[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5394]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 9, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed
Infrastructure Improvements to the Institute of Marine Science (IMS)
Located in Seward, AK
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior (DOI).
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an EIS.
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SUMMARY: The DOI, on behalf of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS)
Trustee Council, hereby gives notice it intends to prepare an EIS in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
for the proposed infrastructure improvements to the IMS in Seward,
Alaska. The EIS will evaluate the proposed project, the no action
alternative, and other reasonable alternatives identified during the
scoping process. Scoping will be accomplished by correspondence,
through public and agency scoping meetings, and through meetings with
interested persons and groups.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on suggested alternatives and potential
impacts should be sent to Nancy Swanton, EIS Project Manager for the
Proposed Infrastructure Improvements to the IMS, 949 E. 36th Ave., room
603, Anchorage, AK 99508-4302.
DATES: Written comments should be sent to Nancy Swanton by April 11,
1994. Comments also will be accepted at public scoping meetings in
Seward from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 22, 1994, and in Anchorage
from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 24, 1994, locations indicated below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A project information newsletter will
be available at the public scoping meetings or can be obtained by
contacting Nancy Swanton at (907) 271-6622 (voice) or (907) 271-6507
(fax). The newsletter will describe in more detail the proposed
project, possible alternatives, and the EIS process. If you wish to be
placed on the mailing list to receive further information as the EIS
process develops, also contact Nancy Swanton at the above address, fax,
or telephone number.
PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS: Comments and suggestions will be solicited at
public scoping meetings to be held:
March 22, 1994, Seward, IMS K.M. Rae Building, 125 Third Avenue, 7
to 9:30 p.m.
March 24, 1994, Anchorage, Trustee Council Meeting Room, 645 G
Street, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
These scoping meetings will include a brief presentation about the
proposed project and the NEPA process. They also will provide an
opportunity for interested persons to make comments on environmental
issues and alternatives to be considered in the EIS. All comments
received will be made part of the administrative record and will be
considered as part of the EIS process.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOI, on behalf of the EVOS Trustee
Council, is preparing an EIS on a proposal to construct infrastructure
improvements to the IMS in Seward, Alaska. The EVOS Trustee Council is
comprised of the designees of the Administrator for the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Secretary of the Department
of Agriculture, the Secretary of the DOI, and the Commissioner of the
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), the Commissioner of the
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Alaska
Attorney General. The EVOS Trustee Council is responsible for decisions
relating to the assessment of injuries, uses of the joint restoration
funds, and all restoration activities relating to the proposed project.
The scoping process will help determine the scope issues and
possible alternatives to be addressed in the EIS. Scoping will be
conducted consistent with NEPA guidelines. On behalf of the Trustee
Council, the DOI will serve as the lead agency on the EIS. The ADF&G
will be the primary coordinating agency on behalf of the State of
Alaska.
Scoping
The DOI, on behalf of the EVOS Trustee Council, invites interested
individuals, organizations, and Federal, State, and local agencies to
participate in defining the alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS,
and in identifying any significant social, economic, or environmental
issues related to the alternatives. Scoping comments can be made
verbally at the public scoping meetings or in writing (see Contact and
Dates sections above for location and time of scoping meetings and name
and location for sending written comments). During scoping, comments
should focus on identifying specific issues and alternatives to be
evaluated in the Draft EIS. A NEPA team comprised of interested State
and Federal Agencies and the project consultants will evaluate the
comments and produce a scoping report which will summarize the comments
and identify the environmental issues and alternatives that will be
addressed in the Draft EIS. Additional opportunity to comment on
environmental issues and alternatives will be provided upon completion
of the Draft EIS.
Project Purposes, Historical Background, and Project Description
Improvements to the existing infrastructure at the IMS in Seward
are required to improve the Trustee Council's capabilities to restore
marine mammals, marine birds, and the ecosystem injured by the Exxon
Valdez oil spill. The improvements are intended to help focus and carry
out a long term research and monitoring program for he EVOS area as
part of an overall restoration plan.
The Seward Marine Center, which is the site of the proposed
project, has been operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF),
IMS since 1970. The IMS operates a program that consists of vessel
operations, research, and education. The existing laboratory has the
only running seawater system in the northern Gulf of Alaska region and
a variety of marine biological and medical research is undertaken
through the UAF research and graduate student training program. The
areas of study include oceanography, marine biology, physiology, and
ecology.
The proposed improvements are to be located in the adjacent to the
existing Seward Marine Center. The research component would consist of
approximately 39,000 square feet of interior space made up of wet and
dry laboratories, staff offices, library, and building support systems
for studies of marine mammals, marine birds, and other marine life.
There would also be approximately 50,000 square feet of exterior space
containing a wave barrier, outdoor research habitat, tanks, and pools
for pinnipeds, sea otters, and marine bird species. The outdoor and
indoor facilities will be supported by an upgraded life support system
using sea water from Resurrection Bay. Additionally, a two-person
research submersible and 130 foot research vessel/tender would be
stationed at the existing Seward Marine Center dock and an upgraded
warehouse facility.
It is anticipated that approximately 20,000 square feet of
additional interior space will be constructed adjacent to the research
institute for public education and visitation activities. This
component would consist of lobby and viewing areas, interpretive
exhibits, administrative offices, public restrooms, and a gift shop.
Revenue from public education and visitation would be used to help
offset the operational costs of the proposed improvements.
Overall, it is anticipated that the total project capital budget
would be approximately $47,000,000 of which approximately $25,000,000
would come from the EVOS Trustee Council joint restoration funds. The
EVOS Trustee Council would not fund the public education/visitation
component of the project.
Alternatives
The EIS will consider a no-action alternative and other
alternatives developed during the scoping process. These will include
but are not limited to alternatives concerning the location of the
proposed improvements in Seward and the scope and nature of the
research and public education/visitation components of the project.
Probable Effects
The NEPA team will evaluate potential environmental, social, and
economic impacts of the alternatives in the EIS. Potential impacts
include, but are not limited to, changes in traffic patterns, changes
in the social environment, changes in land use and aesthetics, changes
in local intertidal biota resulting from construction of a wave
barrier, changes in recreation and tourism patterns, and conformance to
city planning and zoning requirements. The impacts will be evaluated
both for the construction period and for the life of the project.
Measures to mitigate adverse impacts will be addressed.
Procedures
A Draft EIS will be prepared based on the scoping report. The Draft
EIS should be available in late June 1994 for public and agency review
and comment; and public hearings will be held. A Final EIS will be
prepared to address any comments on the Draft EIS.
Dated: March 4, 1994.
George T. Frampton, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
[FR Doc. 94-5394 Filed 3-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M
