[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 186 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 51349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25748]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5495-7]


Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared August 17, 1998 Through 
August 21, 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) 564-5076.
    An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental 
impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated April 10, 1998 (62 
FR 17856).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-DOC-C39012-PR Rating LO, Corals and Reef Associated 
Plants and Invertebrates, Fishery Management Plan, Amendment I Marine 
Conservation District (MCD), Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Puerto 
Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands, PR and VI.
    Summary: EPA believed that any of the three options being 
considered will further the objectives of the Coral Fishery Management 
Plan and will result in beneficial environmental impacts to the aquatic 
resources in the US Caribbean. Therefore, in accordance with EPA 
policy, EPA does not object to the projects implementation.
    ERP No. D-DOE-A09828-00 Rating EC2, Surplus Plutonium Disposition 
(DOE/EIS-0283) for Siting, Construction and Operation of three 
facilities for Plutonium Disposition, Possible Sites Hanford, Idaho 
National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Pantex Plant and 
Savannah River, CA, ID, NM, SC, TX and WA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concern based on the effects 
on water and ecological resources and the presence of contamination in 
the existing environment and lack of assurance that the proposed 
operations would not lead to further adverse impacts.
    ERP No. D-GSA-C60004-NY Rating EC2, Governors Island Disposition of 
Surplus Federal Real Property, Implementation, Upper New York Bay, NY.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about potentially 
significant indirect impacts to historic resources and air quality 
which could result from the implementation of this project, and that 
additional information (2) should be presented in the final EIS to 
address these concerns.
    ERP No. D-NOA-A91064-00 Rating EC1, Atlantic Bluefish Fishery 
Management, Fishery Management Plan, Implementation, Nova Scotia to 
Florida, Northwestern Atlantic Ocean.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that supported the 
suite of management alternatives to be implemented to rebuild bluefish 
stocks. Reduction of fish limits per angler from ten to four/five 
bluefish was recommend for recreational fishing.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-FAA-F51043-MN, Dual Track Airport Planning Process, 
Construction and Expansion, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, 
Twin Cities, Hennepin and Dakota Counties, MN.
    Summary: EPA stated that the FEIS did not provide the level of 
information that is necessary to fully assess all environmental impacts 
of the preferred alternative. EPA also expressed objections regarding 
segmentation of the Runway 4-22 extension project. In addition, the 
FEIS is lacking the following information: (1) Existing 1994 aircraft 
operations; (2) details supporting the ``Finding of No Practicable 
Alternative'' for wetlands lose; (3) clear distinction between impacts 
associated with plans for 2010 versus 2020; and (4) summaries of sub-
alternatives evaluated in the previous studies.
    ERP No. F-TVA-E09801-MS, Red Hills Power Project, Proposal to 
Purchase 440 megawatts (MW) of Electrical Energy, COE Section 404 
Permit, Town of Ackerman, Choctaw County, MS.
    Summary: EPA continued to have environmental concerns about the 
project, due to the potential impact of the proposed power plant and 
surface coal mining operations on environmentally sensitive sites.

    Dated: September 22, 1998.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 98-25748 Filed 9-24-98; 8:45 am]
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