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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20140957 Ver 1_Project Update (May 2015)_20150527[w� iron's the IFIii''qPact Dfirlectoir Thank you for your continued interest in the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) - especially to the 26,000 or so individuals who took the time to submit comments on the project during the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) scoping period. Although the official scoping period ended on April 28, �FERC will continue to accept comments throughout the term of the project. We recently submitted to the FERC a report titled, Responses to Scoping Comments, also known as the Scoping Report. The report outlines responses to all comments, written, and verbal, submitted to FERC during the scoping period. In addition to the Scoping Report, we will soon submit to FERC drafts of 12 environmental resource reports. The resource reports will reflect the most up to date information about the proposed route and related routing considerations. The current proposal has changed to incorporate some of the route alternatives that have been under consideration. The final route has not been identified and several potential alternatives are still being considered. FERC uses the environmental resource reports, as well as the comments, questions, suggestions and other information submitted during the scoping period, to assist in completing the environmental review of the project, The full text of the Scoping Report is available on both the ACP and FERC websites: www.dom.com/ACpipeline and www.ferc.gov, respectively. The resource reports also will be available on both sites once they are submitted. We continue to work with FERC, landowners and other stakeholders to refine the ACP route, Our objective has always been to develop the best possible route with the fewest potential impacts. We appreciate your interest in the project. We will continue to provide updates, as needed, via this newsletter as we move forward. Thank you. .4 f"7 ;101" Carole A. McCoy, Authorized Representative Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC Dominion Crew Members PIirrtje IllFirnelin e Activity i Timing , Survey/Route Planning . . ... ... .. May 2014 - June 2015, FERC Pre-Filing Request i October 2014 FERC Application Late Summer 2015 j FERC Certificate Summer 2016 Construction 2016-2018 In-Service Late 2018 Contact Whicles q 11�111�� During the pre-filing process, Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC is required to develop and submit to FERC 12 environmental resource reports (RR). Information for the reports is gathered through outreach to landowners, elected officials, agencies and other stakeholder groups, as well as land surveys and environmental field studies. The reports detail existing environmental, cultural and socioeconomic conditions and potential impacts resulting from construction and operation of the proposed ACP. In addition to outlining potential impacts, the resource reports must provide information on avoiding, minimizing or mitigating those impacts. Draft resource reports will be submitted to FERC this spring. The final reports will be submitted with the certificate application later this summer. Brief descriptions of the reports are available below. The full text is available on both the FERC and ACP webs,ites. (See Contact Vehicles on the front panel.) [MI., Project Diescii1ption An early draft of RR1 was submitted to FERC in December 2014. Since that time, the proposed route has been updated to reflect the results of land surveys, environmental field studies and feedback from landowners and other stakeholders along the study corridor. Among other things, this draft of the report will include an updated proposed route, an expanded Purpose and Need section, an updated Stakeholder Engagement section and additional information on construction methods. J RR2., Water Use and Qtiahty This report will outline potential impacts to groundwater, surface waters and wetlands. It will also include information on aquifers, public and private wells, wellhead protection areas, and springs. R R 3: F i s h Wild�kfe and Vicigetation This report will identify designated and sensitive fisheries, essential fish habitat, vegetation types, sensitive communities, and special status species, such as those that are threatened or endangered. IiR4: Ctiltural ReSOUrces RR4 will describe plans for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act including necessary consultations, investigations and reporting requirements. RR5 Sock�mconornics 4��ano, AT '90cket No.prl DS I rl'p' WADF, "'�S'SION th'kerNo, �j.�R '�ROJEC'r' INC' RR8- L.,anid th; IIIRecui eatilon and Aesthefics This report will include a description of land use, recreation and aesthetics relative to all zoning categories crossed by the project. This includes, among others, agriculture, industrial, residential and commercial areas. RR8 will identify all potential issues (both typical and site specific) related to existing land uses. The final report will also outline plans to mitigate any potential impacts. `UR9 Aiiii and NOISe QL41ty The results of air quality and environmental noise and vibration surveys will be reported in RR9. It will also include air modeling calculations as well as a review of existing regulations. IRZIRM Alternatives RR10 identifies route deviations and major route alternatives being considered for the project. An early draft of this report was submitted to FERC in December 2014. This draft will include additional information on potential opportunities to co-locate sections of the ACP within existing utility rights of way or existing interstate highways, The route is not final and several alternatives remain under review. Restored Right of Way: Agricultural Land This report will describe the existing socioeconomic conditions within the project area. Specifically, it will quantify impacts on employment, housing, local government services, local tax revenues and transportation. A large focus will be on industries that are specific to the project area such as agritourism (i.e., wineries, breweries, cideries and maple sugar farms). Agritourism provides a sustainable source of local tax revenue. RR5 will seek to identify existing Right-of-Way Revegetation Project resources, measure potential impacts and outline a plan to reduce or eliminate any burden to local businesses or public services and facilities. IFZR& Geological Resoiurces This report will contain information on geomorphologic and geologic conditions, mineral resources, potential karst features, paleontological resources, blasting and hazardous conditions, RR71". Scfls RR7 will describe the characteristics of the soils contained within the project area. It will also outline construction and restoration methods including erosion control, compaction mitigation and plans for revegetation. Typically, the first step in evaluating a potential route or route alternative is to conduct land surveys in the project area. Granting survey permission, does not imply agreement with pipeline construction. Surveys help identify environmental and cultural resources present within the study corridor, The survey team is made up of five crews: Surveying the Study Corridor 1, Flagging Crew: identifies route 2. Survey Crew: takes measurements in preparation for making maps 3. Environmental Crew: collects environmental data within the study corridor 4. Cultural Resource Crew: identifies and catalogs significant archeological resources 5. Soil Resistivity Crew: takes soil measurements in preparation for developing corrosion prevention system Currently, survey permission has been granted on more than eighty percent of the proposed ACP route. No one knows the land better than the people who live on it, so it is imperative that we work closely with landowners to identify environmental, cultural and historical resources present on the property. Dorninion'Transmission, Inc. 701 East Cary Street Richmond, VA 23219 ","Pdate I ,-roj e I m Nct !, At�:Iai Ali c ("';oast Pipeline Regulatory Upidate F'1IRC Process The official scoping period for the ACP Iproject ended April 28. However, FERC will continue to accept comments throughout the term of the project. (See C'ontacl Vdk&es on front panel,) Next steps for ACP • Submit resource reports to FERC • Surveys: current proposed and alternative routes • Continue outreach: landowners and other stakeholders • File formal application with FERC (Late Summer 2015) Presorted First Class US, Postage PAID Richmond, VA Permit No 72�9 Next steps for FERC • Review draft resource reports • Review/accept ACP application • Analyze data and prepare draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) • Open public comment period for draft EIS • Prepare final EIS • If project approved: issue Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Scol.Ang Report, 'T"ol) 10 Is title 1. National Forests 6. Property Values The full text of the report Responses to 2. Waterbodies 7, Agriculture Scoping Comments, is available at 3• Tourism 8. Safety www.dom.com/ACpipeline, 4. Water Supply 9, Ground Wateir/Aquifers 5. Karst 10, Economic Impact