Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6245-2]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared July 12, 1999 Through July

16, 1999 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 09, 1999 (64

FR 17362).

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-AFS-J65306-MT Rating EC2, Nevada/Dalton Project,

Implementation of Fire Treatment, Timber Harvest, Travel Management of

Road, Helena National Forest, Lincoln Ranger District, Lewis & Clark

and Powell Counties, MT.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding lack of an

air quality impact analysis to determine impacts from prescribed

burning, the lack of information and commitment to carrying out a

monitoring program to identify impacts from the implementation

activities and the potential drift of herbicides to aquatic areas from

aerial application. EPA noted that proposed actions need to be

consistent with the State of Montana's TMDL development.

ERP No. D-FAA-K51038-CA Rating EO2, San Jose International Airport

Master Plan Update, Improvements include Extension of Runway 12R/30L

from 10,200 ft to 11,000 ft; Extension of Runway 12L/30R, Airport

Layout Plan, City of San Jose, Santa Clara County, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections due to a lack of

full disclosure of noise impacts. EPA also suggested that opportunities

may exist to reduce the use of hazardous materials, reduce hazardous

waste generation, adopt more comprehensive solid waste recycling,

reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and protect water quality

and groundwater. EPA expressed serious concern about the project's

potential air quality impacts, including projected exceedances of a

Federal air quality standard and projected emissions increases for at

least eight hazardous air pollutants.

ERP No. DA-FHW-K40105-CA Rating LO, Devil's Slide Bypass

Improvements, CA-1 To Half Moon Bay Airport to Linda Mar Boulevard,

Updated Information, Funding and COE Section 404 Permit, Pacifica and

San Mateo Counties, CA.

Summary: EPA reviewed the Devil's Slide Draft Supplemental EIS,

expressed a lack of objections to the project.

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

(DOE/EIS-0283-DS) for Siting, New and Revised Information, 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 continues to express concerns regarding 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. DS-FHW-K40220-CA Rating **3, CA-125 South Route Location,

Adoption and Construction, between CA-905 on Otay Mesa to CA-54 in

Spring Valley, Updated and Additional Information, Funding and COE

Section 404 Permit, San Diego County, CA.

Summary: EPA determined that the SDEIS was greatly limited in it's

discussion of potentially significant impact from the direct, indirect,

secondary, and cumulative impacts to wetlands, waters of the U.S.,

water quality, air quality, and biological resources. EPA recommends

that a supplemental EIS be prepared and circulated for comment.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-BLM-K65217-AZ Ray Land Exchange/Plan Amendment,

Implementation, Exchange of Federal Lands for Public Lands, Pinal, Gila

and Mohave Counties, AZ.

Summary: EPA continues to object to the proposed project based on

its potential to cause significant, continued degradation of resources

in the project area and has requested appropriate mitigation of impacts

to wildlife, habitat, and water resources.

ERP No. F-FAA-D51026-00 Potomac Consolidated Terminal (PCT) Radar

Approach Control Facility (TRACON), To consolidated four TRACON in

Baltimore-Washington Metro Terminal Area, Possible Site is Vint Hill

Farms, VA, DC and MD.

Summary: EPA's previous concerns have been adequately addressed

therefore, EPA has no objection to the action.

Other

ERP No. LF-AFS-K65185-CA 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 continues to object to the Forest Service's decision

to designate the Downieville complex or to actively seek Research

Natural Area or Special Interest Area designation to ensure protection

of its acknowledged, exceptional ecosystem values. EPA support the

proposed designation of Canyon Creek, lower South Yuba River, and the

North Yuba River.

Dated: August 3, 1999.

William D. Dickerson,

Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.

[FR Doc. 99-20331 Filed 8-5-99; 8:45 am]

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