[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 135 (Friday, July 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36725-36726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-17797]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5471-3]


Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared June 24, 1996 Through June 
28, 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-APH-A99207-00 Rating EC2, Programmatic EIS--Veterinary 
Services (VS) Programs, Implementation, to Detect, Prevent, Control, 
and Eradicate Domestic and Foreign Animal Diseases and Pests, All 50 
States and the United States Territories.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with the program 
regarding contamination of ground water from carcass disposal and 
issues concerning pesticide use. EPA suggested that the final EIS 
include additional alternatives and assessment of their impacts, 
consideration of mitigation of chemical use, applicator training 
requirements, and several changes to inaccuracies pertaining to 
pesticide use.
    ERP No. D-COE-F35042-IN Rating EC2, Indiana Harbor and Canal 
Dredging and Confined Disposal Facility, Construction and Operation, 
Comprehensive Management Plan, East Chicago, Lake County, ID.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding dredging 
depth impacts to water quality, cumulative impacts, and TSCA and RCRA 
issues. EPA requested that additional information be provided in the 
final EIS to address these issues.
    ERP No. FRC-L05216-WA Rating EU3, Cushman Hydroelectric Project 
(FERC No. 460), Relicensing, North Fork Skokomish River, Mason County, 
WA.
    Summary: EPA's review concluded that the proposed alternative is 
environmentally unsatisfactory. In addition, EPA has significant 
concerns regarding the adequacy of the draft EIS. In particular, the 
draft EIS does not (1) provide a comprehensive analysis of cumulative 
impacts; (2) appropriately characterize the no-action alternative; (3) 
assess impacts on Tribal Trust/ Treaty resources; (4) give equal 
consideration to power and nonpar values when assessing project 
``benefits''; and (5) provide sufficient information and support 
conclusions regarding alternatives and mitigation measures, especially 
with regard to restoration of more natural flows to the North Fork 
Skokomish River. EPA noted that if this proposal is carried forward to 
the final EIS without correcting unacceptable impacts, it will be a 
candidate for referral to the Council on Environmental Quality.
    ERP No. D-IBR-K39043-CA Rating EU3, American River Water Resources 
Investigation, Implementation, Placer, Suter, EL Dorado, Sacramento and 
San Joaquin Counties, CA.
    Summary: EPA's review concluded that one of the alternatives, the 
proposed Auburn Dam on the American River, is environmentally 
unsatisfactory. EPA noted that if this proposal is carried forward to 
the Final EIS without correcting unacceptable impacts, it will be a 
candidate for referral to the Council on Environmental Quality. EPA 
urged the Bureau of Reclamation and other program sponsors to pursue 
development of a non-Auburn Dam alternative which modifies elements of 
the Conjunctive Use alternative to guarantee adequate instream flows 
and Bay/Delta outflow.
    ERP No. D-USN-A11073-00 Rating EC2, United States Navy Shipboard 
Solid Waste Disposal, Implementation, MARPOL Special Areas: Designated 
Baltic Sea, North Sea, Wilder Caribbean, Antarctic Ocean, Mediterranean 
Sea, Black Sea and Red Sea, Gulfs Region: Persian Gulf and Gulf of 
Oman.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns for additional 
measures to protect special resources (e.g., coral reefs) and to ensure 
that future designs of ships provide for storage space for wastes; EPA 
also requested additional impacts analysis and clarification regarding 
planned actions in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and Antarctic Waters.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-COE-E30036-MS Coldwater River Watershed Demonstration 
Erosion Control Project, Flood and Sediment Control Measures, 
Implementation, Yazoo Basin, Marshall, Benton and Tate Counties, MS.
    Summary: EPA had no significant environmental objections with 
implementation of the proposed flood control measures. No formal 
comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

[[Page 36726]]

    ERP No. FS-COE-K32028-CA Richmond Harbor Deep Draft Navigation 
Improvements, Updated and Additional Information to Improve Navigation 
Efficiency into the Potrero, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County, 
CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with the Corps' 
failure to select an alternative with a greater degree of beneficial 
use, in line with the goals of the Long Term Management Strategy for 
San Francisco Bay dredged material disposal. EPA also expressed a need 
for monitoring and appropriate mitigation of impacts to eelgrass beds 
and shallow subtidal habitat.

    Dated: July 9, 1996.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 96-17797 Filed 7-11-96; 8:45 am]
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