[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 9191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5380]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Palau Compact Road
Project
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this notice the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) states its
intent to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the
proposed Palau Compact Road Project, Babeldaob Island, Republic of
Palau.
DATES: Two scoping meetings are scheduled in Honolulu, HI and Koror,
Palau in April 1996 which will be open to individuals or organizations.
Specific dates, locations and times of the meetings will be announced
in the local news media and by public notices. Comments and suggestions
should be received not later than 15 days following the public scoping
meetings to be considered in the EIS.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons or organizations should submit comments
to the Director, Office of Insular Affairs, 1849 C Street, NW., Mail
Stop 4328, Washington, D.C. 20240 (202-208-4736 voice, 202-208-7585
facsimile), or District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific
Ocean Division, Building 230, Fort Shafter, HI 96858 (808-438-7974
voice, 808-438-7801 facsimile).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tom Bussanich, Office of Insular Affairs (202-208-6971 voice, 202-208-
7585 facsimile) or Allen Chin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (808-438-
7974 voice, 808-438-7801 facsimile).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Compact of Free Association between the
United States Government and the Republic of Palau (ROP) became
effective on October 1, 1994. In accordance with Annex A of the
Agreement Regarding Construction Projects in Palau Concluded Pursuant
to Section 212(a) of the Compact, the United States Government is
obligated to construct a 53-mile road, 18 feet wide, with double
bituminous surface treatment and two-foot-wide shoulders on each side,
on Babeldaob Island in the Republic of Palau. The U.S. Department of
the Interior (DOI) has selected the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Pacific Ocean Division, Honolulu Engineer District as the Project
Manager for all aspects of the road project, including planning,
environmental documentation, design and construction. In lieu of this
Compact-defined road, the ROP and the U.S. DOI reached an agreement
which allows for the road to be upgraded to one with an asphalt
concrete surface and up to 24 feet wide, of undetermined length, but
not more than 53 miles.
The road will be constructed with proper drainage, adequate
crossings over streams and rivers to meet the 50-year storm event, and
with safety features such as guard-rails, barriers and warnings signs
where needed. The project will not include sidewalks and curbs, roadway
lighting, and traffic signals.
Alternatives
a. No Action.
b. Different alignments of a road system.
c. Different configurations of the proposed action.
Scoping
Comments received as a result of this notice will be used to assist
the Department of the Interior in identifying potential impacts to the
quality of the human environment. Individuals or organizations may
participate in the scoping process by written comment or by attending
one of two scoping meetings which are scheduled to be held in Honolulu,
Hawaii and in Koror, Palau in April 1996. The locations, dates and
times for the scoping meetings will be announced in the local news
media and by public notices. Comments and suggestions should be
received not later than 15 days following the public scoping meetings
in order to be considered in the DEIS.
Allen P. Stayman,
Director.
[FR Doc. 96-5380 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-RK-M
