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64 FR (09/30/1999) » 99-25438. Adoption of Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact, Inyo County Saltcedar Control Program; Owens Valley, CA
99-25438. Adoption of Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact, Inyo County Saltcedar Control Program; Owens Valley, CA
[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 189 (Thursday, September 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52785-52786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25438]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6447-8]
Adoption of Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No
Significant Impact, Inyo County Saltcedar Control Program; Owens
Valley, CA
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY:
Project Location and Description
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to adopt an
EA for a long-term, comprehensive program to control and possibly
eradicate saltcedar (also known as tamarix) from portions of the Owens
Valley. This plant is an aggressive non-native shrub or tree that
displaces native vegetation and wildlife. The work will primarily
involve cutting stems and applying herbicides to cut stems in infested
areas on land owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
(LADWP). The project area extends from the Inyo County line north of
Bishop to the southern end of the valley near Olancha. It consists of
unincorporated land owned by the LADWP. The work area extends from the
Inyo County line north of Bishop to the southern end of the valley near
Olancha. Saltcedar stands occur in patches and encompass about 25,000
acres. The work will primarily occur during the months of October
through March, and will continue for 5 or more years. Funding is
provided by LADWP and a grant from the EPA.
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
The purpose of the program is to systematically eradicate saltcedar
on City of Los Angeles land within Inyo County. The benefit of the
program would be to facilitate the recovery of native plant communities
in the affected areas, thereby increasing the abundance and variety of
plant and animal life. The program would implement an element of the
Inyo County/Los Angeles Long-term Water Agreement, result in beneficial
impacts to the native habitats and wildlife, and assist in implementing
the Lower Owens River Project.
Environmental Consequences and Conditions
The proposed saltcedar control program will represent a beneficial
impact to the native habitats of the Owens Valley because there will be
an increase in the amount and diversity of native plant communities,
which will result in an increase in the abundance and diversity of fish
and wildlife. The project includes 14 mitigation measures to avoid
significant impacts, therefore, no significant impacts to the
environment will result from the implementation of this project.
Preliminary Findings
EPA has determined that the proposed project will not have a
significant adverse impact on the environment and that an environmental
impact statement will not be required for the project.
The EA is available for public inspection at EPA Region 9 in San
Francisco, California at 75 Hawthorne Street. To review the project
document, to obtain a copy of the document, or to obtain additional
information regarding the project, please contact Wendy Melgin of EPA
Region 9 at (415) 744-1831 or via e-mail at
melgin.wendy@epamail.epa.gov.
[[Page 52786]]
Comments on this Finding of No Significant Impact may be submitted
for consideration by EPA on or before November 1, 1999. No
administrative action will be taken by EPA on the project described
above prior to the expiration of this public comment period. Comments
should be: (1) Mailed to Wendy Melgin, U.S. EPA Region IX, (WTR-9), 75
Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105; (2) faxed to Wendy Melgin at
(415) 744-1873; or e-mailed to Wendy Melgin at
melgin.wendy@epamail.epa.gov.
Dated: September 21, 1999.
Alexis Strauss,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 9.
[FR Doc. 99-25438 Filed 9-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
Document Information
- Published:
- 09/30/1999
- Department:
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Entry Type:
- Notice
- Action:
- Notice.
- Document Number:
- 99-25438
- Pages:
- 52785-52786 (2 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- FRL-6447-8
- PDF File:
-
99-25438.pdf