FERC staff conclude that the Creole Trail LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project with appropriate mitigating measures, as recommended, would have limited adverse environmental impact.
FERC staff prepared a draft environmental impact statement for Creole Trail LNG, L.P. and Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline Company's (Creole Trail's) Creole Trail LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project. The project includes construction and operation of a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and about 117 miles of new dual pipelines in Louisiana.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard) cooperated in the preparation of the draft EIS.
Staff concludes the project would be environmentally acceptable action (with appropriate mitigation) because:
- The LNG terminal facility would make use of a site previously used for a dredge material placement area.
- The LNG terminal facility would be located in a remote area with access to a deep water federal navigation channel.
- Materials to be dredged from the marine basin and tugboat dock areas would be put to beneficial use.
- Creole Trail would implement the FERC staff's Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan and Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures to mitigate impacts on soils, wetlands, and waterbodies.
- Creole Trail would implement an approved Aquatic Resources Mitigation Plan to minimize and mitigate for impacts on wetlands, essential fish habitat, and oyster fisheries.
- Creole Trail has routed the pipeline to avoid placement of the construction work areas near most residences and would implement site-specific mitigation where construction work areas are within 25 feet of any residences.
- Appropriate consultations with the COE, FWS, NOAA Fisheries, the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office, and the Coastal Management Division of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources would be completed before Creole Trail would be allowed to begin construction.
- Appropriate safety features would be incorporated into the design and operation of the LNG import terminal and LNG vessels.
- Operational controls would be imposed by the local pilots and Coast Guard to direct the movement of LNG ships, and the security provisions to deter attacks by potential terrorists.
- An environmental inspection and mitigation monitoring program would be implemented to ensure compliance with all mitigation measures that become conditions of any FERC authorization.
FERC Commissioners will take into consideration staff's recommendations and the final EIS when they make a decision on the project.
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