[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 197 (Friday, October 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 52997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27024]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5485-2]


Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared September 08, 1997 Through 
September 12, 1997 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) 564-71653.
    An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental 
impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated April 11, 1997 (62 
FR 16154).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-BLM-K67044-CA Rating EC2, Soledad Mountain Open Pit Leap 
Leach Gold Mine Project, Construction and Operation, Plan-of-Operations 
Approval, Mojave, Kern County, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with the lack of full 
disclosure of environmental impacts from proposed or possible future 
sale of aggregate, underground mining, and impacts to local water and 
air quality from mining and processing operations.
    ERP No. D-FAA-G12002-NM Rating EC2, Southwest Regional Spaceport 
(SRS) Development and Operation Project, Commercial Space Vehicles 
Launching Facility, Licensing, Sierra and Dona Ana Counties, NM.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns and requested 
additional information on land use change, policy, and management 
conflict.
    ERP No. D-NPS-K61144-HI Rating LO, Ala Kahakai ``Trail By the Sea'' 
National Trail Study, Implementation, Hawaii Island, Hawaii County, HI.
    Summary: EPA expressed lack of objection on the proposed project.
    ERP No. D-SFW-L64045-00 Rating LO, Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos 
horribilus) Recovery Plan in the Bitterroot Ecosystem, Implementation, 
Endangered Species Act, Proposed Special Rule 10(j) Establishment of a 
Nonessential Experimental Population of Grizzly Bears in the Bitterroot 
Area, Rocky Mountain, Blaine, Camas, Boise, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, 
Idaho, Lemhi, Shoshone.
    Summary: Based on an abbreviated review EPA does not foresee having 
any environmental objections to the proposed project.
    ERP No. DA-DOE-K03007-CA Rating EC2, Petroleum Production at 
Maximum Efficient Rate, Updated Information for the Sale of Naval 
Petroleum Reserve No. 1 (NPR-1 also called ``Elk Hills'') Amendment of 
Kern County General Plan, Elk Hills, Kern County, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding projected 
air quality impacts with the disposition of EPA-regulated 
polychlorinated biphenyls in storage or in use at the facility, and 
projected impacts to biological resources. EPA asked to be notified of 
the final disposition of regulated PCB materials at the facility and 
encouraged the Department of Energy to work with the US Fish and 
Wildlife Service on mitigation recommendations in the EIS to reduce 
projected impacts to biological resources, particularly Federally-
listed species.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-AFS-L65287-OR, Little River (DEMO) Demonstration of 
Ecosystem Management Options Timber Sale, Implementation Umpqua 
National Forest, North Umpqua Ranger District, Douglas 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-NAS-E12005-00, Engine Technology Support, Implementation, 
With Emphases on Liquid Oxygen and Kerosene, Advanced Space 
Transportation Program, Test Sites: Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) 
in Huntsville, AL; Stennis Space Center (SSC) near Bay St. Louis, MS 
and Phillips Laboratory, Edward Air Force Base, CA.
    Summary: EPA continues to prefer the SSC for rocket motor testing 
based on the lesser noise impacts affecting private property.
    ERP No. FS-AFS-L65202-ID, Katka Peak Timber Sale and Road 
Construction, Implementation, New Information from Interior Columbia 
Basin Ecosystem Management Project, to implement Ecosystem Restoration 
Treatment, Bonners Ferry Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National 
Forests, Boundary County, ID.
    Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No 
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

    Dated: October 7, 1997.
B. Katherine Biggs,
Associate Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal 
Activities.
[FR Doc. 97-27024 Filed 10-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U