Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed Institute of Marine Science Infrastructure Improvement Project Located in Seward, AK

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

[FES 94-29]

Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed

Institute of Marine Science Infrastructure Improvement Project Located

in Seward, AK

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior (DOI).

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact

Statement for the Proposed Institute of Marine Science Infrastructure

Improvement Project.

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SUMMARY: The DOI, as lead Federal Agency on behalf of the Exxon Valdez

Oil Spill (EVOS) Trustee Council, announces the availability of the

Final EIS for the Proposed Institute of Marine Science (IMS)

Infrastructure Improvement Project. Single copies of the Final EIS or

the Final EIS summary can be obtained from the Oil Spill Public

Information Center, 645 G Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. Telephone

Numbers: (907) 278-8008, (800) 478-7745 (within Alaska), or (800) 283-

7745 (outside Alaska). Copies of the Final EIS have been sent to public

libraries in Seward, Homer, Kodiak, Valdez, Cordova, Kenai, Anchorage,

Fairbanks, and Juneau, among others, as well as the DOI Library in

Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information about the EIS can be

obtained from Nancy K. Swanton, DOI EIS Project Manager, 949 East 36th

Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99508-4302. Telephone Numbers: (907) 271-6622

(voice) or (907) 271-6507 (fax).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Introduction

The DOI, as lead Federal Agency on behalf of the EVOS Trustee

Council, has prepared a Final EIS on a proposal to construct

infrastructure improvements to the IMS in Seward, Alaska. The EVOS

Trustee Council is considering providing funding for a portion of this

project. The Council is comprised of the designees of the

Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the

Secretary of Agriculture; the Secretary of Interior; and the

Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game; the

Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation;

and the Alaska Attorney General. The EVOS Trustee Council is

responsible for decisions relating to the assessment of injuries, uses

of the joint restoration funds, and all restoration activities relating

to the proposed project.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969,

the Final EIS presents analyses of the environmental--including social

and economic--effects that would be anticipated if the proposed

improvements to the IMS in Seward were to occur as presently

envisioned. In addition, the EIS assesses the effects of an alternative

to the proposal that would eliminate the public education and

visitation component, and construct only a research and wildlife

rehabilitation component. Lastly, a no action alternative is assessed

to determine the effects on the environment should the proposed

improvements not be made.

B. The Proposed IMS Infrastructure Improvement Project

The EVOS Trustee Council is proposing to improve the existing

infrastructure at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks IMS in Seward,

Alaska, to enhance the EVOS Trustee Council's capabilities to study

marine mammals, marine birds, and the ecosystem injured by the Exxon

Valdez oil spill. The improvements are intended to help focus and carry

out a long-term research and monitoring program for the EVOS area as

part of an overall restoration plan. The project would be constructed

adjacent to the existing campus of the IMS Seward Marine Center, and

would have two components: (1) a research and wildlife rehabilitation

component and (2) a public education and visitation component.

The research and wildlife rehabilitation component would consist of

approximately 22,000 square feet of interior space comprised of wet and

dry laboratories, staff offices, and a library for studies and

rehabilitation of marine mammals, marine birds, and other wildlife.

There also would be approximately 46,000 square feet of exterior space

containing outdoor research habitat, tanks, and pools for pinnipeds,

sea otters, and marine bird species. A 50-space, 37,000 square foot,

parking lot for staff vehicles would be constructed adjacent to the

existing IMS Rae Building parking lot. A research vessel and

submersible may be acquired for research purposes.

The public education and visitation component would include

approximately 20,000 square feet of additional interior space to

promote public awareness of the marine environment. It would function

in concert with, and in support of, the research and wildlife

rehabilitation component. This component would include exhibits,

interpretive displays, and public areas. A 166-space, 90,000 square

foot, parking lot for visitors would be built adjacent to the education

and visitor component. No joint EVOS restoration funds would be

involved in the construction or maintenance of the public education and

visitation component.

The two components would share approximately 27,000 square feet of

interior building-support space, including the life support system and

the facility's mechanical, administrative, and curatorial functions.

Funding for the proposed project would come, in large part, from

EVOS funds. Overall, the total project capital budget is anticipated to

be approximately $47.5 million, of which approximately $37.5 million

would come from EVOS funds. Twelve and one-half million dollars of

State EVOS restitution funds were appropriated by the Alaska

Legislature in 1993 to the City of Seward for the planning, design, and

construction of the proposed project. In addition, approximately $25

million of EVOS monies have been requested to fund the research and

wildlife rehabilitation component of the proposed project. Lastly, it

is anticipated that approximately $10 million would be raised privately

to fund the public education and visitation component of the proposed

project. Revenue from public education and visitation would be used to

help offset the operational costs of all of the proposed improvements.

C. The NEPA Process

On March 9, 1994, the DOI, as lead Federal Agency on behalf of the

EVOS Trustee Council, published a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS on

the Proposed IMS Infrastructure Improvement Project (59 FR 11082-1183).

Scoping commenced on that date. Scoping meetings were held in Seward

and Anchorage, Alaska, on March 22 and 24, 1994, respectively. Public

notices announcing these meetings and requesting comments were

published in EVOS-area newspapers; and a scoping newsletter was

distributed widely throughout the EVOS area and beyond. In addition to

comments and suggestions received at the scoping meetings, over 300

written responses were received. These comments were evaluated by the

DOI and form the basis for the topics, issues, and alternatives

addressed in the EIS.

A 45-day public comment period on the Draft EIS followed the June

24, 1994, publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)

Notice of Availability in the Federal Register (59 FR 32697). The

public comment period ended on August 8, 1994. Public hearings on the

Draft EIS were held in Seward and Anchorage, Alaska, respectively, on

July 26 and 28, 1994. A total of four individuals presented testimony

at these hearings. A total of 31 comment letters were received on the

Draft EIS--eight from Federal Agencies, four from state agencies, one

from the City of Seward, three from groups or organizations, and 15

from individuals. Most of the comments on the Draft EIS addressed

concerns regarding: (1) traffic and transportation, (2) quality of life

in and near Seward, (3) recreation resources, (4) archaeological and

historic resources, (5) the possible Alaska Marine Highway ferry

relocation, and (6) the feasibility of the proposed project. Comments

regarding project propriety have been referred to the EVOS Trustee

Council for its consideration. Although the use of EVOS settlement

funds is a significant issue to be addressed with public input, it is

not an environmental issue and, thus, is not analyzed in the EIS. All

written and oral comments on the Draft EIS were reviewed, and responses

were prepared for 231 comments. The Final EIS reflects revisions made

as a result of public comments received. The effect levels predicted in

the Draft EIS did not change for the Final EIS.

A Record of Decision will be issued no earlier than 30 days after

EPA's Notice of Availability for the Final EIS appears in the Federal

Register.

Dated: September 16, 1994.

George T. Frampton, Jr.,

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the

Interior.

[FR Doc. 94-23367 Filed 9-20-94; 8:45 am]

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