# 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 > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-30929 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** December 5, 1996 - **Citation:** 61 FR 64514 ## Text 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date Time Location ------------------------------------------------------------------------ December 11, 1996................ 7:00 p.m. Berlin Town Hall, Berlin, NH. December 12, 1996................ 7:00 p.m. Colebrook Elementary School, Colebrook, NH. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-30929. Public record. Not legal advice.