Portland Natural Gas Transmission System; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed PNGTS Project, Request for Comments and Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting (NOI)

[[Page 27070]]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Docket No. CP96-248-000 and CP96-249-000]

Portland Natural Gas Transmission System; Notice of Intent To

Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed PNGTS

Project, Request for Comments and Environmental Issues, and Notice of

Public Scoping Meeting (NOI)

May 23, 1996.

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or

Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that

will discuss the environmental impacts of the construction and

operation of the 246.2 miles of pipeline and metering facilities

proposed in the PNGTS Project.\1\ This EIS will be used by the

Commission in its decision-making process to determine whether to

approve the project.

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\1\ Portland Natural Gas Transmission System's applications were

filed with the Commission under Sections 3 and 7 of the Natural Gas

Act and Parts 153 and 157 of the Commission's regulations.

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We are asking a number of Federal and state agencies to indicate

whether they wish to cooperate with us in the preparation of the EIS.

These agencies are listed in appendix 1 and may choose to participate

once they have evaluated the proposal relative to their agencies'

responsibilities.\2\

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\2\ Appendices 2 through 5 referenced in this notice are not

being printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available from the

Commission's Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888

First Street, NE, Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426 or call (202) 208-

1371. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this

notice in the mail.

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Summary of the Proposed Project

Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) wants to build new

natural gas pipeline facilities in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and

Massachusetts, with a peak day capacity of 178,000 thousand cubic feet

per day (Mcf/d), of natural gas to transport up to 167,000 Mcf/d of

natural gas for four shippers. PNGTS requests Commission authorization,

in Docket CP96-249-000, to construct and operate the following

facilities:

241.9 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline (mainline)

extending from a connection with TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TCPL)

at the border of the United States and Canada near North Troy, Vermont

to the existing Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company transmission system in

Haverhill, Massachusetts. Of the 241.9-mile-long mainline, about 58.8

miles would be in Vermont, 65.9 miles would be in New Hampshire, 117.1

miles would be in Maine, and 0.1 mile would be in Massachusetts;

3.3 miles of 12-inch-diameter pipeline lateral connected

to the mainline in Westbrook, Maine and ending in Falmouth, Maine;

1.0 mile of 12-inch-diameter pipeline lateral connected to

the mainline in Newington, New Hampshire and ending near Portsmouth,

New Hampshire;

Four new meter stations, one each in Falmouth and Wells,

Maine; Newington, New Hampshire; and Haverhill, Massachusetts;

Acquisition and modification of an existing meter station

in Newington, New Hampshire adjacent to the proposed new meter station;

and

Associated pipeline facilities, such as 15 mainline block

valves and 4 pig launchers and/or receivers.

PNGTS has also requested authorization in Docket No. CP96-248-000

to construct, operate, and maintain border facilities to import gas

from Canada. The import point border facilities would include about 500

feet of 20-inch-diameter pipeline to connect with the facilities of

TCPL near North Troy, Vermont.

PNGTS proposes to have the facilities in service by November 1,

1998. PNGTS also plans to construct but has not yet filed an

application for additional pipeline laterals (future laterals) to serve

markets near Newport, St. Johnsbury, and Gilman, Vermont; Groveton and

Berlin, New Hampshire; and Jay, Maine. PNGTS indicates that it will

file a separate application for these facilities in the fall of 1996.

The general locations of the project facilities are shown in

appendix 2. The general locations of PNGTS future laterals and other

natural gas projects under Commission review occurring in the same

region and within the same timeframe (Granite State Gas Transmission,

Inc. [Granite State], Granite State LNG Project, Docket No. CP95-52-000

and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. [M&NP], Maritimes &

Northeast Pipeline [Maritimes Project], Docket No. CP96-178-000) as

shown in appendix 3. If you are interested in obtaining detailed maps

of a specific portion of the project, contact the EIS Project Manager

identified at the end of this notice.

Land Requirements for Construction

Construction of the proposed facilities would affect about 2,506

acres of land. Approximately 93 percent of the proposed pipeline and

pipeline laterals would parallel existing pipeline, powerline, or other

rights-of-way. The nominal construction rights-of-way for the 20-inch-

diameter pipeline and 12-inch-diameter pipeline laterals would be 75

feet wide. Extra temporary work spaces would be used at road, stream,

and large wetland crossings, as well as for pipeyards and contractor

yards and areas where temporary topsoil or rock storage is required.

Following construction, about 1,473 acres of the land affected by

the project would be retained for operation of the pipeline and

aboveground facilities. This total includes about 0.5 acre for each of

the four new and one existing meter stations and about 1.0 acre for

each of the four pig launchers and/or receivers. Permanent 50-foot-wide

rights-of-way would be maintained for the 20- and 12-inch-diameter

pipelines. The mainline block valves would be within the permanent

rights-of-way. Existing land uses on the remainder of the disturbed

area, as well as most land uses on the permanent rights-of-way, would

be allowed to continue following construction.

The EIS Process

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the

Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could

result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a

Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires 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 on the important environmental issues. By

this NOI, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of the

issues it will address in the EIS. All comments received are considered

during the preparation of the EIS. State and local government

representatives are encouraged to notify their constituents of this

proposed action and encourage them to comment on their areas concern.

The EIS will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the

construction and operation of the proposed project. We have already

identified a number of issues under each topic that we think deserve

attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and

the environmental information provided by the applicant. These issues

are listed below. This is a preliminary list of issues and may be

changed based on your comments and our analysis.

Geology and Soils

--Seismology, soil liquefaction, and areas susceptible to landslide.

--39.6 miles of near-surface bedrock that may require blasting.

--Effect on exploitable mineral resources.

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--Effect on farmland.

--Erosion control and right-of-way revegetation procedures.

Water Resources

--Effect on groundwater and surface water supplies.

--832 crossings of perennial and intermittent waterbodies, including 9

crossings of waterbodies over 100 feet wide (Moos, Connecticut,

Peabody, Androscoggin, Presumpscot, Saco, Mousam, Squamscott, and

Piscataqua Rivers) and crossings of the Missisquoi, Israel, and Exeter

Rivers and Great Brook.

--Consistency with state Coastal Zone Management Programs.

Biological Resources

--Clearing of upland forest and the permanent conversion of forest to

open land.

--Effect on wetland habitat, including tidal salt marshes along the

Squamscott and Piscataqua Rivers, resulting from the crossing of 940

wetlands.

--Effect on warmwater, coldwater, anadromous, and estuarine fisheries,

habitat.

--Effect on wildlife habitat, including deer wintering areas and

waterfowl and wading bird habitat.

--Effect on Federal threatened and endangered species and state special

concern species.

--Effect on Kennebunk Plains, an unusual dry grassland community.

Cultural Resources

--Effect on historic and prehistoric sites.

--Native American and tribal concerns.

Land Use

--Effect on 103 residences within 50 feet of construction work areas.

--Effect on planned residential developments.

--Effect on public and recreation lands, including the Willoughby State

Forest, Victory State Forest, Victory Bog State Wildlife Management

Area, Roaring Brook Park, White Birches Campground, Bean Pond Fish and

Wildlife Area, White Mountain National Forest, and the Pease

Development Authority property.

--Effect on snowmobile, jeep, and hiking trails, several of which are

important to the Appalachian Mountain Club and Randolph Mountain Club,

including the Carter-Moriah Trail and Appalachian Trail.

--Effect on scenic waterbodies and byways, including the Connecticut,

Exeter, and Piscataqua Rivers; and Routes 3, 116, 16, 2, 107, and 238

in New Hampshire and Route 11 in Maine.

--Effects resulting from crossing over or near known hazardous waste

sites.

Socioeconomics

--Effect of construction workforce on surrounding areas.

--Effect on property values.

Air Quality and Noise

--Effect on local air quality and noise environment as a result of

construction.

Reliability and Safety

--Assessment of hazards associated with natural gas pipelines.

Cumulative Impact

--Assessment of the combined effect of the proposed project with other

projects occurring in the same general area and within the same time

frame, including the Granite State LNG Project and Maritimes Project.

We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed project

or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen

or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.

Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the Draft EIS

which will be mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies, public

interest groups, interested individuals, affected landowners,

newspapers, libraries, and the Commission's official service list for

this proceeding. A 45-day comment period will be allotted for review of

the Draft EIS. We will consider all comments on the Draft EIS and

revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a Final EIS. The

Final EIS will include our response to each comment received and will

be used by the Commission in its decision-making process to determine

whether to approve the project.

Public Participation and Scoping Meetings

You can make a difference by sending a letter addressing your

specific 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:

Address your letter to: Lois Cashell, Secretary, Federal

Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC

20426;

Reference Docket No. CP96-249-000;

Send a copy of your letter to: Mr. Mark Jensen, EIS

Project Manager, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First

Street, NE, Room 72-65, Washington, DC 20426; and

Mail your comments so that they will be received in

Washington, DC on or before June 28, 1996.

In addition to sending written comments, you may attend public

scoping meetings. We will conduct four public scoping meetings

comprising six sessions at the following times and locations:

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Date Time Location

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June 17, 1996........... 7:00 p.m.............. Orleans, VT.

June 18, 1996........... 7:00 p.m.............. Gorham, NH.

June 19, 1996........... 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m Wells, ME.

June 20, 1996........... 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m Newton, NH.

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The meetings in Newton and Wells will also cover the proposed

Maritimes Project in New Hampshire and Maine. We will send a separate

NOI for the Maritimes Project to landowners affected by that project.

PNGTS and/or M&NP will be invited to present a description of their

proposals at the appropriate meetings. The Newton and Wells meetings

will have two sessions in order to provide sufficient time to discuss

both projects at each session. While all are invited to attend either

session, we are requesting that state and local governments plan on

attending the 4:00 p.m. session.

The meeting in Orleans, Vermont will be held at the Lake Region

Union High School. The meeting in Gorham, New Hampshire will be held at

the Town and Country Motor Inn, Route 2. The two meetings in Wells,

Maine will be held at the Wells High School Gymnasium, Sanford Road.

The two meetings in Newton, New Hampshire will be held at the Memorial

Grammar School Gymnasium, 31 West Main Street.

The purpose of the scoping meetings is to obtain input from state

and local governments and from the public. Federal agencies have formal

channels for input into the Federal process (including separate

meetings which we have arranged) on an interagency basis. Federal

agencies are expected to transmit their comments directly to the

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FERC and not use the scoping meetings for this purpose.

Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to attend the

meetings and present oral comments on the environmental issues which

they believe should be addressed in the Draft EIS. The more specific

your comments, the more useful they will be. Anyone who would like to

make an oral presentation at the meeting should contact the EIS Project

Manager identified at the end of this notice to have his or her name

placed on the list of speakers. Priority will be given to those persons

representing groups. A list will be available at the public meetings to

allow for non-preregistered speakers to sign up. A transcript will be

made of the meetings and comments will be used to help determine the

scope of the Draft EIS.

Becoming an Intervenor

In addition to involvement in the EIS scoping process, you may want

to become an official party to the proceeding or become an

``intervenor.'' Among other things, intervenors have the right to

receive copies of case-related Commission 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

Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214) (see

appendix 4).

The date for filing of 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.

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 potential right-of-way

grantors to solicit comments regarding environmental considerations

related to the proposed project. As details of the project become

established, representatives to PNGTS may also separately contact

landowners, communities, and public agencies concerning project

matters, including acquisition of permits and rights-of-way.

If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to

keep informed and receive copies of the Draft and Final EIS's, please

return the Information Request (appendix 5). If you do not return the

Information Request, you will be taken off the mailing list.

Additional information about the proposed project is available from

Mr. Mark Jensen, EIS Project Manager, at (202) 208-0828.

Lois D. Cashell,

Secretary.

Appendix 1--Cooperating Agencies

The following Federal and state agencies are asked to indicate

whether they want to be cooperating agencies for purposes of producing

an EIS:

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Department of the Army

Army Corps of Engineers

Department of Commerce

National Marine Fisheries Service

Department of Energy

Department of the Interior

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Fish and Wildlife Service

Geological Survey

National Park Service

Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Protection Agency

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

These, or any other Federal, state, or local agencies wanting to

participate as a cooperating agency should send a letter describing the

extent to which they want to be involved. Follow the instructions below

if your agency wishes to participate in the EIS process or comment on

the project:

Address your letter to: Lois Cashell, Secretary, Federal

Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC

20426;

Reference Docket No. CP96-249-000;

Send a copy of your letter to: Mr. Mark Jensen, EIS

Project Manager, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First

Street, NE, Room 72-65, Washington, DC 20426; and Docket No. CP96-248-

000, et al.

Mail your comments so that they will be received in

Washington, DC on or before June 28, 1996.

Cooperating agencies are encouraged to participate in the scoping

process and provide us written comments. Agencies are also welcome to

suggest format and content changes that will make it easier for them to

adopt the EIS. However, we will decide what modifications will be

adopted in light of our production constraints.

[FR Doc. 96-13486 Filed 5-29-96; 8:45 am]

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