[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2639-2640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1017]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[ER-FRL-5498-8]
Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of
EPA Comments
Availability of EPA comments prepared December 28, 1998 through
January 01, 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, 1998 (62
FR 17856).
Draft EISs
ERP No. D-AFS-L65311-ID Rating EC2, North Fork St. Joe River
Project, Implementation, Idaho Panhandles National Forest, St. Joe
Ranger District, Shoshone County, ID.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns. EPA requested
[[Page 2640]]
more information to ensure that antidegradation requirements for water
quality will be met, to discuss project impact to health ecosystem, and
to further address cumulative impacts of this and other projects in the
area.
ERP No. D-COE-L03008-AK Rating EO2, Beaufort Sea Oil and Gas
Development Northstar Project, Implementation, NPDES Permit, Sea
Island, Alaskan Beaufort Sea, Offshore Marine Environment and Onshore
Northslope of Alaskan Coastal Plain, AK.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections to the proposed
Northstar project which were related to the risks of leaks and spills
associated with the use of undersea pipelines in the Beaufort Sea, the
technological/logistical difficulties in responding to oil spills, and
the extent to which issues and concerns of the Inupiats Eskimoes have
been addressed in the development of the project and the EIS. EPA
believes that further evaluation of double-walled undersea pipeline
option and the Northstar Oil Discharges Prevention and Contingency Plan
is necessary, and that further development of the project and EIS
should be conducted in consultation with the Inupiats to ensure that
their issues are addressed in a manner consistent with Executive Orders
12898 and 13084.
ERP No. D-FHW-G40151-TX Rating LO, US-190 Corridor from FM2657 to
the East City Limits of Copperas Cove, Transportation Improvements,
Major Investment Study, Coryell and Lampasas Counties, TX.
Summary: EPA had no objection to the selection of the preferred
alternative, Alternative G, as described in the draft EIS.
ERP No. DA-COE-K32023-HI Rating EO2, Ma'aLaea Harbor Improvements
for Light-Draft-Vessels, Entrance Channel Realignment and Breakwater
Modification, Additional Information, Island of Maui, Maui County, HI.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections related to water
quality and Clean Water Act Section 404 issues. The SDEIS showed
exceedances in water quality standards for turbidity during
construction and project operation due to increased turbulence caused
by additional vessel traffic from the 130 new berths. EPA believes that
the Corps should ensure that there are mechanisms in place to maintain
EPA-approved Water Quality Standards. EPA asked that the Corps' final
report to Congress on fiscal authorization not proceed until there are
satisfactory assurances from the State that onshore sewage improvements
would be put into place.
Final EISs
ERP No. F-AFS-K65272-CA, Chico Genetic Resource Center for Pest
Management Program, Implementation, Mendocino National Forest, Willow,
Butte County, CA.
Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
ERP No. F-AFS-L65160-ID, North Round Valley Timber Sales and Road
Construction, Implementation, Payette National Forest, New Meadows
Ranger District, Adams County, ID.
Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
ERP No. F-FHW-E40761-NC, US 64 Bypass Transportation Improvements
Project, from I-440 to US 64 west of Wendell and Eastern Wake
Expressway from existing US 64 to NC-1007 (Poole Road), Funding and COE
Section 404 Permit, Wake County, NC.
Summary: EPA found the document generally addressed the agency's
comments on the draft EIS. However, lack of coordinated multi-modal
transportation planning was noted.
Dated: January 12, 1999.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 99-1017 Filed 1-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
