[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 38 (Friday, February 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9507-9508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4860]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[ER-FRL-6240-3]
Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of
EPA Comments
Availability of EPA comments prepared February 01, 1999 Through
February 05, 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, 1999 (62
FR 17856).
Draft EISs
ERP No. D-COE-J31027-WY Rating EO2, Little Snake Supplemental
Irrigation Water Supply Project, Construction, Right-of-Way Permit and
COE Section 404 Permit, Carbon County, WY.
Summary: EPA objected to the proposed action given the potential
significant adverse impacts associated with the Colorado River
Cutthroat Trout recovery program. EPA also recommended that a new
alternative which combines a reduced storage pool and increased water
conservation be evaluated in the Final EIS.
ERP No. D-DOI-K39053-CA Rating EC2, San Joaquin River Agreement
Project, Implementation of the Meeting Flow Objectives for 1999--2010,
Vernalis Adaptive Management Plan, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Madera,
Merced, Fresno and Tuolume Counties, CA.
Summary: EPA supported the project, as long as it will be
implemented in a manner that does not degrade existing conditions or
limit future management options. EPA expressed concerns regarding
impacts to water quality, groundwater, and riparian habitat and
requested additional information on these issues be included in the
FEIS. EPA will continue to participate in implementation of the plan
and a long-term fishery management program for the San Joaquin River.
ERP No. D-FAA-B51021-MA Rating EC2, Provincetown Municipal Airport
Safety and Operational Enhancement Project, Improvements (1)
Firefighter Equipment Garage; (2) General Aviation Parking Apron
Expansion; (3) Runaway Safety Areas, and (4) a Runaway Extension, COE
Section 404 Permit, Cape Cod National Seashore, Barnstable County, MA.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that some
alternatives considered in the DEIS were not adequately evaluated and
that more information should be provided about mitigation measure
associated with the runway extension proposals.
ERP No. D-FHW-B40084-RI Rating EC2, Western Johnston and Cranston,
Improved Highway Access to the Environmental Management District,
Funding and COE Section 404 Permit, Providence County, RI.
Summary: EPA requested information regarding stormwater management
system for the proposed project and additional information to quantify
the loss of wetland functions associated with either build alternative.
Based on the available information, EPA also suggested that the
Scituate Avenue extension appears to be less environmentally damaging
than the Comstock Parkway extension.
ERP No. DS-FHW-E40700-GA Rating EC2, Harry S. Truman Parkway,
Construction from the Abercon Street Extension (GA-204) to Derenne
Avenue, COE Section 404 Permit and U.S. Coast Guard Permit, Chatham
County, GA.
Summary: EPA's review found that althought the preferred
alternatives does avoid residential and commercial properties, it
crosses the Vernon River floodplain and non floodplain wetlands.
Bridging the entire floodplain and avoiding wetland impact is
recommended.
Final EISs
ERP No. F-COE-E32078-00 Savannah Harbor Section 203 Expansion
Project, Channel Deepening, Harbor Improvements, Georgia Ports
Authority, Federal Navigation Project, Chatham County, Ga and Jasper
County, SC.
Summary: EPA noted that its earlier concerns over the proposal in
the Draft EIS to deepen the channel by B feet have been eliminated by
the proposal in the Final EIS to examine four deepening alternative,
with a maximum deepening of only 6 feet. EPA has agreed with the need
to continue the evaluate process associated with deepening the Savannah
Harbor via a Tier II EIS analysis. The additional data developed by its
preparation will form the basis for a reasoned decision, as to whether/
how much this facility can be upgraded and the unavoidable
environmental costs.
ERP No. F-NOA-A91063-00 Monkfish Fishery Regulations Northeast
Multispecies Fishery (FMP), Fishery Management Plan, Amendment 9,
Implementation, Exclusive Economic
[[Page 9508]]
Zone, off the New England and Mid-Atlantic Coast.
Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
ERP No. F-NOA-B39035-MA New Bedford Harbor Environment Restoration
Plan, Implementation, Acushnet River, Buzzards Bay, MA.
Summary: EPA found the Final EIS responsive to our earlier concerns
with the exception of two technical concerns noted in the comment
letter.
Dated: February 23, 1999.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 99-4860 Filed 2-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
