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Gulf South Pipeline Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed East Texas Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: April 5, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 65)]
[Notices]
[Page 17089-17092]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05ap06-58]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF06-17-000]
Gulf South Pipeline Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed East Texas Expansion
Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
March 28, 2006.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for
the East Texas Expansion Project proposed by the Gulf South Pipeline
Company (Gulf South). This notice describes the proposed project, the
EIS process and how the public can participate in our \1\ analysis.
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\1\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
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This notice is being sent to affected landowners; Federal, state,
and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and
public interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested
parties; and local libraries and newspapers. We encourage government
representatives to notify their constituents of this proposed project
and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
An effort is being made to send this notice to all individuals,
organizations and government entities interested in and/or potentially
affected by the proposed project. This includes all landowners who are
potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily
for project purposes or who own homes within distances defined in the
Commission's regulations of certain aboveground facilities.
If you received this notice, you are on the environmental mailing
list for this project. If you would like to remain on our mailing list,
please return the Information Request (Appendix 2). If you do not
return the Information Request, you will be removed from the
[[Page 17090]]
Commission's environmental mailing list.
Summary of the Proposed Project
Gulf South proposes to construct, operate and maintain
approximately 146 miles of natural gas pipeline in Desoto, Red River,
Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita and Richland Parishes, Louisiana. This
pipeline would have the capacity to deliver approximately 1.5 billion
cubic feet (BCF) of natural gas per day and would interconnect with
three existing interstate natural gas pipeline facilities. Gulf South
is also proposing to expand its existing natural gas compressor station
in Panola County, Texas; and construct a new natural gas compressor
station in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.
According to Gulf South, the purpose of this project is to
transport natural gas from production fields in east Texas and northern
Louisiana to markets in the Gulf Coast, Midwestern, Northeastern and
Southeastern United States. Gulf South has also stated that the East
Texas Expansion Project will satisfy the growing demand for natural gas
in the United States.
Specifically, Gulf South is proposing to construct, operate and
maintain:
? 146.3 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline beginning near
Keatchie, Louisiana and extending easterly through Desoto, Red River,
Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita and Richland Parishes until connecting
with existing pipeline facilities near Delhi, Louisiana.
? An additional 40,000 horsepower (HP) of compression at the
existing Carthage Junction Compressor Station in Panola County, Texas.
? A new 26,830 HP compressor station (Vixen Compressor
Station) near pipeline mile post 98.3 in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.
? Meter and regulation stations, mainline block valves, and
pigging facilities.
A general location of the proposed pipeline and compressor stations
is provided in Appendix 1.\2\
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\2\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all appendices, other
than Appendix 1 (maps), are available on the Commission's Web site
at the ``eLibrary'' link 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
Public Participation section of this notice. Copies of the
appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail.
Requests for detailed maps of the proposed facilities should be made
directly to Gulf South.
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Land Requirements
Construction of the proposed 42-inch-diameter pipeline would
generally require the use of a 100 foot construction right-of-way
(ROW). The exact size of the construction ROW would vary depending on
land type and construction method. Additional temporary work spaces
(ATWS), access roads, pipe storage and contractor yards would also be
required during construction of the 42-inch-diameter pipeline.
Expansion of the Carthage Junction Compressor Station would be
conducted within the fenced boundaries of the station. Construction of
the proposed Vixen Compressor Station would require the purchase and
temporary disturbance of approximately 20 acres of land. Approximately
2,500 acres of land would be temporarily affected by construction of
the proposed project.
Operation of the proposed 42-inch-diameter pipeline would require
the use of a 60 foot permanent ROW. Operation of the expanded Carthage
Junction Compressor Station would not require the use of additional
lands. Operation of the proposed Vixen Compressor Station would require
the use of approximately 10 acres of land. Approximately 950 acres of
land would be permanently affected by operation of the proposed project.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted
by a Gulf South representative about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate and maintain the proposed project facilities. The
pipeline company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
agreement. However, if the project is approved by the FERC, 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.
The EIS Process
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could
result from the approval of an interstate natural gas pipeline. The
FERC will use the EIS to assess the environmental impact that could
result if the East Texas Expansion Project is authorized under section
7 of the Natural Gas Act.
NEPA also requires us to discover and address concerns the public
may have about proposals under consideration by the Commission. 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. With this Notice of Intent, the Commission staff
is requesting public comments on the scope of the issues to be
addressed in the EIS. All comments received will be considered during
preparation of the EIS. Please note that the scoping period will close
on April 27, 2006.
In the EIS, we 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;
? Wetlands and vegetation;
? Fish and wildlife;
? Threatened and endangered species;
? Land use, recreation and visual resources;
? Air quality and noise;
? Cultural resources;
? Socioeconomics;
? Reliability and safety; and
? Cumulative impacts.
In the EIS, we will also evaluate possible alternatives to the
proposed project or portions of the project and make recommendations on
how to lessen or avoid impacts on affected resources.
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;
commentors; other interested parties; local libraries and newspapers;
and the FERC'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. We will consider all comments on
the final EIS before we make our recommendations to the Commission. To
ensure that your comments are considered, please follow the
instructions in the Public Participation section of this notice.
Although no formal application has been filed, the FERC staff has
already initiated its NEPA review under its Pre-filing Process. The
purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to encourage the early involvement
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before an
application is filed.
With this notice, we are also asking federal, state and local
governmental agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with
respect to environmental issues to express their interest in becoming
cooperating agencies for the preparation of the EIS. These agencies may
choose to participate once they have evaluated the proposal relative to
their responsibilities. Agencies that would
[[Page 17091]]
like to request cooperating status should send a letter expressing that
interest and expected level of involvement to the Secretary of the
Commission at the address provided in the public participation section
of this notice.
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
The EIS will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the
construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed project. We
have already identified several issues that we think deserve attention
based on a preliminary review of the project site, interaction with the
public during the pre-filing process and information provided by Gulf
South. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based on your
comments and our analysis.
? The minimization of construction rights-of-way and
associated construction impacts.
? Potential effects on prime farmland and soils with a high
potential for compaction.
? Potential impacts to existing land uses, including
residences, suburban housing developments, agricultural and managed
forested lands.
? Potential increases in noise resulting from the
construction of pipeline compression.
? Potential impacts to perennial and intermittent
waterbodies, including waterbodies with federal and/or state designations.
? Evaluation of temporary and permanent impacts on wetlands
and development of appropriate mitigation.
? Potential impacts to fish and wildlife habitat, including
potential impacts to federally and state-listed threatened and
endangered species.
? Potential impacts to wildlife management areas.
? Potential impacts and benefits of construction workforce
on local housing, infrastructure, public services and economy.
? Public safety and potential hazards associated with the
transport of natural gas.
? Alternative alignments for the pipeline route.
? Assessment of the effect of the proposed project when
combined with other past, present, or reasonably foreseeable future
actions in the project area.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the proposed project. By becoming a
commentor, your concerns will be addressed in the EIS and considered by
the Commission. Your comments should focus on the potential
environmental effects, reasonable alternatives (including alternative
facility sites and pipeline routes), and measures to avoid or lessen
environmental impacts. The more specific your comments, the more useful
they will be. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly
recorded, please carefully follow these instructions:
? 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, DG2E.
? Reference Docket No. PF06-17-000 on the original and both copies.
? Mail your comments so that they will be received in
Washington, DC on or before April 27, 2006.
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. The Commission strongly
encourages electronic filing of any comments in response to this Notice
of Intent. For information on electronically filing comments, please
see the instructions on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov;
before you can submit comments you will need to create a
free account.
Public scoping meetings are designed to provide another opportunity
to offer comments on the proposed project. The FERC will announce plans
for public scoping meetings in the vicinity of the proposed project
once Gulf South has filed additional information with the Commission.
Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to attend these
meetings and to present comments on the environmental issues they
believe should be addressed in the EIS. A transcript of each meeting
will be generated so that comments are accurately recorded.
Once Gulf South formally files its application with the Commission,
you may want to become an official party to the proceeding known as an
``intervenor.'' 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 a Commission proceeding by filing a request to
intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are included in the
User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web site.
Please note that you may not request intervenor status at this time.
You must wait until a formal application is filed with the Commission.
Availability of Additional Information
Gulf South has established an Internet Web site for this project at
http://www.gulfsouthpl.com . This Web site includes a description
of the project, a map of the proposed pipeline route and answers to frequently
asked questions. You can also request additional information or provide
comments directly to Gulf South at 1-877-972-8533 or by e-mail at
Additional information about this project can also be obtained by
contacting the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208--
FERC (3372). Additional information is also available on the Internet
at http://www.ferc.gov . The "eLibrary link" on the FERC Web site
provides access to documents submitted to and issued by the Commission,
such as comments, orders, notices and rulemakings. Once on the FERC
website, click on the ``eLibrary link,'' select ``General Search'' and
in the ``Docket Number'' field enter the project docket number
excluding the last three digits (PF06-17). When researching information
be sure to select an appropriate date range. In addition, the FERC now
offers a free email 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 .
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.
For assistance with the FERC Web site or with eSubscription, please
contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free
at 1-866-208-3676, or TTY, contact (202) 502-8659.
Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
Appendix 2--Information Request
[Docket No. PF06-17-000]
[ballot]
Please keep my name on the mailing list for the East Texas
Expansion Project.
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[ballot]
Please send me a paper copy of the environmental document
instead of an electronic copy (compact disc).
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ATTN: OEP--Gas 2, PJ--11.2, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
(Docket No. PF06-17-000)
Staple or Tape Here
[FR Doc. E6-4873 Filed 4-4-06; 8:45 am]
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