[Federal Register: November 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 213)]
[Notices]
[Page 65303-65305]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03no08-37]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF08-29-000]
Mississippi Hub, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed MS HUB Expansion Project,
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Site
Visit
October 27, 2008.
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 proposed MS HUB Expansion
Project involving construction and operation of facilities by
Mississippi Hub, LLC (MS HUB) in Simpson, Jefferson Davis and Covington
Counties, Mississippi. The EA will be used by the Commission in its
decision-making process to determine whether or not to authorize the
project under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act.
This notice explains the scoping process we \1\ will use to gather
environmental input from the public and interested agencies, and
summarizes the project review process for the FERC. Your input will
help determine which issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Details on
how to submit comments during the scoping period are provided in the
Public Participation section of this notice. Please note that the
scoping period will close on December 3, 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This notice is being sent to potentially affected landowners;
federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. State and local
government representatives are asked to notify their constituents of
this planned project and encourage them to comment on their areas of
concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted
by a MS HUB company representative about survey permission and/or the
acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the
proposed facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually
acceptable agreement. However, if the project is approved by the
Commission, that approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain.
Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the
natural gas company could initiate condemnation proceedings in
accordance with state law.
A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for
viewing on the FERC Web site (http://www.ferc.gov). This fact sheet
addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the use of
eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings.
Summary of the Proposed Project
MS HUB proposes to expand the working gas capacity of its currently
authorized salt dome natural gas storage facility in Mississippi from
12 billion standard cubic feet (Bcf) to 15 Bcf and construct two new
natural gas pipelines in an extension of its South Pipeline Corridor.
Specifically, MS HUB seeks authority to construct and operate:
Two solution-mined salt dome caverns, expanded from a
working gas capacity of 6.0 Bcf to 7.5 Bcf each;
Approximately 14.2 miles of 24-inch-diameter natural gas
pipeline, extending from the gas storage facility to an interconnect
with the Southeast Supply Header (SESH) pipeline;
Approximately 22.6 miles of 30-inch-diameter natural gas
pipeline, extending from the gas storage facility to an interconnect
with a Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line (Transco) pipeline;
Aboveground tie-in and metering facilities at each
interconnect site;
Associated access roads; and
An additional 15,800 horsepower (hp) of compression at the
gas storage site.
The general location of the project facilities is shown in Appendix
1.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all appendices are
available on the Commission's Web site at the ``eLibrary'' link or
from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 502-8371. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary refer to the last page of this notice. Copies
of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in
the mail.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction of the proposed facilities would require approximately
340 acres of land. Following construction, approximately 136 acres
would be maintained as new pipeline right-of-way and aboveground
facility sites. The remaining acreage would be restored and allowed to
revert to its former use. If approved, MS HUB proposes to begin
construction of the project in August 2009.
The EA Process
We are preparing an EA to comply with the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) which requires the Commission to take into
account the environmental impact that could result if it authorizes MS
HUB's proposal. NEPA also requires us to discover and address the
public's concerns about proposals that require federal authorizations.
This process is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of the
scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important
environmental issues.
By this notice, we are requesting public comments on the scope of
the issues to be addressed in the EA. All comments received will be
considered during preparation of the EA. We are also asking Federal,
State, and local agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise
with respect to environmental issues to formally cooperate with us in
the preparation of the EA. Agencies that would like to request
cooperating status should follow the instructions for filing comments
provided below.
Although no formal application has been filed with the Commission,
the FERC staff has initiated its review of the project under its NEPA
Pre-filing Process to encourage the early involvement of stakeholders
and to identify and resolve issues before an application is filed. The
purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to seek public and agency input
early in the project planning phase and encourage involvement by
interested stakeholders in a manner that allows for the early
identification and resolution of environmental issues. We will work
with all interested stakeholders to identify and attempt to address
issues before MS HUB files its application with the FERC.
The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the
construction and operation of the proposed project, under the general
headings of geology and soils; land use; water resources, fisheries,
and wetlands; cultural resources; vegetation and wildlife; threatened
and endangered species; air quality and noise; safety and reliability;
and cumulative impacts. The EA will also evaluate reasonable
alternatives to the proposed project, and make recommendations on how
to
[[Page 65304]]
lessen or avoid impacts on affected resources.
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; newspapers;
libraries; interested individuals who return the Mail List Retention
Form in Appendix 3; and the Commission's official service list for this
proceeding. An additional comment period may be allotted for review
when the EA is published. We will consider all comments on the EA
before we make our recommendations to the Commission.
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 MS HUB. This preliminary list
of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.
Federally listed endangered or threatened species may
occur in the proposed project area.
Construction impacts to wetlands located in the proposed
project area.
Construction activities near residences and structures.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the MS HUB Expansion Project. Your comments
should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable
alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts.
The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To
ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please send
in your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC on or
before December 3, 2008.
For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to
submit your written comments to the Commission. In all instances please
reference the project docket number (PF08-29-000) with your submission.
The three methods are:
(1) You may file your comments electronically by using the Quick
Comment feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site
at http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. A Quick
Comment is an easy method for interested persons to submit text-only
comments on a project;
(2) You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site at
http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. eFiling
involves preparing your submission in the same manner as you would if
filing on paper, and then saving the file on your computer's hard
drive. You will attach that file as your submission. New eFiling users
must first create an account by clicking on ``Sign up'' or
``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you are
making. A comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment on
a Filing;'' or
(3) You may file your comments via mail to the Commission by
sending an original and two copies of your letter to: Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE.,
Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas Branch 3,
PJ-11.3.
The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has
dedicated eFiling expert staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258
or efiling@ferc.gov.
Once MS HUB formally files its application with the Commission, you
may want to become an ``intervenor,'' which is an official party to the
proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and are
able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts if
they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor
formally participates in a Commission proceeding by filing a request to
intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are included in the
User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web site.
Please note that you may not request intervenor status at this time.
You must wait until a formal application is filed with the Commission.
MS HUB currently plans to file its formal application in March 2009.
Public Meetings and Site Visits
As part of the Pre-filing Process review, FERC staff will
participate in a public open house sponsored by MS HUB in the project
area on November 18, 2008 to explain the environmental review process
to interested stakeholders and take comments about the project. MS HUB
will mail out a separate invitation regarding this public open house
event to all affected landowners and other interested parties. For
additional information regarding the open house, please contact MS HUB
directly at 1-866-429-5289.
In addition, on November 19, 2008, the FERC staff will conduct a
public site visit to view the proposed facility locations and pipeline
route. Examination will be by automobile and on foot. Representatives
of MS HUB will be accompanying the FERC staff. All interested parties
may attend. Those planning to attend must provide their own
transportation and should meet at the location and time described
below.
MS HUB's open house and the FERC's site visit are designed to
provide another opportunity to offer comments on the proposed Project.
Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to attend the meetings
and to present comments on the environmental issues that they believe
should be addressed in the EA. The open house and site visit are
scheduled as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MS HUB Open House, Tuesday, November M. G. Dyess Inc., 7159 Hwy 35
18th, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (CST). South, Bassfield, MS 39421
(approximately 1 mile south of
the intersection of Hwy 42 and
Hwy 35; M. G. Dyess facility
on west side of Hwy 35).
FERC Site Visit, Wednesday, November Meet at 9 a.m. at the: Wal-Mart
19th at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (CST). Super Center, 1625 Simpson Hwy
49, Magee, MS 39111.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For additional information, you may contact the Commission's Office
of External Affairs at 1-866-208-FERC (3372).
Environmental Mailing List
An effort is being made to send this notice to all individuals,
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially
affected by the proposed project. This includes all landowners who are
potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily
for project purposes, or who own homes within distances defined in the
Commission's regulations
[[Page 65305]]
of certain aboveground facilities. By this notice we are also asking
governmental agencies, especially those in Appendix 2, to express their
interest in becoming cooperating agencies for the preparation of the
EA.
We may mail the EA for comment. If you are interested in receiving
the EA for review and/or comment, please return the Mail List Retention
Form (Appendix 3). In addition, all individuals who provide written
comments to the FERC will remain on our environmental mailing list for
this project. If you do not return the Mail List Retention Form or
provide written comments, you will be taken off the mailing list.
Additional Information
Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC or on the
FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) using the ``eLibrary''
link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter
the docket number excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number
field (e.g., PF08-29). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date
range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the
texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders,
notices, and rulemakings.
In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called
eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances
and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time
you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to
the documents. Go to http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
Fact sheets prepared by the FERC are also available for viewing on
the FERC Internet Web site (www.ferc.gov), using the ``For Citizens''
link. The fact sheet, ``Guide to Electronic Information at FERC,''
provides instructions on how to stay informed and participate in the
Commission's proceedings.
Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx
along with other related information.
Finally, MS HUB will be updating its Web site at http://
www.MississippiHub.com to share news and updates as the environmental
review of its project proceeds.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-26081 Filed 10-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P