[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 8469-8470] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-4190] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Secretary Notice of Availability of the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Development of the Palau Compact Road, Babeldaob Island, Republic of Palau AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior Announces that the revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for development of the Palau Compact Road, Babeldaob, Island, Republic of Palau is available for public review and comment. DATES: The Office of the Secretary will consider written information and commments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement received by [April 6, 1998]. ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft EIS should be submitted to Mr. Allen Chin, CEPOH-ED-E, U.S. Army Engineer District, Honolulu, Fort Shafter, HI 96858-5440. A limited number of copies of the document may be obtained by writing to the above address or by calling 808-438-6974. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Allen Chin, CEPOH-ED-E, U.S. Army Engineer District, Honolulu, Fort Shafter, HI 96858-5440, telephone (808) 438-6974. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proponent for the Proposed Action is the United States Department of the Interior as program manager and on behalf of the United States of America. The Compact of Free Association (Compact) with the Republic of Palau (ROP), which became effective on October 1, 1994, requires the United States Government (USG) to provide a road system to the people of Palau in order to assist the ROP to advance the economic development and self-sufficiency of the Palau people. To fulfill this statutory and treaty requirement, the USG and the ROP are cooperating to construct a major road system on the island of Babeldaob in accordance with Section 212(a) of the Compact of Free Association and as implemented by certain nation-to-nation agreements. The Department of the Interior published a Notice of Intent to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in the Federal Register on March 7, 1996. Scoping meetings were held for governmental agencies and the public on April 24, 1996. The Notice of Availability of the DEIS was announced in the Federal Register in May 1997. A public hearing to present the DEIS was held on May 21, 1997 in Palau. Subsequent to the preparation of the DEIS, additional studies were conducted on impacts of quarrying for the project as well as dredging plans by the local states. The DEIS was revised to incorporate the results of these studies and to address public and agency comments on the original DEIS. After receipt of comments on the revised DEIS, a Final EIS will be prepared. [[Page 8470]] The Proposed Action calls for construction of a safe, high-quality, all-weather, two-lane vehicular road system on the island of Babeldaob. This roadway has been configured as a loop system with a northern spur to serve as a direct transportation and communication link between the 10 states on Babeldaob Island. Additionally, the road would provide access through, or be near known areas having potential for agriculture, forestry, mining and quarrying, industry and tourism, and water resource and port development. It would also provide a land-based transportation corridor to and from the proposed site of the Republic of Palau's new capital in Melekeok State. The selection of a Proposed Action in this revised DEIS does not constitute a final decision. The Final EIS, as modified by all previous comments, will be used by the Department of the Interior in reaching a final decision and developing a final array of measures to avoid, reduce, or mitigate adverse impacts. The Record of Decision will be approved at least 30 days after publication of the Final EIS to allow for public review and comment. Copies of the revised DEIS are also available for inspection at the following locations: Republic of Palau Ministry of Resources and Development, Palau Environmental Quality Protection Board, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Palau Compact Road Field Office, on the third floor of the WCTC Building in Koror. Dated: February 12, 1998. Willie R. Taylor, Director, Office of Environmental Police and Compliance, Department of the Interior. [FR Doc. 98-4190 Filed 2-18-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-RK-M