Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Schofield Generating Station Project, United States Army Garrison, Hawaii, 22978-22979 [2015-09518]

Download as PDF 22978 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 79 / Friday, April 24, 2015 / Notices Mr. Chuck Wullenjohn, Yuma Proving Ground Public Affairs Office, at (928) 328–6189, Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mountain Time. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: YPG consists of approximately 840,000 acres of DoD-managed land in the Sonoran Desert in southwestern Arizona. The Department of the Army prepared a FPEIS to analyze potential impacts from new construction, changes in testing and training, and activities conducted under private industry partnerships. Two alternatives were analyzed in the FPEIS: (1) No Action, which describes the resulting conditions if there were no changes in testing and training activities conducted at YPG and (2) the Proposed Action/Preferred Alternative, which includes new construction and associated demolition, testing and training activities occurring on YPG, and new testing and training proposed by tenants to meet anticipated testing or training needs. The Preferred Alternative was determined after consideration of Native American concerns and feedback from agencies and resulted in reduction of the proposed impact areas for four projects. The FPEIS addressed the following types of activities: • Short-term, well-defined activities at known locations that could be implemented without additional NEPA analysis once a decision is made. • Short-term, less well-defined activities for which locations are not known or for which additional information regarding site-specific implementation must be developed that would receive additional site-specific NEPA analysis prior to project implementation. • Long-term, less well-defined activities that would occur later in time and would receive additional sitespecific NEPA analysis prior to project implementation. The FPEIS provided thorough analysis under NEPA for the short-term well-defined projects and allows less well-defined projects to be implemented following a focused, site-specific NEPA analysis that would tier from this analysis. The Army is not seeking to expand the boundaries of YPG and all proposed activities would be conducted within the boundaries of the installation or its currently authorized airspace. No changes were proposed to ongoing military activities conducted at off-post areas in Arizona and California that are used for specific military testing activities under conditions not found at tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Apr 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 YPG. Therefore, activities conducted in these areas were not included in the analysis in the FPEIS. The potential for environmental impacts is greatest for the following resource areas: soils, air quality, solid and hazardous materials/waste, vegetation, and wildlife. Impacts to these resources may occur as a result of converting existing land use to support military testing and training or from increasing the scope or magnitude of testing activities. Best management practices and other mitigation measures were identified in the FPEIS. The Army will observe a waiting period of 30 days following the publication of the Notice of Availability for the FPEIS in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency before making a decision. Copies of the FPEIS have been sent to affected Federal, State, and local government agencies, to federally recognized Native American tribes, and to other stakeholders. Copies of the FPEIS are available for public inspection at the Yuma County Library, Main Branch, 2951 S. 21st Drive and the Yuma Proving Ground Post Library. The FPEIS can also be viewed at the following Web sites: https:// www.yuma.army.mil/Documents.aspx, and https://www.epa.gov/compliance/ nepa/eisdata.html. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–09519 Filed 4–23–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Schofield Generating Station Project, United States Army Garrison, Hawaii Department of the Army, DoD. Notice of availability. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed lease of land and granting of easements on Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield to Hawaiian Electric Company (Hawaiian Electric) for the construction, ownership, operation, and maintenance of a 50-megawatt (MW) capacity, biofuel-capable power generation plant, referred to as the Schofield Generating Station, and associated power poles, high-tension power lines, and related equipment and facilities. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Act (NEPA), the DEIS analyzes the environmental impacts associated with construction and operation of the Schofield Generating Station and associated infrastructure. The Army has determined that there are historic properties nearby, but that the undertaking will have no effect upon them as defined in 36 CFR 800.16(i). The Draft EIS documents this finding and it is now being made available for public review. The Draft EIS comment process is also an opportunity for public to provide input about the effects of the proposed actions on historic property, for consideration in Army decision making. DATES: The public comment period will end 45 days after publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Please send written comments by mail to the Department of the Army, Directorate of Public Works, United States Army Garrison, Hawaii, ATTN: IMHW–PWE (L. Graham), 947 Wright Avenue, Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Barracks, HI 96857–5013; or by email to sgspcomments@ tetratech.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information please contact Ms. Lisa Graham, NEPA Coordinator, U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii. Ms. Graham can be reached by phone at (808) 656–3075, or by email at lisa.m.graham52.civ@ mail.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action, referred to as the Schofield Generating Station Project (SGSP), consists of: (1) The Army’s lease of 8.13 acres of land and the related granting of a 2.5acre interconnection easement on Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield to Hawaiian Electric to construct, operate, and maintain a 50– MW capacity renewable energy power plant to include associated power poles, high-tension power lines, and related equipment and facilities. (2) The State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources granting of a 1.28-acre easement and a 0.7-acre conservation district authorization to Hawaiian Electric allowing for the construction of a 46 kilovolt (kV) electrical power transmission line between the SGSP site and the existing Wahiawa Substation. (3) Hawaiian Electric’s construction, ownership, operation, and maintenance of a 50 MW capacity, biofuel-capable power generation plant and 46 kV subtransmission line required to connect the Schofield Generating Station to the Hawaiian Electric grid. E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM 24APN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 79 / Friday, April 24, 2015 / Notices The primary purpose of the Proposed Action is two-fold: to provide improved energy security to the U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii at Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, and Field Station Kunia and to provide new secure, firm, flexible, and renewable energy generation to the grid on Oahu, Hawaii. The need for the Proposed Action are to increase energy security for the Army and Oahu; assist the Army in supporting renewable energy-related laws and Executive Orders and meeting its renewable energy goals; assist Hawaiian Electric in meeting the Hawaii Renewable Portfolio Standard goals; and improve future electrical generation on Oahu. The electricity produced by the SGSP would normally supply power to all Hawaiian Electric customers through the island-wide electrical grid. During outages that meet the criteria specified in the Operating Agreement, SGSP output would first be provided to Army facilities at Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, and Field Station Kunia up to their peak demand of 32 MW, to meet their missions, and would additionally support the grid up to the station’s full capacity. If there were a full island outage, the power plant could be used to restart other plants on the island. Under the No Action Alternative, the Army would not lease the property or grant the easement and Hawaiian Electric would not construct and operate the SGSP. The DEIS evaluates the impacts on land use; airspace use; visual resources; air quality, including climate and greenhouse gasses; noise; traffic and transportation; water resources; geology and soils; biological resources; cultural resources; hazardous and toxic substances; socioeconomics, including environmental justice; and utilities and infrastructure. Impacts were assessed assuming fulltime operation of the generating facility (24 hours a day, 365 days a year). Under normal conditions, the facility would likely operate less than full-time, so projected impacts could be less. Anticipated impacts would be less than significant for all resources. All activities would fall within existing regulations, permits, and plans. Best management practices and design measures that would avoid or minimize adverse effects would be implemented for these resources: visual, air quality, noise, traffic and transportation, water, geology and soils, biological resources, cultural resources, and hazardous and toxic substances. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:30 Apr 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 All government agencies, special interest groups, and individuals are invited to attend the public meetings and/or submit their comments in writing. Information on the dates, times, and locations of the public meetings will be published locally. The DEIS is available for review at the Sergeant Rodney J. Yano Main Library (on Schofield Barracks); Fort Shafter Library; Wahiawa Public Library; Mililani Public Library; Waialua Public Library; University of Hawaii libraries including Thomas H. Hamilton Library, Edwin H. Mookini Library, Maui College Library, and Kauai Community College Library; Hawaii State libraries including Kaimuki Regional Library, Kaneohe Regional Library, Pearl City Regional Library, Hawaii Kai Regional Library, Hilo Regional Library, Kahului Regional Library, and Lihue Regional Library, and the Hawaii State Library Documents Center; the Legislative Reference Bureau Library; and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services Municipal Library. The DEIS can also be viewed at the following Web site: https:// www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/ schofieldplant. Brenda S Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–09518 Filed 4–23–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Army Education Advisory Subcommittee Meeting Notice Department of the Army, DoD. Notice of open Subcommittee meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of the Army is publishing this notice to announce the following Federal advisory committee meeting of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center Board of Visitors, a subcommittee of the Army Education Advisory Committee. This meeting is open to the public. DATES: The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) Board of Visitors Subcommittee will meet from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on June 10 and 11, 2015. ADDRESSES: Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, Building 326, Weckerling Center, Presidio of Monterey, CA 93944. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robert Savukinas, the Alternate SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22979 Designated Federal Officer for the subcommittee, in writing at Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, ATFL–APAS–AA, Bldg. 634, Presidio of Monterey, CA 93944, by email at robert.savukinas@dliflc.edu, or by telephone at (831) 242–5828. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subcommittee meeting is being held under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102–3.150. Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose of the meeting is to provide the subcommittee with briefings and information focusing on the Institute’s goal for its students to achieve 2+/2+ scores on the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT). The subcommittee will also receive an update on the Institute’s accreditation and will address administrative matters. Proposed Agenda: June 10—The subcommittee will receive briefings associated with the 2+/2+ DLPT goal and the Institute’s actions in supporting the 2+/2+ goal. The subcommittee will be updated on the Institute’s accreditation. The subcommittee will complete administrative procedures and appointment requirements. June 11— The subcommittee will have time to discuss and compile observations pertaining to agenda items. General deliberations leading to provisional findings will be referred to the Army Education Advisory Committee for deliberation by the Committee under the open-meeting rules. Public Accessibility to the Meeting: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended, and 41 CFR 102–3.140 through 102– 3.165, and subject to the availability of space, this meeting is open to the public. Seating is on a first to arrive basis. Attendees are requested to submit their name, affiliation, and daytime phone number seven business days prior to the meeting to Dr. Savukinas, via electronic mail, the preferred mode of submission, at the address listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Because the meeting of the subcommittee will be held in a Federal Government facility on a military base, security screening is required. A photo ID is required to enter base. Please note that security and gate guards have the right to inspect vehicles and persons seeking to enter and exit the installation. Weckerling Center is fully handicap accessible. Wheelchair access is available on the right side of the main entrance of the building. For additional information about public access E:\FR\FM\24APN1.SGM 24APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 79 (Friday, April 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22978-22979]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09518]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Schofield Generating 
Station Project, United States Army Garrison, Hawaii

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed lease of 
land and granting of easements on Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army 
Airfield to Hawaiian Electric Company (Hawaiian Electric) for the 
construction, ownership, operation, and maintenance of a 50-megawatt 
(MW) capacity, biofuel-capable power generation plant, referred to as 
the Schofield Generating Station, and associated power poles, high-
tension power lines, and related equipment and facilities. In 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the DEIS 
analyzes the environmental impacts associated with construction and 
operation of the Schofield Generating Station and associated 
infrastructure. The Army has determined that there are historic 
properties nearby, but that the undertaking will have no effect upon 
them as defined in 36 CFR 800.16(i). The Draft EIS documents this 
finding and it is now being made available for public review. The Draft 
EIS comment process is also an opportunity for public to provide input 
about the effects of the proposed actions on historic property, for 
consideration in Army decision making.

DATES: The public comment period will end 45 days after publication of 
the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments by mail to the Department of 
the Army, Directorate of Public Works, United States Army Garrison, 
Hawaii, ATTN: IMHW-PWE (L. Graham), 947 Wright Avenue, Wheeler Army 
Airfield, Schofield Barracks, HI 96857-5013; or by email to 
sgspcomments@tetratech.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information please contact 
Ms. Lisa Graham, NEPA Coordinator, U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii. Ms. 
Graham can be reached by phone at (808) 656-3075, or by email at 
lisa.m.graham52.civ@mail.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action, referred to as the 
Schofield Generating Station Project (SGSP), consists of:
    (1) The Army's lease of 8.13 acres of land and the related granting 
of a 2.5-acre interconnection easement on Schofield Barracks and 
Wheeler Army Airfield to Hawaiian Electric to construct, operate, and 
maintain a 50-MW capacity renewable energy power plant to include 
associated power poles, high-tension power lines, and related equipment 
and facilities.
    (2) The State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources 
granting of a 1.28-acre easement and a 0.7-acre conservation district 
authorization to Hawaiian Electric allowing for the construction of a 
46 kilovolt (kV) electrical power transmission line between the SGSP 
site and the existing Wahiawa Substation.
    (3) Hawaiian Electric's construction, ownership, operation, and 
maintenance of a 50 MW capacity, biofuel-capable power generation plant 
and 46 kV sub-transmission line required to connect the Schofield 
Generating Station to the Hawaiian Electric grid.

[[Page 22979]]

    The primary purpose of the Proposed Action is two-fold: to provide 
improved energy security to the U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii at Schofield 
Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, and Field Station Kunia and to provide 
new secure, firm, flexible, and renewable energy generation to the grid 
on Oahu, Hawaii.
    The need for the Proposed Action are to increase energy security 
for the Army and Oahu; assist the Army in supporting renewable energy-
related laws and Executive Orders and meeting its renewable energy 
goals; assist Hawaiian Electric in meeting the Hawaii Renewable 
Portfolio Standard goals; and improve future electrical generation on 
Oahu.
    The electricity produced by the SGSP would normally supply power to 
all Hawaiian Electric customers through the island-wide electrical 
grid. During outages that meet the criteria specified in the Operating 
Agreement, SGSP output would first be provided to Army facilities at 
Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, and Field Station Kunia up 
to their peak demand of 32 MW, to meet their missions, and would 
additionally support the grid up to the station's full capacity. If 
there were a full island outage, the power plant could be used to 
restart other plants on the island.
    Under the No Action Alternative, the Army would not lease the 
property or grant the easement and Hawaiian Electric would not 
construct and operate the SGSP.
    The DEIS evaluates the impacts on land use; airspace use; visual 
resources; air quality, including climate and greenhouse gasses; noise; 
traffic and transportation; water resources; geology and soils; 
biological resources; cultural resources; hazardous and toxic 
substances; socioeconomics, including environmental justice; and 
utilities and infrastructure.
    Impacts were assessed assuming full-time operation of the 
generating facility (24 hours a day, 365 days a year). Under normal 
conditions, the facility would likely operate less than full-time, so 
projected impacts could be less.
    Anticipated impacts would be less than significant for all 
resources. All activities would fall within existing regulations, 
permits, and plans. Best management practices and design measures that 
would avoid or minimize adverse effects would be implemented for these 
resources: visual, air quality, noise, traffic and transportation, 
water, geology and soils, biological resources, cultural resources, and 
hazardous and toxic substances.
    All government agencies, special interest groups, and individuals 
are invited to attend the public meetings and/or submit their comments 
in writing. Information on the dates, times, and locations of the 
public meetings will be published locally.
    The DEIS is available for review at the Sergeant Rodney J. Yano 
Main Library (on Schofield Barracks); Fort Shafter Library; Wahiawa 
Public Library; Mililani Public Library; Waialua Public Library; 
University of Hawaii libraries including Thomas H. Hamilton Library, 
Edwin H. Mookini Library, Maui College Library, and Kauai Community 
College Library; Hawaii State libraries including Kaimuki Regional 
Library, Kaneohe Regional Library, Pearl City Regional Library, Hawaii 
Kai Regional Library, Hilo Regional Library, Kahului Regional Library, 
and Lihue Regional Library, and the Hawaii State Library Documents 
Center; the Legislative Reference Bureau Library; and the City and 
County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services Municipal Library. 
The DEIS can also be viewed at the following Web site: https://www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/schofieldplant.

Brenda S Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-09518 Filed 4-23-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3710-08-P
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