Scoping

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The scoping process is an early step in a NEPA evaluation. It occurs before agencies start drafting an environmental impact statement.

Scoping for the pipeline project includes an assessment of environmental information in draft resource reports that the pipeline project sponsor compiles. The drafts are initial detailed versions of the final resource reports that must accompany an application to FERC for authorization to build and operate a new natural gas pipeline. For the Alaska Pipeline Project, 11 resource reports are required that document and discuss the project's potential impact on such resources as soils, vegetation, streams, lakes, wetlands, water quality, wildlife and fish along the pipeline corridor. The resource reports also will cover cultural and archeological sites the project could affect as well as the expected impact on jobs, schools, housing and traffic. The resource reports will serve as a foundation for the EIS. FERC staff and its contractors, working with the cooperating agencies, plan to verify the information within the reports and do additional environmental research, if needed. The applicant submitted draft resource reports 1 through 11 in January 2012 for agency and public review. FERC expects that TransCanada/ExxonMobil will submit a revised set of drafts with additional information in August 2012.

During scoping, agencies solicit feedback from the public on the draft resource reports and the project in general to ensure the EIS will include issues that people and other agencies believe are important. The goal of scoping is to identify what environmental effects will be addressed in the EIS. 

In January and February of 2012, Federal agencies visited communities which could be affected to hold scoping meetings in order to distribute information and gather input. To view the scoping meeting transcripts and comments submitted to FERC during the formal scoping comment period, visit their e-library. Also, FERC solicited information from other federal, state and local agencies during this time.

Based on the issues identified during scoping, federal agencies will decide on alternatives to the project they also will study. By looking into alternatives and their potential environmental effects, the agencies are able to compare impacts across different alternatives to help them evaluate the proposed project more clearly. The environmental impact statement includes a section that discusses the proposed project and the alternatives.

The formal scoping period for the Alaska gas pipeline project began August 1, 2011, and ended February 27, 2012, with seven scoping meetings held in communities across Alaska during January and February 2012. Although the deadline for comments under the scoping process has passed, agencies will accept public input throughout the entire NEPA process. 

Scoping meetings

View the Alaska Pipeline Project scoping meeting presentation >