[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 6, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29999]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 6, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

 

Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program Programmatic 
Environmental Impact Statement Scoping

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act 
Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, 16 U.S.C. 1455b, the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposes to prepare a 
programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) on the approval of 
state coastal nonpoint pollution control programs.
    The requirements of 40 C.F.R. parts 1500-1508 [Council on 
Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations to implement the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)] apply to the preparation of the PEIS. 
Specifically, 40 CFR 1501.7 requires an early and open ``scoping'' 
process. This notice is part of NOAA's action to comply with the 
scoping requirement.

DATES: Individuals or organizations wishing to submit comments on these 
or other issues should do so by December 30, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be made to: Marcella Jansen, Coastal 
Programs Division (N/ORM3), Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource 
Management, NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 
20910, tel. (301) 713-3098, x143.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marcella Jansen, Coastal Programs Division (N/ORM3), Office of Ocean 
and Coastal Resource Management, NOS, NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, tel. (301) 713-3098, x143.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act 
Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 requires states with coastal zone 
management programs that have received Federal approval under section 
306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) to develop and implement 
coastal nonpoint pollution control programs (coastal nonpoint 
programs). Coastal states are required to submit their coastal nonpoint 
programs to NOAA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 
approval by July, 1995. Once approved, these programs will be 
implemented through changes to the state nonpoint source pollution 
program approved by EPA under section 319 of the Clean Water Act and 
through changes to the state coastal zone management program approved 
by NOAA under the CZMA. To assist states in the development of their 
programs, NOAA and EPA jointly published a program development and 
approval guidance document.
    EPA also published a technical guidance document specifying 
management measures for sources of nonpoint pollution in coastal 
waters. This management measure guidance addresses five source 
categories of nonpoint pollution: agriculture, forestry, urban, 
marinas, and hydromodification. Management measures are also included 
for wetlands protection, riparian areas, and vegetated filter strips. 
In addition to these management measures, additional management 
measures must be developed and implemented by each state for land uses 
and critical areas adjacent to impaired or threatened coastal waters.
    NOAA proposes to prepare a programmatic environmental impact 
statement (PEIS). This PEIS will assess the environmental impacts 
associated with the implementation of the requirements of the section 
6217 program. The PEIS will form the basis for the subsequent NEPA 
documents (environmental impact statements or assessments) NOAA will 
prepare on each of the 29 state coastal nonpoint programs submitted for 
approval. When a state program is proposed, a subsequent NEPA document 
will be prepared which addresses the state-specific environmental 
impacts arising from that method of implementing the program. These 
subsequent NEPA documents will present a summary of the issues 
addressed in the PEIS and, as appropriate, incorporate by reference the 
analyses presented in the PEIS.
    Possible alternatives to the proposed action of approval of the 
state coastal nonpoint programs include: (a) Conditional approval of 
the programs; and, (b) denial of program approval.
    Based on discussion with the EPA and other involved Federal 
agencies and comments received in response to this notice, NOAA will 
develop the draft PEIS. The final PEIS will be published in July, 1995. 
Comments on the draft PEIS will be solicited and evaluated in 
accordance with 40 CFR Part 1503.
    The following preliminary table of contents for the PEIS has been 
developed for discussion purposes:
    1. Cover Sheet and Abstract.
    2. Summary.
    3. Table of Contents.
    4. Purpose of and Need for the Action.--As part of the Coastal Zone 
Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990, states with approved coastal 
zone programs are required to develop and implement coastal nonpoint 
programs. Coastal states are required to submit their coastal nonpoint 
programs to NOAA and the EPA for approval by July, 1995. NOAA and EPA 
must review the programs within six months.
    5. Alternatives, including proposed action.--This section will 
evaluate reasonable alternatives to the approval of the state programs.
    6. Affected Environment.--This section will describe the physical, 
chemical, and biological characteristics of the marine and terrestrial 
environment within the boundaries of the 6217 management areas that 
NOAA recommended after its review of each state's existing coastal zone 
boundary and coastal watersheds. Land and water uses within the areas 
will also be described.
    7. Environmental Consequences.--This discussion will identify 
direct and indirect impacts associated with each management measure and 
with the implementation of the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control 
Program, including any adverse environmental impacts which cannot be 
avoided. The relationship between the proposed action and the 
enhancement of long-term productivity and the irreversible or 
irretrievable commitment of resources will be described.
    8. List of Preparers.
    9. List of Agencies, Organizations and Persons to Whom EIS Sent.
    10. Index.
    11. Appendices.

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog 11.419 Coastal Zone Management 
Program Administration)

    Dated: November 30, 1994.
W. Stanley Wilson,
Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management.
[FR Doc. 94-29999 Filed 12-5-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-M