80 FR 22978 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Schofield Generating Station Project, United States Army Garrison, Hawaii
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 79 (April 24, 2015)
Department of the Army
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 79 (April 24, 2015)
| Page Range | 22978-22979 | |
| FR Document | 2015-09518 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 79 (Friday, April 24, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 22978-22979] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-09518] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: http://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
![22978 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 79 / Friday, April 24, 2015 / Notices
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. YPG. Therefore, activities conducted in Act (NEPA), the DEIS analyzes the
Chuck Wullenjohn, Yuma Proving these areas were not included in the environmental impacts associated with
Ground Public Affairs Office, at (928) analysis in the FPEIS. construction and operation of the
328–6189, Monday through Thursday The potential for environmental Schofield Generating Station and
from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mountain impacts is greatest for the following associated infrastructure. The Army has
Time. resource areas: soils, air quality, solid determined that there are historic
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: YPG and hazardous materials/waste, properties nearby, but that the
consists of approximately 840,000 acres vegetation, and wildlife. Impacts to undertaking will have no effect upon
of DoD-managed land in the Sonoran these resources may occur as a result of them as defined in 36 CFR 800.16(i).
Desert in southwestern Arizona. The converting existing land use to support The Draft EIS documents this finding
Department of the Army prepared a military testing and training or from and it is now being made available for
FPEIS to analyze potential impacts from increasing the scope or magnitude of public review. The Draft EIS comment
new construction, changes in testing testing activities. Best management process is also an opportunity for public
and training, and activities conducted practices and other mitigation measures to provide input about the effects of the
under private industry partnerships. were identified in the FPEIS. proposed actions on historic property,
Two alternatives were analyzed in the The Army will observe a waiting for consideration in Army decision
FPEIS: (1) No Action, which describes period of 30 days following the making.
the resulting conditions if there were no publication of the Notice of Availability
DATES: The public comment period will
changes in testing and training activities for the FPEIS in the Federal Register by
end 45 days after publication of the
conducted at YPG and (2) the Proposed the U.S. Environmental Protection
Notice of Availability in the Federal
Action/Preferred Alternative, which Agency before making a decision.
Register.
includes new construction and Copies of the FPEIS have been sent to
affected Federal, State, and local ADDRESSES: Please send written
associated demolition, testing and
government agencies, to federally comments by mail to the Department of
training activities occurring on YPG,
recognized Native American tribes, and the Army, Directorate of Public Works,
and new testing and training proposed
to other stakeholders. Copies of the United States Army Garrison, Hawaii,
by tenants to meet anticipated testing or
FPEIS are available for public ATTN: IMHW–PWE (L. Graham), 947
training needs. The Preferred
inspection at the Yuma County Library, Wright Avenue, Wheeler Army Airfield,
Alternative was determined after
Main Branch, 2951 S. 21st Drive and the Schofield Barracks, HI 96857–5013; or
consideration of Native American
Yuma Proving Ground Post Library. The by email to sgspcomments@
concerns and feedback from agencies
FPEIS can also be viewed at the tetratech.com.
and resulted in reduction of the
proposed impact areas for four projects. following Web sites: http:// FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
The FPEIS addressed the following www.yuma.army.mil/Documents.aspx, more information please contact Ms.
types of activities: and http://www.epa.gov/compliance/ Lisa Graham, NEPA Coordinator, U.S.
• Short-term, well-defined activities nepa/eisdata.html. Army Garrison, Hawaii. Ms. Graham can
at known locations that could be Brenda S. Bowen, be reached by phone at (808) 656–3075,
implemented without additional NEPA Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. or by email at lisa.m.graham52.civ@
analysis once a decision is made. mail.mil.
[FR Doc. 2015–09519 Filed 4–23–15; 8:45 am]
• Short-term, less well-defined SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
BILLING CODE 3710–08–P
activities for which locations are not Proposed Action, referred to as the
known or for which additional Schofield Generating Station Project
information regarding site-specific DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (SGSP), consists of:
implementation must be developed that (1) The Army’s lease of 8.13 acres of
would receive additional site-specific Department of the Army land and the related granting of a 2.5-
NEPA analysis prior to project acre interconnection easement on
implementation. Draft Environmental Impact Statement Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army
• Long-term, less well-defined for the Schofield Generating Station Airfield to Hawaiian Electric to
activities that would occur later in time Project, United States Army Garrison, construct, operate, and maintain a 50–
and would receive additional site- Hawaii MW capacity renewable energy power
specific NEPA analysis prior to project AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD. plant to include associated power poles,
implementation. high-tension power lines, and related
ACTION: Notice of availability.
The FPEIS provided thorough equipment and facilities.
analysis under NEPA for the short-term SUMMARY: The Department of the Army (2) The State of Hawaii Department of
well-defined projects and allows less announces the availability of the Draft Land and Natural Resources granting of
well-defined projects to be implemented Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) a 1.28-acre easement and a 0.7-acre
following a focused, site-specific NEPA for the proposed lease of land and conservation district authorization to
analysis that would tier from this granting of easements on Schofield Hawaiian Electric allowing for the
analysis. Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield to construction of a 46 kilovolt (kV)
The Army is not seeking to expand Hawaiian Electric Company (Hawaiian electrical power transmission line
the boundaries of YPG and all proposed Electric) for the construction, between the SGSP site and the existing
activities would be conducted within ownership, operation, and maintenance Wahiawa Substation.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
the boundaries of the installation or its of a 50-megawatt (MW) capacity, (3) Hawaiian Electric’s construction,
currently authorized airspace. No biofuel-capable power generation plant, ownership, operation, and maintenance
changes were proposed to ongoing referred to as the Schofield Generating of a 50 MW capacity, biofuel-capable
military activities conducted at off-post Station, and associated power poles, power generation plant and 46 kV sub-
areas in Arizona and California that are high-tension power lines, and related transmission line required to connect
used for specific military testing equipment and facilities. In accordance the Schofield Generating Station to the
activities under conditions not found at with the National Environmental Policy Hawaiian Electric grid.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 79 / Friday, April 24, 2015 / Notices 22979
The primary purpose of the Proposed All government agencies, special Designated Federal Officer for the
Action is two-fold: to provide improved interest groups, and individuals are subcommittee, in writing at Defense
energy security to the U.S. Army invited to attend the public meetings Language Institute Foreign Language
Garrison, Hawaii at Schofield Barracks, and/or submit their comments in Center, ATFL–APAS–AA, Bldg. 634,
Wheeler Army Airfield, and Field writing. Information on the dates, times, Presidio of Monterey, CA 93944, by
Station Kunia and to provide new and locations of the public meetings email at robert.savukinas@dliflc.edu, or
secure, firm, flexible, and renewable will be published locally. by telephone at (831) 242–5828.
energy generation to the grid on Oahu, The DEIS is available for review at the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Hawaii. Sergeant Rodney J. Yano Main Library subcommittee meeting is being held
The need for the Proposed Action are (on Schofield Barracks); Fort Shafter under the provisions of the Federal
to increase energy security for the Army Library; Wahiawa Public Library; Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5
and Oahu; assist the Army in supporting Mililani Public Library; Waialua Public U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the
renewable energy-related laws and Library; University of Hawaii libraries Government in the Sunshine Act of
Executive Orders and meeting its including Thomas H. Hamilton Library, 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and
renewable energy goals; assist Hawaiian Edwin H. Mookini Library, Maui 41 CFR 102–3.150.
Electric in meeting the Hawaii College Library, and Kauai Community Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose
Renewable Portfolio Standard goals; and College Library; Hawaii State libraries of the meeting is to provide the
improve future electrical generation on including Kaimuki Regional Library, subcommittee with briefings and
Oahu. Kaneohe Regional Library, Pearl City information focusing on the Institute’s
The electricity produced by the SGSP Regional Library, Hawaii Kai Regional goal for its students to achieve 2+/2+
would normally supply power to all Library, Hilo Regional Library, Kahului scores on the Defense Language
Hawaiian Electric customers through Regional Library, and Lihue Regional Proficiency Test (DLPT). The
the island-wide electrical grid. During Library, and the Hawaii State Library subcommittee will also receive an
outages that meet the criteria specified Documents Center; the Legislative update on the Institute’s accreditation
in the Operating Agreement, SGSP Reference Bureau Library; and the City and will address administrative matters.
output would first be provided to Army and County of Honolulu Department of Proposed Agenda: June 10—The
facilities at Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Customer Services Municipal Library. subcommittee will receive briefings
Army Airfield, and Field Station Kunia The DEIS can also be viewed at the associated with the 2+/2+ DLPT goal
up to their peak demand of 32 MW, to following Web site: http:// and the Institute’s actions in supporting
meet their missions, and would www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/ the 2+/2+ goal. The subcommittee will
additionally support the grid up to the schofieldplant. be updated on the Institute’s
station’s full capacity. If there were a Brenda S Bowen, accreditation. The subcommittee will
full island outage, the power plant complete administrative procedures and
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
could be used to restart other plants on appointment requirements. June 11—
[FR Doc. 2015–09518 Filed 4–23–15; 8:45 am]
the island. The subcommittee will have time to
BILLING CODE 3710–08–P
Under the No Action Alternative, the discuss and compile observations
Army would not lease the property or pertaining to agenda items. General
grant the easement and Hawaiian deliberations leading to provisional
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Electric would not construct and findings will be referred to the Army
operate the SGSP. Department of the Army Education Advisory Committee for
The DEIS evaluates the impacts on deliberation by the Committee under the
land use; airspace use; visual resources; Army Education Advisory open-meeting rules.
air quality, including climate and Subcommittee Meeting Notice Public Accessibility to the Meeting:
greenhouse gasses; noise; traffic and Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended,
transportation; water resources; geology AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD. and 41 CFR 102–3.140 through 102–
and soils; biological resources; cultural ACTION:Notice of open Subcommittee 3.165, and subject to the availability of
resources; hazardous and toxic meeting. space, this meeting is open to the
substances; socioeconomics, including public. Seating is on a first to arrive
SUMMARY: The Department of the Army
environmental justice; and utilities and basis. Attendees are requested to submit
is publishing this notice to announce
infrastructure. their name, affiliation, and daytime
the following Federal advisory
Impacts were assessed assuming full- phone number seven business days
committee meeting of the Defense
time operation of the generating facility prior to the meeting to Dr. Savukinas,
Language Institute Foreign Language
(24 hours a day, 365 days a year). Under via electronic mail, the preferred mode
Center Board of Visitors, a
normal conditions, the facility would of submission, at the address listed in
subcommittee of the Army Education
likely operate less than full-time, so the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Advisory Committee. This meeting is
projected impacts could be less. section. Because the meeting of the
open to the public.
Anticipated impacts would be less subcommittee will be held in a Federal
than significant for all resources. All DATES: The Defense Language Institute Government facility on a military base,
activities would fall within existing Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) security screening is required. A photo
regulations, permits, and plans. Best Board of Visitors Subcommittee will ID is required to enter base. Please note
management practices and design meet from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on June that security and gate guards have the
10 and 11, 2015.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
measures that would avoid or minimize right to inspect vehicles and persons
adverse effects would be implemented ADDRESSES: Defense Language Institute seeking to enter and exit the
for these resources: visual, air quality, Foreign Language Center, Building 326, installation. Weckerling Center is fully
noise, traffic and transportation, water, Weckerling Center, Presidio of handicap accessible. Wheelchair access
geology and soils, biological resources, Monterey, CA 93944. is available on the right side of the main
cultural resources, and hazardous and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. entrance of the building. For additional
toxic substances. Robert Savukinas, the Alternate information about public access
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Document Created: 2015-12-16 08:42:55
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 08:42:55
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of availability. | |
| Dates | The public comment period will end 45 days after publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. | |
| 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 [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 22978 |
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