Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Disposal and Reuse of Surplus U.S. Navy Property Located in the Territory of Guam

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy

Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the

Disposal and Reuse of Surplus U.S. Navy Property Located in the

Territory of Guam

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy announces the intent to prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the disposal and subsequent

reuse of surplus U.S. Navy property in the Territory of Guam. A public

scoping workshop will be held to receive oral and written comments to

identify potentially significant issues for study in the EIS and to

notify parties interested in and affected by the property disposal and

reuse. Federal, state and local agencies, and interested individuals

are invited to be present or represented at the workshop.

DATES: Public scoping workshop date is Thursday, May 7, 1998, 7 to 9

p.m.

ADDRESSES: Public scoping workshop location is Chamorro Village Main

Pavilion, Paseo Complex, Agana, Guam.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Bigay, (808) 471-9338.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Preparation of this EIS is 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 proposed action of the EIS is disposal by the Navy and

subsequent reuse of 19 parcels of land, totaling approximately 2,800

acres, at 14 sites on the island. The properties consist of developed

and undeveloped land, buildings and infrastructure. The properties will

be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the Defense Base

Closure and Realignment Act (Pub. L. 101-510) of 1990 as amended, and

applicable federal property disposal regulations.

The properties are among those identified in a plan for Department

of Defense real estate on Guam, the Guam Land Use Plan Update 1994

(GLUP 94). The GLUP reviewed all military land requirements on Guam and

made recommendations for land retention and disposal based on

foreseeable mission tasking and force levels.

The properties to be disposed of are identified as: the former

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Housing Area in Dededo; the Navy

Print Shop (Harmon Annex) and Marine Drive (Wettengel Junction) parcels

in Dededo; Tamuning Telephone Exchange; four parcels adjacent to Naval

Computer and Telecommunications Activity Master Station, Barrigada;

Nimitz Hill Enlisted Housing and nearby vacant land; parcels at Sasa

Valley and Tenjo Vista in Piti; a parcel at Polaris Point; a parcel

near the New Apra Heights family housing area; a parcel on Route 2A in

Santa Rita; Rizal or Aflleje Beach in Santa Rita; Old Apra Heights and;

two parcels at the naval ordnance area in Santa Rita.

Potential reuse alternatives for the parcels are defined in a

Government of Guam (GovGuam) reuse plan prepared for the GLUP 94 Reuse

Planning Committee and the Guam Economic Development Authority.

Excluded from consideration in this EIS are GLUP 94 Air Force

properties. Also excluded are GLUP 94 Navy power plant properties and

areas at the former Naval Air Station, Agana, which are being addressed

as separate actions.

The EIS will analyze the proposed action, reasonable alternatives

to the proposed action, and individual and cumulative environmental

impacts. Alternatives considered in the EIS will be influenced by the

identification of feasible future uses of the land areas. The GovGuam

reuse plan features various land uses, including resort, industrial,

commercial, residential, agricultural, parks, recreation, historic and

conservation use.

Environmental issues to be considered will include, but are not

limited to, effects on cultural resources, terrestrial and aquatic

habitats, threatened or endangered species, air and water quality,

infrastructure, traffic, noise, flood plain management, installation

restoration and environmental clean-up, and the socioeconomic

environment. Direct, indirect and cumulative impacts will be analyzed,

and mitigation measures will be developed if appropriate.

The scoping workshop will provide opportunities for clarification

of the U.S. Navy's action in response to Base Realignment and Closure

(BRAC) decisions and subsequent identification of surplus properties,

and to solicit input from representatives of government agencies and

interested individuals regarding the scope of the EIS. The U.S. Navy

and the Guam Economic Development Authority will set up information

stations at the workshop. Each information station will be attended by

a knowledgeable person who will be available to answer questions from

attendees. Agency representatives and the public are encouraged to

provide comments. Comments will be entered into the official record via

written comment sheets available to attendees at the workshop and via

summary of oral comments. To ensure accuracy of the record, it is

suggested that comments be submitted in writing. All comments, oral and

written, will become part of the public record and will receive

attention and consideration during EIS preparation.

Written comments may also be mailed to Mr. John Bigay (Code 231),

Pacific Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pearl Harbor,

HI 96860-7300; or contact Mr. Bigay by telephone (808) 471-9338 or

facsimile (808) 474-5909. Written comments are requested not later than

May 26, 1998. Additional information concerning this notice may be

obtained by contacting Mr. Leland Munson (Department of Defense Base

Transition Coordinator) at (671) 339-5443 on Guam.

Dated: April 7, 1998.

Lou Rae Langevin,

Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Alternate

Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 98-9566 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]

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