Notices. Notice of availability; notice of public hearings; request for comments
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BILLING CODE 4910-13-M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [USCG-2005-22611] Neptune L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port License Application; Final Application Public Hearings and Final Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of public hearings; request for comments. SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard
(USCG)announce the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS)for the Neptune LNG LLC, Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port license application. Also, public hearings will be held on matters relevant to the approval or denial of the license application. The application describes a project that would be located in Federal waters of Massachusetts Bay, in Block 125, approximately 8 miles southeast of Gloucester, MA and 22 miles northeast of Boston, MA. The Coast Guard and MARAD request public comments on the FEIS and application. Publication of this notice begins a 30 day comment period and provides information on how to participate in the process. As a point of clarification, there is another deepwater port application by Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C. in the same vicinity. These applications are being processed and reviewed independently. The Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C. FEIS was noticed on an earlier date and is available on the Docket at USCG-2005-22219. DATES: Public hearings will be held in Gloucester, MA on November 14, 2006 and in Salem, MA on November 15, 2006. Both hearings will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be preceded by an informational open house from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The public hearings may end later than the stated time, depending on the number of persons wishing to speak. Material submitted in response to the request for comments on the FEIS and application must reach the Docket Management Facility by December 2, 2006 ending the 30 day public comment period. Federal and State agencies must submit comments, recommended conditions for licensing, or letters of no objection by January 2, 2007 (45 days after the final public hearings). Also by January 2, 2007, the Governor of Massachusetts (the adjacent coastal state) may approve, disapprove, or notify MARAD of inconsistencies with State programs relating to environmental protection, land and water use, and coastal zone management for which MARAD may condition the license to make consistent. MARAD must issue a record of decision
(ROD)to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the DWP license application by February 13, 2007 (90 days after the public hearings). For dates required by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act
(MEPA)schedule, please see that section at the end of this notice. ADDRESSES: The public hearing in Gloucester will be held at the Gloucester High School Auditorium, 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, Gloucester, MA, telephone: 617-635-4100. The public hearing in Salem will be at the Salem State College Library, Charlotte Forten Hall, 360 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA, telephone: 978-542-7192. The FEIS, the application, comments and associated documentation are available for viewing at the DOT's Docket Management System Web site: *http://dms.dot.gov* under docket number 22611. The FEIS is also available at public libraries in Beverly, Boston (Central Library), Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, and Salem. Address docket submissions for USCG-2005-22611 to: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation , 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. The Docket Management Facility accepts hand-delivered submissions, and makes docket contents available for public inspection and copying at this address, in room PL-401, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Facility's telephone number is 202-366-9329, its fax number is 202-493-2251, and its Web site for electronic submissions or for electronic access to docket contents is *http://dms.dot.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roddy Bachman, U.S. Coast Guard, telephone: 202-372-1451, e-mail: *Roddy.C.Bachman@uscg.mil.* If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone: 202-493-0402. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Hearing and Open House We invite you to learn about the proposed deepwater port at an informational open house, and to comment at a public hearing on the proposed action and the evaluation contained in the FEIS. In order to allow everyone a chance to speak at the public hearings, we may limit speaker time, or extend the hearing hours, or both. You must identify yourself, and any organization you represent, by name. Your remarks will be recorded or transcribed for inclusion in the public docket. You may submit written material at the public hearing, either in place of or in addition to speaking. Written material must include your name and address, and will be included in the public docket. Public docket materials will be made available to the public on the Docket Management Facility's Docket Management System (DMS). *See* “Request for Comments” for information about DMS and your rights under the Privacy Act. All of our public hearing locations are wheelchair-accessible. If you plan to attend an open house or public hearing, and need special assistance such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation, please notify the Coast Guard ( *see* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ) at least 3 business days in advance. Include your contact information as well as information about your specific needs. Request for Comments We request public comments or other relevant information on the FEIS and application. The public hearing is not the only opportunity you have to comment. In addition to or in place of attending a hearing, you can submit comments to the Docket Management Facility during the public comment period ( *see* DATES ). The Coast Guard and MARAD will consider all comments and materials received during the comment period. Submissions should include: • Docket number USCG-2005-22611. • Your name and address. • Your reasons for making each comment or for bringing information to our attention. Submit comments or material using only one of the following methods: • Electronic submission to DMS, *http://dms.dot.gov.* • Fax, mail, or hand delivery to the Docket Management Facility ( *see* ADDRESSES ). Faxed or hand delivered submissions must be unbound, no larger than 8 1/2 by 11 inches, and suitable for copying and electronic scanning. If you mail your submission and want to know when it reaches the Facility, include a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or material, all submissions will be posted, without change, to the DMS Web site ( *http://dms.dot.gov* ), and will include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes it public. You may wish to read the Privacy Act notice that is available on the DMS Web site, or the Department of Transportation Privacy Act Statement that appeared in the **Federal Register** on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477). You may view docket submissions at the Docket Management Facility ( *see* ADDRESSES ), or electronically on the DMS Web site. Background We published the Notice of Application for the proposed Neptune liquefied natural gas
(LNG)deepwater port and information on regulations and statutes governing licensing in the **Federal Register** at 70 FR 58729, October 7, 2005; the Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS for the proposed action was published at 70 FR 61151, October 20, 2005; and the Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS was published at 71 FR 32382, June 5, 2006. Information from the “Summary of the Application” from previous **Federal Register** notices is included below for your convenience. Proposed Action and Alternatives The proposed action requiring environmental review is the Federal licensing of the proposed deepwater port described in “Summary of the Application” below. The alternatives to licensing the proposed port are:
(1)Licensing with conditions (including conditions designed to mitigate environmental impact), and
(2)denying the application, which for purposes of environmental review is the “no-action” alternative. These alternatives are more fully discussed in the FEIS. The Coast Guard is the lead Federal agency for the preparation of the EIS. You can address any questions about the proposed action or the FEIS to the Coast Guard project manager identified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . Summary of the Application Neptune LNG LLC proposes to own, construct, and operate a deepwater port, named Neptune, in the Federal waters of the Outer Continental Shelf on blocks NK 19-04 6525 and NK 19-04 6575, approximately 8 miles southeast of Gloucester, MA and 22 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts, in a water depth of approximately 250 feet. The Neptune deepwater port would be capable of mooring up to two approximately 140,000 cubic meter capacity LNG carriers by means of a submerged unloading buoy system. The LNG carriers, or shuttle and regasification vessels (SRVs), would be equipped to store, transport and vaporize LNG, and to odorize and meter natural gas which would then be sent out by conventional subsea pipelines. Each SRV would have insulated storage tanks located within its hull. Each tank would be equipped with an in-tank pump to circulate and transfer LNG to the vaporization facilities located on the deck of the SRV. The proposed vaporization system would be a closed-loop water-glycol heat exchanger heated by steam from natural gas-fired boilers. The major fixed components of the proposed deepwater port would be an unloading buoy system, eight mooring lines consisting of wire rope and chain connecting to anchor points on the seabed, eight suction pile anchor points, approximately 2.3 miles of natural gas flow line with flexible pipe risers and risers manifolds, and approximately 11 miles of 24-inch natural gas transmission line to connect to the existing Algonquin HubLine. Neptune would have an average throughput capacity of 500 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) and a peak capacity of approximately 750 MMscfd. Natural gas would be sent out by means of two flexible risers and subsea flowlines leading to a 24-inch gas transmission pipeline. The transmission pipeline would connect the deepwater port to the existing 30-inch Algonquin HubLine. No onshore components or storage facilities are associated with the proposed deepwater port application. Construction of the deepwater port components would be expected to take 36 months, with a startup of commercial operations in late 2009. The deepwater port would be designed, constructed and operated in accordance with applicable codes and standards and would have an expected operating life of approximately 20 years. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permits Pipelines within the three-mile limit require an Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. Structures such as the moorings and lateral pipelines beyond the three-mile limit require a Section 10 permit. As required by their regulations, the USACE has maintained a permit file. The USACE New England District phone number is 978-318-8338 and their Web site is *http://www.nae.usace.army.mil.* Comments sent to the USACE have been incorporated into the EIS; will continue to be incorporated into the DOT docket; and will continue to be considered in the licensing and USACE permitting decisions. The USACE, among others, is a cooperating agency; is assisting in the NEPA process as described in 40 CFR 1501.6., and has conducted joint public hearings with the Coast Guard and MARAD. Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act
(MEPA)Through a Special Review Procedure established by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA), the USCG and the MEPA Office are conducting a coordinated NEPA/MEPA review allowing a single document to serve simultaneously as both the EIS under NEPA and the Environmental Impact Report
(EIR)under MEPA. The Certificates establishing the Special Review Procedure and the Scope for the Draft Environmental Impact Report can be viewed at *http://www.mass.gov/envir/mepa/secondlevelpages/recentdecisions.htm.* The EIR will be published in the Environmental Monitor on November 8, 2006; ENF comments are due November 28, 2006; ENF decisions are due December 8, 2006; the Secretary of Environmental Affairs will accept written comments on the Environmental Impact Report through December 8, 2006; and the EIR decisions (Certificate) is due December 15, 2006. Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, via FAX, or by hand delivery. Please note that comments submitted on MEPA documents are public records. The mailing address for comments is: Secretary Robert W. Golledge, Jr., EOEA, Attn: MEPA Office, Richard Bourre, EOEA No. 13473/13474, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston MA 02114. Dated: October 30, 2006. Joel C. Richard, Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. E6-18496 Filed 11-1-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-81-P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Docket No. AB-998X] Timber Rock Railroad, Inc.—Discontinuance of Service Exemption—In Burleson, Brazos, Grimes, Montgomery, Liberty, Hardin and Jefferson Counties, TX On October 13, 2006, Timber Rock Railroad, Inc.
(TIBR)filed with the Surface Transportation Board a petition under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903. TIBR seeks to discontinue service over a 116-mile portion of rail line that it operates under lease from BNSF Railway Company (BNSF), the owner of the line. The line extends between
(1)milepost 149.5 near Silsbee, TX, and milepost 52.5 near Dobbin, TX,
(2)milepost 20.70 near Silsbee, TX, and milepost 4.5 near Beaumont, TX, and
(3)milepost 149.5 and milepost 152.30 and track No. 498 in the Silsbee Yard near Silsbee, TX. TIBR also seeks to discontinue its 54.72 miles of overhead trackage rights operations over BNSF lines extending between
(1)milepost 52.5 near Dobbin, TX, and milepost 144.0 on the BNSF Galveston Subdivision at Somerville, TX, and
(2)milepost 4.5 near Beaumont, TX, and milepost 2.28 at Beaumont, TX. 1 The lines traverse U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 77703, 77708, 77713, 77657, 77709, 77656, 77625, 77374, 77376, 77369, 77368, 77327, 77328, 77301, 77302, 77304, 77306, 77316, 77356, 77333, 77363, 77868, 77869 and 77879. The lines are located in Burleson, Brazos, Grimes, Montgomery, Liberty, Hardin and Jefferson Counties, TX. They include the stations of Dobbin, Montgomery, Conroe, Youens, Waukegan, Security, Fostoria, Cleveland, Hightower, Rayburn, Dollen, Romayor, Votaw, Bragg, Honey Island and Kountze. TIBR states that BNSF will resume providing both local and overhead operations on the lines. 1 TIBR was authorized to lease from BNSF and operate approximately 117.82 miles of rail line in Texas. TIBR also was authorized to acquire 54.72 miles of incidental overhead trackage rights over connecting BNSF rail lines. *See Timber Rock Railroad, Inc. Lease Exemption—The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company* , STB Finance Docket No. 34503 (STB served July 14, 2004, and Oct. 8, 2004). TIBR will continue to lease the 0.46-mile line between milepost 0.5 and milepost 0.96 near Kirbyville, TX, a .26-mile portion between milepost 152.30 and milepost 152.56 at Silsbee, TX, and a 1.10-mile portion between milepost 20.70 and 21.8 at Silsbee, TX, and the Silsbee Yard Tracks, except for Track No. 498, to accommodate better the continued interchange of traffic between BNSF and TIBR at Silsbee, TX. The lines do not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in TIBR's possession will be made available promptly to those requesting it. The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the conditions set forth in *Oregon Short Line R. Co.—Abandonment—Goshen* , 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be issued by January 31, 2007. Any offer of financial assistance
(OFA)under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) to subsidize continued rail service will be due no later than 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition for exemption. Each offer must be accompanied by a $1,300 filing fee. *See* 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25). 2 2 Because this is a discontinuance proceeding and not an abandonment, trail use/rail banking and public use conditions are not appropriate. Likewise, no environmental or historic documentation is required under 49 CFR 1105.6(c) and 1105.8. All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. AB-998X, and must be sent to:
(1)Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, and
(2)Karl Morell, Ball Janik LLP, 1455 F Street, NW., Suite 225, Washington, DC 20005. Persons seeking further information concerning discontinuance procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at
(202)565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis
(SEA)at
(202)565-1539. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS)at 1-800-877-8339.] Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at *http://www.stb.dot.gov* . Decided: October 25, 2006. By the Board, David M. Konschnik, Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6-18411 Filed 11-1-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915-01-P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Performance Review Board Members AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4) agencies are required to publish a notice in the **Federal Register** of the appointment of Performance Review Board
(PRB)members. This notice updates the VA Performance Review Board of the Department of Veterans Affairs that was published in the **Federal Register** on 70 FR 61510, October 24, 2005. DATES: *Effective Date:* November 2, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlotte Moment, Office of Human Resources Management (052B), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420,
(202)273-8165. VA Performance Review Board
(PRB)R. Allen Pittman, Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration (Chairperson). Thomas G. Bowman, Chief of Staff. Sharon K. Barnes, Deputy Chief of Staff (Alternate). Ronald R. Aument, Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration. Michael Walcoff, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Operations, Veterans Benefits Administration (Alternate). Gerald M. Cross, M.D., FAAFP, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration. William F. Feeley, Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management, Veterans Health Administration (Alternate). Arthur S. Hamerschlag, Chief of Staff, Veterans Health Administration (Alternate). John H. Thompson, Deputy General Counsel. Rita Reed, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management. Jon A. Wooditch, Deputy Inspector General. Robert T. Howard, Executive Director. Kenneth M. Greenberg, Executive Secretary to the Department. Richard Wannemacher, Jr., Senior Advisor. Veterans Benefits Administration PRB Ronald R. Aument, Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, (Chairperson). Geraldine V. Breakfield, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Management. Jack F. McCoy, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Policy & Program Management. Michael Walcoff, Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations. James Bohmbach, Chief Financial Officer. Diana M. Rubens, Director, Western Area Office. Sharon K. Barnes, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary. Veterans Health Administration PRB Gerald M. Cross, MD, FAAFP, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health. William F. Feeley, Vice-Chair, Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management. Linda W. Belton, Network Director, VISN 11. Everett A. Chasen, Chief Communications Officer. Jeanette A. Chirico-Post, MD, Network Director, VISN 1. Barbara B. Fleming, MD, PhD, Chief Quality and Performance Officer. Arthur S. Hamerschlag, VHA Chief of Staff. W. Paul Kearns III, Acting Chief Financial Officer. Robert E. Lynch, MD, Network Director, VISN 16. James J. Nocks, M.D., Network Director, VISN 5. Robert A. Petzel, MD, Network Director, VISN 23. Catherine J. Rick, RN, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer. James Roseborough, Network Director, VISN 12. Patricia Vandenberg, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy and Planning. Nevin M. Weaver, Director, Management Support Office (Ex Officio). Robert L. Wiebe, MD, Network Director, VISN 21. Joseph A. Williams, Jr., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management. Sharon K. Barnes, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary. Office of Inspector General PRB Elliot P. Lewis, Assistant Inspector General for Audit, Department of Labor. Michael P. Stephens, Deputy Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General. Thomas J. Howard, Deputy Inspector General, National Air and Space Administration, Office of Inspector General. Dated: October 26, 2006. R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. [FR Doc. E6-18419 Filed 11-1-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320-01-P 71 212 Thursday, November 2, 2006 Presidential Documents Part II The President Proclamation 8074—National Adoption Month, 2006 Proclamation 8075—National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, 2006 Proclamation 8076—National American Indian Heritage Month, 2006 Proclamation 8077—National Diabetes Month, 2006 Proclamation 8078—National Family Caregivers Month, 2006 Proclamation 8079—National Hospice Month, 2006 Title 3— The President Proclamation 8074 of October 30, 2006 National Adoption Month, 2006 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation During National Adoption Month, we encourage the adoption of young people in need, and we honor the adoptive and foster families who have offered children a loving and supportive home. The best of America is reflected in the many citizens who have adopted children as their own. Mothers and fathers are the most important influences in a child's life, and children with caring, involved parents can better realize the full promise of America. Parents help their children thrive by encouraging them to aim high, work hard, and make good choices that will lead to healthy, satisfying lives. On November 18, loving families across America will celebrate National Adoption Day by finalizing their adoptions of children from foster care. This day will also raise awareness of the many children still waiting to be adopted and encourage more Americans to choose adoption. My Administration is committed to helping place children with caring families. Through the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids project at adoptuskids.org, we are working to provide guidance and support for parents considering adoption. We are also offering tax credits to ease the financial burden on adoptive families, and we are providing funding to help strengthen State adoption services through the Adoption Incentives Program and the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program. Together, these efforts can help connect children with loving families and help provide greater hope and opportunity for America's children. During National Adoption Month, we pay tribute to the parents who have opened their hearts and homes and helped provide love and stability for young people. By caring for the youngest members of our society, these families are helping our children grow into successful adults and building the future of our country. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2006 as National Adoption Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities to honor adoptive families and to participate in efforts to find permanent homes for waiting children. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first. GWBOLD.EPS [FR Doc. 06-9052 Filed 11-1-06; 8:45 am]
Connectionstraces to 3
5 references not yet in our index
- 40 CFR 1501.6
- 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2)
- 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25)
- 49 CFR 1105.6(c)
- 49 CFR 1152
Citation graph
cites case law
Notices
Notice of availability; notice of public hearings; request for comments
Cite40 CFR 1501.6
Cite49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2)
Cite49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25)
Cite49 CFR 1105.6(c)
Cite49 CFR 1152
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