Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on the Proposed Disposal and Reuse of Naval Air Station Agana, Guam

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on

the Proposed Disposal and Reuse of Naval Air Station Agana, Guam

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental

Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the Council on

Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), the

Department of the Navy announces its intent to prepare an Environmental

Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the environmental effects of the

proposed disposal of land, buildings, and infrastructure, and their

subsequent reuse of the former Naval Air Station (NAS) Agana, Guam.

This action is being conducted in accordance with the Defense Base

Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-510) and the

specific 1993 base closure and realignment decisions which became

effective in September 1993.

NAS Agana, now known as Tinyan, was closed in March 1995. The

runway and aviation related facilities are being leased on an interim

basis to the Guam Airport Authority (GAA) Facilities not related to

civil aviation are being leased to the Government of Guam. The proposed

action involves the disposal of approximately 1,823 acres of land and

infrastructure.

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Alternatives addressed in the EIS will focus on the disposal and

reuse of designated property, including the Government of Guam's reuse

scenario. The Government of Guam's reuse plan has three principal

parts: the A.B. Wondpat International Airport, community reuse area

(economic development and parks), and regional circulation improvements

(three highways). Other uses that will be considered for the areas not

needed for airport support include industrial, governmental,

commercial, and residential. The EIS will discuss environmental impacts

resulting from the construction and operation of facilities, new

airport operations, and airport related uses, as well as expected

associated impacts to the local communities resulting from disposal and

reuse of NAS Agana. Major environmental issues that will be addressed

in the EIS will include, but not be limited to, impacts on cultural

resources, terrestrial and aquatic habitats, storm water runoff, noise,

air quality, traffic, and community.

The Navy will initiate a scoping process for the purpose of

determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the

significant issues related to this action. The Navy will hold two

public scoping meetings on Wednesday, January 24, 1996, beginning at

2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Governor's Cabinet Conference Room to

the Executive Building in Adelup, Guam. Federal Government closure

during the period of January 8-10, 1996, delayed notification in the

Federal Register; however, complete, and timely notification has been

advertised in local and regional newspapers.

A brief presentation will precede requests for public comment and

identification of additional scoping items. Navy representatives will

be available at this meeting to receive comments from the public

regarding issues of concern. It is important that federal, state, and

local agencies and interested individuals take this opportunity to

identify environmental concerns that should be addressed during

preparation of the EIS. In the interest of available time, each speaker

will be asked to limit oral comments to three minutes.

ADDRESSES: Agencies and the public are also invited and encouraged to

provide written comments in addition to, or in lieu of, oral comments

at the public meeting. To be most helpful, scoping comments should

clearly describe specific issues or topics which the commentator

believes the EIS should address. Written statements and or questions

regarding the scoping process should be mailed to: Commanding Officer,

Pacific Division, Naval Facility Engineering Command, Pearl Harbor, HI

96860-7300, (Attn.: Mr. John Bigay, 239), telephone (808) 471-7130. All

comments must be received no later than February 16, 1996.

Dated: January 16, 1996.

M.D. Schetzsle,

LT, JAGC, USNR, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 96-631 Filed 1-19-96; 8:45 am]

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