[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 131 (Friday, July 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37136-37137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17501]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6244-4]


Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared June 14, 1999 through June 
18, 1999 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 09, 1999 (64 
FR 17362).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-AFS-E65051-AL Rating LO, Longleaf Restoration Project, 
Implement a Systematic Five-Year Program for Restoration of the Native 
Longleaf Pine, Conecuh National Forest, Conecuh Ranger District, 
Covington and Escambia Counties, AL.
    Summary: EPA expressed lack of environmental objections. ERP No. D-
AFS-J65299-MT Rating EC2, Pinkham Timber Sales and Associated 
Activities, Implementation, Kootenai National Forest, Rexford Ranger 
District, Lincoln County, MT.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding some high 
projected peak flow increases in area streams and adverse wildlife 
impacts from exceedances of forest standards for open road density and 
from regeneration timber harvests that would leave many large forest 
openings. The EPA believed additional information is needed to fully 
assess and mitigate all potential impacts of management actions.
    ERP No. D-BLM-G65051-NM Rating LO, New Mexico Standards for Public 
Land Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management, 
Implementation, NM.
    Summary: EPA had no objection to the selection of the RAC or County 
alternative described in the DEIS. ERP No. DS-BLM-K67040-CA Rating EO2, 
Imperial Project, Open-Pit Precious Metal Mining Operation Utilizing 
Heap Leach Processes, Updated Information concerning ``Endangered, Rare 
or Threatened'' Biological Resources, Plan of Operations and 
Reclamation Plan Approvals, R-O-W Grants, Conditional Use/US COE 
Permits, EL Centro Resource Area, CA Desert Dist., Imperial Co., CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed continuing environmental objections with the 
proposed project and its potential impacts, particularly regarding 
aquatic resources protected under Section 404 of the Federal Clean 
Water Act. EPA asked that BLM's Final EIS clarify the relationship 
between the endangered species issues addressed in the Supplemental 
DEIS and EPA's 1998 comments on the DEIS concerning Clean Water Act 
Section 404 issues.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-AFS-B65005-NH, Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Huts and 
Pinkham Notch Visitor Center (PNVC) Continued Operations, Special Use 
Permit and Possible COE Permit Issuance, White Mountain National 
Forest, Grafton and Coos Counties, NH.
    Summary: Final EIS was responsive to EPA's comments and plan 
described avoids impacts to the water supply, ground water minimizes 
impacts to wetlands.
    ERP No. F-AFS-E65049-FL, Florida National Forests, Revised Land and 
Resource Management Plan, Implementation, Apalachicola, Choctowhatchee, 
Ocala and Osceola National Forests, Several Counties, FL.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns and supported an 
alternative which involves less harvested acreage and road construction

[[Page 37137]]

and more emphasis on wilderness and recreation values.
    ERP No. F-AFS-J65287-UT, South Spruce Ecosystem Rehabilitation 
Project, Implementation, Dixie National Forest, Cedar City Ranger 
District, Iron and Kane Counties, UT.
    Summary: EPA believed the preferred alternative, modified 
Alternative A, can be implemented with the proposed project specific 
mitigation measures without significant impact to the environment.

    Dated: July 6, 1999.
Joseph Montgomery,
Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 99-17501 Filed 7-8-99; 8:45 am]
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