[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 6, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38831-38832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16247]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Repair Kalaupapa Dock Structure: Kalaupapa National Historical 
Park, Hawaii; Notice of Termination of an Environmental Impact 
Statement

SUMMARY: The NPS is terminating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
as previously noticed in the Federal Register on April 17, 2009, for 
repair of

[[Page 38832]]

the dock structure at Kalaupapa National Historical Park. It has become 
apparent that an EIS will not be necessary due to reduced scope of the 
proposed actions such that there is no potential for significant 
impacts nor controversy surrounding the proposal. Coincident with this 
termination notice, the NPS is hereby announcing preparation of an 
Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA will describe two alternatives 
remaining for consideration, including a no-action alternative, and 
will analyze potential environmental consequences of the proposed dock 
repairs, including minor to moderate effects on water quality, benthic 
resources, coral and essential fish habitats, species protected under 
the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 
historic resources, cultural landscape, ethnographic resources, and 
park operations. Measures to minimize harm will be included, and an 
``environmentally preferred'' alternative identified.
    Background: Kalaupapa National Historic Park (NHP) on Molokai was 
established in 1980 in recognition of the seminal role of this remote 
area in development of treatments and care for persons with Hansen's 
disease. Repairs of Kalaupapa dock structures are necessary to ensure 
continued barge service for the park and community residents. Timely 
repair of the structures is needed to preclude disruption of incoming 
barge service upon which the park and isolated community residents 
depend for their livelihood (as well as regular outgoing service 
required for the park's recycling program and other operations and 
activities).
    Originally the NPS planned to prepare an EA, and scoping was 
conducted during spring and summer 2008. Oral and written comments were 
obtained from the Kalaupapa patient community and park neighbors; 
state, county, and federal agencies, including Hawaii Department of 
Health, the State Historic Preservation Officer, and U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS); interested organizations; and native Hawaiian 
groups. Based on information obtained, it was determined that 
preparation of an EIS was warranted.
    At that time the range of alternatives under consideration was as 
follows: Alternative A (no action) would have maintained current 
conditions. Alternative B would have stabilized and repaired bulkhead 
and low pier walls; repaired a deteriorating concrete pier and a 
breakwater; and constructed a mooring dolphin to assist with barge 
landings. Alternative C would have entailed deferred maintenance and 
dolphin installation similar to Alternative B, as well as dredged the 
harbor bottom to widen the berthing basin so as to accommodate a 
variety of sizes of available barges.
    Based upon careful consideration of all public comments received to 
date, as well as further coordination with USFWS and National Marine 
Fisheries Service, the scope of work originally proposed has been 
reduced--widening the berthing basin and installation of a mooring 
dolphin have been dropped from consideration, which will avoid 
unacceptable impacts to coral and to marine species including the 
endangered Hawaiian Monk seal. These options will be addressed in the 
EA as alternatives considered but dismissed from analysis. The 
preferred alternative in the EA will consist of a maintenance plan, 
which is restricted to repair of the breakwater, repair of the 
deteriorating concrete pier, and stabilization of the bulkhead and low 
pier walls.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All persons on the EIS mailing list will be 
incorporated into the EA mailing list. Additional information regarding 
the preparation of the EA may be obtained by contacting Superintendent 
Steve Prokop, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, P.O. Box 2222, 
Kalaupapa, HI, 96742, (808) 567-6802. Project updates will also be 
periodically posted at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/kala, as well as 
provided through local and regional press media.

    Dated: May 28, 2010.
George J. Turnbull,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-16247 Filed 7-2-10; 8:45 am]
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