[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1566-1567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-631]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on 
the Proposed Disposal and Reuse of Naval Air Station Agana, Guam

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), the 
Department of the Navy announces its intent to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the environmental effects of the 
proposed disposal of land, buildings, and infrastructure, and their 
subsequent reuse of the former Naval Air Station (NAS) Agana, Guam. 
This action is being conducted in accordance with the Defense Base 
Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-510) and the 
specific 1993 base closure and realignment decisions which became 
effective in September 1993.
    NAS Agana, now known as Tinyan, was closed in March 1995. The 
runway and aviation related facilities are being leased on an interim 
basis to the Guam Airport Authority (GAA) Facilities not related to 
civil aviation are being leased to the Government of Guam. The proposed 
action involves the disposal of approximately 1,823 acres of land and 
infrastructure. 

[[Page 1567]]

    Alternatives addressed in the EIS will focus on the disposal and 
reuse of designated property, including the Government of Guam's reuse 
scenario. The Government of Guam's reuse plan has three principal 
parts: the A.B. Wondpat International Airport, community reuse area 
(economic development and parks), and regional circulation improvements 
(three highways). Other uses that will be considered for the areas not 
needed for airport support include industrial, governmental, 
commercial, and residential. The EIS will discuss environmental impacts 
resulting from the construction and operation of facilities, new 
airport operations, and airport related uses, as well as expected 
associated impacts to the local communities resulting from disposal and 
reuse of NAS Agana. Major environmental issues that will be addressed 
in the EIS will include, but not be limited to, impacts on cultural 
resources, terrestrial and aquatic habitats, storm water runoff, noise, 
air quality, traffic, and community.
    The Navy will initiate a scoping process for the purpose of 
determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the 
significant issues related to this action. The Navy will hold two 
public scoping meetings on Wednesday, January 24, 1996, beginning at 
2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Governor's Cabinet Conference Room to 
the Executive Building in Adelup, Guam. Federal Government closure 
during the period of January 8-10, 1996, delayed notification in the 
Federal Register; however, complete, and timely notification has been 
advertised in local and regional newspapers.
    A brief presentation will precede requests for public comment and 
identification of additional scoping items. Navy representatives will 
be available at this meeting to receive comments from the public 
regarding issues of concern. It is important that federal, state, and 
local agencies and interested individuals take this opportunity to 
identify environmental concerns that should be addressed during 
preparation of the EIS. In the interest of available time, each speaker 
will be asked to limit oral comments to three minutes.

ADDRESSES: Agencies and the public are also invited and encouraged to 
provide written comments in addition to, or in lieu of, oral comments 
at the public meeting. To be most helpful, scoping comments should 
clearly describe specific issues or topics which the commentator 
believes the EIS should address. Written statements and or questions 
regarding the scoping process should be mailed to: Commanding Officer, 
Pacific Division, Naval Facility Engineering Command, Pearl Harbor, HI 
96860-7300, (Attn.: Mr. John Bigay, 239), telephone (808) 471-7130. All 
comments must be received no later than February 16, 1996.

    Dated: January 16, 1996.
M.D. Schetzsle,
LT, JAGC, USNR, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-631 Filed 1-19-96; 8:45 am]
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