[Federal Register: May 8, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 89)]
[Notices]               
[Page 25475-25476]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08my98-54]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5491-6]

 
Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared April 20, 1998 Through April 
24, 1998 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 the FR dated April 10, 1998 
(63 FR 17856).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-AFS-K65203-CA Rating EC2, Sirretta Peak Motorcycle Trail 
Construction, Approval and Implementation, Sirretta Peak/Machine Creek 
Area, Kern Plateau, Sequoia National Forest, Cannell Meadow Ranger 
District, Tulare County, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about potential 
adverse impacts to the watershed and wildlife habitat from the 
construction and use of a motorized trail in a roadless area.
    ERP No. D-BLM-K67047-NV Rating EC2, Trenton Canyon Mining Project, 
Construction, Operation and Expansion, Plan of Operation, Valma and 
North Peak Deposits, Humboldt and Lander Counties, NV.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns to the proposed 
project, based on a lack of analysis of a reasonable range to project 
alternatives, and potential environmental degradation to waters of the 
United States. EPA asked for additional information, including 
information on a sequential backfilling alternative, waste rock and pit 
wall rock characterization, cumulative impact, project description, 
comprehensive mitigation and monitoring plan.
    ERP No. D-COE-E39042-GA Rating EC2, Latham River/Jekyll Creek 
Environmental Restoration Project (Section 1135), To Establish the 
Without Project Condition, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), Glynn 
County, GA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns over the long-term 
impacts to wetlands resources in the project and the potential for 
increased development on Jekyll Island.
    ERP No. D-COE-K32049-CA Rating EO2, San Francisco Bay to Stockton 
Phase III (John F. Baldwin) Navigation Channel Project, Construction 
and Operation, For Deliver of Petroleum to Refineries, Storage 
Terminals and Other Facilities, COE Section 10 and 404 Permits, US 
Coast Guard Permit, Contra Costa County, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objectives with two action 
alternatives because, according to the DEIS, deepening 16 miles of 
navigation channel would result in adverse water quality impacts, 
specifically intrusion of salt water into the Sacramento-San Joaquin 
Delta that would exceed salinity standards. This increased salinity 
intrusion would have adverse effects on municipal drinking water 
supplies, fish and wildlife resources. EPA also expressed concerns on 
Clean Water Act Section 404 issues associated with a pipeline system 
alternative and noted that all three action alternatives may require a 
conformity determination for oxides of nitrogen (an ozone precursor) 
due to the San Francisco Bay Area's ozone maintenance status.
    ERP No. D-FRC-B03009-ME Rating EC2, Maritimes Phase II Project, 
Construct and Operate an Interstate Natural Gas Pipeline, COE Section 
10 and 404 Permits, Endangered Species Act (ESA) and NPDE's permits, US

[[Page 25476]]

Canada border at Woodland (Burleyville) Maine and Westbrook Maine.
    Summary: EPA requested additional information about the impacts of 
the proposed pipeline with regard to wetlands, eelgrass, drinking 
water, groundwater supply, and secondary impacts in order to fully 
evaluate the environmental acceptability of the proposed project.
    ERP No. D-FRC-J02035-00 Rating EC2, Alliance Natural Gas Pipeline 
Project, Construction and Operation, Funding, NPDES Permit, COE Section 
10 and 404 Permit, ND, MN, IA and IL.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns and requested 
additional information on the following areas; Purpose and Need, 
Alternatives Evaluation, Resource Surveys (Threatened and Endangered 
Species, Cultural and Historical), Agricultural Land/Non-Agricultural 
Land, Waterbody/Wetland Crossing Procedures, Wetland/Woodland Loss 
Compensation and description of Extra Work Areas.
    ERP No. DS-COE-L36011-00 Rating EC2, Columbia and Lower Willamette 
River Federal Navigation Channel, Integrated Dredge Material Management 
Study, OR and WA.
    Summary: EPA's expressed environmental concerns that the Corps 
should take more effort at advanced identification and management of 
in-stream dredged material disposal sites. EPA also requested more 
information regarding the environmental impacts of upland disposal of 
dredged material.

    Dated: May 5, 1998.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 98-12298 Filed 5-7-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U