Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5472-9]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared August 19, 1996 through

August 23, 1996 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) 564-7167.

An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental

impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated April 05, 1996 (61

FR 15251).

Drafts EISs

ERP No. D-AFS-G61036-NM Rating LO, EL Cajete Pumice Mine Project,

Implementation, Plan of Operation and COE Section 404 Permit, Jemez

National Recreation Area, Santa Fe National Forest, Jemez Ranger

District, Sandoval County, NM.

Summary: EPA expressed lack of objections to the selection of the

Forest Service's preferred Alternative 1(a) as described in the draft

EIS.

ERP No. D-AFS-J65250-CO Rating EC1, Routt National Forest Land and

Resource Management Plan, Implementation, Grand, Routt, Rio Blanco,

Jackson, Moffat and Garfield Counties, CO.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about water quality,

fisheries and wildlife habitat and noxious weed control. EPA suggests

that the FEIS add details or general plans to improve or maintain

environmental conditions and include revised requirements for grazing

allotment analysis.

ERP No. D-AFS-J65253-MT Rating EC2, Boulder and Wyman Gulch

Vegetation Management Timber Sale and Prescribed Burning,

Implementation, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests, Philipsburg

Ranger District, Granite County, MT.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding exiting

degraded water quality and fisheries in the project area and choice of

treatment method/units in alternatives. EPA recommends additional

information be included in the final EIS to fully assess and mitigate

for potential adverse impacts to fisheries cumulative watershed impact,

timber supply and wildlife habitat.

ERP No. D-AFS-J65254-MT Rating EC2, Sheep Range and China Basin

Salvage Project, Implementation, Kootenai National Forest, Libby Ranger

District, Lincoln County, MT.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about inadequate

disclosure of environmental impacts and cumulative impacts to the

threatened grizzly bear. EPA suggests that the final EIS include

information to fully assess and mitigate all potential environmental

impacts of the management actions.

ERP No. DS-AFS-J65153-MT Rating LO, Trail Creek Timber Sale,

Implementation, New and Updated Information, Beaverhead National

Forest, Wisdom Ranger District, Beaverhead County, MT.

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

Final EISs

ERP No. F-AFS-E65047-MS, G. F. Erambert and Black Creek Seed

Orchards Pest Management Plan, Implementation, Southern Region,

National Forests in Mississippi, Forrest and Perry Counties, MS.

Summary: EPA expressed no objections; our comments in the draft EIS

were adequately addressed in the final EIS.

ERP No. F-BLM-J02009-00, Express Crude Oil Pipeline Project,

Construction, Operation and Maintenance, Issuance of Right-of-Way

Grant, Hill, Chouteau, Fergus, Judith Basin, Wheatland, Golden Valley,

Stillwater and Carbon Counties, MT and Bighorn, Washakies, Hot Springs,

Freemont and Watrona Counties, WY.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding the

proposed pipeline crossings of rivers, streams and wetlands, and

requests that directional drilling be used for the pipeline crossing of

the Yellowstone River, as well as be considered for other major river

crossings with significant fisheries, wide channels, and late season

flows. EPA recommended that a wetland mitigation plan be prepared and

will continue to work closely with the Corps of Engineers on 404

permitting issues related to this project.

ERP No. F-BLM-J65229-MT, Sweet Grass Hills Resource Management Plan

Amendment, Implementation, West HiLine Resource Management Plan, Toole

and Liberty Counties, MT.

Summary: EPA continues to express environmental concerns regarding

potential adverse impacts to cultural and water resource associated

with reasonably foreseeable mining actions.

ERP No. F-BLM-J67019-MT, Zortman and Landusky Mines Reclamation

Plan Modifications and Mine Life Extensions, Approval of Mine

Operation, Mine Reclamation and COE Section 404 Permits, Little Rocky

Mountains, Phillip County, MT.

Summary: EPA continues to express environmental objections

regarding water quality and environmental justice. The FEIS responded

to a number of the DEIS water quality objections in the expanded Water

Quality Improvement Plan. Many of the remaining water quality

objections would be addressed if the proposed operating permit

incorporates requirements necessary to comply with the Clean Water Act.

The proposed action potentially poses a significantly high adverse

impact to cultural resources and religious practices of the tribal

community. EPA recommends considering alternative dispute resolution to

investigate additional opportunities for mitigating impacts to the

Tribes.

ERP No. FS-BLM-J65203-MT, Big Dry Land and Resource Management

Plan, Updated Information on Leaving the Calypso Trail Open or Closing

the Trail to Motorized Vehicles, Implementation, Miles City District,

MT.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about potential

adverse impacts, i.e. erosion, to the trail from unlimited motorized

access. EPA suggests analyzing additional options and alternatives that

may better balance the multiple uses expected by the public. EPA

suggests that the standards and criteria used by BLM to evaluate

[[Page 47126]]

and quantify trail erosion and impacts to Wilderness Study Areas be

clearly outlined and be made publically available.

Dated: September 3, 1996.

William D. Dickerson,

Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.

[FR Doc. 96-22824 Filed 9-5-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-U