Kinder Morgan’s CalNev Colton-to-Las Vegas Pipeline Project Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report

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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the County of San Bernardino are developing a joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for installation, maintenance, and operation of a new 16-inch buried pipeline to carry jet fuel and gasoline through federally managed and private lands from Colton, CA in San Bernardino County to just outside Las Vegas, NV in Clark County, with a feeder line to McCarran Airport in Las Vegas.

The Project will be comprised of approximately 233 miles of buried pipeline, connections or upgrades to existing pump stations in Colton, Edwards AFB, Barstow, the Marine Corps Logistics Base, and Las Vegas, and a new pump station in Baker, CA, all located along the pipeline route where jet fuel or gasoline can be offloaded to local users. In addition, temporary construction and staging areas will be identified for use during pipeline installation.  The proposed alignment is located entirely within an existing utility corridor identified in the California Desert Conservation Area Plan of 1980, and generally parallels US Interstate 15.

Subject to the findings of the EIS/EIR under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA of 1969, as amended) [42 USC 4321 et seq.] and the California Environmental Quality Act [California Public Resources Code sec. 21000 et seq.], the BLM would issue a grant for construction, operation, and maintenance of the approved route across all federally managed lands under Section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 and subsequent amendments thereto. The Counties of San Bernardino, CA and Clark, NV would amend existing franchise agreements and issue a conditional use permit, as appropriate.

Cooperating Agencies
BLM and San Bernardino County have invited tribal, state and local governments, as well as other federal agencies to serve as cooperating agencies on the project.  So far, the US Forest Service and the Marine Corps Logistics Base have indicated that they will be formal cooperators. Other municipalities that are affected by the proposal or alternatives are also participating by providing input, as well as CalTrans. Cooperating agencies will be involved throughout the process and play a key role in development of the EIS/EIR.

Public Involvement
The public is welcome to submit comments throughout the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.  Three formal comment periods are a part of the process and public input is key to the development of the EIS/EIR.  These formal comment periods include scoping (March 13, 2008 through July 1, 2008), which included five public scoping meetings and an additional public informational meeting where approximately 250 comments were received from about 100 commenters.  After the release of the Draft EIS there will be a 90-day public comment period on the document.  Finally, after the release of the Final EIS, a 30-Day protest period will occur.  Comments can be submitted via email at cabaeis@ca.blm.gov or Ms. Edythe Seehafer at the address below.