[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 73 (Friday, April 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17879-17880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8623]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Repair Kalaupapa Dock Structures To Ensure Continued Barge 
Service; Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Hawaii; Notice of Intent 
To Prepare Environmental Impact Statement

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for all repairs of Kalaupapa dock 
structures as may be necessary to ensure continued barge service for 
Kalaupapa National Historical Park (NHP) and community residents. 
Kalaupapa NHP was established on the island of Molokai in 1980 in 
recognition of the significant role of this extremely isolated area in 
the development of treatments and care for persons with Hansen's 
disease. The proposed project may include stabilization and repair of 
the failing bulkhead wall and toe structure located adjacent to the 
pier; repair and reconstruction of the severely cracked and 
deteriorating concrete pier; replacement of mooring dolphins to used to 
secure barges; and dredging and potentially blasting to widen the 
berthing channel. Timely repair of the structures is needed to avoid 
any disruption of incoming barge service upon which Kalaupapa NHP and 
community residents depend for their livelihood (as well as regular 
outgoing service required for the park's recycling program and other 
activities).
    The National Park Service (NPS) previously conducted public scoping 
during spring and summer 2008, and began preparing an environmental 
assessment. A community meeting was conducted in March, 2008. Oral and 
written comments were obtained from the Kalaupapa patient community and 
park neighbors; state, county, and federal agencies, including Hawaii 
Department of Health, the State Historic Preservation Officer, and U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service; interested organizations; and Native 
Hawaiian groups. Based on information obtained, particularly concerning 
the degree to which potential impacts could adversely affect several 
species protected under the Endangered Species Act, the NPS has 
determined that preparation of an EIS is warranted. Moreover the dock 
and harbor setting are deemed to be potential contributing elements to 
the National Historic Landmark status of Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement 
made famous by Father Damien.

[[Page 17880]]


DATES: All written comments must be postmarked or transmitted not later 
than June 8, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Current information about proposed 
repairs to Kalaupapa dock or design of appurtenant structures will be 
available from Superintendent Steve Prokop, Kalaupapa National 
Historical Park, P.O. Box 2222, Kalaupapa, HI 96742 (808) 567-6802 (or 
at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/kala).
    Scoping Process: The NPS will formally conclude the public scoping 
phase (needed to inform preparation of a Draft EIS) following receipt 
of any and all comments as noted above. All previously submitted 
comments are documented in the administrative record; only new issues 
and concerns need to be submitted at this time. During this final 
scoping period, public meetings will also be conducted--the dates, 
times, and locations will be announced via local and regional press 
media and on the project website (noted above). Confirmed details may 
also be obtained by contacting the Superintendent of Kalaupapa NHP.
    All new relevant environmental information, or additional comments 
on any issues that may be associated with the proposed project, should 
be submitted by mail to the attention of the Superintendent (address as 
noted above, or you may submit comments electronically at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/kala). Before including your address, phone 
number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including 
your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Decision Process: All information and comments received will be 
carefully considered in preparing a Draft EIS, availability of which 
will be similarly announced in the Federal Register. Following release 
of the Draft EIS for public and agency review, a Final EIS will be 
prepared. As a delegated EIS, the official responsible for approval of 
any dock repair project is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region, 
National Park Service. Notice of approval of a Record of Decision will 
also be published in the Federal Register. The official responsible for 
implementation of the approved project will be the Superintendent, 
Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

    Dated: December 30, 2008.
Jonathan B. Jarvis,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.

    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on April 10, 2009.
[FR Doc. E9-8623 Filed 4-16-09; 8:45 am]
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