Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5474-7]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared October 15, 1996 Through

October 18, 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).

[[Page 57870]]

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-AFS-K65189-CA Rating EC2, Cavanah Multi-Resource

Management Project, Implementation, Enchancing Forest Health and

Productivity, Tahoe National Forest, Foresthill Ranger District, Placer

County, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that the proposed

management activities in a watershed degraded water quality are not

being taken under a fully integrated management plan.

ERP No. D-BLM-G67003-NM Rating LO, Little Rock Open-Pit Mine

Project, Construction and Operation, Plan of Operations Approval, and

several Permits Issuance, Grant County, NM.

Summary: EPA had no objection to the preferred alternative with the

inclusion of the mitigation and monitoring measures presented in the

Draft EIS addressing dust suppression as part of the mine plan

operation.

ERP No. D-DOE-L09809-WA, Hanford Site Tank Waste Remediation

Systems (TWRS), Management and Disposal of Radioactive, Hazardous, and

Mixed Wastes, NPDES Permit and Approval of Several Permits, in the City

of Richland, Grant County, WA.

Summary: EPA's previous endorsement of the single regulatory

authority approach and the extensive involvement of the Washington

Department of Ecology as a co-preparer of this draft EIS, EPA does not

foresee having any critical environmental objections to the proposed

project.

ERP No. D-NPS-L61211-AK Denali National Park and Reserve,

``Frontcountry'' Entrance Area and Road Corridor, Development Concept

Plan, AK.

Summary: Our abbreviated review has revealed no EPA concerns on

this project.

ERP No. DA-AFS-L65137-AK Rating EO2, Tongass Land Management Plan

Revision (1996 DSEIS) New Information Concerning Changes to the

Management Plan, Implementation, Tongass National Forest, AK.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections to the action as

described in the preferred alternative because of potential adverse

impacts to water quality and fish habitat.

ERP No. DR-SFW-K99026-CA Rating EC2, Multiple Species Conservation

Program (MSCP) Planning Area, Issuance of Take Authorizations for

Threatened and Endangered Species Due to Urban Growth, San Diego

County, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that tribal

governments were not consulted. EPA also noted that requirements of

Clean Water Act Section 404 will continue to apply on lands which do

not become part of the habitat conservation area.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-AFS-K82005-CA Placerville Nursery Pest Management Plan,

Implementation, Camino, El Dorado County, CA.

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

formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

ERP No. F-AFS-L65259-OR Foss Perkins Analysis Area, Vegetation

Management and Timber Sale, Ochoco National Forest, Snow Mountain

Ranger District, Harney County, OR.

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

formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

ERP No. F-BLM-K67033-NV Lone Tree Gold Mine Expansion Project, Plan

of Operations Approval and Permit Issuance, Winnemucca District,

Humboldt County, NV.

Summary: EPA continued to express environmental concerns regarding

impact due to waste rock and design of the tailings facility.

ERP No. F-FRC-L05209-WA Nisqually Hydroelectric Project (FERC No.

1862) Issuing New License (Relicense), Nisqually River, Pierce,

Thurston and Lewis Counties, WA.

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

formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

ERP No. F-NPS-L65258-ID Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument,

General Management Plan, Implementation, Twin Falls and Gooding

Counties, ID.

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

formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

Other

ERP No. LD-AFS-K65185-CA Rating EO2, Tahoe National Forest and

Portion of Plumas and EL Dorado National Forests, Implementation,

Twenty-Two Westside Rivers for Suitability and inclusion in the

National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, Wild and Scenic River Study,

Placer, Nevada, Sierra, Plumas, EL Dorado and Yuba Counties, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections to the minimal

protection and designation of exceptional ecological areas and the use

of less protective classifications for acknowledged wild segments. EPA

urge the Forest Service to designate the Downieville complex or to

actively seek Research Natural Area or Special Interest Area

designation for this exceptional, biologically rich area and for

reconsideration of the North Fork of the North Fork American River,

North Fork of the Middle Fork American River, Fordyce Creek, Middle

Yuba River, and the upper South Yuba River for designation into an

ecosystem watershed management strategy.

Dated: November 5, 1996.

William D. Dickerson,

Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.

[FR Doc. 96-28780 Filed 11-7-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-U