Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5473-3]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared September 2, 1996 Through

September 6, 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) 260-5076.

An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental

impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated April 5, 1996 (61 FR

15251).

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-AFS-K61143-CA--Rating LO, Emigrant Wilderness Management

Direction, Implementation, Stanislaus National Forest, Tuolume County,

CA.

Summary: EPA expressed lack of objections to the action as

proposed.

ERP No. D-FAA-K51036-HI--Rating EC2, Kahului Airport Master Plan

Improvements, Implementation, Funding and Approval of Permits, Kahului,

Maui County, HI.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns due to a lack of

mitigation to offset or reduce potential adverse impacts and a lack of

pollution prevention features in the DEIS. EPA recommended that the

FEIS contain commitments to implement water conservation, hazardous

waste minimization and solid waste recycling.

ERP No. D-FHW-E40770-FL--Rating EC2, Port of Miami Tunnel and

Access Improvements, from I-395 via MacArthur Causeway Bridge, Dade

County, FL.

Summary: EPA's review found that sediment resuspension during

tunnel dredging activities could degrade water quality unless adequate

safeguards are employed. EPA also expressed concerns that details of a

wetland mitigation plan were lacking.

ERP No. D-FHW-K40217-CA--Rating EO2, Arden Garden Connector

Project, Arden Way in North Sacramento to Garden Highway in South

Natomas across the Natomas East Main Drainage Canal, Funding,

Sacramento County, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections due to potential

air quality, water quality, hazardous materials, and cumulative effects

of the project. EPA requested that these issues be fully discussed in

the final EIS.

ERP No. D-FHW-K40218-CA--Rating EO2, I-805 Nobel Drive Interchange

and Extension Project, Improvements, between Nobel Drive and Miramar

Road/LaJolla Village Drive and the extension of Nobel Drive from

Shoreline Drive to Miramar Road, in the City of San Diego, San Diego

County, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections due to potential

impacts to biological and water resources. EPA requested that these

issues be addressed in the final EIS.

ERP No. D-FHW-K40219-CA--Rating EC2, U.S. Highway 101

Transportation Improvement Project, between Vineyard Avenue to Johnson

Drive, Funding, in the Cities of Oxnard and San Buenaventura, Ventura

County, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding potential

impact to anadromous fish, and a need to specifically address pollution

prevention. EPA requested that these issues be discussed in more detail

in the final EIS.

ERP No. D-GSA-K81023-NV--Rating LO, Las Vegas Federal Building--

United

[[Page 49456]]

States Courthouse Site Selection and Construction, Central Business

District, City of Las Vegas, Clark County, NV.

Summary: EPA stated a lack of objections, but did suggest that the

final EIS include more detailed discussion of mitigation measures

required under Executive Order 12902--Energy Efficiency and Water

Conservation at Federal Facilities.

ERP No. D-IBR-J64006-ND--Rating EC2, Arrowwood National Wildlife

Refuge, Implementation, Water Management Capability to Mitigate for

Past, Present and Future Impacts of Jamestown Reservoir, Stutsman and

Foster Counties, ND.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns over the need for an

improved analysis of alternatives, as well as the potential impacts to

water quality and compliance with State water quality standards.

ERP No. D-USA-K11072-CA--Rating EC2, Camp Roberts Army National

Guard Training Site, Implementation, Combined-Forces Training

Activities, New Equipment Utilization and Range Modernization Program,

Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns due to a lack of an

appropriate examination of Fort Hunter Liggett--an off-site alternative

location, consistent application of significance standards and a full

assessment of noise-related impacts. EPA requested that these issues be

fully disclosed in the final EIS.

ERP No. D-USA-K11073-AZ--Rating EC2, Western Army National Guard

Aviation Training Site Expansion Project, Designation of an Expanded

Tactical Flight Training Area (TFTA), Development or use of a

Helicopter Gunnery Range and Construction and Operation of various

Facilities on the Silver Bell Army Heliport (SBAH), Maricopa, Pima and

Pinal Counties, AZ.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns due to potential

impacts to water, and biological resources. EPA requested that these

issues be clarified in the final EIS.

ERP No. D-USN-K11070-CA--Rating EO2, Naval Station Long Beach

Disposal and Reuse, Implementation, COE Section 10 and 404 Permits

Issuance and Possible NPDES Permit Issuance, Los Angeles County, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections due to potential

air quality effects; biological resources effects; and, dredging

issues. EPA requested that these issues be clarified in the final EIS.

ERP No. DS-COE-E34002-00--Rating EC2, Lake Seminole Hydrilla Action

Plan Updated Information to the Lake Seminole and Jim Woodruff Lock and

Dam, Operation and Maintenance Project, Implementation, Gadsden and

Jackson Counties, FL; Decatur and Seminole Counties, GA and Houston

County, AL.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns over the long-term

effects of using enclosed grass carp to reduce Hydrilla coverage.

Additional information and monitoring will be necessary to address

these questions.

ERP No. DS-FHW-K40163-CA--Rating EO2, CA-238 Hayward Bypass, from

Industrial Parkway to the CA-238/I-580 Interchange, Funding and COE

Section 404 Permit, (Foothill Boulevard thru downtown Hayward and

Mission Boulevard south of Jackson Street, in the City of Hayward and

in Unincorporated areas of Alameda County, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental objection due to potential air

quality and water quality impact. EPA believed that there are other

options and alternatives available that address the stated purpose and

need and have fewer/less environmental impacts. EPA requested that the

next EIS include a wider range of alternatives.

ERP No. DS-FHW-K40166-HI--Rating EC2, Honapiilani Highway/FAP Route

30 Improvement, New Information Concerning Construction of

Modifications to Honapiilani Highway from Puamana to Honokowai, COE

Permits and NPDES Permit Issuance and Funding, Lahaina District, Maui

County, HI.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with the project and

asked FHWA to provide more information regarding alternatives analysis,

cumulative impacts, and water quality.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-IBR-J39023-MT--Tongue River Basin Project,

Implementation, Tongue River Dam and Reservoir, COE Section 404 Permit,

Bighorn County, MT.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that existing

marginal aquatic habitat conditions would be further degraded under

projected future water development scenarios. EPA asked that a

commitment for establishment of an instream flow lease agreement and

minimal reservoir pool levels be included in the Record of Decision.

EPA also expressed concerns about impacts to wetlands and mitigation of

wetlands impacts.

ERP No. F-IBR-K39053-CA--South Bay Water Recycling Program (SBWRP),

Development and Construction, Funding and COE Section 404 Permit,

Golden Triangle Area, City of San Jose, Santa Clara County, CA.

Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No

formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

ERP No. FS-COE-E32192-NC--Wilmington Harbor Channel Widening and

Navigation Improvement, Updated Information, Cape Fear River, Port of

Wilmington, New Hanover and Brunswick Counties, NC.

Summary: EPA's original concerns about the potential adverse

impacts associated with use of explosives to excavate the enlarged

channel have been satisfactorily addressed.

Dated: September 17, 1996.

William D. Dickerson,

Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.

[FR Doc. 96-24205 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am]

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