Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5488-9]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared January 26, 1998 through

January 30, 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) 564-7167.

An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental

impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated April 11, 1997 (62

FR 16154).

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-AFS-J65278-CO Rating EC2, South Quartzite Timber Sale,

Timber Harvesting and Road Construction, White River National Forest,

Rifle Ranger District, Grizzly Creek Rare II Area, Garfield County, CO.

Summary: EPA requested additional information related to helicopter

yarding procedures and snag preservation in the project area.

ERP No. D-AFS-J65280-MT Rating EC2, Meadow Timber Sales,

Implementation, Timber Harvesting, Road Construction and Prescribed

Burning, Fortine Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln

County, MT.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding existing

degraded riparian habitat and water quality in the project area,

particularly the North Fork of Meadow Creek. EPA believed additional

information is needed to fully assess and mitigate all potential

impacts of the management actions.

ERP No. D-AFS-L65202-AK Rating EC2, Crystal Creek Timber Harvest,

[[Page 7414]]

Implementation the 1997 Tongass Land Management Plan, Stikine Area,

Tongass National Forest, AK.

Summary: EPA is concerned with the lack of specificity in how the

existing Thomas Bay LTF would be reconstructed and operated with the

implementation of any of the proposed action alternatives.

ERP No. D-BLM-J70019-WY Rating EU2, Jonah Field II Natural Gas

Development Project, Exploration, Development and Production,

Applications for Permit to Drill, Right-of-Way Grant, COE Section 404

Permit and NPDES Permit, Pinedale Resource Area and Green River

Resource Area, Rock Spring District, Sublette County, WY.

Summary: EPA identified the potential adverse impacts to air to be

environmentally unsatisfactory. EPA believed that there are reasonably

available alternatives to the proposed action which could reduce the

predicted environmental impact.

ERP No. D-NPS-L61215-OR Rating LO, rater Lake National Park, New

Concession Contract for Visitor Services Plan, Implementation, OR.

Summary: EPA Region 10 used a screening tool to conduct a limited

review of the Visitor Services Plan for Crater Lake National Park.

Based upon the screen, EPA does not foresee having any environmental

objections to the proposed project. Therefore, EPA will not be

conducting a detailed review.

ERP No. D-NPS-L61217-OR Rating LO, Oregon Caves National Monument,

General Management Plan, Development Concept Plan, Josephine County,

OR.

Summary: EPA Region 10 used a screening tool to conduct a limited

review of the Oregon Caves national Monument General Management Plan.

Based upon the screen, EPA does not foresee having any environmental

objections to the proposed project. Therefore, EPA will not be

conducting a detailed review.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-AFS-L65281-ID, White Pine Creek Timber Sale,

Implementation, Clearwater National Forest, Palouse Ranger District,

Benewah and Latah Counties, ID.

Summary: Review of the Final EIS has been completed and the project

found to be satisfactory.

ERP No. F-AFS-L65283-WA, Long Draw Salvage Sale, Implementation,

Okanogan National Forest, Tonasket Ranger District, Okanogan County,

WA.

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

formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

ERP No. F-BLM-J31025-WY, Greybull Valley Irrigation District Dam

and Reservoir Project, Issuance of Right-of-Way Permit and COE Section

404 Permit, Park County, WY.

Summary: EPA continued to express concerns with the lack of of the

mitigation plan and suggested water quality monitoring be conducted and

documented.

ERP No. F-USN-K11079-CA, Fleet and Industrial Supply Center/Vision

2000 Maritime Development, Disposal and Reuse, Funding, NPDES Permit,

COE Section 10 and 404 Permits, City of Oakland, Alameda County, CA.

Summary: EPA continues to have concerns regarding possible

contaminated dredge material and the proposed region of influence.

Clarification of the issues was requested in the Record of Decision.

ERP No. FS-NOA-E86002-00, Snapper Grouper Fishery, Amendment 8 to

the Fishery Management Plan, Regulatory Impact Review, South Atlantic

Region.

Summary: EPA had no objection to the action as proposed.

Dated: February 10, 1998.

William D. Dickerson,

Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.

[FR Doc. 98-3768 Filed 2-12-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-U