Attachment_B_Guidance_Manual_for_Environmental_Report_Preparation.pdf

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Energy Projects

GUIDANCE MANUAL

FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT

PREPARATION

AUGUST 2002

i

GUIDANCE MANUAL FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PREPARATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

Acronyms and Abbreviations..............................................................................................iii Key to Data Sources..............................................................................................................v

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

1.1 Purpose of the Manual..................................................................................1-1

1.2 Overview of the Manual..............................................................................1-1

2.0 LANDOWNER NOTIFICATION.........................................................................2-1

3.0 PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS FOR

NATURAL GAS ACT SECTION 7 APPLICATIONS..............................................3-1

Resource Report 1-General Project Description..........................................3-5 Resource Report 2-Water Use and Quality..................................................3-25 Resource Report 3-Fish, Wildlife, and Vegetation....................................3-41 Resource Report 4-Cultural Resources......................................................3-51 Resource Report 5-Socioeconomics..........................................................3-57 Resource Report 6-Geological Resources..................................................3-63 Resource Report 7-Soils.............................................................................3-71 Resource Report 8-Land Use, Recreation and Aesthetics.........................3-77 Resource Report 9-Air and Noise Quality.................................................3-99 Resource Report 10-Alternatives................................................................3-105 Resource Report 11-Reliability and Safety.............................................3-117 Resource Report 12-PCB Contamination.................................................3-119 Resource Report 13-Engineering and Design Material............................3-121

4.0 PREPARATION OF APPLICANT-PREPARED DRAFT

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS FOR NATURAL GAS ACT

SECTION 7 APPLICATIONS.............................................................................4-1 ii

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PREPARATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

5.0 PREPARATION OF THIRD-PARTY

ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS FOR NATURAL GAS ACT

SECTION 7 APPLICATIONS...............................................................................5-1

6.0 PREPARATION OF OTHER NATURAL GAS ACT AND

NATURAL GAS POLICY ACT FILINGS...........................................................6-1

6.1 Standard Environmental Conditions Under Blanket Certificates

-Section 157.206(b)......................................................................................6-1

6.2 Blanket Certificate - Subpart F of Part 157 (NGA).....................................6-4

6.2.1 Annual Report (§ 157.208(a & b), § 157.209, § 157.211(a)(1), § 157.215, or § 157.216(a))........................................6-5

6.2.2 Prior Notice Filings (§ 157.208(b)).....................................................6-6

6.2.3 Prior Notice Filings (§ 157.211(a)(2), § 157.212, and § 157.216(b).................................................................................6-7

6.2.4 Prior Notice Filings Under § 157.214...............................................6-8

6.2.5 Landowner Notification....................................................................6-8

6.3 NGPA Section 311 Projects - Subpart A of Part 284..................................6-8

6.3.1 Annual Report...................................................................................6-9

6.3.2 Advance Notifications.......................................................................6-9

6.4 Replacement Projects - Section 2.5 (NGA)..................................................6-9 iii

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PREPARATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

APE Area of Potential Effect BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs BLM Bureau of Land Management CEQ Council on Environmental Quality CFR Code of Federal Regulations CO carbon monoxide COE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commission Federal Energy Regulatory Commission CRP Conservation Resource Protection CZM Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 dBA decibels of the A-weighted scale DEA Draft Environmental Assessment DOT U.S. Department of Transportation EA Environmental Assessment EIS Environmental Impact Statement EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ER Environmental Report ESA Endangered Species Act of 1973 FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service g/hp-hr grams per horsepower-hour hp horsepower ISO International Organization for Standardization Ldn day-night sound level LNG liquefied natural gas MAOP maximum allowable operating pressure MMS U.S. Minerals Management Service NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 NGA Natural Gas Act NGPA Natural Gas Policy Act NHPA National Historic Preservation Act of 1969 NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service iv

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PREPARATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

NOI Notice of Intent NO2 nitrogen dioxide NOx nitrogen oxides NPS National Park Service NRCS U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation

Services NRHP National Register of Historic Places NSA noise-sensitive area NWI National Wetlands Inventory OEP Office of Energy Projects PCB polychlorinated biphenyl Plan Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan Procedures Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer SIP State Implementation Plan SPCC Plan Spill Prevention, Containment, and Countermeasure Plan THPO Tribal Historic Preservation Officer TSCA Toxic Substances Control Act USGS U.S. Geological Survey § section v

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PREPARATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

KEY TO DATA SOURCES

A Aerial Photographs B Agency Consultation C Agricultural Extension Agents D Applicant E Board of Health, State or County F COE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) G Community Noise, EPA 1971 H Comprehensive Plans, County or Land Management Agencies I County/Municipal Agencies J EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) K Erosion Control and Drainage Plan Handbooks, State and County L Field Surveys M Fishery Biologist, State or Regional N FWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) O NWI (National Wetlands Inventory Maps) P Geological Survey Personnel, Federal, State, and Local Q Landowners R Manufacturer’s Data S Mineral Resource Maps, Federal and State T NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) U Noise Surveys V NPS (National Park Service) W NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) X NRCS Soil Surveys Y Plan (Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan) Z Procedures (Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures) AA Resource Reports 2, 3, and 4 BB Resource Report 8 CC Soil Authorities, Other than NRCS DD State Agencies EE State Air Quality Agency FF State Drinking Water Division vi

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PREPARATION

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KEY TO DATA SOURCES

GG State Water Quality Division HH State Wetland Maps II Surficial Geology and Bedrock Geology Maps JJ U.S. Department of Labor KK U.S. Bureau of the Census LL USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) Topographic Maps

The pronouns “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to the environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of Energy Projects (OEP).

The Commission’s regulations, which are in Chapter 18 of the CFR, will be cited by section or part, for instance § 2.55 or Part 380, rather than as 18 CFR 2.55, or Part 380 of Chapter 18 or 18 CFR 380. References to other agencies’ regulations will include the full citation, for instance 40 CFR 1506.

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE OF THE MANUAL

This manual is a guide to sponsors of natural gas projects who file environmental information with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission). The manual provides helpful information about required environmental documentation and is intended to be a “cookbook” for preparing that documentation, but is not a substitute for the regulations themselves.

The manual is part of the Commission’s effort to streamline the environmental review process and to improve overall quality and consistency of data analyses and formatting of the environmental documents. It identifies information that we often find missing from filings.1

This causes delays in the processing of applications because data requests are required. It also discusses our preferred format for certain documents. We hope that this manual will assist project sponsors in providing filings that do not require data requests, that will cover topics in a uniform fashion, and that can be reviewed more quickly. Nevertheless, project sponsors and other participants who prepare, use, or review these types of documents are not required to use this manual.

The primary focus of the manual is to identify the environmental documentation that needs to be included in Environmental Reports (ERs) filed under the Commission’s regulations which implement the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

Those regulations supplement the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 1500 through 1508. Also mentioned are environmental documentation requirements for Prior Notice Filings and Annual Reports of projects automatically authorized under the Natural Gas Act (NGA), and 30-day Advance Notification Filings and Annual Reports for projects done to provide transportation under the Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA) or replacement of facilities under section (§) 2.55(b) of the Commission’s regulations (18 CFR 2.55(b)).2

1.2 OVERVIEW OF THE MANUAL

Section 2.0 of this manual describes the notification requirements to affected

1-2 landowners for certificate applications under Subpart A and Subpart F of Part 157 of the FERC’s regulations and Section 7(c) of the NGA. Section 3.0 of this manual covers environmental documentation required for certificate applications prepared under Subpart A of Part 157 of the FERC’s regulations and sections 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c) of the NGA. It also describes in detail the basis, content, and format for the ERs that will meet current Commission and NEPA requirements. Section 4.0 provides a description of the process by which an applicant can submit an applicant-prepared draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) with its application. Section 5.0 describes the third-party Environmental Assessment (EA) and third-party Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) options which are available to applicants.

Section 6.0 outlines the environmental information requirements for Prior Notice Filings and Annual Reports of projects automatically authorized under the NGA, and 30-day Advance Notification Filings and Annual Reports for projects done to provide transportation under the NGPA or replacement of facilities under § 2.55(b) of the Commission’s regulations.

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2.0 LANDOWNER NOTIFICATION

This section describes the requirements for notification of all affected landowners for certificate applications prepared under Subpart A and Subpart F of Part 157 of the FERC’s regulations and Section 7(c) of the NGA. The applicant shall make a good faith effort to notify all affected landowners and towns, communities, and local, state and federal governments and agencies involved in the project.

All affected landowners (as defined in § 157.6(d)(2)) include owners of property interests, as noted in the most recent county/city tax records as receiving the tax notice, whose property:

• Is directly affected (i.e., crossed or used) by the proposed activity, including all facility sites, rights-of-way, access roads, pipe and contractor yards, and temporary work spaces;

• Abuts on either side of an existing right-of-way or facility site owned in fee by any utility company, or abuts the edge of a proposed facility site or right-of-way which runs along a property line in the area in which the facilities would be constructed, or contains a residence within 50 feet of the proposed construction work area;

• Contains a residence within one-half mile of proposed compressors or their enclosures or liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities; or

• Is within the area of proposed new storage fields or proposed expansions of storage fields, including any applicable buffer zone.

Good faith efforts to notify affected landowners and local, state or federal jurisdictions must be:

• By certified or first class mail sent within three (3) business days following the date the Commission issues a notice of the application; or

• By hand, within the same time period; and

• By publishing notice twice of the filing of the application, no later than 14 days after the date that a docket number is assigned to the application, in a daily or weekly newspaper of general circulation in each county in which the

2-2 project is located.

If any notice is returned as undeliverable, the applicant will make a reasonable attempt to find the correct address and notify the landowner. For applications filed under Section 7(c) of the NGA an updated list of landowners must be filed within 30 days of the date the application was filed, including information concerning any notices that were returned or undeliverable.

Section 7(c) Notifications

Under Section 7(c), notifications to affected landowners must include the following information:

• The docket number of the filing;

• The most recent edition of the Commission’s pamphlet (An Interstate Natural Gas Facility on My Land? What do I Need to Know?) explaining the Commission’s certificate process and addressing the basic concerns of landowners. However, the pamphlet need not be included for pipeline notifications of abandonment, or in published newspaper notices. Instead, they should provide the title of the pamphlet and indicate its availability at the Commission’s Internet address;

• A description of the applicant and the proposed project, its location (including a general location map), its purpose, and the timing of the project;

• A general description of what the applicant will need from the landowner if the project is approved, and how the landowner may contact the applicant, including a local or toll-free phone number and a name of a specific person to contact who is knowledgeable about the project;

• A brief summary of what rights the landowner has at the Commission and in proceedings under the eminent domain rules of the relevant state. Pipelines are not required to include the latter information in the published newspaper notice, but should provide the Commission’s Internet address and the telephone number for the Commission’s Office of External Affairs;

• Information on how the landowner can get a copy of the application from the company or the location(s) where a copy of the applications may be found; and

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• A copy of the Commission’s notice of application, specifically stating the date by which timely motions to intervene are due, together with the Commission’s information sheet on how to intervene in Commission proceedings. However, pipelines are not required to include the notice of application and information sheet in the published newspaper notice. Instead, the newspaper notice should indicate that a separate notice is to be mailed to landowners and government entities.

Subpart F Blanket Certificates

For automatic authorizations (§ 157.203(b)) under the blanket certificate program, all affected landowners must be notified at least 30 days prior to commencing construction or at the time the company initiates easement negotiations, whichever is earlier. A landowner may waive the 30-day prior notice requirement in writing as long as the notice has been provided. The notifications must include the following information:

• a brief description of the facilities to be constructed or replaced and the effect the construction activity will have on the landowner’s property;

• the name and phone number of a company representative who is knowledgeable about the project; and

• an explanation of the Commission’s Enforcement Hotline procedures and the Enforcement Hotline telephone number.

For projects that the Commission must receive prior notification (157.203(c)), the affected landowners must be notified within at least three (3) business days following the date that a docket number is assigned to the application or at the time the company initiates easement negotiations, whichever is earlier. The notifications must include the following information:

• a brief description of the facilities to be constructed or replaced and the effect the construction activity will have on the landowner’s property;

• the name and phone number of a company representative who is knowledgeable about the project;

• the docket number (if assigned) for the company’s application; and

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• the following paragraph:

This project is being proposed under the prior notice requirements of the blanket certificate program administered by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Under the Commission’s regulations, you have the right to protest this project within 45 days of the date the Commission issues a notice of the pipeline’s filing. If you file a protest, you should include the docket number listed in this letter and provide the specific reasons for your protest.

The protest should be mailed to the Secretary of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.

A copy of the protest should be mailed to the pipeline at [pipeline address].

If you have any questions concerning these procedures you can call the Commission’s Office of External Affairs at (202) 502-6088.

The four (4) exceptions for landowner notifications under the blanket certificate program include the following:

• Replacements which would have been done under § 2.55 of the Commission’s regulations but are not of the same capacity (as long as they are located in the same location as the replaced facilities) or are done for safety, DOT compliance, environmental, or unplanned maintenance reasons, that are unforeseen and require immediate attention;

• Abandonments which involve only sale or transfer of the facilities and easement for continued transport of natural gas;

• Services or facilities requested by the landowner if that is the only landowner affected; or

• Activities that do not involve ground disturbances or changes to operational air and noise emissions.

If any of these exceptions apply, then no landowner notification is required.

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3.0 PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS

FOR NATURAL GAS ACT SECTION 7

APPLICATIONS

Applicants initiate the environmental review process through filing of an application.

The application must include an ER with Resource Reports as specified in § 157.14(a)(6-a), § 380.3 and § 380.12. The preparation of Resource Reports is addressed in detail in this section.

The applicant may also choose to file an applicant-prepared DEA, or a third party EA, or EIS paid for by the applicant but prepared under the sole technical control of the Commission staff. None of these options takes the place of the applicant’s ER, which is a required part of the application. Sections 4.0 and 5.0 address the preparation of these documents.

The purpose of this section is to clearly identify the technical content requirements for the ER and each Resource Report that will allow us to efficiently review an application and accelerate the overall review process. Also identified in this section is guidance on how to collect required data, which agencies to contact, what have been reliable data sources in the past, and recommended presentation techniques. Guidance on the following Resource Reports is provided:

Resource Report 1 - General Project Description Resource Report 2 - Water Use and Quality Resource Report 3 - Fish, Wildlife, and Vegetation Resource Report 4 - Cultural Resources Resource Report 5 - Socioeconomics Resource Report 6 - Geological Resources Resource Report 7 - Soils Resource Report 8 - Land Use, Recreation and Aesthetics Resource Report 9 - Air and Noise Quality Resource Report 10 - Alternatives Resource Report 11 - Reliability and Safety Resource Report 12 - PCB Contamination Resource Report 13 - Engineering and Design Material

Note that material filed under another docket may be incorporated by reference if the applicant identifies the docket number, filing date, and document in which the information

3-2 is contained. This incorporation by reference should be limited to items and issues that are not project specific. However, incorporation by reference tends to slow the review process, so to facilitate our review, we recommend that the material be incorporated into the current filing rather than being incorporated by reference only.

There are certain general principals that should be followed throughout the preparation of the ER. These principals have often been overlooked in past filings causing delays in the processing of applications as information must be verified through data requests to the company or independent research by us. These principals are summarized below:

• Provide concise, clear statements of environmental impact and proposed mitigation. The detail of each Resource Report should be commensurate with the complexity of the action and the potential for environmental impact. Each Resource Report should address:

- existing conditions or resources that may be directly or indirectly affected by the project or that may affect the project;

- effects on the resource as a result of construction, operation (including maintenance and malfunctions), or abandonment of the project, as well as cumulative effects that may result from the combination of the project and existing or reasonably foreseeable projects;

- all proposed measures to enhance the environment or avoid, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse effect;

- a list of data sources (publications, reports, other literature and communications, including agency contacts) that were used in the preparation of the Resource Reports; and

- evidence of agency consultation used to identify concerns and mitigation measures.

• Clearly and correctly identify the facilities analyzed in the ER. Often applicants will initiate environmental studies on one set of project facilities, but will change the facilities or the locations of the facilities before the application is filed with the FERC. Not infrequently, we find that Resource Reports include information on facilities or facility locations that are different from those identified in the application, or that supporting documentation for

3-3 a Resource Report (e.g., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) consultation letters and cultural resource survey reports) often does not cover the facilities actually filed in the application. Each Resource Report and the supporting agency documentation should clearly identify the facilities that are being evaluated.

• At a minimum, address each of the topics identified in the Summary of Filing Information which appears at the beginning of the section of this manual applicable to each Resource Report, or identify the reason why the topic is not addressed or not applicable. Each of these summaries identifies the minimum requirements specified in Appendix A to Part 380 for information (§ 380.12) that must be included for application acceptance. We have included bulleted lists under each minimum filing requirement to clarify what is needed. Many of these summaries also identify additional information that should be included in each Resource Report for further clarification of your project. Excluding this additional information from the ER may result in data requests from our environmental staff.

• Note that failure to include any of the information specified in the minimum filing requirements can result in rejection of an application unless the Director of OEP determines that the applicant has provided an acceptable reason for the items absence and an acceptable schedule for filing it. Failure to file within that accepted schedule may also result in rejection of the application.

• In addition, it is frequently unclear if missing information is not applicable to a project or if the topic was inadvertently missed in the analysis. If the project is exempt from any filing or reporting requirements, clearly provide the basis for such an exemption in the appropriate Resource Reports. Issues or topics that have not yet been adequately addressed, and studies or surveys that have not been completed at the time of filing with the FERC should be clearly identified. In each case, the anticipated schedule for completion of all outstanding issues or studies and the anticipated filing date of this information should be provided.

• Ensure that all data are accurate and consistent throughout the Resource Reports. Common data are often referred to in several different Resource Reports. These include: length of the pipeline or size of the aboveground facilities; acres required for construction and new permanent rights-of-way or extra work areas; acres of forest clearing; and acres of land use types affected.

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These data are fundamental to the assessment of impact and must be consistent between different Resource Reports. For acreages that are presented, clearly identify the mathematical basis for determining the acreages and use the values consistently throughout the Resource Reports.

• Provide documentation of consultation completed with Federal, state or county agencies and other individuals. We must verify the data and conclusions presented in the Resource Reports as part of our environmental review and preparation of EAs and EISs. Each Resource Report should include a list of all publications, reports, and other literature or communications cited or used for analysis, including the name, title, and telephone number of each person or agency contacted.

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Resource Report 1 - General Project Description

SUMMARY OF FILING INFORMATION

INFORMATION DATA

SOURCES1

Minimum Requirements to Avoid Rejection G 1. Provide a detailed description and location map of the project facilities. (§ 380.12(c)(1))

• Include all pipeline and aboveground facilities.

• Include support areas for construction or operation.

• Identify facilities to be abandoned.

D

G 2. Describe any nonjurisdictional facilities that would be built in association with the project.(§ 380.12(c)(2))

• Include auxiliary facilities (See § 2.55(a)).

• Describe the relationship to the jurisdictional facilities.

• Include ownership, land requirements, gas consumption, megawatt size, construction status, and an update of the latest status of Federal, state, and local permits/approvals.

• Include the length and diameter of any interconnecting pipeline.

• Apply the four-factor test to each facility (see § 380.12(c)(2)(ii)).

D

G 3. Provide current original U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute-series topographic maps with mileposts showing the project facilities. (§ 380.12(c)(3))

• Maps of equivalent detail are acceptable if legible (check with staff)

• Show locations of all linear project elements, and label them.

• Show locations of all significant aboveground facilities, and label them.

D

G 4. Provide aerial images or photographs or alignment sheets based on these sources with mileposts showing the project facilities. (§ 380.12(c)(3))

• No more than 1-year old

• Scale no smaller than 1:6,000

D

G 5. Provide plot/site plans of compressor stations showing the location of the nearest noise-sensitive areas (NSA) within 1 mile. (§ 380.12(c)(3,4))

• Scale no smaller than 1:3,600

• Show reference to topographic maps and aerial alignments provided above.

D

G 6. Describe construction and restoration methods. (§ 380.12(c)(6))

• Include this information by milepost

• Make sure this is provided for offshore construction as well. For the offshore this information is needed on a mile-by-mile basis and will require completion of geophysical and other surveys before filing.

D

G 7. Identify the permits required for construction across surface waters. (§ 380.12(c)(9))

• Include the status of all permits.

• For construction in the Federal offshore area be sure to include consultation with the MMS

File with the MMS for rights-of-way grants at the same time or before you file with the

FERC.

D

G 8. Provide the names and address of all affected landowners and certify that all affected landowners will be notified as required in § 157.6(d). (§ 380.12(c)(10))

• Affected landowners are defined in § 157.6(d)

• Provide an electronic copy directly to the environmental staff.

D

Additional Information Often Missing and Resulting in Data Requests G Describe all authorizations required to complete the proposed action and the status of applications for such authorizations.

D

SUMMARY OF FILING INFORMATION

INFORMATION DATA

SOURCES1

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G Provide Plot/site plans of all other aboveground facilities that are not completely within the right-of-way.

D

G Provide detailed typical construction right-of-way cross-section diagrams showing information such as widths and relative locations of existing rights-of-way, new permanent right-of-way, and temporary construction right-of-way. See Resource Report 8.

BB

G Summarize the total acreage of land affected by construction and operation of the project. BB

G If Resource Report 5, Socioeconomics is not provided, provide the start and end dates of construction, the number of pipeline spreads that would be used, and the workforce per spread.

D

G Send two (2) additional copies of topographic maps and aerial images/photographs directly to the environmental staff of the Office of Energy Projects (OEP).

D

1 D Applicant BB Resource Report 8

This report is required for all applications and describes the facilities associated with the project, procedures for construction and operation of the facilities, timetables for constructions, future plans for related construction, compliance with regulations and codes, and permits and consultations required for the project.

1.1 Proposed Facilities

1.1.1 Purpose and Need

Briefly describe the purpose of and need for the facilities. Include in the description the total volume of gas to be delivered by the facilities, the location of the gas receipt and delivery points, a listing of each customer, and the volume of gas delivery to each customer.

1.1.2 Location and Description of Facilities

Provide a detailed description of the length, number, type and size of all facilities to be constructed, modified, abandoned, replaced, or removed. Include the following information in the description:

• For each pipeline segment (new pipeline or loop):

- Name or segment designation

- Pipe diameter in inches

Although mileposts are referred to throughout this manual, station numbers are also acceptable. It is also acceptable to use existing mileposts or surveyed station numbers for loops or abandonments.

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- Approximate length in miles and beginning and ending mileposts3

- Type of activity (loop, new, replacement, abandonment, or removal)

- Location by county and state

- For abandonments, indicate if facilities would be abandoned “in place” or removed

- For replacements, indicate if pipelines would be replaced in the same ditch

• For each aboveground facility (compressor or meter station, well, or LNG plant):

- Name or facility designation

- Type of facility

- Type of activity (modification, new, abandonment, replacement, or removal)

- Amount of horsepower, if applicable

- Milepost location, if appropriate

- Acreage required for each facility

- Location by county and state

• For each associated facility (block valve, drip tank, regulator, meter station, pig launcher/receiver, etc.) that would be placed within existing or new permanent right-of-way or aboveground facility sites:

- Name or facility designation

- Type of facility

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- Type of activity (modification, new, abandonment, replacement, or removal)

- Milepost location

- Location by county and state

For large projects, summarize the above information in tables as shown in example Tables 1.1-1 and 1.1-2.

TABLE 1.1-1

Pipeline Facilities

Facility Pipeline Diameter and Type Approximate

Length Mileposts a/ State County

Loop A 36" Loop 2.6 0.0 - 2.6 ST County A County B

Loop B 12" Loop 1.2 2.6-3.7 ST County B

Lateral A 24" New Lateral 3.6 14.2 - 15.0

15.0 - 17.8

ST

ST

County D County E

Replacement A 20" Replacement 6.4 20.2 - 24.0 b/

24.0 - 26.6 c/

ST

ST

County F County G

Total - Pipeline Facilities 13.8 a/ Mileposts for loops are reference points and may not equal total length due to rounding.

b/ Old pipe to be removed.

c/ Old pipe to be abandoned in place.

The applicant must also identify other companies that need to construct jurisdictional facilities related to the project, where the facilities would be located, and where they are in the Commission’s approval process. Include the docket number if an application has been filed.

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TABLE 1.1-2

Aboveground Facilities

Facility New/Modified Horsepower

New Added Approximate

Milepost State County

Compressor Station A Modified - 12,600 829.4 ST County A

Compressor Station B New 23,500 -

8.7 ST County B

Meter Station A New N/A N/A

829.4 ST County D

Regulator Station A Modified N/A N/A

88.6 ST County C

N/A - Not Applicable

1.1.3 Location Maps, Detailed Route Maps, and Plot/Site Plans

Provide a map showing the location of all pipeline and aboveground facilities in relationship to existing pipeline facilities (see Figure 1.1-1).

All pipeline segments, aboveground facilities (including block valves, drip tanks, communications towers, etc.), pipe storage yards, extra work/staging areas, contractor yards, and access roads need to be clearly and accurately shown on current original 1:24,000/1:25,000 scale USGS 7.5-minute series topographic maps or maps of equivalent detail, and 1:6,000-or-greater scale aerial photographs or photo-based alignment sheets that are preferably not more than 1 year old.

For pipeline segments, clearly show the pipeline centerline with integer mileposts identified, covering at least a 0.5-mile-wide corridor. Milepost markers must be shown clearly and accurately on the maps and photos since mileposts are used to locate and describe site-specific impacts, mitigation measures, and recommendations. In some cases it may be helpful to identify mileposts at 0.5-mile intervals, especially if there are numerous features of concern along the route. For looping projects, the maps, aerial photographs, or photo-based alignment sheets must clearly show on which side of the existing pipeline the loop would be placed. The alignment sheets should also show right-of-way widths and extra work spaces (see Figures 1.1-2 and 1.1-3).

Show new or additional compression and other nonlinear construction areas on the 1:24,000/1:25,000 scale topographic maps. Identify the boundaries of the compressor

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Replace with Figure 1.1-1 General Location Map

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Replace with figure 1.1-2 Detailed Location Map on USGS 1:24,000 Quad Base

3-12

Replace with figure 1.1-3 Typical Aerial Photo-Base Map

3-13 station property and the location of nearby NSAs (residences, churches, schools). In addition, provide a plot/site plan at a 1:3,600-or-greater scale showing: the property boundary; existing and proposed compressor station facilities; area to be disturbed during construction and operation of the station; compressor station fence line; and the distance and direction to the nearby NSAs. If there are no NSAs within one (1) mile of the site, note this on the plot plan or in the accompanying text. Figure 1.1-4 is an example of a compressor station location map and plot plan.

Alignment sheets should include a landowner line list with milepost (survey station) locations of property boundaries. It is also helpful to include the actual property outline to assist with routing concerns, and also to show locations or outlines of wetlands. Finally, a diagrammatical representation of the construction right-of-way showing the width and beginning and end points of each extra work area as well as right-of-way widths should be included.

In addition to the copy required for the application, two (2) additional copies of topographic maps and aerial photographs should be provided directly to our environmental staff.

1.2 Land Requirements

The extent of land requirements/disturbance must be clearly defined to determine the impacts associated with a project. Clearly make the distinction between land requirements for construction (temporary impact) and operation (permanent impact) of the project facilities. Additional guidance in calculating land requirements for the right-of-way, extra work/staging areas, access roads, and contractor yards is included in Resource Report 8 of this manual. Make sure all calculations and numbers are consistent with those of other Resource Reports.

1.2.1 Pipeline Facilities

Typical right-of-way cross section diagrams, required for Resource report 8 (8.1.1), may be included in this report.

In addition to the construction and permanent right-of-way requirements, include land requirements for extra work/staging areas for the project (e.g., road, railroad, waterbody, and wetland crossings; areas of steep side slope; areas at the beginning and end of each pipeline segment for contractor mobilization/demobilization; pipe and contractor storage yards, new or modified access roads; pull-back areas for horizontal directional drills; etc.). Summarize land requirements for the pipeline facilities in a table (see Table 1.2-1).

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Replace with figure 1.1-4 Typical compressor station location map and plot plan

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TABLE 1.2-1

Land Requirements for Pipeline Facilities

Facility Right-of-Way

Cross-Section a/

Length (miles)/ Number of Sites

Land Affected During Construction

(acres)

Land Affected During Operation

(acres)

Loop A Loop B Lateral A Replacement A

A B,C D E

2.6 mi

1.2 mi

3.6 mi

6.4 mi

23.6 10.6 32.7 58.2

7.9 2.9

21.8 0.0

Extra Work Areas b/ Pipe Storage Yards Contractor Office Yards

N/A N/A N/A

1.4 15.0 3.0

0.0 0.0 0.0

Total 144.5 32.6 a/ See figure 1.2-1 for typical right-of-way cross sections. Permanent and construction right-of-way widths should be based on the typical right-of-way widths for each pipeline segment.

b/ Expanded work areas in areas of steep slope and at waterbody, wetland, railroad, and road crossings, etc.

N/A Not Applicable.

1.2.2 Aboveground Facilities

For each aboveground facility, provide the following information:

• Total site area in acres (property size);

• Amount of land required for construction, including access roads, laydown areas, and other areas (disturbed during construction); and

• Amount of land required for facility operation, including access roads, communication facilities, parking, and other areas (permanently disturbed).

Table 1.2-2 is an example of a summary presentation of this information.

1.3 Construction Procedures

In addition to the information presented below, describe the procedures and/or personnel training that would be implemented to ensure that construction of the project would comply with the mitigation measures identified in the filed application and the requirements of other Federal and state permits.

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TABLE 1.2-2

Land Requirements for Aboveground Facilities

Facility

Property Size

(Acres)

Land Disturbed During

Construction (Acres)

Land Required for

Operation (Acres) Comments

Compressor Station A 38.6 1.5 1.0 Existing facility

Compressor Station B 25.0 5.0 5.0 New facility

Meter Station A 1.0 0.5 0.5 New facility

Regulator A N/A <0.1 <0.1 Within existing right-of-way

Total 64.6 7.1 6.6

Also describe the role of the environmental inspector. See the Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan (Plan). Describe:

• How the applicant will incorporate these requirements into the contract bid documents, construction contracts (especially penalty clauses and specifications), and construction drawings so that the mitigation required at each site is clear to onsite construction and inspection personnel;

• The number of environmental inspectors assigned per spread, and how the company will ensure that sufficient personnel are available to implement the environmental mitigation;

• Company personnel, including environmental inspectors and contractors, who will receive copies of the appropriate material;

• What training and instructions the applicant will give to all personnel involved with construction and restoration (initial and refresher training as the project progresses and personnel change);

• The company personnel (if known) and specific portion of the applicant’s organization having responsibility for compliance; and

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• The procedures (including use of contract penalties) the applicant will follow if noncompliance occurs.

If Resource Report 5, Socioeconomics is not provided, include the following estimated work force requirements information as part of Resource Report 1:

• Number of construction spreads and their MP boundaries;

• Average workforce in each construction spread;

• Duration of construction (e.g., days, months) from initial clearing to final restoration;

• Anticipated time (e.g., spring, summer, winter, fall) and year of construction;

and

• Number of new permanent employment positions created for project operations.

1.3.1 Pipeline

Summarize the construction and restoration techniques to be used for the project. For pipelines, the description should include:

• Procedures for marking (e.g., flagging) the construction right-of-way and extra work/staging areas;

• Procedures for clearing, trenching, stringing, welding, hydrostatic testing, backfilling, and restoration;

• Procedures for disposing of timber, slash, and rock;

• Excavation depths and depth of cover over the pipeline, including identification of any areas where the pipeline would be buried deeper than usual (e.g., streams, agricultural fields with drain tiles, etc.); and

• Pipeline construction schedule by segment, including approximate start date and duration for overall construction/restoration.

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Place special emphasis on describing the construction and restoration techniques to be used in the following areas:

• Rugged topography - Describe side slope construction techniques, width of the construction right-of-way, erosion control and revegetation procedures, and the milepost locations where the construction technique would be used (see Resource Report 6 on Geology and Resource Report 7 on Soils).

• Residential areas - Describe the specific construction mitigation techniques (e.g., reduced construction right-of-way, stove-pipe or drag-section techniques, etc.) that would be used in congested residential areas (see Resource Report 8 on Land Use).

• Active croplands - Describe how drain tiles would be identified and repaired if damaged during construction. Also describe the methods of topsoil segregation, procedures for minimizing soil compaction and removing rock, and special construction techniques that would be used for orchards or other specialty crops (see Resource Report 7 on Soils and Resource Report 8 on Land Use).

• Road crossings - Describe the methods for crossing federal, state, and local roads. If roads would be open cut, describe the duration of construction and how access would be maintained along the road (see Resource Report 8 on Land Use).

• Blasting - Describe blasting procedures (see Resource Report 2 on Groundwater, Resource Report 3 on Fisheries, and Resource Report 6 on Geology).

• Wetlands - Describe construction techniques (e.g., standard, push/pull, boring, directional drill) that would be used (see Resource Report 2 on Surface Waters).

• Waterbodies - Describe construction techniques for waterbody crossings, including major or sensitive waterbodies (see Resource Report 2 on Surface Waters).

For abandonment or replacement projects, explain whether the existing pipeline would be abandoned in place or removed. Also specify whether replacement pipeline would be placed adjacent to the existing pipeline or in the same ditch from which the existing pipeline

3-19 is removed. If the existing pipeline would be removed, but same-ditch replacement is not proposed, explain why and describe the sequence of removal and replacement activities. For facilities abandoned in place, identify who will own and be responsible for the site after abandonment. Indicate whether landowners’ requests for removal of abandoned facilities will or will not be honored, and provide explanations if they will not.

If the above procedures are discussed in the company’s erosion control plan or another resource report, reference the appropriate section of the plan or resource report. Also specify if the project would be constructed using our recommended Plan and Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures (Procedures). If the company’s erosion control plan would be used for construction and restoration, compare it to our Plan and Procedures, and describe and explain any difference. Any variances to the Plan and Procedures should be identified and discussed further in the appropriate Resource Report.

For pipelines that have been exposed to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination, briefly describe how abandonment/replacement activities would comply with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (see Resource Report 12 on PCBs).

1.3.2 Aboveground Facilities

Provide a description of the construction procedures for aboveground facilities. For LNG plants and compressor stations, include the approximate duration of construction of each facility, the number of construction workers for each facility, foundation excavation depths, and associated facilities (e.g., access roads, office building, etc.). Provide plot/site plans of each facility showing existing, if any, and new facilities. For sites that would be abandoned, describe the procedures for dismantling and disposing of buildings, foundations, and equipment, and for restoring the site. Indicate whether landowners’ requests for removal of abandoned facilities will or will not be honored, and provide explanations if they will not.

If any of the facilities or sites are potentially contaminated with PCBs, briefly describe the cleanup and disposal techniques that would be used as well as the status of the permits and approvals required to comply with the TSCA.

1.4 Operation and Maintenance

Provide a general description of the operation and maintenance practices for the project, including federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines which would be followed. Identify the number of additional operational personnel that would be hired because of the project.

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For pipelines, include a description of the type and frequency of gas leak and cathodic protection surveys, aerial inspections, and right-of-way maintenance. For right-of-way maintenance practices, include the time of year for maintenance activities, the permanent right-of-way width that would be maintained in a grassy condition, and whether herbicides would be used.

For aboveground facilities, describe normal operation and maintenance procedures.

Describe whether the facilities would be staffed 24 hours a day or maintained from a central operation center. Include a description of new operations or district offices which the project would require.

1.5 Future Plans and Abandonment

Provide information on the current or reasonably foreseeable plans for future expansion or abandonment of the project. Include type, size, and location of planned future facilities, extended schedule for construction or abandonment, approximate volume of gas to be transported, and a description of how the current project affects these future plans.

1.6 Permits and Approvals

Identify all necessary federal, regional, state, and local permits and consultation required for the project (in addition to the FERC Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity) and provide the following information:

• The name of the permitting/approval agency and the name and telephone number of the person contacted;

• Type of permits/approvals or consultation;

• The current status of the permits/approval filing (e.g., estimated schedule for permit filing, date of actual filing, and date permit/approval was granted or is anticipated); and

• Environmental mitigation requirements specified in the permit or proposed in the permit application.

Provide copies of all approved permits with this Resource Report. Table 1.6-1 is an example of a summary of this information for a project in New York State.

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TABLE 1.6-1

Other Permits and Approvals Applicable to the Project

Permit/Approval Administering Agency Status a/

Federal

Section 404 Permit/Review of Section 10 Applicability

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, (Joint Application with NYDEC)

Application in preparation. To be filed 4/95.

Section 7 Consultation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Consultation completed on 1/12/95.

State

Underground Storage Permit New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC)

Application filed 1/95 and pending before the NYDEC.

New Drilling Permit and Well Rework Permit

NYDEC Application in preparation.

Permit for Bulk Storage Facilities NYDEC Application in preparation.

Permit to Construct and Certificate to Operate Stationary Combustion Installation (or waiver)

NYDEC Application filed 12/94 and pending before the NYDEC.

Section 401 Water Quality Certification NYDEC Application in preparation. To be filed 7/95.

Hydrostatic Test Water Discharge (State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System [SPDES] Permit)

NYDEC Application in preparation. To be filed 7/95.

SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities

NYDEC Application in preparation. To be filed 7/95.

Cultural Resource Consultation State Historic Preservation Officer

(SHPO/NYDEC)

Cultural Resource Report to be filed 8/95.

Notification of Withdrawal and Discharge Locations for Water Used in Hydrostatic Testing.

NYDEC Application in preparation. To be filed 7/95.

a/ Indicates the status as of June 1, 1995.

Refer to the Commission’s June 2, 1992 order in Docket No. CP91-1983.

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1.7 Affected Landowners

During…