Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5486-5]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared November 03, 1997 Through

November 07, 1997 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

11, 1997 (62 FR 16154).

Final EISs

ERP No. F-COE-E40764-00, Fort Campbell Rail Connector, Construction

between the Government-Owned Line Railroad and CSX Line, Hopkinsville

and Clarkville, Christian Co., KY and Montgomery and Stewart Counties,

TN.

Summary: EPA continued to express concern over the potential

impacts of the preferred alternative, and suggested that Alternative 3

be selected instead in order to minimize long-term impacts to water and

air quality.

[[Page 62304]]

ERP No. F-FHW-E54009-NC, US 117 Corridor Improvement Project, US

13/70 at Goldsboro, north to US 301 in Wilson, Funding and Section 404

Permit, Wayne and Wilson Counties, NC.

Summary: EPA continued to favor Alternative 1, the improvement of

the present road, or Alternative 4, a new alignment outside the Little

River critical watershed area. EPA is concerned that this project could

directly or indirectly cause the degradation of the Little River and

reduce the classified use of this river as a water supply. EPA would

like to see commitments to long-term maintenance of measures to

minimize the inflow of pollutants to the river.

ERP No. F-FHW-K50007-CA, Benicia-Martinez Bridge System Project,

Construction/Reconstruction, Portions of I-680, I-780 and I-80

Corridors, Funding, U.S. CGD Bridge Permit and COE Section 10 and 404

Permits, Contra Costa and Solano Counties, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed continuing concerns on the placement of new

toll booths in close proximity to an industrial facility using

hazardous materials and requested FHWA to reconsider its decision. EPA

also requested FHWA provide additional information on a contingency

plan to guide travelers along the highway in the event of a chemical

upset or accidental releases. EPA asked that the Record of Decision

clarify what level of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) features would be

part of the project, and strongly recommend that all feasible efforts

to implement one or more dedicated HOV lanes for both north and

southbound traffic in peak commute periods be part of the final

project.

ERP No. F-NAS-A12041-00, X-33 Advanced Technology Demonstrator

Vehicle Program, Final Design, Construction and Testing,

Implementation, Approvals and Permits Issuance, CA, UT and WA.

Summary: EPA had no objection to proposed action.

ERP No. F-USN-L11031-WA, Puget Sound Naval Station, Sand Point,

Disposal and Reuse, Implementation, King County, WA.

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

formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

ERP No. FA-DOE-K03007-CA, Petroleum Production at Maximum Efficient

Rate, updated Information for the Sale of Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 1

(NPR-1 also called ``Elk Hills'') Amendment for Kern County General

Plan, Elk Hills, Kern County, CA.

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

formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

Dated: November 18, 1997.

B. Katherine Biggs,

Associate Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal

Activities.

[FR Doc. 97-30696 Filed 11-20-97; 8:45 am]

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