Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5495-7]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared August 17, 1998 Through

August 21, 1998 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) 564-5076.

An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental

impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated April 10, 1998 (62

FR 17856).

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-DOC-C39012-PR Rating LO, Corals and Reef Associated

Plants and Invertebrates, Fishery Management Plan, Amendment I Marine

Conservation District (MCD), Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Puerto

Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands, PR and VI.

Summary: EPA believed that any of the three options being

considered will further the objectives of the Coral Fishery Management

Plan and will result in beneficial environmental impacts to the aquatic

resources in the US Caribbean. Therefore, in accordance with EPA

policy, EPA does not object to the projects implementation.

ERP No. D-DOE-A09828-00 Rating EC2, Surplus Plutonium Disposition

(DOE/EIS-0283) for Siting, Construction and Operation of three

facilities for Plutonium Disposition, Possible Sites Hanford, Idaho

National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Pantex Plant and

Savannah River, CA, ID, NM, SC, TX and WA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concern based on the effects

on water and ecological resources and the presence of contamination in

the existing environment and lack of assurance that the proposed

operations would not lead to further adverse impacts.

ERP No. D-GSA-C60004-NY Rating EC2, Governors Island Disposition of

Surplus Federal Real Property, Implementation, Upper New York Bay, NY.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about potentially

significant indirect impacts to historic resources and air quality

which could result from the implementation of this project, and that

additional information (2) should be presented in the final EIS to

address these concerns.

ERP No. D-NOA-A91064-00 Rating EC1, Atlantic Bluefish Fishery

Management, Fishery Management Plan, Implementation, Nova Scotia to

Florida, Northwestern Atlantic Ocean.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that supported the

suite of management alternatives to be implemented to rebuild bluefish

stocks. Reduction of fish limits per angler from ten to four/five

bluefish was recommend for recreational fishing.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-FAA-F51043-MN, Dual Track Airport Planning Process,

Construction and Expansion, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport,

Twin Cities, Hennepin and Dakota Counties, MN.

Summary: EPA stated that the FEIS did not provide the level of

information that is necessary to fully assess all environmental impacts

of the preferred alternative. EPA also expressed objections regarding

segmentation of the Runway 4-22 extension project. In addition, the

FEIS is lacking the following information: (1) Existing 1994 aircraft

operations; (2) details supporting the ``Finding of No Practicable

Alternative'' for wetlands lose; (3) clear distinction between impacts

associated with plans for 2010 versus 2020; and (4) summaries of sub-

alternatives evaluated in the previous studies.

ERP No. F-TVA-E09801-MS, Red Hills Power Project, Proposal to

Purchase 440 megawatts (MW) of Electrical Energy, COE Section 404

Permit, Town of Ackerman, Choctaw County, MS.

Summary: EPA continued to have environmental concerns about the

project, due to the potential impact of the proposed power plant and

surface coal mining operations on environmentally sensitive sites.

Dated: September 22, 1998.

William D. Dickerson,

Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.

[FR Doc. 98-25748 Filed 9-24-98; 8:45 am]

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