[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 218 (Friday, November 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57869-57870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28780]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5474-7]


Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared October 15, 1996 Through 
October 18, 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).

[[Page 57870]]

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-AFS-K65189-CA Rating EC2, Cavanah Multi-Resource 
Management Project, Implementation, Enchancing Forest Health and 
Productivity, Tahoe National Forest, Foresthill Ranger District, Placer 
County, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that the proposed 
management activities in a watershed degraded water quality are not 
being taken under a fully integrated management plan.
    ERP No. D-BLM-G67003-NM Rating LO, Little Rock Open-Pit Mine 
Project, Construction and Operation, Plan of Operations Approval, and 
several Permits Issuance, Grant County, NM.
    Summary: EPA had no objection to the preferred alternative with the 
inclusion of the mitigation and monitoring measures presented in the 
Draft EIS addressing dust suppression as part of the mine plan 
operation.
    ERP No. D-DOE-L09809-WA, Hanford Site Tank Waste Remediation 
Systems (TWRS), Management and Disposal of Radioactive, Hazardous, and 
Mixed Wastes, NPDES Permit and Approval of Several Permits, in the City 
of Richland, Grant County, WA.
    Summary: EPA's previous endorsement of the single regulatory 
authority approach and the extensive involvement of the Washington 
Department of Ecology as a co-preparer of this draft EIS, EPA does not 
foresee having any critical environmental objections to the proposed 
project.
    ERP No. D-NPS-L61211-AK Denali National Park and Reserve, 
``Frontcountry'' Entrance Area and Road Corridor, Development Concept 
Plan, AK.
    Summary: Our abbreviated review has revealed no EPA concerns on 
this project.
    ERP No. DA-AFS-L65137-AK Rating EO2, Tongass Land Management Plan 
Revision (1996 DSEIS) New Information Concerning Changes to the 
Management Plan, Implementation, Tongass National Forest, AK.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections to the action as 
described in the preferred alternative because of potential adverse 
impacts to water quality and fish habitat.
    ERP No. DR-SFW-K99026-CA Rating EC2, Multiple Species Conservation 
Program (MSCP) Planning Area, Issuance of Take Authorizations for 
Threatened and Endangered Species Due to Urban Growth, San Diego 
County, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that tribal 
governments were not consulted. EPA also noted that requirements of 
Clean Water Act Section 404 will continue to apply on lands which do 
not become part of the habitat conservation area.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-AFS-K82005-CA Placerville Nursery Pest Management Plan, 
Implementation, Camino, El Dorado County, CA.
    Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No 
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
    ERP No. F-AFS-L65259-OR Foss Perkins Analysis Area, Vegetation 
Management and Timber Sale, Ochoco National Forest, Snow Mountain 
Ranger District, Harney County, OR.
    Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No 
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
    ERP No. F-BLM-K67033-NV Lone Tree Gold Mine Expansion Project, Plan 
of Operations Approval and Permit Issuance, Winnemucca District, 
Humboldt County, NV.
    Summary: EPA continued to express environmental concerns regarding 
impact due to waste rock and design of the tailings facility.
    ERP No. F-FRC-L05209-WA Nisqually Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 
1862) Issuing New License (Relicense), Nisqually River, Pierce, 
Thurston and Lewis Counties, WA.
    Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No 
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
    ERP No. F-NPS-L65258-ID Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, 
General Management Plan, Implementation, Twin Falls and Gooding 
Counties, ID.
    Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No 
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

Other

    ERP No. LD-AFS-K65185-CA Rating EO2, Tahoe National Forest and 
Portion of Plumas and EL Dorado National Forests, Implementation, 
Twenty-Two Westside Rivers for Suitability and inclusion in the 
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, Wild and Scenic River Study, 
Placer, Nevada, Sierra, Plumas, EL Dorado and Yuba Counties, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections to the minimal 
protection and designation of exceptional ecological areas and the use 
of less protective classifications for acknowledged wild segments. EPA 
urge the Forest Service to designate the Downieville complex or to 
actively seek Research Natural Area or Special Interest Area 
designation for this exceptional, biologically rich area and for 
reconsideration of the North Fork of the North Fork American River, 
North Fork of the Middle Fork American River, Fordyce Creek, Middle 
Yuba River, and the upper South Yuba River for designation into an 
ecosystem watershed management strategy.

    Dated: November 5, 1996.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 96-28780 Filed 11-7-96; 8:45 am]
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