Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-4709-9]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared March 14, 1994 through March

18, 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 10, 1993 (58

FR 18392).

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-AFS-G65058-NM

Rating EC2, Diamond Bar Allotment Management Plan, Implementation,

Gila National Forest, Mimbres Ranger District, Sierra and Catron

Counties, NM.

Summary: EPA requested that additional information and analysis be

provided in the Final EIS on the following areas: The USFS' selection

of Alternative C as the preferred alternative; discussion of range

developments; expanded impact analysis on soils, groundwater, and

natural processes.

ERP No. D-AFS-J60013-CO

Rating EO2, Joe Wright Reservoir and Dam, Land Use Authorization

and Special Use Permit, Roosevelt National Forest, City of Fort

Collins, Larimer County, CO.

Summary: EPA had environmental objections to the proposed

alternative since it does not impose terms and conditions requiring new

bypass and replacement flows necessary to protect aquatic habitat.

Additional information is needed in the Final EIS particularly

regarding the flexibility of each permittee to subsequently capture and

store bypassed flow in lower reservoirs using existing water storage.

ERP No. D-AFS-K65160-CA

Rating LO, North Yuba Trail Construction Project, between Rocky

Rest in Indian Valley to Goodyears Bar, Tahoe National Forest,

Downieville Ranger District, Sierra County, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed a lack of objections to the proposed action

and commends Forest Service efforts to expand recreational access to

public lands to carry out the goals of its longterm recreational plans.

ERP No. D-AFS-L65222-OR

Rating LO, Newberry National Volcanic Monument Comprehensive

Management Plan, Implementation, Deschutes National Forest, Deschutes

County, OR.

Summary: EPA had found no significant statutory or jurisdictional

issues of concern. The EIS was an informative, well prepared and

comprehensive document.

ERP No. D-BLM-J65212-WY

Rating EC2, Newcastle Resource Management Plan, Implementation,

Evaluates Alternatives for the Use of Public Lands and Resources in

Portions of Wyoming, Crook, Niobrara and Westion Counties, WY.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding potential

impacts to wetlands and reparian areas and air quality. EPA requested

additional information on these issues as well as an expanded

discussion on ecosystem management and bio-diversity.

ERP No. D-BLM-L65214-OR

Rating EC2, John Day River Management Plan, Implementation, Wild

and Scenic River Segments and Land & State Scenic Waterways Segments,

Prineville District, OR.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about alternatives

and potential impact on water quality. EPA requested clarifying

information in the final document.

ERP No. D-UAF-K11021-CA

Rating EC2, Castle Air Force Base (AFB) Disposal and Reuse,

Implementation, Merced County, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding potential

impacts to wetlands, and air quality. EPA recommended transfer of

sensitive wetland habitats to US Fish and Wildlife Service or the

National Park Service. EPA noted that the sections of the DEIS

concerning cumulative environmental impacts, project-related growth,

and air quality should be more fully expanded upon in the FEIS.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-AFS-L82012-ID

Lucky Peak Nursery Pest Management Program, Implementation,

Intermountain Region, Boise National Forest, Ada County, ID.

Summary: EPA provided no formal written comments. EPA had no

environmental objection to the preferred alternative as described in

the EIS.

ERP No. F-FRC-L05201-ID

Shelley (FERC. NO. 5090) Hydroelectric Project on the Snake River,

Construction, License, City of Idaho Falls, Bingham County, ID.

Summary: EPA continued to have environmental objections with the

action alternatives.

ERP No. F-NPS-E61034-MS

Natchez National Historical Park Management, Development and Use

Plan, Implementation, Adams County, MS.

Summary: EPA was satisfied that the bluff stabilization concerns

have been addressed and that the NPS would prepare supplemental

environmental documents prior to site development.

ERP No. F-USA-A10066-00

Theater Missile Defense (TMD) Comprehensive System, Research and

Development, Active Defense Counterforce and Passive Defense,

Implementation, United States.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that the final

document did not provide the level of analysis and disclosure of

impacts as requested in EPA's comment letter on the draft document.

ERP No. FS-FHW-B40050-MA

Central Artery/I-93 Third Harbor Tunnel/I-90. Extension, Updated

and Additional Information, Design Alternatives for the Charles River

Crossing, Funding, US COE Section 10 and 404 Permits, US CGD Permits

and EPA NPDES Permit, Suffolk County, MA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with the proposed

mitigation to offset project related impacts to waters of the United

States would be of limited environmental value and recommended that

alternative mitigation measures be implemented. EPA provided a list of

potential substitute mitigation measures to be included in the Record

of Decision (ROD). EPA also recommended that FHWA include an air

quality project level conformity determination in the ROD.

Dated: March 29, 1994.

Marshall Cain,

Senior Legal Advisor, Office of Federal Activities.

[FR Doc. 94-7864 Filed 3-31-94; 8:45 am]

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