![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Wyoming Interstate Company, Ltd.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Medicine Bow Lateral Loop Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings and Site Visit
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: November 7, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 216)]
[Notices]
[Page 66746-66748]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07no00-71]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP00-471-000]
Wyoming Interstate Company, Ltd.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Medicine Bow Lateral Loop
Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of
Public Scoping Meetings and Site Visit
November 1, 2000.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will
discuss the environmental impacts of Wyoming Interstate Pipeline
Company, Ltd.'s (WIC) proposed Medicine Bow Lateral Loop Project in
Weld County, Colorado and Laramie, Platte, and Converse Counties,
Wyoming.\1\ The Medicine Bow Lateral Loop Project would involve the
construction and operation of about 155 miles of 36-inch-diameter
pipeline and addition of about 7,170 horsepower (hp) of compression.
This EA will be used by the Commission in its decision-making process
to determine whether the project is in the public convenience and
necessity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ WIC's application under section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act
and Part 157 of the Commission's regulations was filed on September
26, 2000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted
by a WIC 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
[[Page 66747]]
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?'' should have been
attached to the project notice WIC provided to landowners. 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 Notice of Intent (NOI) is being sent to landowners along WIC's
proposed route; Federal, state, and local government agencies; national
elected officials; regional 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 the Commission's list of parties to the proceeding.
Government representatives are encouraged to notify their constituents
of this proposed action and encourage them to comment on their areas of
concern. Additionally, with this NOI we are asking 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 EA. These agencies may choose to participate once
they have evaluated WIC's proposal relative to their agencies'
responsibilities. Agencies who would like to request cooperating status
should follow the instructions for filing comments described below.
Summary of the Proposed Project
WIC's proposed action consists of:
About 155 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline, extending
south from WIC's existing Douglas Compressor Station in Converse
County, Wyoming to WIC's existing Cheyenne Compressor Station in Weld
County, Colorado. This new pipeline would loop \2\ WIC's existing 24-
inch-diameter lateral pipeline;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ A loop is a segment of pipeline that is installed adjacent
to an existing pipeline and connected to it on both ends. The loop
allows more gas to be moved through the pipeline system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adding a 7,170 hp Solar Taurus 60S-C404 turbine compressor
unit to WIC's Douglas Compressor Station; and
Increasing the capacity of WIC's Medicine Bow measurement
facilities at the Douglas Compressor Station and the Spearpoint
measurement facilities at the Cheyenne Compressor Station.
The proposed facilities would allow WIC to increase capacity along
this portion of its system from 380 million decatherms per day (MDth/d)
of natural gas to 1,055 MDth/d. The loop would transport coal bed
methane produced in the Power River Basin south to WIC's existing
mainline.
The general location of WIC's facilities is shown on the map
attached as appendix 1.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ 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 File 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of WIC's proposed facilities would affect a total of
about 2,684 acres of land. Following construction, about 939 acres
would be retained as permanent right-of-way. The remaining 1,745 acres
of temporary work space would be restored and allowed to revert to its
former use.
The nominal construction right-of-way for the loop would be 100
feet wide, with 50 feet retained as permanent right-of-way. About 87
percent of the route of the loop would abut or overlap existing
easements, including the permanent right-of-way for WIC's existing 24-
inch-diameter lateral and adjacent power line rights-of-way. The loop
would deviate away from existing rights-of-way in multiple segments,
totaling 36 miles, because of terrain constraints, landowner requests,
or to avoid impacts on sensitive environmental areas, such as the
Oregon Trail.
The proposed aboveground facilities would consist of a new
compressor unit, to be contained within an extension of the existing
compressor building at WIC's Douglas Compressor Station. Construction
for this new unit would disturb about 8 acres, of which 4 acres would
be required for operation of the facility. The Medicine Bow and
Spearpoint measurement facilities would be expanded within the existing
yards for the Douglas and Cheyenne Compressor Stations, respectively,
with about 1 acre of land disturbed by construction, but no additional
land required for operation. New pig launcher and receiver facilities
would be installed within the Douglas and Cheyenne Compressor Station
yards, and within the permanent right-of-way at Block Valve No. 7.
Eight other new block valves would be installed within the permanent
right-of-way for the pipeline.
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
\4\ to discover 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 EA on the important
environmental issues. By this NOI, the Commission requests public
comments on the scope of the issues it will address in the EA. All
comments received are considered during the preparation of the EA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ ``Us,'' ``we,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the EA. Depending
on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA may be
published and mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies, elected
officials, affected landowners, regional public interest groups, Indian
tribes, local newspapers and libraries, and the Commission's official
service list for this proceeding. A comment period will be allotted for
review if the EA is published. We will consider all comments on the EA
before we make our recommendations to the Commission.
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of
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 WIC. This preliminary list of issues may be
changed based on your comments and our analysis.
Geology and Soils.
--Shallow topsoil depth
--Erosion prone soils
Water Resources and Wetlands.
--Crossing 26 perennial and 27 intermmittent streams
--Crossing 62 wetlands
Vegetation and Wildlife.
--Crossing 1.5 miles of forest
[[Page 66748]]
--Potential impacts on cold water fisheries
Threatened and Endangered Species
--Potential impacts on 4 federally listed species, including the Bald
eagle, Black-footed ferret, Preble's meadow jumping mouse, and Ute
ladies'-tresses
Cultural Resources
--Potential impacts on 72 cultural resources, including the Oregon
Trail
--Native American concerns
Land Use
--Impacts on about 21 miles of public lands
--Impacts on about 133 miles of rangeland
Air and Noise Quality
--Impacts on local air quality and noise environment as a result of the
addition of the new compressor unit
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the project. By becoming a commentor, your
concerns will be addressed in the EA and considered by the Commission.
You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the
proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative locations
or routes), and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. The
more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. Please
carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your comments are
received in time and properly recorded:
Send an original and two copies of your letter to: David
P. Boergers, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First
St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
Label one copy of the comments for the attention of the
Gas/Hydro Group, PJ-11.3;
Reference Docket No. CP00-471-000; and
Mail your comments so that they will be received in
Washington, DC on or before December 8, 2000. Comments and protests may
be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR
385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site
at http://www.ferc.fed.us/efi/doorbell.htm.
(If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to
remain on our mailing list, please return the Information Request
(appendix 3). If you do not return the Information Request, you will be
removed from the environmental mailing list.)
Public Scoping Meetings and Site Visit
In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, we invite
you to attend the public scoping meetings the FERC will conduct in the
project area. The locations and times for these meetings are listed
below.
Monday, December 4, 2000, 7 pm: Best Western Hitching Post Inn, Rm. CCR
East, 1700 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001, (307) 638-3301
Tuesday, December 5, 2000, 7 pm: 4H Community Bldg., Platte County
Fairgrounds, 59 Antelope Gap Rd., Wheatland, WY 82201, (307) 322-9504
Wednesday, December 6, 2000, 7 pm: Best Western Douglas Inn, Riverbend
Ballroom, 1450 Riverbend Rd., Douglas, WY 82633, 307-358-9790
The public meetings are designed to provide you with more detailed
information and another opportunity to offer your comments on the
proposed project. WIC representatives will be present at the scoping
meetings to describe their proposal. Interested groups and individuals
are encouraged to attend the meetings and to present comments on the
environmental issues they believe should be addressed in the EA. A
transcript of each meeting will be made so that your comments will be
accurately recorded.
On December 4, 5, and 6, 2000, we will also be conducting a site
visit to the project area. This would be an on-the-ground inspection,
conducted by automobile on public roads, or where access to private
property has been granted (specific locations to be determined later).
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 EA 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 15 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 2). 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 this 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
the Commission's Office of External Affairs at (202) 208-0004 or on the
FERC website (www.ferc.fed.us) using the ``RIMS'' link to information
in this docket number. Click on the ``RIMS'' link, ``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.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-28471 Filed 11-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M