[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 99 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 28020-28022] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-13438] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. CP96-809-000, CP96-810-000] Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C.; Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Maritimes Phase II Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues May 16, 1997. 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 construction and operation of about 350 miles of natural gas pipeline and compression called the Maritimes Phase II Project.\1\ The facilities consist of 196 miles of 24- and 30-inch-diameter mainline between Westbrook and the Canadian border at Woodland, 149.9 miles of 4- to 16-inch diameter laterals, and 31,160 horsepower (hp) of 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C.s application was filed with the Commission under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the Commissions regulations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are asking a number of Federal and state agencies to indicate whether they wish to cooperate with us in the preparation of the EIS. These agencies are listed in appendix 1 and may choose to participate once they have evaluated each proposal relative to their agencies' responsibilities.\2\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available from the Commissions Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 208-1371. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary of the Proposed Project Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (Maritimes) wants to provide markets in Maine and other parts of New England with access to new natural gas supplies from Canada which are being developed for the Sable Offshore Energy Project. The proposed facilities would have a design delivery capacity of 440,000 million British thermal units per day and would provide natural gas supply to four local distribution companies, one electric company, nine pulp and paper companies, and three natural gas marketing companies. Maritime seeks authority to construct and operate: 1998 Facilities17.5 miles of 24-inch-diameter mainline in Cumberland County, Maine; 12.1 miles of 16-inch-diameter lateral (Cousins Island Lateral) in Cumberland County, Maine; and associated aboveground facilities, including a meter station, pig launcher/receiver, and block valves. 1999 Facilities 176.7 miles of 24-inch-diameter mainline in Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Kennebec, Lincoln, Knox, Waldo, Hancock, Penobscot, and Washington Counties, Maine; 1.8 miles of 30-inch-diameter mainline in Washington County, Maine; 31,160 hp of compression at two compressor stations on the mainline (compressor Station 2 in Richmond, Sagadahoc County and Compressor Station 1 in Baileyville, Washington County, Maine); 41.1 miles 4- to 8-inch-diameter lateral pipeline (the Skowhegan Lateral [[Page 28021]] in Kennebec and Somerset Counties, Maine); 8.6 miles of 6-inch-diameter lateral (the Bucksport Lateral in Penobscot and Hancock Counties, Maine); 83.9 miles of 4- to 10-inch diameter lateral (the Old Town/Millinocket Lateral in Penobscot County, Maine); 4.2 miles of 4-inch-diameter lateral (Woodland Lateral in Washington County, Maine); and associated aboveground facilities, including meter stations, pig launcher/receivers, and block valves. The general location of the project facilities is shown in figure 1 (appendix 2). If you are interested in obtaining detailed maps of a specific portion of the project, please use the request form provided (appendix 4). For procedural information, please write to the Secretary of the Commission. Land Requirements for Construction Maritimes would use a 75-foot-wide construction right-of-way to install the mainline and Cousins Island Lateral. A 65-foot-wide construction right-of-way would be used to install the other laterals. About 47 percent of the mainline and 67 percent of the laterals would be constructed adjacent to or within existing rights-of-way. Construction of the pipeline rights-of-ways would require about 2,977.5 acres of land. We estimate that about an additional 312 acres would be needed for extra work areas for pipe installation at roads, railroads, and wider rivers and wetlands. However, this is only our estimate and workspace sizes and locations have not yet been identified by the applicant. Following construction, all disturbed areas would be restored and a permanent right-of-way of 50 feet would be maintained for operation of the mainline and Cousins Island Lateral. The other laterals would be maintained on a 40-foot-wide permanent right-of-way. All land used for temporary construction right-of-way and extra work areas would revert to previous uses entirely. Some land uses on the permanent right-of-way would also be allowed to continue following construction. Maritimes would acquire about 20 acres for Compressor Station 1 and about 100 acres for Compressor Station 2. Actual construction and operation of these facilities would disturb only a portion of these sites. Other above ground facilities would be on sites of less than 1 acre, either within or immediately adjacent to the permanent right-of- way. Facilities Included in Related EISs Figure 2 (appendix 2) shows the proposed facilities for related natural gas projects which the Commission staff has either prepared or is preparing other environmental impact statements. On February 10, 1997, Maritimes and Portland Natural Gas Transmission Systems (PNGTS) filed an application in Docket No. CP97- 238-000 to construct and operate the PNGTS/Maritimes Joint Facilities Project (Joint Facilities Project) between Dracut, Massachusetts and Westbrook, Maine. The Commission staff has published a DEIS on April 25, 1997 which analyzes the 66.1 miles which constitute the Phase I Joint Facilities Project between Dracut, Massachusetts and Wells, Maine. Comments on the project are due June 9, 1997. The PNGTS and PNGTS/Maritimes Phase II Joint Facilities Project DEIS that is also under preparation includes all joint facilities between Wells and Westbrook, Maine, including the Westbrook Lateral (Phase II Joint Facilities), and all facilities between Westbrook and the U.S./Canada border at Pittsburgh, New Hampshire, including laterals. 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 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 EIS on the important environmental issues. By this Notice of Intent, 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. 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. 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, fisheries, and wetlands. Vegetation and wildlife. Endangered and threatened species. Public safety. Land use. Cultural resources. Air quality and noise. Hazardous waste. 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 the various resource areas. Our independent analysis of the issues will be in a Draft EIS which will be mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies, public interest groups, interested individuals, affected landowners, newspapers, libraries, and the Commission's official service list for these proceedings. A 45-day comment period will be allowed 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 responses to the comments received. Currently Identified Environmental Issues We have already identified several issues that we think deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities, interventions received, and the environmental information provided by Maritimes. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis. Effects on watersheds, including Floods Pond (Bangor Water District), Hatcase Pond (Brewer Water District), and Sheetscot River; Clearing of about 2,150 acres of forest; Waterbody crossings over 100 feet wide including Casco Bay, Androscoggin River, Sabattus River, Kennebec River (3 crossings), Sheepscot River, Penobscot River (6 crossings), West Branch Union River, St. Croix River, Sebasticook River, Passadumkeag River, West Branch Penobscot River, tributary to the West Branch Sheepscot River, Marsh Stream, Jordan Brook, Otter Stream, and Trout Brook; 16 river segments listed on both national and state inventories (Abagadasset, West Branch Sheepscot, Sheepscot, St. George, West Branch Union, Narragaugus, and Machias Rivers), or only on state inventories (St. Croix, West Branch Machias, Middle Branch Union, Kennebec, Penobscot, Passadumkeag, and Sebasticook Rivers; and Millinocket and Marsh Streams); 150 coldwater fisheries crossed; Effect on anadromous fisheries (including Atlantic salmon), and waterfowl and wildlife habitat (including Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge); [[Page 28022]] 2 federally listed species (bald eagle and shortnose sturgeon); 11 gravel pits adjacent to the right-of-way; A total of 44.7 miles of wetlands crossed; 112 residences potentially within 100 feet of the pipeline centerline; Crossing of tribal land (Penobscot Indian Nation) and impact on fishing rights (Passamaquoddy Natural Resources Committee); Crossing of recreational areas including the Katahdin Scout Reservation; and Alterntive routes making greater use of existing rights- of-way such as near Richmond, Maine and the mainline crossing of the Kennebec River; and alternate alignments on private property. Maritimes has stated that there are no nonjurisdictional facilities that would be built as a direct result of this project. Public Participation and Scoping Meetings You can make a difference by sending a letter addressing your specific comments or concerns about the project. You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative routes or compressor station sites), and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. Please follow the instructions below to ensure that your comments are received and properly recorded: Address two copies of your comments to: Lois Cashell, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., N.E., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426; Reference Docket No. CP96-089-000; and Mail your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC on or before June 20, 1997. In addition to sending written comments, you may attend public scoping meetings that we will conduct at three locations. Meetings will be held at the following times and locations: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date Time Location ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tuesday, June 3, 1997.......... 7:00 p.m........... Woodland Elementary School, Fourth Avenue, Woodland (Baileyville), Maine. Wednesday, June 4, 1997........ 7:00 p.m........... Hichborn Middle School, Cross Street, Howland, Maine. Thursday, June 5, 1997......... 7:00 p.m........... Richmond High School, Route 197, Richmond, Maine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The purpose of the scoping meetings is to obtain input from state and local governments and from the public. Federal agencies have formal channels for input into the Federal process (including separate meetings where appropriate) on an interagency basis. Federal agencies are expected to transmit their comments directly to the FERC and not use the scoping meetings for this purpose. Local agencies are requested to provide information on other plans and projects which might conflict with, or have cumulative effects, when considered in combination with the Maritimes Phase II Project. Maritimes will present a description of their proposals at the scoping meeting. Interested groups and individuals encouraged to attend the meetings and present oral comments on the environmental issues which they believe should be addressed in the Draft EIS. Becoming an Intervenor In addition to involvement in the EIS scoping process, you may want to become an official party to the proceeding or become an ``intervenor''. Among other things, intervenors have the right to receive copies of case-related Commission documents such as data requests and filings by other intervenors. We will provide our EIS to anyone who follows the instructions which appear later in this NOI. Likewise, each intervenor must provide copies of its filings to all other parties. 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 3). The date for filing timely motions to intervene in this proceeding has passed. Therefore, parties now seeking to file late interventions must show good cause, as required by section 385.214(b)(3), why this time limitation should be waived. Environmental issues have been viewed as good cause for late intervention. You do not need intervenor status to have your comments considered. Environmental Mailing List This notice is being sent to individuals, organizations, and government entities interested and/or potentially affected by the proposed project. It is also being sent to all potential right-of-way grantors (i.e., landowners whose property would be crossed) to solicit focused comments regarding environmental considerations related to the proposed project. If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to remain on our mailing list and receive a copy of our DEIS, please return the Information request (appendix 4). If you do not send comments on the NOI or return the Information Request, you will be taken off the mailing list. Lois D. Cashell, Secretary. [FR Doc. 97-13438 Filed 5-21-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-M