Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-4717-4]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared October 31, 1994 Through

November 04, 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 FR dated April 08, 1994 (59

FR 16807).

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-BLM-K67025-NV Rating EO2, Cortez Pipeline Gold Deposit

Project, Development, Construction and Operation of an Open-Pit Mine,

Plan of Operations Approval, Right-of-Way Permits and COE Section 404

Permit, Lander County, NV.

SUMMARY: EPA expressed environmental objections due to potential

impacts to surface water quality and quantity. EPA urged the

preparation of a revised draft EIS and noted that BLM should provide

additional documentation on hydrogeology, potential impacts to

groundwater, surface water and habitat; mitigation and contingency

measures; facilities designs; and closure of the heap leach pad/

tailings impoundment facility.

ERP No. D-FHW-E40753-KY Rating EC2, US 119 Highway Transportation

Project, Construction or Reconstruction, from Partridge to Whitesburg,

Funding and COE Section 404 Permit, Letcher County, KY.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with all

alternatives. Specific impact mitigation will be needed once a

preferred alignment is selected.

ERP No. D-NPS-K61133-CA Rating LO1, Joshua Tree National Monument

General Management Plan and Development Concept Plans, Implementation,

Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed a lack of objections with the proposed

General Management Plan. However, EPA suggested that the Final EIS give

specific information on identified topics and clarification of the

impacts.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-AFS-K65152-CA Hamm-Hasloe Reforestation Project,

Implementation, Stanislaus National Forest, Groveland Ranger District,

Tuolume and Mariposa Counties, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections with the draft EIS

which were not adequately responded to in the final EIS. The final EIS

should have clearly stated the affects of multiple applications of

herbicides which will occur and address possible impacts to human

health and wildlife, cumulative impacts, and impacts of all other

foreseeable reforestation projects. EPA recommended the preparation of

a supplemental EIS and that other alternatives be considered.

Dated: November 15, 1994.

Richard E. Sanderson,

Director, Office of Federal Activities.

[FR Doc. 94-28560 Filed 11-17-94; 8:45 am]

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