Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-4715-8]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared September 12, 1994 through

September 16, 1994 pursuant to the Environmental Review Process (ERP),

under Section 309 of the Clean Air Act and Section 102(2)(C) of the

National Environmental Policy Act as amended. Requests for copies of

EPA comments can be directed to the Office of Federal Activities at

(202) 260-5076.

An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental

impact statements (EISs) was published in the Federal Register dated

April 8, 1994 (59 FR 16807).

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-AFS-K65163-CA Rating EC2, Oregon Creek Ecosystem

Management Project, Implementation, Tahoe National Forest, Downieville

Ranger District, Yuba and Sierra Counties, CA.

Summary

EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding potential project

impacts to water and air quality, as well as insufficient consideration

in the document to mining activities and activities on non-Federal

lands. EPA expressed particular concern regarding potential cumulative

impacts from the proposed management proposals, mining activities, and

actions on non-Federal lands.

ERP No. D-AFS-L65231-ID Rating EC2, Charlie Tyson Ecosystem

Management Project, Implementation, Idaho Panhandle National Forests,

St. Maries Ranger District, Charlie Creek, Benewah County, ID.

Summary

EPA expressed environmental concern about fish habitat and

recommended that the preferred alternative adopt a combination of

forest health measures proposed in Alternative B and C.

ERP No. D-COE-D28012-VA Rating EC2, Henrico County Water Treatment

Plant (WTP), Construction and Operation, James River Water Supply

Intake, Henrico, Goochland and Hanover Counties, VA.

Summary

EPA expressed environmental concern that the project was being

developed prior to the completion of the James River Management Plan

and recommended that any permit issued include appropriate conditions

that would require the incorporation of the Plan into its design. A

more detailed discussion of water needs, cumulative impacts, City of

Richmond withdrawals, and canal diversions was requested. Conditions on

withdrawals and wetland compensation were recommended.

ERP No. D-COE-K36110-CA Rating EC2, Petaluma River Flood Control

Improvements, Implementation, City of Petaluma, Sonoma County, CA.

Summary

EPA expressed environmental concerns pertaining to proposed

mitigation, potential water quality impacts, hazardous waste

management, and cumulative impacts from proposed upstream projects. EPA

urged the Army Corps to continue to explore flood control techniques

which minimize impacts to the aquatic environment and enhance water

quality and river resources.

ERP No. D-DOE-L09805-00 Rating EC1, Business Plan to Operate

Electric Utility Market, Transmission Services and Fish and Wildlife

Activities, Funding and Implementation, WA, OR, ID, CA, NV, AZ, MT, WY,

UT, NM and British Columbia.

Summary

EPA recommended that BPA re-visit selection of market-driven

alternative as proposed action and further evaluate compatibility of

the alternative with conservation resource protection goals and

policies.

ERP No. D-FHW-L40193-ID Rating LO, Sandpoint North and South (NH-

IR-F-CM-5116(68)) Projects, Construction, US 95 (Milepost 466.8 to

Milepost 4786), Funding and COE Section 404 Permit, City of Sandpoint,

Bonner County, ID.

Summary

EPA agrees that substantial direct and indirect effects were

avoided with the rejection of the ``West'' Alternative, therefore EPA

had no objections with the proposed action.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-AFS-L65146-ID, Van Camp Timber Sales and Winter Range

Improvements, Road Construction/Reconstruction, Implementation,

Clearwater National Forest, Lochsa Ranger District, Idaho County, ID.

Summary

EPA provided no formal written comments. EPA had no objection to

the preferred alternative as described in the EIS.

ERP No. F-APH-A82124-00, Logs, Lumber and Other Unmanufactured Wood

Articles Importation, Improvements to the existing system to Prohibit

Introduction of Plant Pests into the United States.

Summary

EPA was concerned that the rule, as proposed, does not specifically

plan for the development of alternatives to methylbromide, a known

ozone depleting substance currently planned to be phased out of use by

the EPA.

ERP No. F-BLM-K60023-CA, Rail-Cycle-Bolo Station Class III

Nonhazardous Waste Landfill Project, Construction and Operation,

Federal Land Exchange and Right-of-Way Grants, San Bernardino County,

CA.

Summary

The final EIS satisfactorily responded to EPA's prior comments,

therefore EPA had no objection to the proposed action.

ERP No. F-DOE-L05205-00, PacifiCorp Capacity Power Sale Contract

for 1100 Megawatts (MW) Long-Term Contract for Peaking Capacity,

Implementation, WA, OR, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, CA, NV, AZ, NM and British

Columbia.

Summary

EPA provided no formal written comments and had no objection to the

preferred alternative as described in the EIS.

ERP No. F-FHW-K40201-AZ, Red Mountain Freeway (Loop 202)

Transportation Facility, Construction from Salt River between the Price

Freeway on the west and AZ-87 on the east, COE Section 404 and NPDES

Permits, Phoenix Metropolitan Area, Maricopa County, AZ.

Summary

Review of the final EIS was not deemed necessary. No formal comment

letter was sent to the preparing agency.

ERP No. FS-COE-K32023-HI, Maalaea Harbor Improvements for Light-

Draft-Vessels, Entrance Channel Realignment and Breakwater

Modification, Updated Information, Island of Maui, Maui County, HI.

Summary

Review of the final EIS was not deemed necessary. No formal comment

letter was sent to the preparing agency.

ERP No. FS-FHW-D40072-VA, VA-234 Bypass Corridor Transportation

Improvement, VA-619 at Independent Hill to US 15 at Woolsey, Updated

and New Information, Funding, City of Manassas, Prince William County,

VA.

Summary

EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding traffic estimates

and recommended further analysis be done. EPA also, requested

additional noise and habitat terrestrial mitigation.

Dated: September 27, 1994.

Richard E. Sanderson,

Director, Office of Federal Activities.

[FR Doc. 94-24277 Filed 9-29-94; 8:45 am]

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