[Federal Register: February 17, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 33)]
[Notices]               
[Page 8580-8581]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe06-58]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6672-4]

 
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 1, 2005 (70 FR 16815).

Draft EISs

EIS No. 20050371, ERP No. D-FAA-J51012-UT, St. George Municipal Airport 
Replacement, Funding, City of St. George, Washington County, UT.

    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concern about air quality 
impacts. EPA requested additional analysis of air toxic/PM 
2.5 and cumulative impacts of the growth.

Rating EC2.

EIS No. 20050490, ERP No. D-COE-K36144-CA, San Juan Creek and Western 
San Mateo Creek Watershed Special Area Management Plan (SAMP), Proposed 
Watershed-Based SAMP to Balance Aquatic Resource Protection and 
Reasonable Economic Development, Southern Portion of Orange County, CA

    Summary: EPA is supportive of the SAMP but expressed concerns with 
the alternatives analysis, the permitting procedures, air quality 
impacts, and compliance with Clean Water Act guidelines. EPA requested 
additional information regarding evaluation of alternatives and 
associated mitigation measures.

Rating EC2.

EIS No. 20050515, ERP No. D-NPS-E65077-FL, Fort King National Historic 
Landmark, Special Resource Study, Implementation, Second Seminole War 
Site, City of Ocala, Marion County, FL.

    Summary: EPA does not object to the management alternatives 
presented in the DEIS.

Rating LO.

EIS No. 20050521, ERP No. D-BLM-K65294-AZ, Arizona Strip Field Office 
Resource Management Plan, which includes: Vermilion Cliffs National 
Monument, Grand-Canyon-Parashant National Monument (Parashant) BLM 
Portion, General Management Plan for the Grand Canyon-Parashant 
National Monument NPS Portion of Parashant, Implementation, AZ.

    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about impacts from 
Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) use and cumulative impacts from rapidly 
increasing growth in the planning area. EPA recommended several changes 
to the preferred alternative to reduce impacts to affected resources 
and increase protections for the threatened Mojave Desert Tortoise.

Rating EC2.

EIS No. 20050531, ERP No. D-COE-K36145-CA, Prado Flood Control Basin 
Master Plan Project, Construct, Maintain and Operate Recreation 
Facilities, Santa Ana River Basin, Riverside and San Bernardino 
Counties, CA.

    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about impacts to 
sensitive species/habitat and air quality. EPA requested additional 
information regarding these impacts, as well as the process for future 
NEPA analysis.

Rating EC2.

EIS No. 20050533, ERP No. D-AFS-D65034-WV, Allegheny Wood Product 
Easement, Proposes to Convey an Easement of Right-of-Way along the 
Railroad Grade located in the Blackwater Canyon Area, Monongahela 
National Forest, Tucker County, WV.

    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about potential 
impacts from the build alternatives on aquatic and terrestrial habitat, 
threatened and endangered species, and cultural resources. The final 
EIS should include additional information on potential impacts and if 
appropriate, mitigation measures.

Rating EC2.

Final EISs

EIS No. 20050496, ERP No. F-DOE-B05194-ME, Bangor Hydro-Electric 
Northeast Reliability Interconnect, Construct, Connect, Operate and 
Maintain an Electric Transmission Line Amend Presidential Permit (PP-
89), DOE/EIS-0372, Hancock, Penobscot and Washington Counties, ME.

    Summary: EPA continues to have environmental concerns about impacts 
to wetlands and vernal pools.

EIS No. 20050412, ERP No. F-FHW-J40166-UT, U.S. 6 Highway Project, 
Improvements from Interstate 15(I-15) in Spanish Fork to Interstate (I-
70) near Green River, Funding, Right-of-Way Permit and U.S. Army COE 
Section 404 Permit, Utah, Wasatch, Carbon, Emery Counties, UT.

    Summary: EPA continues to have concerns about the proposed project 
regarding possible further impairment to Price River and Soldier Creek. 
EPA urges appropriate follow through on intended Best Management 
Practices (BMPs).

EIS No. 20050463, ERP No. F-BLM-K39093-NV, North Valleys Rights-of-Way 
Projects, Proposed Construction and Operation of Water Transmission 
Pipelines, Washoe County, NV.

    Summary: EPA continued to express environmental concerns about the 
significant cumulative impacts that could result in Honey Lake Basin or 
Dry Valley; wastewater treatment and disposal in the North Valleys; and 
increased fugitive dust emissions if groundwater drawdown causes die 
off of natural vegetation.


[[Page 8581]]


EIS No. 20060006, ERP No. F-AFS-L65490-AK, Scott Peak Project Area, 
Harvesting Timber and Development of Road Management, Tongrass National 
Forest, Petersburg Ranger District, Northeast of Kupreanof Island, AK.

    Summary: EPA concerns about impacts to water quality and potential 
impacts from cumulative impacts of future sales in the area were 
adequately addressed by selection of a modified alternative.

    Dated: February 17, 2006.
Robert W. Hargrove,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
 [FR Doc. E6-2312 Filed 2-16-06; 8:45 am]

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