[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 48 (Friday, March 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 12976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5838]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
DeLong Mountain Terminal Navigation Improvements, Northwest Arctic 
Borough, Alaska

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Alaska District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, intends to 
prepare an EIS for navigation improvements for the DeLong Mountain 
Terminal in northwestern Alaska. The terminal loads ore concentrate 
from the world's largest zinc mine onto bulk carrier ships and imports 
fuels and supplies for the mine. Based on the results of a 
reconnaissance study, the Corps has determined there is a Federal 
interest in developing access for larger ships to the terminal to 
increase ore handling capacity for existing and future mining interests 
and to develop capability for a regional transportation hub. The Corps 
also has determined that the proposed action may have a significant 
effect on the quality of the human and natural environment. To comply 
with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
as amended, the Corps will prepare an EIS. The Corps will also prepare 
a feasibility report.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the project, 
alternatives, or the scoping process, contact Guy McConnell at (907) 
753-2614 Fax (907) 753-2625, U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska Attn: 
EN-CW-ER, P.O. Box 898, Anchorage AK 99506-0898. E-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Authority

    The feasibility study is authorized by a resolution adopted on 
December 2, 1970, by the Committee on Public Works of the U.S. House of 
Representatives. A reconnaissance study of navigation needs at DeLong 
Mountain Terminal and the region around it was completed in November 
1999 and determined a Federal interest in a navigation improvement 
project.

2. Alternatives

    A full range of alternatives addressing regional navigation needs 
will be identified during the scoping process and evaluated in the EIS 
and feasibility study. Principal project components and alternatives 
associated with them may include: mooring and loading facilities, which 
may be lengthened or expanded to increase capacity; a dredged channel 
to allow deep-draft ships to load ore concentrate directly and to 
unload directly without using lightering barges; an onshore airstrip 
and associated facilities to support transportation of fuel and goods 
to regional villages; and, a disposal area for dredged material. 
Additional alternatives identified during scoping, and the no-action 
alternative also will be evaluated.

3. Scoping Meetings and Opportunities to Comment

    Public scoping meetings will be held in Kivalina, Noatak, and 
Kotzebue, Alaska. Additional scoping meetings may be held in Fairbanks 
and Anchorage, Alaska, if there is sufficient interest. Meetings will 
be scheduled for times and places to best fit local needs and will be 
announced in newspapers, on television and radio, and by mailed public 
notices, and other appropriate means. Interested parties are invited to 
comment at the meetings or in writing or by e-mail to the contact 
address listed earlier in this notice. The public scoping comment 
period will remain open for at lest 60 days after publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register. Scoping comments received more than 60 
days after publication this notice will be given all possible 
consideration.

4. Issues To Be Considered

    Issues and concerns will be identified during the scoping process 
and will become the basis for the analysis of alternatives and 
environmental consequences in the EIS. Initial coordination and review 
of other actions in the area indicate that the following will be of 
concern and will be subjects of the EIS: Potential effects of the 
project on marine mammals (seals, whales, walrus, and polar bears), 
including their movements, feeding, other behavior, and their 
availability to the people of the region who kill them for food and 
other uses; potential effects of dredging and dredged material disposal 
on currents, ice movement, and marine organisms; potential effects of 
increased power generation, moored ships, and fugitive dust on air 
quality; and potential for the Federal action to induce additional 
mining and other regional development.

5. Availability

    The draft EIS is scheduled to be completed and released for public 
review in the spring of 2001.

    Dated: February 23, 2000.
Guy R. McConnell,
Chief, Environmental Resources Section.
[FR Doc. 00-5838 Filed 3-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-NL-M