Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-4719-3]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared December 19, 1994 through

December 23, 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, 1994 (59

FR 16807).

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-BLM-K67028-CA Rating EC2, Rand Open Pit Heap Leach Gold

Mine Project, Construction, Expansion and Operation, Conditional-Use-

Permit and Plan of Operations and Reclamation Plan, Randburg, Kern

County, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding potential

project impacts to surface water, wildlife habitat, heap leach pad,

closure and contingency measures and about the limited range of

alternatives presented. The final EIS should include information on the

reclamation or maintenance of the heap leach pad after project

completion; and discuss the relationship between the project and the

recently-signed California Desert Protection Act.

ERP No. D-COE-C36071-PR Rating EO2, Rio Fajardo Flood Control

Feasibility Study, Flood Protection, PR.

Summary: EPA had expressed environmental objections to the proposed

projects due to potential significant impact to wetland and aquatic

ecosystems. In addition EPA expressed concerns about the proposed

mitigation, the project's indirect impacts to the Rio Fajardo Vieques

Sound estuary system, and the evaluation of non-structural

alternatives. EPA requested additional information be presented in the

final EIS.

ERP No. D-FAA-C51016-00 Rating EC2, La Guardia and John F. Kennedy

International Airports, Implementation of Automated Guideway Transit

System by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Airport

Access Program, Funding, Airport Layout Plan, COE Section 10 and 404

Permits and US Coast Guard Permit, NY and NJ.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about this project's

potential air quality and noise impacts. Accordingly, additional

information should be presented in the final EIS to address these

concerns.

ERP No. D-NAS-A12040-00 Rating EC2, Cassini Spacecraft Exploration

Mission, Implementation, Explore the Plant Saturn.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns for the cumulative

impacts to the groundwater and to the ozone layer from all launch

activities. EPA also suggested that NASA consider developing a

pharmacy-style acquisition system for hazardous materials.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-BOP-G80001-TX Houston Metropolitan Detention Center, Site

Selection, Construction and Operation, City of Houston, Harris County,

TX.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding the lack of

a full disclosure of cumulative impacts.

ERP No. F-COE-J39021-CO Central City Water Development Project,

Implementation, COE Section 404 Permit, Right-of-Way Grant and Special-

Use-Permit, North Clear Creek Basin, CO.

Summary: EPA continued to expressed environmental concerns about

the cumulative impacts of this project and similar projects serving an

adjacent community.

ERP No. F-FHW-E40741-FL Wonderwood Connector Transportation

Facility, Construction, connecting the Dame Point Expressway (FL-9A) in

the Arlington District to Mayport Road (FL-101), funding, Section 10

and 404 Permits and NPDES Permit, City of Jacksonville, Duval County,

FL.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns over wetland impacts

and the lack of detailed information on wetland mitigation.

Dated: January 17, 1995.

William D. Dickerson,

Director, Federal Agency Liaison Division, Office of Federal

Activities.

[FR Doc. 95-1524 Filed 1-19-95; 8:45 am]

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