[Federal Register: November 16, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 220)]
[Notices]               
[Page 63729]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16no98-79]


[[Page 63729]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5496-9]

 
Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared October 26, 1998 Through 
October 30, 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 FR dated April 
10, 1998 (62 FR 17856).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-AFS-L65307-WA Rating *LO, Sand Ecosystem Restoration 
Project, Implementation, Leavenworth Range District, Wenatchee National 
Forest, Chelan County, WA.
SUMMARY: EPA used a screening tool to conduct a limited review of the 
action. Based upon the screen, EPA does not foresee having any 
environmetal objections to the proposed project. Therefore, EPA will 
not be conducting a detailed review.
    ERP No. D-BLM-K67048-AZ Rating EO2, Yarnell Gold Mining Project, 
Construction and Operation an Open-pit Gold Mine and Ore Processing 
Facility, Yavapai County, AZ.

SUMMARY: EPA expressed environmental objections due to potential 
significant adverse impacts to air quality, noise, and the stability of 
the proposed North Waste Rock Dump (NWRD). PM10 emissions from the 
project would result in concentrations far exceeding the maximum 
allowable increase over the baseline concentration (increment) for 
PM10. EPA recommended control measures and monitoring at the mine. EPA 
also recommended that the NWRD be eliminated from the project and that 
the BLM select Alternative 3 as the preferred alternative. EPA 
recommended that additional information be provided in the FEIS 
regarding geochemistry; waste rock sampling and handling; monitoring; 
reclamation bonding; socioeconomic impacts; and mitigation for impacts 
to air and water quality and nosie and blasting impacts.
    ERP No. DS-AFS-L67004-ID Rating EO2, Thompson Creek Mine (TCM), 
Updated Information, Prevent and/or Control Potential Acid-Rock 
Drainage, Plan of Operations Approval, Custer County, ID.
    SUMMARY: EPA expressed environmental objections based on the narrow 
scope of the alternatives analysis and precicted adverse water quality 
effects. EPA requested additional information regarding embankment 
stability and uncertainties associated with the modeling predictions.
    ERP No. DS-BLM-J03011-00 Rating LO, TransColorado Gas Pipeline 
Transmission Project, Updated Resource Information, Construction, 
Operation and Maintenance, COE Section 404 and 10 Permits, Right-of-Way 
Grants and Special Use Permit, La Plata, Delta, Dolores, Garfield, 
Mesa, Montezuma, Montrose, Rio Blanco, San Miguel Counties, CO and San 
Juan County, NM.
    SUMMARY: EPA expressed lack of environemental objections.
    ERP No. D2-BLM-J65212-WY Rating EC2, Newcastle Resource Management 
Plan, Implementation, Updated Information, Evaluates Alternatives for 
the Use of Public/Federal Lands and Resources in Portions of Wyoming, 
Crook, Niobrara and Weston Counties, WY.
    SUMMARY: EPA expressed environmental concerns about potential 
impacts to air quality, water quality and habitat. EPA suggested the 
Final EIS include analysis of the environmental impacts for all 
alternatives.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-DOI-K40222-TT. Palau Compact Road Construction, 
Implementation, Funding, Republic of Palau, Babeldaob Island, Trust 
Territory of the Pacific Islands.
    SUMMARY: EPA continued to express environmental concerns regarding 
the potential direct and long term impacts of the Palau Compact Road. 
EPA supported the position of the US Department of the Interior's, that 
road construction should not begin until long term protection of 
environmental mitigation sites has been approved by the Republic of 
Palau.

    Dated: November 10, 1998.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 98-30575 Filed 11-13-98; 8:45 am]
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