[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2000)] [Notices] [Pages 2389-2390] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 00-966] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-6249-9] Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments Availability of EPA comments prepared 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 www.epa.gov/oeca/ofa. 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-NPS-J61102-00, EIS No. 990340, Winter Use Plan, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, Implementation, Fremont County, ID; Gallatin and Park Counties, MT; and Park and Teton Counties, WY. Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections with the preferred alternative because of adverse impacts from off-highway vehicle emissions likely to result in noncompliance with air quality standards. EPA recommends that the selected alternative assure compliance with air quality standards. Rating EO2. ERP No. D-COE-K36129-CA, EIS No. 990367, San Timoteo Creek Reach 3B Flood Control Project, Flood Protection, Construction, Operation and Maintenance, San Bernardino County, CA. Summary: EPA expressed objections to the preferred project alternative based on significant impacts to waters of the US, including wetlands, and deficient analyses of impacts and mitigation measures related to waters and biological resources. EPA also determined that the DEIS's Preferred Alternative is not consistent with the Section 404 (B)(1) guidelines of the CWA. EPA recommended modification of the alternatives in the FEIS. Rating EO2. ERP No. D-IBR-H39007-00, EIS No. 990375, Republican River Basin Long-Term Water Supply Contract Renewals for Five Irrigation Districts, Frenchman-Cambridge, Frenchman Valley and Bostwick Irrigation District in Nebraska and Bostwick No. 2 and Almena Irrigation Districts in Kansas, NB and KS. Summary: EPA raised significant issues regarding depletions of water resources, species extripation, pending water quality standards, and competing water interests. Rating EC2. ERP No. D-UAF-E11046-FL, EIS No. 990390, Tyndall Air Force Base, Implementation, Proposed Conversion of Two F-15 Fight Squadrons to F-22 Fighter Squadron, FL. Summary: The conversion of two fighter squadrons of F-15 to F-22 aircraft at Tyndall AFB does not appear to pose significant and/or long-term adverse environmental consequences. Rating LO. ERP No. D-AFS-G65074-TX, EIS No. 990395, Texas Blowdown Reforestation Project, Implementation, National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angeline and Sabine National Forests, San Augustine and Shelby Counties, TX. Summary: EPA has no objection to the preferred action as described in the Draft EIS. Rating LO. ERP No. D-HUD-K80040-CA, EIS No. 990403, City of Monterey Park Project, Construction and Operation of the Monterey Park Towne Plaza, North of the Pomona Freeway and west Paramount Boulevard, Los Angeles County, CA. Summary: EPA expressed support for the proposed project to the extent that it is consistent with and does not in any way hinder EPA's ongoing and long term Superfund response actions at the Operating Industries Inc. (Oil) Superfund Site. Rating LO. ERP No. D-DOE-K22004-CA, EIS No. 990410, National Ignition Facility Project Specific Analysis, Construction and Operation at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA Summary: EPA expressed concern regarding clean-up levels for PCBs and the relationships among various clean-up plans and requirements under CERCLA. EPA requested clarification of these issues and that additional information on the economic impacts be included in the final EIS. Rating EC2. ERP No. D-FHW-K40240-CA, EIS No. 990411, CA-70 Upgrade in Sutter and Yuba Counties, To a Four-Lane Expressway/Freeway, From South of Striplin Road to South of McGowan Road Overcrossing, Funding and COE Section 404 Permit, Sutter and Yuba Counties, CA Summary: EPA objections to Alternative 1 since it does not appear to be the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative pursuant to Clean Water Act section 404(b)(1) guidelines. EPA also expressed concerns regarding Alternatives 2 and 3 due to impacts to water and air quality, wetlands mitigation, and project air conformity. Rating EO2. ERP No. D-TVA-E70001-TN, EIS No. 990420, Tim Ford Reservoir Land Management and Disposition Plan, Implementation, Tim Ford Reservoir, Franklin and Moore Counties, TN. Summary: EPA raised environmental concerns with the proposal based on its features that allow for more development of undeveloped lands than currently exists. Rating EC1. ERP No. D-FTA-K54023-CA, EIS No. 990433, Vasona Corridor Light Rail Transit Project, Extension of Existing Light Rail Transit (LRT) in portion of the Cities of San Jose, Campbell and Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, CA. Summary: EPA expressed a lack of objections to the project proposal but did suggest that the cumulative impacts section be expanded; that the project proponent work with EPA in developing the final wetlands mitigation plan; and that the project use recycled products in keeping with RCRA requirements. Rating LO. ERP No. DS-UAF-A11074-00, EIS No. 990422, Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Program, Updated Information, To Allow the Addition of Up to Five Strap-On Solid Rocket Motors (SRM) to the Atlas V and Delta IV Lift Vehicle, Launch Locations are Cape Canaveral Air Station, Brevard County, FL and Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB), Santa Barbara County, CA [[Page 2390]] Summary: While EPA has no objection to the proposed action, some technical/clarification items were provided. Rating LO. Final EISs ERP No. F-FAA-K51038-CA, EIS No. 990385, San Jose International Airport Master Plan Update, Improvements include extension of Runway 12R/30L from 10,200 ft. to 11,000 ft; Airport Layout Plan, City of San Jose, Santa Clara County, CA. Summary: EPA continues to have objections to the proposed action since noise and pollution prevention issues were not fully disclosed and mitigated. ERP No. F-AFS-J65217-UT, EIS No. 990412, Brighton Ski Resort Master Development Plan Updated, Implementation, Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Salt Lake City, UT. Summary: EPA expressed continued concerns with current snow storage practices at the Brighton Ski Area base area and suggests exploration less damaging alternatives. Also, because the bulldozing of snow and associated contaminants from parking lots can be considered a point source discharge of pollutants into waters of the U.S., mitigation solutions are needed. ERP No. F-FTA-L40210-WA, EIS No. 990416, Central Link Light Rail Transit Project, (Sound Transit) Electric Rail System Construction and Operation, Funding, COE Section 10 and 404 Permits, Seattle, Sea Tac and Tuckwila Cities, King County, WA. Summary: EPA continues to express concern regarding the commitment to ensure that all mitigation measures are implemented. EPA recommended that the commitment to mitigate be included in the Record of Decision. ERP No. F-USA-G11036-AR, EIS No. 990419, Fort Chaffee Disposal and Reuse, Implementation, Ozark Mountains, Sebastian, Crawford, Franklin, Smith, Barling, and Greenwood Counties, AR. Summary: The Final EIS fully responded to EPA's comments offered on the Draft Statement. EPA has no further comments to offer. ERP No. F-FRC-F03006-00, EIS No. 990428, Independence Pipeline and Market Link Expansion Projects, Construction and Operation, Interstate National Gas Pipeline, (Docket Nos. CP97-315-001, CP97-319-000, CP98- 200-000 and CP-540-000, NPDES and COE Section 404 Permits, IL, IN, MI, OH, PA, and NJ. Summary: EPA continues to have concerns that the EIS: (1) does not substantiate the Purpose and Need for the proposal, and (2) does not recommend that the projects' proponents develop and implement upland forest mitigation plans to mitigate for the entire 1,310.7 acres of upland forest that would be permanently lost if this project is constructed. ERP No. F-DOE-A09828-00, EIS No. 990434, 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 has no objection to the action as proposed. ERP No. F-NPS-L61222-WA, EIS No. 990435, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, General Management Plan, Implementation, Ferry, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, and Steven Counties, WA. Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency. ERP No. F-COE-E39047-AL, EIS No. 990439, Jackson Port Project, Proposal for the Public Port Facilities on the Tombigbee River, City of Jackson, Clark County, AL. Summary: EPA continues to have significant objections to the planned phased development which will convert important bottomland hardwood wetlands habitat into commercial property. ERP No. F-FAA-E51046-NC, EIS No. 990448, Charlotte/Douglas International Airport Construction and Operation, New Runway 17/35, Future 18L/36R Associated Taxiway Improvements, Master Plan Development, Airport Layout Plan (ALP) Approval, and COE Section 404 Permit Issuance, Mecklenburg County, NC. Summary: EPA continues to be concerned with noise increases relative to residences in the airport area due to the proposed expansion and requested consideration of further mitigation. ERP No. F-NPS-L65328-WA, EIS No. 990456, Vancouver National Historic Reserve Cooperative Management Plan, Preservation, Education and Public Use, Implementation, Clark County, WA. Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency. Dated: January 10, 2000. B. Katherine Biggs, Associate Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities. [FR Doc. 00-966 Filed 1-13-00; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-U