[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 178 (Thursday, September 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22796]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 15, 1994]
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Part III
Department of Interior
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Bureau of Indian Affairs
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Environmental Statements; Availability, etc.; Yellowstone Pipeline,
Flathead Indian Reservation, Montana; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Renewal of Rights-of-Way Grants and Easements for the Yellowstone
Pipeline, Flathead Indian Reservation, MT
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian
Affairs, Flathead Agency intends to gather information necessary for
preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the renewal of
the rights-of-way (ROW) grants and easements for the Yellowstone
Pipeline across trust and allotted lands situated on the Flathead
Indian Reservation, Montana. This notice is to be published in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
regulations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain suggestions and
information from other agencies and the public on the scope of the
issues to be addressed in the EIS. Comments and participation in this
scoping process are encouraged.
DATES: Comments should be received before October 14, 1994. A Public
Scoping Meeting will be held on September 29, 1994, at the Tribal
Council Chambers, Pablo, MT, from 6 to 9 pm. Additional public scoping
meetings may be held in Reservation or affected communities, as
appropriate.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Jim Beyer, NEPA Coordinator,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Flathead Agency, Forestry Division, Box A,
Pablo, MT 59855.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jim Beyer, BIA, (406) 675-7201 ext. 260.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed action: to renew the right-of-way
(ROW) easement grant to Yellowstone Pipeline Company for certain
portions of approximately 21 miles in aggregate length of an existing
petroleum products pipeline under and across, and over and across
trustee lands situated in Missoula, Lake, and Sanders Counties, State
of Montana, within the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Background: the pipeline was constructed in 1954 and has operated
continuously since that date under previous ROW easements granted by
the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The present easement was granted on April
21, 1975 and expires on April 21, 1995. The EIS is being prepared to
comply with the procedural requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA). The BIA will use the EIS to determine if the
proposed action should be modified in any manner.
Purpose and need: Renewal of the ROW is necessary to allow
continued operation of the pipeline to serve the needs of the public.
The Yellowstone pipeline is an interstate common-carrier pipeline which
transports refined petroleum products from refineries in Billings,
Montana, to markets in western Montana and eastern Washington. The
segment of the pipeline which crosses the Flathead Reservation is the
primary source of supply of refined petroleum products to the greater
Spokane, Washington area; population approximately 750,000 persons. The
pipeline supplies gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel for consumers as
well as commercial and industrial customers over a large area of
eastern Washington, including the supply of military jet fuel to the
United States Air Force for national defense purposes.
Potential alternatives: (1) no change to the existing condition;
(2) consideration of alternative routes outside of the Flathead
Reservation; (3) other reasonable alternatives identified as a result
of public input.
Dated: September 8, 1994.
Ada E. Deer,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 94-22796 Filed 9-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-M
