[Federal Register: August 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 150)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42678-42679]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05au99-71]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Corps of Engineers; Department of the Army

 
Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for Navigation Improvements at Akutan, AK

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Engineer District, Alaska, intends to prepare a 
DEIS for the construction of a boat harbor at Akutan, Alaska. The 
village of Akutan is an isolated, subsistence-based, Alaska Native 
community in the Aleutian Island chain. Although the Aleut population 
of the local village remains at 90-100, the fish processing activity in 
the area brings the total year-round population in Akutan to over 500, 
peaking during certain fisheries seasons at about 1,000. The village 
has no roads or airport. The harbor would serve local commercial and 
subsistence fishing vessels, and moor commercial and recreational 
transient vessels.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne M. Crayton (907) 753-2672, 
Alaska District, Corps of Engineers, Environmental Resources Section 
(CEOPA-EN-CW-ER), P.O. Box 898, Anchorage, Alaska 99506-0898. E-mail 
Wayne.M.Crayton@usace.army.mil

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This General Investigation feasibility study 
will consider structural alternatives including the construction of a 
breakwater, a dredged basin, and harbor related infrastructure. The 
initial evaluation identified two harbor locations. One alternative is 
at the head of Akutan Harbor and would require extensive excavation and 
fill in coastal wetlands. The second alternative is near the village 
and seafood processing plant, but in deeper water that would require a 
large breakwater and might require blasting. Both alternatives would 
require the construction of an access road. Other harbor locations and 
non-structural alternatives identified during the scoping process will 
be evaluated.

Issues

    The DEIS will consider the needs of the village and commercial 
vessel operations, impacts to marine intertidal and subtidal 
communities, fish and wildlife, wetlands, threatened and endangered 
species, essential fish habitant, water quality, cultural resources, 
socio-economic resources, and other resources and concerns identified 
through scoping, public

[[Page 42679]]

involvement, and interagency coordination.

Scoping

    A copy of this notice and additional public information will be 
sent to interested parties to initiate scoping. All parties are invited 
to participate in the scoping process by identifying any additional 
concerns, issues, studies, and alternatives that should be considered. 
A scoping meeting will be announced. Project effects on wetlands and 
their importance to the ecology of the area and the potential for the 
project and project road to induce development have been identified as 
significant issues. The DEIS is scheduled for release in January 2001.
Guy R. McConnell,
Chief, Environmental Resources Section.
[FR Doc. 99-20194 Filed 8-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-NL-M