Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of EPA Comments

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Environmental Protection Agency [ER-FRL-6683-5] 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 7, 2006 ( 71 FR 17845 ). Draft EISs Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns about adverse impacts to high-altitude wetlands and the lack of sufficient information to determine whether less damaging alternatives might exist. Rating EC2 Summary: EPA does not object to the proposed project. Rating LO Summary: EPA does not object to the proposed action as described in the DEIS. Rating LO Summary: EPA expressed environmental and human health concerns about the potential for cumulative air quality impacts to exceed NAAQS thresholds for PM10. In addition, we have concerns about the proximity of the mining operation to homes and an elementary school. EPA recommended the FEIS include an implementation plan for mitigation and monitoring measures to minimize exposure to particulates and NO 2 for children at the elementary school. Rating EC2 Summary: EPA does not object to the implementation of the preferred alternative. Rating LO Summary: EPA has no additional comments on the Supplement to the Draft EIS. Rating LO…