[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 79 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 20018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10553]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement for Development of the Palau Compact Road, Babeldaob Island,
Republic of Palau
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior announces that the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for development of the Palau
Compact Road, Babeldaob Island, Republic of Palau is available for
public review and comment.
DATES: The Office of the Secretary will consider written information
and comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement received by
June 9, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft EIS should be submitted to Mr. Allen
Chin, CEPOD-ET-E, U.S. Army Engineer District, Honolulu, Fort Shafter,
HI 96858-5440. Copies of this document may be obtained by writing to
the above address or by calling 808-438-6974.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Allen Chin, CEPOD-ET-E, U.S. Army Engineer District, Honolulu, Fort
Shafter, HI 96858-5440, telephone (808) 438-6974.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proponent for the Proposed Action
discussed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is the
United States Department of the Interior as program manager and on
behalf of the United States of America.
Operating under the authority of the Compact of Free Association
which became effective on October 1, 1994, the United States of America
agreed to assist the Republic of Palau in its efforts to advance the
economic development and self-sufficiency of the people of Palau.
Concomitantly, the two governments entered into a joint agreement for
the construction of a major road system on the island of Babeldaob in
accordance with section 212(a) of the Compact of Free Association and
as implemented by certain nation-to-nation agreements.
The Department of the Interior published a Notice of Intent to
prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement in the Federal Register
on March 7, 1996. Scoping meetings were held for governmental agencies
and the public on April 24, 1996. Intensive scoping was also conducted
during a Social Impact Assessment prepared under contract for the
Department of the Interior.
The Proposed Action in the DEIS calls for construction of a safe,
high-quality, all-weather, two-lane vehicular road system on the island
of Babeldaob. This roadway has been configured as a loop system with a
northern spur to serve as a direct transportation and communication
link between the 10 states on Babeldaob Island. Additionally, the road
would provide access through, or proximal to, known areas having
potential for agricultural, forestry, mining and quarrying, industry
and tourism, and water resource and port development. It would also
provide a land-based transportation corridor to and from the proposed
site of the Republic of Palau's new capital in Melekeok State.
In addition to the Proposed Action, the following three primary
alternatives were assessed: Alternative Transportation Systems,
Alternative Roadway Alignment Schemes, and No Action. Alternatives
Transportation Systems include enhanced use of coastal waters and the
ocean as a transit surface by wind-powered sailing craft, individually-
owned motorized vessels, or water buses and ferries, and a land-based
mass transit system such as a bus system with exclusive roadway, fixed
guideway, or rail system. Alternative Roadway Alignment Schemes include
a single north-south roadway alignment along the central axis (spine)
of Babeldaob Island, and a radial system converging on the future
Republic of Palau capital to be sited in Melekeok State. No Action
refers to noncompliance with section 212(a) of the Compact of Free
Association and certain nation-to-nation agreements, no provision for a
new, paved roadway system, and perpetuation of the existing land-based
transportation system on Babeldaob Island.
The selection of a Proposed Action in the Draft EIS does not
constitute a final decision. The Final EIS, as well as comments
submitted on the Draft EIS, will be used by the Department of the
Interior in reaching a final decision and developing a final array of
measures to avoid, reduce, or mitigate adverse impact. The Record of
Decision will be approved at least 30 days after publication of the
Final EIS to allow for public review and comment.
Supplemental NEPA documents may be prepared after contract award to
address any substantive changes from the Proposed Action or substantive
change in environmental impacts.
A Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact
Statement will also be published by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) in the Federal Register and by the Department of the
Interior in newspapers in the Republic of Palau.
Ferdinand Aranza,
Deputy Director, Office of Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 97-10553 Filed 4-23-97; 8:45 am]
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