[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3942-3943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1755]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6224-5]


Notice of Environmental Assessment on the Proposed Reissuance of 
General Permits for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in New 
Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; request for comment on environmental assessment and 
finding of no significant impact.

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SUMMARY: The Regional Administrator of EPA Region 6 has preliminarily 
determined that reissuance of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 
System (NPDES) general permits authorizing discharges from concentrated 
animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Texas (TXG800000, TXG810000), 
Oklahoma

[[Page 3943]]

(OKG800000, OKG810000), and New Mexico (NMG800000, NMG810000) will not 
significantly affect the quality of the human environment and that 
preparation of an environmental impact statement for further evaluation 
of that action is thus unnecessary. The environmental assessment (EA) 
supporting that preliminary determination describes the EPA's currently 
preferred alternatives, which differ in some instances from 
alternatives previously described in the notice proposing these permit 
actions. Interested Federal, State and local agencies, environmental 
groups, and individuals are invited to submit written comments on the 
preliminary determination and on the EA.

DATES: Written comments on EPA's finding of no significant impact 
(FONSI) or the EA may be submitted to the address below on or before 
February 25, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FONSI and supporting environmental assessment 
(EA) may be obtained from Robert D. Lawrence, Acting Associate 
Director, Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division (6EN-XP), EPA 
Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733; Telephone (214) 
665-2258. Written comments should be submitted to Mr. Lawrence at the 
same address.
    The FONSI and EA are also available on the internet at the 
following website address: http://www.epa.gov/region6/water/npdes/
genpermt

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on this 
matter, please write or call Mr. Lawrence at the above address and 
telephone number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA Region 6 proposed to reissue NPDES 
permits authorizing discharges from CAFOs in Texas, Oklahoma, and New 
Mexico at 63 FR 34874 (June 26, 1998). On September 11, 1998, the 
Agency reopened the comment period to solicit additional comments on a 
number of specific issues. See 63 FR 48731. EPA is still considering 
numerous comments it received on the proposed permits.
    The Agency has prepared an EA to assist it in determining whether 
the proposed permit action may significantly affect the quality of the 
human environment and thus require preparation of an environmental 
impact statement pursuant to section 102(2) (C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In some areas, the EA describes EPA's 
currently preferred alternatives, which differ somewhat from 
alternatives described in its June 26, 1998, proposal. The public is 
also welcome to comment on this revised thinking/analysis. EPA will 
make no final decision on the FONSI or proposed permits until it 
considers all timely comments it receives.
Samuel J. Coleman,
Director, Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division (6EN), Region 
6.
[FR Doc. 99-1755 Filed 1-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P