[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77392-77393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9854]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for 
Navigation Improvements and Airport, Little Diomede Island, AK

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska, intends to prepare a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to evaluate the feasibility 
of a small boat harbor and, in collaboration with other agencies, 
opportunities for economic development and air transportation 
capability for the community of Little Diomede Island, AK. Ignaluk on 
Little Diomede Island, population 170, is a coastal community on the 
west side of Little Diomede Island, approximately 135 miles northwest 
of Nome. The community of Wales on the mainland is 27 miles from Little 
Diomede Island. Big Diomede Island, Russia, is 2 miles west of Little 
Diomede Island.
    The community of Ignaluk is a small and very remote community in 
the Bering Sea. Transportation to Little Diomede is by air or sea. Due 
to the normal severe weather and sea conditions, any method of travel 
can be risky. A landing strip constructed on sea ice in the winter 
provides fixed-wing airplane access approximately 3 months of the year. 
Helicopters and boats are used during summer. High waves and rocky 
shores often make landing by boat difficult. A constant wind blows 15 
knots with gusts up to 80 knots. Cloudy skies and fog are prevalent in 
the summer. There is no scheduled cargo ship schedule, and only barges 
and landing craft come close to the island; few actually land. There is 
weekly mail delivery by helicopter. Transportation of goods and 
services is expensive and medical evacuation is very difficult. The 
lack of access is a barrier to the economic future of the community and 
could force relocation of the entire community to the mainland. The 
draft EIS would also study any multi-use value of the airport and boat 
harbor projects for coastal storm damage reduction.
    The DEIS will determine whether Federal action is warranted and 
will define alternative actions for Congressional consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lizette Boyer (907) 753-2637, Alaska 
District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Resources Section 
(CEPOA-EN-CW-ER), P.O. Box 6898, Elmendorf AFB, AK 99506-0898. E-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This study is authorized under the Rivers 
and Harbors Act. The people of Little Diomede Island have lived on the 
Bering Sea coast for at least 2,000 years. Relative isolation from 
outside influences has enabled the area to retain its traditions and 
customs.
    The DEIS will consider various small boat harbor and investigate 
rock quarry sources for large armor stone and smaller sized rock for 
fill. The feasibility of the project depends on the availability of 
developing a quarry site on the island close to the community. A 
decision will be made if there is sufficient quantity and quality for 
the small boat harbor and other uses. The community will decide if 
community relocation is an option they want to take.
    Issues: The DEIS will address Ignaluk need to become more 
economically viable through commercial fishing and accessibility to the 
mainland. Becoming more accessible to the outside world could impact 
community identity by allowing more social contact with off islanders. 
At the same time, accessibility to the island is key to quality of life 
issues such as sanitary water and sewer, health services, and general 
goods and services to people. The DEIS will address the importance of 
maintaining the community's traditional lifestyles, while providing 
modern infrastructure.
    The Bering Strait is an important habitat area for marine life. It 
provides the only passage for marine birds and mammals that move 
seasonally between the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. The upwelling 
and turbulence resulting from the water currents passing through the 
Bering Strait produces waters unusually rich in crustacean plankton 
which, in turn, support a large population of marine birds. The steep 
slopes of Little Diomede Island rise abruptly from the sea and provide 
nesting habitat for 13 species of seabirds. The island is the site of 
the largest kittiwake colony in the Northern

[[Page 77393]]

Bering Sea. It also has the largest auklet population in Alaska.
    Constructability criteria include geologic stability, availability, 
and cost effectiveness of an armor rock and fill quarry sources. 
Environmental issues include effects to sea bird nesting habitat, fish 
and wildlife resources, social well being, cultural resources and 
justifiable and practicable mitigation measures. Other resources and 
concerns will be identified through scoping, public involvement, and 
interagency coordination.
    Scoping: A copy of this notice and additional public information 
will be sent to interested parties to initiate scoping. All parties are 
invited to participate in the scoping process by identifying any 
additional concerns, issues, studies, and alternatives that should be 
considered. A scoping meeting will be held on Little Diomede Island, 
AK, in the February/March 2007 time frame. The DEIS is scheduled for 
release in 2009.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 06-9854 Filed 12-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-NL-M