Solid Waste Management Facility, Andersen AFB, Guam; Notice of Availability Draft Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force

Solid Waste Management Facility, Andersen AFB, Guam; Notice of

Availability Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The United States Air Force announces the availability of a Draft

Environmental Impact Statement for the construction of a new solid

waste management facility at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The new

facility will provide for recycling, composting, and disposal of

asbestos, rubble (hardfill), and municipal solid waste. The purpose of

the proposed action is to manage the solid waste generated by Andersen

AFB (12,000 tons per year) after the existing on-base unlined landfill

reaches capacity in approximately 2 years. The preferred alternative

for municipal solid waste disposal is vertical expansion of the

existing landfill. The proposed action is considered an interim

measure, designed not to exceed 10 years, to accommodate Air Force

needs until an island-wide solid waste management system can be

implemented; however, the proposed action does have the capability for

limited extension in the event that an island-wide system does not

become available at the end of 10 years. Specifically, it is proposed

that a new landfill be constructed on top of the existing one in such a

manner that the liner system for the new facility will serve as a cap

for the old facility. Provisions will be made for the collection,

removal, and treatment of leachate, and for groundwater monitoring.

Other alternatives considered include: a new landfill constructed at

one of seven alternate sites on Andersen AFB, use of the Government of

Guam Ordot Landfill, use of a proposed Government of Guam waste-to-

energy facility, future use of an island-wide Government of Guam and

Department of Defense landfill, incineration on base, use of the Navy

landfill at the Apra Harbor Complex, and no action.

Two major environmental issues affect the selection of a preferred

alternative. First, the majority of Andersen Air Force Base overlies

the Northern Guam Lens, which has been designated a sole source aquifer

under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Guam Environmental Protection

Agency has established a groundwater protection zone that constrains

activities in areas overlying the aquifer or serving as recharge zones.

Second, the forested area along the cliffline on the east, north, and

west boundaries of Andersen Air Force Base is habitat for endangered

species. The primary endangered species of concern are the Mariana crow

and the Mariana fruit bat. The principal threat to these species is

predation on eggs and young by an introduced species, the brown tree

snake. The proposed action includes engineering controls (a double

liner with leachate collection, removal, and treatment) to minimize the

likelihood of impacts to the aquifer. Furthermore, by capping the

existing landfill, the proposed action will reduce the production of

leachate from previously landfilled materials. Potential effects on the

biota, and endangered species in particular, are unlikely because the

proposed action will take place at a site that is already disturbed and

has minimal habitat value.

The United States Air Force invites comments and suggestions from

all interested parties on the findings of the Environmental Impact

Statement, and has tentatively scheduled a public hearing for May 1994.

Notice of the exact time and place of the hearing will be published in

the news media. If concerned persons are not able to attend the public

hearing, written comments and suggestions will be accepted. To ensure

that the Air Force will have sufficient time to fully consider public

contributions, written comments must be received no later than forty-

five (45) days from the publication of today's notice. Comments or

requests for further information concerning this Environmental Impact

Statement should be addressed to Mr. Roy N. Tsutsui, Chief,

Environmental Flight, Andersen AFB, Guam, 633 CES/CEV, Bldg. 18001,

Unit 14007, APO, AP 96543-4007; Phone: (671) 366-2101.

List of Subjects

Environmental Protection, Environmental Impact Statement, U.S. Air

Force, Anderson AFB, Guam, Notice of Availability, Solid waste.

Patsy J. Conner,

Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 94-13525 Filed 6-2-94; 8:45 am]

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