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Creole Trail LNG, L.P. and Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline Company; Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Creole Trail LNG and Pipeline Project, Request For Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: April 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 68)]
[Notices]
[Page 18389-18391]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ap05-81]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF05-8-000]
Creole Trail LNG, L.P. and Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline
Company; Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
for the Proposed Creole Trail LNG and Pipeline Project, Request For
Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings
April 4, 2005.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that
will discuss the environmental impacts of the Creole Trail LNG and
Pipeline Project (Creole Trail Project) involving construction and
operation of facilities by Creole Trail LNG, L.P. and Cheniere Creole
Trail Pipeline Company (collectively, Creole Trail). The proposed
facilities would be located in southwestern Louisiana and consist of a
liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal, an approximately 118-mile-
long dual send-out pipeline with an approximately 47-mile-long single
pipeline (Western Leg) and an approximately 6-mile-long single pipeline
(Hackberry Lateral). The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-
making process to determine whether or not the LNG terminal is in the
public interest, and the pipeline is in the public convenience and
necessity.
The Creole Trail Project is currently in the preliminary design
stage. At this time Creole Trail has not filed an application with the
FERC. For this project, the FERC staff is initiating its National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review prior to receiving the
application. This will allow interested stakeholders to be involved
early in project planning and to identify and resolve any issues before
an application is filed with the FERC. The pre-filing docket number,
PF05-8-000, has been established to place information filed by Creole
Trail and related documents issued by the Commission into the public
record.\1\ Once a formal application is filed with the FERC, a new
docket number will be established.
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\1\ To view information in the docket, follow the instructions
for using the eLibrary link at the end of this notice.
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This notice is being sent to residents within 0.5 mile of the
proposed LNG terminal site; landowners along the pipeline route under
consideration; Federal, state, and local government agencies; elected
officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American
tribes; and local libraries and newspapers.
With this notice, we\2\ are asking these and other Federal, state,
and local agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with
respect to environmental issues to formally cooperate with us in the
preparation of the EIS. These agencies may choose to participate once
they have evaluated the proposal relative to their responsibilities.
Agencies which would like to request cooperating status should follow
the instructions for filing comments described later in this notice. We
encourage government representatives to notify their constituents of
this planned project and encourage them to comment on their areas of
concern.
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\2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the Office of Energy Projects.
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Some affected landowners may be contacted by a project
representative about the acquisition of an easement to construct,
operate, and maintain the proposed pipeline. If so, the company should
seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. In the event that
the project is certificated by the Commission, that approval conveys
the right of eminent domain for securing easements for the pipeline.
Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the
company could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with
state law. The FERC staff has also prepared a fact sheet entitled ``An
Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?''
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 Web site (http://www.ferc.gov). 
Summary of the Proposed Project
The LNG terminal would be located on approximately 773 acres of a
1,463-acre tract of land in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, approximately
3.03 miles inland of the Gulf of Mexico, west of the Calcasieu Ship
Channel, and northwest of Monkey Island. The LNG terminal would include
two marine berths to accommodate ships with up to 250,000 cubic-meter
capacity, four 160,000 cubic-meter single containment LNG storage
tanks, and three banks of seven submerged combustion vaporizers (which
includes two spare submerged combustion vaporizers). The terminal would
provide 3.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of send-out capacity.
Approximately 400 ships per year are anticipated to call on the terminal.
The Creole Trail Project would include two parallel and adjacent
42-inch-diameter sendout pipelines that would originate at the LNG
terminal site and extend approximately 118 miles in a north-
northeasterly fashion to the vicinity of Columbia Gulf Transmission
Company's Rayne Compressor Station located in Acadia Parish, Louisiana.
The pipelines would cross Cameron, Calcasieu, Beauregard, Allen,
Jefferson Davis, and Acadia Parishes. Routing for the two natural gas
sendout pipelines includes 17 potential interconnections to existing
pipeline network emanating from Louisiana to Midwest, Northeast and
Atlantic markets. Aboveground facilities associated with the proposed
pipeline would include delivery meter stations associated with the
proposed interconnects, as well as mainline valves, pig launchers, and
receivers.
The proposed Creole Trail Project would also include the Creole
Trail Pipeline Western Leg, an approximately 47-mile-long, 42-inch-
diameter single pipeline originating from the proposed sendout pipeline
south of Sulphur, Louisiana and extending across Calcasieu and Cameron
Parishes to the
[[Page 18390]]
Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., Terminal facility, and the Hackberry Lateral, an
approximately 6-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter single pipeline originating
from the proposed sendout pipeline in Calcasieu Lake and extending
westerly where it would terminate at the Dominion Hackberry salt cavern
storage facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
A map depicting the proposed terminal site and the proposed
pipeline routes is provided in Appendix 1.\3\ \4\
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\3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available on the
Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov)
at the ``eLibrary'' link or from the Commission's Public Reference and
Files Maintenance Branch at (202) 502-8371. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary refer to the last page of this notice.
\4\ Requests for detailed maps of the facilities may be made to:
Patricia Outtrim, Vice President Government Relations, Creole Trail
LNG, L.P., 717 Texas Ave., Suite 3100, Houston, Texas 77002;
telephone No. (713) 265-0212, (pouttrim@cheniere.com); or Lisa
Tonery, King & Spalding, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY
10036-4003; telephone No. (212) 556-2307, (ltonery@kslaw.com).
Please be as specific as you can about the location(s) of your
area(s) of interest.
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Land Requirements
The LNG terminal would be located on approximately 773 acres of a
1,463-acre tract of land in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Preliminary
reconnaissance indicated that scattered wetlands are present throughout
the tract. The LNG terminal would be located west of the Calcasieu Ship
Channel, which is approximately 1,150 feet wide with a 400-foot-wide
navigation channel. The project would require dredging to accommodate
LNG tanker ships.
The proposed pipelines would largely parallel existing and proposed
pipeline rights-of-way, including the proposed Cameron LNG Import
Terminal pipeline, and portions of the existing Transco, Trunkline,
Tennessee, Florida Gas, and Texas Gas rights-of-way. Creole Trail has
indicated that the proposed construction right-of-way for the pipeline
system would generally be between 100 and 150 feet in width, with
additional workspace associated with stream, railroad, and highway
crossings. Construction of pipe storage yards and access roads outside
the pipeline construction right-of-way would result in additional
surface disturbance. The proposed routing would cross several
waterbodies, railroad tracks, and highways.
Non-jurisdictional facilities associated with this project have not
been identified by Creole Trail.
The EIS Process
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, or an
import authorization under Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act. NEPA also
requires us to discover and address issues and concerns the public and
other stakeholders 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 EIS on the important environmental issues and
reasonable alternatives. By this notice, we are requesting agencies and
the public to comment on the scope of the issues to be analyzed and
presented in the EIS. All scoping comments received will be considered
during the preparation of the EIS. To ensure your comments are
considered, please carefully follow the instructions in the public
participation section of this notice.
The EIS will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the
construction and operation of the proposed project under these general
headings:
? Geology and soils.
? Water resources and wetlands.
? Vegetation.
? Wildlife and aquatic resources.
? Endangered and threatened species.
? Land use.
? Cultural resources.
? Air quality and noise.
? Public safety.
Our independent analysis of the issues will be included in a draft
EIS. The draft EIS will be mailed to Federal, state, and local
government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public
interest groups; Native American tribes; affected landowners; other
interested parties; local libraries and newspapers; 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. In addition, we will consider
all comments on the final EIS before we make our recommendations to the
Commission.
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
We have identified several issues that we think deserve attention
based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities and the
environmental resources present in the project area. This preliminary
list of issues may be changed based on information obtained during the
public participation period and on our continuing analysis:
? Water Resources and Wetlands.
o Assessment of construction effects on water quality.
o Review of wetland areas impacted on the terminal site and in
the pipeline right-of-way and other affected areas.
o Disturbance of sensitive and scenic streams.
? Fish, Wildlife, and Vegetation.
o Effects on wildlife and fisheries including commercial and
recreational fisheries.
o Effects of dredging and underwater pipeline construction on
oyster beds.
o Effects of pipeline construction and operation on riparian
vegetation and riparian habitats.
o Vegetation restoration of the pipeline rights-of-way.
o Effects on wildlife refuges and special habitats, including
bird rookeries and migratory birds.
? Endangered and Threatened Species and Critical Habitat.
o Effects on federally listed species, including the red-
cockaded woodpecker.
o Effects on essential fish habitat.
? Effects on residential areas.
? Effects on agricultural areas.
? Dredging and dredge material disposal areas.
? Ship traffic in Calcasieu Ship Channel.
? Reliability and Safety.
o Safety and security of the terminal and pipeline.
o LNG shipping.
Our evaluation will also include possible alternatives to the
proposed project or portions of the project, and we will make
recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various
resource areas of concern.
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 EIS and considered by the Commission.
You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the
proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative locations
and routes), and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact.
Creole Trail has established a preliminary pipeline route for the
project; however, if minor reroutes or variations are required to avoid
or minimize impacts to certain features on your property, this is your
opportunity to assist us and Creole Trail in identifying your specific
areas of concern. The more specific your comments, the more useful they
will be. Please carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your
comments are received and properly recorded:
[[Page 18391]]
? Send an original and two copies of your letter to: Magalie
R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First
St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
? Label one copy of your comments for the attention of Gas
Branch 2; and
? Reference Docket No. PF05-8-000 on the original and both copies.
? Mail your comments so that they will be received in
Washington DC on or before May 4, 2005.
Please note that we are continuing to experience delays in mail
deliveries from the U.S. Postal Service. As a result, we will include
all comments that we receive within a reasonable time frame in our
environmental analysis of this project. However, the Commission
encourages electronic filing of any comments or interventions or
protests to this proceeding. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the
instructions on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov
under the ``eFiling'' link and the link to the User's Guide. Before you
can file comments you will need to create a free account which can be
created by clicking on ``Login to File'' and then ``New User Account.''
If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to
remain on our mailing list, please return the Mailing List Retention
Form included in Appendix 2.
In addition, the FERC staff will conduct three scoping meetings to
provide another opportunity to offer comments on the proposed project.
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 EIS. A transcript of the meetings will be generated
so that your comments will be accurately recorded. All meetings will
begin at 7 p.m. (CDT), and are scheduled as follows:
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Date Location
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Monday, April 25, 2005.................... Northwest Community Center,
501 Samuel Drive, Eunice,
LA 70535, (337) 457-6573.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005................... Holiday Inn Express, 102
Mallard Street, Sulphur, LA
70665, (337) 625-2500.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005................. Cameron Multi-Purpose
Building, 122 Smith Circle,
Cameron, LA 70631, (337)
775-5081.
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Availability of Additional Information
Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208 FERC (3372) or on
the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov). Using
the ``eLibrary'' link, select ``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu,
enter the selected date range and ``Docket Number'' (i.e., PF05-8-000),
and follow the instructions. Searches may also be done using the phrase
``Creole Trail'' in the ``Text Search'' field. For assistance with
access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at 1-866-208-3676, TTY
(202) 502-8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on
the FERC Internet Web site also provides access to the texts of formal
documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and
rulemakings.
In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called
eSubscription that 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. To register for this service, go to
http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
Further, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the
Commission's calendar located at http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/
EventsList.aspx along with other related information.
Finally, Creole Trail has established an Internet Web site for its
project at http://www.creoletrail.com. The Web site includes
additional information on the project including Creole Trail contact
information.
Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-1642 Filed 4-8-05; 8:45 am]
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