[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23367]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 21, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary
[FES 94-29]

 

Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed 
Institute of Marine Science Infrastructure Improvement Project Located 
in Seward, AK

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior (DOI).

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed Institute of Marine Science Infrastructure 
Improvement Project.

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SUMMARY: The DOI, as lead Federal Agency on behalf of the Exxon Valdez 
Oil Spill (EVOS) Trustee Council, announces the availability of the 
Final EIS for the Proposed Institute of Marine Science (IMS) 
Infrastructure Improvement Project. Single copies of the Final EIS or 
the Final EIS summary can be obtained from the Oil Spill Public 
Information Center, 645 G Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. Telephone 
Numbers: (907) 278-8008, (800) 478-7745 (within Alaska), or (800) 283-
7745 (outside Alaska). Copies of the Final EIS have been sent to public 
libraries in Seward, Homer, Kodiak, Valdez, Cordova, Kenai, Anchorage, 
Fairbanks, and Juneau, among others, as well as the DOI Library in 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information about the EIS can be 
obtained from Nancy K. Swanton, DOI EIS Project Manager, 949 East 36th 
Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99508-4302. Telephone Numbers: (907) 271-6622 
(voice) or (907) 271-6507 (fax).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Introduction

    The DOI, as lead Federal Agency on behalf of the EVOS Trustee 
Council, has prepared a Final EIS on a proposal to construct 
infrastructure improvements to the IMS in Seward, Alaska. The EVOS 
Trustee Council is considering providing funding for a portion of this 
project. The Council is comprised of the designees of the 
Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the 
Secretary of Agriculture; the Secretary of Interior; and the 
Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game; 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.
    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
the Final EIS presents analyses of the environmental--including social 
and economic--effects that would be anticipated if the proposed 
improvements to the IMS in Seward were to occur as presently 
envisioned. In addition, the EIS assesses the effects of an alternative 
to the proposal that would eliminate the public education and 
visitation component, and construct only a research and wildlife 
rehabilitation component. Lastly, a no action alternative is assessed 
to determine the effects on the environment should the proposed 
improvements not be made.

B. The Proposed IMS Infrastructure Improvement Project

    The EVOS Trustee Council is proposing to improve the existing 
infrastructure at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks IMS in Seward, 
Alaska, to enhance the EVOS Trustee Council's capabilities to study 
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 the EVOS area as 
part of an overall restoration plan. The project would be constructed 
adjacent to the existing campus of the IMS Seward Marine Center, and 
would have two components: (1) a research and wildlife rehabilitation 
component and (2) a public education and visitation component.
    The research and wildlife rehabilitation component would consist of 
approximately 22,000 square feet of interior space comprised of wet and 
dry laboratories, staff offices, and a library for studies and 
rehabilitation of marine mammals, marine birds, and other wildlife. 
There also would be approximately 46,000 square feet of exterior space 
containing outdoor research habitat, tanks, and pools for pinnipeds, 
sea otters, and marine bird species. A 50-space, 37,000 square foot, 
parking lot for staff vehicles would be constructed adjacent to the 
existing IMS Rae Building parking lot. A research vessel and 
submersible may be acquired for research purposes.
    The public education and visitation component would include 
approximately 20,000 square feet of additional interior space to 
promote public awareness of the marine environment. It would function 
in concert with, and in support of, the research and wildlife 
rehabilitation component. This component would include exhibits, 
interpretive displays, and public areas. A 166-space, 90,000 square 
foot, parking lot for visitors would be built adjacent to the education 
and visitor component. No joint EVOS restoration funds would be 
involved in the construction or maintenance of the public education and 
visitation component.
    The two components would share approximately 27,000 square feet of 
interior building-support space, including the life support system and 
the facility's mechanical, administrative, and curatorial functions.
    Funding for the proposed project would come, in large part, from 
EVOS funds. Overall, the total project capital budget is anticipated to 
be approximately $47.5 million, of which approximately $37.5 million 
would come from EVOS funds. Twelve and one-half million dollars of 
State EVOS restitution funds were appropriated by the Alaska 
Legislature in 1993 to the City of Seward for the planning, design, and 
construction of the proposed project. In addition, approximately $25 
million of EVOS monies have been requested to fund the research and 
wildlife rehabilitation component of the proposed project. Lastly, it 
is anticipated that approximately $10 million would be raised privately 
to fund the public education and visitation component of the proposed 
project. Revenue from public education and visitation would be used to 
help offset the operational costs of all of the proposed improvements.

C. The NEPA Process

    On March 9, 1994, the DOI, as lead Federal Agency on behalf of the 
EVOS Trustee Council, published a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS on 
the Proposed IMS Infrastructure Improvement Project (59 FR 11082-1183). 
Scoping commenced on that date. Scoping meetings were held in Seward 
and Anchorage, Alaska, on March 22 and 24, 1994, respectively. Public 
notices announcing these meetings and requesting comments were 
published in EVOS-area newspapers; and a scoping newsletter was 
distributed widely throughout the EVOS area and beyond. In addition to 
comments and suggestions received at the scoping meetings, over 300 
written responses were received. These comments were evaluated by the 
DOI and form the basis for the topics, issues, and alternatives 
addressed in the EIS.
    A 45-day public comment period on the Draft EIS followed the June 
24, 1994, publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register (59 FR 32697). The 
public comment period ended on August 8, 1994. Public hearings on the 
Draft EIS were held in Seward and Anchorage, Alaska, respectively, on 
July 26 and 28, 1994. A total of four individuals presented testimony 
at these hearings. A total of 31 comment letters were received on the 
Draft EIS--eight from Federal Agencies, four from state agencies, one 
from the City of Seward, three from groups or organizations, and 15 
from individuals. Most of the comments on the Draft EIS addressed 
concerns regarding: (1) traffic and transportation, (2) quality of life 
in and near Seward, (3) recreation resources, (4) archaeological and 
historic resources, (5) the possible Alaska Marine Highway ferry 
relocation, and (6) the feasibility of the proposed project. Comments 
regarding project propriety have been referred to the EVOS Trustee 
Council for its consideration. Although the use of EVOS settlement 
funds is a significant issue to be addressed with public input, it is 
not an environmental issue and, thus, is not analyzed in the EIS. All 
written and oral comments on the Draft EIS were reviewed, and responses 
were prepared for 231 comments. The Final EIS reflects revisions made 
as a result of public comments received. The effect levels predicted in 
the Draft EIS did not change for the Final EIS.
    A Record of Decision will be issued no earlier than 30 days after 
EPA's Notice of Availability for the Final EIS appears in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: September 16, 1994.
George T. Frampton, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the 
Interior.
[FR Doc. 94-23367 Filed 9-20-94; 8:45 am]
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