Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

(ER-FRL-6248-5)

Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of

EPA Comments

Availability of EPA comments prepared November 08, 1999 Through

November 12, 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, 1999 (63

FR 17856).

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-BLM-J67028-CO Rating EC2, North Fork Coal Program,

Approval of Two Lease-By-Applications (LBA) and Exploration License for

Iron Point and Elk Creek Coal Leases, Delta and Gunnison County, CO.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about the adequacy of

mitigation measures and the means to implement the measures. EPA

believes that the final EIS needs to document the full range of

mitigation measures that can be used to off-set adverse impacts.

ERP No. D-FHW-B40090-ME Rating EC2, Augusta River Crossing Study,

To Reduce Traffic Deficiences within the Transportation System Serving

the City of Augusta, Funding, Kennebec River, Kennebec County, ME.

Summary: EPA expressed concerns about the scope of analysis and

that the EIS does not fully address potential direct and secondary

impacts. EPA asked for additional information pertaining to secondary

impacts, aquatic impacts, air quality, and mitigation.

ERP No. D-MMS-E03007-00 Rating EO2, Destin Dome 56 Unit Development

and Production Plan, Right-of-Way Pipeline Application, NPDES Permit

and COE Permit, Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf, FL, AL, MI and

LA.

Summary: EPA expressed objection due to potential significant

impacts to the Gulf bottom resources. EPA requested that the document

substantiate the need for the additional natural gas resources.

Mitigation for the protection of bottom resources is deficient, and

additional resource protection measures are needed.

ERP No. DS-FHW-C40140-NY Rating EC2, NY-120/22 Reconstruction

Corridor, from Exits 2 and 3 on I-684 and Old Post Road (PIN-8130.75),

Funding, COE Section 10 and 404 Permits, Town of North Castle,

Westchester County, NY.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with the project's

stormwater pollution prevention plan, and requested that additional

information be provided. EPA also recommended that an alternative with

reduced impervious surface be developed.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-BLM-J65304-WY, Wyodak Coal Bed Methane Project,

Implementation of Road Construction, Drilling Operation, Electrical

[[Page 66474]]

Distribution Line, Powder River Basin, Campbell and Converse Counties,

WY.

Summary: EPA continues to have environmental concerns with disposal

of CBM produced water and potential formaldehyde emissions.

ERP No. F-COE-E39048-FL, Alligator Chain of Lakes and Lake Gentry

Extreme Drawdown and Habitat Enhancement Project, Implement Aquatic

Habitat Enhancement, Osceola County, FL.

Summary: EPA has no significant objections to the proposed drawdown

of the Alligator Chain and Lake Gentry in order to promote fisheries

production and recreational opportunities.

ERP No. F-FHW-E40088-MS, Airport Parkway/Mississippi 25 Connectors,

Construction Beginning at Intersection of High Street/Interstate 55 (I-

55), Ending at Mississippi 25, City of Jackson, Hinds and Rankin

Counties, MS.

Summary: EPA continues to have environmental concerns regarding

potential long-term adverse wetland impacts, the loss of flood storage

capacity, and limitations in the mitigation plan. Unless additional

mitigation is provided, EPA anticipates that the project may encounter

considerable difficulty during the Section 404 permitting process.

ERP No. F-FHW-F40144-WI, WI-131 and WI-33 Transportation

Improvement, Relocation and/or Reconstruction, between Village of

Ontario and Community of Rockton, Funding and Possible COE 404 Permit,

Vernon County, WI.

Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with the project's

wetlands compensation plan which was not fully detailed within the

FEIS.

ERP No. F-NPS-K61221-CA, Fort Baker Site, Golden Gate National

Recreation Area, Comprehensive Management Plan, Implementation, Marin

County, CA.

Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

Dated: November 22, 1999.

B. Katherine Biggs,

Associate Director, Office of Federal Activities.

[FR Doc. 99-30809 Filed 11-24-99; 8:45 am]

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