[Federal Register: July 24, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 142)]
[Notices]               
[Page 39866]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24jy98-92]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5494-1]

 
Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared July 6, 1998 Through July 10, 
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) 
564-5076. An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental 
impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated April 10, 1998 (63 
FR 17856).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-FRC-J05078-MT Rating EO2, Missouri-Madison Hydroelectric 
(FERC No. 2188) Project, Issuing a New licence (Relicense) for Nine 
Dams and Associated Facilities, MT.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections regarding FERC's 
rejection of Section 10 (j) recommendations; inadequacies in the 
analysis of thermal issues; the potential for impairment to the 
beneficial uses; and the rejection of some State Clean Water Act 401 
conditions. EPA believes FERC should ensure license conditions that 
require hydropower operations be done in the best practicable manner to 
minimize harm to beneficial uses. License conditions also need to 
incorporate thermal success criteria and appropriate language to reopen 
the license if success criteria are not adequately attained by proposed 
mitigation. EPA believes additional information is needed to fully 
assess and mitigate all potential impacts of the management actions.
    ERP No. D-IBR-J28020-UT Rating EO2, Narrows Dam and Reservoir 
Project, Construction of Supplemental Water Supply for Agricultural and 
Municipal Water Use, Gooseberry Creek, Sanpete and Carbon Counties, UT.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections to the proposed 
project, and stated that it believes additional, less damaging 
alternatives are available which would reduce the project related 
impacts. EPA requested additional detail on mitigation, project 
impacts, and alternatives.
    ERP No. D-IBR-K39045-CA Rating EC2, Programmatic EIS--Central 
Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) of 1992 Implementation, Central 
Valley, Trinity, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara and San Benito 
Counties, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed strong support for the overall intent of 
CVPIA implementation; alternatives which provide a strong two-pronged 
commitment to ecosystem restoration and flexible, efficient use of 
developed water supplies; and use of CVPIA tools to provide efficient 
management of existing, developed water supplies. EPA requested 
additional information and explanation on the range of implementation, 
relationship between PEIS and subsequent rules and regulations, and to 
the relationship of the PEIS to interim implementation programs and the 
``Garamendi process''
    ERP No. DR-DOI-K40222-TT Rating EO2, Palau Compact Road 
Construction, Revision to Major Transportation and Communication Link 
on the Island of Babeldaob, Implementation, Funding, Republic of Palau, 
Babeldaob Island, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections because the RDEIS 
did not provide sufficient documentation that all practicable means 
have been undertaken by the Corps and the Republic of Palau to avoid 
and minimize adverse impacts associated with placing dredged or fill 
material in wetlands and other aquatic resources protected under CWA 
Section 404.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-AFS-L65285-AK, Chasina Timber Sale, Harvesting Timber and 
Road Construction, Tongass National Forest, Craig Ranger District, 
Ketchikan Administrative Area, AK.
    Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No 
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
    ERP No. F-AFS-L65300-AK, Canal Hoya Timber Sale, Implementation, 
Stikine Area, Tongass National Forest, Value Comparison Unit (VCU), AK.
    Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No 
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

    Dated: July 21, 1998.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 98-19884 Filed 7-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U