• Current FWS and NMFS notices
• Older NEPA notices
• Main ESWR page

NEPA notices for 2006 up until July 14. See this page for ESA and NEPA notices Fri., July 14

• BLM releases Resource Management Plan/FEIS for certain public lands managed by the Hollister Field Office. (More here)
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• FERC to prepare EIS on South Carolina Public Service Authority's application for a new license for the continued operation of the 134.52-megawatt Santee Cooper Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 199-205). "The project is located on the Santee and Cooper Rivers in Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg, and Sumter Counties, South Carolina. The project does not occupy any Federal lands."
• FRA to prepare EIS on proposed DesertXpress High Speed Train Between Victorville, CA and Las Vegas, NV
  • Go here for more: FRA - Passenger Rail, Environment, Current Reviews, Desert Xpress
• GSA releases ROD for Peace Arch Port of Redevelopment Project (Washington state)
• NPS releases draft EIS/General Management Plan for Olympic National Park.
  • More here

• Corps to prepare DEIS for the proposed SunCreek Project, in Sacramento County, CA (Project as proposed "would result in the permanent loss of approximately 18.25 acres of waters of the United States, including vernal pools and other wetlands. The overall project purpose is to construct large scale mixed-use development in Sacramento County.")
• Forest Service seeks extension of a currently approved information collection, Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Livestock Ranching on the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests.: Information Collection; Request for Comment; Economic, Social, and Cultural Aspects of Livestock Ranching

• Corps releases DEIS for the Floyd County, KY (Levisa Fork Basin), Section 202 Project
• Corps to prepare a DEIS for proposed First Broad First Reservoir in Cleveland County, NC ("The Cleveland County Sanitary District (CCSD) is applying for a Department of the Army permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 134) to impact approximately 24 miles of river and stream habitat and approximately 1 acre of wetlands with the construction of a dam and water supply reservoir on the First Broad River.")
• BLM amends grazing regulations (Summary: "The changes ensure that BLM documents its consideration of the social, cultural, environmental, and economic consequences of grazing changes; provide that changes in grazing use will be phased in under certain circumstances; allow permittees, lessees, and others to share title to range improvements with BLM in certain circumstances; make clear how BLM will authorize grazing if a BLM decision affecting a grazing permit is stayed pending administrative appeal; remove provisions in the present regulations concerning conservation use grazing permits; ensure adequate time for developing and successfully implementing an appropriate management action when BLM finds that rangelands do not meet standards and guidelines for rangeland health and that authorized grazing is a significant factor in not achieving one or more land health standards or not conforming with guidelines for grazing administration; and revise some administrative service charges. We intend these changes to contribute to improving working relationships with permittees and lessees, protecting the health of the rangelands and increasing administrative efficiency and effectiveness.
• BuRec to prepare EIS for the Delta-Mendota Canal/California Aqueduct Intertie ("A primary purpose of the Intertie is to allow for operation and maintenance activities on the Tracy pumping plant and fish facility, the Delta-Mendota Canal, and the O'Neill pumping plant and intake canal. A draft EIS is expected to be available in May 2007.")
• NPS: Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Recreation/ Tourism Study, Socioeconomic Monitoring Program for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

• FERC releases draft EIS for Calhoun LNG Project
• FERC Office of Energy Projects releases Environmental Assessment on Duke Power request for non-project use in SC
• FHWA issues draft EIS for proposed interstate facility in the south-central portion of Kentucky, between the Somerset Northern Bypass (I-66) and London, KY
• NPS issues FEIS for proposed reconstruction of Furnace Creek Water Collection System, Death Valley National Park, Inyo County, CA
• NPS to prepare EIS for Lava Beds Monument

• Army asks for nominations to the Inland Waterways Users Board
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• FS issues draft Supplement to the 2004 Final Environmental Impact Statement To Remove or Modify the Survey and Manage Mitigation Measure Standards and Guidelines, Oregon, Washington, and California
• FS: Fishlake National Forest will prepare EIS "to document the analysis and disclose the environmental and human effects of oil and gas leasing on [Fishlake NF] lands."
• DOI: Notice of Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Advisory Committee Meeting
• Job Corps (Labor Dept.) issues preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed Job Corps Center to be located at 6767 North 60th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE) releases Draft Site-Wide EIS for continued operation of Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
• Western Area Power Administration extends comment period on Big Stone II Power Plant and Transmission Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0377)

• DOE releases draft EA for public review and comment on a proposal "to repair, replace, or improve certain facilities, structures, roads, and utilities (collectively referred to as infrastructure) for the Yucca Mountain Project. The proposed action would enhance safety at the project and enable DOE to safely continue ongoing operations, scientific testing, and maintenance until such time as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission decides whether to authorize construction of a repository." (The EA is here)
• NPS gives notice "in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the ompletion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects in the control of the U.S. Department of Defense, Army Corps of Engineers-Memphis District, Memphis, TN, and U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service-Southeast Region, Savannah, GA; and in the possession of the Arkansas Archeological Survey, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Mississippi County, AR."
• NMFS receives application to renew and modify a permit for scientific research from the National Park Service (NPS) in Point Reyes Station, CA

• FHWA to prepare EIS for a proposed combined highway and transit project on I-285 in Cobb, Fulton, and DeKalb Counties, Georgia.
• FHWA to prepare EIS for proposed U.S. 395 Realignment Freeway/Expressway project from the Interstate 15 (I-15)/U.S. 395 interchange to Farmington Road ("Part of the realignment would go through the cities of Oak Hills, Hesperia, Victorville, Adelanto and incorporated areas of San Bernardino County, California.")
• Forest Service to prepare EIS on plans to "implement multiple resource management actions within the Norwood project area as directed by the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. The Norwood project area is approximately 46,450 acres in size, with 42,250 acres of National Forest lands and 4,200 acres of private land."

Tues., July 4 - NO FR

Mon., July 3

• BLM submits ICR to OMB for review (" OMB Control Number: 1004-0165. Bureau Form Number: None. Abstract: We integrate cave management into existing planning and management processes and provide protection of cave resource information in order to prevent vandalism and disturbance of significant caves. Federal agencies must consult with ``cavers'' and other interested parties to develop a listing of significant caves. Frequency: Once, when nominating the cave or requesting confidential cave information. Description of Respondents: Respondents are cavers and other interested parties. Estimated Completion Time: 3 hours for each nomination and 30 minutes for each request for confidential cave information. Annual Responses: 50 cave nominations and 10 requests for confidential cave information.")
• Forestasks for public comment on proposed revisions to the agency's national trail classification system (TCS), including the Trail Class Matrix and Design Parameters, and proposed implementing directives. ("On May 13, 2005, the Backcountry Horsemen of America filed a lawsuit against the Forest Service challenging revision of the TCS without public notice and comment. In an order dated March 29, 2006, the U.S. District Court found that the Forest Service failed to provide public notice and comment as required by the National Forest Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1612. In accordance with the Court's order, the Forest Service is publishing the proposed revisions to the TCS and proposed implementing directives for public notice and comment.")
• MMS proposes to amend "regulations to require lessees, lease operators, and pipeline right-of-way (ROW) holders to submit assessment information on the structural integrity of their OCS platforms each year, and to submit an inspection program to MMS yearly"
• Navy decides to conduct all components of ``air-to-ground ordnance delivery and training'' of integrated and sustainment levels of the Fleet Forces Command's Fleet Readiness Training Program at Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida. ("Air-to-ground readiness training includes delivery of inert and high-explosive ordnance from tactical jets such as the Navy's Hornet and Super Hornet strike/fighter aircraft.)

• Army Corps of Engineers issues a Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Construction of a Dredged Material Containment Facility in the Patapsco River, at Masonville, Baltimore City, MD
• Corps will prepare DEIS for the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY ("The EIS process will determine if there are any environmental and cultural concerns that will affect the sale of the land. The land would be developed in accordance with the mission of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation and the City of New York.")
• Intent To Prepare a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Beneficial Use of Dredged Material Program Study as Introduced in the 2004 Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana Ecosystem Restoration Study, Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
• Corps is soliciting proposals for estuary habitat restoration projects ("Congress has appropriated limited funds ... to implement the Estuary Habitat Restoration Program as authorized in Section 104 of the Estuary Restoration Act of 2000, Title I of the Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-457) (accessible at http://era.noaa.gov/pdfs/act_s835.pdf)
• Chief of Engineers Environmental Advisory Board to meet in Vicksburg July 19 (in a joint meeting with the Coastal Engineering Research Board)
• BLM releases proposed RMP/FEIS for the Ukiah Field Office.
  • Go here for the plan
• Coast Guard asks for comments on DPEIS "addressing the proposed implementation of the Nationwide Automatic Identification System (NAIS) project. The proposed implementation of the NAIS project would involve installing receivers, transmitters, transceivers, repeaters, and other equipment on towers or other structures at up to 450 sites at locations along 95,000 miles of coastline and inland waterways, as well as the use of selected remote platforms."
• FERC to prepare EIS for the Proposed Jordan Cove LNG and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline Projects, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues and Notice of a Joint Public Meeting
• FHWA, FTA to prepare separate EIS's on planned transit and highway improvements in the City and County of Denver, Adams County, and the City of Aurora, Colorado

• BIA releases Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara (MHA) Nation's Proposed Clean Fuels Refinery, Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, Ward County, ND
• BIA releases FEIS for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians' Proposed 79 Acre Fee-to-Trust Transfer and Casino Project in Emmett Township, Calhoun County, MI
• RUS releases DEIS for the Highwood Generating Station ("The purpose of the EIS is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of and alternatives to the Southern Montana Electric Transmission & Generation Cooperative, Inc. (SME) application for a RUS loan guarantee to construct a 250 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant near Great Falls, Montana.")
  • More here
• RUS to hold public scoping meetings and prepare EA related to possible financial assistance to East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Inc. (EKPC) of Kentucky for the proposed construction of approximately 35 miles of 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Clark, Madison, and Garrard counties, KY

• FAA requests comments on EA for the Blue Origin West Texas Commercial Launch Site (Links to more here, and direct link to EA is here)
• FAA releases EA/FONSI/ROD on construction of a new 4,100-foot General Aviation Runway and Associated Support Facilities (i.e., Taxiways, Hangars, Access Roads, etc.) for W.K. Kellogg Airport, Located in Battle Creek, MI
• FERC releases EA/FONSI for the construction and operation of the expansion of the Freeport liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal as proposed by Freeport LNG Development, L.P.

• NRCS issues EA/FONSI for the rehabilitation of Floodwater Retarding Structure No. 6A of the Martinez Creek Watershed, Bexar County, Texas

• BPA to prepare an EIS on proposed improvements to the Lyle Falls Fishway in Klickitat County, near Lyle, Washington. The improvements would ease fish passage to upstream high quality habitat in the Klickitat Basin and improve capabilities to trap and handle adult fish
• FHwA to prepare EIS for a proposed roadway improvement on SR-108 in Davis and Weber Counties, Utah.
• NRCS issues EA/FONSI for the Tongue River Watershed, Cavalier and Pembina Counties, North Dakota.

• Air Force releases Draft EA on transforming the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, through retirement of the F-117A, and T-38A, and beddown of the F-22A
  • More here
• BLM releases FEIS for Resource Development Group Uinta Basin Natural Gas Project, Uintah County, UT
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• FS: The Forest Service will prepare an EIS (the Westpoint Project) on a proposal to treat vegetation using a variety of silvicultural methods on approximately 930 acres of National Forest System lands in the Middle Creek and Scott Bar Mountain areas about 12 miles west of the town of Fort Jones, in Siskiyou County, Calif.

• FERC issues EA/FONSI on the application by the licensee to install a fifth turbine in the project powerhouse, rated at 850 kW, with a maximum hydraulic capacity of 210 cfs. The project is located on the Winooski River in the townships of Essex Junction and Williston, Vermont
• FERC issues DSEIS concluding that approval of natural gas pipeline facilities proposed for the Northeast (NE)-07 Project "would have limited adverse environmental impact." (in Genesee, Ontario, Yates, Schuyler, Steuben, Chemung, Tioga, Broome, Delaware, Orange, Rockland, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties, New York; Morris County, New Jersey; and Fairfield and New Haven Counties, Connecticut, proposed by Millennium Pipeline L.L.C., Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation, Empire State Pipeline and Empire Pipeline, Inc., Algonquin Gas Transmission System, and Iroquois Gas Transmission System
• FERC issues DEIS on application for a New Major License for the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project. Staff, located on the Clackamas River, Clackamas County, Oregon.
• Another Clackamas notice from FERC

• FERC issues EA/FONSI on an application filed by South Carolina Electric & Gas Company requesting approval for non-project use of project lands and waters at the Saluda Hydroelectric Project

• APHIS amends noxious weed and imported seed regulations by adding South African ragwort (Senecio inaequidens DC.) and Madagascar ragwort (Senecio madagascariensis Poir.) to the list of terrestrial noxious weeds and to the list of seeds with no tolerances applicable to their introduction. This action is necessary to prevent the artificial spread of these noxious weeds into the United States." ("The United States contains dozens of native species of Senecio, two of which are federally listed as threatened. These native species live in a variety of habitats, including those favorable to the establishment of S. inaequidens and S. madagascariensis. If S. inaequidens or S. madagascariensis become established in the United States, they would likely invade these habitats, threatening the existence of those species through competition or indirectly through hybridization. Many species of Senecio freely interbreed if they come in contact with each other.")
• APHIS releases EA for field release of genetically engineered Pink Bollworm
• Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement requests comment "on a request for a determination of valid existing rights (VER) to use an existing Forest Service road as a coal mine access and haul road across Federal lands within the boundaries of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Owsley County, Kentucky. The mine would be located on privately owned land."
• Rural Utilities Service to prepare EA "related to possible financial assistance to East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) for the proposed construction of approximately 15.21 miles of 161 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line in Warren County, Kentucky. EKPC is requesting the USDA Rural Development to provide financial assistance for the proposed project."

• BLM: Request for Public Comment on Environmental Analysis, Fair Market Value, and Maximum Economic Recovery; Coal Lease Application--NDM 95104; BNI Coal, Ltd.
• BLM will prepare an EIS for the "Over The River'' Art Project in Colorado (Christo, Arkansas River)
• MMS to prepare EIS on request from Long Island Offshore Wind Park, LLC for a lease, easement, or right-of-way to construct and operate a wind energy facility in Federal waters off Long Island, 3.6 miles southwest of Jones Beach Island, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York. The purpose of this project is to provide a utility-scale renewable energy facility providing power to the New York electrical grid.
• FEMA identifies communities "where the sale of flood insurance has been authorized under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), [but which are now] scheduled for suspension on the effective dates listed within this rule because of noncompliance with the floodplain management requirements of the program."

• Corps to prepare a DEIS for the Proposed Implementation of Interim Water Storage Contracts Associated With the Southeastern Federal Power Customers Settlement Agreement, at Lake Sidney Lanier/Buford Dam, GA
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• ("EPA has identified a variety of environmental impacts that may be associated with cooling water intake structures at Phase III facilities, depending on conditions at an individual facility's site. These impacts include organism entrainment and impingement, which can contribute to impacts to threatened and endangered species; reductions in ecologically critical aquatic organisms, including important elements of an ecosystem's food chain; diminishment of population compensatory reserves; losses to populations, including reductions of commercial and recreational fisheries; and stresses to overall communities and ecosystems as evidenced by reductions in diversity, changes in species composition, or other changes in ecosystem structure or function. (See discussion at 69 FR 68461-66.")
• FERC releases EA/FONSI on application for a subsequent license for the Danbury Hydroelectric Project, located on the Yellow River in Burnett County, Wisconsin
• FERC releases EA/FONSI on Birch Power Company's proposed Lower Turnbull Drop and Upper Turnbull Drop projects and Wade Jacobsen's proposed Mill Coulee Drops Project. The proposed projects would be located on the Spring Valley and Mill Coulee Canals, near the Town of Fairfield, in Teton and Cascade counties, Montana.
• FERC: Calypso U.S. Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Modifications to the Calypso U.S. Pipeline Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues (proposed by Calypso U.S. Pipeline, LLC in Broward County, Florida, State Waters of Florida, and Federal Waters of the United States)
• FS to prepare EIS on Dixie National Forest proposal for specific commercial timber harvest, pre-commercial stand treatment, and fencing in the Pockets Project area
• FS plans EIS on Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, MT; Grizzly Vegetation and Transportation Management Project
• MMS to prepare EA for proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 201 in the Central Gulf of Mexico (2007)
• NPS releases FEIS for Burr Trail Modifications for Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.
• NPS releases Draft General Management Plan and EIS, Flight 93 National Memorial, Pennsylvania

• No NEPA notices

• Army releases FEIS for construction and operation of a Battle Area Complex and a Combined Arms Collective Training Facility Within U.S. Army Training Lands in Alaska
  • More here at USAG - U.S. Army Garrison Alaska Conservation Web Page
• Corps corrects email address in June 2 notice on White River Minimum Flow Reallocation Study, AR
• Corps to prepare Draft Supplement to the EIS to Evaluate Construction of Authorized Improvements to the Federal Pascagoula Harbor Navigation Project in Jackson County, MS
• Local interest (Maryland): EPA issues final rule approving Maryland's Ambient Air Quality Standard for Ozone and Fine Particulate Matter in its air quality implementation plan.
• EPA to prepare SEIS for the Chuitna Coal Project in Southcentral Alaska
• GSA to prepare on consolidation of the two existing NIOSH Facilities in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Forest Service: San Bernardino National Forest seeks public input and comment on a proposed animal park, which would be located near the Big Bear Discovery Center

• Corps extends comment period on DEIS, for the Floyd County, KY (Levisa Fork Basin), Section 202 Project
• Corps NOI, DEIS: Intent to Prepare a Supplement to the Final Environmental Statement for the Area VI (Elm Fork of the North Fork of the Red River) Portion of the Red River Chloride Control Project, Texas and Oklahoma
• Corps NOI for DEIS. ("The Millington, Tennessee and Vicinity Feasibility Study will be conducted to analyze problems being experienced in the Big Creek drainage basin and evaluate alternatives to provide plans for ecosystem restoration, flood damage reduction, and recreation.")
• BuRec releases FEIS for the San Luis Drainage Feature Reevaluation. (More here)
• NPS releases Final South Denali Implementation Plan and EIS
• NPS to prepare GMP/EIS for Fire Island National Seashore, located in the towns of Islip and Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York
• NPS terminates preparation of an EIS for the General Management Plan, Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments, Arizona
• NRCS releases an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Highland Lake Fish Passage Project, Westbrook, Maine. "NRCS has found that the restoration of the Highland Lake Stream channel and alteration to the fishway would not result in a significant impact on the quality of the human environment, particularly when focusing on the significant adverse effects that NEPA is intended to help decision makers avoid and mitigate against."

• FHWA to prepare EIS for proposed transportation improvements in the U.S. 51 orridor in the Madison, Dane Co., Wis., "generally between U.S. 12/18 (South Beltline Highway) and State Trunk Highway (STH) 19."

• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's /a>
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• EPA to prepare SEIS for the Chuitna Coal Project in Southcentral Alaska
• Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee to meet in Yreka, Calif., June 19, 2006
• NRCS issues EA/FONSI on Matanuska River Terrace Erosion Area Acquisition Pilot Project

• FHWa to prepare EIS for a proposed highway project in Stark, Mahoning, and Columbiana Counties, Ohio.

• FHwA to prepare EIS for a multi-land widening of I-26 between NC 225 and I-40 in Asheville in Buncombe and Henderson Counties, N.C.
• Forest Service proposes revision of its directives on predator damage management in wilderness areas
• HUD to prepare EIS for the redevelopment of Westpark public housing community located in Bremerton, WA
• NRCS adopts Environmental Assessment prepared by FERC in April for the Sandy River Project, Madison, Maine. ("NRCS found that the removal of the Sandy River Project dam would not result in a significant impact on the quality of the human environment, particularly when focusing on the significant adverse effects that NEPA is intended to help decision makers avoid and mitigate against.")

• Army: Correction to ROD for the Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP) Final Programmatic EIS

• BLM, City of Palm Springs will prepare joint EIS/R for a proposed wind energy facility on public and private land in the Coachella Valley.
• Maritime Administration releases DEIS for the Neptune LNG, L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port license application. The application describes a project that would be located in federal waters of Massachusetts Bay, in Block 125, approximately 8 miles southeast of Gloucester, MA and 22 miles northeast of Boston, MA
• NRCS releases EA/FONSI: Choccolocco Creek Multipurpose Dam No. 11, Calhoun County, Alabama.

• Corps releases FSEIS for the Boston Harbor Inner Harbor Maintenance Dredging Project
• Corps releases DEIS for the White River Minimum Flow Reallocation Study, AR
• Commodity Credit Corporation issues final rule to "amend the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) regulations to implement provisions of Public Law 109-148 (2006 Act) that provide for enrollment in the CRP of private non-industrial forest land that experienced a loss of 35 percent or more of merchantable timber in the States suffering forestry damage directly related to hurricanes Katrina, Ophelia, Rita, Dennis, and Wilma."
• BLM releases draft Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Resource Management Plan and EIS, Idaho
  • Idaho BLM page
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• FAA releases FONSI on a Short Form EA, Central Illinois Regional Airport, Bloomington, IL
• FERC releases DEIS on Centerpoint Energy Gas Transmission Company's proposed Carthage to Perryville Project (finds that "with the appropriate mitigation measures as recommended, would have limited adverse environmental impact." FWS, Corps are cooperating agencies)
• FERC to prepare EA on Algonquin Gas Transmission's proposed Algonquin Cape Cod Project
• FERC to prepare EA on Texas Eastern Transmission's proposed Texas Eastern Incremental Market Expansion II Project
• FERC to prepare EA on Texas Gas Transmission's proposed Texas Gas Storage Expansion Project--Phase 2
• Forest Service to prepare EIS on proposal to conduct timber harvest, noncommercial thinning, and fuels reduction activities in the Marks Creek Wateshed, Ochoco NF, Lookout Mountain Ranger District; Oregon;
• TVA to prepare EIS addressing the proposed resolution of leakage problems at Bear Creek Dam, Franklin County, Alabama

• Corps issues minor corrections to notice of draft Integrated System Investment Plan and Programmatic EIS for the Ohio River Mainstem System Study
• BuRec, California Department of Parks and Recreation propose to prepare a joint EIS/EIR for the Auburn State Recreation Area General Plan/Interim Resource Management Plan (GP/IRMP).
• BuRec releases Carlsbad Project Water Operations and Water Supply Conservation FEIS. (More here)
• Coast Guard to prepare EIS on TORP Terminal LP's application for Bienville Offshore Energy Terminal Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port License Application
• MMS releases NEPA-related Site-Specific Environmental Assessments (SEA) and Findings of No Significant Impact for oil and gas activities proposed on the Gulf of Mexico OCS.
• Navy releases Final Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA) and FONSI for the 2006 Supplement to the 2002 Rim of the Pacific Exercises Programmatic Environmental Assessment, Hawaii (More here)

• FERC releases EA/FONSI on an application for non-project use of project lands and waters at the Catawba-Wateree Project. Duke Power (licensee) requests Commission authorization to lease 0.461 acres to The Sanctuary at Lake Wylie, LLC, and The Sanctuary Property Owners Association." ("The Sanctuary proposes to construct one cluster dock with ten boat slips and a covered fishing pier located adjacent to the cluster dock, an irrigation intake structure, and install 20,000 feet of shoreline stabilization.")
• FERC releases EA/FONSI on PacifiCorp application to "remove its Cove development and reduce the minimum flow required in the bypassed reach of the Grace development. The project is located on the Bear River in Caribou and Franklin Counties, Idaho."
• FERC releases EA/FONSI on Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company's proposed Essex-Middlesex Project
• FERC will prepare EIS for the Proposed Mississippi Expansion Project; Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings
• Job Corps releases final FONSI for proposed center at the Dome Industrial Park on 5th Avenue and 22nd Street in St. Petersburg, FL
• BLM releases FEIS on the effects of three multiple use decisions on sensitive avian species in Elko County, Nevada. (supposed to be here)
• BLM releases EA/FONSI, asks for public comment on decision to lease Mill Fork West Tract Coal Lease by Application UTU-84285. ("BLM requests public comment on the fair market value and environmental effects of this tract.")
• NPS has revised boundary of the Cape Cod National Seashore to encompass lands depicted on a map prepared by NPS, dated May 1997, and numbered 609/80,801. The revision to the boundary includes tract 04-1081 as depicted on the map.
• NPS to prepare EIS for an Oil and Gas Management Plan (O&GMP) for Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (BISO), and Obed Wild and Science River (OBRI)

• "MMS has received a request from Cape Wind Associates, LLC for a lease, easement or right-of-way to construct and operate a wind park located in Federal waters 4.7 miles offshore Cape Cod, Mass. The purpose of this project is to provide a utility-scale wind energy facility providing power to the New England power grid. By this document, the MMS announces: (1) Its intention to prepare an EIS; (2) commencement of a 45-day written scoping period...; and (3) invitation for participation by interested cooperating agencies." (More here at MMS's renewable energy page)
• NRCS releases proposed changes in the NRCS National Handbook of Conservation Practices for public review and comment. (Docs are here)
• RUS to prepare EA "related to possible financial assistance to East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) for the construction of approximately 19 miles of double circuit 345/138 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line and two 345 kV electric transmission substations."

• Corps releases Draft Integrated System Investment Plan and Programmatic EIS for the Ohio River Mainstem System Study (more information here)
• Corps to prepare EIS for Residential, Commercial, and Marine Development Along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway
• Corps to prepare a Real Estate Supplement/Third Supplemental EIS to the Final SEIS on Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park, Tamiami Trail Feature, Miami-Dade County, FL, November 2005
• BLM releases Maysdorf Coal Lease Application DEIS, announces Federal Coal Notice of Hearing, Wyoming
• BLM to prepare Resource Management Plan Revision (RMPR) for the Taos Field Office, New Mexico, and associated EIS
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• FHwA republishes NOI for EIS for a proposed highway project along U.S. Highway (Highway) 101 in Humboldt County, in the cities of Eureka and Arcata, and the unincorporated area between the two cities, California.

Thurs., May 25

• Army releases ROD for the Clinical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP) Final Programmatic EIS
• EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office; Request for Nominations of Candidates for a Panel To Review EPA's Draft Technical Document for the Report on the Environment 2007
• FERC releases EIS on Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC's proposed Northeast Gateway Project; Notice of Public Comment Meetings
• FERC releases EIS for Bayou Casotte Energy, LLC's Casotte Landing LNG Project
• FERC releases EIS for Gulf LNG Energy, LLC/Gulf LNG Pipeline, LLC's LNG Clean Energy Project
• FERC releases EA/FONSI, including proposed amended license conditions for the Lundy Hydroelectric Project, located on Mill Creek in Mono County, near the town of Lee Vining.
• FERC to prepare EIS for Guardian Pipeline, L.L.C.'s proposed Guardian Expansion/Extension Project; Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, Notice of Public Scoping Meetings
• FERC: Trunkline LNG Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Infrastructure Enhancement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
• FHwA and WisDOT to prepare EIS for proposed transportation improvements in the United States Highway (US) 51 corridor in the city of Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin generally between US 12/18 (South Beltline Highway) and State Trunk Highway (STH) 19. The EIS is being prepared in conformance with 40 CFR 1500 and FHWA regulations.

• BuRec, FWS release final programmatic EIS for the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program. The FEIS also serves as the Biological Assessment necessary for consultation under section 7 of the ESA.
• Coast Guard to prepare EA on the proposed decommissioning and excessing of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) STORIS (WMEC-38), homeported in Kodiak, AK, and USCGC ACUSHNET (WMEC-167), homeported in Ketchikan, AK
• EPA announces June 19-20 meeting of Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO)/State-FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) (Endangered species enforcement on tentative agenda) (go here for info
• FERC releases EA/FONSI on application for a subsequent license for the Holyoke No. 4 Project, located on the Holyoke Canal adjacent to the Connecticut River, in the City of Holyoke, Hampden County, Massachusetts,
• FERC to prepare EIS on AES Sparrows Point LNG, LLC and Mid-Atlantic Express, LLC's proposed Sparrows Point Project; Request for Comments on Environmental Issues and Notice of a Joint Public Meeting
• FERC to prepare EA on Egan Hub Storage's proposed Egan Horsepower Reconfiguration Project
• FTA to prepare supplemental draft EIS on East-West Corridor Transit Improvements in Miami-Dade County, FL

• APHIS releases EA/FONSI for a field trial of genetically engineered Bahiagrass (EA/FONSI is here)
• APHIS releases Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent for Old World Climbing Fern
• FS to prepare EIS on a proposal to use "multiple vegetation treatments focused on creating a landscape condition more adapted to fire and that reduces potential for high severity wildfire near at-risk communities and in the wildland-urban interface." (Black Hills NF, Mystic Ranger District, South Dakota, Mitchell Project)
• FS to prepare EIS "to disclose the environmental effects of timber harvest and watershed restoration activities in the Long Ridge project area on the Lochsa Ranger District of the Clearwater National Forest. The Long Ridge project area is located in the Musselshell Creek drainage, a tributary to Lolo Creek, approximately 8 air-miles southeast of the town of Pierce, Idaho."
• FS "to develop a network of defensible fuel profile zones (DFPZ's), establish group selection harvest units, conduct area thinnings, make improvements in riparian habitat conservation areas (RHCA's), and recover aspen stands on the Almanor Ranger District in the Lassen National Forest."
• MMS submits to OMB for approval the paperwork requirements that address the narrative portion only of MMS's Coastal Impact Assessment Program, which is a grant program ("MMS shall disburse $250 million for each FY 2007 through 2010 to eligible producing states and coastal political subdivisions (CPSs) through a grant program. The funds allocated to each state are based on the proportion of qualified OCS revenues offshore the individual state to total qualified OCS revenues from all states. In order to receive funds, the states submit CIAPs detailing how the funds will be expended. Alabama, Alaska, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas are the only eligible states under EPAct.")
• WAPA releases Big Stone II Power Plant and Transmission Project DEIS

• BIA: "This notice advises the public of three corrections to the Notice of Availability of the Draft [EIS] for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's Proposed Fee-to Trust Transfer, Reservation Proclamation and Casino-Resort Project, Clark County, Washington, published in the Federal Register on April 12, 2006, 71 FR 18767 (FR Doc. E6-5383). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was erroneously included among the cooperating agencies. EPA is not a cooperating agency for this DEIS. This notice also corrects the name, address and telephone number of the contact person for the DEIS."
• MMS: Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)--Incorporate API RP 65 for Cementing Shallow Water Flow Zones ("MMS is proposing to incorporate by reference the First Edition of the American Petroleum Institute's Recommended Practice for Cementing Shallow Water Flow Zones in Deep Water Wells (API RP 65) into MMS regulations. Since 1987, at least 113 OCS wells have encountered shallow water flow (SWF) to varying degrees. The majority of these wells experienced SWF to only a minor degree; however, there were instances of severe encounters resulting in abandonment of well sites and loss of wells. This action would establish best practices for cementing wells in deep water areas of the OCS that are prone to SWF").
• FAA: Supplemental Notice of Availability of the Final EIS containing a DOT Section 4(f)/303(c) Evaluation for a Proposed Replacement Airport for the City of St. George, UT
• FERC -- Consolidated Water Power Company; Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment
• FTA to prepare EIS on proposed public transportation improvements in the Houston metropolitan area. The area being studied, known as the University Corridor, extends approximately ten miles from the vicinity of the University of Houston--Central Campus to the Uptown/Galleria area in southwest Houston.
• MMS: Summary: "MMS seeks comments on how to improve our regulatory approach to safety and environmental management systems (SEMS) for operations conducted in the OCS. The various approaches for SEMS include voluntary and mandatory implementation of partial and full SEMS. In addition, the MMS is seeking comments on a regulatory scheme that would allow companies with outstanding performance records to operate under an alternative compliance program. MMS is investigating ways to develop an improved regulatory program that is more efficient and responsive to evolving conditions."
• NPS revises boundary of Big Thicket National Preserve to include the parcel of land known as Tract 223-09 . "The U.S. will acquire this tract from The Conservation Fund upon the revision of the boundary. The National Park Service has determined that this boundary revision is necessary and that the acquisition of this tract would make a significant contribution to the purposes for which the preserve was created."
• NPS corrects date, location for meeting on recommendation that the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve be designated a National Natural Landmark. National Park System Advisory Board will meet June 9, 2006, at Zion Lodge, Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah 84767

• Corps releases FEIS for the Proposed Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) A-1 Reservoir located in Palm Beach County, FL (More here-Hot Topics, UACE-SAJ
• Corps releases DEIS on proposed construction of a dredged material containment facility in the Patapsco River, at Masonville, Baltimore City, MD
• Corps to prepare draft EIS for the Seven Oaks Dam Water Quality Study, San Bernadino County, CA
• The Department of the Army "intends to enter into an Exchange Agreement with MassDevelopment for the exchange of 13.57+/- acres of Government owned land at Devens Reserve Forces Training Area, Devens, Massachusetts, in exchange for renovations to several buildings at Devens Reserve Forces Training Area. The purpose of this notice is to effect the exchange pursuant to provisions of 10 U.S.C. 2869.
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• Maritime Administration releases DEIS for the Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge, L.L.C., Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port license application. (The dms.dot.gov page is here)

• BLM releases Alamosa River Watershed Restoration Master Plan and Environmental Assessment (Plan is here)
• BLM: North Slope Science Initiative (NSSI) Science Technical Group (STG) will meet in Anchorage June 26-28.
• FAA publishes Preamble on NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions
• FHwA to prepare EIS for proposed transportation improvements in Davis County, Utah.
• FDA: Guidance for Industry: Preparing a Claim of Categorical Exclusion or an Environmental Assessment for Submission to the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
• FS to prepare EIS "on proposal to harvest timber from the Little Doe and Low Gulch project area, which is located on National Forest System lands administered by the Six Rivers National Forest in Northern California. If approved, the project would harvest approximately 7.9 million board feet (MMBF) of timber from approximately 923 acres of conifer stands through intermediate and regeneration cutting methods."

• FERC releases EA/FONSI on applications for new major licenses for the East and West Fork projects, a subsequent license for the Bryson Project, and the application for license surrender for the Dillsboro Project. We prepared a draft combined environmental assessment (EA) on the proposed actions. The East and West Fork and Dillsboro projects are located on the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County, North Carolina. The Bryson Project is located on the Oconaluftee River (a tributary to the Tuckasegee River) in Swain County, North Carolina.

• APHIS releases EA on petition to grant nonregulated status for plum genetically engineered for resistance to Plum Pox
• FS to prepare EIS on Big Creek Vegetation Treatment Project, Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Rich County, UT
• NRCS issues interim final rule, requests comments, on informal appeal procedures ("For example, NRCS program mediation may result in: identifying alternative means for a participant to comply with regulatory requirements, exploring alternative mitigation strategies when a wetland has been converted, or considering possible changes to a farming operation with regard to compatible uses of easement acreages.")

• Corps to prepare DEIS for the Neuse River Basin Feasibility Study, NC
• FHWA to prepare EIS for proposed highway improvements to Trunk Highway (TH) 71 and TH 23 from the Willmar Bypass to the north junction of TH 71 and TH 23, located northeast of the City of Willmar in Dovre Township, a distance of approximately 3.5 miles, in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota
• FS to prepare EIS on revision of Rangeland Allotment Management Plans for all allotments within the McKelvie Geographic Area to analyze continuation of grazing within the constraints of the Revised Nebraska Land and Resource Management Plan
• FS revises NOI on planned EIS on a proposal to harvest timber in the Baht Timber Sale project area, Wrangell Ranger District, Tongass National Forest.
• NRCS ursuant to Section 102[2][c] of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations [40 CFR part 1500]; and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regulations [7 CFR part 650]; the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Yellow River Watershed Structure No. 3, Gwinnett County, Georgia.

• BPA, ROD, South Fork Flathead Watershed Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Program, based on the South Fork Flathead Watershed Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Program Final Environmental Impact Statement
• EPA releases national guidance: Best Management Practices for Preparing Vessels Intended To Create Artificial Reefs
  • Here it is
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• FAA releases FEIS containing a DOT Section 4(f)/303(c) Evaluation for a proposed replacement airport for the city of St. George, UT
• FAA releases FEIS for the Proposed Relocation of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport, Panama City, FL; Notice of Significant Encroachment and Unavoidable Impacts to the Base Floodplain; Notice of New Construction Significantly Affecting Wetlands and Finding of No Practicable Alternative
• FAA: The Record of Decision was prepared based on the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Horizontal Launch and Reentry of Reentry Vehicles.
• FS begins 90-day comment period on the Proposed forest plans for the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

• Corps issues minor correction on NOI for EIS for the Dam Safety Assurance Evaluation Report, Dover Dam, City of Dover, Tuscarawas County, OH
• EPA is finalizing its proposal to de-designate an existing ocean dredged material disposal site and designate a new ocean dredged material disposal site located offshore of Coos Bay, Oregon. EPA's proposed rule was published March 31, 2000. The new site is needed for long-term use by authorized Coos Bay navigation projects and may be available for use by persons meeting the criteria for ocean disposal of dredged material. The de-designation of the existing site allows for its incorporation into the newly designated site. ("EPA's evaluation at the time of the proposed rule concluded that long distances and travel times between the dredging locations near Coos Bay and the continental shelf posed significant environmental, operational, safety and environmental concerns, including risk of encounter with endangered species and increased air emissions. This conclusion is unchanged and new Site F, finalized by today's rule, is consistent with this criterion.")
• FERC releases EA/FONSI on application for a subsequent license for the Clam River Hydroelectric Project, located on the Clam River, 9.5 miles northwest of Webster, Wisconsin in Burnett County
• FERC releases EA/FONSI on liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities proposed by Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. The Sabine Pass LNG Terminal Phase II Project would be located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
• FERC releases FEIS on Creole Trail LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project
• FERC dismisses complaint filed against Nicholas Josten, applicant for an exemption for the West Valley A&B Hydroelectric Project No. 12053. ("The issues raised in the pleading relate to consideration of the application for exemption. As such, they are not properly the subject of a formal complaint. Accordingly, the complaint is dismissed and the comments raised in the pleading will be considered in the exemption proceeding." "The project is proposed to be located on the South Fork of the Pit River in Modoc County, California. The project would be located on approximately 31 acres of federal lands, managed by Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The pleading generally alleges that Nicholas Josten has made misrepresentations in information he filed in support of his application for exemption.")
• FHWA to prepare EIS for a proposed highway project in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, North Carolina.
• FHWA rescinds NOI for DEIS for a proposed highway project in Sampson, Duplin, and Cumberland Counties, North Carolina

• BuRec, Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) have made available for public review and comment a Draft EIR/EIS for the proposed CCWD Alternative Intake Project. The Draft EIR/EIS describes and presents the environmental effects of five alternatives: the No-Action Alternative and four action alternatives. Three public hearings will be held.
  • Reclamation Mid-Pacific NEPA
• FAA approves FONSI on a Final EA, Lake in the Hills Airport, Lake in the Hills, IL
• NPS releases DEIS for the Hunting Program at Cape Cod National Seashore.

Tues., May 9

• BuRec: California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee will meet May 25, 2006. "The agenda for the Committee meeting will include discussions with State and Federal agency representatives on the status of the revitalization of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program including the 10-Year Action Plan and Program Plans, priority setting, the changing roles of the CALFED agencies, and the restructuring of the Committee Subcommittees."
• FAA: "On March 27, 2006, the FAA published a Notice of Intent to prepare a PEIS for Experimental Permits in the Federal Register (71 FR 15251). The FAA has decided to extend the scoping period for the preparation of the PEIS to June 2, 2006. All comments received by June 2, 2006 will be considered in the preparation of the Draft PEIS."
• FAA releases ROD for the FEIS on a proposed Airport Development Program at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.
  • More here
• FERC releases EA/FONSI for an application requesting approval for surrender of minor project license and dam removal of the 547 kilowatt Sandy River Project (FERC No. 11433). The project is located on the Sandy River in the Towns of Norridgewock and Starks, Somerset County, Maine.
• FS: Plumas National Forest will prepare EIS on eradication of populations of the noxious weed tall whitetop (Lepidium latifolium), along the Middle Fork of the Feather River approximately one-mile southwest of the town of Beckwourth.

Mon., May 8

• FS: " Proposed Land Management Plans for the Bitterroot, Flathead and Lolo National Forests are now available for public comment during a 90-day period that begins on the date of publication of this notice in the following newspapers of record: For the Bitterroot Forest, The Ravalli Republic; for the Flathead Forest, The Daily Interlake; and for the Lolo Forest, The Missoulian." (More is here)

Fri., May 5

Lots today

• Army releases ROD on level of training on the Overhills Tract, Fort Bragg, Cumberland and Harnett Counties, NC
• Corps issues DEIS for the Floyd County, KY (Levisa Fork Basin), Section 202 Project
  • More here
• Corps to prepare a Supplemental EIS to the Interim Operational Plan for Protection of the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow, Everglades National Park, Miami-Dade County, FL, May 2002
• Corps to prepare an EIS for the Dam Safety Assurance Evaluation Report, Dover Dam, City of Dover, Tuscarawas County, OH
• BLM releases Kobuk-Seward Peninsula Draft Resource Management Plan/EIS
  • Go here for more
• BuRec corrects discrepancy in the Trinity River Restoration Program FEIS's description of the hydrologic forecast used in the annual flow regime component of the Program. (no changes in operation anticipated, Bureau says)
• Coast Guard issues EA/FONSI for the Installation and Operation of the Integrated Anti-Swimmer System (No, I don't know what it is-Ed.)
• Commodity Credit Corporation issues DPEA for the Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program ("EFCRP will provide assistance for owners of forest land and timber related to losses from hurricanes during the 2005 calendar year.")
• FSA releases draft Programmatic EA for selected 2005 Hurricane Assistance Programs of the Farm Service Agency (FSA). These programs include: (1) Hurricane Indemnity Program, (2) Feed Indemnity Program, (3) Livestock Indemnity Program, (4) Tree Indemnity Program, and (5) Aquaculture Grant Program.
  • More from FSA here
• FAA, in cooperation w/ USAF, releases EA on Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) proposal to operate a commercial launch facility at the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark (CSIA) located next to the town of Burns Flat, Okla.
  • More here
• FEMA suspends issuance of flood insurance in NC communities "because of noncompliance with the floodplain management requirements of the program."
• FERC, Corps, USCG issue EIS on Crown Landing, LLC; Texas Eastern Transmission, L.P.'s proposed LNG terminal, which would be located on the shoreline of the Delaware River in Logan Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey
• FERC, Corps, USCG issue EIS on Cove Point Expansion Project (LNG terminal and natural gas (steel) pipeline facilities in Pa., Va., W.V., Md., N.Y.)
• FERC issues EA/FONSI on application by Duke Power for non-project use of project lands and waters
• FERC releases FEIS and Final General Conformity Determination for the Port Arthur LNG Project
• FERC issues EA/FONSI on the application for license for the Portal Hydroelectric Project, located on Camp 61 Creek and Rancheria Creek in Fresno County, California (Southern Calif. Edison)
• FHwA, Iowa DOT to prepare EIS for a proposed roadway project in Polk County, Iowa ("The planned EIS will evaluate potential transportation improvement alternatives for serving northeast Des Moines and its neighboring communities between I-80/US65 west of Altoona to US69/NE 126 Avenue north of Ankeny")
• MMS: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a programmatic EIS, hold scoping meetings on Program for Renewable Energy and Alternate Use of Existing Structures on the Outer Continental Shelf (Salient 2002 memo here )

  Excerpt from FR:

  "The MMS invites other Federal agencies and State, tribal, and local governments to consider becoming cooperating agencies in the preparation of the programmatic EIS. We invite qualified government entities to inquire about cooperating agency status for the EIS. Following the guidelines from the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ), qualified agencies and governments are those with ''jurisdiction by law or special expertise.'' Potential cooperating agencies should consider their authority and capacity to assume the responsibilities of a cooperating agency and to remember that an agency's role in the environmental analysis neither enlarges nor diminishes the final decision making authority of any other agency involved in the NEPA process. Upon request, the MMS will provide potential cooperating agencies with a written summary of ground rules for cooperating agencies, including time schedules and critical action dates, milestones, responsibilities, scope and detail of cooperating agencies' contributions, and availability of pre-decisional information. The MMS anticipates this summary will form the basis for understanding between the MMS and each cooperating agency. Agencies should also consider the ``Factors for Determining Cooperating Agency Status'' in Attachment 1 to CEQ's January 30, 2002, Memorandum for the Heads of Federal Agencies: Cooperating Agencies in Implementing the Procedural Requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. A copy of this document is available at: http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/cooperating/cooperatingagenciesmemorandum.html and http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/

• FAA cancels NOI to prepare EIS for the Dayton International Airport, Dayton, OH
• NPS rule designates areas where personal watercraft (PWC) may be used in Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida and Mississippi. "This final rule implements the provisions of the National Park Service (NPS) general regulations authorizing parks to allow the use of PWC by promulgating a special regulation." (mentions T&E species impacts)

Wed., May 3

• GSA to prepare EIS, hold scoping meeting for the Master Site Plan, Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, CO
• FHwA to prepare EIS for a proposed highway project in Bannock County, Idaho.

• Corps releases FEIS for Commercial Sand and Gravel Dredging Operations in the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, PA
  • EIS is here

Mon., May 1

• Corps releases FEIS for Upper Columbia Alternative Flood Control and Fish Operations, Libby and Hungry Horse Dams, MT
  • It's here
• Corps to prepare EIS for Pine Mountain Dam & Lake Project, AR
• FAA to prepare EIS for Port Columbus International Airport, Columbus, OH
• NPS releases Record of Decision for the EIS on the Falls Creek Hydroelectric Project and Land Exchange, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska.
  • More here

• BLM: Notice of Availability of Draft Resource Management Plans and Associated DEIS's for three BLM offices in Northeast California and Northwest Nevada: the Eagle Lake Field Office; the Alturas Field Office, and the Surprise Field Office
  • BLM California land use planning page
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for review
• FAA's Office of Airports (ARP) has updated and revised its instructions for implementing NEPA for airport actions
  • here it is

• FHwA rescinds NOI for an EIS for a proposed highway project in Butler County, Pa.
• FHwA to prepare EIS for a proposed highway project in Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties, North Carolina

• What? No NEPA notices? Yes, it's true... There, there, that's OK. I'm sure there will be some tomorrow

• FERC issues EA/FONSI on application for exemption from licensing for the A.H. Smith Dam Project, which is located on the San Marcos River near the town of Martindale, Caldwell County, Texas.
• FHwA to prepare EIS for a proposed highway project in Blount County, Tennessee
• BLM releases EA, Determination of NEPA Adequacy, and Public Hearing for Coal Lease Application UTU-81893, Utah Kenilworth Tract Coal Lease (1,760 acres in Carbon County, Utah)By Application UTU-81893 and Federal Coal Notice of Public Hearing, and Request for Environmental Assessment, Determination of NEPA Adequacy, Maximum Economic Recovery and Fair Market Value Comments.
• NPS to expand the scope of the General Management Plan/EIS for the addition at Big Cypress National Preserve, FL ("The NPS also will prepare an Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan that will address in more detail the management of off-road vehicles in the Addition Lands.")
  • Big Cypress page
• NPS releases DEIS for the General Management Plan and Wilderness Study, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

• Army releases ROD for the Final EIS for the Transformation of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 56th Brigade Into a Stryker Brigade Combat Team at the National Guard Training Center-Fort Indiantown GAP, PA
• BIA to prepare EIS for the Proposed Community Development on the Las Vegas Paiute Indian Tribe Reservation, Clark County, NV
• DOT: Maritime Administration releases draft FONSI/Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONSI/FONPA) for the Port of Anchorage Intermodal Expansion, North End Runway Material Extraction and Transport Project

• DHS: A Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program are available to the public for electronic download. The Final PEA examines the potential environmental impacts of four strategic approaches to enhance immigration and border management processes and addresses the substantive comments received on the Draft PEA during the public comment period.
• FHWA to prepare EIS for the proposed 3,400-foot (1.0 km) extension of North Hillside Road from its current terminus northward to U.S. Route 44 in Tolland County, Connecticut.
• FS to prepare EIS on Tracy Placer Mine, Rogue River--Siskiyou National Forest, Josephine County, OR

• BLM reopens calls for nominations for Sonoran Desert National Monument Advisory Committee
• BuRec releases FEIS for operation of the Navajo Dam and Reservoir, Colorado River Storage Project, New Mexico and Colorado
• EPA extends comment period to May 31 on Proposed Reissuance of the NPDES General Permit for Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production Facilities Located in state and federal Waters in Cook Inlet, AK
  • Go here, scroll down for docs on proposed Alaska NPDES permits
  • Public notice, March 1
  • Draft permit
• NPS terminates preparation (stops working on) Draft General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Amistad National Recreation Area, TX
• NPS releases Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan, Rocky Mountain National Park (More here)

• Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Field Release of Genetically Engineered Pink Bollworm
• BIA, as lead agency, with National Indian Gaming Commission, Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians, and Big Lagoon Rancheria as cooperating agencies, will gather information necessary to prepare EIS "for a proposed 45 acre fee-to-trust transfer and casino and hotel project to be located in San Bernardino County, California. The purpose of the proposed action is to help improve the tribal economy of the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians and Big Lagoon Rancheria (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Tribes) and assist tribal members to attain economic self-sufficiency."
• DOI extends deadline for nomination submissions for Invasive Species Advisory Committee (More here)
• NRCS to prepare EIS on proposed Clarke County Water Supply Project, Clarke County, IA (Iowa NRCS site)
• FERC OEP has reviewed the application for exemption from licensing for the Williams Fork Reservoir Hydroelectric Project, a small hydroelectric project of less than 5 megawatts, located on the Williams Fork River near its confluence with the Colorado River at Parshall, in Grand County, Colorado, and has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project.
• FTA, City of Madison, WI will prepare an EIS for a proposal by Madison to implement new transit operations in an approximately 13-mile travel corridor extending from the City of Middleton on the west, through the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to the Isthmus of Madison, WI to the American Parkway interchange on US 151, southwest of Sun Prairie, WI and encompassing the surrounding urbanized areas. (More here)

• FERC issues EA/ FONSI on proposal by Duke Power to use project lands and waters at the Keowee-Toxaway Hydroelectric Project, "The proposed marina would consist of: (1) Three cluster docks with eight boat docking locations each, and one cluster dock with six boat docking locations for Waterford Ridge; (2) one cluster dock with fourteen boat docking locations, and two cluster docks with eight boat docking locations each for Waterford Farms; and (3) nine cluster docks with ten boat docking locations each for Waterford Pointe. The marina's docks would provide a total of 150 boat docking locations for the residents of the Waterford Communities." The project is located on the Little and Keowee Rivers in Oconee County, South Carolina.
• In related action, FERC's Office of Energy Projects releases EA/FONSI on Duke Power's request for "Commission authorization to lease two parcels of project land to Crescent Communities S.C, LLC, and the Waterside Crossing Owners Association."

• NRCS: EA/FONSI released for Highline Canal/Black Point Pipeline Project (Utah)
• Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Scientific Committee Plenary Session in Santa Barbara May 10

• APHIS: Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for a Field Release of Genetically Engineered Tall Fescue and Genetically Engineered Italian Ryegrass
• Army Corps: Minor correction to 4/11 notice (see below) on scoping meetings for San Francisquito Creek Study, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, CA
• BLM releases Record of Decision for the Dillon Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Beaverhead and Madison Counties, MT (More here)
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• FERC: Puget Sound Energy, Inc., Washington; Notice of Availability of a DEIS for the Baker River Hydroelectric Project
• FERC: Southern Natural Gas Company; Florida Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Cypress Pipeline Project and Phase VII Expansion Project
• FERC: Questar Pipeline Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Southern System Expansion Project II, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues and Notice of Scoping Meeting
• FERC: Wyoming Interstate Company, Ltd.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment And Proposed Land Use Plan Amendment for the Proposed Kanda Lateral and Mainline Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, Notice of Public Scoping Meetings, and Notice of Site Visit
• FHwA to prepare Tier I EIS "to review improvements in the existing transportation system between Interstate 68 in Western Maryland and Appalachian Corridor H in the West Virginia Potomac Highlands. The study area generally parallels the existing U.S. 220 highway corridor."
• NPS releases Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site
  • Park planning site

• OMB sends draft report on costs and benefits of federal regs to Congress (4/13/06) (Report is here)
• FERC: Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.; Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Ozark Trails Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
• FS: The Eldorado National Forest will prepare an EIS "to restore, reforest, and reduce fuels on approximately 4,300 acres that burned in the Freds Fire of 2004. ("The Freds Fire Reforestation project area is located in El Dorado County, California, on the Eldorado National Forest, Placerville and Pacific Ranger Districts.")
• FS to prepare an EIS on The proposal to treat approximately 25,000 acres of invasive plants in 2.4 million-acre Wallowa-Whitman NF ("The forest anticipates to treat approximately 4,000 acres of invasive plant sites annually.")
• OMB
• Report
• NRCS "gives notice of the deauthorization of Federal funding for the Broad Creek Watershed project, Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware, effective on March 23, 2006"

• BIA files DEIS with EPA on Cowlitz Indian Tribe's Proposed 151.87 Acre Fee-to-Trust Transfer, Reservation Proclamation and Casino-Resort Project, Clark County, Washington. (More here)
• FS: Wasatch-Cache NF to prepare EIS on a proposal to relocate a total of about 5 miles of the Millville Peak and Logan Peak Roads (Forest Roads 20168 and 20042, respectively) due to road damage and safety concerns. The relocation would place construction in adjacent roadless areas.

Tues., April 11

• Corps, San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority to prepare EIS/R for the San Francisquito Creek Study, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, CA
• FERC to prepare EIS on proposed Wamsutter Expansion Project ("This project involves the construction and operation of facilities by Questar Overthrust Pipeline Company (Overthrust) in Lincoln and Sweetwater Counties, Wyoming. These facilities would include approximately 77 miles of 36-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline, two new compressor stations, two new receipt points, and one new delivery point.")
• FERC to prepare EIS on TransColorado Gas Transmission Company's proposed Blanco-to-Meeker Project ("This project involves the construction and operation of facilities by TransColorado Gas Transmission Company (TransColorado) in San Juan County, New Mexico and Zuma, Montrose, Mesa, Garfield, and Rio Blanco Counties, Colorado.")

• BuRec: Notice of public open-house scoping meetings associated with an environmental impact statement (EIS) being prepared for the completion of the Northwest Area Water Supply Project
• BuRec extends public comment period for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project DEIS (More here)
• USAF to prepare EA for the retirement of the F-117A and T-38A Aircraft and Beddown of the F-22A at Holloman Air Force Base, NM
• Coast Guard to prepare EA for homeporting of four new 418-foot National Security Cutters (NSCs) at Coast Guard Island (CGI) in Alameda, California
• FHWA to adopt FEIS that has been "prepared and approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District, for the South Lawrence Trafficway located in Lawrence, Kansas."
• DOI establishes Lake Champlain Sea Lamprey Control Alternatives Workgroup
• NRCS to prepare SEIS for the Lost River Subwatershed of the Potomac River Watershed Hardy County, West Virginia.
• White House Office of Science and Technology Policy releases Planning Document for the U.S. Ocean Research Priorities Plan, asks for public comment
  • Here it is

• APHIS releases "three documents related to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS): A document that provides an update on the implementation plans, including operational milestones and participation goals; a document describing how private and State animal tracking databases may be integrated into the NAIS to provide animal health officials with animal movement information on an as-needed basis; and, in connection with the animal tracking databases document, a template for a cooperative agreement that the [APHIS] may enter into with organizations that wish to participate in the animal tracking database component of the NAIS."
• Corps to prepare EIS for the Proposed TransAlta Pit 7 Mine Completion Project at Centralia, Wash.
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• Labor Dept issues preliminary FONSI for the Proposed Job Corps Center To Be Located at the Dome Industrial Park on 5th Avenue and 22nd Street in St. Petersburg, FL
• DOT: Maritime Administration releases FEIS, announces public hearings on Compass Port LLC Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port License

Thurs., April 6

• Corps issues supplemental NOI for a DEIS/R for a Permit Application for the Berths 136-147 Terminal Improvement Project, Also Known as the TraPac Container Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA ("The Corps is considering the Port's application for a Department of the Army permit under Clean Water Act section 404 and River and Harbor Act section 10 to conduct dredge and fill activities and construct one new wharf approximately 705 feet and seismically upgrade two wharves approximately 3,022 feet in length associated with the proposed project.")
• Umatilla National Forest Invasive Plants Treatment, Umatilla National Forest, Oregon and Washington ("The Umatilla National Forest proposes to treat approximately 25,000 acres of invasive plants located across the 1.4 million acre National Forest. It is anticipated that approximately 4,000 acres of both existing and newly discovered sites would be treated in any year. The proposed treatment methods includes: Manual pulling or use of hand tools, use of mechanical hand tools, herbicide, cultural methods such as grazing or mulching, and biological controls. The method used would depend on resource protection concerns for a given site.")

• FERC issues EA/FONSI on application requesting authorization for non-project use of project lands and waters for a water withdrawal at the Logan Martin development of the Coosa River Project. The proposed withdrawal would be located south of Ragland, Alabama.
• FERC: Gulf South Pipeline Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed East Texas Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
• FHwA proposes application for states to submit to assume NEPA responsibilities for highway projects ("Section 6005 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) established a pilot program to allow the Secretary to assign and the State to assume the Secretary's responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for one or more highway projects. The Secretary may permit not more than five States (including the States of Alaska, California, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas) to participate in the program)."

• RUS to hold public scoping meetings and prepare an EA on projects proposed by Georgia Transmission Corporation. ("The proposal consists of the construction of approximately 55 miles of 500 kilovolt transmission line and approximately 13 miles of 230 kilovolt transmission line, a 500/230 kilovolt substation and a switching station. The 500-kilovolt transmission line project would be located in Putnam, Morgan, Walton and Oconee counties, Georgia.")
• DHS issues final NEPA policy and procedures (Go here for more)

• APHIS to prepare SEIS to "analyze alternatives and methods for the reduction of additional wildlife hazards to aircraft and human health and safety at John F. Kennedy International Airport. This action is a supplement to the Gull Hazard Reduction Program at John F. Kennedy International Airport Final Environmental Impact Statement, May 1994." (in cooperation with FWS, NPS, FAA, NY DEP, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and NYC DEP)

• Corps: Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement To Consider Issuance of a Department of the Army Permit Pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for Mingo Logan Coal Company's (Mingo Logan) Proposal To Construct and Operate Spruce No. 1 Mine, Near Blair in Logan County, WV
• Corps To Prepare a DEIS for Elliott Bay Seawall, WA
• Corps to prepare a draft supplement to the EIS on authorized improvements to the Federal Gulfport Harbor Navigation Project in Harrison County, MS
• Corps: NOI to prepare joint EIS/R for the Proposed BNSF Cajon Subdivision Third Main Track Project Keenbrook to Summit, San Bernardino County, CA
• BLM releases Addendum to the FEIS on grazing adminustration, exclusive of Alaska ("The Addendum responds to comments received on the Draft EIS.")
• BLM releases FEIS for proposed Cotterel Wind Power Project and proposed RMP Amendment, Burley Field Office, Cassia County, ID (More here)
• BLM to prepare EIS, begin scoping process for Lincoln County Water District Proposed Water Production Wells, Water Transmission Pipeline, Electric Lines, and Communication Lines in Southwestern Lincoln County; NV
• BLM to prepare EIS and initiate the public scoping process for Lincoln County Water District Proposed Water Production Wells, Water Transmission Pipeline, Electric Lines, and Communication Lines in Southeastern Lincoln County; NV
• BuRec, acting on behalf of DOI, "proposes to take action to adopt specific Colorado River Lower Basin shortage guidelines and coordinated reservoir management strategies to address operations of Lake Powell and Lake Mead, particularly under low reservoir conditions."
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• Forest Service (Malhuer NF) to prepare EIS: "The Malheur National Forest proposes to treat approximately 3,800 acres of invasive plants located across the 1.7 million acre National Forest. It is anticipated that approximately 800 acres of both existing and newly discovered sites would be treated in any year. The proposed treatment methods includes: manual pulling or use of hand tools, use of mechanical hand tools, herbicide, cultural methods such as grazing or mulching, and biological controls. The method used would depend on resource protection concerns for a given site."
• NPS proposes to recommend Irvine Ranch Land Reserve, located forty-five miles south of downtown Los Angeles, in Orange County, California, for designation as a National Natural Landmark. (Meeting to be held June 8, 2006, at Zion National Park, in the Majestic View Lodge, 2400 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, Utah.)

• Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Coastal Engineering Research Board (CERB); Correction: ("In notice document 06-2859 appearing on page 14858 in the issue of Friday, March 24, 2006, make the following correction: In the second column, under the heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, in the last line, ``29180-6199.'' should read ``39180-6199.'')
• FERC: PacifiCorp, Cowlitz PUD; Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lewis River Projects
• FERC releases DEA or public review. "The draft EA analyzes the environmental impacts of an application for non-project use of project lands and waters filed for the Saluda Project. The project is located on Lake Murray in Lexington County, South Carolina."
• FERC: to prepare EIS on Kinder Morgan Louisiana Pipeline's proposal to construct, operate and maintain approximately 133 miles of natural gas pipeline in Cameron, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Acadia and Evangeline Parishes, Louisiana
• FERC: Southern LNG, Inc. and Elba Express Company, L.L.C.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and U.S. Coast Guard Letter of Recommendation for the Proposed Elba III Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Comment Meetings

• FS: Plumas NF to prepare supplement to EIS "to document and clarify the analysis of environmental effects, primarily in the following resource areas: air quality, rare plants and noxious weeds, economics, fire and fuels, hydrology, recreation, soils, vegetation, and wildlife. Additional maps will be included to provide further information to the public." (Decision was finalized in Sept 2005 and rescinded in December.)
• Pike NF of the Rocky Mountain Region of the Forest Service releases Final Plan and Final EIS, Supplemental Information Report (SIR) and Record of Decision 2 (ROD 2) for the Gold Camp Road. (More here)
• MMS issues rule expanding the circumstances under which MMS allows inspection of Geological and Geophysical data and information. (Specifically, the rule "extends the circumstances under which MMS selectively allows persons with a direct and pertinent interest to inspect proprietary G&G data and information that are used by MMS in certain decisions." The rule, proposed in 2002, also modifies the start dates of proprietary terms for geophysical data and information and any derivatives of these data and information that MMS acquires. In addition, the rule clarifies the proprietary terms of geological data and information MMS acquires pursuant to a permit.

  Here's an excerpt on sperm whales:
  "Comment: One commenter noted that the seismic industry is experiencing increasing scrutiny from MMS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries over the impacts of acoustic pulses and other emissions [from seismic surveys] on the health and well being of marine mammals, particularly the sperm whale which is listed as an endangered species. There are new restrictions on data acquisition operations, and some are suggesting that prime producing areas of the GOM should be designated as critical habitat which would make access more difficult.

  "Response: MMS is funding a collaborative, international effort to study sperm whales in the GOM and determine what, if any, potential impacts there may be to sperm whales as a result of seismic survey activity. MMS also prepared a programmatic environmental assessment on geological and geophysical exploration activities in the GOM. The assessment found no significant potentially adverse impacts to sperm whales from seismic survey activities. MMS, as a precaution, developed mitigation measures to avoid or minimize any potential incidental (accidental) take of certain marine mammals in the GOM, and petitioned NOAA Fisheries to promulgate incidental take regulations governing the conduct of seismic surveys in the GOM. Any designation of critical habitat for the sperm whale in the GOM would be the responsibility of NOAA Fisheries under established Endangered Species Act procedures."

  NPS releases Final General Management Plan and Final EIS for the First Ladies National Historic Site, Ohio

  NPS Dog Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties, CA; Notice of Extension of Scoping Period

  NPS approves ROD for FEIS/Fire Management Plan; Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties, CA

  NPS to prepare EIS on proposed extension of San Francisco Municipal Railway Historic Streetcar Service; Golden Gate National Recreation Area and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park; County of San Francisco

  NPS to prepare EIS, General Management Plan for Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties, CA

Tues., March 28

• FERC releases EA/FONSI on Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation's proposed Leidy-to-Long Island expansion project
• FERC issues EA/FONSI on application for authorization to surrender the license for the Brown Bridge Project (FERC Project No. 2978) and exemptions for the Boardman Dam Project (FERC Project No. 2979) and the Sabin Dam Project (FERC Project No. 2980). These projects are located on the Boardman River in Grand Traverse County, Michigan
• FERC sets public meetings on new license for the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project No. 2114-116, located on the mid-Columbia River, near the city of Ellensburg, in portions of Grant, Yakima, Kittitas, Douglas, Benton, and Chelan counties, Washington. DEIS was released Feb. 28, 2006.
• The FTA and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to prepare EIS for the South Florida East Coast Corridor Transit Analysis in Southeast Florida; Including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach Counties, FL
  • More here
• Forest Service to prepare EIS on potential significant amendment to the 1997 Tongass National Forest Plan. The ROD will consider and identify changes, if any, to the current 1997 Forest Plan

• FAA revises procedures for implementing NEPA. "The revisions include: changes for clarification, consistency, and addition of information; corrections; and editorial changes." (1050.1E CHG1 (PDF) – Environmental Impacts Order)
• FAA issues FEA/FONSI for expansion of Southern Illinois Airport, Carbondale-Murphysboro, IL
• FAA to prepare PEIS on experimental permit regime for developmental reusable suborbital rockets. (more here)

• Corps' Huntington District will prepare an SEIS evaluating "potential impacts to the natural, physical, and human environment as a result of utilizing soil borrow material for construction of the selected plan for the proposed flood damage reduction measures for the area at the City of Milton, Cabell County, WV (lower Mud River Project)."
• Corps: Public Scoping Meeting and Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Widening and Deepening of the Matagorda Ship Channel in Calhoun County and Matagorda County, TX
• Corps announces "major change in the scope of" EIS. The Baltimore and Norfolk Districts "will prepare a single, integrated master plan (MP) and [PEIS] for native oyster recovery in the entire Chesapeake Bay. This MP is a long-term plan for native oyster recovery and will be written in cooperation with the local sponsors, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Marine Resources Commission. The Corps is undertaking native oyster recovery in the Chesapeake Bay to support efforts to reverse the ongoing decline in oyster resources throughout the Bay."
• Coastal Engineering Research Board (CERB) meets April 26, Sheraton Gateway Atlanta Airport Hotel, 1900 Sullivan Rd., Atlanta, GA
• BLM: Notice of Availability (NOA) of a Draft EIS for the Pit 14 Coal Lease-by-Application (LBA) and Federal Coal Notice of Hearing, Wyoming
  • BLM Wyo. docs
• BLM: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Overland Pass Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline in Wyoming, Colorado, and Kansas
• BuRec extends comment period for the Draft EIS for the Upper Rio Grande Water Operations Review, DES-05-80, to April 20, 2006
• FERC: Central New York Oil and Gas Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Stagecoach Phase II Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues and Notice of Site Visit
• FERC: Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed 2006-2008 Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) have established Alternative Arrangements to meet [NEPA] requirements ... for FEMA Grants to Reconstruct Critical Infrastructure in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area." ("These Alternative Arrangements are designed to enable timely action on the expected large number of grant applications to restore safe and healthful living conditions in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area."
• The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (WI) plans to supplement the May 2003 ``Cayuga Project'' FEIS in order to "clarify and add more detail to the cumulative effects analysis regarding certain Regional Forester Sensitive Species that may be affected by the actions considered in the original [EIS]." ("Specifically, the supplement will fully consider cumulative effects of timber harvest to goshawk, red-shouldered hawk, American marten, spruce grouse and black-backed woodpecker that occur in the Cayuga project area.")
• NPS: of a Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado River Management Plan, Grand Canyon National Park.

• Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership Technology Demonstration Program
• The Forest Service will prepare an EIS on proposed actions to harvest trees and associated transportation management activities ( Fishel Vegetation and Transportation Management Project; Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Vilas and Forest Counties, WI)

• BLM: Notice of Public Meeting, North Slope Science Initiative, Science Technical Group
• Coast Guard to prepare an EIS to review possible changes to the Coast Guard's operations in the areas of responsibility for Coast Guard Districts 11 and 13 (California, Oregon and Washington) and requests public comments. The EIS will analyze the environmental impacts of Coast Guard vessel and air operations when engaged in the following missions and activities: law enforcement, national security, search and rescue, aids to navigation, and oil pollution and vessel grounding response
• FERC, USCG (in DHS) to prepare EIS on Downeast LNG project, which "would consist of an onshore [liquefied natural gas] import and storage terminal, located on the south side of Mill Cove in the Town of Robbinston, near the confluence of Passamaquoddy Bay and the St. Croix River, in Washington County, Maine; and an approximately 31-mile-long natural gas sendout pipeline, extending from the terminal to the existing Maritimes & Northeast (M&NE) pipeline system at the Baileyville, Maine, compressor station."
• FERC to prepare EA on Enbridge Pipelines' proposed T-1 Mainline Segment abandonment and request for comments on environmental issues ("The T-1 Mainline segment that would be abandoned originates at the Desiard Compressor Station in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana and extends in a southeasterly direction to the intersection of Holdiness Road, approximately 1.9 miles northeast of Alto, Richland Parish, Louisiana.")
• FERC to prepare EIS on Quoddy Bay's proposed Quoddy Bay LNG Project; Public scoping meetings scheduled

• AID: Comment Request and Notice of Public Meeting for Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Malaria Vector Control Interventions
• Army releases ROD for the SEIS for the Proposed Addition of Maneuver Training Land at Fort Irwin, California
  • More here
• DOE Generadora del Desierto SA de C.V. (GDD) has applied for a Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and connect an electric transmission line across the U.S. border with Mexico.
• State Dept. receives application for a Presidential Permit for Pipeline Facilities To Be Operated and Maintained on the Border of the United States

• Army releases SDEIS for the Construction and the Operation of a Battle Area Complex and a Combined Arms Collective Training Facility Within U.S. Army Training Lands in Alaska
• Corps to prepare DEIS for Proposed Dredged Material Management Plan for Cleveland Harbor, OH
• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• FERC to conduct two public meetings on EA for the Osage Hydroelectric Project No. 459-128
• FERC releases draft EA on application for non-project use of project lands and waters filed for the Keowee-Toxaway Hydroelectric Project. The project is located on Lake Keowee in Pickens County, South Carolina.
• FHWA The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed hurricane evacuation route project in Horry and Georgetown Counties, South Carolina.
• FHWA, FTA to prepare EIS for the Washington State Ferries Seattle Ferry Terminal Project in Seattle, Washington
• FHWA announces final agency actions for highway projects in South Carolina. Public must seek judicial review by Sept. 13, 2006. "If the Federal law that authorizes judicial review of a claim provides a time period of less than 180 days for filing such claim, then that shorter time period still applies."
• BLM announces temporary closure of public lands during competitive special recreation permitted events: Nevada, Carson City Field Office; Closure Number: NV-030-06-002 (" By agreement with the Ely and Battle Mountain Field Offices the Tonopah Field Station and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, those lands affected by the Vegas to Reno OHV Race in Lincoln, Nye and Esmeralda Counties are included in this closure. This action is taken to provide for public and participant safety and to protect adjacent natural and cultural resources during the conduct of permitted special recreation events." / "Race and ride events are conducted along dirt roads, trails, and washes approved for such use.")
• Maritime Administration releases Port of Anchorage Intermodal Expansion, North End Runway Material Extraction and Transport draft EA (Go here )

• FS cancels NOI for South Deep Management Project on the Three Rivers Ranger District of the Colville National Forest

• BLM: BLM announces approval of the West Mojave (WEMO) Plan and Record of Decision (ROD). The approved WEMO Plan/ROD amends the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan by providing management direction for approximately 3.3 million acres of public lands administered by the BLM's California Desert District, located in Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties in southern California. Approval of the WEMO Plan/ROD terminates all interim measures identified in the Consent Decree in Center for Biological Diversity, et al. v. BLM (C-00-0927 WHA (JCS)) with regard to the West Mojave Planning area. (More here)
• FERC: Algonquin Gas Transmission LLC; Notice of Alternative Project Site Algonquin Ramapo Expansion Project
• FERC to prepare EA for the proposed Southern Natural Gas Co.'s 2006 Abandonment and Replacement Project; Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
• MMS: Notice of Additional Public Scoping Meeting on the Environmental Impact Statements for the Proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2007-2012; and Western and Central Gulf of Mexico, Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2007-2012
  • 5-year plan, 2007-12

Tuesday, March 14 (March 14 Table of Contents from GPO)

• BLM releases ROD for the FEIS, Jonah Infill Drilling Project, Sublette County, WY (BLM Wyo. NEPA documents)
• Maritime Administration releases FEIS on the Main Pass Energy Hub (MPEH) Deepwater Port License Application (More here)
• NPS, in consultation with DOE, "initiates conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process for a Special Resource Study concerning the preservation and interpretation of historic sites associated with the Manhattan Project. The scope of the study includes the Los Alamos National Laboratory and townsite, New Mexico; the Hanford Site in Washington; the Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee; and Dayton-area sites in Ohio."
• NPS releases ROD for EIS on Backcountry Management Plan and General Management Plan Amendment, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
  • NPS planning page
• NPS Pacific West Region approves ROD for the Fire Management Plan for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
• NRCS releases EA/FONSI for the Southern Washington County Watershed Protection Project, Washington County, Idaho

• BLM, FS: "This further proposed rule amends the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on July 27, 2005 (70 FR 43349). The proposed rule would revise existing Onshore Oil and Gas Order Number 1 (see 48 FR 48916 as amended at 48 FR 56226 (1983)). The Order provides the requirements necessary for the approval of all proposed oil and gas exploratory, development, or service wells on all Federal and Indian (except Osage Tribe) onshore oil and gas leases, including leases where the surface is managed by the U.S. Forest Service (FS). It also covers approvals necessary for subsequent well operations, including abandonment. This further proposed rule amends the proposed rule by making the provisions on the Application for Permits to Drill or Deepen (APD) package processing consistent with the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In addition, this further proposed rule amends a provision in the proposed rule having to do with proposed operations on lands with Indian surface and Federal minerals. This notice also reopens the comment period for the proposed rule for 30 days." (This seems like a big deal from the summary)
• FS: Revised Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: A Cooperative Approach
• STB: "This Notice discusses the environmental review process conducted thus far for this proceeding and the basis for determining that a Supplemental [DEIS] is needed; the scope of the [SDEIS]; and the remaining steps necessary to conclude the environmental review process (STB web site)

• EPA releases comments on draft, final EIS's
• EPA receives draft, final EIS's for comment
• FTA, Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) to prepare EIS for transportation improvements in Denton and Dallas Counties, Texas. (Page for this)
• Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement and to conduct scoping for the Mars Science Laboratory mission.
• Corps of Engineers' Los Angeles District plans to adopt July 2004 FHwA FEIS (for "Route Location, Adoption, and Construction of State Route 905 Between the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and Interstate 805 in the County of San Diego, CA")

• Coast Guard to prepare EIS in connection with the development of proposed new regulations on the incidental discharge of dry cargo residue in the Great Lakes (Also, CG releases study on current dry cargo residue discharge practices in the Great Lakes; link takes you to the docket)
• FS' Coronado NF announces intent to prepare an EIS "to evaluate a proposed action to renew individual special-use permits (SUPs) for occupancy and use of 88 existing recreational residences on the Safford Ranger District. If a decision is made to renew, term permits would be issued for a 20-year period beginning on January 1, 2009. No change in the use of the residences would occur upon issuance of a new permit."
• NRCS issues EA/FONSI for the grade stabilization of Midlands Creek, Papillion Creek Watershed, Sarpy County Nebraska.

• FERC Office of Energy Projects issues DEIS on application for a new license for the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project No. 2114-116, located on the mid-Columbia River, near the city of Ellensburg, in portions of Grant, Yakima, Kittitas, Douglas, Benton, and Chelan Counties, Washington (FEIS will be prepared)
• FERC releases EA/FONSI on natural gas pipeline facilities proposed by Florida Gas Transmission in connection w/ widening of SR 91
• FERC to hold public meetings to discuss DEIS for Nevada Power Company/Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District/California Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project
• FERC to prepare EA on Port Barre Investments, L.L.C. (d/b/a Bobcat Gas Storage) plans for proposed Bobcat Gas Storage Project
• NSF: Notice of availability of a draft Environmental Assessment for proposed activities in the Arctic Ocean (EA is here)

• APHIS releases EA "for a proposed field trial using two transgenic grass lines. The trial consists of Argentine bahiagrass plants that are genetically engineered to express resistance to the herbicide glufosinate and resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin."
• MMS announces intent to prepare an EIS on the tentatively scheduled 2007-2012 oil and gas leasing proposals in the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico (GOM), off the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama

• BuRec begins working on an EIS for the Northwest Area Water Supply Project (NAWS Project), a federal reclamation project located in North Dakota.
• The Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) release DEIS for Beacon Port Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port License Application (More here)

• Corps to prepare PEIS for the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Project
  • More here on LCPR
• Corps' L.A. District seeks comments on plans to adopt U.S. DOT FEIS for the proposed ``Route Location, Adoption, and Construction of State Route 905 Between the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and Interstate 805 in the County of San Diego, California.''
• BLM: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Continental Divide--Creston Natural Gas Project, Carbon and Sweetwater Counties, WY
  • BLM Wyoming NEPA page
• FHwA to prepare EIS for a proposed road project (State Project No. 700-92-0011 and Federal Aid Project No. NH-9201(501)) in Lafourche, St. Charles, and Jefferson Parishes, Louisiana
• FHWA has signed ROD for the First Street Viaduct and Street Widening Project in Los Angeles, California. "The project will widen the First Street Viaduct by approximately twenty-six feet, providing two eastbound and two westbound traffic lanes on the viaduct between Vignes Street and Mission Road separated by dual light rail tracks within a raised median."
• FS: "The Department of Agriculture is revising the transition language contained in the 2005 planning rule (70 FR 1023)." ("This final rule modifies the transition language to allow the Tongass National Forest to revise its land management plan either under the 2005 Rule or the planning regulations in effect before November 9, 2000. The preamble of this rule includes a discussion of the public comments received on the proposed rule published January 4, 2006 (71 FR 307), and the Department's responses to the comments."
• FS "will prepare a supplemental [EIS]