The public is invited to comment on the environmental impact statement for the proposed TransCanada-Keystone Oil Pipeline that would run through western Marshall and Day counties and eight other eastern South Dakota counties.

The comment period runs for 45 days beginning with publication of the draft environmental impact statement; publication in the Federal Register was expected to happen Friday.

Paper copies and CD versions of the statement will be available at:

-- Alexander Mitchell Library, 519 S. Kline St., Aberdeen.

-- Britton Public Library, 759 Seventh St., Britton.

-- Sherwood Memorial Library, 204 Humphrey Drive N., Doland.

-- Webster Public Library, 800 Main St., Webster.

-- Oakes Public Library, 804 Main Ave., Oakes, N.D.

The statement also will be available at libraries in Alexandria, Yankton, De Smet, Clark, Freeman, Spencer, Howard, Huron, Letcher and Viborg in South Dakota, in numerous additional North Dakota towns as well as libraries in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Options for commenting include:

-- Mail comments to Elizabeth Orlando, Keystone project manager, U.S. Department of State, OES/ENV Room 2657, Washington, D.C. 20520. Mail can be delayed due to security screening, according to a press release from the state department.

-- Fax comments to (202) 647-5947.

-- E-mail comments to KeystoneEIS@state.gov.

-- Comment via the Web site for the environmental impact statement: www.keystone pipeline.state.gov.

-- Comment in person at a public meeting. The closest to Aberdeen begins at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Clark Community Center in Clark. The other South Dakota meeting begins at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at Minerva Convention Center in Yankton.

The entire list of meetings is available at www.keystone pipeline.state.gov.

TransCanada wants to start construction on the 220-mile stretch in South Dakota in spring 2008.

The entire, $2.1 billion pipeline would move oil from Hardisty, Alberta, Canada, for 1,830 miles to Patoka, Ill. Almost 1,100 miles of the line would be new; existing pipeline in Canada would be improved.

The line would move at least 435,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Area opponents are concerned about possible leaks and aquifer contamination; pipeline officials have said the chance of leaks is negligible.

Copyright (c) 2007, American News, Aberdeen, S.D. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Related Project
Keystone Pipeline
Facility Type: Pipeline Owner: TransCanada (developer and operator); ConocoPhillips
Scope: New Construction Location: Hardisty, Alberta to Cushing, Okla. and Patoka, Ill. United States