TABLE OF CONTENTS

i

Rockaway Delivery Lateral Project

Northeast Connector Project

Final Environmental Impact Statement

Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................................................... i

LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................................................................vii

LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................................... x

LIST OF APPENDICES.............................................................................................................................xii

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................xiii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................ES-1

INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................ES-1

PROPOSED ACTION...............................................................................................................ES-1

AGENCY AND PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES...........................ES-2

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION............................................................ES-3

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ...........................................................................................ES-6

CONCLUSIONS .......................................................................................................................ES-7

1.0 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................1-1

1.1 PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED.................................................................................1-2

1.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE EIS...........................................................................1-5

1.2.1 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission............................................................1-6

1.2.2 National Park Service .........................................................................................1-6

1.2.3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency..............................................................1-7

1.2.4 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District ...........................................1-7

1.2.5 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine

Fisheries Service.................................................................................................1-8

1.2.6 City of New York ...............................................................................................1-8

1.3 PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT............................................................................1-8

1.4 NON-JURISDICTIONAL FACILITIES.......................................................................1-14

1.4.1 Brooklyn-Queens Interconnect Project.............................................................1-14

1.4.2 Philadelphia Electric Company Project ............................................................1-16

1.5 PERMITS, APPROVALS, AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.......................1-17

2.0 PROPOSED ACTION................................................................................................................2-1

2.1 PROPOSED FACILITIES...............................................................................................2-1

2.1.1 Pipeline Facilities................................................................................................2-1

2.1.2 M&R Facility......................................................................................................2-2

2.1.3 Compressor Stations...........................................................................................2-2

2.2 LAND REQUIREMENTS...............................................................................................2-9

2.2.1 Pipeline Right-of-Way........................................................................................2-9

2.2.2 M&R Facility....................................................................................................2-11

2.2.3 Compressor Stations.........................................................................................2-11

2.2.4 Pipe Yard ..........................................................................................................2-11

2.2.5 Access Roads....................................................................................................2-11
TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)

Page

ii

2.3 CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURES..............................................................................2-14

2.3.1 Pipeline Construction Procedures.....................................................................2-14

2.3.1.1 Offshore Construction Vessels..........................................................2-15

2.3.1.2 Pipe Delivery and Concrete Coating at the Pipe Yard ......................2-20

2.3.1.3 Pipe Fabrication with a Lay Barge ....................................................2-21

2.3.1.4 Subsea Trenching with a Post-Lay Jet Sled.......................................2-21

2.3.1.5 Horizontal Directional Drilling .........................................................2-23

2.3.1.6 Subsea Cable Crossing ......................................................................2-27

2.3.1.7 Subsea Hot-Tap and Subsea Manifold Installation ...........................2-29

2.3.1.8 Anode Bed and Anode Sled Installation............................................2-29

2.3.1.9 Offshore Backfilling..........................................................................2-29

2.3.1.10 Onshore Clearing, Grading, Trenching, and Backfilling...................2-34

2.3.1.11 Hydrostatic Testing ...........................................................................2-34

2.3.1.12 Cleanup and Restoration....................................................................2-36

2.3.2 M&R Facility Construction Procedures............................................................2-36

2.3.3 Compressor Station Construction Procedures ..................................................2-37

2.4 CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE AND SCHEDULE...............................................2-37

2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING, INSPECTION AND COMPLIANCE

MONITORING..............................................................................................................2-37

2.5.1 Post-Approval Variance Process ......................................................................2-38

2.6 OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE ........................2-39

2.6.1 Pipeline Facilities..............................................................................................2-39

2.6.2 Aboveground Facilities.....................................................................................2-40

2.7 FUTURE PLANS AND ABANDONMENT ................................................................2-40

3.0 ALTERNATIVES.......................................................................................................................3-1

3.1 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE.......................................................................................3-2

3.2 ENERGY ALTERNATIVES ..........................................................................................3-3

3.2.1 Energy Conservation and Increased Efficiency..................................................3-3

3.2.2 Renewable Energy ..............................................................................................3-4

3.2.3 Nuclear Energy .................................................................................................3-10

3.2.4 Fossil Fuels.......................................................................................................3-10

3.2.5 Alternative Fuels...............................................................................................3-11

3.3 SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES.........................................................................................3-11

3.3.1 Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC..................................................................3-12

3.3.2 Columbia Gas Transmission.............................................................................3-12

3.3.3 Millennium Pipeline Company, LLC ...............................................................3-14

3.3.4 Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC ..........................................................3-14

3.3.5 Iroquois Gas Transmission System, LP............................................................3-14

3.3.6 Texas Eastern Transmission, LP.......................................................................3-14

3.3.7 Proposed Constitution Pipeline.........................................................................3-15

3.3.8 Proposed Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities.......................................................3-15

3.3.9 Transco System Alternatives............................................................................3-17

3.4 ROUTE ALTERNATIVES TO THE ROCKAWAY DELIVERY LATERAL............3-18

3.4.1 Alternative Route 1...........................................................................................3-22

3.4.2 Alternative Route 2...........................................................................................3-23

3.4.3 Alternative Route 3...........................................................................................3-24

3.4.4 Alternative Route 4...........................................................................................3-25
TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)

Page

iii

3.5 ALTERNATIVE SITES TO THE M&R FACILITY....................................................3-26

3.5.1 M&R Facility Alternative Site 1.......................................................................3-31

3.5.2 M&R Facility Alternative Site 2.......................................................................3-31

3.5.3 M&R Facility Alternative Site 3.......................................................................3-32

3.5.4 M&R Facility Alternative Site 4.......................................................................3-33

3.5.5 M&R Facility Alternative Site 5.......................................................................3-33

3.6 ALTERNATIVES TO THE NORTHEAST CONNECTOR PROJECT ......................3-34

3.7 CONSTRUCTION ALTERNATIVES..........................................................................3-35

3.7.1 Subsea Pipeline Trenching Alternatives...........................................................3-35

3.7.2 Dynamically Positioned Pipe Lay Barge Alternative .......................................3-37

3.7.3 Open-Cut Crossing of the Shoreline.................................................................3-37

3.7.4 Drilling Fluid Removal.....................................................................................3-38

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS.............................................................................................4-1

4.1 GEOLOGY ......................................................................................................................4-1

4.1.1 Geologic Setting .................................................................................................4-1

4.1.2 Geotechnical Investigations................................................................................4-2

4.1.3 Mineral Resources..............................................................................................4-2

4.1.4 Geologic and Meteorological Hazards................................................................4-2

4.1.4.1 Earthquakes and Surface Faults...........................................................4-3

4.1.4.2 Hurricanes............................................................................................4-4

4.1.4.3 Flooding...............................................................................................4-5

4.1.5 Karst Terrain/Sinkholes......................................................................................4-7

4.1.6 Paleontological Resources..................................................................................4-8

4.1.7 General Impacts and Mitigation..........................................................................4-8

4.2 SOILS ............................................................................................................................4-10

4.2.1 Existing Conditions...........................................................................................4-10

4.2.2 Contaminated Soils and Sediments...................................................................4-11

4.2.3 General Impact and Mitigation .........................................................................4-12

4.3 WATER RESOURCES .................................................................................................4-14

4.3.1 Groundwater Resources....................................................................................4-14

4.3.1.1 Sole Source Aquifers.........................................................................4-14

4.3.1.2 Water Supply Wells...........................................................................4-15

4.3.1.3 Contaminated Groundwater...............................................................4-15

4.3.1.4 Groundwater Impacts and Mitigation Procedures.............................4-16

4.3.2 Surface Water Resources..................................................................................4-16

4.3.2.1 Water Classifications.........................................................................4-17

4.3.2.2 Existing Water Quality......................................................................4-17

4.3.2.3 General Impacts and Mitigation ........................................................4-19

4.3.3 Wetland Resources ...........................................................................................4-23

4.4 VEGETATION..............................................................................................................4-25

4.4.1 Vegetation Resources .......................................................................................4-25

4.4.1.1 Maritime Beach .................................................................................4-25

4.4.1.2 Scrub/Shrubland ................................................................................4-25

4.4.1.3 Developed Land.................................................................................4-25

4.4.2 Vegetation Communities of Special Concern...................................................4-26

4.4.3 Invasive Species................................................................................................4-26
TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)

Page

iv

4.4.4 Vegetation Impacts and Mitigation...................................................................4-26

4.4.5 Operations Impacts...........................................................................................4-27

4.5 WILDLIFE AND AQUATIC RESOURCES................................................................4-28

4.5.1 Wildlife Resources............................................................................................4-28

4.5.1.1 Significant or Sensitive Wildlife Habitats.........................................4-28

4.5.2 Wildlife Construction Impacts and Mitigation .................................................4-31

4.5.2.1 Marine Wildlife Impacts....................................................................4-31

4.5.2.2 Marine Mammal Impacts ..................................................................4-39

4.5.2.3 Terrestrial Wildlife Impacts...............................................................4-44

4.5.2.4 Migratory Birds.................................................................................4-45

4.5.3 Operation Impacts.............................................................................................4-47

4.5.3.1 Rockaway Delivery Lateral...............................................................4-47

4.5.3.2 Metering and Regulating Facility......................................................4-48

4.5.3.3 Compressor Station 195 ....................................................................4-48

4.6 FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES ...............................................................4-49

4.6.1 General Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.........................................................4-49

4.6.2 Aquatic Impacts and Mitigation........................................................................4-50

4.6.3 Essential Fish Habitat .......................................................................................4-50

4.6.3.1 Managed Fish Species and Essential Fish Habitat ............................4-51

4.6.3.2 Assessment of Potential Impacts on Essential Fish Habitat ..............4-51

4.6.4 Operations Impacts...........................................................................................4-68

4.6.5 Conservation Measures.....................................................................................4-69

4.6.6 Conclusions of the Essential Fish Habitat Assessment.....................................4-70

4.7 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND OTHER SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES .....4-71

4.7.1 Federally Listed Species – Rockaway Project..................................................4-73

4.7.1.1 Marine Mammals...............................................................................4-73

4.7.1.2 Fish ....................................................................................................4-80

4.7.1.3 Marine Turtles...................................................................................4-88

4.7.1.4 Cumulative Impacts for Marine Species ...........................................4-93

4.7.1.5 Birds ..................................................................................................4-94

4.7.1.6 Plants.................................................................................................4-95

4.7.1.7 Insects and Invertebrates ...................................................................4-96

4.7.2 Federally Listed Species – Northeast Connector Project..................................4-96

4.7.3 Project Operations.............................................................................................4-98

4.7.3.1 Rockaway Delivery Lateral...............................................................4-98

4.7.3.2 M&R Facility.....................................................................................4-98

4.7.3.3 Compressor Stations..........................................................................4-98

4.7.4 Staff Recommendations for Threatened and Endangered Species ...................4-99

4.7.5 State-Listed Species..........................................................................................4-99

4.7.5.1 New York ..........................................................................................4-99

4.7.5.2 New Jersey.......................................................................................4-102

4.7.5.3 Pennsylvania....................................................................................4-103

4.8 LAND USE, RECREATION, SPECIAL INTEREST AREAS, AND VISUAL

RESOURCES ..............................................................................................................4-104

4.8.1 Land Use, Land Cover, General Impacts, and Mitigation ..............................4-104

4.8.1.1 Land Use..........................................................................................4-104

4.8.1.2 Land Cover......................................................................................4-109

4.8.1.3 General Impacts and Mitigation ......................................................4-111
TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)

Page

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4.8.2 Land Ownership..............................................................................................4-112

4.8.3 Coastal Zone Management .............................................................................4-116

4.8.4 Offshore Uses .................................................................................................4-117

4.8.4.1 Fishing.............................................................................................4-117

4.8.4.2 Vessel Traffic ..................................................................................4-119

4.8.4.3 Subsea Utilities................................................................................4-121

4.8.4.4 Offshore Dredge Disposal Sites ......................................................4-123

4.8.5 Hazardous Waste Sites and Landfills .............................................................4-124

4.8.6 Existing Residences and Buildings.................................................................4-124

4.8.7 Recreation and Special Use Areas..................................................................4-125

4.8.8 Visual Resources.............................................................................................4-129

4.8.9 Honey Bee Colonies.......................................................................................4-130

4.8.10 Conclusion ......................................................................................................4-131

4.9 SOCIOECONOMICS..................................................................................................4-132

4.9.1 Population and Employment...........................................................................4-132

4.9.2 Housing...........................................................................................................4-135

4.9.3 Public Services................................................................................................4-136

4.9.4 Transportation.................................................................................................4-137

4.9.5 Property Values...............................................................................................4-138

4.9.6 Economy and Tax Revenues...........................................................................4-139

4.9.7 Environmental Justice.....................................................................................4-141

4.10 CULTURAL RESOURCES........................................................................................4-144

4.10.1 Cultural Resource Surveys..............................................................................4-144

4.10.2 Unanticipated Discovery Plan ........................................................................4-152

4.10.3 Native American Consultation........................................................................4-152

4.10.4 General Impact and Mitigation .......................................................................4-153

4.11 AIR QUALITY AND NOISE .....................................................................................4-154

4.11.1 Air Quality ......................................................................................................4-154

4.11.1.1 Existing Air Quality ........................................................................4-154

4.11.1.2 Air Quality Regulatory Requirements.............................................4-159

4.11.1.3 Air Emission Impacts and Mitigation..............................................4-165

4.11.1.4 Greenhouse Gas Emissions .............................................................4-167

4.11.1.5 Radon Exposure...............................................................................4-169

4.11.2 Noise ...............................................................................................................4-170

4.11.2.1 Existing Noise Levels......................................................................4-171

4.11.2.2 Noise Regulatory Requirements......................................................4-174

4.11.2.3 Noise Level Impacts and Mitigation ...............................................4-176

4.11.3 Vibration .........................................................................................................4-187

4.12 RELIABILITY AND SAFETY...................................................................................4-190

4.12.1 Safety Standards .............................................................................................4-190

4.12.2 Pipeline Accident Data ...................................................................................4-196

4.12.3 Impacts on Public Safety ................................................................................4-199

4.12.4 Additional Safety and Security Issues ............................................................4-201

4.13 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS.........................................................................................4-203

4.13.1 Geology and Soils...........................................................................................4-207

4.13.2 Groundwater ...................................................................................................4-207

4.13.3 Surface Water .................................................................................................4-207

4.13.4 Wetlands.........................................................................................................4-208
TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)

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4.13.5 Vegetation.......................................................................................................4-208

4.13.6 Wildlife and Habitats......................................................................................4-208

4.13.7 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources....................................................................4-209

4.13.8 Special Status Species.....................................................................................4-210

4.13.9 Land Use Resources........................................................................................4-210

4.13.10 Visual Resources.............................................................................................4-211

4.13.11 Socioeconomics..............................................................................................4-212

4.13.12 Cultural Resources..........................................................................................4-214

4.13.13 Air Quality and Noise .....................................................................................4-215

4.13.13.1Air Quality.......................................................................................4-215

4.13.13.2Noise................................................................................................4-216

4.13.14 Reliability and Safety......................................................................................4-217

4.13.15 Climate Change...............................................................................................4-217

4.13.16 Conclusion ......................................................................................................4-217

5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................5-1

5.1 CONCLUSIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS ......................................5-1

5.1.1 Geology...............................................................................................................5-1

5.1.2 Soils ....................................................................................................................5-2

5.1.3 Water Resources.................................................................................................5-3

5.1.4 Vegetation...........................................................................................................5-5

5.1.5 Wildlife and Aquatic Resources .........................................................................5-6

5.1.6 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources......................................................................5-10

5.1.7 Special Status Species.......................................................................................5-11

5.1.8 Land Use and Visual Resources .......................................................................5-12

5.1.9 Socioeconomics................................................................................................5-14

5.1.10 Cultural Resources............................................................................................5-15

5.1.11 Air Quality and Noise .......................................................................................5-18

5.1.12 Reliability and Safety........................................................................................5-19

5.1.13 Cumulative Effects ...........................................................................................5-20

5.1.14 Alternatives Considered....................................................................................5-21

5.2 FERC STAFF’S RECOMMENDED MITIGATION....................................................5-22
LIST OF TABLES

Number Title Page

vii

Table 1.3-1 Key Environmental Concerns Identified During the Scoping Process for the

Rockaway Project .....................................................................................................1-11

Table 1.5-1 Major Permits, Approvals, and Consultations for the Rockaway Project.................1-17

Table 1.5-2 Major Permits, Approvals, and Consultations for the Northeast Connector Project 1-20

Table 3.3-1 Other Existing Interstate Pipeline Systems in the New York City Area...................3-12

Table 3.4-1 Environmental Comparison of Alternative Routes to the Proposed Route

for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral...........................................................................3-21

Table 3.4-2 Comparison of the Acres and Cubic Yards of Impact for the Alternative Routes

and the Proposed Route for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral....................................3-22

Table 3.5-1 Comparison of Alternative M&R Facility Sites to the Proposed M&R Facility

Site for the Rockaway Project...................................................................................3-30

Table 3.7.1-1 Comparison of Offshore Pipeline Trenching Methods for the Rockaway Project ...3-36

Table 4.3.2-1 Physical Water Quality Standards at the Proposed Project Site for the Rockaway 

Project .......................................................................................................................4-18

Table 4.3.2-2 Comparison of New York State’s Water Quality Standards and the 2009

and 2010 Survey Results for the Rockaway Project .................................................4-18

Table 4.5.1-1 List of Wildlife Species Representative of the Region or Observed in the

Vicinity of the Rockaway Project .............................................................................4-29

Table 4.5.2-1 Calculated In-Water Noise Zones Based on Expected Pile Driving Levels

Average Sound Pressure for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral...................................4-35

Table 4.5.2-2 Estimated Marine Mammal, Numbers of Marine Mammals at Potential Risk

of...............................................................................................................................4-41

Table 4.5.2-3 List of Birds of Conservation Concern and Other Sensitive Bird Species in

the New England/Mid-Atlantic Coast and Piedmont Regions for the Rockaway

and Northeast Connector Projects.............................................................................4-46

Table 4.6.3-1 Designated Essential Fish Habitat for Atlantic Ocean Waters near Rockaway

Beach for the Rockaway Project...............................................................................4-53

Table 4.6.3-2 Summary of Sediment Transport Model Results for the Rockaway Project ............4-56

Table 4.7-1 Federally Listed, Candidate, and Petitioned Species Potentially Occurring in the 

Rockaway Project Area.............................................................................................4-72

Table 4.7-2 Federally Listed, Candidate, and Petitioned Species Potentially Occurring in the 

Northeast Connector Project Area ............................................................................4-73

Table 4.7.5-1 State of New York Sensitive Species Potentially Occurring in the Rockaway

Project Area ............................................................................................................4-100

Table 4.7.5-2 State of New Jersey Sensitive Species Potentially Occurring in the Rockaway

Project Area ............................................................................................................4-103

Table 4.8.1-1 Land Use Types and Acres Impacted by Construction and Operation of the

Rockaway Project ...................................................................................................4-107

Table 4.8.1-2 Land Cover Types and Acres Impacted by Construction and Operation of the 

Rockaway Project ...................................................................................................4-111

Table 4.8.4-1 Fishing Seasons for Several Managed Fish Species in the Vicinity of the

Rockaway Project ...................................................................................................4-118

Table 4.8.4-2 Estimated Vessel Size and Trip Frequency for Construction-Related Traffic for the 

Rockaway Delivery Lateral ....................................................................................4-121

Table 4.9.1-1 Existing Socioeconomic Conditions in the Area and Vicinity of the

Rockaway Project ...................................................................................................4-133
TABLES (cont’d)

Table Title Page

viii

Table 4.9.1-2 Existing Socioeconomic Conditions in the Vicinity of the Northeast

Connector Project....................................................................................................4-134

Table 4.9.2-1 Housing Characteristics in the Rockaway and Northeast Connector Project

Areas (2010)............................................................................................................4-135

Table 4.9.3-1 Public Service Facilities in the Rockaway and Northeast Connect Project

Areas.......................................................................................................................4-136

Table 4.9.4-1 Land Transportation Associated with Construction of the Rockaway Project .......4-138

Table 4.9.6-1 Local Tax Revenues Generated from the Rockaway Project..................................4-139

Table 4.9.6-2 Top Five Commercial Fish Landings (Value) up to 3.0 Miles off the New York 

Shoreline in 2010 ....................................................................................................4-140

Table 4.9.7-1 Economic Statistics for Communities Affected by the Rockaway Project.............4-143

Table 4.11.1-1 National Ambient Air Quality Standards................................................................4-155

Table 4.11.1-2 New York Ambient Air Quality Standards.............................................................4-157

Table 4.11.1-3 Background Ambient Air Quality for the Rockaway Project .................................4-158

Table 4.11.1-4 Background Ambient Air Quality for the Northeast Connector Project.................4-159

Table 4.11.1-5 Calculated Potential Operational Emissions for the M&R Facility (Annual).........4-160

Table 4.11.1-6 General Conformity De Minimus Thresholds ........................................................4-162

Table 4.11.1-7 Calculated Total Construction Emissions for the Rockaway Project .....................4-163

Table 4.11.1-8 Calculated Total Construction Emissions for Compressor Station 195..................4-163

Table 4.11.1-9 Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions Summaries for the Rockaway and Northeast 

Connector Projects..................................................................................................4-164

Table 4.11.1-10 Actual Operational Emissions from Compressor Station 195 from Calendar

Year 2012................................................................................................................4-166

Table 4.11.1-11 Calculated Annual Operational Emissions for Compressor Station 195 ................4-167

Table 4.11.1-12 Calculated Reduction in Annual Operating Emissions at Compressor

Station 195 ..............................................................................................................4-167

Table 4.11.2-1 Sound Pressure Levels and Relative Loudness.......................................................4-171

Table 4.11.2-2 NSAs Near the M&R Facility for the Rockaway Project .......................................4-172

Table 4.11.2-3 Summary of Ambient Day and Night Sound Levels at NSAs Near the

M&R Facility for the Rockaway Project ................................................................4-172

Table 4.11.2-4 Summary of Ambient Day and Night Sound Levels at NSAs Near Compressor

Station 195 for the Northeast Connector Project ....................................................4-173

Table 4.11.2-5 Summary of Ambient Day and Night Sound Levels at NSAs Near Compressor

Station 205 for the Northeast Connector Project ....................................................4-173

Table 4.11.2-6 Summary of Ambient Day and Night Sound Levels at NSAs Near Compressor

Station 207 for the Northeast Connector Project ....................................................4-174

Table 4.11.2-7 Noise Guidelines, Standards, and Ordinances Applicable to the Rockaway and 

Northeast Connector Projects..................................................................................4-175

Table 4.11.2-8 Noise Quality Analysis Related to Temporary Construction Activities at the

M&R Facility for the Rockaway Project ................................................................4-180

Table 4.11.2-9 Noise Quality Analysis Related to Operational Activities at the M&R Facility

for the Rockaway Project........................................................................................4-181

Table 4.11.2-10 Noise Quality Analysis Related to Operational Activities at Compressor

Station 195 for the Northeast Connector Project ....................................................4-183

Table 4.11.2-11 Noise Quality Analysis of Modified Compressor Station 205 for the

Northeast Connector Project ...................................................................................4-184
TABLES (cont’d)

Table Title Page

ix

Table 4.11.2-12 Noise Quality Analysis of Modified Compressor Station 207 for the Northeast 

Connector Project....................................................................................................4-186

Table 4.12.1-1 Area Classifications along the Rockaway Delivery Lateral ...................................4-192

Table 4.12.2-1 Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Significant Incidents by

Cause (1993-2012)..................................................................................................4-196

Table 4.12.2-2 Outside Forces Incidents by Cause (1992-2011)....................................................4-197

Table 4.12.2-3 Transco Unintentional Onshore Leaks per 1,000 Miles..........................................4-198

Table 4.12.2-4 Transco Unintentional Offshore Leaks per 1,000 Miles.........................................4-198

Table 4.12.3-1 Annual Average Fatalities – Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines .........................4-199

Table 4.12.3-2 Nationwide Accidental Deaths................................................................................4-200

Table 4.13-1 Existing or Proposed Projects that Could Cumulatively Impact Environmental 

Resources in the Region of Influence for the Rockaway Project............................4-205

Table 4.13-2 Existing or Proposed Projects that Could Cumulatively Impact Environmental 

Resources in the Regions of Influence for the Northeast Connector Project..........4-206
LIST OF FIGURES

Number Title Page

x

Figure 1-1 Location of the Rockaway Delivery Lateral and Meter and Regulating Facility .......1-3

Figure 1-2 Location of the Northeast Connector Project Relative to the Rockaway Project .......1-4

Figure 1.4-1 Location of the Brooklyn-Queens Interconnect Project Relative to the

Rockaway Project .....................................................................................................1-15

Figure 2.1.1-1 Location of Rockaway Delivery Lateral Project Facilities.........................................2-3

Figure 2.1.1-2a Pipeline Facilities for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral ...............................................2-4

Figure 2.1.1-2b Pipeline Facilities for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral ...............................................2-5

Figure 2.1.3-1 An Overview of Compressor Station 195 for the Northeast Connector Project .........2-6

Figure 2.1.3-2 An Overview of Compressor Station 205 for the Northeast Connector Project .........2-7

Figure 2.1.3-3 An Overview of Compressor Station 207 for the Northeast Connector Project .........2-8

Figure 2.2.1-1 Onshore Pipeline Workspace for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral ...........................2-10

Figure 2.2.2-1 M&R Facility Workspace for the Rockaway Project ...............................................2-12

Figure 2.2.4-1 Pipe Yard for the Rockaway Project.........................................................................2-13

Figure 2.3.1-1 Typical Offshore Construction Vessel Positioning for the Rockaway

Delivery Lateral ........................................................................................................2-16

Figure 2.3.1-2 Rendering of the Pipe Lay and Jack-up Barges at the HDD Exit Pit from

Rockaway Beach at Beach 169th Street ...................................................................2-17

Figure 2.3.1-3 Typical Pipe Lay Barge and Pipe Transport Barge...................................................2-18

Figure 2.3.1-4 Typical Jack-up Barge ..............................................................................................2-18

Figure 2.3.1-5 Typical Clamshell Barge in Operation......................................................................2-19

Figure 2.3.1-6 Typical Jet Sled Configuration .................................................................................2-22

Figure 2.3.1-7 HDD Exit Pit and Construction Layout for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral............2-24

Figure 2.3.1-8 Typical HDD Drill Rig .............................................................................................2-25

Figure 2.3.1-9 HDD Pipeline Pullback (Offshore) for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral ..................2-26

Figure 2.3.1-10 Active Subsea Cable Crossing for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral .........................2-28

Figure 2.3.1-11 Anode Bed and Anode Sled for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral .............................2-30

Figure 2.3.1-12 Typical Suction Dredge Configuration.....................................................................2-32

Figure 2.3.1-13 Typical Offshore Construction Right-of-Way and Backfill of the

Pipeline Trench .........................................................................................................2-33

Figure 2.3.1-14 Typical Onshore Construction Right-of-Way for the Rockaway

Delivery Lateral ........................................................................................................2-35

Figure 3.3-1 Overview of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines Servicing the Region ........................3-13

Figure 3.4-1 Overview of Pipeline Route Alternatives for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral.........3-19

Figure 3.4-2 Federal and State Significant Habitat Areas – Pipeline Route Alternatives for the 

Rockaway Delivery Lateral ......................................................................................3-20

Figure 3.5-1 Public Lands – M&R Facility Site Alternatives for the Rockaway Project..............3-27

Figure 3.5-2 NYSDEC Tidal Wetlands – M&R Facility Site Alternatives for the Rockaway

Project .......................................................................................................................3-28

Figure 3.5-3 Federal and State Significant Habitat Areas – M&R Facility Site Alternatives

for the Rockaway Project..........................................................................................3-29

Figure 4.1.4-1 Flooding Potential Proximate to the Proposed M&R Facility ....................................4-6

Figure 4.3.3-1 Wetlands in the Vicinity of the Rockaway Project...................................................4-24

Figure 4.5.1-1 Federal and State Significant Habitat Areas in the Vicinity of the Rockaway

Project .......................................................................................................................4-30

Figure 4.5.2-1 Benthic Resource Survey for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral .................................4-33

Figure 4.5.2-2 Zone of Influence for Noise Impacts on Marine Mammals during Construction

of the Rockaway Delivery Lateral ............................................................................4-43
FIGURES (cont’d)

Number Title Page

xi

Figure 4.6.3-1 Essential Fish Habitat ...............................................................................................4-52

Figure 4.7.1-1 Right Whale Seasonal Management Area in the Vicinity of the Rockaway

Delivery Lateral ........................................................................................................4-76

Figure 4.8.1-1 Land Use Classifications in the Vicinity of the Rockaway Project ........................4-105

Figure 4.8.1-2 Land Cover Classifications in the Vicinity of the Rockaway Project.....................4-110

Figure 4.8.2-1 Land Ownership in the Vicinity of the Rockaway Project .....................................4-113

Figure 4.8.4-1 Locations of Cable Crossings and Dumping Grounds in Relation to the

Rockaway Delivery Lateral ....................................................................................4-122

Figure 4.8.7-1 Gateway National Recreation Area in Relation to the Rockaway Project..............4-127

Figure 4.9.7-1 Potential Environmental Justice Communities in the Vicinity of the Rockaway

Project .....................................................................................................................4-142

Figure 4.11.2-1 NSAs Closest to HDD Entry Point .........................................................................4-177

Figure 4.11.2-2 NSAs Closest to the M&R Facility.........................................................................4-179

Figure 4.11.2-3 NSAs Closest to Compressor Station 195...............................................................4-182

Figure 4.11.2-4 NSAs Closest to Compressor Station 205...............................................................4-185

Figure 4.11.2-5 NSAs Closest to Compressor Station 207...............................................................4-187
LIST OF APPENDICES

xii

Appendix A Distribution List

Appendix B New York City Office of the Mayor, National Grid Brooklyn-Queens Interconnect 

Negative Declaration

Appendix C Pipe Yard, Pipe Transport Route, and Horizontal Directional Drill Alignment Figures

Figure C-1A – Pipe Yard and Pipe Transport Route

Figure C-1B – Pipe Transport Route

Figure C-2 – Horizontal Directional Drill Alignment

Appendix D Rockaway Delivery Lateral Project Project-Specific Erosion Control, Revegetation, 

and Maintenance Plan

Appendix E Rockaway Delivery Lateral Project Project-Specific Wetland and Waterbody 

Construction and Mitigation Procedures

Appendix F Rockaway Delivery Lateral Project Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures 

Plan

Appendix G Construction Spill Plans for Oil and Hazardous Materials

Appendix H Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Operations Monitoring and Contingency Plan

Appendix I Fall 2010 Offshore Environmental Sampling Report for the Rockaway Delivery 

Lateral Project

Appendix J Geotechnical Investigation Proposed 26-inch Rockaway Gas Pipeline, Rockaway, 

Queens County, NY

Appendix K Phase II Site Investigation Hangar 1 and 2, Gateway National Recreation Area, Floyd 

Bennett Field, Brooklyn, New York

Appendix L Rockaway Delivery Lateral Project Unanticipated Discovery of Contamination Plan

Appendix M Summer 2009 Offshore Environmental Sampling Report for the Rockaway Delivery 

Lateral Project

Appendix N Request for Incidental Harassment Authorization Under the Marine Mammal 

Protection Act

Appendix O Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport Analyses for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral 

Project

Appendix P Outreach Plan for Offshore Construction

Appendix Q Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC’s Applicability Analysis for General 

Conformity and Supplemental Information

Appendix R References and Contacts

Appendix S List of Preparers

Appendix T Index
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

xiii

°C degrees Celsius

°F degrees Fahrenheit

μg/m3 micrograms per cubic meter

μPa micropascal

3D three-dimensional

AADT Annual Average Daily Traffic

AAQS Ambient Air Quality Standards

ABFE advisory base flood elevation

ACHP Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

Algonquin Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC

ANSI American National Standards Institute

API American Petroleum Institute

AQCR Air Quality Control Region

AQRV air quality relative value

ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASMFC Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

ASSRT Atlantic Sturgeon Status Review Team

ATWS additional temporary workspace

BA Biological Assessment

BCCs Birds of Conservation Concern

BCR Bird Conservation Region

BGEPA Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

BO Biological Opinion

BOEM Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

BQD18 Brooklyn Community District 18

BQI Project Brooklyn-Queens Interconnect Project

C&ME Construction and Marine Equipment

CAA Clean Air Act

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality

CEQR City Environmental Quality Review

Certificate Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

CeTAP Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CH4 methane

CHPE Champlain Hudson Power Express, Inc.

CMP Coastal Management Program

CO carbon monoxide

CO2 carbon dioxide
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (cont’d)

xiv

CO2e carbon dioxide equivalents

Columbia Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC

Commission Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Con Edison Consolidated Edison, Inc.

Constitution Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC 

Construction Spill Plan Construction Spill Plan for Oil and Hazardous Materials 

CP Commissioner's Policy

CPP Construction Protection Plan

CQD14 Queens Community District 14

CWA Clean Water Act

CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972

CZMP Coastal Zone Management Program

dB decibels

dBA decibels on the A-weighted scale

DHS Department of Homeland Security

DOE U.S. Department of Energy

DOI U.S. Department of the Interior

DOT U.S. Department of Transportation

DPS distinct population segments

DWPA Deepwater Port Act of 1974 

EAS Environmental Assessment Statement

ECOM estuarine, coastal, and ocean model

EERE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

EFH essential fish habitat

EI Environmental Inspector

EIA Energy Information Administration

EIEA Energy Improvement and Extension Act

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

EISA Energy Independence and Security Act

EJ Environmental Justice

EO Executive Order

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPAct Energy Policy Act of 2005

ESA Endangered Species Act

F Fahrenheit

FCV flow control valves

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FERC Plan FERC's Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (cont’d)

xv

FERC Procedures FERC's Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures

FHWG Fisheries Hydroacoustic Working Group

FR Federal Regulations

FSRU floating storage and regasification unit

FTA Federal Transit Administration

FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS-NJFO U.S. Fish and Wildlife, New Jersey Field Office

FWS-PFO U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Pennsylvania Field Office

GGRP Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program

GHG greenhouse gas

GMP General Management Plan

GNRA Gateway National Recreation Area

GPS global positioning system

GW gigawatt

GWh gigawatt hour

GWP global warming potential

H&K Hoover and Keith, Inc.

H2SO4 sulfuric acid

HABS Historic American Buildings Survey 

HCA high consequence area

HDD horizontal directional drill

HDD Monitoring and 

Contingency Plan

Horizontal Directional Drilling Monitoring and Contingency Plan

hp horsepower

HSR historic structures report

HUD U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Hz hertz

IHA Incidental Harassment Authorization

IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Iroquois Iroquois Gas Transmission System, LP

ITS Incidental Take Statement

kV kilovolt

kW kilowatt

L liter

Ld ambient daytime equivalent sound level

Ldn day-night sound level

Leq equivalent sound levels

Leq(1) 1-hour equivalent sound level

Leq(24) 24-hour equivalent sound level
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (cont’d)

xvi

Liberty Liberty Natural Gas, LLC

LIE Long Island Extension

LIPA Long Island Power Authority

Lmax maximum sound level

LMOP Landfill Methane Outreach Program

LNG liquefied natural gas

LNGRV liquid natural gas regasification vessel

LNYBL Lower New York Bay Lateral

LOEC lowest observed effect concentration

LPG liquefied petroleum gas

LSE Leidy Southeast Expansion 

LWRP Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

M&R metering and regulating

MAOP Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure

MARAD Maritime Administration

MARMAP Marine Resources Monitoring, Assessments, and Prediction

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act

MDth/d thousand dekatherms per day

mg milligrams

mg/L milligrams per liter

Millennium Millennium Pipeline Company, LLC

MMBtu million metric British thermal units

MMBtu/hr million metric British thermal units per hour

MMcf million cubic feet

MMcf/d million cubic feet per day

MMI Modified Mercalli Intensity

MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972

MOEC New York City Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MP milepost

mph miles per hour

MSA Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

MW megawatt

MWh megawatt hours

MWh/d megawatt hours per day

N2O nitrous oxide

NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards

NEFSC Northeast Fisheries Science Center

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (cont’d)

xvii

NESHAP National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants

NGA Natural Gas Act

NHPA National Historic Preservation Act

NJDEP New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

NJDOT New Jersey Department of Transportation

NJEMP New Jersey Energy Master Plan

NJ-NY-CT New Jersey-New York-Connecticut

nm2square nautical miles

NNSR Nonattainment New Source Review

NO2 nitrogen dioxide

NOAA U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration

NOAA Fisheries National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries 

Service

NOx nitrogen oxides

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NPS National Park Service

NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRHP National Register of Historic Places

NSA noise sensitive area

NSPS New Source Performance Standards

NSR New Source Review

NTU nephelometric turbidity unit

NWR National Wildlife Refuge

NYCDEP New York City Department of Environmental Protection

NYCDOB New York City Department of Buildings

NYCDOT New York City Department of Transportation

NYCDPR New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

NYCRR New York Codes, Rules and Regulations

NYISO New York Independent System Operator

NYNHP New York Natural Heritage Program

NYPA New York Power Authority

NYPSC New York State Public Service Commission

NYSDEC New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

NYSDOS New York State Department of State

NYSDOT New York State Department of Transportation

NYSERDA New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

NYSOGS New York State Office of General Service

OB octave band

OCRM Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (cont’d)

xviii

OCS Outer Continental Shelf

OEP Office of Energy Projects

OPA Otherwise Protected Area

OPRHP Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

OPS Office of Pipeline Safety

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PADCNR Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

PAH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

Pb Lead

PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls

PECO Philadelphia Electric Company

PGA peak horizontal ground acceleration

PHMSA Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

PM10 particulate matter less than 10 microns in aerodynamic diameter

PM2.5 particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in aerodynamic diameter

PNDI Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory 

ppb parts per billion by volume

ppm parts per million

ppt parts per thousand

PPV peak particle velocity

PSD Prevention of Significant Deterioration

PSE&G Public Service Electric and Gas Company 

psig pounds per square inch gauge

PTE potential-to-emit

RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

RHA Rivers and Harbors Act

RICE reciprocating internal combustion engine

RMS root mean squared

ROV remotely operated vehicle

RPS renewable portfolio standard

RTS regional transmission system

SCADA supervisory control and data acquisition

SCC Sector Coordinating Council

SEFSC Southeast Fisheries Science Center

SEL sound exposure level

SEQRA State Environmental Quality Review Act

SG specific gravity

SHPO State Historic Preservation Office

SI Environmental Site Investigation
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (cont’d)

xix

SIP State Implementation Plan

SMA Seasonal Management Area

SO2 sulfur dioxide

SPCC Plan Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan

SPL sound pressure level

SRHP State Register of Historic Places

SSA sole or principal source aquifer

STL submerged turret loading

SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan

TBTA Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority

Tennessee Gas Tennessee Gas Pipeline, LLC

Texas Eastern Texas Eastern Transmission, LP

THPS tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium sulfate (THPS) 

TOGS Technical and Operational Guidance Series

tpy tons per year

Transco Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC

Transco Plan Project-Specific Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan

Transco Procedures Project-Specific Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation 

TSA Office of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration

TSP Total Suspended Particulates

TSS total suspended solid

Unistar Unistar Nuclear

USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

USC United States Code

USCG U.S. Coast Guard

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture

USGCRP U.S. Global Change Research Program

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

VOC volatile organic compound

VSC-HVDC Voltage Source Conversion-High Voltage Direct Current

WEG wind erodibility group

WWS wind, water, and sunlight