Document ID: FERC-2013-1356-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Clarksville Gas and Water; Interconnect Pipeline Project
Posted Date: 2013-10-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62317-62319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24469]

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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 16, 2013 / 
Notices  

[[Page 62317]]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF13-17-000]

Clarksville Gas and Water; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Planned Interconnect Pipeline Project, 
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public 
Scoping Meeting

    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 Interconnect Pipeline Project 
(Project) involving construction and operation of facilities by 
Clarksville Gas and Water (Clarksville) in Todd County, Kentucky and 
Montgomery County, Tennessee. The Commission will use this EA in its 
decision-making process to determine whether the Project is in the 
public convenience and necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the 
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested 
agencies on the Project. Your input will help the Commission staff 
determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. Please note that 
the scoping period will close on November 7, 2013.
    You may submit comments in written form or verbally. Further 
details on how to submit written comments are in the Public 
Participation section of this notice. In lieu of or in addition to 
sending written comments, the Commission invites you to attend the 
public scoping meeting scheduled as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Date and time                           Location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 22, 2013, 7:00 p.m.............  Todd County Central High
                                          School, 806 South Main Street,
                                          Elkton, KY 42220.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The scoping meeting will commence at the time listed above; 
however, representatives from Clarksville will be present one hour 
before the meeting to describe their proposal, present maps, and answer 
questions.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for this Project. State and local government 
representatives should 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, a pipeline company 
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the planned facilities. The company 
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if 
the Commission approves the Project, that approval conveys with it the 
right of eminent domain. Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to 
produce an agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation 
proceedings where compensation would be determined 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 (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 Planned Project

    Clarksville plans to build and operate a 23-mile-long 12-inch-
diameter natural gas pipeline along with associated valves and 
appurtenant facilities in Todd County, Kentucky and Montgomery County, 
Tennessee. The planned pipeline would connect to Texas Gas Transmission 
LLC's pipeline in Kentucky and extend southward to Clarksville's local 
distribution system in Tennessee. The Project would provide access to 
additional natural gas sources to serve its retail distribution system.
    The Project would consist of the following facilities:
     Pipeline Segment 1--19.7 miles of 24-inch-diameter 
pipeline in Todd County, Kentucky;
     Pipeline Segment 2--3.1 miles of 24-inch-diameter pipeline 
in Montgomery County, Tennessee; and
     a pressure-reducing valve at each of mileposts 0.0 and 
19.8.
    A map depicting the general location of the Project facilities is 
included in appendix 1 \1\.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to 
all those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at 
www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary'' 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Clarksville plans to begin construction of the Project in October 
2014 and place the facilities in service by October 2015.

Land Requirements for Construction and Operation

    Clarksville is still in the planning phase for the Project, and 
workspace requirements have not been finalized at this time. As 
currently planned, construction would disturb approximately 313 acres 
of land. Following construction, about 83 acres along Clarksville's 
planned easement would be maintained for permanent operation of the 
project facilities. The remaining acreage would be restored and allowed 
to revert to former uses. About 82 percent of the planned pipeline 
route overlaps or parallels existing pipeline, utility, or road rights-
of-way.

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 
\2\ to discover and address concerns the public may have about 
proposals. 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, the Commission requests public 
comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. We will 
consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ ``Us,'' ``we,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of 
the construction and operation of the

[[Page 62318]]

planned Project under these general headings:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
     vegetation, wildlife, and threatened and endangered 
species;
     socioeconomics;
     cultural resources;
     land use and cumulative impacts;
     air quality and noise; and
     public safety.
    We will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the planned 
Project or portions of the Project, and make recommendations on how to 
lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    Although no formal application has been filed, we have already 
initiated our NEPA review under the Commission's Pre-filing Process. 
The purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to encourage early involvement 
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before an 
application is filed with the FERC. As part of our pre-filing review, 
we have begun to contact some federal and state agencies to discuss 
their involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of the EA. 
In addition, representatives from FERC participated in the public open 
houses sponsored by Clarksville in the Project area in September 2013 
to explain the environmental review process to interested stakeholders.
    The EA will present our independent analysis of the issues. The EA 
will be available in the public record through eLibrary. We will 
consider all comments on the EA before making our recommendations to 
the Commission. To ensure we have the opportunity to consider and 
address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the 
Public Participation section beginning on page 5.
    With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction by law 
and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues of 
this Project to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the 
EA.\3\ Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency status 
should follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the 
Public Participation section of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at 40 CFR 1501.6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation 
with applicable State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO), and to 
solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested 
Indian tribes, and the public on the Project's potential effects on 
historic properties.\4\ We will define the project-specific Area of 
Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPOs as the Project 
is further developed. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a 
minimum encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples 
include construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, and 
access roads). Our EA for this Project will document our findings on 
the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of 
consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations 
are at 36 CFR Part 800. Historic properties are defined in those 
regulations as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, 
structure, or object included in or eligible for inclusion in the 
National Register for Historic Places.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have already identified several issues that we think deserve 
attention based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities, the 
environmental information provided by Clarksville, and comments 
received by the public. This preliminary list of issues may be changed 
based on your comments and our analysis:
     Residential impacts, including the potential for decreased 
property values;
     impacts on agriculture, livestock, and wells;
     impacts on forest and streams;
     impact on hidden karst features/sinkholes;
     impacts on property value;
     restoration of property;
     consideration of routing alternatives;
     the purpose and need for the Project; and
     safety during pipeline operations.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the 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 your comments so 
that they will be received in Washington, DC on or before November 6, 
2013. However, this is not your only public input opportunity; please 
refer to the Review Process flow chart in appendix 2.
    For your convenience, there are four methods you can use to submit 
your comments to the Commission. In all instances, please reference the 
project docket number (PF13-17-000) with your submission. The 
Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert 
eFiling staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or 
efiling@ferc.gov.
    1. You can file your comments electronically by using the eComment 
feature, which is located on the Commission's Web site at www.ferc.gov 
under the link to Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for 
interested persons to submit brief, text-only comments on a project;
    2. You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature, which is located on the Commission's Web site at www.ferc.gov 
under the link to Documents and Filings. With eFiling, you can provide 
comments in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your 
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking 
on ``eRegister.'' You must select the type of filing you are making. If 
you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select 
``Comment on a Filing'';
    3. You can attend and provide either oral or written comments at a 
public scoping meeting. A transcript of each meeting will be made so 
that your comments will be accurately recorded and included in the 
public record; or
    4. You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the following address: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 
20426.

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also 
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's 
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property 
may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within 
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits 
comments on the Project. We will update the environmental mailing list 
as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the information related 
to this

[[Page 62319]]

environmental review to all individuals, organizations, and government 
entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the planned 
Project.
    When the EA is published for distribution, copies will be sent to 
the environmental mailing list for public review and comment. If you 
would prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of the CD 
version, or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, 
please return the attached Information Request (appendix 3).

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once Clarksville files its application with the Commission, you may 
want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the 
Commission's 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 the 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 the Commission will not accept 
requests for intervenor status at this time. You must wait until a 
formal application for the project is filed with the Commission.

Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the 
FERC Web site (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 (i.e., PF13-
17). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, 
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the 
text of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, 
notices, and rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission 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 www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's 
calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along 
with other related information.
    Finally, Clarksville has established a Web site for this Project at 
http://www.cityofclarksville.com/index.aspx?page=643. The Web site 
includes a project overview, environmental information, and information 
for affected stakeholders.

    Dated: October 8, 2013.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-24469 Filed 10-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P