[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47514-47515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22527]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CO-700-5101-00-CO21; COC-62716]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for Construction of Pipeline Facilities and Transportation of
Refined Petroleum Products via Under-ground Pipeline in San Juan
County, New Mexico; La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores, San Miguel, Montrose,
Delta and Mesa Counties, Colorado
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS).
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM),
Southwest Center Office, Montrose, Colorado, will be the lead office
and will direct the preparation of an EIS on the Impacts of
construction of a proposed pipeline for the transportation of refined
petroleum products, located on public land, National Forest System
land, and private land in northwest New Mexico and southwest Colorado.
The U.S. Forest Service, San Juan and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and
Gunnison National Forests, will be participating in the EIS preparation
as cooperating agencies in accordance with Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Section 1501.6. The EIS may also address the potential to
place future utility projects in portions of an existing utility
corridor in New Mexico and Colorado.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Navajo Pipeline Company has proposed to
construct a new 232 mile 12.75 inch diameter pipeline and transport
refined petroleum products from Bloomfield, NM to a terminal
distribution facility in Grand Junction, CO. The refined petroleum
products could include diesel fuel, fuel oil, jet fuel, and gasoline.
Navajo Pipeline Company would use the pipeline to distribute products
to distinct markets in western Colorado. The proposed pipeline route
would parallel and use the existing TransColorado Pipeline Corridor for
approximately 210 miles. The proposed pipeline would utilize new
corridor for approximately 4 miles near Bloomfield, NM, and for
approximately 18 miles from Whitewater, CO to Grand Junction, CO. Other
appurtenant pipeline facilities may include four new pump stations
located in Colorado, check valves (approximately every 10 to 15 miles),
cathodic protection systems, serial markers, scraper launchers, traps,
and minor road maintenance. The BLM is preparing an EIS to analyze the
effects of the proposed pipeline and appurtenant facilities in New
Mexico and Colorado.
Tentatively identified issues of concern may include cultural
resources, wildlife, water resources, land use, socioeconomics, visual
resources, slope stability and corridor capacity. The EIS will analyze
the Proposed Action and No-Action Alternatives. Other alternatives may
include different routes for portions of the pipeline, optional sites
for pipeline facilities, as well as mitigating measures to minimize
impacts. A Record of Decision will be issued for the Navajo Pipeline
Proposal.
Tentative Project Schedule:
Begin Public Comment Period--August 1999
Hold Scoping Meetings--September 1999
File Draft EIS--January 2000
File Final EIS--April 2000
Record of Decision--May 2000
[[Page 47515]]
Public Comment Period
The comment period for scoping of the EIS will commence with
publication of this notice. Written comments must be submitted on or
before October 8, 1999. Comments concerning the Proposed Action and EIS
should address issues to be considered, feasible alternatives to
examine, possible mitigation, and information relevant to or having
bearing on the Proposed Action. Several public scoping meetings will be
held during the month of September to receive oral comments. Dates,
times and locations of the public meetings will be announced later and
published in newspapers.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Paul Peck, Navajo
Pipeline Project Manager, Public Lands Office, 15 Burnett Ct., Durango,
CO 81301, or email: r2__sanjuan@fs.fed.us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Peck (970) 385-1234.
Dated: August 23, 1999.
Mark W. Stiles,
SW Center Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-22527 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P
