[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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