Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5499-4]

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared January 11, 1999 Through

January 15, 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 10, 1998 (62

FR 17856).

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-AFS-J65287-UT Rating LO, South Spruce Ecosystem

Rehabilitation Project, Implementation, Dixie National Forest, Cedar

City Ranger District, Iron and Kane Counties, UT.

Summary: EPA review has not identified any potential environmental

impacts which require substantive changes to the proposal.

ERP No. D-AFS-J65289-UT Rating EC2, Pine Tract Project,

Implementation, Coal Lease Tract (UTU-76195); Modification to Federal

Coal Lease (U-63214 Quitchupah Lease) and Permit Amendment Application

to Subside Box Canyon, Manti-La Sal National Forest, Ferron/Price

Ranger District, Emery and Sevier Counties, UT.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with the narrow

scope, air quality analysis, coal/methane conflicts and impacts from

transportation of coal. EPA requested further information on cumulative

impacts.

ERP No. D-AFS-K61145-CA Rating EC2, Ansel Adams, John Muir, Dinkey

Lakes and Monarch Wildernesses, Proposed New Management Direction,

Amending the Land and Resource Management Plans for the Inyo, Sierra

and Sequoia National Forests, Implementation, Inyo, Madera, Mono and

Fresno Counties, CA.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding proposed

management direction for four Wilderness Areas, and particularly noted

the lack of analysis of direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts

associated with cattle and sheep grazing. Some comments were held

pending the release of a revised NEPA document to address issues

related to recreational stock and commercial

[[Page 4648]]

outfitters that emerged during the public comment period.

ERP No. D-AFS-L65309-ID Rating EC2, Spruce Moose and Moose Lake

Right-of-Way Analysis Area, Implementation, Timber Harvesting, Road

Construction, Reforestation and Watershed Restoration, Clearwater

National Forest, Lochsa Ranger District, Idaho County, ID.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns on the continued

cutting of Old Growth forest, and the potential for contributing

additional sediment to streams that are currently degraded by sediment.

The DEIS does not disclose adequate information concerning water

quality, status of stream listings under CWA Section 303(d), and

cumulative effects.

ERP No. DR-AFS-L65261-AK Rating EC2, Port Houghton/Cape Fanshaw

Timber Harvest Sale Project, Implementation, Revision to Tongass

National Forest Land Management Plan, Tongass National Forest, Chatham

and Stikine Area, South of Juneau, AK.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns related to the

potential adverse impact of the project on the marine environment.

ERP No. DS-AFS-K65193-NV Rating EO2, Griffon Mining Project,

Implementation, Updated Information, Revision for Expanding Gold

Mining, Plan of Operations, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests, Ely

Ranger District, White Pine County, NV.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections based on the

potential for significant environmental degradation of the project-

affected watershed. EPA requested additional information in the Final

Supplement (EIS) regarding water quality impacts, mitigation/monitoring

measures, and waste rock characterization of material from the proposed

mine expansion and whether the project impacts were consistent with the

Clean Water Act and applicable permit conditions. Mitigation

recommendations were provided.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-AFS-J65281-UT, Spruce Ecosystem Recovery Project,

Implementation, Dixie National Forest, Cedar City Ranger District, Iron

County, UT.

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

formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

ERP No. F-BLM-K65275-CA, Fourmile Hill Geothermal Development

Project, Construction, Operation and Maintenance, 49.9 megawatt (MW)

Geothermal Power Plant, Federal Geothermal Leases CA-21924 and CA-

21926, Glass Mountain Known Geothermal Resource Area, Klamath and Modoc

National Forests, Siskiyou and Modoc Counties, CA.

Summary: EPA continued to express environmental objections based on

potential adverse impacts to water resources. These impacts would

likely be less than significant, assuming proper implementation of

mitigation, monitoring and contingency plans. EPA also acknowledged the

strong public opposition to the proposed project, and questioned the

need for the project at this time, based on information provided in the

Final EIS by the lead agencies, and the agencies' obligations under

NEPA to balance environmental amenities and values with economic and

technical consideration in decision making.

ERP No. F-NPS-L61217-OR, Oregon Caves National Monument, General

Management Plan, Development Concept Plan, Josephine 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-NPS-L65277-WA, Lake Crescent Management Plan,

Implementation, Olympic National Park, WA.

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

formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

Dated: January 26, 1999.

B. Katherine Biggs,

Associated Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal

Activities.

[FR Doc. 99-2210 Filed 1-28-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-U