Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed Infrastructure Improvements to the Institute of Marine Science (IMS) Located in Seward, AK

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed

Infrastructure Improvements to the Institute of Marine Science (IMS)

Located in Seward, AK

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

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an EIS.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The DOI, on behalf of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (EVOS)

Trustee Council, hereby gives notice it intends to prepare an EIS in

accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)

for the proposed infrastructure improvements to the IMS in Seward,

Alaska. The EIS will evaluate the proposed project, the no action

alternative, and other reasonable alternatives identified during the

scoping process. Scoping will be accomplished by correspondence,

through public and agency scoping meetings, and through meetings with

interested persons and groups.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on suggested alternatives and potential

impacts should be sent to Nancy Swanton, EIS Project Manager for the

Proposed Infrastructure Improvements to the IMS, 949 E. 36th Ave., room

603, Anchorage, AK 99508-4302.

DATES: Written comments should be sent to Nancy Swanton by April 11,

1994. Comments also will be accepted at public scoping meetings in

Seward from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 22, 1994, and in Anchorage

from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 24, 1994, locations indicated below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A project information newsletter will

be available at the public scoping meetings or can be obtained by

contacting Nancy Swanton at (907) 271-6622 (voice) or (907) 271-6507

(fax). The newsletter will describe in more detail the proposed

project, possible alternatives, and the EIS process. If you wish to be

placed on the mailing list to receive further information as the EIS

process develops, also contact Nancy Swanton at the above address, fax,

or telephone number.

PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS: Comments and suggestions will be solicited at

public scoping meetings to be held:

March 22, 1994, Seward, IMS K.M. Rae Building, 125 Third Avenue, 7

to 9:30 p.m.

March 24, 1994, Anchorage, Trustee Council Meeting Room, 645 G

Street, 7 to 9:30 p.m.

These scoping meetings will include a brief presentation about the

proposed project and the NEPA process. They also will provide an

opportunity for interested persons to make comments on environmental

issues and alternatives to be considered in the EIS. All comments

received will be made part of the administrative record and will be

considered as part of the EIS process.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOI, on behalf of the EVOS Trustee

Council, is preparing an EIS on a proposal to construct infrastructure

improvements to the IMS in Seward, Alaska. The EVOS Trustee Council is

comprised of the designees of the Administrator for the National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Secretary of the Department

of Agriculture, the Secretary of the DOI, and the Commissioner of the

Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), 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.

The scoping process will help determine the scope issues and

possible alternatives to be addressed in the EIS. Scoping will be

conducted consistent with NEPA guidelines. On behalf of the Trustee

Council, the DOI will serve as the lead agency on the EIS. The ADF&G

will be the primary coordinating agency on behalf of the State of

Alaska.

Scoping

The DOI, on behalf of the EVOS Trustee Council, invites interested

individuals, organizations, and Federal, State, and local agencies to

participate in defining the alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS,

and in identifying any significant social, economic, or environmental

issues related to the alternatives. Scoping comments can be made

verbally at the public scoping meetings or in writing (see Contact and

Dates sections above for location and time of scoping meetings and name

and location for sending written comments). During scoping, comments

should focus on identifying specific issues and alternatives to be

evaluated in the Draft EIS. A NEPA team comprised of interested State

and Federal Agencies and the project consultants will evaluate the

comments and produce a scoping report which will summarize the comments

and identify the environmental issues and alternatives that will be

addressed in the Draft EIS. Additional opportunity to comment on

environmental issues and alternatives will be provided upon completion

of the Draft EIS.

Project Purposes, Historical Background, and Project Description

Improvements to the existing infrastructure at the IMS in Seward

are required to improve the Trustee Council's capabilities to restore

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 he EVOS area as

part of an overall restoration plan.

The Seward Marine Center, which is the site of the proposed

project, has been operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF),

IMS since 1970. The IMS operates a program that consists of vessel

operations, research, and education. The existing laboratory has the

only running seawater system in the northern Gulf of Alaska region and

a variety of marine biological and medical research is undertaken

through the UAF research and graduate student training program. The

areas of study include oceanography, marine biology, physiology, and

ecology.

The proposed improvements are to be located in the adjacent to the

existing Seward Marine Center. The research component would consist of

approximately 39,000 square feet of interior space made up of wet and

dry laboratories, staff offices, library, and building support systems

for studies of marine mammals, marine birds, and other marine life.

There would also be approximately 50,000 square feet of exterior space

containing a wave barrier, outdoor research habitat, tanks, and pools

for pinnipeds, sea otters, and marine bird species. The outdoor and

indoor facilities will be supported by an upgraded life support system

using sea water from Resurrection Bay. Additionally, a two-person

research submersible and 130 foot research vessel/tender would be

stationed at the existing Seward Marine Center dock and an upgraded

warehouse facility.

It is anticipated that approximately 20,000 square feet of

additional interior space will be constructed adjacent to the research

institute for public education and visitation activities. This

component would consist of lobby and viewing areas, interpretive

exhibits, administrative offices, public restrooms, and a gift shop.

Revenue from public education and visitation would be used to help

offset the operational costs of the proposed improvements.

Overall, it is anticipated that the total project capital budget

would be approximately $47,000,000 of which approximately $25,000,000

would come from the EVOS Trustee Council joint restoration funds. The

EVOS Trustee Council would not fund the public education/visitation

component of the project.

Alternatives

The EIS will consider a no-action alternative and other

alternatives developed during the scoping process. These will include

but are not limited to alternatives concerning the location of the

proposed improvements in Seward and the scope and nature of the

research and public education/visitation components of the project.

Probable Effects

The NEPA team will evaluate potential environmental, social, and

economic impacts of the alternatives in the EIS. Potential impacts

include, but are not limited to, changes in traffic patterns, changes

in the social environment, changes in land use and aesthetics, changes

in local intertidal biota resulting from construction of a wave

barrier, changes in recreation and tourism patterns, and conformance to

city planning and zoning requirements. The impacts will be evaluated

both for the construction period and for the life of the project.

Measures to mitigate adverse impacts will be addressed.

Procedures

A Draft EIS will be prepared based on the scoping report. The Draft

EIS should be available in late June 1994 for public and agency review

and comment; and public hearings will be held. A Final EIS will be

prepared to address any comments on the Draft EIS.

Dated: March 4, 1994.

George T. Frampton, Jr.,

Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

[FR Doc. 94-5394 Filed 3-8-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M