[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 231 (Friday, November 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60702-60703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30496]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[ER-FRL-5475-4]


Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared November 04, 1996 Through 
November 08, 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-BLM-K67037-NV Rating EO2, Twin Creeks Mine Consolidation 
and Expansion, which encompasses the former Rabbit Creek Mine and the 
former Chimney Creek Mine, Plan of Operation and Permit Application 
Approval, Winnemucca District, Humboldt County, NV.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections due to potential 
impacts to water quality/quantity, biological resources, including 
impacts associated with groundwater drawdown from pit dewatering; as 
well as the project's potential risks related to geologic hazards. EPA 
also requested additional information regarding these issues, as well 
as mitigation measures, geochemical characterization, reclamation, and 
ecological risk assessment.
    ERP No. D-NPS-K61212-CA Rating EC2, San Francisco Maritime National 
Historical Park, General Management Plan, Implementation, San Francisco 
County, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding water 
quality and erosion control, hazardous

[[Page 60703]]

materials, and construction activities. EPA requested additional 
information on these issues be included in the Final EIS.
    ERP No. D-NPS-K65187-CA Rating EC2, Santa Rosa Island Resources 
Management Plan, Improvements of Water Quality and Conservation of Rare 
Species and their Habitats, Channel Islands National Park, Santa 
Barbara County, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with potential 
impacts associated with the weed and road management programs. EPA 
requested that the FEIS demonstrate consistency with the applicable 
Basin Plan, and encouraged Park Service to modify the preferred 
alternative to include more environmental protection features found in 
the Conservation Team Recommendations Alternative.

Regulations

    ERP No. RR-DOA-A90083-00, 7 CFR Part 12--Highly Erodible Land and 
Wetland Conservation.
    Summary: EPA commented that the interim final rule raised a number 
of issues that may affect implementation of the Clean Water Action 
Section 404 regulatory program. Rather than proposing specific 
revisions to the regulations regarding the Swampbuster program. EPA 
recommended that issues be addressed, where possible, through the 
development of a formal interagency agreement between EPA, NRCS, the 
Corps of Engineers and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. EPA also 
recommended that the final rule clarify the Swampbuster status of 
prior-converted cropland when wetland characteristics return as a 
result of a lack of maintenance of the land or other circumstances 
beyond the control of the property owner. EPA raised concerns over the 
adequacy of the Environmental Assessment (EA) and recommended that the 
EA be revised prior to publication of the final rule.
    ERP No. R-DOA-A99214-00, 7 CFR Part 1466--Environmental Quality 
Incentives Program--Commodity Credit Corporation.
    Summary: EPA supported the proposed approach for designating 
priority areas, and recommended establishing a financial incentive 
program for states to develop priority areas that effectively direct 
funds to critical environmental resource problems, and that the 
Commodity Credit Corporation reject these proposals that do not meet 
the relevant criteria. EPA also recommended that in defining a ``large 
confined livestock operation,'' the final rule should emphasize that 
assistance is meant for family farmers and ranchers and that a specific 
level for defining large operations be established, allowing for 
exceptions based upon ability to pay and on maximizing environmental 
benefits per dollar.

    Dated: November 25, 1996.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 96-30496 Filed 11-27-96; 8:45 am]
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