[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 223 (Friday, November 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 67730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-25713]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6657-8]


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 the Federal Register dated April 2, 2004 (69 FR 17403).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-AFS-J02045-WY Rating EC2, Yates Petroleum Federal 
<greek-i>1 Oil and Gas Lease, Application for Permit to Drill (APD), 
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National 
Grassland, Duck Creek, Campbell County, WY.
    Summary: While the EIS thoroughly discussed environmental impacts 
and proposed mitigation measures, EPA did express environmental 
concerns due to groundwater and wildlife impacts if controlled surface 
use stipulations are waived.
    ERP No. D-AFS-L39061-WA Rating EC2, Fish Passage and Aquatic 
Habitat Restoration at Hemlock Dam, Implementation, Gifford Pinchot 
National Forest, Mount Adams District, Skamania County, WA.
    Summary: EPA has no objections to the dam removal alternatives, B 
and C which promote improved water quality, fish passage and aquatic 
habitat. EPA expressed environmental concerns with alternatives D, E, 
and No Action because they continue to impede fish mitigation and/or 
would not improve water quality or aquatic habitat. The Final EIS 
should address sediment quality, revegetation, monitoring plans, and 
consultation with affected Tribes.
    ERP No. DS-NRC-E06023-AL Rating EC1, Generic EIS--License Renewal 
of Nuclear Plants, Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plants, Units 1 and 2, 
Supplemental 18 to NUREG-1437 (TAC Nos. MCO768 and MCO769), Houston 
County, AL.
    Summary: EPA expressed concern and recommended the radiological 
monitoring of all plant effluents, and the appropriate storage/
disposition of radioactive waste.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-AFS-F65045-MN Virginia Forest Management Project Area, 
Resource Management Activities on 101,000 Acres of Federal Land, 
Implementation, Superior National Forest, Eastern Region, St. Louis 
County, MN.
    Summary: The final EIS addressed EPA's previous concerns regarding 
mitigation/monitoring activities for sand and gravel mining and deer 
herbivore.
    ERP No. F-AFS-L65441-OR Easy Fire Recovery Project and Proposed 
Nonsignificant Forest Plan Amendments, Timber Salvage, Future Fuel 
Reduction, Road Reconstruction and Maintenance, Road Closure, Tree 
Planting and Two Non-significant Forest Plan Amendments, 
Implementation, Malheur National Forest, Prairie City Ranger District, 
Grant County.
    Summary: The final EIS addressed EPA's major concerns with impacts 
from sediment to water quality and temperature. However, given 
uncertainties with estimating sediment loading EPA encourages the 
Forest Service to maximize woody debris on slopes after harvest to 
reduce sediment delivery to streams and the obliteration of road 
2600391 in the harvest area.
    ERP No. F-COE-K36139-CA Hamilton City Flood Damage Reduction and 
Ecosystem Restoration, Propose to Increase Flood Protection and Restore 
the Ecosystem, Sacramento River, Glenn County, CA.
    Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
    ERP No. F-FHW-J40164-MT
    US-2 Highway Corridor Improvement Project, Reconstruction between 
Havre to Fort Belknap to Replace the Aging US-2 Facility, U.S. Army COE 
Section 404 Permit, Hill and Blaine Counties, MT.
    Summary: EPA is pleased by the selection of the improved two-lane 
with passing lanes alternative because it involves fewer adverse 
environmental impacts than a four-lane alternative. EPA's remaining 
environmental concerns are potential impacts to water quality and 
aquatic habitat, including wetlands, and impacts to wildlife 
connectivity and fragmentation.
    ERP No. F-NOA-L91022-00
    Programmatic EIS--Pacific Coast Groundfish Bycatch Management Plan, 
Establishment of Policies and Program Direction to Minimize Baycatch in 
the West Coast Groundfish Fisheries, WA, OR and CA.
    Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

    Dated: November 15, 2004.
Ken Mittelholtz,
Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 04-25713 Filed 11-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P