Pipeline Risk Management Demonstration Program: Participants Chevron Pipe Line Co.,
[Federal Register: February 23, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 35)]
[Notices]
[Page 8900]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23fe99-145]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
[Docket No. RSPA-98-4450; Notice 18]
Pipeline Safety: Chevron Pipe Line Company Approved for Pipeline Risk Management Demonstration Program
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety, DOT
ACTION: Notice of risk demonstration project approval and finding of no significant impact.
SUMMARY: The Research and Special Programs Administration's (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) has issued a Risk Management Demonstration Project Order authorizing Chevron Pipe Line Company (Chevron) to participate in the Pipeline Risk Management Demonstration Program. OPS has also made a finding that Chevron's demonstration project will have no significant impacts on the environment.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this or any other demonstration project will be accepted in the Docket throughout the 4-year demonstration period. Comments should be sent to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001, or you can E-Mail your comments to ops.comments@rspa.dot.gov. Comments should identify the docket number, RSPA-98-4450. Persons should submit the original comment document and one (1) copy. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of their comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard. The Dockets Facility is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building in Room 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC. The Dockets Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Callsen, OPS, (202) 366- 4572, regarding the subject matter of this notice and environmental assessment. Contact the Dockets Unit, (202) 366-9322, for docket material. Comments may also be reviewed on line at the DOT Docket Management System website at http://dms.dot.gov/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Project Authorization
On February 17, 1999, OPS, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 60126, issued Chevron a Risk Management Demonstration Project Order authorizing Chevron to conduct a risk management project on the 330-mile portion of its Salt Lake Products Pipeline System extending from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Boise, Idaho. OPS has determined, after a comprehensive review of Chevron's demonstration project, that the project is expected to provide superior safety and environmental protection.
More detailed descriptions of all aspects of the Chevron demonstration project, including the OPS rationale for approving the project, are available in the following documents:
(1) 63 FR 71334, ``Pipeline Safety: Intent To Approve Project and Environmental Assessment for the Chevron Pipe Line Company; Pipeline Risk Management Demonstration Program'', December 24, 1998.
(2) ``Demonstration Project Prospectus: Chevron'', available by contacting Elizabeth M. Callsen at 202-366-4572. Includes a map of the demonstration portion of the Salt Lake Products Pipeline System.
(3) ``Chevron Pipe Line Company--Application and Work Plan for DOT- OPS Risk Management Demonstration Program'', as modified by the January 28, 1999, letter from Chevron to OPS.
(4) ``OPS Project Review Team Evaluation of Chevron Demonstration Project''.
(5) ``Risk Management Demonstration Project Order'' for Chevron Pipe Line Company, February 17, 1999.
These documents and other information pertaining to the Chevron project are accessible to the public via the Pipeline Risk Management Information System (PRIMIS), on the OPS Home Page at http:// ops.dot.gov.
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
OPS has reviewed Chevron's project for conformity with section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332), the Council on Environmental Quality implementing regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), and Department of Transportation Order 5610.1c, Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts. OPS conducted an Environmental Assessment of Chevron's project (63 FR 71334, ``Pipeline Safety: Intent To Approve Project and Environmental Assessment for the Chevron Pipe Line Company; Pipeline Risk Management Demonstration Program'').
OPS received no public comment on the Environmental Assessment.
Based on the analysis and conclusions reached in the Environmental Assessment and the analyses conducted in the above-listed documents, OPS has found that there are no significant impacts on the environment associated with this action. The Environmental Assessment and the other above-listed documents are incorporated by reference into this FONSI. To summarize, this project is expected to demonstrate that risk management techniques can be successfully applied to improve safety and environmental protection. The project, as now defined, requires no regulatory exemption. Rather, all activities to be performed by Chevron as part of the demonstration project--including mapping the demonstration segment using Geographic Information System technology, investigating risks with special emphasis on areas vulnerable to geologic hazards, allocating resources to manage risks, and effectively communicating about risks with company employees, OPS, and other stakeholders--exceed current pipeline safety requirements and will not cause any disruption or adverse changes to the present environment. This rationale is further discussed in the Environmental Assessment referenced above. If OPS determines that it plans to grant a regulatory exemption, it will amend the Environmental Assessment to analyze any environmental impacts of the proposed exemption.
Issued in Washington, DC on February 17, 1999. Richard B. Felder, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 99-4422Filed2-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
