[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 81 (Friday, April 26, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 20764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10345]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6628-4]


Notice of Intent: To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (SEIS) on a Request To Modify a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) 
Between EPA and Jefferson Parish (Parish), Louisiana Prohibiting the 
Parish From Providing Service From the Lafitte-Marrero Waterline to a 
Designated Area

AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 6.

Purpose: To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and 
evaluate the potential impacts of modifying the MOA. In addition, the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) may choose to rely on the SEIS in 
determining whether to modify a 1979 permit it issued to the Parish 
authorizing discharges of dredged and fill material incidental to 
construction of the Lafitte-Marrero Waterline.
SUMMARY: In settlement of a potential Council on Environmental Quality 
referral under Section 309(a) of the Clean Air Act, EPA Region 6 and 
Jefferson Parish entered into an MOA in 1979. In that MOA, the Parish 
agreed not to provide water service from the Lafitte-Marrero Waterline 
to a ``prohibited service area'' containing sensitive wetlands. The COE 
incorporated the MOA as a condition of a permit it issued to the Parish 
for construction of the waterline pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean 
Water Act (CWA) and violation of the MOA would thus violate that 
permit. In 1985, EPA Region 6 prohibited future discharges of dredged 
or fill material to wetlands in a designated portion of the restricted 
service area (the Bayou Aux Carpes Swamp) pursuant to Section 404(c) of 
the CWA. The Parish has requested EPA to modify the 1979 MOA to allow 
it to provide water service to an existing swamp tour facility and a 
proposed ``Jellystone Park'' campground in the prohibited service area. 
As proposed, these developments are or will be located in uplands 
within the area subject to the 404(c) designation. Before making a 
decision on the Parish's request, EPA will prepare a site specific 
``second tier'' SEIS to evaluate potential environmental effects 
associated with the requested modification.
    Alternatives: EPA may approve or deny the request to provide 
service to the Peach Orchard Jellystone Park campground, as proposed, 
or with modifications to mitigate or reduce adverse impacts to 
acceptable levels. Other reasonable alternatives, including those 
outside EPA's authority, may also be evaluated in the SEIS.
    Scoping: EPA solicits written comments from interested parties 
regarding environmental issues to be addressed in the Draft SEIS. 
Interested parties are encouraged to submit their comments within 
fifteen (15) days of this notice. EPA will prepare a responsiveness 
summary of those issues determined to be within (and not within) the 
scope of the SEIS.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, OR TO BE PLACED ON EPA's SEIS MAILING LIST: 
Write or call Mr. Robert D. Lawrence, Chief of the Office of Planning 
and Coordination, EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75202; tel: 
(214) 665-8150.
    Estimated Date of the Draft SEIS Release: Summer 2002.
    Responsible Official: Gregg A. Cooke, Regional Administrator.

    Dated: April 23, 2002.
Anne Norton Miller,
Director, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 02-10345 Filed 4-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M