 and 1,000,000 Description of Respondents: Farms;
ways to minimize the burden of the gallons per day. For operations that are Businesses or other for-profit.
collection of information on those who unable to provide water use data, an Number of Respondents: 1,330.
are to respond, including through the estimation guide is included in the Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
use of appropriate automated, questionnaire that the respondents can Annually.
electronic, mechanical, or other use to estimate their water usage based Total Burden Hours: 482.
technological collection techniques or on their agricultural production data.
Ruth Brown,
other forms of information technology The program will help the North
Departmental Information Collection
should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Carolina Department of Agriculture and
Clearance Officer.
Agriculture, Office of Information and Consumer Services and North Carolina
[FR Doc. 2018–01667 Filed 1–29–18; 8:45 am]
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Department of Environmental Quality
BILLING CODE 3410–20–P
Management and Budget (OMB), New fulfill requirements of North Carolina
Executive Office Building, Washington, state legislation enacted in 2008.
DC; New Executive Office Building, Collecting data less frequently would
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
725—17th Street NW, Washington, DC, prevent the agriculture industry from
20503. Commenters are encouraged to being kept abreast of water use changes Forest Service
submit their comments to OMB via for North Carolina.
email to: OIRA_Submission@ Description of Respondents: Farms; Caribou-Targhee National Forest,
omb.eop.gov or fax (202) 395–5806 and Businesses or other for-profit. Idaho; Lower Valley Energy Crow
to Departmental Clearance Office, Number of Respondents: 3,330. Creek Pipeline Project
USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
Annually. AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Washington, DC 20250–7602.
Total Burden Hours: 1,614. ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an
Comments regarding these environmental impact statement.
information collections are best assured National Agricultural Statistics Service
of having their full effect if received by Title: Wine Grape Inventory Surveys. SUMMARY: This notice advises the public
March 1, 2018. Copies of the OMB Control Number: 0535–NEW. that the USDA Forest Service, Caribou-
submission(s) may be obtained by Summary of Collection: The primary Targhee National Forest, Montpelier
calling (202) 720–8681. function of the National Agricultural Ranger District, is gathering information
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![4184 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 20 / Tuesday, January 30, 2018 / Notices
adjacent to the IRA. The project would SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, public viewing as they become available
directly impact the Meade Peak, Red pursuant to the provisions of the rules at https://database.faca.gov/committee/
Mountain, Telephone Draw and Hell and regulations of the U.S. Commission meetings.aspx?cid=274 and clicking on
Hole IRAs, and would be immediately on Civil Rights (Commission), and the the ‘‘Meeting Details’’ and ‘‘Documents’’
adjacent to, and would thereby have Federal Advisory Committee Act links. Records generated from this
some impact to, the Gannett Spring (FACA), that planning meetings of the meeting may also be inspected and
Creek and Sage Creek IRAs. The South Dakota Advisory Committee to reproduced at the Rocky Mountain
portions of IRAs that could be impacted the Commission will convene at 2:00 Regional Office, as they become
include GFRG and BCR management p.m. (MST) on Wednesday, February 7, available, both before and after the
classifications (36 CFR part 294). 2018 via teleconference. The purpose of meeting. Persons interested in the work
the meeting is to review and possibly of this advisory committee are advised
Scoping Process
vote on advisory memorandum to go to the Commission’s website,
This notice of intent initiates the culminating from the subtle racism www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Rocky
scoping process, which guides the briefing in March 2017. Mountain Regional Office at the above
development of the EIS. In addition to DATES: Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at phone number, email or street address.
this notice of intent, a legal notice will 2:00 p.m. (MST).
be published in the Idaho State Journal, February 7, 2018 Agenda
ADDRESSES: To be held via
newspaper of record, and the Star teleconference: • Welcome and Roll Call
Valley Independent to ensure wide Conference Call Toll-Free Number for • Review, Discuss and Possibly Vote on
distribution of this notice. Both Meetings: 1–888–267–6301, Advisory Memorandum on Subtle
The purpose of this comment period Conference ID: 8658344. Racism in South Dakota
is to provide an opportunity for the TDD: Dial Federal Relay Service 1– • Public Comment
public to provide early and meaningful • Adjourn
800–877–8339 and give the operator the
participation on a proposed action prior above conference call number and Exceptional Circumstance: Pursuant
to a decision being made by the conference ID. to 41 CFR 102–3.150, the notice for this
Responsible Official. Per 36 CFR 218 meeting is given less than 15 days prior
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
and 219, only those who provide to the meetings because of the
David Mussatt, DFO, dmussatt@
specific, written comments regarding exceptional circumstance of the
usccr.gov, 312–353–8311.
the proposed project or activity will be potential government shutdown on
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members
eligible to file an objection. It is February 8, 2018.
important that reviewers provide their of the public may listen to the
discussion by dialing the following Dated: January 25, 2018.
comments at such times and in such David Mussatt,
manner that they are useful to the Conference Call Toll-Free Number: 1–
888–267–6301; Conference ID: 8658344. Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
agency’s preparation of the
environmental impact statement. Please be advised that before being [FR Doc. 2018–01748 Filed 1–29–18; 8:45 am]
Therefore, comments should be placed into the conference call, the BILLING CODE 6335–01–P
provided prior to the close of the operator will ask callers to provide their
comment period and should clearly names, their organizational affiliations
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and (if any), and an email address (if COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
contentions. Comments received in available) prior to placing callers into
the conference room. Callers can expect Notice of Public Meeting of the Indiana
response to this solicitation, including Advisory Committee to the U.S.
names and addresses of those who to incur charges for calls they initiate
over wireless lines, and the Commission Commission on Civil Rights
comment, will be part of the public
record for this proposed action. will not refund any incurred charges. AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil
Comments submitted anonymously will Callers will incur no charge for calls Rights.
be accepted and considered, however. they initiate over land-line connections ACTION: Announcement of meeting.
An additional opportunity for public to the toll-free phone number.
participation will occur during the Persons with hearing impairments SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given,
public comment period on the draft EIS, may also follow the discussion by first pursuant to the provisions of the rules
which will be initiated by the calling the Federal Relay Service (FRS) and regulations of the U.S. Commission
publication of a notice of availability of at 1–800–877–8339 and provide the FRS on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
the draft EIS in the Federal Register. operator with Conference Call Toll-Free Federal Advisory Committee Act that
Number: 1–888–267–6301; Conference the Indiana Advisory Committee
Dated: January 10, 2018. ID: 8658344. Members of the public are (Committee) will hold a meeting on
Chris French, invited to submit written comments; the Friday February 9, 2018, at 3:00 p.m.
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest comments must be received in the EST for the purpose of preparing for its
System. regional office by Wednesday, March 7, public meeting on voting rights issues in
[FR Doc. 2018–01736 Filed 1–29–18; 8:45 am] 2018. Written comments may be mailed the state.
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P to the Rocky Mountain Regional Office, DATES: The meeting will be held on
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1961 Friday, February 9, 2018, at 3:00 p.m.
Stout Street, Suite 13–201, Denver, CO EST.
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS 80294, faxed to (303) 866–1050, or
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
ADDRESSES: Public call information:
emailed to Evelyn Bohor at ebohor@
Agenda and Notice of Public Meetings usccr.gov. Persons who desire Dial: 888–601–3878, Conference ID:
of the South Dakota Advisory additional information may contact the 2383092.
Committee Rocky Mountain Regional Office at (303) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
AGENCY: Commission on Civil Rights. 866–1040. Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at
Records and documents discussed mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353–
ACTION: Announcement of meetings.
during the meeting will be available for 8311.
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Document Created: 2018-10-26 10:10:24
Document Modified: 2018-10-26 10:10:24
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. | |
| Dates | Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by March 1, 2018. The draft EIS is expected to be released in spring 2018, and the final EIS is expected in summer 2018. | |
| Contact | Bryan Fuell, Acting District Ranger, Montpelier Ranger District, (208) 547-1101 or Jessica Taylor, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Coordinator, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (208) 557-5837. A public scoping letter with more details is posted on the Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ctnf/ landmanagement/projects. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 4182 |
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