[Federal Register: February 2, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 21)]
[Notices]
[Page 5420-5421]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02fe05-34]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed
Wharf Improvements and Fill at Apra Harbor, GU
AGENCY: Department of the Army; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the
Port Authority of Guam and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hereby give
notice of intent to prepare a Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for
proposed wharf improvements and fill at Apra Harbor, Guam.
Under a Federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic
Development Administration, the Port Authority of Guam is proposing
modifications to Apra Harbor for the purpose of improving maritime
access and services to the island of Guam. The harbor is in need of
improvements to meet anticipated future demands of the island's
commercial port operations by providing additional cargo container
storage area, and berthing facilities capable of accommodating the
newest generation of large deep draft container vessels, and cruise
ships. The proposed improvements would also provide contingency
berthing facilities for U.S. Navy military vessels.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be the lead agency in
preparing the EIS. The EIS will provide an analysis of potential
impacts to the environment from the proposed modifications to Apra
Harbor, in compliance with NEPA and CEQ regulations.
DATES: In order to be considered in the draft EIS, comments and
suggestions should be received no later than June 1, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Honolulu District, ATTN: Mr. James Hatashima, Project Manager, Civil
and Public Works Branch (CEPOH-PP-C), Rm. 312, Bldg. 230, Fort Shafter,
HI 96858-5440.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions or comments concerning the
proposed action should be addressed to Mr. James Hatashima, Phone:
(808) 438-2264, e-mail: james.k.hatashima@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Apra Harbor is the commercial hub of Guam,
handling both containerized and conventional cargo from around the
world. The harbor is located near the center of the western coast of
Guam. It is a natural harbor, protected by Orote Peninsula to the south
and Cabras Island to the north. Proposed modifications would occur
within outer Apra Harbor along the presently undeveloped, southern face
of the Glass Breakwater, located west of Wharf F-2 on Cabras Island.
The proposed improvements would provide additional berthing area and
increased landside capacity for commercial port cargo storage and
handling operations.
Proposed Action--Harbor improvements under consideration include:
(1) Construction of a new 1,500-foot wharf to the east of Hotel Wharf.
Improvements may include construction of a cellular sheet pile
bulkhead, deposition of approximately 950,000 cubic yards of fill
material in Apra Harbor, and construction of mechanized cargo container
handling facilities; (2) Placement of approximately 500,000 cubic yards
of fill over 18 acres of submerged lands in three areas along the east
end of the Glass Breakwater. Improvements may also include construction
of rock revetments, and construction of cargo container storage yard
facilities; (3) Dredging of submerged lands to depths of 55 to 60 feet
in waters adjacent to the proposed 1,500-foot wharf to accommodate
larger deep draft commercial and military vessels.
Project Alternatives--Alternatives to be considered include: (1)
``No Action''. No improvements would be undertaken and existing port
facilities within Apra Harbor would remain unchanged; (2) Alternate
designs, and construction methods; (3) Alternate sources and types of
fill material (4) Dredge material disposal alternatives.
To provide a forum for the public to obtain information on the
project, the
[[Page 5421]]
Port Authority of Guam and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a
public scooping meeting on or about February 2005. The purpose of the
scoping meeting is to present information and solicit public input, in
the form of oral and written comments, on the proposed action and
alternatives under consideration. Interested agencies, organizations,
and individuals are invited to attend and participate in the scoping
meeting to help determine the range of issues and alternatives to be
addressed in the EIS. The date, time, and location of the scoping
meeting will be publicly announced.
The draft EIS is anticipated to be available for public review in
November 2005, and a public meeting will beheld after publication of
the draft EIS. The date, time, and location of the meeting will be
publicly announced.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-1914 Filed 2-1-05; 8:45 am]