[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 204 (Friday, October 22, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 62046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-23689]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6656-9]


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 2, 2004 (69 FR 17403).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-AFS-H65021-MO Rating LO, East Fredericktown Project, 
Shortleaf Pine Restoration, Forest Health Improvement, Treat Affected 
Stands and Recover Valuable Timber Products, Mark Twain National 
Forest, Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger District, Bollinger, Madison, St. 
Francois, and Ste. Genevieve Counties, MO.
    Summary: EPA expressed no significant concerns with the proposed 
project.
    ERP No. D-AFS-J65416-WY Rating EC2, Bighorn National Forest Revised 
Land and Resource Management Plan, Implementation, Big Horn Mountain 
Range, Bighorn National Forest, Johnson, Sheridan, Bighorn and Washakie 
Counties, WY.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with the potential 
for adverse impacts to water quality, aquatic resources, and 
terrestrial habitat. EPA expressed concerns with cumulative impacts to 
fish and wildlife, including the Canada lynx from the preferred 
alternative which proposes an 85 percent reduction in Roadless Area and 
greatly increases road construction and other soil disturbing 
activities, which can adversely impact water quality. The Final EIS 
should consider including a road density standard and additional 
mitigation measures to further improve desired condition on grazing 
lands.
    ERP No. D-AFS-L65467-ID Rating EC2, Red Pines Project, Proposes to 
Implement Fuel Reduction Activities and Improve the Range of Watershed 
Activities, Nez Perce National Forest, Red River Ranger District, Idaho 
County, ID.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with potential 
increases in sediment to waterbodies, compliance with water quality 
standards, inconsistency with the Total Maximum Daily Load for the 
South Fork Clearwater River, watershed impacts associated with the 
Proposed Action (Alternative B), impacts on Endangered Species Act 
(ESA) listed salmonids and the uncertainties associated with modeling 
projections.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-AFS-L65388-WA Crystal Mountain Master Development Plan, 
To Provide Winter and Summer Recreational Use, Special-Use-Permit, Mt. 
Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Silver Creek Watershed, Pierce 
County, WA.
    Summary: The Final EIS addressed many of EPA's concerns. However, 
EPA suggests that wildlife crossing structures be provided on SR 410 to 
minimize wildlife injury or mortality increase ecological connectivity 
where possible, and protect tribal treaty resources.
    ERP No. F-BLM-J65387-CO Silverton Outdoor Learning and Recreation 
Center, Authorization for Long-Term Use of 1,300 acres for Backcountry-
type Skiing, Summer Recreation and Educational Activities, Amendment of 
the San Juan/San Miguel Resource Management Plan, San Juan County, CO.
    Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
    ERP No. F-COE-E32180-FL Miami Harbor Navigation Improvements 
Project to Study the Feasibility of Widening and Deepening Portions of 
the Port, Miami-Dade County, FL.
    Summary: EPA expressed concerns over the need for additional 
analysis of alternative channel widths, as well as construction 
techniques/designs. EPA also expressed concerns over the need for 
additional surveys of eelgrass habitat and an analysis of the physical 
capacity of the Key West ocean disposal site and the nature of the 
material to be used to construct the proposed artificial reefs.

    Dated: October 19, 2004.
Ken Mittelholtz,
Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 04-23689 Filed 10-21-04; 8:45 am]
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