[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65565-65566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27264]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6634-4]


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 (202) 564-7167. An explanation of the ratings 
assigned to draft environmental impact statements (EISs) was published 
in FR dated April 12, 2002 (67 FR 17992).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-COE-H35005-KS Rating EO2, KS-10 Highway (commonly known 
as South Lawrence Trafficway) Relocation, Issuance or Denial of US Army 
COE Section 404 Permit Request, Lawrence City, Douglas County, KS.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections to the preferred 
alternative based upon possible impacts to a National Natural landmark 
(Baker Wetlands), and the absence of a Clean Water Act 404(b)(1) 
evaluation. EPA recommended further analysis and coordination to 
discern Environmental Justice impacts and to ensure compliance with 
Executive Order 13007 (Indian Sacred Sites).
    ERP No. D-COE-K39074-CA Rating EC2, Bolinas Lagoon Ecosystem 
Restoration, Removal of up to 1.5 Million Cubic Yards of Sediment from 
the bottom of the Lagoon to Allow Restoration of Tidal Movement and 
Eventual Restoration of Tidal Habitat, Marin County, CA.
    Summary: EPA raised environmental concerns due to projected impacts 
to jurisdictional wetlands associated with the project's 
implementation, and a lack of analysis regarding efforts to avoid and 
minimize, as fully as practicable, such impacts. Although the DEIS 
proposes to dispose approximately 1.5 million cubic yards of dredged 
material at an EPA-designated ocean dredged material disposal site, the 
DEIS does not address alternate options to potentially reuse the 
dredged material or consistency with applicable Federal requirements.
    ERP No. D-NRS-H34029-MO Rating LO, Little Otter Creek Watershed 
Plan, Installation of One Multi-Purpose Reservoir and Development of 
Basic Facilities for Recreational Use, Implementation, Caldwell County, 
MO.
    Summary: EPA expressed a lack of objections to the proposed 
project. It was recommended that the FEIS include more information on 
wetland mitigation, farm acquisitions and available conservation 
incentive programs.
    ERP No. D-SAW-K64021-CA Rating EC2, Natomas Basin Habitat 
Conservation Plan, Issuance of Incidental Take Permit and the Adoption 
of an Implementing Agreement or Agreements, Natomas Basin, Sacramento 
and Sutter Counties, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding the 
scientific support for the mitigation ratio, the feasibility of 
implementing the HCP due to the cost and availability of potential 
reserve lands, the cumulative effects analysis, and the environmental 
consequences analysis. EPA urged adoption of more frequent HCP review 
periods or a shorter permit period and greater consideration of 
measures to avoid or minimize incidental take.
    ERP No. D-SAW-K70008-AZ Rating EC2, Roosevelt Habitat Conservation 
Plan, Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit to Allow Continued 
Operation of Roosevelt Dam and Lake, Implementation, Gila and Maricopa 
Counties, AZ.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding the 
feasibility of acquiring sufficient off-site mitigation habitat, 
critical water rights to support this habitat, and the evaluation of 
cumulative impacts. EPA recommended aggressive implementation of water 
use efficiencies to maximize beneficial use of project water and to 
continue to pursue other water and power supply options in order to 
increase the reliability and flexibility of their water and power 
supply management plans.
    ERP No. DA-COE-G39002-00 Rating LO, Red River Chloride Control 
Project, Authorization to Reduce the Natural Occurring Levels of 
Chloride in the Wichita River Only Portion, North, Middle and South 
Forks, Wichita River and Red River, Implementation, Tulsa District, 
Wichita County, TX.
    Summary: EPA had a lack of objections to the proposed project.
    ERP No. DS-COE-E30038-FL Rating EC2, Phipps Ocean Park Beach 
Restoration Project to Provide Shore Protection for the Shoreline 
surrounding Phipps Ocean Park within the Town of Palm Beach, Regulatory 
Authorization and U.S. Army COE Section 10 and 404 Permits Issuance, 
Palm Beach County, FL.
    Summary: EPA has environmental concerns regarding the direct and 
indirect consequences of this proposal which will require additional 
information to determine if the unavoidable losses will be 
appropriately mitigated.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-COE-L39058-00, McNary Reservoir and Lower Snake River 
Reservoirs, Maintenance of the Authorized Navigation Channel and 
Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP), Walla Walla District, Lower 
Snake River and Columbia River, ID and WA.
    Summary: EPA continues to have significant environmental objections 
with the lack of a sediment reduction strategy, the potential effects 
from the proposed creation of salmonid habitat, the lack of an adequate 
monitoring plan, and the lack of clarity related to the role of the 
Local Sediment Management Group.
    ERP No. F-FAA-B51017-MA, Logan Airside Improvements Planning 
Project (EOEA 10458), Construction and Operation of a New 
Unidirectional Runway 14/32, Centerfield Taxiway and Additional Taxiway 
Improvements and New Information Providing Clarification of the Delay 
Problems, Boston International Airport, Funding, Airport Layout Plan 
Approval and NPDES Permit, Boston, MA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about the 
enforcement/monitoring of the runway 14/32 wind restriction, the 
establishment of an appropriate wind threshold for the restriction, 
demand management/peak period pricing, Environmental Justice, baseline 
and growth projections, and air quality issues.
    ERP No. F-FHW-G40166-LA, I-49 Connector, Construction from 
Evangeline Thruway, US 90 and US 197 in Urbanized Lafayette, Funding, 
US Army COE Section 10 and 404 Permits Issuance, Parish of Lafayette, 
LA.
    Summary: EPA has no objections to the selection of the preferred 
alignment and offered no further comments on the Final EIS.
    ERP No. F-FRC-B03010-00, Islander East Pipeline Project, Interstate 
Natural Gas Pipeline Facilities Construction and Operation to provide 
285,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of Natural Gas to Energy Markets in 
Connecticut,

[[Page 65566]]

Long Island and New York City, New Haven, CT and Suffolk County, NY.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns that the FEIS lacks 
information to understand impacts to wetlands and waters of the US; 
disagreed with the conclusion that project construction and operation 
will result in limited adverse environmental impacts; expressed 
concerns about marine impacts and encouraged close coordination between 
FERC and the applicant with land trust/conservation organizations along 
the proposed pipeline route.
    ERP No. F-FRC-B05192-ME, Presumpscot River Projects, Relicensing of 
Five Hydroelectric Projects for Construction and Operation, Dundee 
Project (FERC No. 2942); Gambo Project (FERC No. 2931); Little Falls 
Project (FERC No. 2932); Mallison Falls Project (FERC No. 2941) and 
Saccarappa Project (FERC No. 2897), Cumberland County, ME.
    Summary: EPA expressed outstanding environmental concerns about dam 
removal effects on water quality and recommended that higher flows be 
considered at the Dundee and Mallison Falls dams. EPA also continued to 
urge consistency with the Casco Bay Estuary Project.
    ERP No. F-FRC-L03011-WA, Georgia Strait Crossing Pipeline (LP) 
Project, Construction and Operation to Transport Natural Gas from the 
Canadian Border near Sumas, WA to US/Canada Border at Boundary Pass in 
the Strait of Georgia, Docket Nos. CP01-176-000 and CP01-179-000, 
Whatcom and San Juan Counties, WA.
    Summary: EPA continues to have significant environmental objections 
with the proposal given the lack of evaluation of reasonable 
alternatives, the lack of integration with the evaluation and decision 
making processes being conducted in Canada for the Canadian portion of 
the project, and the high risks associated with seismic hazards.
    ERP No. F-FRC-L05220-WA, Warm Creek (No. 10865) and Clearwater 
Creek (No. 11485) Hydroelectric Project, Issuance of License for the 
Construction and Operation located in the Middle Fork Nooksack River 
(MFNR) Basin, WA.
    Summary: EPA raised environmental objections regarding the proposed 
projects, including the potential negative impacts to aquatic and 
terrestrial endangered species, and adverse effects to old growth 
forest, water quality and cultural and spiritual resources of affected 
Tribes. EPA recommended that the FERC select the No Action alternative.
    ERP No. F-FRC-L05222-ID, Four Mid-Snake River Hydroelectric 
Projects, Applications for New License for the Existing Projects: 
Shoshone Falls-FERC No. 2778, Upper Salmon Falls-FERC No. 2777, Lower 
Salmon Falls-FERC No. 2061 and Bliss-FERC No. 1975, Snake River, ID.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections that the final EIS 
did not identify a preferred alternative. EPA continues to have 
objections to the No Action alternative, the Applicant Proposed 
Project, and the Seasonal Run-of-River alternative as they would result 
in continued negative effects to native fish, aquatic invertebrates, 
and riparian and wetland habitats. EPA recommended licensing and 
implementing the Year-Round Run-of-River alternative.
    ERP No. F-IBR-J39029-SD, Angostura Unit--(Dam, Reservoir and 
Irrigation Facilities) Renewal of a Long-Term Water Service Contract, 
Cheyenne River Basin, Pine Ridge Reservation, Bismarck County, SD.
    Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
    ERP No. F-NRS-G36154-OK, Rehabilitation of Aging Flood Control Dams 
in Oklahoma, Authorization and Funding, OK.
    Summary: EPA has no objection to the proposed action since the 
document adequately responded to comments offered on the Draft EIS.
    ERP No. FA-COE-H36012-MO, St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway 
Project, Channel Enlargement and Improvement, Flood Control and 
National Economic Development (NED), New Madrid, Mississippi and Scott 
Counties, MO.
    Summary: EPA continues to have environmental objections to the 
project and believes that the recommended plan (alternative 3-1.B) 
raises substantive environmental issues.
    ERP No. FS-COE-F36163-00, Upper Des Plaines River, Flood Damage 
Reduction at Site 37, Construction of a Concrete Floodwall along Des 
Plaines River, Milwaukee Avenue, Willow Road and Palatine Road in Mt. 
Prospect, Cook County, IL.
    Summary: EPA had no objections to the proposed project and 
commended the Corps on their wetland mitigation proposal.

    Dated: October 22, 2002.
Joseph C. Montgomery,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 02-27264 Filed 10-24-02; 8:45 am]
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