[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 149 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43270-43271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15116]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6689-6]


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 6, 2007 (72 FR 
17156).

Draft EISs

EIS No. 20060514, ERP No. D-NPS-K65324-CA, Big Lagoon Wetland and Creek 
Restoration Project, To Restore a Functional, Self-Sustaining 
Ecosystem, including Wetland, Riparian, and Aquatic Components, Golden 
Gate National Area, Muir Beach, Marin County, CA.

    Summary: EPA supports the proposed project goals to restore 
ecosystem functions and values and does not object to this project. 
Rating LO.

EIS No. 20070151, ERP No. D-BLM-K05064-NV, White Pine Energy Station 
Project, Construction and Operation, Coal-fired Electric Power 
Generating Plant, White Pine County, NV.

    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections because of 
potential adverse impacts to water quality, including wetlands, and 
requested for additional information to determine the least 
environmentally damaging practicable alternative. In addition, EPA 
requests information about groundwater withdrawal, air quality, 
potential mercury emissions, and mitigation. Rating EO2.

EIS No. 20070153, ERP No. D-BLM-G65105-NM, Socorro Resource Management 
Plan Revision, Implementation, Socorro and Catron Counties, NM.

Summary: EPA does not object to the proposed action. Rating LO.

    EIS No. 20070196, ERP No. D-AFS-L05240-AK, Angoon Hydroelectric 
Project, Construction and Operation, Special-Use-Authorization, Thayer 
Creek, Admiralty Island National Monument, Tongass National Forest, AK.

    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections because of the 
potential for adverse impacts to water quality and aquatic resources, 
including the potential to exceed water quality standards, and the lack 
of a detailed cumulative impacts analysis. The Final EIS should provide 
additional information regarding environmental impacts and mitigation. 
Rating EO2.

EIS No. 20070197, ERP No. DR-AFS-K65303-CA, Phoenix Project, Proposes 
to Use a Combination of Contract and Forest Service Crew to Treat Poor 
Forest Health and High Fire Hazard Conditions, Develop a Network 
Defensible Fuel Profile Zones (DFPZs), Sierraville Ranger District, 
Tahoe National Forest, Sierra and Nevada Counties, CA.

    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about impacts to 
watershed resources and recommended coordination with the California 
Regional Water Quality Control Boards, adoption of Alternative 4, and 
rapid implementation of road improvements. Rating EC2.

Final EISs

    EIS No. 20070094, ERP No. F-COE-K59006-CA, Cajon Third Main Track, 
Construction from Summit to Keenbrook, Special Use Permit and U.S. Army 
COE 404 Permit, San Bernardino County, CA.

Summary: EPA continues to have environmental concerns about air quality 
and aquatic resources impacts.

    EIS No. 20070204, ERP No. F-FRC-K05062-CA, Oroville Facilities 
Project, Issuing a New Federal License to Continue Hydroelectric Power 
(FERC No. 2100), Feather River, Sierra Nevada, Butte County, CA.

Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
EIS No. 20070237, ERP No. F-BLM-K65308-00, Surprise Field Office 
Project, Resource Management Plan, Implementation, Cedarville; Modoc 
and Lassen, CA and Washoe and Humboldt Counties, NV.

Summary: EPA continues to have environmental concerns about water 
quality, soil condition, and rangeland habitat. EPA requested that BLM 
focus on relieving grazing pressure in Category 1 rangelands until 
these areas improve. EPA also requested the closure of OHV route 
segments adjacent to waters to improve soil conditions, habitat, and 
water quality.

EIS No. 20070244, ERP No. F-FRC-K03029-00, North Baja Pipeline 
Expansion Project, Docket Nos. CP06-61-000 and CP01-23-000, 
Construction and Operation a Natural Gas Pipeline System, Land Use Plan 
Amendment, Right-of-Way Grant, Temporary Use Permits and U.S. Army COE 
Section 10 and 404 Permits, La Paz County, AZ and Riverside and 
Imperial Counties, CA.

Summary: EPA continues to have environmental concerns about the scope 
of the air quality analysis, indirect impacts on air quality, water 
resources impacts, and lack of mitigation for impacts on air quality 
and water resources.

EIS No. 20070258, ERP No. F-COE-F09803-MN, Minnesota Steel Project, 
Construction and Operation of an Open Pit Taconite Mine Facilities, 
Concentrator, Pellet Plant, Direct Reduced Iron Plant and Steel Mill 
Project, located west of Nashwauk, Itasca County, MN.

Summary: While some of EPA's previous concerns have been resolved, EPA 
continues to have environmental concerns about wetland mitigation (in 
particular, in-kind replacement and mitigation ratios).


[[Page 43271]]


    Dated: July 30, 2007.
Robert W. Hargrove,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
 [FR Doc. E7-15116 Filed 8-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P