Proposed Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline: Land Management Plan Amendments and Right-of-Way Grant
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Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service announced that they will consider amendment of their land management plans to make provision for the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline (PCGP). The Notice of Intent to initiate the public scoping process for this effort was published in the Federal Register on September 21, 2012. Pacific Connector LP has proposed to construct a 234-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter high-pressure natural gas transmission pipeline from an existing interstate gas transmission pipeline at Malin, Oregon, to a proposed natural gas liquefaction plant and export terminal at Jordon Cove in Coos Bay, Oregon. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is responsible for authorization of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and pipelines. The FERC will be the lead agency for the environmental analysis of the construction and operation of the proposed project. If FERC chooses to authorize the PCGP, the BLM, under the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act, would be responsible for considering a right-of-way grant to cross Federal lands. Approximately 41 miles of the project cross lands administered by the BLM through four BLM districts, and 30 miles of the project would cross national forest system lands managed by three national forests. The project would also cross facilities and easements administered by the Bureau of Reclamation in the Klamath Basin Project area. Before the BLM can issue a right-of-way grant, the BLM would need to make project-specific amendments to four of its management plans and the U.S. Forest Service would need to make project-specific amendments to three of its management plans. The BLM, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Reclamation have no approval authority over any portion of the Jordan Cove LNG facility. The proposed LNG facility is a connected action with the PCGP, but would not be located on Federally-managed land. Public scoping meetings about the Jordon Cove LNG and PCGP projects and possible land management plan amendments have been scheduled in cooperation with the FERC at the following times and locations: October 9 6:30 p.m. Mill Casino-Hotel 3201 Tremont Avenue North Bend, Oregon 97459 October 10 6:30 p.m. Seven Feathers Casino Resort 146 Chief Miwaleta Lane Canyonville, Oregon 97417 October 11 6:30 p.m. Malin Community Park Hall 2307 Front Street Malin, Oregon 97632 Comments on these proposed BLM or U.S. Forest Service land management plan amendments can be submitted at the public scoping meetings, or they can be submitted in writing. Written comments should be received in Washington, D.C. by the end of the public comment period for the FERC Environmental Impact Statement on October 29, 2012, at the following address: Kimberly D. Bose Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street NE., Room1A Washington, D.C. 20426 Comments can also be filed electronically through the FERC web site at: www.ferc.gov
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.