[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 1566-1567] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-631] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. [[Page 1567]] 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] BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P