[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 58 (Friday, March 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 15903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7348]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6252-5]


Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared March 6, 2000 Through March 
10, 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-L65342-00 Rating EC2, Pacific Northwest Region 
Douglas-fir Tussock Moth (orgvia pseudotsugata) Project, To Partially 
Control an Anticipated Outbreak of Douglas-fir tussock moth, To be 
Implemented in Nine National Forests in WA and OH.

Summary

    EPA expressed concerns about the EIS lacking a clear demonstration 
that defoliation by tussock moths would adversely affect the 
environment. EPA also urged that the EIS apply the protocol for 
addressing 303(d) waters, discuss further the IPM approach used, and 
describe the indicators that would trigger spraying.
    ERP No. D-COE-G36151-TX Rating EC2, Programmatic EIS--Upper Trinity 
River Basin Feasibility Study, To Provide Flood Damage Reduction, 
Environmental Restoration, Water Quality Improvement and Recreational 
Enhancement, Trinity River, Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Dallas, Denton 
and Tarrant Counties, TX.

Summary

    EPA has environmental concerns about water quality. EPA requested 
additional information regarding optimum channel and lake morphology to 
ensure safe and recreational use compatible with water quality within 
the lakes. EPA also requested additional information regarding the 
Dallas Master Plan's compatibility with Floodplain Management 
requirements established by Executive Order 11988.
    ERP No. D-NRS-A36450-00 Rating EC2, Programmatic EIS--Emergency 
Watershed Protection Program, Improvements and Expansion, To Preserve 
Life and Property Threatened by Disaster-Caused Erosion and Flooding, 
US 50 States and Territories except Coastal Area.

Summary

    EPA expressed concern that the ``Prioritized Watershed Planning and 
Management'' alternative was not selected as the proposed action. EPA 
requested several modifications to the proposed program, including 
requirements for cumulative impact assessment and greater use of 
bioengineering principles when designing projects.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-AFS-J65314-MT, Flathead National Forest, Swan Lake Ranger 
District, Meadow Smith Project, Vegetative Treatments and Other 
Activities to Maintain and Restore Large-Tree Old Grow Forest 
Characteristics, Lake and Missoula Counties, MT.

Summary

    EPA continues to express concern about the level of monitoring 
proposed to identify actual impacts from the implementation activities. 
EPA also requested additional mitigation measures to reduce other 
impacts.
    ERP No. F-BLM-K67050-NV, South Pipeline Mine Project, Proposal to 
Extend Gold Mining Operations, Implementation, Lander County, NV.

Summary

    EPA continues to express concern regarding air/water quality 
impacts and the ecological risk of pit lakes. EPA requested that BLM 
address these issues before the Record of Decision is signed.
    ERP No. F-COE-C32035-00, New York and New Jersey Harbor Navigation 
Study, Identify, Screen and Select Navigation Channel Improvements, NY 
and NJ.

Summary

    EPA's previous issues concerning the lack of a signed Memorandum of 
Understanding for the Comprehensive Port Improvement Plan (CPIP), the 
cumulative impacts analysis, and the no action alternative have been 
adequately addressed. EPA requested that air quality analyses be 
committed to in the Record of Decision for this project and completed 
prior to project implementation. EPA expressed concerns that until the 
CPIP is completed, impacts associated with port facility and 
infrastructure expansions will not have been addressed. EPA commented 
that a supplemental EIS for the Harbor Navigation Project may be 
required at some point in the future.
    ERP No. F-DOE-G60007-NM, The Conveyance and Transfer of Certain 
Land Tracts Administered by the US DOE and Located at Los Alamos 
National Laboratory, Los Alamos and Santa Fe Counties, NM.

Summary

    EPA has no objection to the action as proposed.

    Dated: March 21, 2000.
B. Katherine Biggs,
Associate Director, NEPA Compliance Division Office of Federal 
Activities.
[FR Doc. 00-7348 Filed 3-23-00; 8:45 am]
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