[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14953-14954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6426]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Proposed Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning Project, Honolulu, 
HI

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District has prepared a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to inform a decision on an 
application from Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, LLC to construct a 
seawater air conditioning system (SWAC) at Kaka`ako on the south shore 
of O`ahu. The applicant's overall project purpose is to provide a 
renewable-energy air conditioning system for downtown Honolulu 
buildings. In order to obtain deep, cold seawater to chill fresh water 
that would circulate through the SWAC system and return it to the ocean 
after it has passed through onshore heat exchangers, the applicant 
proposes to construct intake and return pipelines in adjacent coastal 
waters. The proposed pipeline staging and installation sites are 
located within the navigable waters of the United States and the 
proposed activity is subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers. Proposed onshore improvements and upland infrastructure 
are briefly described to provide an overview of the project, but their 
impacts to terrestrial environmental resources are not a primary focus 
of the document.
    Of primary federal concern are potential effects of proposed in-
water construction, including the discharge of fill material at the 
offshore pipeline receiving pit, and operation of the system on the 
quality of the human environment. The DEIS considers alternative 
cooling technologies, cooling station designs and locations, pipeline 
installation methods, diffuser location and depth, and intake design. 
It evaluates two alternatives involving different pipeline alignments. 
Identified environmental resources potentially affected include marine 
biota and habitat; water quality; navigation and other human use; 
noise; and air quality.

DATES: All written comments must be postmarked or electronically 
transmitted on or before May 2, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted in writing to: Mr. Peter C.

[[Page 14954]]

Galloway, Project Manager; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu 
District; Regulatory Branch (CEPOH-EC-R); Building 230; Fort Shafter, 
HI 96858-5440. Comments may also be submitted via e-mail to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter C. Galloway at (808) 438-8416, 
or via e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To obtain, utilize, and return deep, cold 
seawater, Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, LLC (applicant) proposes 
to construct a 63-inch diameter seawater intake pipe extending offshore 
approximately four miles, to a depth of 1,600 to 1,800 feet; a 54-inch 
diameter seawater return pipe extending offshore approximately 3,500 
feet, to a depth of 150 feet; an on-shore cooling station containing 
pumps, heat exchangers and auxiliary chillers; and a network of upland 
distribution pipes to circulate cooled fresh water from the station to 
customer buildings in the downtown area. In addition, the applicant 
proposes to use an area along the western shore of Sand Island and the 
adjoining channel area of Ke`ehi Lagoon for pipeline assembly and 
staging prior to towing and installing the lines at the project site. 
Individual pipe segments would be heat-fused to form longer segments 
and then flange-bolted to form a continuous line.
    At the project site, the pipelines would be buried from behind the 
shore to some depth offshore in order to reduce negative impacts to the 
benthic environment and to protect the pipes from high waves and storm 
surge in the nearshore zone. An offshore receiving pit would be 
excavated and backfilled at the pipeline ``breakout'' location. The 
offshore portions of the intake and return pipelines, which would be 
installed adjacent to each other, would be supported on pre-cast 
concrete supports which would be placed on the pipelines prior to their 
filling and sinking at the project site. The seaward end of the intake 
line would be unscreened and would terminate in a right-angle elbow, 
such that water would be drawn down into the pipe from about 14 feet 
above the sea bottom. The seaward end of the return pipeline would 
terminate in a diffuser section extending from depths of 120 to 150 
feet.
    The proposed project would involve work or structures in or 
affecting the course, condition, location or capacity of navigable 
waters of the United States. It would also involve the discharge of 
dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. Federal 
authorization of the project will therefore require issuance of a 
Department of the Army (DA) permit pursuant to both Section 10 of the 
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403) and Section 404 of the 
Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344).
    USACE invites participation in the EIS process of federal, state 
and local agencies; Hawaiian organizations, individuals and 
practitioners; and other interested private organizations and parties.
    An electronic version of the DEIS may be viewed by visiting the 
USACE Honolulu District Web site at http://www.poh.usace.army.mil and 
selecting ``Public Notices'', then the link provided within the listing 
for Special Public Notice No. POH-2004-01141. A CD copy of the document 
may be obtained by contacting Mr. Galloway in writing at the mailing 
address or the contact e-mail address above. In addition, a hard copy 
of the DEIS may also be viewed at the Hawaii State Library (Hawaii & 
Pacific Section), 478 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813.

    Dated: February 16, 2011.
Douglas B. Guttormsen,
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Commanding.
[FR Doc. 2011-6426 Filed 3-17-11; 8:45 am]
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