[Federal Register: January 15, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 10)]
[Notices]               
[Page 2639-2640]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15ja99-60]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5498-8]

 
Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared December 28, 1998 through 
January 01, 1999 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-L65311-ID Rating EC2, North Fork St. Joe River 
Project, Implementation, Idaho Panhandles National Forest, St. Joe 
Ranger District, Shoshone County, ID.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns. EPA requested

[[Page 2640]]

more information to ensure that antidegradation requirements for water 
quality will be met, to discuss project impact to health ecosystem, and 
to further address cumulative impacts of this and other projects in the 
area.
    ERP No. D-COE-L03008-AK Rating EO2, Beaufort Sea Oil and Gas 
Development Northstar Project, Implementation, NPDES Permit, Sea 
Island, Alaskan Beaufort Sea, Offshore Marine Environment and Onshore 
Northslope of Alaskan Coastal Plain, AK.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections to the proposed 
Northstar project which were related to the risks of leaks and spills 
associated with the use of undersea pipelines in the Beaufort Sea, the 
technological/logistical difficulties in responding to oil spills, and 
the extent to which issues and concerns of the Inupiats Eskimoes have 
been addressed in the development of the project and the EIS. EPA 
believes that further evaluation of double-walled undersea pipeline 
option and the Northstar Oil Discharges Prevention and Contingency Plan 
is necessary, and that further development of the project and EIS 
should be conducted in consultation with the Inupiats to ensure that 
their issues are addressed in a manner consistent with Executive Orders 
12898 and 13084.
    ERP No. D-FHW-G40151-TX Rating LO, US-190 Corridor from FM2657 to 
the East City Limits of Copperas Cove, Transportation Improvements, 
Major Investment Study, Coryell and Lampasas Counties, TX.
    Summary: EPA had no objection to the selection of the preferred 
alternative, Alternative G, as described in the draft EIS.
    ERP No. DA-COE-K32023-HI Rating EO2, Ma'aLaea Harbor Improvements 
for Light-Draft-Vessels, Entrance Channel Realignment and Breakwater 
Modification, Additional Information, Island of Maui, Maui County, HI.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections related to water 
quality and Clean Water Act Section 404 issues. The SDEIS showed 
exceedances in water quality standards for turbidity during 
construction and project operation due to increased turbulence caused 
by additional vessel traffic from the 130 new berths. EPA believes that 
the Corps should ensure that there are mechanisms in place to maintain 
EPA-approved Water Quality Standards. EPA asked that the Corps' final 
report to Congress on fiscal authorization not proceed until there are 
satisfactory assurances from the State that onshore sewage improvements 
would be put into place.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-AFS-K65272-CA, Chico Genetic Resource Center for Pest 
Management Program, Implementation, Mendocino National Forest, Willow, 
Butte County, CA.
    Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No 
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
    ERP No. F-AFS-L65160-ID, North Round Valley Timber Sales and Road 
Construction, Implementation, Payette National Forest, New Meadows 
Ranger District, Adams County, ID.
    Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No 
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
    ERP No. F-FHW-E40761-NC, US 64 Bypass Transportation Improvements 
Project, from I-440 to US 64 west of Wendell and Eastern Wake 
Expressway from existing US 64 to NC-1007 (Poole Road), Funding and COE 
Section 404 Permit, Wake County, NC.
    Summary: EPA found the document generally addressed the agency's 
comments on the draft EIS. However, lack of coordinated multi-modal 
transportation planning was noted.

    Dated: January 12, 1999.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 99-1017 Filed 1-14-99; 8:45 am]
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