[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26521-26522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-10793]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Withdrawal of Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint Draft 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Navigation 
Improvement Project at Maalaea Harbor, Maui, HI (Second SEIS for the 
Project)

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

ACTION: Notice of intent (withdrawal).

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SUMMARY: On July 9, 1997, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 
announced its intent to prepare a joint Draft Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, for the Proposed 
Navigation Improvement Project at Maalaea Harbor, Maui, Hawaii. The 
Maalaea Harbor project, sponsored by USACE and the State of Hawaii, 
Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean 
Recreation (DOBOR), was originally authorized under Section 101 of the 
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1968, as amended. The Draft SEIS would have 
evaluated the environmental impacts of potential alternatives to 
address navigational safety and surge-related problems in Maalaea 
Harbor.
    Based on careful consideration of the implementation costs, 
regulatory requirements, and other concerns expressed by the community, 
the navigation improvement project for the Maalaea Harbor has been 
terminated by the project sponsors. Therefore, future preparation of an 
EIS is not necessary. The notice of intent to prepare an EIS is 
withdrawn and the NEPA process is hereby terminated.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Further information is available on 
the Web site for the project at http://www.maalaeaharborproject.com/ or 
from Ms. Cindy Barger, Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Honolulu District, ATTN: CEPOH-PP-C, Room 307, Building 230, Ft. 
Shafter, HI 96858, email: [email protected], telephone: 
(808) 438-6940.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) was 
investigating navigation improvements at Maalaea Harbor, Maui, Hawaii, 
originally authorized in 1968. The local sponsor of the project was the 
State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of 
Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR). Over the course of time, a 
variety of alternative project designs, including

[[Page 26522]]

both external and internal breakwater structures were investigated to 
address the navigational safety and surge-related problems. However, 
concerns over impacts to adjacent surf breaks and biological resources 
were raised on several occasions, resulting in multiple delays in the 
planning process. Most recently, USACE and DOBOR re-initiated the 
project in 2009, with a focus on using stakeholder input and updated 
technical information to better define and inform the planning process. 
Through this effort, the decision to terminate the project was made 
based on careful consideration of the high cost associated with the 
proposed improvements (particularly in light of the current and 
foreseeable economic conditions), the regulatory constraints and 
mitigation requirements for unavoidable impacts to coral reefs, and 
community concerns regarding impacts to surf sites and natural 
resources.
    A variety of technical studies and planning documents were produced 
in support of the project, including flushing studies, habitat surveys, 
and wave response modeling. The public may request copies of reports. 
The public will be notified of the termination of the project through a 
public notice, as well as a press release by the project sponsors. The 
press release will be published on the project Web site and posted at 
Maalaea Harbor.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-10793 Filed 5-3-12; 8:45 am]
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