[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 68 (Friday, April 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 19753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7735]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
`[Imacr]ao Stream Flood Control Project, Wailuku, Maui, HI

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(USACE) gives notice that a joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
is being prepared for the proposed action to correct a design 
deficiency in the existing `[Imacr]ao Stream Flood Control Project, 
Wailuku, Maui, HI. This effort is being proposed under Section 203 of 
the Flood Control Act of 1968 (Pub. L. 90-483) and is necessary to 
provide the authorized level of reduced flood risk to the town of 
Wailuku. The County of Maui, Department of Public Works (DPW) is the 
non-Federal sponsor and the lead agency for compliance with the Hawai`i 
law on Environmental Impact Statements.

DATES: Comments and suggestions on the scope of issues to be addressed 
in the Draft EIS (DEIS) should be received on or before May 9, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Honolulu District, ATTN: Nani Shimabuku, Project Manager, Civil and 
Public Works Branch (CEPOH-PP-C), Building 230, Fort Shafter, HI 96858-
5440. Submit electronic comments to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Further information is available on 
the Web site for the proposed action at http://www.iaostreameis.com or 
from Ms. Nani Shimabuku, Project Manager, Telephone: (808) 438-2940, E-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Proposed Action. The existing `[Imacr]ao Stream Flood Control 
Project includes a debris basin, diversion levees, and channel 
improvements along the lower 2.5 miles of the `[Imacr]ao Stream in 
Wailuku, Maui, and drains an area of approximately 10 square miles. The 
existing project was designed to provide the town of Wailuku with 
protection against a 222-year flood (0.5% chance of flooding in any 
given year). Since the existing project was completed in 1981, numerous 
storm events involving high velocity flows within the steeply sloped 
channel have resulted in major erosion of the streambed, undermining 
the banks and the levees. The proposed action would correct the design 
deficiencies in the existing project in order to provide the authorized 
level of reduced flood risk.
    2. Alternatives. In March 2009, USACE released a draft 
Environmental Assessment (DEA) that analyzed several alternatives to 
address the existing project's design deficiencies. During the public 
comment period, the public, resource agencies, and stakeholders raised 
concerns over potential indirect and cumulative significant impacts 
associated with impairment of groundwater recharge, sediment loading 
impacts to native aquatic species and habitats, and other issues. Based 
on these comments, USACE decided to prepare an EIS. The EIS will expand 
the alternatives analysis in the DEA to consider a full range of 
structural and nonstructural flood risk management alternatives that 
meet the proposed action's purpose and need and incorporate measures to 
avoid and minimize impacts to native aquatic species, stream habitat, 
and other resources. Design features currently under consideration 
include, but are not limited to, the incorporation of a roller-
compacted channel design with low-flow invert; grade control 
structures; stilling basin areas; groundwater infiltration areas; 
natural erosion protection measures; and pooling areas to support 
native aquatic species.
    3. Scoping and Public Involvement. As part of the scoping process, 
all affected Federal, State, and local agencies, Native Hawaiian 
organizations, private organizations, and the public are invited to 
comment on the scope of the EIS.
    Since a comprehensive public review process was completed in 
association with the DEA for the proposed action, the EIS scoping 
process will not include a formal public scoping meeting. The public 
comments submitted on the DEA have been compiled and will be considered 
during the development of the EIS. A summary of those comments is 
available on the Web site for the proposed action at http://www.iaostreameis.com. Any additional comments received will be 
considered along with those already summarized. To be most helpful, 
comments should clearly describe specific environmental topics or 
issues which the commenter believes the document should address.
    4. Other Environmental Review Requirements. To the extent 
practicable, NEPA and HRS Chapter 343 requirements will be coordinated 
in the preparation of the EIS. Consistent with Hawai`i Revised Statutes 
(HRS) Chapter 343, a State EIS Preparation Notice (EISPN) will be 
published concurrently.
    5. Availability. The DEIS is currently scheduled to be available 
for public review and comment in the summer of 2012.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-7735 Filed 4-7-11; 8:45 am]
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