[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 79 (Friday, April 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 20404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10990]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-5491-2]


Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared April 06, 1998 Through April 
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) 
564-7167.
    An explanation of the ratings assigned to draft environmental 
impact statements (EISs) was published in FR dated April 11, 1998 (62 
FR 16154).

Draft EISs

    ERP No. D-AFS-L67036-OR Rating EO2, Nicore Mining Project, 
Implementation, Plan-of-Operations, Mining of Four Sites, Road 
Construction, Reconstruction, Hauling and Stockpiling of Ore, Rough and 
Ready Creek Watershed, Illinois Valley Ranger District, Siskiyou 
National Forest, Medford District, Josephine County, OR.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections based on lack of 
information or alternatives, the potential cumulative impacts of 
additional mine patents in the area, a failure to meet the intent of 
the Aquatic Conservation Strategy in the President's Forest Plan, a 
lack of a detailed reclamation plan, a lack of a monitoring plan and 
potential sediment impacts to Rough and Ready Creek.
    ERP No. DR-BLM-K67040-CA Rating EO2, Imperial Project, Open-Pit 
Precious Metal Mining Operation Utilizing Heap Leach Processes, Plan of 
Operations, Right-of-Way, Conditional Use Permit, US COE Permit and 
Reclamation Plan Approvals, El Centro Resource Area, California Area 
District, Imperial County, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental objections based on potential 
significant environmental degradation to waters of the United States, 
and requested additional alternatives analyses and data. EPA also 
expressed serious concerns that the project could interfere with basic 
rights of Native Americans to practice their religious beliefs, and 
asked BLM to provide information on its policies, guidelines and 
standards with respect to this issue.

Final EISs

    ERP No. F-AFS-J65251-CO Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and 
Pawnee National Grassland, Implementation, Land and Resource Management 
Plan, Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Grand, Larimer and Weld Counties, 
CO.
    Summary: EPA review finds the alternative selected in the FEIS to 
be responsive to the Forests and Grasslands need and to environmental 
considerations for Plan Implementation.
    ERP No. F-AFS-J65276-CO Dome Peak Timber Sale, Timber Harvesting 
and Road Construction, White River National Forest, Eagle Ranger 
District, Glenwood Spring, Eagle and Garfield Counties, CO.
    Summary: EPA review has not identified any potential environmental 
impacts.
    ERP No. F-COE-G39031-LA Mississippi River--Gulf Outlet (MRGO) New 
Lock and Connecting Channels Replacement and Construction for 
Connection to the Mississippi River, Implementation, Orleans and St. 
Bernard Parishes, LA.
    Summary: EPA expressed lack of objections to the recommend plan and 
have no other comments to offer.
    ERP No. F-NPS-K61144-HI Ala Kahakai ``Trail By the Sea'' National 
Trail Study, Implementation, Hawaii Island, Hawaii County, HI.
    Summary: Review of the Final was not deemed necessary. No formal 
comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
    ERP No. FS-NOA-K90025-CA Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 
Management Plan, Updated Information, To Amend the Designation Document 
and Regulations to Allow Jade Collecting in the Sanctuary, San Mateo, 
Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, CA.
    Summary: Review of the Final EIS was not deemed necessary. No 
formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

    Dated: April 21, 1998.
William D. Dickerson,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 98-10990 Filed 4-23-98; 8:45 am]
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