Portland Natural Gas Transmission System; Notice of Amended Facilities by Portland Natural Gas Transmission System To Be Included in the Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed PNGTS Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Docket Nos. CP96-248-000, CP96-248-003, CP96-249-000, and CP96-249-

003]

Portland Natural Gas Transmission System; Notice of Amended

Facilities by Portland Natural Gas Transmission System To Be Included

in the Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed PNGTS Project

and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

November 29, 1996.

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or

Commission) is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) that

will discuss the environmental impacts of the construction and

operation of the facilities, about 275 miles of various diameter

pipeline, 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. The original notice was issued May 23, 1996. The

purpose of this supplemental notice is to inform the public of amended

facilities that will be analyzed in the EIS.

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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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A number of Federal and state agencies have indicated that they

wish to cooperate with us in the preparation of the EIS. These agencies

are listed in appendix 1. Other Federal and state agencies may choose

to cooperate with us once they have evaluated the proposal relative to

their 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 Originally Proposed PNGTS Project

Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS) had proposed to

build new natural gas pipeline facilities in Vermont, New Hampshire,

Maine, and Massachusetts. PNGTS requested Commission authorization to

construct and operate about 246.2 miles of various diameter pipeline, 4

new meter stations, 15 mainline block valves, and 4 scraper launcher/

receivers.

Summary of Proposed Changes

On October 31, 1996, PNGTS amended its application to delete the

first 90.6 miles of its originally filed route from Jay, Vermont to

Shelburne, New Hampshire. The total project now involves about 271

miles of pipeline, 7 meter stations, 20 block valves, and 6 pig

launcher/receivers.

The amendment includes a revised route from the Canadian border at

Pittsburg, New Hampshire through a portion of Vermont near Beecher

Falls to Shelburne, New Hampshire, a distance of about 72.8 miles. The

originally filed mainline route from Shelburne, New Hampshire to

Haverhill, Massachusetts remains unchanged.

In addition to the amended mainline route, PNGTS also proposes, in

its amendment, to construct three new natural gas pipeline laterals:

the Groveton Lateral, the Rumford-Jay Lateral, and the Westbrook

Lateral. These three laterals total 48.4 miles of pipeline. The

originally proposed Falmouth Lateral has been deleted, and the

originally proposed Newington Lateral remains part of the proposed

project.

The current project, as amended, would include the construction and

operation of the following facilities:

[[Page 64515]]

224.1 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 Pittsburg, New

Hampshire to the existing Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company transmission

system in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Of the 224.1-mile-long mainline,

about 0.6 mile would be in Vermont, 106.5 miles would be in New

Hampshire, 116.9 miles would be in Maine, and 0.1 mile would be in

Massachusetts;

26.9 miles of 10-inch-diameter pipeline lateral from the

mainline in Oxford County, Maine to Rumford, Maine (Rumford Lateral);

16.6 miles of 8-inch-diameter pipeline lateral from the

Rumford Lateral to Jay, Maine, (Jay Lateral);

3.9 miles of 8-inch-diameter pipeline lateral from the

mainline in Cumberland County, Maine to Westbrook, Maine (Westbrook

Lateral);

1.0 mile of 12-inch-diameter pipeline lateral from the

mainline to Newington, New Hampshire (Newington Lateral);

Seven new meter stations, one each in Groveton and

Newington, New Hampshire; Rumford, Jay, Westbrook, and Wells, Maine;

and Haverhill, Massachusetts;

Acquisition and modification of an existing meter station

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

Associated pipeline facilities, such as about 20 mainline

block valves and 6 scraper launcher/receivers.

PNGTS proposes to have the facilities in service by November 1998.

The general locations of the project facilities are shown in appendix

2. The general locations of other natural gas projects under Commission

review occurring in the same region and generally within the same time

frame (Granite State Gas Transmission, Inc. [Granite State], Granite

State LNG Project, Docket No. CP96-610-000; Maritimes & Northeast

Pipeline, L.L.C. [M&NP], Maritimes Phase I Project, Docket No. CP96-

178-000; and M&NP, Maritimes Phase II Project, Docket No. CP96-809-000)

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

maps of a specific portion of the project, or procedural information

contact the EIS Project Manager identified at the end of this notice.

Land Requirements for Construction

Construction of the proposed pipelines (nominal right-of-way width

of 75 feet) and meter stations would affect about 2,480 acres of land.

Additional land disturbance would be needed for extra work spaces at

road, railroad and certain waterbody, and wetland crossings, as well as

for pipeyards and contractor yards and temporary topsoil or rock

storage.

Following construction, about 1,655 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 new meter stations. Permanent 50-foot-wide rights-of-way would be

maintained for the pipelines. Existing land uses on the remainder of

the disturbed area, as well as most land uses on the permanent rights-

of-way, would 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 notice, 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 of

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 applicants. These issues

are listed below. Keep in mind that this is a preliminary list. The

list of issues may be added to, subtracted from, or changed based on

your comments and our analysis.

Geology and Soils

--Seismology, soil liquefaction, and areas susceptible to

landslide.

--Blasting in areas of near-surface bedrock.

--Effect on exploitable mineral resources.

--Effect on farmland.

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

Water Resources

--Effect on groundwater and surface water supplies.

--Crossings of 595 waterbodies, including 10 crossings of

waterbodies over 100 feet wide (Androscoggin [4 crossings], Presumpscot

[2 crossings], Saco, Mousam, Squamscott, and Piscataqua Rivers).

--Consistency with state Coastal Zone Management Programs.

Biological Resources

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

open land.

--Effect on habitat at 993 wetland crossings.

--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 federally listed or proposed threatened and endangered

species.

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

Cultural Resources

--Effect on historic and prehistoric sites.

--Native American and tribal concerns.

Land Use

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

--Effect on planned residential developments.

--Effect on public and recreation lands, including the Appalachian

Trail, the White Mountain National Forest, hiking trails in the White

Mountains, Baha'i Faith property, and Pease Development Authority

property.

--Effect on scenic waterbodies, including the Connecticut and

Exeter Rivers and the Great Brook.

--Effects resulting from construction over or near known hazardous

waste sites.

Socioeconomics

--Effect of construction workforce on surrounding areas.

--Effect on property values and tax revenue.

Air Quality and Noise

--Effect on local air quality and noise environment from

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

general same time frame, including the Granite State LNG Project and

the Maritimes Phase I and II Projects.

We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed project

or

[[Page 64516]]

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 to the Secretary of

the Commission 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 minimize 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 Nos. CP96-249-000 and CP96-249-003;

Also, 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 January 3, 1997.

In addition to sending written comments, you may attend public

scoping meetings. We will conduct two public scoping meetings at the

following times and locations:

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Date Time Location

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December 11, 1996................ 7:00 p.m. Berlin Town Hall,

Berlin, NH.

December 12, 1996................ 7:00 p.m. Colebrook

Elementary School,

Colebrook, NH.

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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 on an interagency basis.

Federal agencies are expected to transmit their comments directly to

the 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 meetings to allow

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 of 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

receive copies of the Draft and Final EISs, please return the

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

Request, you will be taken off the mailing list.

Additional procedural 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 have indicated that they

will be cooperating agencies for purposes of producing an EIS:

U.S. Department of the Army, Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department

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 Nos. CP96-249-000 and CP96-249-001;

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 letter so that it will be received in Washington, DC on

or before January 3, 1997.

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. 96-30929 Filed 12-4-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-M