[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 43 (Friday, March 3, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11574-11575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5198]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6251-7]


Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared February 14, 2000 Through 
February 18, 2000 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 
9, 1999 (63 FR 17856).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-AFS-J65310-00 Rating EC2, Dakota Prairie Grasslands, 
Nebraska National Forest Units and Thunder Basin National Grassland, 
Land and Resource Management Plans 1999 Revisions, Implementation, MT, 
NB, WY, ND and SD.
    Summary: EPA expressed concern that as the public dialogue takes 
place on roadless areas that an interim plan be in place that reserves 
current roadless areas until a plan is in place. EPA requested that a 
section be added to discuss the government-to-government consultation 
process with affected Indian Tribes and that stipulations on oil and 
gas leases require pits to be netted. EPA also suggested that portions 
of the Little Missouri River that course through the Grasslands be 
proposed for scenic and/or wild designation.
    ERP No. D-AFS-K65224-AZ Rating EC2, Williams Ski Area Expansion on 
Bill Williams Mountain, Implementation, Special-Use-Permit, Kaibab 
National Forest, Williams Ranger District, Coconino County, AZ.
    Summary: EPA expressed concerns with the potential for the proposed 
project to impact water and cultural resources. EPA requested that the 
FEIS more thoroughly address those issues and discuss the consultation 
process with affected tribes.
    ERP No. D-BLM-K39058-CA Rating EO2, Cadiz Groundwater Storage and 
Dry-Year Supply Program, Construction and Operation, Amendment of the 
California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan, Issuance of Right-of-
Way Grants and Permits, San Bernardino County, CA.
    Summary: EPA objected to the project based on the potential 
significant impacts and the lack of an air conformity determination. 
The project would also adversely affect many ephemeral washes and other 
sensitive habitats, but mitigation measures do not appear sufficient to 
protect resources. EPA recommended that a draft conformity 
determination be issued prior to issuance of the FEIS.
    ERP No. D-BOP-E80002-SC Rating EC2, South Carolina--Federal 
Correctional Institution, Construct and Operate, Possible Sites: 
Andrew, Bennettsville, Oliver and Salters, SC.

[[Page 11575]]

    Summary: EPA expressed concern regarding potential wetland impacts 
and requested that additional information be included in the Final EIS.
    ERP No. D-FAA-F51046-MN Rating EC2, Flying Cloud Airport Expansion, 
Extension of the Runways 9R/27L and 9L/27R, Long-Term Comprehensive 
Development, In the City of Eden Prairie, Hennepin County, MN.
    Summary: EPA requested additional information on noise mitigation 
to assure that residents of Eden Prairie and the resources of the 
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge are adequately protected.
    ERP No. D-SFW-K05056-CA Rating EC2, High Desert Power Project, 
Construction and Operation, A Combined-Cycle Natural Gas-Fueled 
Electrical Generation Power Planet, Approval of Incidental Taking 
Authorization under Sections 7 and 10 of the Federal ESA, San 
Bernardino County, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed concern with the High Desert Power Project 
(HDPP) due to the need to characterize the trichloroethane (TCE) 
groundwater plume under the power plant site prior to the plant's 
design and construction and potential UIC permit requirements. EPA 
urged selection of the power plant without the 32-mile natural gas 
pipeline, given the potential adverse effects of the pipeline on 
special status species and the expectation of sufficient natural gas 
from the 3.5 mile pipline.

Final EIS

    ERP No. F-BIA-K61146-CA Programmatic--Cabazon Resource Recovery 
Park Section 6 General Plan, Implementation, Approval of Master Lease 
and NPDES Permit, Mecca, CA.
    Summary: EPA had no major objections to the EIS but requested that 
BIA's Record of Decision reflect the commitments found in the FEIS, 
especially for mitigation measures.

    Dated: February 29, 2000.
B. Katherine Biggs,
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 00-5198 Filed 3-2-00; 8:45 am]
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