[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67346-67347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23678]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP16-456-000]
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.; Notice of Schedule for
Environmental Review of the Shidler Line Abandonment Project
On May 6, 2016, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. (Southern
Star) filed an application in Docket No. CP16-456-000 requesting
authorization pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to
abandon certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project
is known as the Shidler Line Abandonment Project (Project), and would
abandon about 31.2 miles of 16-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline and
remove certain pipeline and aboveground facilities in Osage County,
Oklahoma.
On May 19, 2016, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project.
Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and
to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization
within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project. This instant notice
identifies the FERC staff's planned schedule for the completion of the
EA for the Project.
Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA--October 28, 2016
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--January 26, 2017
If a schedule change becomes necessary, an additional notice will
be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the
Project's progress.
Project Description
Southern Star proposes to abandon about 31.2 miles of 16-inch-
diameter pipeline and appurtenant facilities of the Shidler Line (also
referred to as ``Line ME'' or the ``Blackwell--Cotton Valley Line''),
in Osage County, Oklahoma. The abandonment will require cutting and
capping of the pipeline just east of the Shidler Town Border and
slightly west of the Bowring Meter Station. The pipeline would be cut,
capped, and abandoned in place by filling the pipe with grout at two
improved road crossings. All associated aboveground facilities would be
removed, including two mainline valve settings, three domestic taps,
four rectifiers, 14 cathodic protection test stations, and the pipeline
markers. The remainder of pipeline facilities would be abandoned in
place.
Background
On June 9, 2016, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Shidler Line
Abandonment Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
(NOI). The NOI was 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. In response to the NOI, the Commission
received comment letters from the Oklahoma Archeological Survey, the
Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation, and the Osage Nation. The letters provided
occurrence records
[[Page 67347]]
for listed species, and requested cultural resources surveys and tribal
consultations.
Additional Information
In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to
keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets,
the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. 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. Go to
www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
Additional information about the Project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC or on the
FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). Using the ``eLibrary'' link, select
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date
range and ``Docket Number'' excluding the last three digits (i.e.,
CP16-456), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to
eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-
8659, or by email at [email protected]. The eLibrary link on
the FERC Web site also provides access to the texts of formal documents
issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.
Dated: September 26, 2016.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-23678 Filed 9-29-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P