[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 231 (Friday, November 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60702-60703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30496]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[ER-FRL-5475-4]
Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of
EPA Comments
Availability of EPA comments prepared November 04, 1996 Through
November 08, 1996 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 05, 1996 (61
FR 15251).
Draft EISs
ERP No. D-BLM-K67037-NV Rating EO2, Twin Creeks Mine Consolidation
and Expansion, which encompasses the former Rabbit Creek Mine and the
former Chimney Creek Mine, Plan of Operation and Permit Application
Approval, Winnemucca District, Humboldt County, NV.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections due to potential
impacts to water quality/quantity, biological resources, including
impacts associated with groundwater drawdown from pit dewatering; as
well as the project's potential risks related to geologic hazards. EPA
also requested additional information regarding these issues, as well
as mitigation measures, geochemical characterization, reclamation, and
ecological risk assessment.
ERP No. D-NPS-K61212-CA Rating EC2, San Francisco Maritime National
Historical Park, General Management Plan, Implementation, San Francisco
County, CA.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding water
quality and erosion control, hazardous
[[Page 60703]]
materials, and construction activities. EPA requested additional
information on these issues be included in the Final EIS.
ERP No. D-NPS-K65187-CA Rating EC2, Santa Rosa Island Resources
Management Plan, Improvements of Water Quality and Conservation of Rare
Species and their Habitats, Channel Islands National Park, Santa
Barbara County, CA.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with potential
impacts associated with the weed and road management programs. EPA
requested that the FEIS demonstrate consistency with the applicable
Basin Plan, and encouraged Park Service to modify the preferred
alternative to include more environmental protection features found in
the Conservation Team Recommendations Alternative.
Regulations
ERP No. RR-DOA-A90083-00, 7 CFR Part 12--Highly Erodible Land and
Wetland Conservation.
Summary: EPA commented that the interim final rule raised a number
of issues that may affect implementation of the Clean Water Action
Section 404 regulatory program. Rather than proposing specific
revisions to the regulations regarding the Swampbuster program. EPA
recommended that issues be addressed, where possible, through the
development of a formal interagency agreement between EPA, NRCS, the
Corps of Engineers and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. EPA also
recommended that the final rule clarify the Swampbuster status of
prior-converted cropland when wetland characteristics return as a
result of a lack of maintenance of the land or other circumstances
beyond the control of the property owner. EPA raised concerns over the
adequacy of the Environmental Assessment (EA) and recommended that the
EA be revised prior to publication of the final rule.
ERP No. R-DOA-A99214-00, 7 CFR Part 1466--Environmental Quality
Incentives Program--Commodity Credit Corporation.
Summary: EPA supported the proposed approach for designating
priority areas, and recommended establishing a financial incentive
program for states to develop priority areas that effectively direct
funds to critical environmental resource problems, and that the
Commodity Credit Corporation reject these proposals that do not meet
the relevant criteria. EPA also recommended that in defining a ``large
confined livestock operation,'' the final rule should emphasize that
assistance is meant for family farmers and ranchers and that a specific
level for defining large operations be established, allowing for
exceptions based upon ability to pay and on maximizing environmental
benefits per dollar.
Dated: November 25, 1996.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 96-30496 Filed 11-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
