[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 9191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5380]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary


Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Palau Compact Road 
Project

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: In this notice the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) states its 
intent to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 
proposed Palau Compact Road Project, Babeldaob Island, Republic of 
Palau.

DATES: Two scoping meetings are scheduled in Honolulu, HI and Koror, 
Palau in April 1996 which will be open to individuals or organizations. 
Specific dates, locations and times of the meetings will be announced 
in the local news media and by public notices. Comments and suggestions 
should be received not later than 15 days following the public scoping 
meetings to be considered in the EIS.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons or organizations should submit comments 
to the Director, Office of Insular Affairs, 1849 C Street, NW., Mail 
Stop 4328, Washington, D.C. 20240 (202-208-4736 voice, 202-208-7585 
facsimile), or District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific 
Ocean Division, Building 230, Fort Shafter, HI 96858 (808-438-7974 
voice, 808-438-7801 facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tom Bussanich, Office of Insular Affairs (202-208-6971 voice, 202-208-
7585 facsimile) or Allen Chin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (808-438-
7974 voice, 808-438-7801 facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Compact of Free Association between the 
United States Government and the Republic of Palau (ROP) became 
effective on October 1, 1994. In accordance with Annex A of the 
Agreement Regarding Construction Projects in Palau Concluded Pursuant 
to Section 212(a) of the Compact, the United States Government is 
obligated to construct a 53-mile road, 18 feet wide, with double 
bituminous surface treatment and two-foot-wide shoulders on each side, 
on Babeldaob Island in the Republic of Palau. The U.S. Department of 
the Interior (DOI) has selected the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Pacific Ocean Division, Honolulu Engineer District as the Project 
Manager for all aspects of the road project, including planning, 
environmental documentation, design and construction. In lieu of this 
Compact-defined road, the ROP and the U.S. DOI reached an agreement 
which allows for the road to be upgraded to one with an asphalt 
concrete surface and up to 24 feet wide, of undetermined length, but 
not more than 53 miles.
    The road will be constructed with proper drainage, adequate 
crossings over streams and rivers to meet the 50-year storm event, and 
with safety features such as guard-rails, barriers and warnings signs 
where needed. The project will not include sidewalks and curbs, roadway 
lighting, and traffic signals.

Alternatives

    a. No Action.
    b. Different alignments of a road system.
    c. Different configurations of the proposed action.

Scoping

    Comments received as a result of this notice will be used to assist 
the Department of the Interior in identifying potential impacts to the 
quality of the human environment. Individuals or organizations may 
participate in the scoping process by written comment or by attending 
one of two scoping meetings which are scheduled to be held in Honolulu, 
Hawaii and in Koror, Palau in April 1996. The locations, dates and 
times for the scoping meetings will be announced in the local news 
media and by public notices. Comments and suggestions should be 
received not later than 15 days following the public scoping meetings 
in order to be considered in the DEIS.
Allen P. Stayman,
Director.
[FR Doc. 96-5380 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
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