[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 74 (Friday, April 17, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 19252-19254] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-10240] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [ER-FRL-5490-9] Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments Availability of EPA comments prepared March 30, 1998 Through April 03, 1998 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 [[Page 19253]] ratings assigned to draft environmental impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated April 11, 1997 (62 FR 16154). Draft EISs ERP No. D-FHW-B40082-VT Rating EC2, Rutland Transportation Improvement Project, between US 4 and US 7 in the City of Rutland and the Towns of Rutland, Mendon, Clarendon and Shrewsbury, Funding, EPA Permit and COE Section 404 Permit, Rutland County, VT. Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding wetland, water supply and secondary impacts of the various alternatives studied in the DEIS. EPA also requested additional traffic analysis information and asked FHWA to consider a modified Upgrade Alternative to achieve the project purpose. ERP No. D-FHW-B40083-NH Rating EC2, Manchester Airport Access Road Highway Improvement Project, Bedford-Manchester-Londonderry-Litchfield- Merrimack, Funding and NPDES Permit and COE Section 404 Permit, Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties, NH. Summary: EPA had environmental concerns that the alternatives analysis in the DEIS does not rebut the presumption that practicable and less damaging alternatives exist to the preferred option. EPA requested additional information concerning direct and indirect impacts, and measures to protect groundwater and drinking water resources. Additionally, until various issues concerning the analysis of alternatives and the final shape of the mitigation plan are resolved, EPA believes the project does not comply with the EPA Section 404(b)(1) guidelines and should not receive a permit. ERP No. D-FHW-G40147-NM Rating EC2, Paseo del Volcon Corridor, Acquisition of Right-of-Way and Construction of Roadway, from the Intersection of I-40 to Intersection of NM-44 near the Town of Bernalillo, Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties, NM. Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, noise attenuation and barrier design, Environmental Justice, and NEPA compliance assurances for future or planned east to west arterial connectors. ERP No. D-FHW-K40230-CA Rating EO2, CA-58 Transportation Corridor, Route Adoption and Purchases Right-of-Way Acquisition Project, between CA-99 in the Bakerfield Metropolitan Area and Interstate 5 in Kern County, Funding and COE Section 404 Permit, Kern County, CA. Summary: EPA raised environmental objections with the corridor alignment alternatives. EPA suggested that other alternatives be examined and raised concerns with the Purpose and Need, alternatives analysis, impacts to water resources, threatened and endangered species, and cumulative effects of the project. ERP No. D-FTA-E40775-FL Rating EC1, Miami North Corridor Project, Transit Improvements between NW 62 Street at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Station and NW 215th Street at the Dade/Broward Counties Line, Funding, Major Investment Study, Dade County, FL. Summary: EPA had environmental concerns because of the unavoidability of some impacts, mitigation will be very important to this project. ERP No. D-IBR-K28019-CA Rating EO2, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Supplemental Water Supply Project, American River Division of the Central Valley Project (CVP), Sacramento County, CA. Summary: EPA objected to the narrow scope of alternatives and the restrictive alternative screening criteria which inherently limited feasible alternatives to those with diversions from the American River. EPA urged evaluation in detail of a wider range of alternatives that encompass water management measures and water supply sources other than just American River water. If a diversion from the American River is deemed necessary, EPA urged selection of diversion points on the Sacramento River below the confluence with the American River or as far downstream on the American River as feasible. Given the significant adverse cumulative impacts of additional American River diversions and the fact that other utilities are able to utilize other water sources. EPA recommended that the Final EIS clearly demonstrate that high quality American River water is essential for meeting drinking water standards and that the use other water sources is not feasible. ERP No. D-TVA-E09801-MS Rating EC2, Red Hills Power Project, Proposal to Purchase 440 megawatts (MW) of Electrial Energy, COE Section 404 Permit, Town of Ackerman, Choctaw County, MS. Summary: EPA expressed environmental concern regarding forested wetland impacts and mitigation, truck noise, air toxics screening against state thresholds and identification of water uses of wells and springs potentially impacted by mining. ERP No. D-UAF-A11074-00 Rating EC2, Evolved Expandable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Program, Development, Operation and Deployment, Proposed Launch Locations are Cape Canaveral Air Station (AS), Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB), California, Federal Permits and Licenses, FL and CA. Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding air issues resulting from ozone depleting substance; the effects on plant-life; and waste disposal. ERP No. DA-COE-K36009-CA Rating EC2, Napa River and Napa Creek Flood Protection Project, New Information, City of Napa, Napa County, CA. Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that the Corps may not be taking advantage of the numerous opportunities to avoid, reduce and minimize adverse impacts to wetlands and other aquatic resources. EPA expressed concerns because the EIS did not provide discussion or data regarding construction-related emissions of particulates from sources other than equipment; indicate whether PCBs are present in electrical equipment or other utilities subject to removal or relocation; and discuss whether vegetation maintenance would use herbicides, potentially impacting water quality, fish and wildlife, public health and non-target species. Final EISs ERP No. F-FHW-B53012-RI, Rhode Island Northeast Corridor Freight Rail Improvement Project, Major Investment Study, Implementation, Boston Switch in Central Falls to the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park in North Kingtown, Funding, COE Section 10 and 404 Permits, Providence County, RI. Summary: EPA had lack of objection to the FHWA preferred alternative and indicated that several water supply and water quality issues should be resolved prior to construction of the project. ERP No. F-FHW-L50005-AK, Kenai River Bridge Crossing Project, Construction from Sterling Highway to Funny River Road, Funding, COE Section 10 and 404 Permits, US CGD Permit and EPA NPDES Permit, Kenai Peninsula, AK. Summary: EPA continued to have environmental objections based on lack of mitigation for wetland 3 and potential impacts to the Brown Bear. ERP No. F-GSA-L80016-WA, Seattle New Federal Courthouse, Construction, King County, WA. Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency. [[Page 19254]] Dated: April 14, 1998. William D. Dickerson, Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities. [FR Doc. 98-10240 Filed 4-16-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-U