[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