[Federal Register: June 27, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 124)]
[Notices]
[Page 38323-38324]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27jn03-65]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[ER-FRL-6641-5]
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 04, 2003 (68 FR 16511).
Draft EISs
ERP No. D-AFS-J65380-UT Rating EC2, Prima East Clear Creek Federal
No. 22-42 Gas Exploration Well, Application for Permit to Drill (APD)
including a Surface Use Plan of Operations, Approval, Castle Valley
[[Page 38324]]
Ridge, Ferron/Price Ranger District, Manti-La Sal National Forest,
Carbon and Emery Counties, UT.
Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with potential direct
and indirect adverse environmental impacts from gas development and
road construction in an Inventoried Roadless Area. The final EIS should
include additional information regarding the management of produced
water and impacts to aquatic resources, soils and water quality as well
as from OHV use.
ERP No. D-DOE-E09809-SC Rating EC1, Savannah River Site
Construction and Operation of a Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel Fabrication
Facility, NUREG-1767, Aiken, Barnwell and Allendale Counties, SC.
Summary: EPA is pleased with the quality of this draft EIS,
especially the mitigation plans. However, EPA is concerned possible
impacts from the hazardous and radioactive wastes generated during
operation of the proposed facility.
ERP No. D-NPS-K65251-AZ Rating LO, Petrified Forest National Park
General Management Plan Revision, Implementation, Navajo and Apache
Counties, AZ.
Summary: EPA expressed a lack of objections to the proposed plan,
but recommended more detailed information in the Final EIS regarding
mitigation measures that will be used to protect water quality from
facility improvement activities.
ERP No. DR-DOE-A09824-00 Rating EC2, Hanford Site Solid
(Radioactive and Hazardous) Waste Program, New Information on Waste
Management Alternatives, Waste Management Practices Enhancement for
Low-Level Radioactive Waste, Mixed Low-Level Radioactive Waste and
Transuranic Waste, Richland, Benton County, WA.
Summary: EPA is pleased that the revised draft EIS responds to
issues we raised in our review of the earlier draft, particularly the
analysis of new alternatives. EPA is still concerned, however, that the
EIS provides insufficient information to differentiate the
environmental effects among alternatives and to ensure compliance with
environmental standards. EPA recommends that the final EIS provide
additional groundwater analysis and impact information. Also, the final
EIS should further describe mitigation measures and their effectiveness
in the environmental consequences chapter.
Final EISs
ERP No. F-AFS-J65363-MT Post Fire Vegetation and Fuels Management
Project, Fuel Reduction, Bark Beetle Sanitation and Maintenance, and/or
Restoration of Vegetative Communities, Beaverhead Deerlodge National
Forest, Wisdom and Pintler Ranger Districts, Beaverhead and Deerlodge
Counties, MT.
Summary: EPA supports the elimination of proposed riparian
harvests, and noted that activities need to be consistent with
Montana's development of TMDLs and water quality restoration plans for
303(d) listed waters. EPA also recommended consideration of additional
seeding and revegetation on barren hillsides.
Dated: June 24, 2003.
Joseph C. Montgomery,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 03-16333 Filed 6-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P