[Federal Register: August 14, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 156)]
[Notices]
[Page 41129-41130]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14au09-43]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[ER-FRL-8596-4]
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 202-564-7146.
An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental
impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated July 17, 2009 (74 FR
34754).
Draft EISs
EIS No. 20090048, ERP No. D-AFS-J65530-MT, Montanore Project, Proposes
to Construct a Copper and Silver Underground Mine and Associated
Facilities, Including a New Transmission Line, Plan-of-Operation
Permit, Kootenai National Forest, Sanders County, MT.
Summary: EPA identified potential adverse environmental impacts
from the preferred action to wetlands, water quality, groundwater and
stream flows that are unacceptable and of sufficient magnitude that
action must not proceed as proposed. In addition, the analysis of water
quality impacts, and measures for mitigation, financial assurance and
remediation are inadequate. Rating EU3.
EIS No. 20090098, ERP No. D-NPS-J65537-WY, Jackson Hole Airport Use
Agreement Extension Project, To Enable Continued Air Transportation
Services, Grand Teton National Park, Teton County, WY.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections to the predicted
major, long-term and adverse noise impacts as well as the narrow range
of alternatives and lack of an air quality analysis. EPA requested
additional noise analysis and mitigation be evaluated. Rating EO2.
EIS No. 20090113, ERP No. D-AFS-J65539-00, Ashley National Forest
Motorized Travel Plan, To Improve Management of Public Summer Motorized
Use by Designating Roads and Motorized Trails and Limiting Dispersed
Camping to Areas, Duchesne, Daggett, Uintah Counties, Utah and
Sweetwater County, WY.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about water quality
impacts. EPA suggested that travel management plan decisions should be
based on a broader analysis of impacted resources on route
designations. Rating EC1.
EIS No. 20090157, ERP No. D-AFS-J65540-WY, Upper Greys Vegetation
Management Project, Proposes to Conduct Timber Harvest on 362 Acres in
Upper Greys River Watershed, Greys River Ranger District, Bridger-Teton
National Forest, Lincoln County, WY.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about the lack of a
water quality monitoring protocol to document existing conditions and
recommends the Final EIS include one to track effectiveness of the
management approach. Rating EC1.
EIS No. 20090173, ERP No. D-CGD-C50017-00, Goethals Bridge Replacement
Project, Construction of Bridge across the Arthur Kill between Staten
Island New York and Elizabeth, New Jersey, Funding and USCG Bridge
Permit, NY and NJ.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about impacts to
wetlands. Rating EC1.
Final EISs
EIS No. 20090165, ERP No. F-AFS-J65515-UT, Dixie National Forest
Motorized Travel Plan, Implementation, Dixie National and the Teasdale
portion of the Fremont River Ranger District on the Fishlake National
Forest, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Piute, Washington and Wayne Counties, UT.
Summary: EPA does not object to the proposed project.
EIS No. 20090168, ERP No. F-AFS-J65525-00, Hermosa Landscape Grazing
Analysis Project, Proposes to Continue to Authorize Livestock Grazing
Cascade Reservoir, Dutch Creek, Elbert Creek, Hope Creek South Fork,
and Upper Hermosa Allotments, Columbine Ranger District, San Juan
National Forest, LaPlata and San Juan Counties, CO.
Summary: EPA recommends the implementation plan include a more
rigorous adaptive management plan with thresholds more clearly
addressed. EPA also encouraged the Forest Service to consider
establishing a water quality monitoring effort.
EIS No. 20090202, ERP No. F-AFS-J65524-MT, Ashland Ranger District
Travel Management Project, Proposing to Designate Routes for Public
Motorized Use, Ashland Ranger District, Custer National Forest, Rosebud
and Power River Counties, MT.
Summary: EPA supported the preferred alternative, since it would
[[Page 41130]]
result in reduced adverse effects from motorized routes.
EIS No. 20090204, ERP No. F-AFS-J65523-00, Sioux Ranger District Travel
Management Project, To Designate the Road and Trail and Areas Suitable
for Public Motorized Travel, Sioux Ranger District, Custer National
Forest, Carter County of MT and Harding County of SD.
Summary: EPA supported the preferred alternative, since it would
result in reduced adverse effects from motorized routes.
EIS No. 20090215, ERP No. F-AFS-J65534-MT, Miller West Fisher Project,
Proposes Land Management Activities, including Timber Harvest, Access
Management, Road Storage and Decommissioning, Prescribed Burning and
Precommercial Thinning, Miller Creek, West Fisher Creek and the Silver
Butte Fisher River, Libby Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest,
Lincoln County, MT.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about erosion and
sediment production/transport and associated water quality impacts
during logging activities.
EIS No. 20090219, ERP No. F-USA-E11069-GA, Maneuver Center of
Excellence at Fort Benning Project, Proposed Community Services,
Personnel Support, Classroom Barracks, and Dining Facilities would be
Constructed in three of the four Cantonment Areas, Fort Benning, GA.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about impacts to
aquatic habitats, water resources, and wetlands.
Dated: August 11, 2009.
Kenneth Mittelholtz,
Deputy Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal
Activities.
[FR Doc. E9-19502 Filed 8-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P