[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 174 (Friday, September 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47125-47126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22824]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[ER-FRL-5472-9]


Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared August 19, 1996 through 
August 23, 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).

Drafts EISs

    ERP No. D-AFS-G61036-NM Rating LO, EL Cajete Pumice Mine Project, 
Implementation, Plan of Operation and COE Section 404 Permit, Jemez 
National Recreation Area, Santa Fe National Forest, Jemez Ranger 
District, Sandoval County, NM.
    Summary: EPA expressed lack of objections to the selection of the 
Forest Service's preferred Alternative 1(a) as described in the draft 
EIS.
    ERP No. D-AFS-J65250-CO Rating EC1, Routt National Forest Land and 
Resource Management Plan, Implementation, Grand, Routt, Rio Blanco, 
Jackson, Moffat and Garfield Counties, CO.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about water quality, 
fisheries and wildlife habitat and noxious weed control. EPA suggests 
that the FEIS add details or general plans to improve or maintain 
environmental conditions and include revised requirements for grazing 
allotment analysis.
    ERP No. D-AFS-J65253-MT Rating EC2, Boulder and Wyman Gulch 
Vegetation Management Timber Sale and Prescribed Burning, 
Implementation, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests, Philipsburg 
Ranger District, Granite County, MT.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding exiting 
degraded water quality and fisheries in the project area and choice of 
treatment method/units in alternatives. EPA recommends additional 
information be included in the final EIS to fully assess and mitigate 
for potential adverse impacts to fisheries cumulative watershed impact, 
timber supply and wildlife habitat.
    ERP No. D-AFS-J65254-MT Rating EC2, Sheep Range and China Basin 
Salvage Project, Implementation, Kootenai National Forest, Libby Ranger 
District, Lincoln County, MT.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about inadequate 
disclosure of environmental impacts and cumulative impacts to the 
threatened grizzly bear. EPA suggests that the final EIS include 
information to fully assess and mitigate all potential environmental 
impacts of the management actions.
    ERP No. DS-AFS-J65153-MT Rating LO, Trail Creek Timber Sale, 
Implementation, New and Updated Information, Beaverhead National 
Forest, Wisdom Ranger District, Beaverhead County, MT.
    Summary: EPA expressed lack of objections to the proposed action.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-AFS-E65047-MS, G. F. Erambert and Black Creek Seed 
Orchards Pest Management Plan, Implementation, Southern Region, 
National Forests in Mississippi, Forrest and Perry Counties, MS.
    Summary: EPA expressed no objections; our comments in the draft EIS 
were adequately addressed in the final EIS.
    ERP No. F-BLM-J02009-00, Express Crude Oil Pipeline Project, 
Construction, Operation and Maintenance, Issuance of Right-of-Way 
Grant, Hill, Chouteau, Fergus, Judith Basin, Wheatland, Golden Valley, 
Stillwater and Carbon Counties, MT and Bighorn, Washakies, Hot Springs, 
Freemont and Watrona Counties, WY.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding the 
proposed pipeline crossings of rivers, streams and wetlands, and 
requests that directional drilling be used for the pipeline crossing of 
the Yellowstone River, as well as be considered for other major river 
crossings with significant fisheries, wide channels, and late season 
flows. EPA recommended that a wetland mitigation plan be prepared and 
will continue to work closely with the Corps of Engineers on 404 
permitting issues related to this project.
    ERP No. F-BLM-J65229-MT, Sweet Grass Hills Resource Management Plan 
Amendment, Implementation, West HiLine Resource Management Plan, Toole 
and Liberty Counties, MT.
    Summary: EPA continues to express environmental concerns regarding 
potential adverse impacts to cultural and water resource associated 
with reasonably foreseeable mining actions.
    ERP No. F-BLM-J67019-MT, Zortman and Landusky Mines Reclamation 
Plan Modifications and Mine Life Extensions, Approval of Mine 
Operation, Mine Reclamation and COE Section 404 Permits, Little Rocky 
Mountains, Phillip County, MT.
    Summary: EPA continues to express environmental objections 
regarding water quality and environmental justice. The FEIS responded 
to a number of the DEIS water quality objections in the expanded Water 
Quality Improvement Plan. Many of the remaining water quality 
objections would be addressed if the proposed operating permit 
incorporates requirements necessary to comply with the Clean Water Act. 
The proposed action potentially poses a significantly high adverse 
impact to cultural resources and religious practices of the tribal 
community. EPA recommends considering alternative dispute resolution to 
investigate additional opportunities for mitigating impacts to the 
Tribes.
    ERP No. FS-BLM-J65203-MT, Big Dry Land and Resource Management 
Plan, Updated Information on Leaving the Calypso Trail Open or Closing 
the Trail to Motorized Vehicles, Implementation, Miles City District, 
MT.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about potential 
adverse impacts, i.e. erosion, to the trail from unlimited motorized 
access. EPA suggests analyzing additional options and alternatives that 
may better balance the multiple uses expected by the public. EPA 
suggests that the standards and criteria used by BLM to evaluate

[[Page 47126]]

and quantify trail erosion and impacts to Wilderness Study Areas be 
clearly outlined and be made publically available.

    Dated: September 3, 1996.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 96-22824 Filed 9-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U