[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50832-50833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20714]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Availability of a Draft Feasibility Study With Integrated 
Environmental Impact Statement, Ala Wai Canal Project, Oahu, HI

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announces the 
availability of a Public Review Draft Feasibility Study with Integrated 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), for the Ala Wai Canal Project, 
Oahu, Hawaii. To better inform potential commenters, a public meeting 
is scheduled on September 30, 2015 at Washington Middle School in 
Honolulu, Hawaii. The Draft Feasibility Study/EIS evaluates 
alternatives to manage flood risk within the Ala Wai watershed, which 
includes the neighborhoods of Makiki, Manoa, Palolo, Kapahulu, 
Moiliili, McCully, and Waikiki. It also documents the existing 
condition of environmental resources in areas considered for locating 
flood risk management features and potential impacts on those resources 
that could result from implementing each alternative. The State of 
Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources is the non-Federal 
sponsor and the proposing agency for compliance with the Hawaii law on 
Environmental Impact Statements.

DATES: All written comments must be postmarked on or before October 7, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted to the Ala Wai Canal 
Project, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, ATTN: Derek 
Chow, Chief, Civil and Public Works Branch (CEPOH-PP-C), Building 230, 
Fort Shafter, HI 96858-5440 or via email to 
[email protected]. Oral and written comments may also 
be submitted at the public meeting described in the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Derek Chow, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Honolulu District, 808-835-4026 or via email at 
[email protected] .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Before including your address, phone number, 
email address, or other personal identifying information in your 
comment, be advised that your entire comment, including your personal 
identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. 
While you can ask in your comment to withhold from public review your 
personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.
    The document is available for review at the following locations 
including all regional libraries in Hawaii and the library branches in 
the project area:
    (1) Ala Wai Canal Project Web site: www.AlaWaiCanalProject.com;
    (2) Hawaii Kai Public Library, 249 Lunalilo Home Road, Honolulu, HI 
96825;
    (3) Hawaii State Library, 478 S. King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813;
    (4) Hilo Public Library, 300 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720;
    (5) Kaimuki Public Library, 1041 Koko Head Avenue, Honolulu, HI 
96816;
    (6) Kaneohe Public Library, 45-829 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, HI 
96744;
    (7) Kahului Public Library, 90 School Street, Kahului, HI 96732;
    (8) Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 402 Kapahulu 
Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815;
    (9) Lihue Public Library, 4344 Hardy Street, Lihue, HI 96766;
    (10) Manoa Public Library, 2716 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822;
    (11) McCully-Moiliili Public Library, 2211 S. King Street, 
Honolulu, HI 96826;
    (12) Pearl City Public Library, 1138 Waimano Home Road, Pearl City, 
HI 96782;
    (13) University of Hawaii, Hamilton Library, 2550 McCarthy Mall, 
Honolulu, HI 96822; and
    (14) Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library, 400 Kapahulu Avenue, 
Honolulu, HI 96815.
    Copies may also be requested in writing at (see ADDRESSES).
    Proposed Action. The Ala Wai Canal Project, Oahu, Hawaii 
feasibility study is a single-purpose flood risk management project to 
reduce riverine flood risks to property and life safety in the Ala Wai 
Watershed. The Ala Wai Watershed is located on the southeastern side of 
the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The watershed is 19 square miles and 
encompasses three sub-watersheds of Makiki, Manoa and Palolo Streams, 
which all drain into the Ala Wai Canal. The study area includes the 
most densely populated watershed in Hawaii with approximately 200,000 
residents in the developed areas. In addition, Waikiki supports 
approximately 79,000 visitors on a daily basis.
    This study was authorized under Section 209 of the Flood Control 
Act of 1962 (Pub. L. 87-874), a general study authority that authorizes 
surveys in harbors and rivers in Hawaii ``with a view to determining 
the advisability of improvements in the interest of navigation, flood 
control, hydroelectric power development, water supply, and other 
beneficial uses, and related land resources.''
    Alternatives. The Draft Feasibility Study/EIS considers a full 
range of nonstructural and structural flood risk management 
alternatives that would 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. In response to identified 
flood-related problems and opportunities, a range of alternatives were 
evaluated through an iterative screening and formulation process, 
resulting in identification of a tentatively selected plan.
    The Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) is the National Economic 
Development (NED) Plan and consists of the following components: 
improvements to the flood warning system, 6 in-stream debris and 
detention basins in the upper reaches of the watershed, 1 stand-alone 
debris catchment feature, 3 multi-purpose detention basins in open 
space areas through the developed watershed, floodwalls along portions 
of the Ala Wai Canal, mitigation measures, and 3 associated pump 
stations to maintain internal drainage. Canal floodwalls would extend 
approximately 1.7 miles along the left (makai) bank and

[[Page 50833]]

approximately 0.9 mile along the right (mauka) bank (including gaps for 
bridges).
    Public Involvement. As part of the current public involvement 
process, all affected Federal, State, and local agencies, Native 
Hawaiian organizations, private organizations, and the public are 
invited to review and comment on the Draft Feasibility Study with 
Integrated EIS. The USACE Honolulu District will hold a public meeting 
at Washington Middle School, 1633 S. King Street, Honolulu, HI from 
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Comments may 
also be submitted as described in (see ADDRESSES) section.
    Other Environmental Review Requirements. To the extent practicable, 
NEPA and HRS Chapter 343 requirements will be coordinated in the 
preparation of the Final EIS.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-20714 Filed 8-20-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P