[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9187-9188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5075]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[ER-FRL-5477-9]
Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of
EPA Comments
Availability of EPA comments prepared February 10, 1997 Through
February 14, 1997 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 5, 1996 (61 FR
15251).
Draft EISs
ERP No. D-BLM-K67040-CA Rating EC2, Imperial Open-Pit Heap Leach
Precious Metal Mine Project, Plan of Operation, Right-of-Way Approval,
Conditional-Use-Permit and Reclamation Program Approval, Imperial
County, CA.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns based on potential
impacts to surface waters and recommendations for improved facilities
design, and requested additional information regarding avoidance and
mitigation of impacts to waters of the U.S., reduction of PM10
emissions, and facilities design.
ERP No. D-COE-C36074-NJ Rating EC2, Townsends Inlet to Cape May
Inlet Feasbility Study, New Jersey Shore Protection Study, Storm Damage
Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration, with in the Communities of Avalon,
Stone Harbor and North Wildwood, Cape May County, NJ.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns over the alternatives
analysis, potential impacts to benthic communities and water quality
from beach nourishment activities, and the potential impacts associated
with this and other erosion/storm damage protection projects in New
Jersey. Additional information is requested in the final EIS to address
these issues.
ERP No. D-COE-G39031-LA Rating LO, Mississippi River--Gulf Outlet
(MRGO) New Lock and Connecting Channels Replacement and Construction
for Connection to the Mississippi River, Implementation, Orleans and
St. Bernard Parishes, LA.
Summary: EPA has no objection to the selection of the Tentatively
Selected Plan provided that the described mitigation measures are
implemented.
ERP No. D-FHW-L40201-WA Rating EC2, US 101 Highway Aberdeen-Hoquian
Corridor Project, Improvements, US Coast Guard and COE Section 404
Permit, Grays Harbor County, WA.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns based on unavoidable
impacts to wetlands and potential impacts to other waters of the US.
Additional information is needed to clarify design specifications
resulting from certain flood frequency data, and to ensure that proper
stormwater management practices will be implemented to protect
receiving-water quality appropriately.
ERP No. D-FTA-D54038-MD Rating EC2, Metrorail Extension--Addison
Road Station to the Largo Town Center, Transportation Improvements,
Prince George's County, MD.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that environmental
issues have not been adequately addressed. The alternatives analysis
does not adequately compare alternatives. Secondary and cumulative
impacts were not fully addressed as well. Information regarding
environmental justices issues was not clearly documented.
ERP No. D-IBR-K29000-CA Rating EO2, Interim South Delta Program
(ISDP), Construction and Operation, Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta,
Implementation, COE Section 404 Permit, Alameda, Contra Costa and San
Joaquin Counties, CA.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections and is concerned
that all of the alternatives analyzed could have significant adverse
impacts on fish and aquatic resources and that, generally, the proposed
project does not advance that long-term objectives of ecosystem
restoration as expressed through the CALFED Long-Term Bay-Delta
Program. EPA asked that alternatives be redesigned and evaluated in the
context of the Long-Term Program.
ERP No. D-NAS-E12005-00 Rating EC2, Engine Technology Support,
Implementation, With Emphases on Liquid Oxygen and Kerosene, Advanced
Space Transportation Program, Test Sites: Marshall Space Flight Center
(MSFC) in Huntsville, AL; Stennis Space Center (SSC) near Bay St.
Louis, MS and Phillips Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, CA.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding wetlands,
groundwater and other unresolved issues; however, these can be
addressed by the requested additional information.
ERP No. DS-FHW-K40099-HI Rating EC2, Makai Boulevard Concept/Nimitz
Highway Improvements, Updated Information, Construction from Keehi
Interchange to Pier 16 (AWA Street) in the Kalihi-Palama District,
Funding, US Coast Guard and COE Section 404 Permits, City of Honolulu
and Honolulu County, HI
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with the project and
asked FHA to provide more information regarding the sole source
aquifer, erosion and stormwater impacts to water quality, and the
alternative analysis.
Final EISs
ERP No. F-BLM-K67038-NV Ruby Hill Gold Mining Operations Project,
Implementation, Battle Mountain District, Plan of Operations and COE
Section 404 Permit, Eureka County, NV.
Summary: EPA's concerns regarding the project's air emissions have
been addressed in the FEIS, however mitigation measures remain vague.
EPA supports BLM's decision to add partial backfilling to the preferred
alternative and EPA urged BLM to reduce project disturbance by 120
acres.
ERP No. F-FHW-E40757-AL Eastern Pleasure Island Hurricane
Evacuation Route Construction, AL-182 in Orange Beach to CR-95 near CR-
20 (on the mainland) and CR-95 near CR-20 to I-10, Funding and US Coast
Guard Bridge and COE Section 404 Permits Issuance, Baldwin County, AL.
Summary: EPA's review found that impacts to wetlands were of
concern and that additional wetland mitigation and agency coordination
was needed.
ERP No. F-FHW-E40767-FL Tampa Interstate Project, Funding, I-275 to
just north of Cypress Street and I-275 from the Howard Frankland
Bridge/Kennedy Boulevard ramps north to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Boulevard and I-4 from I-275, Hillsborough County, FL.
Summary: EPA's review found that noise impacts to urban residents
were of concern and that the affected communities and housing
developments should be allowed to participate in noise abatement plans.
ERP No. F-FRC-L05206-WA Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric Project
[[Page 9188]]
(FERC Project No. 2493), Relicensing, Snoqualmie River, King County,
WA.
Summary: Review of the final EIS has been completed and the project
found to be satisfactory. No formal comment letter was sent to the
preparing agency.
ERP No. F-NPS-L61211-AK Denali National Park and Reserve,
``Frontcountry'' Entrance Area and Road Corridor, Development Concept
Plan, AK.
Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
Dated: February 25, 1997.
B. Katherine Biggs,
Associate Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal
Activities.
[FR Doc. 97-5075 Filed 2-27-97; 8:45 am]
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