[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 199 (Monday, October 16, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53579-53580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25484]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Pine Creek Evaporation Pond

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, will prepare an 
environmental impact statement for a proposal to construct a 115 acre 
foot evaporation pond on a Federal mill site claim in Pine Creek, Inyo 
County, California. The agency invites written comments and suggestions 
on the scope of the analysis. In addition, the agency gives notice of 
the full environmental analysis and decision-making process that will 
occur on the proposal so that interested and affected people are aware 
of how they may participate and contribute to the final decision.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by November 1, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments and suggestions concerning the scope 
of the analysis to Dennis W. Martin, Forest Supervisor, Inyo National 
Forest, 873 N. Main Street, Bishop, California 93514.


[[Page 53580]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Direct questions about the proposed action and environmental impact 
statement to Vernon McLean, Forest Geologist, Inyo National Forest, 873 
N. Main Street, Bishop, California 93514, phone 619-873-2424.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: U.S. Tungsten Corporation has submitted a 
plan of operations, as directed by 36 CFR 228, to construct an 
evaporation pond on a Federal mill site. The evaporation pond will 
facilitate meeting water quality requirements while increasing 
production from the U.S. Tungsten facility.
    In preparing the environmental impact statement, the Forest Service 
will identify and consider a range of alternatives for this site. One 
of these will be no construction of the pond.
    Dennis W. Martin, Forest Supervisor, Inyo National Forest, Bishop, 
California, is the responsible official.
    The Forest Service is seeking information, comments, and assistance 
from Federal, State, and local agencies and other individuals or 
organizations who may be interested in or affected by the proposed 
action. This input will be used in preparation of the draft 
environmental impact statement (DEIS). The scoping process includes: 
(1) Identifying potential issues; (2) Identifying issues to be analyzed 
in depth; (3) Eliminating insignificant issues or those which have been 
covered by a relevant previous environmental analysis; (4) Exploring 
additional alternatives; (5) Identifying potential environmental 
effects of the proposed action and alternatives (i.e, direct, indirect, 
and cumulative effects and connected actions); (6) Determining 
potential cooperating agencies and task assignments.
    The draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) is expected to be 
filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to be 
available for public review by October 31, 1995. At that time EPA will 
publish a notice of availability of the DEIS in the Federal Register.
    The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will 
be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency's notice 
of availability appears in the Federal Register.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of 
draft environmental impact statements must structure their 
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is 
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewers position and 
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the 
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised 
until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may 
be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 
1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 
F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, 
it is very important that those interested in this proposed action 
participate by the close of the 45 day comment period so that 
substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest 
Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to 
them in the final environmental impact statement.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft 
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is 
also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the 
draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft 
environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives 
formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer 
to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing 
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
    After the comment period ends on the DEIS, the comments will be 
analyzed and considered by the Forest Service in preparing the final 
environmental impact statement (FEIS). The FEIS is scheduled to be 
completed by September 1996. The Forest Service is required to respond 
in the FEIS to the comments received (40 CFR 1503.4). The responsible 
official will consider the comments, responses, disclosure of 
environmental consequences, and applicable laws, regulations, and 
policies in making a decision regarding this proposal. The responsible 
official will document the decision and rationale in the Record of 
Decision. That decision will be subject to appeal under 36 CFR 215.

    Dated: October 6, 1995.
Dennis W. Martin,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 95-25484 Filed 10-13-95; 8:45 am]
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