The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in cooperation with the State of Alaska, is preparing the environmental impact statement (EIS) for renewal of the Federal Agreement and Grant of Right-of-Way for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). The renewal would permit continued operation of the pipeline system by the TAPS owner companies for up to 30 years beyond expiration of the current agreement in 2004.


TAPS is operated by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company on behalf of six owner companies. Federal and state governments cooperatively oversee the TAPS system and administer the federal and state rights-of-way terms and conditions through the Joint Pipeline Office (JPO).


Members of the public are encouraged to provide information and comments they believe should be addressed in the EIS.


The EIS will address environmental, social, subsistence and economic impacts resulting from renewing the TAPS right-of- way. BLM and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources in the JPO are closely cooperating in the TAPS renewal effort. An application was filed with the State and Federal governments on May 2, asking that the right-of-way be renewed before the current lease and grant expire in 2004. The draft EIS is scheduled for publication in July 2002 with a final EIS to be published in November 2002. Argonne National Lab is assisting BLM-JPO in developing the EIS.


Public scoping comments may be provided at the meetings

Written comments (must be received by October 19, 2001)
Can be mailed to the following address:

BLM TAPS Renewal Scoping
Argonne National Laboratory EAD/900
9700 South Cass Avenue
Argonne, IL 60439

A complete description of the EIS scoping process and other information may be found at http://tapseis.anl.gov. Copies of the right-of-way renewal application are available at the JPO TAPS Renewal web site:
http://www.tapsrenewal.jpo.doi.gov

Current Right of Way Files

To view these files, you will need Adobe Acrobat


Comments on TAPS System Operations part I
prepapred by R.A. Fineberg for AFER, 9-20-01
*click icon to download pdf file*


Comments on TAPS System Operations part II
prepapred by R.A. Fineberg for AFER, 10-10-01
*click icon to download pdf file*


9-20-01 TESTIMONY of Ross Coen
TAPS EIS scoping hearing Anchorage, Alaska
*click icon to download pdf file*


10-20-01 TESTIMONY of Ross Coen
TAPS EIS scoping hearing Anchorage, Alaska
*click icon to download pdf file*