[Federal Register: March 19, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 54)]
[Notices]
[Page 13035-13036]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19mr04-48]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[ER-FRL-6649-5]
Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of
EPA Comments
Availability of EPA comments prepared 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 04, 2003 (68 FR 16511).
Draft EISs
ERP No. D-BLM-A65174-00 Rating EC2, Programmatic EIS--Proposed
Revision to Grazing Regulations for the Public Lands, 42 CFR Part 4100,
In the Western Portion of the United States.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with potential
adverse impacts to water quality and quantity, riparian habitat and
related wildlife and vegetation.
EPA requested that the final EISs provide data to support predicted
impacts to these resources. The final EIS should also include specific
implementation information on how BLM will conduct the proposed new
monitoring, assessments, and documentation.
ERP No. D-BLM-L65432-OR Rating EC2, Upper Siuslaw Late-Successional
Reserve Restoration Plan, To Protect and Enhance Late-Successional and
Old-Growth Forest Ecosystems, Eugene District Resource Management Plan,
Northwest Forest Plan, Coast Range Mountains, Lane and Douglas
Counties, OR.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns and recommends that
the FEIS include a full comparison and analyses of all the alternative,
including adequate baseline data and disclosure of potential adverse
impacts on surface water quality and late successional forests.
ERP No. D-BLM-L65438-OR Rating EC2, Andrews Management Unit/Steens
Mountain Cooperative, Cooperative Management and Protection Area,
Resource Management Plan, Implementation, Harney and Malheur Counties,
OR.
Summary: EPA expressed concerns with adverse impacts to water
quality from grazing and mining. The FEIS should fully discuss
cumulative impacts
[[Page 13036]]
from mining and grazing and compare the environmental impacts of
alternatives. The FEIS should also include detailed mitigation measures
to protect aquatic resources.
ERP No. D-COE-E09810-MS Rating LO, Enhanced Evaluation of
Cumulative Effects Associated with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Permitting Activity for Large-Scale Development in Coastal Mississippi,
Mississippi, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties, MS.
Summary: While EPA has no objections to the proposed project, EPA
did request clarification on the recreation and parking improvements
proposed as part of the project.
ERP No. D-COE-L01009-ID Rating EC2, Emerald Creek Garnet Project,
Proposal to Mine Garnet Reserves within the St. Maries River Floodplain
near Fernwood, Walla Walla District, Issuance of Several Permits,
Benewah and Shoshone Counties, ID.
Summary: EPA expressed concerns over the potential impacts of
mining proposals on water quality. EPA recommends that adequate
mitigation and reclamation be implemented to move the St. Maries River
towards its designated beneficial uses. EPA also expressed concern over
alternatives that do not avoid ecologically valuable oxbow complexes
and recommended that if an alternative is selected that does not avoid
oxbows, additional mitigation measures be implemented to ensure the
long-term protection and restoration of wetland functions.
ERP No. D-USA-K11111-HI Rating EC2, Transformation of the 2nd
Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Light) to a Stryker Brigade Combat
Team in Hawaii, Implementation, Honolulu and Hawaii Counties, HI.
Summary: EPA raised concerns that the project exceeds the Federal
Air Quality Standard for particulate matter less than 10 microns in
diameter (fugitive dust) from training operations. Although the DEIS
offers mitigation for fugitive dust emissions, it does not quantify
reductions expected from controls nor a commitment to implement such
mitigation. The Final EIS should evaluate the feasibility of monitoring
at sites where the Federal standard is exceeded, and adopting
additional mitigation if needed. EPA raised concerns that increased
fugitive dust levels may have a disproportionately high adverse effect
on low-income or minority populations when transported offsite.
ERP No. DS-COE-C39016-PR Rating EO2, Port of the Americas Project,
Additional Information on the Development of a Deep-Draft Terminal at
the Port of Ponce to Receive Post-Panamax Ships, COE Section 10 and 404
Permits, Municipalities of Guyanilla-Penuelas and Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Summary: EPA believes that the permit applicant failed to
adequately document compliance with the Clean Water Act Section
404(b)(1) Guidelines, and until further information is received, that
the proposed discharges of fill material would have a substantial and
unacceptable impact on aquatic resources of national importance. EPA
recommended denial of the permit application for the project as
currently proposed.
Final EISs
ERP No. F-FHW-J40158-MT I-15 Corridor Project, Transportation
Improvements from Montana City to the Lincoln Road Interchange, Funding
and U.S. Army COE Section 404 Permit Issuance, Jefferson and Lewis &
Clark Counties, MT.
Summary: EPA has no objections to the preferred alternative.
ERP No. F-NOA-K91010-00 US West Coast Fisheries for Highly
Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (FMP), Approval and
Implementation, Ocean Waters off the States of Washington, Oregon and
California a portion of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), WA, OR and
CA.
Summary: EPA continues to express concerns regarding bycatch and
research actions needed to address information gaps.
Dated: March 15, 2004.
Ken Mittelholtz,
Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 04-6219 Filed 3-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P