[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]
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