[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10333-10335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5929]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP96-228-000]
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation; Notice of Application
March 7, 1996.
Take notice that on March 4, 1996, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line
Corporation (Transco), P.O. Box 1396, Houston, Texas 77251, filed in
Docket No. CP96-228-000 an application pursuant to Section 7(c) and
7(b) of the Natural Gas Act for (1) a certificate of public convenience
and necessity authorizing it to construct and operate certain
Chickasawhay River replacement crossings and (2) an order permitting
and approving the abandonment of existing facilities at the
[[Page 10334]]
same location, with the certificate and construction clearance
authorized by April 1, 1996, all as more fully set forth in the
application which is on file with the Commission and open to public
inspection.
Transco states that it has four pipelines across the Chickasawhay
River in Mississippi--3-inch diameter Main Line A, 36-inch diameter
Main Lines B and C and 42-inch diameter Main Line D. It is stated that
this river crossing is in Clarke County, Mississippi and is
approximately 15 miles west of the location where Transco's system
crosses the Mississippi-Alabama state line. Transco states that all gas
produced onshore and offshore Texas and Louisiana and onshore
Mississippi which moves on Transco's system to Transco's markets in the
Deep South, Atlantic Seaboard and eastern markets flows through this
Chickasawhay River crossing.
Transco states that because of mass erosion of the river banks,
Main Lines A, B and C are exposed or have shallow cover in the river
and are subject to potential physical damage from boat traffic and
periodic flood debris in the river.
Transco states that it cannot perform these replacements pursuant
to Section 2.55(b) of the Commission's Regulations because the
temporary work spaces which Transco will need off the existing
maintained right-of-way do not meet the guidelines for such spaces set
out in the Commission staff's letter to Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company,
dated March 15, 1995. It is stated that this application is not
required by the Commission's order issued May 12, 1994 in Arkla Energy
Resources Company, Docket No. CP91-2069-000, 67 FERC para. 61,173,
(replacements outside of existing right-of-way cannot be performed
pursuant to section 2.55(b)) because no new permanent right-of-way will
be required in connection with this project. Transco states that it is
imperative that Transco complete the new crossings soon to ensure that
gas from the production areas described above is able to flow to
Transco's markets.
Transco proposes to install approximately 1,400 feet of new 30-inch
diameter Main Line A by horizontal directional drilling under the
Chickasawhay River, at the location of its existing pipeline crossings
of the Chickasawhay River.\1\ The alignment of the new Main Line A will
parallel the existing Main Line A and will be offset approximately
eight feet to the south of the existing Main Line A. It is stated that
approximately 180 feet of 30-inch diameter pipe will be conventionally
installed by trenching from the entrance and exit of the bore and tied
in to existing Main Line A.
\1\ Transco states that directionally drilled pipelines under
rivers are significantly more secure than older pipelines which were
installed by way of trenching the river bed. It is stated that the
30-inch and 36-inch pipeline crossing discussed herein will be an
approximate depth of 30 feet beneath the Chickasawhay River
navigation channel.
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Transco states that it also proposes to install approximately 1,400
feet of new 36-inch diameter Main Line B by horizontal directional
drilling under the Chickasawhay River. The alignment of the new Main
Line B will parallel the new Main Line A with a spacing of
approximately 22 feet to the south of new Main Line A. New Main Line B
will be approximately 75 feet north of existing Main Line B. It is
stated that approximately 175 feet of 36-inch diameter pipe will be
conventionally installed by trenching from the entrance and exit of the
bore and tied in to existing Main Line B.
Transco states that it also proposes to install approximately 1,470
feet of new 36-inch diameter Main Line C by horizontal directional
drilling under the Chickasawhay River. The alignment of the new Main
Line C will parallel Main Lines A and B with a spacing of approximately
25 feet to the south of new Main Line B. New Main Line C will be
approximately 125 feet north of existing Main Line C. It is stated that
approximately 160 feet of 36-inch diameter pipe will be conventionally
installed by trenching from the entrance and exit of the bore and tied
in to existing Main Line B.
Transco states that Main Line D will not be replaced.
Transco states that the proposed replacement will restore the long-
term integrity of Transco's transmission system at the Chickasawhay
River crossings. Since the 30-inch and 36-inch diameter crossings are
being replaced by identical 30-inch and 36-inch diameter crossings,
system capacity at the Chickasawhay River will remain unchanged--at
3,353,767 Mcf per day. It is stated that the shallow, conventionally
installed Main Lines A, B and C at this location will be retired by
removal.
It is stated that the cost of new Main Line A is estimated to be
$1,197,260; the cost of installation of new Main Line B is estimated to
be $1,396,806; and the cost of installation of new Main Line C is
estimated to be $1,396,806.
Transco states that it needs to replace Main Lines A, B and C as
soon as possible because of their vulnerable condition.
Transco states that issuance of a certificate to Transco and
construction clearance by April 1 is justified for two reasons: (1) the
above-described need for security of gas service to Transco's market
areas, and (2) the de minimis impact on the environment of the crossing
project (as described below). With respect to the environment, Transco
states that the following are significant points:
1. On the west side of the river approximately 0.77 acre of
temporary work space (TWS) off the existing permanent right-of-way will
be required at the location where the drilling rig will be set up, and
approximately 0.15 acre will be required for removal of existing pipe
and for repair of an erosion problem on the bank. This total of 0.92
acre of off right-of-way TWS on the west side is presently forested and
will be cleared (none is forested wetland). The remainder of the TWS on
the west side is located on existing permanent right-of-way. On the
west side, wetland areas are located well away from the construction
area. This impact will be minimized by the use of mats and other
appropriate means. On the west side, approximately 0.567 acre of access
road off the right-of-way will be required, but it is on an existing
farm lane.
On the east side of the river approximately 0.49 acre of off right-
of-way TWS will be required for drilling operations; 0.34 acre will be
required for stringing pipe; and 0.18 acre will be required for removal
of existing pipe and for repair of an erosion problem on the bank. Of
this east side right-off-way TWS, 0.6 acre is presently forested and
will be cleared (none is forested wetland). The remainder of the TWS on
the east side, is located on existing permanent right-of-way. On the
east side, approximately 1.52 acres of non-forested wetland will be
utilized for stringing pipe; approximately 0.09 acre of this will be
outside the existing permanent right-of-way. Impacts will be minimized
by using road board where necessary. Most of the land around the right-
of-way on the east side has been logged recently; this is the reason no
forested wetland will be impacted.
In summary, Transco states that on both sides of the river the TWS
are minor, and of these only 1.52 acres are forested and none are
forested wetland.
2. Clearances have been received with respect to endangered/
threatened species from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
Mississippi Natural Heritage Program. The Mississippi Game and Fish
Commission provided Transco with information that the gulf sturgeon
(federal listed as threatened, stated listed as endangered) may be
found in the project area. Transco
[[Page 10335]]
evaluated this in the context of the project to ensure that the project
will not impact this species; the evaluation verified that the project
will not impact this species.
3. A Phase I cultural resources report was filed with the
Mississippi State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) by letter dated
January 23, 1996. The report documents the results of the Phase I
investigation which did not locate any cultural resources. In a letter
dated January 25, 1996 the SHPO indicated that it had reviewed the
report and that no historic properties will be affected by the project.
By letter dated February 9, 1996, Transco requested from the SHPO
information concerning groups who may be interested in cultural
resources which the Phase I survey may have missed, particularly Native
Americans who may have knowledge of sacred areas or locations of
special value to them. Additionally, with such letter, Transco
submitted an ``Action Plan for Treating Known and Unanticipated
Discoveries of Human Remains and Historic Properties''. By letter dated
February 14, 1996, the SHPO identified the Mississippi Band of Choctaw
Indians. Also, the SHPO advised that the action plan is acceptable.
Transco states that Mr. Ken Carleton, the Tribal Archaeologist, was
contacted by telephone on February 26, 1996 and indicated he was
satisfied with the results of the archaeological survey and identified
no sacred sites or other areas of concern within the project
boundaries.
4. Transco states that it does not consider in situ replacement a
practical option because such conventional replacement would be subject
to the same erosive forces of the river.
5. Transco states that the proposed installations and removals will
improve the visual or aesthetic value of the river banks at the
Chickasawhay River crossing by allowing native revegetation and
dynamics of the river to control the natural succession of the banks at
the crossing. Transco states that it will implement measures to restore
and stabilize the construction work spaces and abandoned rights-of-way.
Therefore, Transco states that in view of (1) the essential need
for the Chickasawhay River crossing to be able to move gas from
Transco's production areas to Transco's market areas, and (2) the de
minimis environmental impact of such project, Transco requests that the
Commission issue a certificate and construction clearance by April 1,
1996.
By its application, Transco also seeks authorization to abandon by
removing portions of its Main Lines A, B and C at the Chickasawhay
River which will be replaced (including the portions in the river bed).
Transco states that gas transmission across the Chickasawhay River will
be unaffected by these abandonments. It is stated that the cost of
removal of all three line segments is estimated at a total of $300,000.
Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with
reference to said application should on or before March 18, 1996, file
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20426,
a motion to intervene or a protest in accordance with the requirements
of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or
385.211) and the Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CAR 157.10).
All protests filed with the Commission will be considered by it in
determining the appropriate action to be taken but will not serve to
make the protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to
become a party to a proceeding or to participate as a party in any
hearing therein must file a motion to intervene in accordance with the
Commission's Rules.
Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in
and subject to jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission by Sections 7 and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and
the Commission's Rules of Practice and procedure, a hearing will be
held with further notice before the Commission or its designee on this
application if no motion to intervene is filed within the time required
herein, if the Commission on its own review of the matter finds that a
grant of the certificate is required by the public convenience and
necessity. If a motion for leave to intervene is timely filed, or if
the Commission on its own motion believes that a formal hearing is
required, further notice of such hearing will be duly given.
Under the procedure herein provided for, unless otherwise advised,
it will be unnecessary for Transco to appear or be represented at the
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-5929 Filed 3-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M