[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 113 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32996-32997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13271]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Ala 
Wai Canal Project, Hawaii

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Hawaii Department of Land 
and Natural Resources will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the alternatives and potential impacts associated with the 
Ala Wai Canal Project Feasibility Study. This effort could result in a 
multi-purpose project being proposed under Section 209 of the Flood 
Control Act of 1962 (Pub. L. 87-874) and will incorporate both flood 
hazard reduction and ecosystem restoration components into a single, 
comprehensive strategy.

DATES: In order to be considered in the draft EIS (DEIS), comments and 
suggestions should be received no later than July 14, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Honolulu District, ATTN: Mr. Derek Chow, Senior Project Manager, Civil 
and Public Works Branch (CEPOH-PP-C), Rm 312, Bldg 230, Fort Shafter, 
HI 96858-5440.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions or comments concerning the 
proposed action should be addressed to Mr. Derek Chow, Project Manager, 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, Civil Works Branch, 
Building 230, Fort Shafter, HI 96858-5440, telephone 808-438-7019, E-
mail: [email protected] or Mr. Andrew Monden, Planning 
Branch Head, State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, 
Engineering Division, P.O. Box 373, Honolulu, HI 96809, telephone 808-
587-0227, E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 11,069-acre Ala Wai watershed is located 
in the southern portion of the island of Oahu and includes the sub-
watersheds of Makiki, Manoa, Palolo, and Waikiki. Approximately 1,746 
structures exist within the designated 100-year flood plain. The 
proposals being investigated incorporate both flood hazard reduction 
and ecosystem restoration into a single, comprehensive strategy. The 
Ala Wai Canal watershed is highly urbanized and characterized by 
significant environmental degradation, including heavy sedimentation, 
poor water quality, lack of habitat for native species, and a 
prevalence of alien species. Additionally, there exists a high 
potential for massive flood damage to the densely populated and 
economically critical area of Waikiki and the adjacent neighborhoods of 
McCully and Moilili. The EIS and the Feasibility Study for the Ala Wai 
Canal Project will be conducted concurrently. The EIS will evaluate 
potential impacts to the natural, physical, and human environment as a 
result of implementing any of the proposed flood hazard reduction and 
ecosystem restoration alternatives arising during the study.
    Goals of the Ala Wai Canal Feasibility Study are to identify 
alternatives that will (1) Protect Waikiki and the surrounding areas 
from the 100-year flood event, (2) improve the migratory pathway for 
native amphidromous species, (3) reduce sediment buildup in the streams 
and Ala Wai Canal, and (4) enhance the physical quality of existing 
aquatic habitat for native species. Anticipated significant issues 
identified to date and to be addressed in the EIS include: (1) Impacts 
on flood control, (2) impacts on stream hydraulics, (3) impacts on fish 
and wildlife resources and habitats, (4) impacts on recreation and 
recreation facilities, and (5) other impacts identified by the Public, 
agencies, or USACE studies. Evaluation of the flood hazard reduction 
alternatives will take into account a cost-benefit analysis and 
minimization of impacts to social resources, aesthetics, recreation, 
historic and cultural resources, and native species habitat. Evaluation 
of the ecosystem

[[Page 32997]]

restoration alternatives will be based on the area of habitat they 
create, improve, or provide access to, as well as their ability to 
complement flood hazard reduction measures and minimize adverse impacts 
to social, economic, cultural, historic, and recreational resources.
    A public scoping meeting will be held in the summer of 2004. The 
date and time of this meeting will be announced in general media and 
will be at a time and location convenient to the public. Interested 
parties are encouraged to express their views during the scoping 
process and throughout the development of the alternatives and the EIS. 
To be most helpful, comments should clearly describe specific 
environmental topics or issues which the commenter believes the 
document should address.
    The DEIS is anticipated to be available for public review in early 
2005, subject to the receipt of federal funding.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Alternate Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-13271 Filed 6-10-04; 8:45 am]
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