Environmental statements; notice of intent: Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Co.,
[Federal Register: April 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 82)]
[Notices]
[Page 23065-23068]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29ap99-45]
[[Page 23065]]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[FERC Docket Nos. CP99-163-000 CA State Clearinghouse No. 99041103 CSLC EIR No. 696]
California State Lands Commission; Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Company; Notice of Intent/Preparation to Prepare a Joint Environmental Impact Statement/Report for the Proposed Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings and Route Inspection
April 26, 1999.
The staffs of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the California State Lands Commission (CSLC) will jointly prepare an environmental impact statement/report (EIS/EIR) that will analyze and present the environmental impacts of the construction and operation of facilities proposed in Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Company's (QST) Southern Trails Pipeline Project.\1\ The FERC will use this EIS/EIR in its decision-making process, i.e., whether or not to issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the proposed project. The CSLC will use the document to consider QST's application for leasing the State's Sovereign and School Lands for the pipeline.
\1\ QST's application was filedwith the FERC pursuant to section 7 of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the FERC's regulations.
The FERC will be the lead Federal agency in the preparation of this EIS/EIR while the CSLC will be the State Lead Agency for California. The document, which will avoid much duplication of environmental analyses, will satisfy the requirements of both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Additionally, with this notice the FERC is inviting other Federal agencies and two Native American Tribes to participate (see appendix 1) in the preparation of the EIS/EIR.\2\ These entities may choose to become cooperating agencies once they have evaluated QST's proposal relative to their respective responsibilities.
\2\ ``We, ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the staffs of the CSLC and the FERC's Office of Pipeline Regulation. The appendices referenced in this notice are not being printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available from the FERC's Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20462, or call (202) 208-1371. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted by a QST representative about the acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the Southern Trails Pipeline System. QST would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if the project is approved by the FERC, that approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, QST could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with state law. A fact sheet addressing a number of typically-asked questions, including the use of eminent domain, is attached to this notice as appendix 2.
Summary of the Proposed Facilities
QST acquired Four Corners Line 90 and portions of Line 91 and 92 from ARCO Pipeline Company. This existing crude oil pipeline network extends from the Four Corners area of New Mexico, into southern Utah, and across Arizona to Long Beach, California. Southern Trails requests FERC authorization to convert the existing pipeline from crude oil to natural gas service, and to operate these pipeline and additional compression facilities as a new natural gas transmission system. QST proposes to construct five new pipeline extensions and interconnects, realign/reroute five existing pipeline segments, replace a number of short segments of existing pipeline, and construct seven compressor stations. The conversion and construction of these facilities would enable QST to transport 80 to 90 million cubic feet of natural gas per day (MMcfd) to customers in New Mexico and Arizona, and 120 MMcfd to customers in southern California.
Overall, the proposed Southern Trails Pipeline Project consists of the following facilities:
‹bullet› About 693 miles of existing pipeline, to be converted from crude oil to natural gas service (610 miles of 16-inch, 80 miles of 12-inch, and 3 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline);
‹bullet› Five new pipeline extensions and interconnects totaling about 59.8 miles (36.1 miles in New Mexico; 17.4 miles in Arizona; 6.8 miles in California) with diameters of 20 and 22 inches (only one 0.6-mile segment would be 22 inches in diameter);
‹bullet› Five reroutes/realignments of the existing pipeline totaling about 8.7 miles of 16-inch-diameter pipe in California.
‹bullet› 41 replacement segments of the existing pipeline totaling about 9.5 miles (4.6 miles in California; 4.9 miles in Arizona) of 16-inch-diameter pipe;
‹bullet› Seven new compressor stations (6 of which would be located on existing oil pump station sites), with a total of 17,356 horsepower of compression (3 sites in California; 2 sites in Arizona; 1 site in Utah; 1 site in New Mexico); and
‹bullet› Construction of 9 new meter stations, about 50 new block valves and related appurtenant facilities.
The general locations of the facilities proposed by QST are shown in appendix 3. A detailed listing of the facilities is presented in table 1.
Land Requirements for Construction
QST proposes to build its new pipeline extensions, reroutes, and replacement segments in construction rights-of-way ranging from 24 to 60 feet wide. After construction, 0 to 60 feet of new right-of-way would be maintained as permanent easement. Specific widths of the rights-of-way would vary, depending on the proposed pipeline diameter for each location. The extensions would be built generally parallel and adjacent to existing pipelines, using as much of the existing rights- of-way as possible during construction. Of the seven compressor stations to be constructed, only the one proposed for a new site (in Mohave Valley, Arizona) would require additional acreage (1.7 acres). The other six compressor stations would be located on existing oil pump station sites.
Additional temporary work space may be required at river, road, or railroad crossings, or where similar obstacles are encountered. QST would purchase the temporary and permanent easements necessary for constructing and operating the project.
Construction of the pipeline extensions and reroute segments would normally follow standard pipeline construction methods: right-of-way clearing and grading; trenching; pipe stringing, bending, welding, joint coating, and lowering in; backfilling of the trench; and cleanup and restoration. QST would implement site-specific erosion control and revegetation measures and use special construction techniques for wetland and water crossings and for construction in residential/urban areas. These construction procedures and mitigation plans will be presented and their adequacy assessed in the Draft EIS/EIR. Where necessary, the joint FERC-CSLC staffs will make appropriate recommendations to avoid or mitigate potential impact.
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Table 1.--Facilities Associated with the Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Project
New Proposed facilities
Pipe diameter Pipe length compression
County (inches)
(miles) (horsepower)
New Mexico:
TransColorado Extension........
20
35.4 .............. San Juan.
Shiprock Compressor Station....
N/A
N/A
2,350 San Juan. Utah:
Red Mesa Compressor Station....
N/A
N/A
2,195 San Juan. Arizona:
Replacement (Mohave County)....
16
.50 .............. Mohave.
Replacement (Mohave County)....
16
.24 .............. Mohave.
Replacement at Kayenta.........
16
1.80 .............. Navajo.
Replacement at Dennehotso......
16
1.61 .............. Apache.
Transwestern Extension.........
16
.40 .............. Mohave.
Topock Extension...............
20
17.14 .............. Mohave.
Chaco Extension................
22
.50 .............. San Juan.
Mohave Valley Compressor
N/A
N/A
3,936 Mohave. Station.
Cameron Compressor Station.....
N/A
N/A
1,770 Coconino.
Cameron Tap Site...............
N/A
N/A .............. Coconino.
Tuba City Tap Site.............
N/A
N/A .............. Coconino.
Kayenta Tap Site...............
N/A
N/A .............. Navajo.
Red Mesa Tap Site..............
N/A
N/A .............. Apache. California:
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.07 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.17 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.33 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.15 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.08 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.48 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.41 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.09 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.30 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.44 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.07 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.16 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.01 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.42 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Replacement (Danby--Ward
16
.36 .............. San Bernardino. Valley).
Reroute at City of Orange......
16
.76 .............. Orange.
Realignment at Corona #1
16
.06 .............. Riverside. (Rincon Street & Sheridan Street).
Realignment at Corona #2 (San
16
.06 .............. Riverside. Miguel Drive & Laguna Drive).
Realignment at Corona #3
16
.06 .............. Riverside. (Mariposa Drive).
Reroute at Cabazon.............
16
8.0 .............. Riverside.
Del Amo Extension..............
20
6.50 .............. Los Angeles.
Beaumont Compressor Station....
N/A
N/A
1,934 Riverside.
Morongo Valley Compressor
N/A
N/A
2,372 San Bernardino. Station.
Danby Compressor Station.......
N/A
N/A
2,372 San Bernardino.
All components of the proposed pipeline system would be designed and tested in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards and specifications found at Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 192 (49 CFR 192), Transportation of Natural and other Gas by Pipeline; Minimum Federal Safety Standards. The existing pipeline would be cleaned and the entire system hydrostatically tested before being placed in service. QST would be required to obtain appropriate Federal, state, and/or Tribal discharge permits prior to pipeline cleaning and hydrostatic testing.
The EIS/EIR Process
NEPA requires the FERC to take into account the environmental impacts that could result from a major Federal action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. The CSLC, as State Lead Agency for California, is required to consider the same potential impacts within the State of California under CEQA. The EIS/EIR we are preparing will give both the CSLC and the FERC the information we need to do that.
NEPA and CEQA also require 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/EIR on the important environmental issues, and to separate those issues that are insignificant and do not require detailed study. By this NOI/NOP, we are requesting public comments on the scope of the issues to be analyzed and presented in the EIS/EIR. All comments received will be considered during the preparation of the document. State and local government representatives are encouraged to notify their constituents of QST's proposal and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
The EIS/EIR will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project. These impacts may include, but are not limited to:
Geology and Soils
--Landslide and seismic hazards
--Erosion and sedimentation control
--Right-of-way restoration Water Resources
--Impact on wetland hydrology
--Effect of pipeline crossings on streams and canals
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Biologic Resources
--Short- and long-term effects of right-of-way clearing and maintenance on wetlands and riparian areas
--Effects of habitat alteration
--Impact on threatened and endangered species
--Impact on fisheries Cultural Resources
--Impact on historic and prehistoric sites
--Native American and tribal concerns Socioeconomics
--Effects of construction workforce demands on public services
--Effects of increased employment and taxes on local economy Air quality
--Effect of compressor station emissions on air quality Noise
--Effect of compressor station operation on nearby noise-sensitive receptors Reliability and Safety
--Assessment of hazards associated with natural gas transmission pipelines Land Use
--Impact on the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
--Effect of right-of-way clearing and construction of aboveground facilities on visual aesthetics in residential and scenic areas
--Consistency with city and county land use plans
--Impact on residences
--Construction impact on urban traffic flow Paleontology
--Impact on significant fossil resources encountered during pipeline construction Cumulative Impacts
--Identification of projects likely to take place in the time frame and/or proximity of the proposed project
--Analysis of cumulative impact and mitigation measures
We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the project, including the No-Action/Project alternative. The EIS/EIR will include recommendations for specific mitigation measures to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas, as well as a Mitigation Monitoring Program.
Our independent analysis of the issues will result in the publication of a Draft EIS/EIR which will be mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies, reservations crossed by the pipeline or disturbed by construction, public interest groups, interested individuals, affected landowners, newspapers, libraries, and the FERC's official service list for these proceedings. A 45-day comment period will be allocated for the review of the Draft EIS/EIR. We will consider all comments on the Draft EIS/EIR and revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a Final EIS/EIR. The Final EIS/EIR will include our response to each comment received.
Public Participation and Scoping Meetings
You can help us by sending a letter with your specific environmental comments or concerns about the project. You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative routes), 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.
‹bullet› Send your letter to: David P. Boergers, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
‹bullet› Reference Docket No. CP99-163-000;
‹bullet› Send a copy of your letter to the following individuals:
Branch Chief, PR-11.1, Environmental Review & Compliance Branch, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Room 72-50, Washington, DC 20426 Daniel Gorfain, EIR Project Manager, California State Lands Commission, 100 Howe Avenue, Suite 100 South, Sacramento, CA 95825-8202; and
‹bullet› Mail your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC on or before May 26, 1999.
In addition to asking for written comments, we invite you to attend any of the joint public scoping meetings the FERC and CSLC will conduct. The purpose of the scoping meetings is to provide state and local agencies, interested groups, landowners, and the general public with an opportunity to learn more about the project and another chance to prevent us with environmental issues or concerns they believe should be addressed in the EIS/EIR. QST representatives will be present at the meetings to describe the proposed project, both in general and for the specific area where each meeting is held.
The locations and times for these meetings are listed on the next page. Priority will be given to commenters who represent groups, and a transcript of each meeting will be made so that your comments will be accurately recorded.
Route Inspection
On May 3-13, 1999, we will also be conducting an inspection of the existing and proposed routes and locations of facilities associated with QST's proposal. This inspection will include both aerial and ground components. Anyone interested in participating in the inspection activities may contact the FERC's Office of External Affairs (identified at the end of this notice) for more details and must provide their own transportation.
Becoming an Intervenor
In addition to involvement in the EIS/EIR scoping process, you may want to become an official party to the FERC proceeding by becoming an ``intervenor.'' Among other things, intervenors have the right to receive copies of case-related FERC documents and filings by other intervenors. 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 FERC's Rules of Practices and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214) which is attached as appendix 4.
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 scoping comments considered or to speak at a meeting.
Schedule for EIS/EIR Public Scoping Meetings [Note: All meetings will last for 1 hour, or until the submission of public comments is concluded (whichever occurs later)]
Date and time
Community
Location
Tuesday, May 4, 1999, 7:00 pm...... Farmington, NM............. Holiday Inn, 600 East Broadway, Animas Room.
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Wednesday, May 5, 1999, 5:00 pm.... Kayenta, AZ................ Kayenta Chapter House. Thursday, May 6, 1999, 7:00 pm..... Kingman, AZ................ Kingman Area Office, Bureau of Land Management, Conference Room. Monday, May 10, 1999, 7:00 pm...... Anaheim, CA................ Embassy Suites Hotel, 3100 East Frontera, (junc. state highways 91 & 57), Cresent Court Room. Tuesday, May 11, 1999, 6:30 pm..... Norco, CA (Corona)......... Norco Board Council Chamber, 2820 Clark Street. Wednesday, May 12, 1999, 6:30 pm... Long Beach, CA............. Los Cerritos Elementary School, 515 West San Antonio Drive. Thursday, May 13, 1999, 4:00 pm- Banning, CA................ Council Chambers, 99East Ramsey Street. 7:00 pm. Orange, CA................. DoubleTree Inn, 100 The City Drive.
Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the proposed project. It is also being sent to all individuals who own property crossed by the existing pipeline, individuals who own property adjacent to the existing pipeline (where the pipeline is in a utility right-of-way and construction/disturbance is proposed within 50 feet of the adjacent property), and identified potential right-of-way grantors. Overall, the notice will be delivered to more than 2,100 individual parties.
Everyone who responds to this notice or comments on the environmental document will be retained on our mailing list. If you don't want to send comments at this time but still want to keep informed and receive copies of the Draft and Final EIS/EIR, you must return the attached mailer (see appendix 5). Given the size of our initial mailing list and our desire to be responsible (both fiscally and with the use of resources), You Must Send Comments or Return the Attached Mailer for Your Name to Remain on the Mailing List.
Additional Questions?
Further information about the proposed project is available from Mr. Paul McKee of the FERC's Office of External Affairs at (202) 208- 1088.
QST's application and other supplemental filings are also available for viewing on the FERC Internet website (www.ferc.fed.us). Click on the ``RIMS'' link, select ``Docket No. CP99-163'' from the RIMS menu, and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to RIMS, the RIMS helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2222. Similarly, the ``CIPS'' link on the FERC website provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the FERC, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. From the FERC website, click on the ``CIPS'' link, select the ``Docket #'' of interest from the CIPS menu, and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to CIPS, the CIPS helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2474.
Information concerning the involvement of the CSLC in the EIS/EIR process may be obtained from Dan Gorfain, EIR Project Manager, at (916) 574-1889.
Information regarding the involvement of the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management as a cooperating agency in the environmental analysis process may be obtained from Mr. Steven Johnson, California Desert District Office, at (909) 697-5233. Daniel Gorfain, Project Manager, CSLC. David P. Boergers, Secretary, FERC.
[FR Doc. 99-10682Filed4-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
