[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 161 (Monday, August 19, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 42873-42874] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-21059] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy Rescission of the Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Solid Waste Disposal at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy rescinds the Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Solid Waste Disposal Alternatives at U.S. Naval Station (NAVSTA) Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico which appeared in the Federal Register on 17 November 1992. The existing sanitary landfill at NAVSTA Roosevelt Roads accepts nonhazardous solid waste generated at the station as well as solid waste from in-port ships. In 1992, due to changes to RCRA Subtitle D regulations concerning siting and operation of sanitary landfills, the Navy sought to dispose of solid waste at a site that would be in compliance with regulations. Alternatives to have been addressed in the EIS included no action, use of an existing municipal landfill, use of a privately operated landfill, and establishment of a new landfill on NAVSTA Roosevelt Roads. In November 1994, NAVSTA Roosevelt Roads obtained a permit from the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to continue operations at the existing sanitary landfill, in accordance with the Sanitary Landfill Operating Plan, for a 10-year period. NAVSTA Roosevelt Roads now desires to construct a 10-acre vertical lift within the existing sanitary landfill in compliance with EQB regulations. After ten years, the facility to be developed would also function as a locale for transfer of the station's nonhazardous solid waste to a regional disposal facility. Currently, there is no private or municipal landfill within the region in compliance with RCRA Subtitle D and EQB regulations (i.e., controlled facility). During recent discussions with representatives of NSRR Roosevelt Roads, officials from the Puerto Rico Solid Waste Management Authority indicated that they are in the process of developing a management plan for construction and operation, within ten years, of a controlled regional disposal facility at Fajardo regardless of the Navy's actions. This controlled facility would have the capacity to dispose of 400 tons of solid waste per day. NSRR Roosevelt Roads would dispose of an average of 30 tons per day there, over a 30-year planning period, which would constitute approximately 7.5 percent of the projected daily disposal at the regional landfill. It is anticipated that the disposal of NSRR Roosevelt Roads' [[Page 42874]] solid waste would not significantly impact on the planned operations of the regional landfill. Accordingly, the Navy will prepare an Environmental Assessment for the current proposal. Dated: August 14, 1996. M.A. Waters, LCDR, JAGC, USN, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 96-21059 Filed 8-16-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810-FF-M