Pipeline facilities on U.S. borders; permit applications: Lakehead Pipe Line Co.,

[Federal Register: August 19, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 160)]

[Notices]

[Page 44499]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr19au98-100]

[[Page 44499]]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs

[Public Notice 2869]

Finding of No Significant Impact: Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Pipeline at Neche, North Dakota

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice of a finding of no significant impact with regard to an application to construct, connect, operate and maintain a pipeline to transport crude oil and natural gas liquids across the U.S.-Canada border.

SUMMARY: The Department of State has conducted an environmental assessment of the proposed construction by Lakehead Pipe Line Company of an oil pipeline across the international boundary at Neche, North Dakota. Based on the environmental assessment, the Department of State has concluded that issuance of a Presidential Permit authorizing construction of the proposed pipeline will not have a significant effect on the human environment within the United States. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 4321 et seq., Council on Environmental Quality Regulations, 40 CFR 1501.4 and 1508.13 and Department of State Regulations, 22 CFR 161.8(c), an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE PIPELINE PERMIT APPLICATION, CONTACT: Daniel L.Martinez, Office of International Energy Policy, Room 3535, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, (202) 647-4557.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, CONTACT: Pam Pearson, Office of Ecology and Terrestrial Conservation, Room 4325, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, (202) 647-1123.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Lakehead Pipe Line Company, Limited Partnership has applied for a Presidential Permit to authorize construction, connection, operation and maintenance of a 36 inch diameter pipeline to convey crude oil and natural gas liquids across the border with Canada at Neche, North Dakota. The proposed pipeline would be constructed in the same right of way presently occupied by four oil pipelines owned and operated by the same company. The existing pipelines are operating at full capacity and are unable to transport the volume of oil demanded by U.S. markets in the midwest. The purpose of the proposed new pipeline is to eliminate this capacity constraint.

On April 21, 1998, the Department of State published a Notice of Application for a Presidential Permit in the Federal Register. No public comments were received and concerned agencies expressed no opposition to issuing the permit. The Department of State prepared an environmental assessment for the Pipeline Permit. Based on that assessment, the Department of State has concluded that issuance of the permit will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment within the United States. A finding of no significant impact is adopted, and an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.

Dated: July 23, 1998. Stuart E. Eizenstat, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs.

[FR Doc. 98-22307Filed8-18-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4710-07-M