Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Renewal of Rights-of-Way Grants and Easements for the Yellowstone Pipeline, Flathead Indian Reservation, MT

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian

Affairs, Flathead Agency intends to gather information necessary for

preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the renewal of

the rights-of-way (ROW) grants and easements for the Yellowstone

Pipeline across trust and allotted lands situated on the Flathead

Indian Reservation, Montana. This notice is to be published in

accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

regulations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain suggestions and

information from other agencies and the public on the scope of the

issues to be addressed in the EIS. Comments and participation in this

scoping process are encouraged.

DATES: Comments should be received before October 14, 1994. A Public

Scoping Meeting will be held on September 29, 1994, at the Tribal

Council Chambers, Pablo, MT, from 6 to 9 pm. Additional public scoping

meetings may be held in Reservation or affected communities, as

appropriate.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Jim Beyer, NEPA Coordinator,

Bureau of Indian Affairs, Flathead Agency, Forestry Division, Box A,

Pablo, MT 59855.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jim Beyer, BIA, (406) 675-7201 ext. 260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed action: to renew the right-of-way

(ROW) easement grant to Yellowstone Pipeline Company for certain

portions of approximately 21 miles in aggregate length of an existing

petroleum products pipeline under and across, and over and across

trustee lands situated in Missoula, Lake, and Sanders Counties, State

of Montana, within the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Background: the pipeline was constructed in 1954 and has operated

continuously since that date under previous ROW easements granted by

the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The present easement was granted on April

21, 1975 and expires on April 21, 1995. The EIS is being prepared to

comply with the procedural requirements of the National Environmental

Policy Act (NEPA). The BIA will use the EIS to determine if the

proposed action should be modified in any manner.

Purpose and need: Renewal of the ROW is necessary to allow

continued operation of the pipeline to serve the needs of the public.

The Yellowstone pipeline is an interstate common-carrier pipeline which

transports refined petroleum products from refineries in Billings,

Montana, to markets in western Montana and eastern Washington. The

segment of the pipeline which crosses the Flathead Reservation is the

primary source of supply of refined petroleum products to the greater

Spokane, Washington area; population approximately 750,000 persons. The

pipeline supplies gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel for consumers as

well as commercial and industrial customers over a large area of

eastern Washington, including the supply of military jet fuel to the

United States Air Force for national defense purposes.

Potential alternatives: (1) no change to the existing condition;

(2) consideration of alternative routes outside of the Flathead

Reservation; (3) other reasonable alternatives identified as a result

of public input.

Dated: September 8, 1994.

Ada E. Deer,

Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.

[FR Doc. 94-22796 Filed 9-14-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-02-M