Michigan Gas Storage Company; Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Cranberry Lake Header Replacement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Michigan Gas Storage Company; Notice of Intent to Prepare an

Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Cranberry Lake Header

Replacement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

[Docket No. CP96-263-000]

April 9, 1996.

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or

Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will

discuss the environmental impacts of the construction and operation of

the facilities proposed in the Cranberry Lake Header Replacement

Project.\1\ This EPA will be used by the Commission in its decision-

making process to determine whether an environmental impact statement

is necessary and whether to approve the project.

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\1\ Michigan Gas Storage Company's application was filed with

the Commission under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157

of the Commission's regulations.

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Summary of the Proposed Project

Michigan Gas Storage Company (MGSCo) requests authorization to

construct and operate 5.2 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline to replace

1.3 miles of 10-inch-diameter pipeline and 3.9 miles of 16-inch-

diameter pipeline, and to abandon by removal 5.2 miles of 8-inch-

diameter loop. All facilities are in Clare County, Michigan. The

proposed project would allow for more efficient and safe operation of

MGSCo's Cranberry Lake Storage Field.

The general location of the project facilities and specific

locations for facilities on new sites are shown in appendix 1.\2\

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\2\ The appendices 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., 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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Land Requirements for Construction

Construction of the proposed facilities would require about 42

acres of land. About 36 of the 42 acres is existing pipeline right-of-

way. The 6 acres of construction right-of-way would be allowed to

revert to its prior use after construction.

The EA 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 EA on the important environmental issues. By

this Notice of Intent, the Commission requests public comments on the

scope of the issues it will address in the EA. All comments received

are considered during the preparation of the EA. 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 EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the

construction and operation of the proposed project under these general

headings:

geology and soils

water resources, fisheries, and wetlands

vegetation and wildlife

endangered and threatened species

land use

cultural resources

air quality and noise

public safety

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 EA. Depending

on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA may be

published and 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 comment period will be allotted for review if the EA

is published. We will consider all comments on the EA before we

recommend that the Commission approve or not approve the project.

Docket No. CP96-263-000

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

We have already identified several issues that we think deserve

attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and

the environmental information provided by MGSCo. Keep in mind that this

is a preliminary list:

One mile of the proposed project crosses the Seney

National Wildlife Refuge.

About 1.5 acres of woody wetland vegetation would be

temporarily cleared for construction.

The Clam River, a State of Michigan designated trout

stream, would be crossed by directional drilling.

Three residences are within 50 feet of the construction

right-of-way.

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

based on your comments and our analysis.

Public Participation

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

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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, D.C.

20426;

Reference Docket No. CP96-263-000;

Send a copy of your letter to: Mr. Bob Kopka, EA Project

Manager, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE.,

PR-11.1, Washington, D.C. 20426; and

Mail your comments so that they will be received in

Washington, D.C. on or before May 12, 1996.

If you wish to receive a copy of the EA, you should request one

from Mr.. Kopka at the above address.

Becoming an Intervenor

In addition to involvement in the EA 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 2). You do not need intervenor status to have your scoping

comments considered.

Additional information about the proposed project is available from

Mr.. Bob Kopka, EA Project Manager, at (202) 208-0282.

Lois D. Cashell,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 96-9186 Filed 4-12-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-M