Florida Gas Transmission Company; Supplemental Notice of Intent
to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed FGT Phase
V Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and
Notice of Public Scoping Meeting and Site Visit
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: August 31, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 170)]
[Notices]
[Page 53002-53005]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31au00-61]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP00-40-000 and -001]
Florida Gas Transmission Company; Supplemental Notice of Intent
to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed FGT Phase
V Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and
Notice of Public Scoping Meeting and Site Visit
August 25, 2000.
On August 1, 2000, Florida Gas Transmission Company (FGT) filed, in
Docket No. CP00-40-001, to amend its pending application for the Phase
V
[[Page 53003]]
Expansion Project.\1\ This amendment reflects facility and routing
modifications proposed by FGT as a result of community dialog, updated
survey and engineering information, and market changes.
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\1\ FGT's original application in Docket No. CP00-40-000 was
filed with the Commission under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act
on December 1, 1999 and consisted of about 215.4 miles of pipeline,
15.7 miles of rehabilitated mainline, and 89,765 horsepower of
additional compression.
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The FERC staff will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS)
that will discuss the environmental impacts of the construction and
operation of the facilities proposed in the FGT Phase V Expansion
Project, as amended, in various counties of Mississippi, Alabama, and
Florida. These facilities would consist of about 191.5 miles of
pipeline and 125,215 horsepower (HP) of additional compression. This
EIS will be used by the Commission in its decision-making process to
determine whether the project is in the public convenience and
necessity.
If you are a landowner on FGT's proposed route and receive this
notice, you may be contacted by a pipeline company representative about
the acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the
proposed facilities. The pipeline company would seek to negotiate a
mutually acceptable agreement. However, if the project is approved by
the Commission, 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
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?'' was attached to the
project notice FGT provided to landowners along and adjacent to the
proposed route. 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. It is available for viewing on the
FERC Internet website (www.ferc.fed.us).
This supplemental notice is being sent to landowners of property
crossed by and adjacent to FGT's proposed route for the newly proposed
or modified facilities; Federal, state, and local agencies; elected
officials; environmental and public interest groups; Indian tribes that
might attach religious and cultural significance to historic properties
in the area of potential effects; local libraries and newspapers; and
parties that responded to our original Notice of Intent to Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (NOI) for this project.\2\ State and
local government representatives are encouraged to notify their
constituents of this proposed action and encourage them to comment on
their areas of concern.
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\2\ The original NOI for FGT's Phase V Expansion Project was
issued by the Commission on February 11, 2000, to all potentially
interested parties.
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Additionally, with this notice we are asking those Federal, state,
local and tribal agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise
with respect to environmental issues to cooperate with us in the
preparation of the EIS. These agencies may choose to participate once
they have evaluated the proposal relative to their agencies'
responsibilities. Agencies who would like to request cooperating agency
status should follow the instructions for filing comments described
below.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has already
expressed an interest in being a cooperating agency for this EIS.
Summary of the Proposed Project
FGT proposes to build additional new natural gas pipeline and
compression facilities to transport an annual average of 305,819
million British thermal units per day of natural gas to serve new
markets, primarily electric generation facilities, in Florida. FGT
requests Commission authorization to:
Construct about 191.5 miles of pipeline including:
--88.4 miles of looping \3\ on the existing mainline in
Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida;
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\3\ A loop is a segment of pipeline that is usually installed
adjacent to an existing pipeline and connected to it at both ends.
The loop allows more gas to be moved through the system.
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--29.1 miles of new lateral in Alabama; and
--74.0 miles of new laterals and lateral loops in Florida;
Install a total of about 125,215 hp of compression at
eight existing, one previously planned \4\, and three new compressor
stations;
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\4\ FGT requested and received authorization in Docket No. CP99-
94-000 to construct Compressor Station 24.
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Construct two regulator stations; and
Construct one meter station.
FGT will also acquire from Koch Gateway Pipeline Company (KGPC) an
interest in KGPC's Mobile Bay Lateral that would give FGT the rights to
about 50 percent of the available capacity on system. Concurrent with
FGT's filing in Docket No. CP00-40-000 (December 1, 1999), KGPC filed
an application in Docket No. CP00-39-000 for approval to abandon by
sale to FGT the interest in its Mobile Bay Lateral.
The general location of FGT's proposed project facilities is shown
on the map attached as appendix 1. A more detailed description of the
facilities and the changes proposed by FGT is included in appendix
2.\5\
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\5\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available on the
Commission's website at the ``RIMS'' link or from the Commission's
Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First Street, NE,
Room 2A, Washington DC 20426, or call (202) 208-1371. For
instructions on connecting to RIMS refer to the last page of this
notice. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving
this notice in the mail.
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FGT also made changes in the proposed routing of several
facilities. FGT has notified all newly affected landowners of its new
facilities and route changes, and sent copies of its application to the
Commission and detailed route maps of the Phase V Project to libraries
in the project area. Appendix 3 lists the libraries where you can view
these materials. The major routing changes are summarized below.
Loop G--The right-of-way has been relocated to the east
side of the existing Florida Power Corporation (FPC) corridor. The
pipeline is proposed to be 5 feet inside the eastern edge of the FPC
corridor, southward from Compressor Station 26 to approximate milepost
(MP) 104.9 where it crosses the FPC corridor and ties in with the
existing FGT West Leg pipeline. Additional FGT permanent easement will
be acquired east of the FPC corridor.
Gulf Power Lateral--The centerline of the route was moved
westward approximately 20 feet for approximately 7.0 miles (from MP
16.3 to MP 23.2) to accommodate the proposed expansion of State Highway
77 in Bay County, Florida. A minor route variation to avoid a parallel
waterbody (approximate MP 9.0) was also made and resulted in a new
landowner being affected.
Compressor Station 16--Up to 10 acres of additional land
will be purchased for the construction of the new station.
Compressor Station 31--The layout of Compressor Station 31
has been modified to avoid placement of above ground facilities in
onsite wetlands. Additionally, the distance to the nearest noise
sensitive area has been increased to approximately 900 feet.
DeBary Regulator--The DeBary Regulator has been relocated
to the junction of the Sanford and FP&L Laterals at MP 14.6/0.0 in
Volusia County, Florida.
[[Page 53004]]
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of FGT's proposed pipeline facilities would require
about 2,252.8 acres of land including the construction right-of-way,
extra workspaces, and contractor/pipe yards. In general, FGT proposes
to use a 75- to 100-foot-wide construction right-of-way. Following
construction and restoration of the right-of-way and temporary work
spaces, FGT would retain a 30- to 50-foot-wide permanent pipeline
right-of-way. Total land requirements for the new permanent right-of-
way would be about 664.1 acres.
FGT proposes to acquire 80 acres for the construction of the newly
proposed compressor stations and upgrades to existing facilities,
although only 28 acres would be used during construction. Once
construction is complete, the lands used for construction would be
restored.
The EIS 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
to solicit and address concerns the public may have about proposals. We
call this ``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to focus
the analysis in the EIS on the important environmental issues. By this
NOI, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of the issues
it will address in the EIS. All comments received are considered during
the preparation of the EIS.
Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the Draft EIS
which will be mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies, public
interest groups, affected landowners and other interested individuals,
Indian tribes, newspapers, libraries, and the Commission's official
service list for this proceeding. A 45-day comment period will be
allotted for review of the Draft EIS. We will consider all comments on
the Draft EIS and revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a
Final EIS. The Final EIS will include our response to each comment
received on the Draft EIS and will be used by the Commission in its
decision-making process to determine whether to approve the project.
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
The EIS will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the
construction and operation of the proposed project. We have already
identified a number of issues that we think deserve attention based on
a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and the environmental
information provided by FGT. These issues are listed below. This is a
preliminary list of issues and may be changed based on your comments
and our analysis.
Soils and Geology
--Impact on prime farmland soils.
--Mixing of topsoil and subsoil during construction.
--Compaction of soil by heavy equipment.
--Erosion control and right-of-way restoration.
--Impact on mineral resources.
--Potential geologic hazards including sinkholes.
Water Resources
--Impact on 95 perennial waterbodies including Puppy Creek, Big
Creek, Little Bear Creek, Clearwater Lake, Globe Creek, Water Oak
Creek, the Mobile River, the St. John's River, and the Wekiva River.
--Impact on several Florida state aquatic preserve areas associated
with the Wekiva and St. John's Rivers.
--Impact on groundwater and surface water supplies.
--Impact on areas with shallow groundwater.
--Effect of crossing waterbodies with contaminated sediments.
--Potential for erosion and sediment transport to area waterbodies.
--Impact on wetland hydrology.
Biological Resources
--Short- and long-term effects of right-of-way clearing and
maintenance on wetlands, forests, riparian areas, and vegetarian
communities of special concern.
--Impact on wildlife and fishery habitats.
--Impact on conservation areas.
--Potential impact on Federal- and state-listed threatened or
endangered species.
--Potential impact on U.S. Forest Service-listed sensitive species.
Cultural Resources
--Effect on historic and prehistoric sites.
--Native American concerns.
Socioeconomics
--Effect of the construction workforce on demands for services in
surrounding areas.
Land Use
--Impact on residential areas (77 residences within 50 feet of the
construction work area).
--Impact on public lands and special use areas including the Lake
Butler Wildlife Management Area, Ocala National Forest, Seminole State
Forest, Rock Springs Run State Reserve, Lower Wekiva River State
Reserve, and Williams Road County Park.
--Impact on future land uses and consistency with local land use
plans and zoning.
--Visual effect of the new aboveground facilities on surrounding
areas.
Air Quality and Noise
--Construction impact on local air quality and noise environment.
--Impact on local air quality and noise environment resulting from
the installation of new compression equipment and the construction and
operation of three new compressor stations.
Pipeline Reliability and Safety
Cumulative Impact
--Effect of the Phase V Expansion Project combined with that of
other projects that have been or may be proposed in the same region and
similar time frames.
Nonjurisdictional Facilities
--Consideration of the effects of construction of the pipeline
facilities planned by TECO/Peoples Gas System (Peoples) in connection
with deliveries from FGT for Peoples' Daytona-area customers, and for
the Jacksonville Electric Authority's Brandy Branch Generating Station.
Alternatives
--Evaluation of possible alternatives to the proposed project or
portions of the project, and identification of recommendations on how
to lessen or avoid impacts of the various resource areas.
Public Participation and Scoping Meetings
You can make a difference by sending a letter addressing your
specific comments or concerns about the project. By becoming a
commentor, your concerns will be addressed in the EIS and considered by
the Commission. You should focus on the potential environmental effects
of the proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative
routes), and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. The more
specific your comments, the more useful they will be. Please follow
these instructions carefully to ensure that your comments are received
in time and properly recorded:
Send two copies of your letter to: David P. Boergers,
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street,
N.E., Room 1A, Washington, D.C. 20426.
Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas
Group 1, PJ-11.1;
Reference Docket Nos. CP00-040-000 and -001; and
[[Page 53005]]
Mail your comments so that they will be received in
Washington, D.C. on or before September 25, 2000.
All commenters will be retained on our mailing list. If you do not
want to send comments at this time but still want to stay informed and
receive copies of the Draft and Final EISs, you must return the
attached Information Request (appendix 5). If you do not send comments
or return the Information Request, you will be taken off the mailing
list.
In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, we invite
you to attend a public scoping meeting the FERC will conduct in the
project area.\6\ The location and time for this meeting is: Wednesday,
September 13, 2000 at 7:00 p.m., Radisson-Hotel Tampa at Sabal Park,
10221 Princess Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610, (813) 246-7135.
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\6\ Other scoping meetings were held for this project in
Prichard, Alabama (February 28, 2000); Southport, Florida (February
29, 2000); Crystal River, Florida (March 1, 2000); and Sanford,
Florida (March 2, 2000).
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The public meeting is designed to provide you with more detailed
information and another opportunity to offer your comments on the
proposed project. FGT representatives will be present at the scoping
meetings to describe their proposal. Interested groups and individuals
are encouraged to attend the meeting and to present comments on the
environmental issues they believe should be addressed in the Draft EIS.
A transcript of the meeting will be made so that your comments will be
accurately recorded.
Site Visit
On September 13, 14, and 15, 2000, we will also be conducting
limited site visits to FGT's proposed facility locations in
Hillsborough, Citrus, Gilchrist, and Hernando Counties, Florida. Anyone
interested in participating in the site visit may contact the
Commission's Office of External Affairs identified at the end of this
notice for more details and must provide their own transportation.
Becoming an Intervenor
In addition to involvement in the EIS scoping process, you may want
to become an official party to the proceeding known as an
``intervenor.'' Intervenors play a more formal role in the process.
Among other things, intervenors have the right to receive copies of
case-related Commission documents and filings by other intervenors.
Likewise, each intervenor must provide 14 copies of its filings to the
Secretary of the Commission and must send a copy of its filings to all
other parties on the Commission's service list for this proceeding. If
you want to become an intervenor you must file a motion to intervene
according to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure (18 CFR 385.214) (see appendix 4). Only intervenors have the
right to seek rehearing of the Commission's decision.
Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be
granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they
have a clear and direct interest in the proceeding which would not be
adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor
status to have your environmental comments considered.
Additional information about the proposed project is available from
Mr. Paul McKee of the Commission's Office of External Affairs at (202)
208-1088 or on the FERC website (www.ferc.fed.us) using the ``RIMS''
link to information in this docket number. Click on the ``RIMS'' link,
select ``Docket #'' from the RIMS Menu, and follow the instructions.
For assistance with access to RIMS, the RIMS helpline can be reached at
(202) 208-2222.
Similarly, the ``CIPS'' link on the FERC Internet website provides
access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such
as orders, notices, and rulemakings. From the FERC Internet website,
click on the ``CIPS'' link, select ``Docket #'' from the CIPS Menu, and
follow the instructions. For assistance with access to CIPS, the CIPS
helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2474.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-22258 Filed 8-30-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
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