[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48481-48482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24271]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Schofield Barracks 
Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Treatment and Disposal, Oahu, HI

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This Notice of Availability is for a Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (DEIS) to assess the effects of implementing a system 
to dispose of wastewater effluent from Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army 
Airfield, and adjacent military lands.

DATES: Written public comments received within 45 days of the 
publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of 
Availability for this action will be addressed in the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be forwarded to: U.S. Army Engineer 
District, Honolulu, ATTN: CEPOH-ED-E (Mr. Edward Yamada), Fort Shafter, 
HI 96858-5440.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Edward Yamada at (808) 438-5421 or fax: (808) 438-7801.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the lead alternative, the Army would 
improve its Schofield Barracks Wastewater Treatment Plant to provide a 
higher quality effluent that would meet new State of Hawaii guidelines 
for effluent reuse. Part of the effluent would be used to irrigate two 
Army golf courses. The balance would then be provided to Dole Foods 
Corporation and possibly other agricultural interests for irrigation 
reuse in Central Oahu. Wet weather discharge would be into Lake Wilson, 
an agricultural reservoir owned by Dole Foods Corporation. The lead 
alternative would preclude the construction of a long pipeline to the 
coastline and avoid disposal into the ocean.
    Other alternatives considered by the DEIS include the no action 
alternative, which would limit the use of the Army effluent under the 
State of Hawaii guidelines for effluent reuse, and a joint project with 
the City and County of Honolulu (CCH) that would require construction 
of a new 14-mile pipeline from Central Oahu to the CCH's Honouliuli 
Wastewater Treatment Plant at the Ewa area.
    None of the alternatives considered, with the possible exception of 
the no action alternative, are anticipated to have significant 
environmental impact. The Army's lead alternative provides the most 
potential for effluent reuse in Central Oahu.
    Public scoping meetings have been held and public meetings will be 
held after distribution of the DEIS. All interested individuals, 
private organizations, and government agencies are encouraged to 
provide input into the EIS review process.
    Coordination will be undertaken with adjoining land owners; the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; other Federal agencies; State of 
Hawaii agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Land 
and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Department of 
Business and Economic Development, Office of State Planning, and Office 
of Environmental Quality Control; City and County of Honolulu agencies 
such as Board of Water Supply, Department of Public Works, Department 
of Land Utilization, and Department of General Planning; and 
organizations such as the Mililani and Wahiawa Neighborhood Boards.
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will act as an agent and point of 
contact for the proponent 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army 
Hawaii.


[[Page 48482]]


    Dated: September 4, 1998.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health), OASA (I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 98-24271 Filed 9-9-98; 8:45 am]
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