Operations : The sponsor's major environmental concern in the 

 operation of a pipeline will be the prevention of pipeline rupture and 

 subsequent oil spills. 



Normally, problems associated with the pipeline corridor are by far 

 the most important consideration affecting fish and wildlife resources 

 and the one consideration that the applicant will have to give the most 

 effort to solving. Designing the landfall to avoid shoreline disturbances, 

 particularly of wetlands, will be next in importance. Requirements for 

 terrestrial construction and operations will likely come next. However, 

 depending upon the locale and other specifics, the priority of the above 

 may change dramatically. 



Regulatory Factors 



The pipeline contractor seeks to minimize the onshore and offshore 

 environmental impacts of the placement of the pipeline by choosing an 

 environmentally acceptable corridor as the site. The location of the 

 pipeline may ultimately depend upon the sites selected for any natural 

 gas processing plant (discussed in 2.4.3) or refinery (discussed in 

 2.4.1) or the location may depend on existing onshore pipeline 

 distribution systems. 



The oil and gas company and pipeline contractor must consider both 

 state and Federal permits and sometimes other local regulatory 

 requirements before choosing a corridor. 



State and Local Role : Responsible state and local entities may 

 seek to minimize onshore impacts of pipeline construction by requiring 

 the contractor to employ new techniques for laying pipelines, especially 

 in wetlands. States may do this under siting laws which apply in 

 addition to required Federal permits. The contractor may need to obtain 

 state permits and certification for related construction activities as 

 well . 



State jurisdiction over the siting of any pipeline ends at the 

 limits of the state's territorial waters (three miles, except for three 

 leagues off Texas and Florida Gulf Coast). 



Federal Role : Dredging and filling in navigable waters of the 

 United States require permits from the Corps of Engineers authorized 

 respectively under Section 10 of the River and Harbors Act of 1899, and 

 Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 

 1972. The FWS reviews these permit applications under the Fish and 

 Wildlife Coordination Act and NEPA. The Service seeks to protect fish 

 and wildlife and their habitats, especially those of endangered species. 

 A sponsor would also need to obtain an easement for a right-of-way for 

 pipelines, either from BLM for lines from lease tracts to shore or over 



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